Looking at Chen Nian's bright, darting eyes, Qing'er knew that this trip must have some fun.
Qing'er, who had only mentioned it on a whim, saw the smile in Shen Nian's eyes and knew she had to go no matter what; she couldn't possibly spoil Shen Nian's mood.
"Let's go."
Qing'er stood up and reached out to Chen Nian.
"Hehe, let's go, let's go."
Chen Nian chuckled twice, grabbed Qing'er's outstretched hand, stood up, and rushed out with Qing'er.
Little Swallow, Big Bad Wolf, here we come!
"Little Swallow, Ziwei?"
Qing'er arrived at the room where Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei lived and knocked on the door.
"Qing'er, Chen Nian, what brings you here? Come in quickly."
Hearing the sound, Ziwei, who was wiping her zither, got up, quickly walked to the door, opened it, looked at the two people standing outside, nodded, and invited them in.
Ziwei had a very high opinion of Qing'er, not only because she was tactful in her dealings with others, but also because, from the occasional conversations between Yongqi and the others, it was clear that Qing'er held a very high position in the Empress Dowager's heart.
In the future, when I deal with the Empress Dowager, I might need Qing'er's help.
My relationship with Chen Nian can't go any further; I can't afford to offend Qing'er any more.
"good.
"Ziwei, why are you the only one here? Where's Xiaoyanzi?"
Qing'er was lost in thought, but she didn't hear Xiao Yanzi's voice, which puzzled her.
Little Swallow isn't here, how will Nian Nian play? I should have waited until she came.
She couldn't possibly let Niannian listen to her and Ziwei play Tai Chi, could she? That would be so boring for Niannian. Besides, she didn't want these troublesome things to bother Niannian.
"Little Swallow has gone to take a bath. Qing'er and Chen Nian, please sit down first. Chen Nian, these are some snacks I just made in the kitchen today. Please try them."
Ziwei led the two indoors, poured them a cup of hot tea, and pushed the snacks on the table towards Chen Nian.
"Thanks."
The two accepted the tea and thanked him softly, but remained silent, gazing at the pastries on the table.
The three of them looked at each other in silence for a moment.
"Qing'er, I'll go see if Xiao Yanzi has finished washing."
Chen Nian watched the three of them sitting face to face, not saying a word, and Xiao Yanzi was not there either, and felt bored.
Moreover, Qing'er must have something to discuss with Ziwei.
She vaguely remembered a scene in the drama where Qing'er had a heart-to-heart talk with Ziwei, which must have been today.
Since Xiao Yanzi isn't around, the two of them can perform even better when she goes out.
"good."
Qing'er knew that Chen Nian was bored, so she nodded.
...
Wait until you're out of your reverie.
Qing'er's gaze fell on the zither, which had not yet been wiped clean.
He put down his hot tea, got up and walked over, gently stroking it, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
"I've heard from the master that you have excellent skills in playing the guqin, and it's clear that you also know how to take good care of it."
"When you're out and about, there are so many inconveniences, how can you talk about maintenance? I just wipe off the dust from time to time. As for playing the zither, how dare I show off my skills in front of Qing'er?"
Ziwei pulled Qing'er to sit next to her.
"What do you mean by showing off your skills in front of an expert? I played the guzheng for a while when I was a child, but every time I touched it, I couldn't help but think of my father, mother, and Princess Rui, and then I would cry nonstop. Niannian would cry with me too. In the end, the Empress Dowager simply forbade me from touching it."
As Qing'er gently stroked the zither, she seemed to see again the scene of her mother and Princess Rui guiding her to learn the zither little by little, with Niannian sitting on a small stool beside her watching her.
Many years have passed in the blink of an eye. She and Niannian have both grown up, and the person who taught her to play the piano has been gone for a long time.
"Princess Consort Rui?"
...
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