The breeze is blowing and the sun is shining brightly.
Two dark horses were riding in the carriage, the carriage was wrapped in silk on all sides, and the curtains inlaid with gold and gems were blown by the wind, making it impossible to ignore them.
Jiang Qiao was worried in the carriage, holding the teacup tightly in his hand.
"Miss Jiang, don't worry. My queen just wants to see you today and chat with you."
The person who spoke was Baozhu, the senior palace maid beside Concubine Xian. She looked quite kind and did not have the rigid manner of someone in the harem.
Jiang Qiao didn't know much about Shi Yechen's biological mother, Concubine Xian. He only knew that she was an old woman who was always by the emperor's side. She had been with the emperor since he was still a prince, so the emperor made her a concubine as soon as he ascended the throne, but her status stopped there.
"Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort has always been gentle, yet she suddenly came here without saying hello today. I just find it strange. Miss Baozhu, please don't lie to me. Is it really just a simple chat about family matters?"
Jiang Qiao smiled sweetly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright and clear, but her questions were straightforward.
How could any other young lady be like her? Baozhu was curious. She knew what happened at the banquet last night. This Miss Jiang was truly extraordinary, to have proposed something so unconventional as appointing a female official.
Baozhu just smiled and said, "Miss Jiang, you'll know when you get there."
Jiang Qiao couldn't find out anything else, and didn't want to embarrass her, so he chose to close his eyes and pretend to sleep.
Baozhu looked at her curiously. Today, her prince came to Zhongcui Palace early and told the queen that he wanted to marry the daughter of the General Zhenguo's Mansion. Baozhu was scared.
His Highness had never been so straightforward in the past. Why did he do this to Miss Jiang? Even the Concubine Xian was frightened.
However, the queen still went to speak to the emperor, but the emperor did not agree, for some unknown reason.
Baozhu stared at Jiang Qiaofa in a daze, but this Miss Jiang was indeed beautiful. She was very graceful and looked nothing like someone who had grown up at the frontier. She was not as unbearable as the rumors said. She was extraordinary in her beauty, both bright and cold. These contradictory qualities were unified in her.
"Is it really that beautiful?" Jiang Qiao suddenly spoke with his eyes closed.
Baozhu nodded subconsciously, "It looks good."
After saying that, his face turned red and he pretended to be calm as he looked out the window.
…
The journey was very quiet and Jiang Qiao and Baozhu didn't speak again.
When they arrived at the palace, Baozhu led the way to Zhongcui Palace.
Zhongcui Palace is not far from Ji Yan's Yanxi Palace, and Jiang Qiao is quite familiar with the area.
She followed Baozhu into the gate of Zhongcui Palace. It seemed that Concubine Xian loved chrysanthemums very much. There were different varieties of chrysanthemums planted in the yard, which made people's eyes dazzled.
After Baozhu sent Jiang Qiao to the inner hall, she retreated and left her to wait alone.
Soon, Concubine Xian was helped in by other maids. Jiang Qiao was wearing a light blue smoke cloud butterfly dress today, which made her look decent and generous. She saluted properly and there was nothing wrong with her.
Jiang Qiao didn't know whether the virtuous concubine called her here today to deliberately make things difficult for her or to chat about family matters.
However, after hearing Chunhua say that Shi Yechen asked her to ask the emperor for a marriage, Jiang Qiao felt that Concubine Xian was just trying to find out something from him by chatting about family matters.
The virtuous concubine was also beautiful, but time was merciless and left its mark on her face. She must have had a good temper when she was young. Appearance reflects the heart, and she looks gentle now.
"Stand up and take a seat."
Even her words were gentle. Jiang Qiao couldn't help but wonder if Shi Yechen was her biological son? Or did she know what her son had done?
"Thank you, Madam."
Concubine Xian pushed a plate of cakes in front of Jiang Qiao. "This is butterfly cake, a new delicacy developed by the palace. Would you like to try it?"
Jiang Qiao was really a little hungry. She had been in such a hurry to get to the palace that she hadn't had time to eat. She also felt that Concubine Xian wasn't that brave and wouldn't poison anything in it. So she took one and ate it. "Thank you."
Needless to say, the food in this palace is different, much more delicious than outside. Jiang Qiao ate several pieces in a row and completely forgot what he was here for.
The virtuous concubine looked at her gently and poured Jiang Qiao a cup of tea, "Don't choke."
People who don’t know would think Jiang Qiao is her biological daughter.
Jiang Qiao now really thinks that Shi Yechen is not Concubine Xian's biological son. How could there be such a big difference between mother and son?
After eating and drinking, Jiang Qiao asked, "Does the Concubine Xian have anything else to say?"
The virtuous concubine also picked up a butterfly cake and asked curiously, "The General's Mansion holds great power. As the legitimate daughter, why did you propose the appointment of a female official? The General's Mansion has certainly treated you well."
The virtuous concubine was not feeling well and did not attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet last night. It was Baozhu who told her the news.
Jiang Qiao had a good impression of Concubine Xian, and she answered seriously, "I am me, and other women are other women. People are born unfairly and are divided into different classes. I just want to help those ambitious women. Women are not born worse than men. Perhaps some men are not as good as women. Do you think I am right, Your Majesty?"
Xian Fei laughed out loud, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepened. "You're right."
Jiang Qiao hesitated for a moment before asking, "I heard that the Queen helped the Fourth Prince to ask the Emperor to grant us a marriage?"
Xian Fei didn't expect Jiang Qiao to ask this. She was stunned for a moment and said, "Yes."
"Your Majesty should be aware of the rumors about the Fourth Prince and the eldest daughter of the Yan family a few days ago. Yan Qingli is a talented woman in the capital and is the perfect match for the Fourth Prince. You should also have heard the rumors I spread in the capital. They are completely contrary to what Miss Yan said. I hope Your Majesty will think twice, otherwise someone like me will definitely cause unrest in the Fourth Prince's harem, and big problems will arise."
Jiang Qiao had already made his words very clear, there was no way Concubine Xian couldn't have failed to understand.
But the virtuous concubine said, "I don't like her, and I don't believe the rumors about Miss Jiang. On the contrary, I think Miss Jiang and I have a good relationship."
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