"Your Majesty, let your son escort you back to the Cining Palace."
The Emperor began to speak.
"No need. This matter still needs to be handled by the Emperor. Nian Nian and Qing'er can just stay with me."
"Niannian, Qing'er, let's go."
The Empress Dowager doesn't want to stay here for even a moment longer, nor does she want to see Little Swallow.
"yes."
The two quickly moved to the Empress Dowager's side and helped her to leave.
"Niannian, I'm entrusting Qing'er to you."
The emperor's eyes were filled with worry.
"Um."
The two nodded and followed the Empress Dowager away.
Seeing the old lady's pale face, Chen Nian didn't mention the Buddhist lamp she had specially prepared.
She felt it was unnecessary; given the Empress Dowager's current condition, it would be better for her to go back and rest.
As she passed by Xiao Yanzi and her group, she saw the worry in Ertai's eyes and thought of the cat lamp that Ertai had given her.
"Don't worry, Qing'er and I will help."
He muttered something under his breath and then left with the Empress Dowager.
"Oh, no need—"
Watching the people who had already gone far away, Ertai hadn't even uttered a word, his eyes filled with worry.
The Empress Dowager seemed very angry today. He was worried that she might be implicated. If something happened to the Empress Dowager today, she, as someone who was by the Empress Dowager's side, would inevitably be held accountable.
He didn't want her help; he was worried about her. He just wanted her to protect herself.
With the Emperor, Consort Ling, Yongqi, Benjamin, her brother, and Ziwei's help, Xiao Yanzi will definitely be alright. The Empress Dowager has placed her under house arrest, so Xiao Yanzi's matter is pretty much resolved.
As for the Empress Dowager, she was still unaware of the situation.
"Little Swallow, go back to Shufangzhai and stay there. Four guards, escort Little Swallow back. Your Majesty, I'm leaving this place to you."
Watching the Empress Dowager and her entourage leave, the Emperor waved his hand and left with Consort Yu, Consort Ling, and others, leaving the Empress, Rong Momo, and some palace servants to handle the remaining matters.
With Xiao Yanzi confined to Shufangzhai, the farce of burning the Dharma boat came to an end.
...
"Hey, Niannian, why are you up so early today?"
Looking at the person who came to her with Qing'er, the Empress Dowager smiled and teased.
"I just want to see the Empress Dowager as soon as possible."
Chen Nian looked at the people who had already gotten up, let go of Qing'er's hand, approached the Empress Dowager, took the clothes from the maid's hand, and helped the Empress Dowager to get dressed.
Qing'er was wringing out a handkerchief on the side.
"You two girls have taken such good care of me. What will I do without you in the future?"
"Then we'll stay with you forever."
Qing'er began to speak.
"That won't do. I've always kept your matter in mind."
Hearing Qing'er's words, the Empress Dowager shook her head. She had always remembered Qing'er's marriage, it was just that she missed it...
Oh well, the most important thing is to keep myself happy.
Thinking of Chen Nian, the old lady sighed, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes.
However, because the Empress Dowager mentioned her marriage, Qing'er felt a little desperate and didn't notice.
"Qing'er, I think Erkang and Yongqi are both pretty good since I came back this time. What do you think?"
The Empress Dowager gently asked Qing'er for her opinion.
"Your Majesty—"
Qing'er never expected that the Empress Dowager would bring up her marriage. She wished she hadn't brought it up earlier.
Qing'er was filled with regret. She should have let Niannian speak first. She looked at Chen Nian with some despair, wanting to ask for help.
If she hadn't seen Erkang and Ziwei last night, she thought she would have chosen Erkang, but now she had no feelings for Erkang anymore, and she didn't like Yongqi at all either.
Seeing Qing'er's rare expression of helplessness, Shen Nian's eyes were full of smiles.
It's rare to see this. I never expected Qing'er to be so afraid of marriage. Her expression was one of utter despair.
However, she also wanted to see Qing'er find a good home so that she could be at ease.
She really didn't think highly of Xiao Jian, but Yongqi and Erkang were no good either. Both of them had official partners, so she could talk to the Empress Dowager and say that they didn't necessarily have to choose between the two.
While she wasn't paying attention, the Empress Dowager had already started talking to Qing'er about choosing between Yongqi and Erkang.
"Nian Nian?"
Seeing the person staring blankly, Qing'er seized the opportunity to change the subject.
"?"
Hearing the shout, Chen Nian subconsciously responded, then turned his head in confusion. Looking at the two heads in front of him, he took a step back, his peach blossom eyes widening in surprise.
What are you thinking about?
The Empress Dowager asked with concern, and seeing that the person was a little frightened, she pulled Qing'er back a little.
She noticed that her little darling was becoming increasingly prone to daydreaming; she was either daydreaming or on her way to daydreaming.
"Your Majesty, the candidates don't necessarily have to be either Erkang or the Fifth Prince. Qing'er is so good, let her take a look more."
Coming back to her senses, Chen Nian looked at the pleading look in Qing'er's eyes, took two steps forward, took the old lady's hand, and told her her thoughts.
"Alright then, let's take a look around."
Hearing Chen Nian's thoughts, the old lady nodded secretly. "Alright, let's take a look."
Her Qing'er is so wonderful, it would be good to see her more. She doesn't want to ruin Qing'er's marriage by playing matchmaker.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager had relented, Qing'er felt a sense of relief in Chen Nian's eyes.
It's all over now, and she really has no intention of getting married.
Following Qing'er's gaze, Chen Nian blinked lightly and gave a small OK sign.
Seeing Chen Nian's little gestures, Qing'er's eyes were full of smiles and doting affection.
"Niannian, how about..."
Watching the little tricks between the two girls, the Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with helplessness and indulgence. These two girls always covered for each other.
She tentatively brought up the topic of Niannian, but she still wanted Niannian to consider it as well. Although she was happy that Niannian was with her, she still wanted Niannian to think about it more.
"Your Majesty, you promised me we wouldn't discuss this. You know that. I'd better not cause trouble for others."
Although the Empress Dowager hadn't finished speaking, she was interrupted by Chen Nian, who said in a deliberately playful tone.
"Niannian, don't talk nonsense. You'll be alright. You said you'd always be with me. If you don't want to talk about this, then we won't. We'll just keep it from you. As long as Niannian is happy—"
Seeing the dejection deep in Chen Nian's eyes, the Empress Dowager quickly changed her words, afraid of upsetting Chen Nian.
"What? Your Majesty, do you and Niannian have some secrets between you? It makes me so sad."
Listening to the cryptic conversation between the two, Qing'er always felt that they were hiding something from her.
"No way~, how could we forget our lovely and clever Qing'er?"
He understood the meaning in the old lady's eyes and shook his head cryptically.
It's best not to let Qing'er know about this.
Qing'er is already tired enough, so don't add to her troubles.
Some things, the more people know, the more people worry.
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
