Song Tangli's jealousy stemmed from her own incompetence; she couldn't compare to Song Tangxue and yet she complained about everything. If she had just put in a little effort, given the Song family's doting on her, becoming a better person would have been a simple matter.
Unfortunately, her thinking was rigid, and she only knew how to rely on others.
The next morning, the nanny from the Empress Dowager's side came to call Song Tangxue: "Your Highness, the imperial chef from the Empress Dowager's side has come up the mountain and invited you to have a meal together."
The old nanny smiled and lowered her posture. She was the most capable nanny by the Empress Dowager's side, and in principle, she didn't need to bow her head to anyone.
Such an attitude is enough to prove the Empress Dowager's appreciation for Song Tangxue, making the ladies and young women envious and jealous.
Song Tangxue responded, shaking her slightly dizzy head. She had caught a chill last night and had a headache. She asked Haitang to help her wash and dress, and then went to see the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was fiddling with her prayer beads, looking towards the doorway, when she saw Song Tangxue and smiled.
The little fox that had been coming to forage for food these past few days peeked out and climbed down from the window frame, only to be caught red-handed by the waiting imperial physician, who then took it to have its dressing changed.
After Song Tangxue finished her greetings, the Empress Dowager and her entourage sat down at the dining table.
Two hot pot dishes: mutton stew with tofu and duck stew with cabbage.
The four dishes are called "Longevity and Prosperity," and there are six kinds of hot dishes, two kinds of sliced meat, and four kinds of desserts.
The soup is called "Bird's Nest and Duck Strip Soup".
Everything was available, but Song Tangxue had little appetite. However, she had no choice but to keep the Empress Dowager company while she ate. During the meal, she did not see Li Zhaoxian.
Song Tangxue asked with some confusion, "Isn't His Highness the Crown Prince coming to dine?"
The Crown Prince is considered part of the Empress Dowager's family, yet she didn't invite him to the meal, but instead invited herself.
The Empress Dowager thought Song Tangxue was concerned about Li Zhaoxian, and said with a smile, "He is filial and accompanied me to Huguo Temple, but he cannot neglect state affairs. He is still in the study right now. You can go and see him after you finish breakfast."
Song Tangxue choked up a bit. After finishing her meal, she went to see Li Zhaoxian, fearing she would throw up her entire breakfast.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is devoted to the affairs of state; he will surely become a wise ruler in the future," Song Tangxue praised, suppressing her nausea.
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow with interest, sensing the hidden meaning in her words, and waited for her next remark.
Song Tangxue took a deep breath: "I don't know any of the rules. I don't know if standing next to him will cause him any gossip."
The Empress Dowager placed a piece of food in Song Tangxue's bowl with her chopsticks: "You are so virtuous and genuine. Xian'er is missing someone like you by his side."
"You two are a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Song Tangxue fell silent. Judging from the Empress Dowager's expression, she was quite satisfied with the marriage, but she also felt a bit of a headache and irritation.
After finishing her meal, Song Tangxue used the excuse of going to see Li Zhaoxian to go out and went straight back to her room to rest for a while.
We need to think about the next steps; this marriage definitely cannot go ahead.
Three days later, the Empress Dowager's entourage set off to return to the capital.
The Empress Dowager specially summoned Song Tangxue to accompany her, with Li Zhaoxian by her side. Song Tangxue could clearly sense the Empress Dowager's intention to matchmake them, which made her even more irritated.
"What a brilliant scheme! You've won over the Empress Dowager and gotten her to create opportunities for you. I underestimated your methods and determination." Li Zhaoxian whispered in her ear.
The Empress Dowager saw it and nodded in satisfaction, assuming that the two were saying something intimate.
Song Tangxue didn't want to say a word to Li Zhaoxian, and remained silent with her head down.
Song Tangli trailed far behind the group. Seeing the intimacy between the two, her gaze turned venomous. Those sixty Zen poems had almost driven her mad.
They originally intended to send someone down the mountain to find some things to deceive the Empress Dowager, but the nanny by her side discovered it.
The journey was peaceful until they descended the mountain and entered the wide official road, where the young ladies who were not in good health began to ride in carriages.
Song Tangxue also wanted to leave Li Zhaoxian's side first, but before she could take a step, a dangerous situation suddenly arose.
The leaves rustled.
A group of assassins who had been lying in ambush jumped out from the shadows and drew their swords against the Empress Dowager's guards: "Assassins! Protect the Empress Dowager! Protect His Highness the Crown Prince!"
The guards and assassins were entangled together, and the Crown Princess was pushed by the guards to the Empress Dowager's side.
The ladies and young women were in complete chaos, but fortunately, the assassins had a clear target: the royal family.
They were protected by guards, so their lives were not in danger.
The three of them, now surrounded in the middle, are in danger. Li Zhaoxian has a sullen face, while the Empress Dowager, supported by her nanny, does not appear flustered.
The assassin's main tactic was to strike by surprise, but now that he's been stopped by the guards, he's no longer a threat; he's just making a last-ditch effort.
Just then, a hidden arrow flew straight at the Empress Dowager.
By the time the guards realized what was happening, it was too late to stop it. They watched helplessly as the arrow flew toward the Empress Dowager. Suddenly, Song Tangxue made a move.
He rushed to the Empress Dowager's side.
"Pfft."
The sound of arrows piercing flesh was accompanied by the sound of clothes tearing.
Song Tangxue frowned, enduring the excruciating pain, while Xie Qianzhong, who was blocking the assassin in the distance, killed the assassin in front of him with a single slash.
His fingers trembled slightly as he looked at the fallen figure.
Song Tangxue felt her vision blur for a moment, gritted her teeth and stuffed a small pill into her mouth. The arrow was poisoned!
But this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In that instant, Song Tangxue didn't think too much. Seizing this opportunity would give her a way to break off her engagement with Li Zhaoxian.
After taking the medicine, Song Tangxue could no longer hold on, and her vision and consciousness both faded into darkness.
The Empress Dowager caught Song Tangxue as she fell. The girl's figure was delicate and even somewhat frail, yet this was the same girl who, when danger struck, threw herself in front of her without hesitation.
The Empress Dowager was moved and helped her to summon the imperial physician.
I opened my eyes, and my vision was blurry, sometimes bright and sometimes dim, as if it were covered by a thick fog.
A familiar sandalwood scent wafted into her nose, and the piercing pain in her shoulder blade was also awakened. Song Tangxue bit her lip.
It was a scent that had seeped into the Empress Dowager's body. It seemed she had successfully returned to the palace. Song Tangxue breathed a sigh of relief.
The old nanny next to her sent someone to inform the masters that the Crown Princess had woken up, and she personally helped Song Tangxue sit up.
Song Tangxue coughed lightly, covering her mouth, and the nanny brought over a teacup.
After helping Song Tangxue finish washing up, the Emperor and Xie Qianzhong were already waiting outside. As soon as she stepped out, Xie Qianzhong's gaze fell on her.
It was like a warm but fleeting twilight.
"Are you feeling any better?" the Emperor asked, dismissing her formalities.
Song Tangxue smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's all what I should do."
The Emperor was somewhat gratified: "You saved the Empress Dowager's life, so I can grant you one wish. You can tell me anything you want."
Song Tangxue glanced at the Emperor with some difficulty, but her eyes were always on Xie Qianzhong: "This subject now has a wish."
As she spoke, Song Tangxue slowly knelt down, disregarding her injuries.
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