"The only people who would talk to me like that are you and that child, A-Ling." Everyone else treats her with utmost respect and deference; who would dare to speak to her like that?
"It's good that Mother didn't blame me," Shang Xian said, still smiling.
"Don't be angry, Mother. It would be even better if you could give Mother a grandson or granddaughter," the Empress Dowager said, pulling her down to sit and patting the back of her hand.
"The Empress Dowager is pressuring my sister-in-law like this; we mustn't frighten her."
Before Shang Xian could speak, a male voice came from behind him.
Shang Xian turned to look behind him, and a man wearing a black court robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon walked over.
A string of words appeared above his head; it turned out to be Dugu Lianbai, the younger brother of Dugu Qianchen.
"Mother, sister-in-law, greetings!" Dugu Lianbai walked up to them, revealing eight big white teeth.
"Prince Lian" Shang Xian nodded slightly.
"Mother, I think you're being a bit biased," Dugu Lianbai said, leaning closer to the Empress Dowager.
"What's wrong with Lian'er?"
"If only I were chosen as a concubine with half the beauty of my sister-in-law, Mother, please don't be biased."
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily: "If only you were willing to get married, what beautiful girl wouldn't you have?"
Shang Xian chose to remain silent and listen quietly to what they were saying.
"Today's state banquet is coming up, but Mother is not feeling well and will be late. Lian'er, please take good care of Jiu'er." The Empress Dowager waved her hand, as she was tired and needed to rest for a while.
"Please, Your Majesty," Dugu Lianbai said with a smile.
Shang Xian nodded, and the two of them walked side by side.
"Isn't the Empress Dowager afraid of being gossiped about by outsiders?"
When he suddenly said that, Shang Xian glanced at him, but smiled nonchalantly.
"You've already addressed me as 'Imperial Sister-in-law,' and besides, the Empress Dowager asked us to go together."
“That’s true, it seems my brother doesn’t care either,” he said, glancing at Shang Xian’s expression.
"I don't care," she said, and then she noticed that Dugu Lianbai had stopped walking.
"Please don't say that anymore, sister-in-law. This is the inner palace." His gaze gradually deepened.
"Things will be different from now on," she said casually.
As long as Shenyi is powerful enough, she can lie to everyone outside every day.
It used to be Li Ci, now... Shen Yi.
"Your Majesty's words have a profound meaning," Dugu Lianbai said thoughtfully.
"It'll be too late if we don't hurry," Shang Xian said, his face still full of smiles.
The two of them walked towards the Golden Palace.
"Your Majesty, Prince Lian has arrived—"
Many people had already arrived even before the state banquet began.
Dugu Qianchen looked at his younger brother with a puzzled expression, while Dugu Lianbai shrugged when he noticed Dugu Qianchen's gaze.
Shang Xian naturally walked to the chair next to Dugu Qianchen and smiled slightly at him.
Dugu Qianchen was even more puzzled.
Shang Xian noticed a gaze and saw Rong Ling's meaningful smile, as well as Yu Hanzhi standing to the side.
A line of words appeared above his head—
Yu Hanzhi, the Left Prime Minister, a close friend of the Emperor, and also Ning Jiu'er's mentor!
Shang Xian was shocked. Master?
Are all poems, lyrics, and songs taught by Yu Han?
She looked at Yu Hanzhi with feigned surprise, as if she knew him.
Dugu Lianbai stared at Shang Xian, and following her gaze, he saw Han Zhi.
Do they know each other?
Rong Ling shook his head and took a sip of wine. He was well-informed; how could he not know about the relationship between Yu Hanzhi and Ning Jiu'er?
"Consort Ning has arrived—"
Shen Yi walked in with a cold face, her aloof temperament stunning everyone.
Shang Xian looked at her face, his smile deepening. This converter was truly amazing, making Shen Yi's devilish face more delicate and his height more prominent. Although he wasn't as tall as his previous 1.88 meters, he was at least 1.75 meters. At this moment, she was dressed in a red silk robe, looking stunning and independent.
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