Chapter 415 Offense
A nearby lady heard the word "noble lady" and whispered, "Some things are beyond envy. Who in this world could be as blessed as your majesty? Your majesty's destiny is noble, a perfect match for Your Majesty. However, your majesty has been frail since childhood, and the doctor predicted that she would have difficulty having children, which caused the late emperor to have concerns. Fortunately, the Zhongyuan Envoy nursed your majesty back to health, allowing her to marry Your Majesty."
The Queen entered the Eastern Palace, but her belly remained still. However, Concubine Shu gave birth one after another. People outside speculated that the Queen's body might not have recovered yet and she might not have children in this life.
Unexpectedly, a few years later, the queen became pregnant with the Prince of Qi, breaking the rumor.
A noblewoman standing in the corner, hearing this, cast a subtle glance at the empress's figure, her slender waist and narrow hips. But after a moment, she calmly withdrew her gaze, saying, "This is in the palace. Be careful with your words and don't criticize me."
Although the lady's words were a compliment, they were also an offense.
The ladies realized that they had violated the rules and immediately fell silent. They looked at the queen anxiously, only to see the queen walking in surrounded by palace maids.
They subconsciously looked at Shen Qingtan. Apart from the queen, her status here was the highest.
Shen Qingtan and Princess Guangning went up together to pay their respects to the Queen.
The ladies followed suit and saluted.
The Queen's eyes lingered on the jade pendant on Shen Qingtan's waist for a moment, and she said calmly, "No need to be so polite."
Afterwards, the Queen looked at Princess Guangning beside her, touched her red eyes, and suddenly found it difficult to say what she was about to say to her.
As women, they are powerless to control their own destiny and are destined to sacrifice for their families and their country.
"You are a princess of Northern Qi. Marrying into the Great Zhou, you will have no prospect of returning. You must protect yourself." The Empress had originally intended to escort Princess Guangning out of the palace with the Emperor of Northern Qi, but her health wouldn't allow for excessive exertion. She had come here specifically to speak to Guangning and present a privately prepared gift. But remembering Princess Guangning's status and circumstances, she felt a pity for her. "If you call me Mother, you are now my daughter. I will arrange for two maids to accompany you as a dowry."
Princess Guangning was slightly startled, then she heard the Queen call out, "Yunshu, Yunying, you will stay by Guangning's side from now on."
The two maids guarding behind the queen responded, paid their respects to Princess Guangning, and stood beside her.
There was a flash of astonishment in Luzhi's eyes, because these two maids had some skills. The Marquis sent them to the Queen to protect her safety.
Now he has given the person to Princess Guangning.
She put her thoughts aside and handed the gift from the Queen to Princess Guangning to Yunying.
Princess Guangning came to her senses, not understanding the Queen's intentions. "Mother, I will remember my identity and the responsibilities on my shoulders..."
A hand was placed on her shoulder, and Guangning stopped talking. He looked at the queen blankly, with a look of helplessness in his eyes.
The Queen saw the fear in Princess Guangning's eyes and adjusted the shawl on her shoulders. "You have fulfilled your mission by marrying into the Great Zhou. All you need to do is live a stable life."
Princess Guangning felt a lump in her throat and tears welled up in her eyes.
At this time, a palace maid came in and said, "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived."
The queen withdrew her hand and ordered the palace maid: "First, touch up the princess's makeup."
The palace maids saw that Princess Guangning's makeup was smudged and hurriedly applied new powder on her face.
The queen watched quietly as the palace maids covered Princess Guangning with a red veil and signaled Luzhi to help her leave.
Lvzhi held the queen's arm and helped her leave the noisy palace and walk towards Changle Palace. Suddenly, the queen stopped and looked towards the palace gate.
Luzhi called out softly, "My Lady?"
The empress turned and arrived at the palace gate, stepping onto the city wall. She saw palace servants holding lanterns and square and round fans clearing the way ahead. Then came the Northern Qi emperor, looking haggard, his eyes dark and blue, his steps unsteady, and even weaker than before.
Immediately afterwards, Princess Guangning, supported by the palace maids, slowly walked out of the city gate and stood in front of the Emperor of Northern Qi. She and Prince Yu bid farewell to the Emperor of Northern Qi before getting into the carriage beside them.
The wedding procession headed towards the city gate.
The queen watched the team leave, her fingertips lightly clutching her sleeve pocket, looking in the direction of the Great Zhou.
That was the hometown that Yizhen longed to return to.
"Cough... cough..." The queen covered her mouth and coughed a few times.
Luzhi said worriedly, "My queen, the wind is strong on the city wall. Should we go back to Changle Palace? Otherwise, your body won't be able to withstand it."
The queen nodded slightly, returned to Changle Palace, and sat on the couch.
There was an unfinished dress on the couch. Thinking that the Prince of Qi was about to return to his fiefdom, the queen endured the discomfort and picked up the dress to continue sewing.
I planned to give this piece of clothing to the King of Qi before he returned to his fiefdom.
At the same time, after seeing Princess Guangning off, the ladies returned to their respective homes.
The lady who had advised the ladies in the palace to be careful with their words, after returning to her mansion, hurried to the study and found her master.
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