The prince returned to the East Palace, and the secret guard Dong Qing had been waiting for a long time.

"Your Highness, news has arrived from the Qiao family!"

The prince's expression suddenly became serious, "Come in and tell me in detail."

Dongqing followed closely and whispered:

"Your Highness, this is an order personally delivered by the eldest son of the Qiao family. There are two major news."

"First, the blood has been taken. Let Your Highness act as soon as possible. Second, Your Highness must find an opportunity to leave the palace to see me. The Qiao family has something top-secret to report."

"The eldest son of the Qiao family also told me that Lord Qiao had just sent a message to His Majesty. If Your Highness went to the Qiao family to meet him immediately, it might be inconvenient for Your Highness, so the meeting place could be set at the Duke Dingguo Mansion."

Upon hearing this, the prince couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Dalang was indeed doing things properly.

Just now in the imperial study, the emperor had mentioned Lord Qiao. It was indeed not appropriate for him to go to the Qiao Mansion for the next few days.

However, his wedding to the eldest daughter of the Xiao family is imminent, and they do have close contacts now, so it is reasonable for him to go to the Duke Dingguo's Mansion to deliver some gifts.

"Dongqing, send a message to Dalang and ask him to come to the court tomorrow morning. I will definitely be there!"

After Dong Qing was ordered to leave, the prince sat for a while, then stood up and went to Yiku Palace.

————

Near dinner time, the palace maids around the Queen came to the Imperial Study to ask for an audience.

Huang Pei went out to meet him in person, and when he learned that it was the Empress who invited the Emperor to have dinner at the Yikun Palace, his eyes lit up.

"Just wait."

Huang Pei entered the imperial study, and Emperor Yong had already finished reviewing memorials.

Huang Pei said softly, "Your Majesty, the Empress sent someone to ask if Your Majesty is willing to have dinner at the Yikun Palace?"

When Emperor Yong heard this, he suddenly raised his head from the desk with a look of surprise on his face.

"Are you sure it's the Queen?"

Ever since he said those decisive words to the Queen for Yu Liu, he hasn't gone to Yiku Palace for meals for more than ten years.

Huang Pei smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty, it's the Queen!"

Seeing Emperor Yong staring at the candlelight without saying anything, Huang Pei hesitated for a while before finally speaking:

"Your Majesty, please treat me as someone who talks too much. If I say anything wrong, you can punish me however you want."

"I feel that the Empress is such a strong person. Now that she has taken the initiative to submit to Your Majesty, why don't you give her some face?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty has managed the harem in an orderly manner for so many years, and has never troubled Your Majesty in the slightest. This is also a great achievement!"

Emperor Yong frowned slightly when he heard this, and was obviously persuaded.

But he was a stubborn person, and said indifferently: "Huang Pei, have you, an old servant, accepted the Queen's favor? Why are you speaking for the Queen today?"

Huang Pei hurriedly shook his head and said with a smile: "Oh, Your Majesty, you are really wronging me."

"I have noticed that the relationship between His Majesty and His Majesty has become more harmonious these days. I am happy for His Majesty!"

"Perhaps it's because the Crown Prince's marriage has been finalized. I can see that the Queen's spirits have suddenly improved."

"Your Majesty, you don't know. I saw it all. You and the Queen were sitting together discussing the Crown Prince's wedding, and you both had smiles on your faces!"

Emperor Yong turned his head in surprise when he heard this, "Really?"

Huang Pei nodded hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, how dare I lie to you! In fact, you are also happy in your heart, aren't you?"

The emperor and the empress were a young couple, and they were deeply in love with each other. If it weren't for the appearance of Concubine Yu...

Forget it, let’s not talk about the past!

Since the identity of the Second Prince was in doubt, he naturally tried his best to push the Emperor towards the Empress and the Crown Prince.

Otherwise, if you sell out your country without thinking, wouldn’t that be a huge sin?

Emperor Yong was finally persuaded, not only because he trusted Huang Pei, but also because he had some expectations in his heart.

"Then...then let's go to Yikun Palace and take a look!"

Emperor Yong stood up suddenly, walked around the long desk and went out.

Huang Pei was delighted and hurriedly followed.

On the way to Yiku Palace, Huang Pei was afraid that Emperor Yong would go back on his word, so he made some jokes from time to time.

Emperor Yong looked at the palace in the distance and inexplicably felt a sense of nervousness in his heart.

He rarely goes to Yikun Palace at this time. Is the Queen...waiting for him?

As they stepped into the gate of Yiku Palace, the palace maids knelt on the ground and the Queen came out in person to greet them.

Under the candlelight, the queen was dressed in casual clothes, looking casual and gentle, which stunned Emperor Yong for a moment.

Ever since...ever since those years, the Queen always dressed in gorgeous clothes and acted cold and distant in front of him.

He almost forgot that he and the queen had once been so close and casual.

"Okay, everyone, leave now."

The queen spoke in a gentle voice, and everyone retreated, leaving only Huang Pei, her personal servant.

"Your Majesty, please."

The queen smiled faintly, not being overly friendly, but much gentler than usual.

Emperor Yong nodded in a daze, walked in front into the main hall, and saw a table full of sumptuous dinner at a glance.

The emperor and empress took their seats. Emperor Yong looked over and saw that the table was full of his favorite dishes...

"Queen, you..."

Emperor Yong didn't seem to expect that after so many years, the queen still remembered his preferences.

The Queen stood up and served the food to Emperor Yong. She did not look at him and just said in a gentle voice:

"Your Majesty, my actions today were a little abrupt. Please forgive me."

"It's just that Zhan'er's wedding is coming soon, and you have given Zhan'er a good marriage. I am grateful in my heart, and I don't want to be so cold to Your Majesty any longer."

Emperor Yong frowned when he heard this and blurted out, "So the Queen's efforts today are all for Zhan'er?"

The queen was slightly stunned when she heard this. Although her expression remained unchanged, she was actually feeling nauseous.

The question was asked, could it be that His Majesty still thought that she still had feelings for him? He didn't even look at how many disgusting things he had done!

If it’s not for the blood... Never mind, it’s all for the blood, just hold it in!

The queen lowered her eyes slightly, pretending to be sad.

"Your Majesty, these dishes... were all cooked by me personally. Doesn't this show my thoughts and sincerity?"

Emperor Yong was very excited when he heard this, "Did you make these yourself, Queen?"

The queen nodded slowly and said in a gentle voice, "It took more than two hours."

That would be strange!

She only sat in the imperial kitchen for two hours!

The man in front of her is no longer worth her attention!

Emperor Yong was touched and his expression softened.

"In that case, let's eat."

The queen specially poured wine for Emperor Yong, "Your Majesty, I don't know how long it has been since I last drank with Your Majesty."

Emperor Yong was filled with emotion and drank the wine in one gulp.

The Queen poured more wine, and Emperor Yong accepted all of it. The atmosphere was harmonious for a moment.

Huang Pei saw that he was of no use at all, so he retreated with a smile and stood quietly at the entrance of the hall.

That’s great! If the Emperor and Empress can continue to live in harmony like this, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s position will surely be secure.

This old slave doesn't have to worry anymore, I think he can live a few more years...

That night, Emperor Yong stayed in the Yiku Palace for the first time in nearly ten years, and everyone in the palace was shocked to hear the news!