The Queen Mother thought they were too nervous, so she waved them away and shouted, "Cao Xi, slap me in the face!"

She must put a good stop to the arrogance of the Zhenbei Palace today.

These two have no respect for themselves at all!

She said angrily: "Slap him!"

"Yes. Her Majesty the Queen Mother."

Eunuch Cao Xi placed the whisk on his arm, raised his hand, and slapped Zhao Yuanrou who was standing next to the empress dowager.

Zhao Yuanrou's hair and body were wet with tea. She was dazed, and the slap made her even more dazed. She widened her eyes in disbelief.

The crisp sound of the slap seemed to hit everyone's heart.

They couldn't help but look at Sheng Xiyan.

Sheng Xiyan was sitting there calmly, talking to Jiuyang with a smile. She even took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tea off Jiuyang's hands. She seemed not to be moved by the slap.

"Cao Xi!"

The Queen Mother couldn't help but raise her voice, "I want you to handle the matter..."

"Your Majesty, are you having a headache again?"

Cao Xi's sharp voice interrupted her words, and the servants hurriedly "supported" her. One said, "The Empress Dowager should take a rest first, otherwise her headache will get worse." I said, "The Empress Dowager should change her clothes quickly. It's freezing cold, so don't be careless." Then, they half-pulled and half-pushed her to the back hall.

The Queen Mother was simply dumbfounded.

Before she could figure it out, she was "carried away" out.

Everyone gasped and dared not utter a word.

Cao Xi held the dust whisk and said with a smile, "Miss Zhao, the Queen Mother said before she left that she would slap you in the face, so we have no choice but to offend her."

As he said this, he raised his hand and slapped her again.

This time, Zhao Yuanrou was on guard. However, a man like Cao Xi who could become the Grand Eunuch would not let anyone get away if he wanted to slap him in the face. He was faster than Zhao Yuanrou and slapped her on the other side of the face again.

After the fight, he did not forget to say: "Miss Zhao, this is your fault. Who are you to dare to let the eldest lady of the Zhenbei Palace serve you tea? No wonder the Queen Mother was so angry. You made her headache again."

Zhao Yuanrou covered her cheek, finding it hard to believe that someone would confuse right and wrong in public.

There was a smell of blood in her mouth, and she managed to utter with great difficulty: "You..."

Cao Xi's face turned cold: "Miss Zhao, what is wrong with the Queen Mother?"

"Don't you think the Queen Mother has wronged you?" Cao Xi asked the ladies present, "Ladies, you have seen it too."

Yongan was just busy telling his neighbor about his new son-in-law, and had no idea what was going on. He looked up but didn't care. Others also couldn't figure out what was going on, and they all responded, "The Queen Mother is right."

Zhao Yuanrou was shocked. She covered her cheeks, held back the heat in her eyes, and ran out as fast as she could.

As soon as Zhao Yuanrou left, Cao Xi mocked him, saying, "Who do you think you are?"

Everyone: “…”

Indeed, Zhao Yuanrou eloped before. If you don't say "elope and become a concubine", she eloped with King Zhao! She was able to become a princess, which only shows that King Zhao was really generous!

In other words, her marriage to King Zhao had already been finalized, otherwise how could she have the qualifications to enter the palace to pay her respects.

Zhao Yuanrou wanted Miss Chu to serve her tea? She didn't even think about whether she was worthy of it.

Cao Xi said again: "Ladies, please sit down for a moment. Let's go in and see the Queen Mother."

Before he left, he did not forget to smile ingratiatingly at Sheng Xiyan, then he flicked his whisk and left everyone in the hall behind.

After Sheng Xiyan wiped Jiuyang's hands clean, she silently handed the wet handkerchief to Ma.

This feeling of walking sideways is really pleasant. Come to think of it, in the previous life, Xiao Shuo was in charge of the imperial court. He didn't have the title of emperor, but he was an emperor in reality. Later, no one knew whether the emperor was alive or dead. For such a person, what was the point of controlling a small inner palace? If he didn't even have this ability, how could he have reached that point in the previous life!

Everyone looked at each other, not daring to say anything, and drank their tea in silence.

At this moment, no one doubted whether Jiaoyang was raised by someone in the folks. If he was not raised by the King of Zhenbei, how could he be so brave? !

Then they watched eagerly as the palace maids brought in some fruit juice, but unfortunately it was not for them but for Sheng Xiyan.

Everyone: “…”

Some people secretly rejoiced that at least they had never offended Sheng Xiyan in the past.

Unlike that Zhao Yuanrou...

She dared to run away in anger in the palace, thinking that the palace was her home.

Zhao Yuanrou did not regard the imperial palace as her home. In fact, she had never been inside the palace. Not long after she ran out of Cining Palace, she got lost.

She walked aimlessly on the path, her hair all covered with tea, which stained her cheeks and flowed down her collar. Not to mention the cold wind, she was shivering with cold.

She raised her hand to wipe the tea stains off her face, and her fingers touched the redness and swelling on her face, causing her to frown in pain.

"Rou'er!"

A voice that disgusted her sounded not far away, and Qin Wei ran towards her hurriedly.

When he saw her, he was delighted at first, then asked, "...Who! Who hit you!?"

Qin Wei was stunned.

Zhao Yuanrou's cheeks were red and swollen, it was obvious that she had been slapped!

How dare someone hit her?!

Qin Wei regretted it. He knew that so many people were jealous of Rouer, so he should not have left her alone and caused her to be bullied.

Qin Wei raised his hand and touched her cheek with heartache.

Zhao Yuanrou showed a hint of impatience in her eyes, but she hid it well. She did not avoid his touch and only said, "It's Eunuch Cao from Cining Palace."

"How dare a slave like that!"

This Xiao Shuo has allowed all the slaves in the palace to become so bold and presumptuous that they don't know who their master is!

Qin Wei said angrily: "I'll get someone to capture him and kill him to vent your anger!"

"Wait." Zhao Yuanrou grabbed his sleeve, "Listen to me first."

Zhao Yuanrou had never been so close to him before, which made Qin Wei feel a little flattered.

Zhao Yuanrou recounted the whole story, ignoring Qin Wei's change of expression. She stroked her aching cheek and said, "The Queen Mother originally wanted Cheng Chuyu to be your concubine, but unexpectedly, Cheng Chuyu was already engaged. I thought that Miss Chu was more suitable than Cheng Chuyu."

Zhao Yuanrou smiled at him. She looked wolfish, with the corners of her mouth slightly pursed. Although she was smiling, her eyes contained grievance and she looked pitiful.

Qin Wei felt a surge of pity in his heart and immediately promised, "I won't marry a concubine!"

"I know." Zhao Yuanrou said, "So, Miss Chu is the most suitable. Miss Chu is young, and it will be impossible for her to get married in the palace for at least three or four years. If Miss Chu becomes your concubine, your relationship with the Zhenbei Palace will definitely be closer."

"The Zhao family is weak, and there is no one serving in the court now. I lost my father when I was young, so I can't help you." She sighed with self-pity, "I can't be your help."

"I don't care." Qin Wei wanted to make her understand his feelings.

Zhao Yuanrou looked around and saw no one there, so she continued, "The support of the Zhenbei Palace is very important to you."

Her expression was serious, and her eyes were full of trust.

"Qin Wei, you are no worse than anyone else. You are just younger than the emperor. The emperor and the Zhenbei Palace are already incompatible. So, Qin Wei, why can't you win the Zhenbei Palace to your side?"

"Zhenbei Palace represents military power."

Zhao Yuanrou looked as if she was considering him, and said gently and persuasively: "Without military power, how can you compete with the emperor? You promised me that you would not let me suffer any injustice, and you also promised me that you would give me honor and wealth, and that you would not let others look down on me again."

“I remember it in my heart.”

Qin Wei was deeply moved by these words, and he felt even more ecstatic that his infatuation had finally been accepted by her.

Zhao Yuanrou then said, "Don't worry, I will help you." She took a half step forward, gently hugged him, and rested her head on his shoulder.

From an angle that Qin Wei couldn't see, her eyes were cold and the corners of her mouth were slightly curved in a mocking arc.

She said, "Have you been having trouble sleeping lately? The medicine I gave you last time can cure the Queen Mother's headache and insomnia. Try it."

Qin Wei agreed immediately.

He knew that Rou'er was doing this for his own good, and only Rou'er would devote herself to him so wholeheartedly.

"I will help you."

"So, you have to be good too..."

The curve of Zhao Yuanrou's mouth corners became bigger and bigger. She would definitely help him!

Change of dynasty!

After a while, Zhao Yuanrou finally raised her head from his arms. She said with a little regret: "I originally thought that with the Queen Mother here, the Zhenbei Palace would at least give me some face, but I didn't expect..."

Of course she understood that the Queen Mother wanted to give Cheng Chuyu to Qin Wei as a concubine, which was nothing more than her preference for the military talents of the Cheng family.

The Queen Mother is also stupid. She can't even see that the Emperor and Qin Wei have long been at odds with each other. She still wants Qin Wei to recruit military generals for the Emperor. I don't know what's wrong with her brain.

What does it matter to me how many concubines Qin Weiai marries? Since the Queen Mother thinks so, I will find a better candidate for her.

In terms of military power, the Zhenbei Palace is far superior to the Cheng family. The empress dowager could not think of it, so I thought for her.

Even though the eldest daughter of the Zhenbei Palace is of noble status and will not become a concubine of anyone, if the empress dowager forcibly issues an imperial decree, the Zhenbei Palace cannot refuse, unless Chu Yuanchen wants to rebel.

The emperor has 500,000 imperial guards, while the Northern Frontier Army only has a few hundred thousand men. It is obvious who is stronger.

Chu Yuanchen is arrogant only because he relies on the fact that the emperor does not want to start a war. If he really rebels, I'm afraid he will have to think twice.

Once Chu Jiuyang is given to Qin Wei as a concubine, for the sake of Chu Jiuyang, the Zhenbei Palace can only stand on Qin Wei's side, which is equivalent to tying the Zhenbei Palace to Qin Wei.

At that time, if Qin Wei wanted to force the emperor to abdicate, the Zhenbei Palace could only lend him a helping hand.

She had planned very well, but she never expected that Chu Jiuyang would have such a fierce temper, and that the eunuchs in Cining Palace would be so blatant in favor of Sheng Xiyan.

Zhao Yuanrou's cheek hurt even more.

Xiao Shuo is afraid that others don't know about his relationship with the Zhenbei Palace!

Zhao Yuanrou thinks she can see through everyone except Xiao Shuo.

"We'll get married as soon as possible after the Chinese New Year."

Qin Wei whispered in her ear, "You are my princess, and I will never let anyone neglect you again."

Zhao Yuanrou nodded slightly, as if giving Qin Wei endless encouragement.

Idiot. Zhao Yuanrou raised the corner of his mouth coldly.

She would definitely fight for him to get the Zhenbei Palace. Only with military power would he have the opportunity to ascend to that position.

Then, all of this will belong to her!

She originally wanted to adapt to the local customs and live a good life, but they would not let her go! Since this world is oppressing her everywhere, she might as well change this world with her own hands.

She wants to rule the world!

Zhao Yuanrou's gaze became even more determined; nothing could shake her determination.

Qin Wei looked at her swollen cheek with heartache, and his hatred for Xiao Shuo deepened.

Xiao Shuo is so blatantly controlling the former dynasty and the inner palace that he now even ignores the Empress Dowager. If this continues, the Dayong Dynasty may not even know that the emperor still exists.

Qin Wei's eyes darkened. Zheng Zhongming said that Xiao Shuo was the remnant of Lingnan Palace. Qin Wei believed this. Even if he was not, he would make him become one.

He knew very well that what the emperor feared most were those princes. Only when Xiao Shuo's identity was confirmed would the emperor really give up on Xiao Shuo.

Thinking of Zheng Zhongming's proposal, Qin Wei initially felt it was too risky and was somewhat hesitant, but for Rou'er...

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician is here."

"Rou'er." Qin Wei said gently, "Let the imperial physician give you some medicine first."

Zhao Yuanrou did not refuse.

There is a special ointment in the Imperial Hospital, which is specially used for concubines who were slapped in the face. It is very effective. It will quickly cool down the pain after applying it. However, her face is still swollen and her body is a little bit raw, so she refused to go to the palace banquet with Qin Wei.

Qin Wei originally wanted to simply not go and stay with her, but she dismissed him with reasons such as "those who are planning big things should not be bound by sentimental relationships" and "you can make more friends with court officials at the palace banquet."

Qin Wei left reluctantly.

Neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager showed up at the palace banquet, not even Xiao Shuo.

Qin Wei remembered Zhao Yuanrou's instructions and expectations, put aside his airs, and took the initiative to toast everywhere.

However, many people were concerned about the New Year's Eve sacrifice and today's court congratulations, but the emperor did not show up, and no one knew how ill he was, and he seemed a little absent-minded.

The whole palace banquet was tasteless. After the banquet, carriages left the palace one after another and everyone returned to their own residences.

Sheng Xiyan and Jingle were happy. They said goodbye to Jiaoyang in front of the palace gate and got on their own carriage.

After we sat down, Mammy Ma reported, "Young lady, the Queen Mother's headache has gotten worse."

"I asked someone I know, and it turns out that after the Queen Mother took the medicine presented by the King Zhao, her headache got better at first, but soon it got worse, and the pain was unbearable. All the prescriptions prescribed by the Imperial Hospital were useless, and only the medicine presented by the King Zhao worked."

During the palace banquet, Ma Ma was summoned by the Queen Mother to ask about Sheng Xiyan's situation, and she also inquired about this.

Sheng Xiyan had not instructed her about these things, but Ma Ma was a smart woman. She knew that if she wanted to gain a foothold by Sheng Xiyan's side, it would not be enough just to know how to comb her hair. She had to let Miss Sheng know her usefulness.

She thought about it and realized that her usefulness was only because she had stayed in the palace for several decades and had some connections.

Sheng Xiyan asked, "Has the Queen Mother's headache lasted for a long time?"

"More than ten years." Nanny Ma had been in the palace for a long time and knew a lot of things. "When the Queen Mother gave birth to Prince Zhao, she didn't take good care of herself after the confinement period. Since then, she has had headaches. The pain was not very severe at first, but it got worse and worse. The Imperial Hospital was mostly helpless, and the pain-relieving prescriptions they prescribed had little effect."

Sheng Xiyan knew that the Imperial Hospital was not helpless. Silver needles were the most effective in treating head diseases. However, several key acupuncture points were on the top of the head, and the imperial physician did not dare to use needles on the empress dowager.

She thought about it and asked, "After the Queen Mother took the King Zhao's medicine, besides the headache gone, did she have any other reactions?"

Ma said, "I heard from people in Cining Palace that the Queen Mother will be in very good spirits and look radiant. However, after a day or two, she will become a little listless again."

Sheng Xiyan nodded silently.

What kind of medicine could cure such a serious headache instantly?

At least it should have a strong pain-relieving effect and be able to refresh the mind, right?

She looked up the black ointment Xiao Shuo gave her last time. She looked it up in several medical books but couldn't tell what it was made of. Maybe she could go see some folk doctors...

Some doctors have traveled far and wide and have seen many rare and exotic medicinal herbs, so they may be more experienced than the imperial physician and she who only works in isolation.

While he was thinking, the carriage returned to Sheng Mansion.

They went out before dawn, and now it was just past noon. After working hard for most of the day, Sheng Xiyan was really tired.

Especially when going to the palace, she had to dress up, and the whole set of headgear made her neck hurt.

Sheng Xiyan rubbed the back of his neck, greeted Sheng Xingan and Liu Shifu, and then returned to the yard. After washing up, he went straight to sleep. When he woke up, he felt refreshed.

There was nothing to do during the New Year. When married girls returned to their parents' home on the second day of the New Year, Sheng also came with Zhao Yuanrou.

Sheng Xiyan was too lazy to go out for social events, and she and Zhao Yuanrou didn't have much to talk about. They disliked each other, so why should they make things difficult for each other?

Instead of wasting time, you might as well play chess.

She was playing chess and had a deadlock. She was thinking carefully about how to break the deadlock when suddenly, there was a knock on the study window.

As soon as she heard the three knocks on the window, Sheng Xiyan knew who was coming. She put down the chess piece and went to the window.

Chu Yuanchen opened the window and said with a worried look on his face, "Madam has a fever."

"Fever?" Sheng Xiyan was slightly startled, then immediately reacted and asked nervously, "Is it a high fever?"

"High fever." Chu Yuanchen said, "It was fine yesterday, but it suddenly started to have a fever at three o'clock in the morning, and it hasn't subsided until now."

It's already past half past the hour.

"The palace's good doctor came to see me and I took medicine, but it didn't work."

If there was no other way, Chu Yuanchen would not have come to see her at this time.

Sheng Xiyan said without thinking: "I'll go and take a look."

She immediately asked someone to prepare a carriage, took Xigui with her, and headed straight for the Zhenbei Palace.

The lady had a bad fever. When Sheng Xiyan saw her, she was already half-conscious and in a daze.

After returning to the Zhenbei Palace, the lady took two measures, from applying medicine to decoction, and her condition had actually improved a little. Although the wounds had not yet healed, they were no longer festering and festering. The fever she had every afternoon was always a low fever, and her spirits had remained good. Even Sheng Xiyan had thought that there would be no more serious problems, but she did not expect that her condition would suddenly take a turn for the worse.

Sheng Xiyan took out the needle bag and used a silver needle to temporarily reduce her temperature. Then she said, "We can only try the mustard greens."

If the high fever caused by external toxic evil in the wound does not subside, no other method will be of any use.

I had to take a risk.

Chu Yuanchen gave the order, and soon Ji Mingyang came over in person, holding a bowl of aged mustard greens.

This is what he had left over from that day.

Later, they found other aged mustard halides of different years. Ji Mingyang said, "I don't know if other years will be as effective. Madam's illness cannot withstand repeated torture."

This altar is one he has used before, the effect must be good!

Jingle said, "Ji Mingyang. You are thoughtful."

Ji Mingyang smiled, but when he saw Jingle's slightly tired and gloomy face, he couldn't help but frown, with a heavy look in his eyes.

Sheng Xiyan asked someone to bring a small spoon, scooped some, and carefully fed it to the lady.

There was still a swallowing movement in the lady's throat, and she slowly swallowed it.

Sheng Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief and continued feeding the baby one spoonful at a time. After feeding ten spoonfuls in total, she put the spoon down.

The effect of the silver needles took effect at this moment, and the lady soon fell into a deep sleep.

Jiuyang sat down next to the lady and held her hand.

"Ah Chen." Sheng Xiyan quietly pulled Chu Yuanchen's sleeve and whispered, "Should we send someone to tell big brother?"

Madam's condition is really bad. If even mustard salt is of no use, I'm afraid...

Chu Yuanchen knew very well that any high fever caused by injuries in the army would usually only last for three to five days, and the lady was old.

If you really can't make it through...

He hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll go there."

Chu Yuanchen went out in a hurry, and when he came back, half an hour had passed. The lady still hadn't woken up. The fever had subsided, but this was the effect of the silver needles. Sheng Xiyan didn't know whether the mustard salt had worked or not.

"Mom, take Jiaoyang back and rest for a while. You haven't slept since last night." Chu Yuanchen advised, "Ayan and I are here."

Sheng Xiyan understood and followed suit, "Yes. Princess, there are too many people here, and the room is stuffy, and the Madam is not comfortable either. Don't worry, the Madam will not wake up for at least another hour or two, and it will be the same if you sleep for an hour or two before coming here. At night, you may have to stay up late."

Jingle hesitated for a moment, then thought about it and decided that she really had to stay up late at night, otherwise it would be bad if she couldn't hold on any longer, so she agreed, gave a few instructions, and left with Jiuyang, who had also not slept all night.

As soon as Jingle left, Sheng Xiyan asked, "Is big brother here?"

Chu Yuanchen nodded: "He's outside. I'll bring him over."

Sheng Xiyan hesitated for a moment: "Princess... How long do you want to keep it a secret?"

Chu Yuanchen sighed inaudibly and said helplessly, "My mother may have some doubts. Forget it, let's keep it a secret for as long as possible. I'll be back soon."

Soon, Chu Yuanchen led Xiao Shuo in. Xiao Shuo was wearing a common black robe with some snow on it. He brushed it lightly outside the door to clear the snow.

As soon as he entered the house, he went straight to the lady.

The lady was sleeping soundly, and she seemed to be in pain, making unclear sounds from her mouth.

Xiao Shuo's phoenix eyes stared at the lady's face without blinking, and there was a deep darkness in his eyes.

Sheng Xiyan was originally sitting on a round stool next to the lady, but now she stood up and made room for her.

Xiao Shuo nodded slightly to her and sat down, his eyes never leaving the lady.

After a long while, he finally said, "What's going on now?"

His voice was a little hoarse and dull.

"It's not burning anymore." Sheng Xiyan said, "Let's wait and see if the Madam will burn it again."

If the effect of the silver needle wears off and you haven't had another burn, or the burn is not severe, it means that the aged mustard greens are effective. Otherwise...

Xiao Shuo understood what she meant. He gently held the lady's hand and said nothing more.

The sleeping Madam didn't know if she felt something. She moved her head slightly in the direction of Xiao Shuo and pursed her lips.

Xiao Shuo walked over and heard the lady calling out, "Brother Yao..."

Xiao Shuo: “…”

His little finger trembled, and the extremely good mood that he had always concealed was about to collapse at this moment.

It’s been so long, so long ago, it seems like a lifetime ago, why is my grandmother still thinking about me…