Chapter 245 He likes obedient and clever girls, like me.
Qiao dismissed the servants and pulled Xiao Wu to sit down.
Ji Qingwu sat down beside her and said calmly, "Mother, I know what you're worried about."
Qiao gripped the armrest of the chair and shook her head, saying, "Xiao Wu, you're thinking too simply."
"This time, the Empress Dowager wants you to stay in the palace for a long time. Although she said she would let you go back after the Emperor's birthday, it is hard to guarantee that she will find some excuse to refuse to let you go home then."
How could Ji Qingwu not understand?
She thought to herself, "When the time comes, it won't just be the Empress Dowager who won't let her go home."
Qiao was prepared. Since Xiao Wu had become involved with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager and her mother-in-law in the palace knew about it, Xiao Wu would enter the palace sooner or later.
But she always hoped that this day would come slowly.
Seeing Qiao sigh, Ji Qingwu comforted her, "But some things are destined to be unavoidable, so we can only face them."
When it came to Xiao Wu, Qiao always felt that she was still that child who never grew up and needed her protection.
The scene of Xiao Wu kneeling on the ground to thank her for protecting him on the day he returned home is just like it was happening right before my eyes.
Qiao didn't want her to go to the palace because the Empress Dowager's intentions were too obvious. She only wanted Xiao Wu to live a peaceful life, but she couldn't find a way to stop her.
Qiao knew that once they were in the palace, protecting Xiao Wu would be as difficult as ascending to heaven, and her face was full of worry.
But Xiao Wu remained even calmer than her mother, gazing at her with gentle eyes.
Ji Qingwu said gently, "Mother, do you still remember what you said to me when we came out of Cining Palace the first time we entered the palace?"
Qiao nodded. Of course she remembered, and that was precisely why the Qiao family had been able to stand strong through several dynasties.
Ji Qingwu stretched out her fair index finger and, mimicking what she had done, pointed to the sky.
"Mother, who owns the Phoenix Palace? Who owns the world? We must all act in accordance with the Emperor's will."
Ji Qingwu's gaze fell on the jade ring at her waist.
"If the emperor's will falls on me, it may not necessarily be a disaster."
Qiao was speechless. It was difficult for an ordinary woman to gain her husband's wholehearted devotion, let alone for her to be after the emperor's heart. Xiao Wu's idea was too naive.
"The palace is full of wolves and tigers, but you have the temperament of a kitten."
Ji Qingwu stood up, her jade pendants jingling, and walked to Qiao's side, taking her mother's hand.
Feeling that Qiao's palms were cold, Ji Qingwu clenched her fists before speaking, "Mother, you're just worried. Have you noticed anything amiss?"
After thinking for a while, Madam Qiao said, "This is...this is the Emperor's wish for you to enter the palace."
Her gaze fell on the bricks and stones on the ground, and she pondered, "That's right. The Emperor doesn't like women from the Ji family entering the palace as concubines, but this time he didn't stop the Empress Dowager. You could even say he let it go because the Emperor changed his mind."
Emperor Wusu actually softened his stance on the matter of the Ji family woman entering the palace. It seems that the emperor has taken a liking to Xiao Wu.
Ji Qingwu nodded and said, "It's hard to say. His Majesty must be annoyed to see a pack of jackals and tigers fighting each other every day."
She rested her chin on her hand and winked at Mrs. Qiao.
"He wanted to find someone who was well-behaved, clever, intelligent, generous, and understanding, like a daughter."
Seeing her boast shamelessly exaggerating with lively little expressions on her face, Mrs. Qiao's mood eased considerably, and the corners of her mouth finally relaxed from their tense seriousness.
At the same time, Mrs. Qiao noticed that her youngest daughter's eyes were shimmering, showing no sign of reluctance.
This is...she's fallen in love.
Mrs. Qiao sighed, "Little Five."
Ji Qingwu stared at her intently and said, "Mother, I want to try."
*
Cining Palace.
As soon as the Empress Dowager got up, she ordered Fanghua to go to the Ji residence.
Right now, they are in the small garden outside, looking at the peony parrot that Princess Qingyun sent over.
These past few days, the Empress Dowager has not yet recovered from the marriage of her beloved daughter and has been somewhat listless.
Shi Xi stood behind her, holding a bird feeder, and said, "Your Majesty, this servant finds the bird's bright colors very appealing, and just looking at it makes me happy."
The Empress Dowager took a few grains of food and teased the birds.
She sighed, "I only have one daughter. I sent her off from the palace to get married a couple of days ago. Only then did I realize how big the difference in feelings is between marrying off a daughter and taking a bride."
Shi Xi comforted her, saying, "The princess's marriage is different from that of ordinary people. She is a member of the royal family and not a member of the Li family. If the Empress Dowager wants to see the princess, she can do so at will."
"Moreover, Princess Qingyun specially found a bird for you to relieve your boredom, just so that this parrot could take her place and make you happy."
The peony parrot's feathers were bright and gorgeous. The Empress Dowager said, "Qingyun has always liked bright colors since he was a child, and he also likes to choose a consort."
Throughout Lin'an, in terms of appearance alone, it was truly impossible to find anyone more handsome than Li Chengxun.
"However, Li Chengxun is a talented man, and more importantly, Qingyun can keep him in check. I think this marriage is very good. But why is Minghong not as sensible as his younger sister? The Tao family has fallen from power, yet he still treats the Tao family like a precious treasure."
Thinking about what happened a few days ago, the Empress Dowager felt extremely disappointed.
"On the morning of Qingyun's wedding, I only made Tao stand and observe the rules for a while, but he acted like a fighting cock, and I was too lazy to say anything to him."
The Empress Dowager reprimanded Prince Yong, but only she could say such things.
Shi Xi didn't dare to respond, and could only stand by with a forced smile.
After talking about her two children, the Empress Dowager thought of her niece.
She said with a pleasant expression, "To be honest, I underestimated Qingwu before."
The Empress Dowager poked the little head of the parrot in the wide-slit cage with her nail-covered fingers, and the parrot flapped its wings and flew to another railing.
When will youth return?
Shi Xi said, "Your Majesty, a young eunuch just came to report that we have entered the palace gates and will be arriving at Cining Palace soon."
The Empress Dowager put the birdseed back into the box and said, "Let's go, let's go back too."
Ji Qingwu didn't come to Cining Palace often, but every time she did, it was never anything good. She let out a soft sigh, and Fanghua noticed, slowing down a few steps before walking to her side.
He whispered, "Fifth Miss, if there's anything you can't handle, you can..."
Ji Qingwu smiled knowingly and said, "I will clear myself of all responsibility."
This is not exactly the same as what the Emperor instructed Fanghua, but it's not far off.
However, Emperor Wusu said that reinforcements could be called upon whenever possible. Ji Qingwu currently has quite a few reinforcements at his disposal.
Fanghua led the two girls into the hall and they sat down. The Empress Dowager happened to walk to the door and immediately saw the two young girls in the room.
With these two young nieces sitting together, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but compare them in her heart.
Ji Qingyuan wore a crimson Hundred Waters Dress, her chin slightly raised; her appearance was still the most beautiful in the capital.
However, the Empress Dowager and Shi Xi's gazes were drawn to the people around them.
Wearing a light green embroidered round-necked short blouse and a bright green straight-hemmed lotus leaf skirt, Ji Qingwu sat upright, effortlessly drawing attention without vying for attention.
Such a fresh and natural atmosphere was rare in the palace, and even the Empress Dowager had to admit that the Emperor had excellent taste.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
