On her way back, Xueying kept thinking about what Empress Ulanara had said: if she could win Hongli's heart, she could become empress? But Hongli only loved Fucha Mingyu, how could he fall in love with her?
Back at Changchun Palace, the palace lanterns were already lit, and it was getting dark. Xueying returned to her room, her mind preoccupied. She had just taken a sip of water when a palace maid came to inform her that she was going to see Lanqin.
Xueying was startled. She had just returned and was summoned. Lanqin must already know that she had gone to see her aunt. But if she declined, it would only make her seem more guilty.
Along the way, Xueying wondered how she should explain things to Lanqin, and what she should say if her mother asked what she had said. Thinking of this, Xueying frowned her beautiful brows, looking worried.
"Your Highness, the Consort has arrived," the maid reported to Lanqin. Xueying composed herself and followed the maid inside.
After Xueying finished bowing to Lanqin, Lanqin dismissed the palace maids, not wanting anyone with ulterior motives to overhear their conversation. "Xueying, I ask you, did you just go to see the Empress?" Lanqin cut to the chase without beating around the bush.
Seeing that Lanqin was so direct, Xueying was certain that she had gone to the Empress. She was surprised by how accurately Lanqin knew her whereabouts. It seemed that Lanqin knew everything about her.
"Your Majesty, I did indeed go to the Empress's residence. It has been a long time since I last saw her, and I missed her dearly. Today, I chatted with my aunt and we reconnected." Xueying knew very well that her aunt's position was now merely nominal; the one who truly controlled the harem was the Consort Xi, who sat before her. Naturally, she dared not lie.
Just now at the banquet, Lanqin had observed the interaction between Xueying and Empress Ulanara, and specifically sent someone to keep an eye on Xueying. Lanqin thought Xueying was quite honest, and her liking for her grew even stronger.
"Did the Empress say anything else to you?" Lanqin asked tentatively. Xueying appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was in turmoil. "Do you want to be Empress?" These words were deeply etched into her mind.
"My aunt just asked if everything was alright at home, and inquired about my father's condition. Also..." Lanqin saw Xueying hesitate and let her finish.
"In addition... my aunt complained to me about her recent situation. I went into her palace and observed that it was indeed very miserable." In order not to arouse Lanqin's suspicion, Xueying had no choice but to lie to get rid of her guard.
Lanqin was surprised that Xueying would tell her such things, which increased her trust in her even more.
A desolate scene? It seems the Empress is blaming herself. And perhaps the Empress is intentionally trying to outdo Xueying, since the allowances from Jingren Palace have never been less than what she's received. The Fourth Prince even said that all he could give the Empress was to ensure she lived like an Empress.
"Xueying, the Empress is the Empress after all. Whether her life is good or bad is ultimately up to her," Lanqin said meaningfully. Lanqin appreciated Xueying's honesty; on the contrary, it would have been unpleasant for Xueying to treat the Empress coldly.
"Thank you, Mother. I thank you on behalf of my aunt." Xueying hadn't expected that her aunt would ask her to do such outrageous things to Lanqin and Hongli, yet Lanqin was so kind to her. In her heart, she felt that her aunt, the Empress, was really not on the same level as Consort Xi.
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