She felt she had met such a filial and capable girl too late in life.
It's a pity that the other party is not his biological daughter, otherwise, he would have told her to die immediately if she was willing.
“Mother, what are you saying? This is for Father’s birthday banquet. It’s nothing to suffer a little. Besides, what daughter doesn’t cook a meal for her parents? It’s just that there are more people today. As long as we don’t embarrass you, that’s fine.” Xu Yuehuai answered very obediently, and did not forget to lower her voice and laugh, “I saw that Father didn’t eat much just now, so I specially prepared a bowl of longevity noodles for him. I’ve already asked someone to send it to him, so Mother, don’t worry.”
Hearing this, the Duchess of Zhenguo's eyes reddened. She held Xu Yuehuai's hand and sighed repeatedly, "Oh, what a good girl. I really don't know how your heartless parents could look down on you. If it were me, I would be heartbroken."
Xu Yuehuai did not speak after hearing this, but only had a bitter smile on her face.
The Duchess of Zhenguo realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly changed the subject.
"Now that this has happened, let's go visit Her Majesty the Empress together," she said thoughtfully. "No matter who poisoned her, it was caused by our family, so we should go and offer our condolences."
Xu Yuehua nodded, agreeing that it was indeed appropriate to visit the Empress.
After a moment's thought, the Duchess of Zhenguo instructed again, "The Empress values you, and the Duke and I both know that. However, this incident will inevitably cause some resentment. Please don't take it to heart."
"Mother, don't worry," Xu Yuehuai quickly replied.
She knew all this, of course, and therefore didn't take it to heart.
Moreover, once she leaves the palace, she may not be able to get involved with these people again.
Seeing how sensible she was, the Duchess of Zhenguo couldn't help but smile and nod in satisfaction. Then she led her to the Empress's Phoenix Palace.
Because of the farce just now, the Empress's already poor health was even more depleted. Therefore, after returning to Fengyi Palace, she took off her gorgeous clothes early and lay on the bed, staring blankly at the various tonics in front of her.
Just as Amber was carrying a bowl of ginseng soup and was about to enter, she came face to face with the mother and daughter who were arriving late.
She immediately smiled and said, "Your Highness just said that after such a big commotion, the Madam and the Princess would definitely come to visit you, so they have been waiting for you. Please come in with me."
"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Amber," the Duchess of Zhenguo replied.
Xu Yuehuai observed carefully and realized that people with true status and refinement are more likely to treat their servants kindly.
This is something that even teachers in private schools can't teach.
At this moment, when the Empress heard that it was the Duchess of Zhenguo and Xu Yuehuai who had arrived, she quickly dressed up and came to the front hall to meet them.
Despite her efforts to dress up, Xu Yuehuai could still tell that the Empress, who was pampered every day, was becoming increasingly pale and looked sickly.
"I feel truly sorry that today's events have disturbed your enjoyment and even made you come to visit me." The Empress's face was filled with apology, and her words were as gentle as a spring breeze, showing no airs of a queen.
The Duchess of Zhenguo quickly smiled and said, "There's no reason for Your Highness to apologize. It's just that I've come at the wrong time."
The Empress smiled too.
She was, after all, the mother of the nation, and according to the rules, she shouldn't have been so polite to these officials. However, without a powerful maternal family to rely on, she had long been a figurehead empress.
Now, she naturally has no choice but to win over the Duke and his wife as soon as possible.
"However, I feel really bad for disturbing Madam's enjoyment at the banquet just now. But my Fengyi Palace doesn't have anything good, so how about I give Princess Heyue a pair of jade bracelets as a token of my gratitude?" As she spoke, the Empress gave Amber a wink.
As things developed to this point, Xu Yuehuai began to feel that there were some problems.
She had no status or position to offer anyone any benefit, and the fact that the Empress, as the mother of the nation, was so attentive to her made people feel that something was amiss.
She looked puzzled, but before she could ask the question, she was stopped by the Duchess of Zhenguo.
The Duchess of Zhenguo shook her head at her, then smiled and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. Your health is the most important thing. It would be truly not worth it if you were to harm yourself because of us."
The Empress chuckled softly again.
Seeing that even the Empress looked pale and lifeless when she smiled, Xu Yuehuai became even more puzzled.
Just then, Amber reheated the ginseng soup in her hand and brought it over.
"Is Your Highness unwell?" the Duchess of Zhenguo asked.
"It's the same as always, neither good nor bad, except the imperial physician said my stomach isn't feeling too well." The Empress didn't take it as a polite remark and answered truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai immediately frowned.
Lady Zhenguo couldn't help but frown: "I wonder if the imperial physician has a solution? This illness can't be delayed any longer. Besides, today's events have probably made your condition even worse. Perhaps you should get some proper medicine to drink."
"It's still the same. The imperial physician said it would get better with rest, but it's been so many days and it's still not better." The Empress waved her hand.
If those quack doctors had a solution, I wouldn't be in such a predicament.
Xu Yuehuai originally didn't want to cause trouble, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but say, "Since Your Majesty's spleen and stomach are not good, you should not drink these ginseng soups anymore."
"Oh? Is there some story behind this?" The Empress suddenly became interested.
Xu Yuehuai quickly stood up and curtsied, explaining, "The body cannot tolerate strong tonics. Although Her Majesty the Empress has consumed these highly nourishing substances, they have not been fully absorbed. Instead, they have increased the burden on her body, which goes against Her Majesty's original intention. In that case, it would be better not to drink them."
The Empress nodded upon hearing this.
"What you say makes sense. By the way, A-Yue did a really good job today." The Empress praised Xu Yuehuai. "I think you have a knack for taking care of your health. The Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo are truly blessed."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty." Xu Yuehuai always felt that she was not just like this in recent days.
"No need to thank me, it's just in time for you to come. I originally wanted to invite you, but now that you've shown your skills, I'll be frank." The Empress changed the subject. "I'd like to ask you to stay in the palace and prepare some nourishing medicinal meals for my stomach. I wonder if A-Yue would be willing?"
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