Liao Qingqing still stood there with her eyes slightly lowered. She had a
slender figure and
an upright posture.
She looked calm and well-behaved, but she was actually very nervous!
She answered the questions based on her years of experience as a social animal. She
wondered what the difficult empress dowager would think?
Would she say, "How dare you to make excuses?"
She waited anxiously.
Suddenly, she heard the empress dowager say distantly, "Sit down."
Liao Qingqing looked at the empress dowager in surprise.
???
Is that the end of it?
Liao Qingqing was surprised.
Emperor Jingli breathed a sigh of relief. Concubine
Liang couldn't believe it?
Did the empress dowager just let Liao Qingqing go?
Didn't she have any words of instruction?
Concubine Liang was upset and gritted her teeth secretly. She had very little contact with the Queen Mother and didn't know what the Queen Mother meant. She clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves and became even more dissatisfied with Liao Qingqing.
Liao Qingqing sat down carefully. She
felt like she had escaped death.
But she didn't relax at all and lowered her eyes slightly.
Her next words and deeds were very consistent with the character of "Xi Xiurong".
Until the end of breakfast. The Queen
Mother was going to recite the scriptures and asked them to go back.
Liao Qingqing followed Concubine Liang and Concubine De closely.
After leaving Shouxi Palace, she and Concubine Liang saluted Emperor Jingli together.
Emperor Jingli glanced at Liao Qingqing.
Liao Qingqing still lowered her head.
The corners of Emperor Jingli's mouth slightly raised, and he turned to look at Concubine Liang and others, smiling and said: "The Queen Mother's greetings have been completed. Although today is the first day of the new year, it is cold and you are weak, so don't stay here any longer, go back and have fun."
"Yes." Concubine Liang and others said.
Emperor Jingli took Liao Qingqing's hand and said, "Let's go."
Concubine Liang's face immediately froze.
Emperor Jingli didn't look at Concubine Liang and others again, and took Liao Qingqing to Lisheng Pavilion.
After walking for a while.
Liao Qingqing came out of the "Xi Xiurong to meet the Queen Mother" mode.
She turned her head and looked at Emperor Jingli.
Emperor Jingli immediately thought of Liao Qingqing's "confession" just now. This was the first time he had heard a woman's true love confession since he was so old. Just like a mother accompanied her father, she accompanied the emperor attentively, read the emperor's calligraphy, listened to the emperor's music, and appreciated the emperor's paintings.
How simple.
How beautiful.
It was worthy of being said by Xi Xiurong, who had a beautiful heart.
His heart was like honey, and his eyes were almost overflowing with sweetness. He couldn't help but lower his voice and asked: "Are you scared?"
"Yes." Liao Qingqing nodded.
Living in the 21st century where everyone is equal, occasionally encountering a man or woman with a strong aura, she can be neither humble nor arrogant, but the Empress Dowager's aura is too strong.
"Don't be afraid." Emperor Jingli said softly.
Liao Qingqing looked at Emperor Jingli in confusion.
Emperor Jingli smiled and said, "I am here."
"But the Queen Mother is the Emperor's mother." This point makes people have to bow their heads.
Emperor Jingli asked back, "So
she is older than me?" Liao Qingqing quickly said, "That's not what I meant."
Emperor Jingli asked, "Then what do you mean?"
"I am afraid of the Queen Mother, but I also respect her."
"That's a nice way to put it. Who was so scared that his nose was sweating when the Queen Mother asked questions?"
"My nose was sweating?" Liao Qingqing did have a problem with sweating when she was nervous and scared.
"Or was it me?" Emperor Jingli asked back.
Liao Qingqing touched her nose and said, "Your Majesty, you are so considerate."
"Don't flatter me. Let's go back and have breakfast."
"Your Majesty, are you not full?"
"You are the one who is not full."
"Your Majesty, you are really considerate."
In Shouxi Palace, the Queen Mother did not move her chopsticks, and Concubine Liang did not move her chopsticks. She did not dare to move. The Queen Mother and Concubine Liang both had small stomachs, so she did not eat enough either.
"Read more books, and I will not flatter you."
"Okay."
The two held hands and walked forward step by step on the snow.
Not far away, Concubine Liang was so angry that her chest rose and fell, and it was difficult to calm down.
Emperor Jingli and Liao Qingqing did not see them. The two arrived at Lisheng Pavilion.
They had another breakfast.
Liao Qingqing originally wanted to make a snowman.
As a result, it snowed heavily outside again.
She had no choice but to sit on the couch and start flipping through the collection of paintings. They were all paintings by famous painters of the Wei Dynasty, but she couldn't understand them. Her eyes were involuntarily on the Emperor Jingli who was sitting opposite her.
Emperor Jingli put down the book and asked, "Have you really started learning the arts of music, chess, calligraphy and painting?"
Liao Qingqing nodded.
"For the Queen Mother?"
"Not entirely."
"In fact, the palace is not short of concubines who are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. You just need to learn the basics. Anyway, no matter what you do, the Queen Mother will find your shortcomings."
"Why?"
"Because of me."
"Is there a conflict between the Emperor and the Queen Mother?"
"Yes."
"What festival?"
Emperor Jingli's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked straight at Liao Qingqing.
Liao Qingqing was suddenly startled, and asked carefully: "Your Majesty, did I ask a question that I shouldn't have asked?"
Emperor Jingli smiled and didn't mind, and said: "There is no father and son in the royal family, and there is no mother and son in the royal family. When I first ascended the throne, I was constrained by various forces in the court, including the Empress Dowager's family. I was cautious at first, and then I defeated them one by one. The Empress Dowager's family was devastated, and the Empress Dowager and I competed for this."
"Did the emperor win?" Liao Qingqing asked.
Emperor Jingli nodded and said, "Well, since then, the relationship between the Queen Mother and me has broken down. At the most tense time, she beat to death one of my personal eunuchs. I was extremely angry and caused a scene in Shouxi Palace."
"Then, the Queen Mother went to the other courtyard in anger?"
"Yes."
"Is the relationship between the Queen Mother and the Emperor still not good now?"
"Yes."
"Then, then-"
"Then what?"
"Will the Queen Mother get angry and beat me to death?"
"Impossible!" Emperor Jingli suddenly shouted.
Liao Qingqing was startled.
Emperor Jingli also realized that he had lost his composure and quickly explained, "My mother is not that kind of person. The death of the eunuch was an accident."
After all, they are mother and son.
He still protects his mother.
Liao Qingqing understands!
Emperor Jingli continued, "You don't have to be afraid of her. Just like what you said when you paid respects today, you just need to be obedient to her on the surface, but actually have your own stand."
Liao Qingqing nodded.
"Come, I will teach you how to appreciate paintings."
"Yes."
It was supposed to be appreciating paintings, but in the end, they played the guqin, played go, and wrote calligraphy. That day passed like this.
In the next few days, Emperor Jingli seemed to be more idle. Whenever he had time, he would grab Liao Qingqing to teach her guqin, go, calligraphy, and painting. Even the Lantern Festival became a lantern guessing game. It was so boring.
In the blink of an eye, it was spring.
Liao Qingqing thought that the Empress Dowager had entered the scripture recitation mode and ignored the mundane affairs of the world. As a result, just after she had breakfast, Chang Ma, who was beside the Empress Dowager, came over.
"This old servant pays homage to Xi Xiurong." Chang Ma bowed.
How could Liao Qingqing dare to let the favorite of the empress dowager perform the ceremony? She quickly stepped forward to support Nanny Chang and asked, "Nanny Chang, please
don't be polite. I'm sorry to bother you to come here. I wonder if the old empress dowager has any instructions?" "To answer Xi Xiurong, it's not that there are any instructions. The empress dowager has been reciting scriptures recently, and she is inevitably a little depressed. She wants to find someone to talk to. She said that Xi Xiurong is the only one in the harem who can't play the piano, chess, calligraphy, or do needlework, so she ordered this old servant to invite Xi Xiurong to Shouxi Palace."
???
What does that mean?
She is the only idle person in the whole harem?
Isn't it good to be an idle person?
Why do you look down on her?
She is so proud!
So she smiled and said, "Okay, I'll go with you now."
Nanny Chang was puzzled.
The Queen Mother's words were full of sarcasm.
Why was Xi Xiurong not annoyed at all?
Did she not understand or what?
Nanny Chang could not help but be cautious with Liao Qingqing.
Liao Qingqing did not think as much as Nanny Chang did.
She tidied her clothes a little and followed Nanny Chang to Shouxi Palace.
As soon as she entered Shouxi Palace, she saw the Queen Mother sitting in the courtyard admiring the flowers.
"Greetings to the Queen Mother." Liao Qingqing bowed respectfully.
The Queen Mother did not even look at Liao Qingqing, and asked in a cold voice: "You came here so soon, what were you doing when Nanny Chang went to look for you?"
Liao Qingqing lowered her eyes and replied: "Your Majesty, I was reading a book when I got married."
"What book were you reading?"
"The Emperor ordered me to read the Great Wei Domain Chronicles."
"Oh, the Emperor asked you to read such a book?"
"Yes, the Emperor said that such books can broaden your horizons." The Queen Mother
did not comment, and asked again: "What is the Emperor doing now?"
"I don't know." Liao Qingqing told the truth. The
Queen Mother used a handkerchief to wipe the dust off a leaf, turned her head to look at Liao Qingqing, and asked in a stern voice: "How do you serve the Emperor?"
"I serve the Emperor in Lisheng Pavilion."
"How dare you! You dare to play word games with me!"
???
How come this empress dowager is more unreasonable than Emperor Jingli?
She is telling the truth!
How come it is just a word game? It is
really picking bones with eggs!
This, this, this... Liao Qingqing suddenly felt that Emperor Jingli's moody and unreasonable temperament was very similar to the empress dowager in front of her, and at this time, the moody and unreasonable Emperor Jingli was preparing for the ceremony in the study.
"Reporting to the emperor, the crops are growing well this year. If the weather is good and the rain is on time, it will be a bumper year." The Minister of Revenue said.
After hearing this, Emperor Jingli nodded: "I know, the second day of February will be held as scheduled, regardless of wind or rain."
"Yes."
He discussed with the Minister of Revenue for another half an hour.
Emperor Jingli opened a memorial and summoned the Minister of War.
He took the Minister of War to the training ground to test the new weapons.
It was already noon.
Recently, Emperor Jingli had been with Liao Qingqing every day, holding hands and hugging each other.
He had forgotten that he had a headache.
However, he developed a habit of going to Lisheng Pavilion every day.
After dismissing the Minister of War, he brought Fusheng to Lisheng Pavilion.
Thinking about where Liao Qingqing was slacking off again,
he must punish her.
"Your Highness, may His Majesty be well." He Xiang and other palace maids hurried to greet her.
Emperor Jingli looked around and asked, "Where is your master Xi?"
He Xiang said, "Your Highness, as soon as the master had breakfast this morning, Nanny Chang came to call the master to Shouxi Palace to chat with the Empress Dowager."
Emperor Jingli was surprised: "In the morning? Went to Shouxi Palace?"
"Yes." He Xiang replied.
"Why didn't you go?" Emperor Jingli was puzzled.
"Nanny Chang said that the Empress Dowager likes to be quiet and doesn't let the servants follow." In the morning, He Xiang habitually followed Liao Qingqing, but Nanny Chang didn't let her, so Liao Qingqing asked He Xiang to wait in Lisheng Pavilion.
"Did Xi Xiurong not bring any maidservants with her?"
"No."
Emperor Jingli continued to ask, "Has she never come back?"
"No."
Hearing this, Emperor Jingli's face darkened.
Thinking of Liao Qingqing's words that day, "Will the Queen Mother get angry and beat me to death?", he was shocked.
Without saying a word, he turned around and walked out of the Lisheng Pavilion.
He Xiang was stunned for a moment, and suddenly became afraid.
Will the master be in trouble?
When Emperor Jingli rushed to Shouxi Palace, Concubine Liang had already arrived at the gate of Shouxi Palace. She heard in the morning that Liao Qingqing had entered Shouxi Palace. She
didn't come back all morning.
She knew that the Queen Mother and Emperor Jingli were not on good terms. The Queen Mother had beaten to death the personal eunuch that Emperor Jingli liked, so she might attack Liao Qingqing now. She
was eager to find out.
But she couldn't just go there in a big way, or she might disgust the empress dowager, so she spent a lot of money to have the kitchen prepare Eight Treasures Soup, and waited until noon to come.
Just to see Liao Qingqing's joke!
I'll see it soon!
She was a little excited, straightened her clothes, took the food box from the palace maid, and was about to enter the Shouxi Palace when she suddenly felt a gust of wind blowing past her. She looked closely.
It was Emperor Jingli.
Before she could say anything, Emperor Jingli had already entered the Shouxi Palace with a panicked look on his face.
Could it be that Liao Qingqing really had an accident?
Concubine Liang was delighted and quickly followed Emperor Jingli.
Emperor Jingli had already walked into the front yard. Without waiting for the maids to greet him, he asked in a hurry, "Where is the Empress Dowager?"
Nanny Chang bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is planting flowers."
"Where is she planting flowers?"
"In the backyard. I will take you there."
"No need. I will go by myself!"
Nanny Chang was stunned.
Without giving Nanny Chang a chance to show off, Emperor Jingli strode towards the backyard.
Concubine Liang followed him quickly.
As soon as Emperor Jingli entered the backyard, he saw a straight bluestone road with various potted trees planted on both sides. There was no Empress Dowager at all, let alone Liao Qingqing.
"Mother!" Emperor Jingli was a little nervous and shouted loudly: "Mother! Mother!"
"Oh." At this time, a distant voice came from behind a half-person-high bonsai, and then the empress dowager slowly stood up with her hands on her waist, turned her head and looked at Emperor Jingli: "The emperor is here."
Emperor Jingli couldn't wait to ask: "Mother, where is Xi Xiurong?"
"Are you here to see Xi Xiurong?"
The empress dowager asked slowly. "Where is she?" Emperor Jingli asked anxiously.
"Where is she?" The empress dowager looked behind her.
"Your Majesty, I am here." Liao Qingqing's brisk voice came.
Emperor Jingli and Concubine Liang looked in the direction of the voice and saw a slender figure standing up behind the empress dowager, wearing a white veil on her head.
"Qingqing!" Emperor Jingli stepped forward quickly and pulled off the veil: "Why are you wearing this? Are you injured and afraid that I will see it?"
Emperor Jingli looked at Liao Qingqing's face.
Liao Qingqing replied: "Your Majesty, I am not injured."
"Then why are you wearing the veil?" Emperor Jingli asked puzzledly.
"A bug bit me."
"What kind of bug? Who raised it?" Emperor Jingli asked anxiously.
"No one raised it. It's wild."
"Wild?" Emperor Jingli felt something was wrong.
"Well, there are many kinds of flowers and plants here, it's humid and cool, which is where mosquitoes grow, and they like to bite people." Liao Qingqing turned around and asked, "Empress Dowager, don't you think so?"
"Xi Xiurong is right." The Empress Dowager's voice was still distant, but she answered the question very naturally. She looked at Emperor Jingli and asked, "Emperor, what are you thinking about? Do you think I want to hurt Xi Xiurong?"
Emperor Jingli: "???" Isn't it?
Concubine Liang: "???"
The author has something to say: -
Emperor Jingli: Am I thinking too much?
Concubine Liang: I think more about my feelings.
Liao Qingqing: Yes (nods obediently)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
