At this time, the white oriole had not yet left the palace, and upon receiving the reward, it would surely run back to express its gratitude.
Lu Qingyan couldn't stand people who cried so easily and acted like they were being bullied, so she just gave them a few perfunctory replies and sent them away.
Surprisingly, Jun Jiuxian also arrived. His presence accompanying Bai Li to express gratitude was somewhat improper, especially given the rather blatant way he looked at Lu Qingyan. Lu Qingyan thought this man was too frivolous and too annoying—no way! She was incredibly excited.
However, with Bai Li acting as a blinding third wheel, Lu Qingyan didn't want to openly do anything with Jun Jiuxian.
Before they even stepped out of the palace gates, Lu Qingyan heard them whispering. "I, I, did I upset the Empress? Husband, husband..." Bai Li was as flustered and uneasy as a frightened quail. She leaned timidly into Jun Jiuxian's arms, trembling as she sought comfort: "I, I just went to express my gratitude according to the rules, why did she treat me like this?"
Lu Qingyan stared in disbelief: What have I done to you?
The system broadcast the scene, and Lu Qingyan looked at Bai Li and even trembled her shoulders and sniffed twice when she spoke. She looked weak and pitiful, staring at Jun Jiuxian with teary eyes. Her pale and beautiful face was unusually striking.
Jun Jiuxian comforted his wife, embracing her as if she were a precious treasure, and gently coaxed her.
"..." Lu Qingyan gritted her teeth as she stared at the couple who were now cuddling together, oblivious to everyone else. Jun Jiuxian, if you keep hugging like that, I'll chop off your hands so you can never hug a beauty again.
Perhaps Jun Jiuxian heard Lu Qingyan's ventriloquism, for he turned back to Lu Qingyan with a meaningful smile and released his grip on Bai Li.
Feeling comforted, Bai Li continued, "The Empress seems quite easy to talk to. I don't know if it's true or not. I've only heard from people outside that everyone in the palace is an actor. Husband, do you think I should believe her?" The two had already walked quite a distance when Bai Li's innocent yet charming voice rang out. Hui Xiang, the head palace maid beside Lu Qingyan, immediately turned ashen-faced and couldn't help but say, "That Lady Jun is really something. Doesn't she know what should and shouldn't be said in the palace? It's fortunate that our Empress has a good temperament; if she were in someone else's hands, she might lose her life."
Lu Qingyan didn't speak, but simply looked down at her nail guards and smiled. Huixiang's words gave her an idea: before Bai Li was brought into the palace by the Emperor, she could let the concubines in the palace make things difficult for her. After all, she was the Empress; she should be magnanimous and tolerant, so she decided not to interfere.
She has few bargaining chips at hand and can only pin her hopes on others. If the Lu family and Jun Jiuxian cooperate, the Lu family might have a chance to win. After all, she is currently weak and alone. Although General Lu is not pedantic, he would never dare to have any thoughts of rebellion. Moreover, the original owner of this body was too cowardly and had no power at all. Even the crown prince left by the late empress was not close to her.
Helian Xiu and Hua Zhiyi left Chang Le Palace and arrived at a small bridge in the palace, where they were spotted by the favored Consort Yan. Since she wasn't qualified to attend the state banquet, she didn't recognize the two and assumed Bai Li was the Emperor's new concubine and Jun Jiuxian was some lowly eunuch. Upon seeing Bai Li's face, Consort Yan couldn't sit still and, without waiting to find out who she was, shoved her into the lake.
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