Knowing Xie Qianzhong's fate in his previous life, Song Tangxue felt even more empathy for him. Their intertwined fates in this life made her feel even more tenderness for him.
Xie Qianzhong embraced the person: "His Majesty is not feeling well today and is taking a rest. His Majesty's health is getting worse and worse..."
The emperor's health was best known to his close ministers, and it could be said that they were involved in the plot. These words were treasonous, and Xie Qianzhong could not say them to Song Tangxue.
"Lord Xie, since you have a day off, why not take a good rest and come with me somewhere?" Song Tangxue slipped out of Xie Qianzhong's arms like a little rabbit, her eyes darting around as she looked at him.
Li Zhaoxian was summoned to attend to the ailing prince, and Song Tangli followed him into the palace. Song Tangxue and Xie Qianzhong then disguised themselves and slipped out of the prince's residence.
The streets were as lively as ever, with people hawking their wares. Song Tangxue pulled Xie Qianzhong into the crowd, briefly returning to her true self.
The two ate and drank along the way. Xie Qianzhong still looked around warily, a habit he couldn't give up. Suddenly, a cold touch landed on his face.
Xie Qianzhong's eyes became hazy. Before him was a person wearing a rabbit mask. The little rabbit's eyes were Song Tangxue's, filled with a bright smile: "Lord Xie, no one can see you if you wear this mask!"
Xie Qianzhong smiled and pushed up his mask to make sure it didn't obstruct his vision. The little rabbit in his field of vision smiled mischievously, nimbly darted into the crowd, and disappeared. Xie Qianzhong frowned and searched through the crowd.
She chased after it, grabbing the little rabbit's paw and holding it tightly. Song Tangxue had already found a small stall and was fiddling with a pair of jade pendants shaped like fish.
Seeing that the two were dressed in rich and noble clothes, the vendor immediately praised the jade pendant as the most unique thing in the world: "This double fish jade pendant is the perfect accessory for lovers. Wearing it will ensure that you grow old together in this life, never to be separated, and even after death, you will transform into birds and fly wing to wing..."
Song Tangxue then stretched out her hand in front of Xie Qianzhong. Xie Qianzhong was stunned for a moment, then obediently took out his wallet and whispered in Song Tangxue's ear: "The quality of this jade pendant isn't very good. If you like it, I'll give you a better pair later."
Song Tangxue pretended not to hear, took out a silver ingot from her money bag and handed it to the vendor: "Keep the change."
She turned around and put one of the jade pendants on Xie Qianzhong's belt, carefully adjusting it: "That's different, we bought it together."
Xie Qianzhong suddenly understood Song Tangxue's meaning and solemnly picked up the jade pendant with two fish and examined it carefully: "It's very beautiful. Tangxue has excellent taste."
As he spoke, he took another jade pendant from Song Tangxue's hand and put it on her wrist. When he straightened up, Song Tangxue looked at him with a smile.
Xie Qianzhong's heart suddenly felt light and airy. At this moment, he wanted to ignore everything and escape the suffocating court struggles, and just be an ordinary couple with the person in front of him without any worries.
Work at sunrise and rest at sunset.
Xie Qianzhong was not the only one who came to attend to the sick, but also the concubines of the harem. Since it was inconvenient for Song Tangli to go in, she went to the Empress Dowager's palace.
The Empress Dowager was burning incense and praying for blessings when Granny Geng lifted the curtain and came in, waving her hand to clear away some of the thick fog: "Your Majesty, this incense is too stuffy, you should come out first."
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and was about to speak when the smoke entered her lungs, causing her to cough a few times. Granny Geng quickly helped her out, and the palace maids beside her stepped forward to fan her.
"It's alright, but I'm just not at ease. The Emperor's health is getting worse and worse. I'm sorry for him. I didn't protect him well when he was young, which caused him to develop this illness..." The Empress Dowager leaned on the small table and chair, her eyes filled with regret.
Her eyes were filled with deep sorrow. At least the emperor had survived, but she would never come back. It was a pain that the Empress Dowager had never been able to mention for years.
“His Majesty has never blamed you, and that matter was not your fault.” Granny Geng gently patted the Empress Dowager’s back. “If you are really worried about His Majesty, you can go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to visit him.”
The Empress Dowager gave a wry smile: "The Emperor is the supreme ruler, surrounded by countless people. I won't join in the fun. I only hope that my son will be safe and sound."
"Good people are always blessed by heaven, and His Majesty will surely turn danger into safety." Granny Geng said kindly, "By the way, the Crown Princess is waiting outside."
When Granny Geng saw that the Empress Dowager was still trying to get up and walk into the inner room, she quickly stepped forward to stop her and changed the subject.
"The Crown Princess?" The Empress Dowager turned her head as expected, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Is it that girl Tang Xue who's here?"
Granny Geng shook her head: "No, it's the Crown Princess Song Tangli."
The Empress Dowager's joy vanished completely. She took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let her in. I heard that the Right Chancellor's trip to Mozhou has been postponed?"
“Yes, the official road to Mozhou has been washed away by the flood. This natural disaster came unexpectedly. I’m afraid we can’t set off until the road is repaired.” Granny Geng helped the Empress Dowager out again, and the little palace maid beside her got up to invite Song Tangli in.
"I'm afraid it's not a natural disaster but a man-made one." The Empress Dowager lowered her head and coughed a few more times. Granny Geng asked worriedly, "Should we go and invite the imperial physician to take a look?"
The Empress Dowager waved her hand: "No need to trouble yourself. I know my own body well. All this fuss will just end up being the same old prescriptions."
Once the Empress Dowager became stubborn, no one could persuade her. Song Tangli followed the maid who was leading the way into the palace. The Empress Dowager raised her eyes, which were calm and inquisitive.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Song Tangli curtsied slightly, her head bowed low. The Empress Dowager looked her over and then told her to stand up.
"Your Majesty, I accompanied the Crown Prince to the palace to attend to his illness. I heard that the Empress Dowager was also unwell, so I came to visit you," Song Tangli said with a slight smile after taking her seat.
"No one comes to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason." The Empress Dowager turned her head away, her mind clear as day: "Crown Princess, don't pretend in front of me. Just say what you have to say. I have to pray for the Emperor's well-being and don't have time to listen to you."
The Empress Dowager's refusal to respond to her words instead made Song Tangli feel somewhat awkward, and she unconsciously pressed her toes together: "Your Majesty, I do indeed have something I wish to ask you to decide."
The Empress Dowager looked as if she had known: "Then tell me."
"I entered the manor with my sister. I am the principal wife, and my sister is the concubine. I know my duty and should take on the responsibility of managing the vast Crown Prince's manor." Song Tangli slowly revealed the complex emotions in her heart.
"The shop property in my sister's hands should be handed over to me for joint management, but my sister has always refused..." This statement makes it sound like he is a person of great righteousness, embellishing this robber's reason with seven parts of reason.
The Empress Dowager couldn't bear to listen any longer and gave a cold snort. Song Tangli dared not continue speaking and carefully observed the Empress Dowager's expression.
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