"Caiwei, do you think there are really people in this palace who are willing to selflessly dedicate themselves without asking for anything in return?"
Gu Xiaoqiao suddenly asked.
"This...it's hard for me to say."
Caiwei shook her head, somewhat understanding what Gu Xiaoqiao meant.
"But there's no reason for the Queen to harm us, right?"
Gu Xiaoqiao smiled and said, "I'm not saying she wants to harm us, but I always feel that this matter is not simple. It's just that when one person is too nice to another person when they are not familiar with each other, it is inevitable that people will be suspicious."
Caiwei also agreed: "Your Majesty, you are right, but the Queen should not be that kind of person."
They have encountered many difficulties since entering the palace, but the queen has always treated them with courtesy. Moreover, the queen has always been in poor health and is the type of person who is gentle, generous and non-competitive.
"I don't want her to be that kind of person either."
Gu Xiaoqiao sighed and drank the tonic soup.
Moreover, she was not afraid that someone would tamper with the tonic. After all, she had an antidote pill in her body, so it would be useless even if she was given arsenic.
As the year draws to a close, the weather in Kyoto is getting colder. Heavy snow is falling from the sky. Even with thick clothes on, Gu Xiaoqiao is still shivering from the cold.
"Your Majesty, this is the pigeon soup specially prepared for you by the imperial kitchen. Please drink it while it's hot!" Caiwei handed over a bowl of soup.
"Um."
Gu Xiaoqiao nodded, blew on the soup cup, and took a sip slowly.
Ever since she became pregnant, Emperor Mian kept an eye on her every day, not allowing her to eat anything carelessly, for fear that it would affect the baby. But he was also worried that she would not get enough nutrition, so he asked the imperial kitchen to stew various soups for her every now and then.
Moreover, the pregnancy process is really hard. The further the months go by, the heavier my body becomes. I always feel back pain and cannot sleep well at night.
Fortunately, Di Mian still cared about her and would often rub her waist. Sometimes he was even unwilling to let others do things like wiping her body.
"Oh, being pregnant is so uncomfortable." She couldn't help but sigh.
"Your Majesty, please be patient. Our little prince will be born in less than a month." Caiwei comforted her while giving her a gentle massage.
"Oh, your Majesty, New Year's Eve is coming up in a few days. According to the rules, we all have to go to the Grand Empress Dowager's palace to have dinner together. After dinner, we have to go to the city tower to light lanterns and pray for blessings. However, you are too old now and it is not convenient for you. The Emperor said that if you don't want to go, it's fine. He will come to accompany you when he is done with his work."
Although proper exercise during pregnancy is good for the health of pregnant women, Gu Xiaoqiao is a person who does not like exercise, and she became even more lazy after her belly got bigger.
But for an important holiday like New Year's Eve, she has to go no matter how reluctant she is.
Besides, she wanted to go up to the city wall and take a look.
"Yes, of course I will."
Gu Xiaoqiao said, "Remember to send the New Year gifts to each palace in advance."
"Yes." Caiwei smiled.
......
On New Year’s Eve, in an inconspicuous corner of the palace.
Two dark shadows approached stealthily.
"How is it, are you all ready?" one of them asked in a low voice.
"Everything is ready." said another person respectfully.
"Okay, then go ahead!" the man waved his hand.
"Yes!" The black shadow nodded and quickly disappeared from the spot.
The next day.
Big red lanterns were hung in the palace early on, and a festive atmosphere filled the entire palace.
Gu Xiaoqiao got up early, which was rare for her. After putting on her makeup, she asked Caiwei to help her sit in the main hall.
Below her stood maids, palace servants and eunuchs, all with bright smiles on their faces.
Since moving to Changle Palace, the number of palace servants has increased several times than before, some to serve her and some to serve the emperor's crown. Fortunately, Changle Palace is big enough to accommodate them.
"Your servant bows to the Empress, and wishes Her Majesty the best of health and happiness."
Everyone knelt on the ground in unison.
Gu Xiaoqiao smiled and raised his right hand, "Get up."
"Thank you, Madam."
Everyone stood up and looked at Gu Xiaoqiao excitedly.
"Today is the end of the year. Everyone has worked hard in serving me and the Emperor for the past six months. Today, I will reward everyone with five taels of silver as a New Year's gift. In addition, the year-end bonus will also be distributed. Everyone can go to Yingchun and Yingxia to collect it."
"Thank you for your grace, Madam."
"Your servant/servant thanks the Empress for her grace."
Everyone kowtowed excitedly.
Gu Xiaoqiao nodded slightly, "Alright, alright, don't thank me, everyone get up and go about your business."
"promise!"
Everyone filed out.
Di Mian took time out of his busy schedule to have lunch with her, and then left in a hurry.
Compared to the busyness of others, Gu Xiaoqiao seemed much more relaxed. She only needed to take care of herself. In the afternoon, after changing into a brand new palace dress, she took Caiwei out.
Caiwei had originally arranged for a sedan chair to be waiting for her, but Gu Xiaoqiao insisted on walking by herself.
Caiwei couldn't persuade her, so she had to go along with her.
But not long after he walked out of the palace gate, snowflakes began to fall from the sky again, and Gu Xiaoqiao stopped immediately.
"My Lady, it's snowing! Why don't we take a sedan chair?"
Caiwei said worriedly.
The weather this winter is really bad. It starts snowing after just a few days of sunshine, making everything wet.
"It's okay, we just need to be careful. Besides, the Empress Dowager's palace isn't far from here, we'll be there soon."
Gu Xiaoqiao pursed her lips and smiled.
She has loved snow since she was a child, but she has lived in the south and has only seen snow a few times in ten years.
Kyoto is located in the north, and heavy snow falls in winter. The city is covered in silver and the walls are red with high tiles. It is the most beautiful snow scene she has ever seen, so she cherishes it very much.
When it snowed for the first time since the beginning of winter, she watched from the window for a long time.
Unfortunately, she was pregnant and Emperor Mian would not allow her to go out. She could do nothing but stare at the snowy scene.
It finally snowed today, and Emperor Mian was watching over her. How could she miss such an opportunity?
"Your Majesty..."
Caiwei wanted to persuade him, but Gu Xiaoqiao had already walked forward, so she could only follow him helplessly.
Gu Xiaoqiao walked on the smooth palace road, snowflakes falling down. She stretched out her arms to catch some snowflakes, which instantly turned into water droplets and fell into her palms. It was chilling, but also made her feel refreshed.
"My Lady, please go slower."
Caiwei followed her and shouted worriedly.
The roads are slippery in the snow. What if I fall?
"Don't worry, I know my limits, and with you here, how could anything possibly happen to me?"
Gu Xiaoqiao gave Caiwei a soothing smile.
Although she was now pregnant with a dragon fetus and her body was clumsy, she had no problem walking independently. She also had the amulet that San San had given her to turn misfortune into good fortune.
No matter what unexpected situation she encounters, she will not be in too much danger.
As the two were walking, they suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps from behind them.
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