Xue Zhiyi didn't know why Huo Zhiyu suddenly wanted to see her, but since the invitation had been sent, she had no reason to refuse.
So she got up early, changed into a light blue long jacket with wide sleeves and a skirt with gold sprinkles, and carefully combed her hair into a bun.
Xue Runing couldn't help but sigh: "Third sister looks so beautiful dressed like this."
Hearing this, Xue Zhiyi only smiled: "It's a pity that I can't take you with me this time."
Xue Runing propped up her head and said, "Third sister, you should come back soon. I went to Fulufang a few days ago and saw a new pastry shop opened. I want to buy some new pastries and we can eat together when you come back."
Xue Zhiyi nodded: "Then don't go out for too long, come back early."
Xue Runing agreed obediently.
…
The carriage left the gate of Xue Mansion.
The car stopped outside the palace gate. She only took Qiuyun with her and left Suyue in Jiangxuexuan to look after the house.
However, the palace was heavily guarded, so Xue Zhiyi got off the car and walked with the palace maids. Qiuyun could not follow him and could only wait outside the palace gate.
The palace road is long and the palace walls are strong. When he looked up, Xue Zhiyi only felt that the place was magnificent, but perhaps because the sunlight could not easily shine in, the palace road seemed a little cool.
This was her first time entering the palace. Did Fu Rongxin live here all her life in her previous life?
…
At the same time, Cuiwei Palace.
A woman holds a high position and has a graceful demeanor. Although she is over forty years old, her appearance is still beautiful. She is Concubine Ge.
At this moment, she rubbed her forehead in annoyance. "Ever since An Zhaoyi gained favor, she has been the most outstanding one in the harem. How can anyone else have a say? She's just a dancer. I don't know where His Majesty gets so excited about her."
Ge Yuanhui sat at the bottom and said comfortingly, "Aunt has said it too, she's just a dancer. Now the Queen is childless and unloved, but you have two princes. You have the final say in the entire harem. How can a newcomer who has no achievements be compared with you?"
These words did not ease Concubine Ge's heart much. She sighed deeply, "Chong'er is no longer a child. He has his own ideas. How can I control him? Your Majesty is wary of relatives by marriage. Chong'er also does not want her future empress to be from the Ge family... After all, it is an imperial family. Even mother and son cannot be close friends."
Hearing this, Ge Yuanhui's gentle eyes slowly drooped: "As long as His Highness has Yuanhui in his heart, even if it's just a little bit, Yuanhui has the confidence to make this happen on his own, but..."
Concubine Ge looked her over and said, "I know what you're trying to say. I've also heard that Chong'er once intended to win over the Xue family, but he wasn't happy with the arranged marriage. Now, for some reason, he's become interested in that girl."
After that, she smiled slowly again: "Yuan Hui, what have you been doing all these years? How come you can't even compare to a wild girl like that?"
As soon as these words came out, the corners of Ge Yuanhui's mouth drooped suddenly: "Yuanhui is stupid and doesn't know how to please His Highness."
Concubine Ge shook her head and said, "If you were stupid, there would be no smart people in this world."
Looking at Ge Yuanhui's face, which was even brighter than hers when she was young, she said, "Next time before you say something discouraging, look in the mirror first. No man would not be moved by your face. Even Chong'er is still a man, and he would be moved."
Ge Yuanhui raised his eyes and looked at Concubine Ge unwillingly. But then he heard Concubine Ge say firmly, "Since ancient times, every emperor has a new relative. When a new relative comes to power, the previous ones inevitably fall into decline. The Empress Dowager's maternal family was once extremely prosperous, but do they still have a place in the court today? Yuanhui, you are the only daughter of the Ge family. The prosperity of the Ge family for the next few decades depends on you. Show your ability, understand?"
Ge Yuanhui's eyes trembled, and she stood up and bowed: "Yuanhui will remember my aunt's teachings."
The imperial concubine was slightly relieved: "Chong'er's feelings for Xue Zhiyi are just a temporary attraction. There are countless women with her talents in the officialdom of Huajing."
But when Ge Yuanhui thought about the loss he suffered at the hands of Xue Zhiyi, he was filled with hatred: "Xue Zhiyi is in Jianzhang Palace today. If my aunt could meet her, perhaps she would understand that she is not someone who can be easily manipulated."
"Jianzhang Palace?" The imperial concubine frowned. "To be able to win the favor of the empress dowager, perhaps it's really as you said, that he is not someone who can be easily dealt with."
At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps, and a child of eight or nine years old ran in, followed by several palace maids and eunuchs.
"Mother!"
The child's features looked somewhat similar to Gu Shichong's, and it was none other than the ninth prince, Gu Shiying.
The imperial concubine's expression softened. "Ying'er came to see mother, but have you finished reading today's books?"
The Ninth Prince nodded heavily. "Today is Brother Wuyou's birthday. He will be having his coming-of-age ceremony at the Empress Dowager's. Ying'er wants to attend the ceremony and also play with Brother Wuhui, so she finished her studies early. Could Mother accompany Ying'er?"
Pinching the Ninth Prince's face, the Imperial Concubine showed a loving expression: "Ying'er loves the hustle and bustle the most. Then, mother, I will accompany Ying'er to join in the fun."
The Ninth Prince was overjoyed to receive the approval. She took Ge Yuanhui's hand and said, "Sister Yuanhui, come with us. The Empress Dowager likes you the most."
The last time something happened in Changqing Garden, Ge Yuanhui was a little scared when she thought of the Queen Mother, but when she thought of Xue Zhiyi being there, how could she be willing to show her fear? She said, "Your Highness, I obey your orders."
…
The main hall of Jianzhang Palace.
When Xue Zhiyi arrived, the main hall had already been decorated with lights and colorful decorations. Palace maids were coming in and out preparing the banquet, making it a grand occasion.
Is a private banquet so grand? Xue Zhiyi became curious.
At this moment, she suddenly saw a familiar face slowly walking into the hall.
The man also noticed her and came towards her with his hands behind his back.
"Why are you here?" Huo Wuyou seemed to be in a good mood.
Xue Zhiyi bowed and said, "I didn't expect that the Marquis of Lin'an is here too."
Hearing this, Huo Wuyou laughed: "You don't know what you are here for today, do you?"
Xue Zhiyi blinked, not understanding for a moment. Wasn't it Huo Zhiyu who invited her?
At this moment, someone shouted, "The Queen Mother is here!"
The empress dowager was seen coming from the back of the hall, supported by a female official. Huo Zhiyu, who was standing beside her, saw Xue Zhiyi and smiled at her from a distance.
Xue Zhiyi knelt and saluted: "Your humble servant pays respects to the Queen Mother."
Seats were set up in the courtyard of Jianzhang Palace, and the empress dowager sat at the top.
She smiled and said, "Get up, Xue family girl, there's no need to be restrained, sit down."
After thanking her, Xue Zhiyi sat to the right of the empress dowager at Huo Zhiyu's invitation.
Huo Wuyou sat down on the other side: "Grandmother loves her grandson so much that she asked His Majesty to allow me to stay in the palace today."
The Queen Mother smiled, and the wrinkles on her face were squeezed together: "After all, it is your coming-of-age ceremony, so the elders of your family still need to be present."
Hearing this, Huo Wuyou raised his eyebrows slightly and glanced at Xue Zhiyi, his smile deepening silently.
Xue Zhiyi suddenly realized: today was actually Huo Wuyou's birthday, and it was also his coming-of-age ceremony. No wonder he reacted like that just now.
Seeing her strange expression, Huo Zhiyu whispered, "It's so boring in the palace on weekdays. It's a rare opportunity to post a message like this. Of course, I want you, Sister Zhiyi, to come into the palace and play with me."
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