Chapter 52: Wings "So, what do you say? What should we do now?"
The medicine tasted bitter when it entered his throat. Even though Qingzan swallowed it quickly, the bitterness still lingered in his throat and even seeped into every breath he took.
But she didn't frown.
The Queen Mother, on the other hand, gently picked up the white peacock feather fan placed beside her, as if trying to dispel the pungent bitter smell.
The feather fan should have been discarded in the jade box as soon as the hot summer passed, but because the empress dowager was extremely afraid of heat, it was lucky enough to see the world for a few more days.
The palace maids with lowered brows could not see it, but there was a hint of emotion and envy on the face that was half exposed from behind the door.
The bloody storms she experienced in the past were much more serious than the noises made by these little kids nowadays.
But perhaps it is not that the swords and arrows of this year are not sharp enough, but that a saint should not be involved in this game of cosmetics. Once his heart is distracted, a truly smart person will not take action.
The Queen Mother sent everyone out: "Alright, I'm tired. I'll have the herbs sent to your palace later, and have your servants make it for you."
The emperor said, "My son, I'm leaving."
The Empress Dowager then casually said, "By the way, who brought the news to the Emperor? He's so nervous! I think this person seems to be trying to sow discord between us mother and son."
The Empress Dowager had never expected that the Emperor's spies would be stationed in Ziquan Palace.
What she did today was just to give a warning, reminding people not to monopolize the emperor's favor. Otherwise, it could be a tonic today but poison tomorrow. She also hoped that the emperor would not act on his emotions and take action against his queen again.
Secondly, they truly hoped that the emperor would have many children. As the saying goes, "May your descendants continue to flourish," the emperor's offspring were also related to the foundation of the country.
But the Queen Mother always knew that she could not control her son.
The emperor's tall figure paused behind the curtain and replied:
"Your Majesty, you misunderstood. The only news I received was that Ying Ronghua had offended you. I was worried she might act erratically, so I hurried here to prevent a serious mistake."
Although the emperor appeared to be respectful and answered questions in response, he held the beauty's hand with one hand and put the other hand behind his back, as if he was just following his heart in every move he made.
And so he did.
After the emperor left, Nanny Lian took the peacock fan and said, "Your Majesty, why are you doing this? I'm afraid His Majesty will be angry with you."
The Queen Mother pointed to a palace maid, who extinguished the ice in the incense burner and opened the window to let in some fresh air.
"It's just a bowl of tonic. Why can it make me angry? If he hadn't been so ruthless, I wouldn't have ended up like this." The Queen Mother became more and more annoyed as she spoke. She didn't expect that the most difficult person in the palace was her own son.
"By the way, Concubine Yang's mother came to the palace today, right? Pick out from the bear bile, deer blood, and animal skins the Emperor sent, and choose a few to give to Concubine Yang and Madam Yang in the Emperor's name."
Huying Pavilion.
The Queen would visit Concubine Yang once a day, but today because Madam Yang was coming, she only stayed for a moment and asked about Concubine Yang's daily life as usual, and then did not stay any longer.
Fu Cui glanced back towards the main hall of Guanju Palace. "Ming Zhaoyi has returned to the palace today. Why is Your Majesty still treating Concubine Yang so wholeheartedly? I'm really worried that someone might misunderstand Your Majesty and that we're working for nothing."
If someone were to dig up the old story of the Queen using cats and snakes to harm Concubine Yang, how could she possibly gain any benefit? If His Majesty knew about this, I'm afraid that if Concubine Yang made any mistake, the first person he would suspect would be the Queen.
The Empress was still a little weak, and had someone help her onto the phoenix carriage. She said nonchalantly, "You don't understand. During this period when Ming Zhaoyi was away, I have been taking care of Concubine Yang since she returned from Hanliang Palace. It's obvious that I and Concubine Yang have long since reconciled, and now I am just used to taking care of her."
Fu Cui no longer reminded the Queen, but only complimented her: "Master, you are wise."
Although the Queen was still in poor spirits, she had regained her spirits after meeting with her mother a few days ago and talking things out with her mother. She knew that her mother did not blame her.
At least she still had the Marquisate. She was the only one in the Marquisate.
The Queen coughed twice and suddenly smiled to herself: "Mother had suspected long ago that someone had deliberately planned the misfortune that befell me during the Dragon Boat Festival. I originally thought it was Concubine Yang, but now it seems that Concubine Yang was unaware of it. However, it is not a complete failure——"
According to Concubine Yang, the inspiration for holding the banquet on the island in the middle of the lake came from Concubine Xue's suggestion.
Now everyone in the palace knows that Concubine Xue is Ming Zhaoyi's person.
She then told her mother about this important discovery.
She is not a useless person...!
In Huying Pavilion.
During the period of autumn hunting, Concubine Yang's period gradually became heavier and her belly became very noticeable.
Many people in the palace speculated that she might be pregnant with twins, which was why her belly was so obviously bulging. At five months pregnant, she was almost as pregnant as an ordinary person at six or seven months.
Yangpin's mother, Madam Yang, was allowed to enter the palace to accompany her for one day every two weeks.
Knowing that her daughter and the Queen had become increasingly close, Madam Yang couldn't help but worry, "I'm afraid the Queen's affection isn't something you can handle."
Madam Yang was a decent person and of course she would not directly say anything bad about the Queen, but she had inquired about the Queen's character and could not sit idly by.
It would be best if you could stay away from it.
Yangpin said coquettishly, "Mother, Quexian knows her limits. You raised me, how could I be a fool? It's just that the Queen and I were alone in the womb a while ago, and we just kept each other company. Besides, she is the Queen, and I get along well with her, so it can't be a bad thing."
Madam Yang felt her daughter's belly, and this touch only made her more worried about her daughter's difficult pregnancy. She felt more worried than happy. "Don't think I'm nagging you. His Majesty allowed me to enter the palace because he hoped that your family would protect you and the unborn child."
Yang Concubine puffed out her chest and said proudly, "I'm carrying a precious golden nugget in my belly. The Queen Mother and His Majesty have sent people to help watch over it. Who dares to harm us mother and child?"
Madam Yang couldn't help laughing: "You are still a child, yet you are asked to take on such a heavy responsibility. I can't sleep well at night."
Xiao Tao brought the Master and the Lady their favorite fruits and pastries, filling the mother-of-pearl tray to the brim. The Master had a strange taste now, liking spicy food, and the Lady would definitely not be used to it.
Madam Yang asked, "How does His Majesty treat you?"
Yang Concubine was silent for a moment: "Your Majesty treats me very well, just like the Queen Mother and Zhaoyi treat me well..."
Xiao Tao immediately exposed the truth: "How could the master hide this from even the wife? The master has clearly secretly wiped away tears several times!"
That was fine earlier, after all, the master was the best among the rookies. But lately, everyone in the palace has been saying that Ying Ronghua is unparalleled in favor, and after a trip to the hunting palace, her status has surpassed the master's. Isn't the master's dragon fetus a joke...
Madam Yang immediately grasped the general situation and, speaking with the voice of someone experienced, counseled her daughter, "Remember what I taught you? Don't compare yourself to others. Protect what you have. Right now, no matter what happens, your only concern is giving birth to a son safely and raising him or her to adulthood."
Yangpin nodded obediently: "My daughter, you don't need to worry about it."
At that moment, the rewards from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor arrived. Upon hearing that these were the spoils of the autumn hunt, personally hunted by the Emperor, Yang Concubine's eyes lit up with sparkles.
After Madam Yang thanked her and accepted the reward, she saw her daughter fondling a thick, plush mink fur and asked cautiously, "Quexian, are you..."
If you fall in love with the emperor, you will probably suffer as much pain as drinking poison in the future, rather than just the pain of drinking tears.
Even she, the mistress of a mansion, often felt lucky that her thoughts on marital love had faded, not to mention that her daughter's husband was the emperor who had three palaces and six courtyards.
Yangpin denied in panic: "Mother, what are you talking about?"
She stood up, still holding the fur coat in her arms, as if hugging something tightly. "Mother, you've already taught me this truth a thousand times before I entered the palace. But, but he is the father of my unborn child after all. How can I be completely indifferent? Besides, if I have no feelings, how can I spend my long life in this deep palace..."
Madam Yang didn't know how to comfort him, so she could only sigh out the window, "Quexian, I named you Quexian because I hoped you would be like a bird, a wandering fairy, with wings, free to come and go. I never expected that I would send you to this deep palace with my own hands. From now on, you will not be able to escape the suffering of the human world... You must promise mother that honor and favor are only temporary. Preserving yourself is my greatest hope for you."
Yang Quexian turned around and threw herself into her mother's arms, just like a little girl.
As long as you are in your mother's arms, you will be warm and safe, even if a huge storm is about to hit you in the next moment.
*
The rain came suddenly, and Qingzan and the emperor just left Ziquan Palace.
Xu Delu hurriedly took down a large umbrella with twenty-four ribs from the carriage, but it was still too cramped to accommodate three people. Xu Delu was about to hand the umbrella to Qingzan, but the emperor took the umbrella handle first.
That’s right, Your Majesty is taller, so it’s more convenient for you to hold an umbrella.
But I have never seen Your Majesty hold an umbrella for anyone before.
So, you definitely can't blame him for being short-sighted.
Xu Delu stopped the row of guards and palace maids following the imperial carriage, leaving enough space for the two people walking in front.
The emperor turned around and saw so many people whose faces were blurred by the rain. He paused and waved slightly to them.
Xu Delu understood and said, "Let's all go back now. There's no need to accompany the emperor. Your Majesty, please have mercy on us."
No matter whether it is black or white, it is said to be the emperor's great grace and virtue, and there is no doubt about it.
After Xu Delu ordered everyone to retreat, he alone, with clear eyes and a clear mind, followed more than ten steps behind the emperor and Qingzan.
Xiao Fang found that there was still a tail, and frowned: "You go back too."
Xu Delu didn't dare disobey. But he felt that his job seemed to be getting less and less stressful the longer he worked.
Qing Zan didn't know where the emperor was taking her. She was also very tactful and didn't mention the bowl of medicine just now. If she did, she would inevitably talk about why the emperor was so nervous about a bowl of medicine.
Because he had someone prepare a poison that would make the queen unconscious, he mistakenly thought that the queen mother would treat her in the same way.
A man as proud as him would not like others to know that he would give in to such an extent for one person.
That person happened to be her.
A sage emperor always needs to be high above others and have an unfathomable sense of mystery.
Qingzan didn't mention it, and neither did the emperor.
He just thought about what she was thinking at the moment and pursed his lips silently.
From Ziquan Palace towards Taiye Lake, passing through several pleasant autumn scenes, the trees become more lush, but the human footprints become increasingly sparse.
Finally reaching a forested area by the water, Qingzan saw a maple tree, half red and half green, emerging from a garden. But even more striking than the green and red hues was the five-story building within the garden.
Even though the autumn rain was lingering and the trees were dense, it did not obstruct its edges in the slightest, nor did it blur the pointed roofs and the gleaming glazed tiles.
Qingzan had been here before, but unfortunately the door was not open to anyone.
And just as she expected and prayed, the emperor really did not move forward.
This is definitely the place.
Seeing someone holding his hand, he felt a little excited, like a piece of fine milk tofu, trembling with a luminous glow. Xiao Fang smiled and said, "If I don't tell you, you will never guess it."
Qingzan held her breath, placed her fingertips solemnly on the door, and pushed open the gate of the villa: "I haven't even started looking yet."
The emperor followed her closely, not letting her leave the umbrella in the rain, and naturally not letting her leave his hand.
When the emperor, holding the joyful woman in his arms, reached the front of the building, he anticipated that she would be caught off guard by his sudden attack, so he deliberately asked, "Where is the key I gave you?"
Qingzan was stunned for a moment.
Soon, she said, "How dare I carry such an important thing with me? If I lose it, I will regret it for the rest of my life."
This was indeed true, so she spoke more and more sincerely. The emperor felt his throat dry and itchy as he listened to the pleasant words that became light and slow because of caution.
How could Qingzan not be sincere? The library, the emperor's library, he gave her the key to it. What she once longed for but was so scarce, suddenly became so abundant that it required a five-story building to store it. From then on, the world's wonders, ancient and modern sacred works, were inexhaustible.
Because she told him her late mother's last wish.
Xiao Fang reached out and wiped away the water stain on her temples. He said in a leisurely tone, "So, what do you say? What should we do now?"
They didn't take anyone with them.
Qingzan pondered for a moment, but didn't fret for too long. She raised her face with a bright smile and said, "Shall I go back and get it?"
"Forget it." He smiled and let go of the person, wanting to fold the umbrella and lean aside.
Qing Zan snatched the umbrella away and bravely rushed into the rain: "Your Majesty, please wait for me!"
I kept thinking as I ran, and from now on, my memory of him would probably be accompanied by another earth-shattering rainstorm.
The emperor could only watch in silence. He saw her steps move with a fluttering air, her sleeves fluttering like wings in the cold water. But even as she sped away, years of self-cultivation still gave her a steady and graceful posture.
At the same time, he thought of her soft white ankles, which were as thin as willow branches and could be broken with a pinch, and her watery and shining eyes.
In this rainy, cold and misty atmosphere, it shines with a unique brilliance that is indelible.
Xiao Fang seemed to hear the mountain sounds of that night again, full of life, vitality, and restlessness.
Hear from within your heart.
He slowly took out the other key from his sleeve and put it back the same way he had come and hid it deep inside.
But, abandoning him like this? She should be punished a little.
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