The next day.
Chen Siyuan arrived at Xiyuan early to wait.
As soon as Madam Qiao stepped out, she saw Chen Siyuan standing in the courtyard.
He quickly walked over and asked, "Yuan'er, when did you arrive?" He then took Chen Siyuan's hand and placed it in his palm.
They're all ice cold.
Feeling extremely distressed, he immediately asked Zhang Ma to prepare a heater.
When the two of them were sitting in the carriage, Chen Siyuan was still holding a hand warmer.
"It's only late autumn now, we don't need these things," Mrs. Qiao said. Chen Siyuan's palms were sweating from the heat, but she didn't let go.
“You’re not a child anymore, you should learn to take care of yourself.” Mrs. Qiao treated Chen Siyuan like her own child, applying the same methods she had used on Qiao Zhen to Chen Siyuan.
"I understand, I'll be more careful next time."
"That's good. Today's banquet was very strange. Be careful when you go." In the past, palace banquets were always prepared in advance. She felt something was wrong when the news came suddenly.
That's what the people in the palace said; she couldn't refuse, she could only be cautious.
Chen Siyuan thought so too.
Qiao Yuchen had just left when the banquet was prepared, which made her feel that the banquet was not worthwhile.
Many things are beyond our control; we can only take it one step at a time.
The carriage swayed and wobbled as it arrived at the palace gate. Chen Siyuan got off the carriage first, and then helped Madam Qiao down.
As soon as Madam Qiao came downstairs, she saw Eunuch Huang walking towards her from a distance.
Huang Gonggong was a favorite of the Emperor, and everyone treated him with deference. Chen Siyuan and Madam Qiao had intended to wait for Huang Gonggong to go first, but unexpectedly, Huang Gonggong came directly to them.
"This servant greets the First-Rank Lady and Madam Qiao," Eunuch Huang bowed.
Both Mrs. Qiao and Chen Siyuan were taken aback. Were they coming for them?
At this moment, the carriages that had already arrived all looked surprised when they saw the scene before them.
Huang Gonggong was just a eunuch, but he was the emperor's eunuch, and many times Huang Gonggong's appearance represented the emperor.
Anyone who sees this person should quickly lower their posture. Now, Eunuch Huang has once again lowered his posture towards Chen Siyuan. Who wouldn't sigh in admiration?
In the past, Chen Siyuan had shown some special favor to the Emperor. Could it be the same this time?
Madam Qiao looked at Eunuch Huang in front of her, then at the bewildered Chen Siyuan. She touched him slightly and asked, "I wonder what brings Eunuch Huang here?"
"This servant has received His Majesty's decree to invite the First Rank Lady to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers."
Chen Siyuan opened her eyes wide.
Qiao Yuchen had just left when the Emperor made such a scene. Anyone who didn't know better would think he had designs on him. Even if he didn't, this action wouldn't give him a good reputation.
Before she could refuse, Madam Qiao spoke up for her, "Thank you, Eunuch Huang. Yuan'er doesn't understand the rules of the palace, so please enlighten her." As she spoke, Madam Qiao handed a silver note to Eunuch Huang.
Huang Gonggong seemed startled by this action and quickly stepped back to avoid Madam Qiao's hand. Then he looked at Chen Siyuan and said, "First-rank Madam, please!" He then bowed.
Chen Siyuan looked at Eunuch Huang, feeling that something was amiss.
Madam Qiao seemed unperturbed by what had just happened and spoke again, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Huang."
"Of course, of course."
Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Chen Siyuan could only leave with Eunuch Huang. As she left, she gave Madam Qiao a smile.
Madam Qiao watched Chen Siyuan walk away, then hurriedly told Zhang Ma to go find the general and tell him about the matter so that he could find a solution.
Just as I finished explaining these things, a carriage arrived.
Mrs. Qiao breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing the sign from afar.
As Qiao Zhen stepped down from the carriage, she was greeted by a chorus of voices.
Qiao Zhen found it amusing to see everyone bowing their heads.
They ignored us in the past, but now that they can't even see their own people, they're starting to lower themselves.
That's ridiculous.
She looked down on such a snobbish person.
Just as they were about to leave, they saw Mrs. Qiao standing next to the familiar carriage.
Upon closer inspection, there was only one carriage, but Chen Siyuan was nowhere to be seen.
Qiao Zhen walked over quickly, bowed, and greeted, "Mother."
Qiao Zhen's identity has changed, but she remains the same as before.
Mrs. Qiao was relieved, and thinking of Chen Siyuan, she quickly spoke up.
Qiao Zhen also felt it was inappropriate. "Mother, let's go inside!"
Now, Qiao Zhen's status has changed, but she still respects Madam Qiao as before, no, she should respect her even more than before.
As they walked in, Mrs. Qiao said a few things, and Qiao Zhen listened attentively.
Just as he was trying to figure out a solution, he saw the Fifth Princess.
Because Qiao Zhen was involved in sending Chen Siyuan's visiting card, she and the Fifth Princess were acquainted.
I also know that the Fifth Princess and Chen Siyuan have a very good relationship.
She took the opportunity to greet her and test the waters, confirming that the Fifth Princess genuinely cared about Chen Siyuan.
The Fifth Princess Consort wasn't as worried as they thought. She didn't know why the Emperor had summoned Chen Siyuan to the Imperial Garden alone, or what the reason was, but she knew that the Fifth Prince, who had just arrived, had gone to the Imperial Study, so she figured he would be alright.
Seeing the worried look in Madam Qiao's eyes, he stepped forward and said, "Madam Qiao, Third Prince's Consort, you don't need to worry, she should be back soon."
"What does the Fifth Princess Consort mean?" Madam Qiao lost her usual caution due to her worry.
At this moment, Consort Qing and Consort Hua happened to hear about what had happened at the palace gate, and they arrived ahead of time from their own palaces.
Princess Qiya was now standing openly beside Consort Qing, with Consort Qing's hand on Princess Qiya's wrist; to an outsider, they would have looked like mother and daughter.
This combination quickly attracted the attention of some people.
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