"No regrets." Luo Yining sighed softly.
She didn't know whether Daoyan would harm her, but he definitely wouldn't harm Luo Shenyuan.
Luo Yining, preoccupied with the Empress' affairs, refused to engage him. The carriage pulled out of Xinqiao Hutong, and Luo Yining lifted the curtain to peer outside. Lanterns hung everywhere on the street, and the shops were still closed. The number of soldiers and horses patrolling the streets was more than half the number before. The sun had barely risen when they reached Zhongzhimen. In the dim light of dawn, many carriages had already arrived. Luo Yining parted ways with Daoyan, who assigned her a pretty, taciturn maid to deliver messages.
Yesterday she sent someone to tell Xu that she would go into the palace with her, and now Xu was waiting for her at the palace gate.
Xu, wearing the imperial decree of the first rank, smiled and took her hand: "Why don't you see the Lord?"
"He arrived first, and he should be in the Hall of Supreme Harmony now." Luo Yining also smiled, and the two of them entered the palace together. The ladies all got off the sedan chair here and went through the alley to the Queen's Kunning Palace. However, at this time, the Queen was still meeting with several princesses, so the ladies went to the side hall to have tea and were not allowed to see the Queen. A palace maid wearing a bodice and combing her hair stood at the door. When she saw Xu, she stepped forward, bowed and asked, "Madam, are you the wife of the Duke of Ying?"
This is Zhao Mingzhu's palace maid. She has been waiting here for Xu for a long time and wants to take her to see Zhao Mingzhu.
Yining hadn't seen Zhao Mingzhu for several years and was curious about how she was doing now. She went to the palace where Zhao Mingzhu lived with Xu.
The Xifu Palace, where Zhao Mingzhu lived, had three courtyards and five main rooms. The floorboards were polished, the floor heating was on, and the incense was burning. Zhao Mingzhu was reclining against her pillow, eyes closed, waiting for the maid to paint her nails. When she heard that Lady Yingguo and Lady Luo San had arrived, she hurriedly sat up and called them in.
Yining saw that she was wearing a gold-satin jacket, several jingling gold and jade bracelets, and her peony bun was also full of pearls and jade. She looked plumper than before, so she knew she was living a good life.
Zhao Mingzhu took her hand and sat her down, then asked the maid to bring some cakes. She smiled and said, "How is it? You're a Grand Madam now. I was present when the imperial edict was conferred on you. The emperor said he would give you a lower third rank. I overheard it and suggested he give you a higher third rank."
"It seems that you have a good life in the palace!" Luo Yining said with a smile, pinching her hand and looking at it carefully. Her slender jade fingers did not have even a trace of callus.
I heard that the emperor dotes on her, and her favor has increased even more recently, almost overshadowing Concubine Dong.
Zhao Mingzhu said, "After serving him for a few years, I've gotten a feel for his temper. He just likes people who aren't very smart." She shrugged slightly. "It's not easy for me either. There are many people in the palace who hold higher positions than me. I've always been afraid to get pregnant, lest I incur even more jealousy. To be favored, I have to secretly drink contraceptive soup."
"The emperor didn't say anything?" Luo Yining didn't expect that she had such a plan.
"He knows it all, but he won't say it," Zhao Mingzhu said in a low voice. "But I'm relieved now. Lord Luo has bought my second brother some land and property, and our family is now wealthy. I don't count on them for my official position anymore—lest they cause trouble for me one by one in the future."
She was even more excited than before. She just liked this kind of luxurious life of being the best.
"Contraceptive soup is harmful to your health after all. I'm afraid I won't be able to have it in the future even if I want it." Luo Yining also felt a little concerned for her. A concubine in the harem without a child would have a harder time as she aged and lost her beauty. She whispered, "...Jieyu has to plan for her future."
Zhao Mingzhu smiled and said, "Let's talk about it later! It's rare to see you here, I have a lot of good things here, I'll bring some back for you. Even if you have the old man at home, you won't need anything, this is also my token of appreciation."
The three of them drank tea at Zhao Mingzhu's place for a while before the Empress sent word that they could leave. Zhao Mingzhu went to Kunning Palace with the two of them and knelt before the Empress, paying her respects.
The Queen sat on the Phoenix Chair, her eyes fixed on Luo Yining. Then she narrowed her eyes slightly, and her slender fingers pinched the round beads on the teacup lid.
"It's Mrs. Luo San. Get up."
This person actually appeared here! Zhou thought Luo Yining was very strange, but she was also excited! She and Lu Jiaxue had a special relationship, but she was the wife of Luo Gelao. Lu Jiaxue was treating her as if she was insignificant, but no matter what, this person was very valuable. She looked to the side and saw Xie Yun and Cheng Lang standing on the side. Cheng Lang was sent to her by Lu Jiaxue, and she knew what this meant.
The ladies sat down according to their ranks. Only a few of them could speak to Zhou, and the rest could only talk to each other in low voices.
Cheng Lang slowly turned his gaze to Luo Yining who was drinking tea and frowned.
Why is she here? Did Luo Shenyuan ask her to come?
Doesn't Luo Shenyuan know that this place is full of dangers? He actually lets her take the risk. How brave! If the situation suddenly gets chaotic, who will protect her?
Xie Yun was talking to her aunt when she turned around and found that Cheng Lang was distracted. She followed his gaze and found that it was Luo Yining.
"What's the matter?" Xie Yun sneered and lowered his voice, "Do you want to reminisce with your cousin?"
Cheng Lang placed his hand on her shoulder and said softly, "...Shut up."
Luo Yining frowned slightly when he saw Cheng Lang standing in an inconspicuous place in the room, and his heart tightened. Why was Cheng Lang here? If it was just an ordinary banquet, would Cheng Lang be necessary? Who else could order him around?
She drank her tea calmly and whispered to her maid, "Do you know who that is?"
The maid shook her head slightly, and Luo Yining said, "It's Mr. Cheng, the current Chief Censor of the Metropolitan Censorate. Go outside and get me some almonds."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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