Xue Zhiyi went to a clothing store to buy a clean new set of clothes before entering the palace with Huo Wuyou.
As soon as she saw them coming back, the Queen Mother, supported by Chai Yue, came forward and looked at him again and again: "He looks very pale. Let the imperial physician take another look."
The Queen Mother's eyes were bloodshot at this moment. It was obvious that she had not slept all night because of their disappearance.
Huo Wuyou comforted her, "Don't worry, Grandma. Sui Yunlang has already examined me and it's nothing serious. Do you still doubt his medical skills?"
The Queen Mother was finally relieved. She sighed and sat down with Huo Wuyou. She said, "This child was adopted by the Cui family when he was young and has been learning medicine since he was young. You were weak when you were young, so I originally wanted him to stay with the Huo family to take care of you. But then you went to the battlefield, so I took him with you. The swords on the battlefield are brutal, and he has seen all kinds of injuries. Naturally, I am relieved."
The Empress Dowager's surname is Cui, and the Cui family is her maiden family. Although it has declined now, it once produced many loyal ministers of Dayong. Even the Imperial Medical Bureau is under the jurisdiction of the Cui family.
Xue Zhiyi thought: Sui Yunlang stayed in the Huo family for this reason. In a sense, he was half a relative of the empress dowager.
After the Queen Mother finished speaking, she said to Chai Yue, "Everyone go down first."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zhiyi bowed and was about to leave with the other palace maids.
The Queen Mother suddenly called her, "Zhiyi, come here."
Xue Zhiyi was stunned, stopped as he was told, and walked forward to wait for the empress dowager's orders.
But the Queen Mother suddenly smiled kindly: "Don't stand there like an idiot. You must have suffered a lot yesterday and didn't get a good rest. You must be tired, right? Sit down quickly."
The Empress Dowager did treat her well usually, but the difference between master and servant was there. However, the tone of the Empress Dowager's speech to her at this moment was not like a master treating a slave, nor like the Empress Dowager treating the wives of officials in the past. Instead, it was like an elder treating a younger person.
Xue Zhiyi subconsciously glanced at Huo Wuyou, only to see that he looked calm and composed. He smiled at her and said, "Sit down."
Xue Zhiyi then bowed and said, "I obey your command."
Then, he found a seat next to the Queen Mother and sat down.
Looking at her, the Queen Mother asked with concern: "Have you seen a doctor? Are you injured?"
Faced with the Queen Mother's concern, Xue Zhiyi was somewhat confused and only said truthfully, "My Lord, you are considerate. You have asked Young Master Sui to check my pulse. I am in good health and there is nothing wrong with me."
"Then I'm relieved."
Hearing this, Xue Zhiyi just lowered his eyes and glanced at Huo Wuyou opposite him: What is going on?
Seeing her like this, the Queen Mother smiled and said, "Zhiyi, you don't have to be so nervous. I'm just relieved that I didn't make a mistake in choosing you."
Xue Zhiyi was stunned again, and slowly raised his gaze to look at the empress dowager.
The Queen Mother just smiled and said, "Wuyou told me that you are a smart child. If I could keep you by my side, I would definitely do my best to assist you."
As she spoke, she shook her head. "I originally thought that a child could never have such great abilities. So I thought, when the Xue family was in trouble, you had nowhere to go. As long as you were a person who didn't stir up trouble and could stay in the palace, I would let you stay. Even if you couldn't do what Wuyou said, it wouldn't matter. At most, I could just find a playmate for Ayu."
After that, she held Xue Zhiyi with her old hand and said, "But you are very capable. It is beyond my expectation."
Xue Zhiyi only blinked, then lowered her brows and said, "Your Majesty, your praise is too great. I am ashamed to accept it."
"You deserve it," the Queen Mother said. "Wuyou has told me that many of these things were planned by you."
She held Xue Zhiyi's hand and patted it: "You don't have to be so cautious in front of me. Just do whatever you want to do. But no matter what, remember to protect yourself."
Xue Zhiyi was stunned for a moment, then she bowed and said seriously, "Your servant thanks the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother's promise made an idea flash through her mind, and she couldn't help but feel a little excited.
At this time, Huo Wuyou only heard: "Grandmother asked us to stay here, but is there anything she wants to tell us?"
The Queen Mother's smile faded upon hearing this. She sighed slowly and said, "This matter is related to A Yu."
Looking at the two of them, she said, "I'm interested in choosing a husband for A-Yu."
Although Huo Wuyou had some guesses in his mind, he still asked, "Ayu is still young now, isn't she? She hasn't even reached the age of marriage yet."
But the Queen Mother immediately looked at Xue Zhiyi: "Zhiyi, what do you think?"
After thinking for a moment, Xue Zhiyi said, "The Queen Mother is naturally thinking of the Princess the most."
But the Queen Mother shook her head: "That's not what I want to hear."
Xue Zhiyi was stunned, her brows fixed for a moment, and she said, "It is rumored that the Northern Di people are interested in a marriage alliance. Is the Queen Mother worried about this?"
The Queen Mother then revealed a hint of satisfaction: "From now on, when we talk in private, just tell the truth to me. We are all family."
After hearing these words, Xue Zhiyi finally confirmed the fleeting thought that had just passed through his mind.
She understood that she had now completely gained the Queen Mother's trust and became her confidant.
In other words, she officially became a member of the central force under the Queen Mother.
And the stepping stone to take a step forward is Tu Yuxian.
She knew that although the Queen Mother was a good person, the relationship between them was still inseparable from the support of interests.
Interests are inherently more reliable than feelings. After all, the amount of interest is obvious on the surface, difficult to conceal, and does not require speculation.
At that time, the Queen Mother was willing to believe her and keep her when she had nowhere to go. She was very grateful, so she also felt at ease and secure about the relationship between them, which was supported by interests.
"Did you hear that? We're one family." Huo Wuyou looked at her and smiled.
Xue Zhiyi just avoided his gaze: Let's put it this way: the Queen Mother regarded her as her confidante, but she might not be willing to let her get along with her grandson.
But the Queen Mother, who saw both of their expressions, smiled with a deeper meaning.
Xue Zhiyi only said, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your kindness."
At this moment, the door was opened with a bang.
The three of them looked in the direction of the sound and saw Huo Zhiyu standing outside the door with red eyes, and behind him, Chai Yue was hurriedly chasing after him.
Her voice choked with sobs: "Grandma, I don't want to get married yet!"
For a moment, all three of them were silent.
Seeing that the Queen Mother remained silent, Huo Zhiyu stomped her feet again: "Second brother! I don't want to get married!"
Seeing her tearful appearance, Huo Wuyou smiled bitterly and let Chai Yue go first. Then, he said to Huo Zhiyu, "Don't cry yet. Come over and talk."
As soon as she finished speaking, Huo Zhiyu's tears began to fall. She wiped her tears, stomped her feet into the door in annoyance, and then sat down with a pout.
Huo Wuyou said: "I didn't ask you to really marry..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Huo Zhiyu covered her ears and said, "I won't marry you! I won't marry you!"
Huo Wuyou raised his hand and pinched her nose, causing Huo Zhiyu's angry words to suddenly emit a nasal sound that was out of place.
"Can you listen to us?"
Huo Zhiyu slapped her brother's hand away and glared at him fiercely, feeling very dissatisfied.
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