Chapter 17 Don't be afraid, Beigong You's tenderness
Song Qingyun raised her eyes and looked at Beigong You. After getting his affirmation, she walked timidly in the hall.
She was timid to begin with, and being in the presence of the Queen, she became extremely nervous.
Although she walked very carefully with every step, her body still trembled.
"Keep your head up and chest out." She had just taken two steps when the ruler landed on her back, almost knocking her down.
Beigong You pulled the person into his arms, "Yun'er, are you okay?"
Song Qingyun's eyes turned red with grievance.
Nanny Si frowned and said in a harsh voice, "Concubine Song is also from an official family, how can she act like a prostitute?"
On the way here, she had heard about Prince Ning's violation of the rules by taking a concubine. Now seeing her shy look, she was even more displeased and didn't even give her face.
These words were so harsh that Song Qingyun immediately burst into tears.
But Nanny Si was the emperor's wet nurse, and even the emperor had to show her courtesy, let alone Beigong You.
Even if he had resentment in his heart, he dared not show it, and could only cup his hands and say, "The concubine has always been weak, I hope Madam Si will show mercy."
"It's saved by the slave."
Song Qingyun continued walking, and Nanny Si stared at her with a sullen face.
She was already nervous under the watchful eyes of so many people, and for a moment she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet.
After a few steps, Nanny Si came over with a cold face, "Please stretch out your hand, Concubine."
Song Qingyun didn't understand what was going on. As soon as she stretched out her hand, Nanny Si grabbed the ruler and hit her hard. Her hands, which were used to writing poems and painting, were so delicate and tender that the skin was broken by the ruler.
She tried hard not to cry out in pain.
Although her eyes were red this time, she did not let the tears fall.
Nanny Si nodded with satisfaction, "Concubine, remember that crying won't solve the problem."
"Thank you for your guidance, Madam." Song Qingyun bit her lip.
"From what I can see today, Concubine Song will need some time to learn etiquette. I'm afraid that Nanny Si will have to stay at Prince Ning's mansion for a while."
"This is what I should do." Nanny Si bowed and went downstairs to pack up.
The Queen glanced at the timid Song Qingyun and then retracted her gaze, motioning for Madam Xu to present the things. "This is a visiting card from Zuo Cheng. It will be his sixtieth birthday in a few days. However, he may not be in the mood to celebrate his birthday. I heard that his only grandson had an accident."
Beigong You immediately understood, "Thank you, mother, for your reminder."
"Go ahead. I'm tired. Come over for lunch later." The queen waved her hand.
Beigong You nodded in response, and then instructed Song Qingyun, "You should serve the queen mother well in Ganquan Palace. I will be back soon."
"Yes." Song Qingyun responded obediently, but pinched his sleeve nervously.
Beigong You suddenly softened, "Don't be afraid."
As soon as he left, a group of concubines came to pay their respects.
When Lin Miaoyin helped the queen to the main hall, everyone had already sat down according to their seats.
Seeing the queen, they all stood up and saluted, "Your Highness, I greet you."
After they finished speaking, they subconsciously glanced at Lin Miaoyin from the corner of their eyes, wondering in their hearts, why had they never seen this woman in red before?
Being able to be so close to the Queen shows that he is no ordinary person.
Everyone couldn't help but speculate about her identity.
"No need to be so formal, just sit down." The queen glanced at everyone calmly. She knew their identities in Haomiaomiaoyin.
Not to mention them, she almost didn't recognize this girl when she entered the hall just now.
The clothing and appearance are fine, but the personality and behavior are very different from before.
Not only did she not react when she saw Beigong You and Song Qingyun being affectionate with each other, but even when Nanny Si punished Song Qingyun, she did not gloat as she did in the past. It was hard not to be impressed by her calmness now.
After the concubines took their seats, they began to chat about family matters.
Either they copied some scriptures or they chanted some Buddhist scriptures, and so on.
Now that the emperor is old, the concubines in the palace are also old. Except for a few who have given birth to princes, most of them no longer have the desire to compete for favor.
After a cup of tea, someone finally couldn't suppress their curiosity and asked about Lin Miaoyin's identity, "Your Majesty, the girl next to you looks very unfamiliar. I wonder which family she is from..."
Before the queen could answer, a faint smile came from outside the palace, "Alas, I'm late."
Soon, a crimson figure entered the palace, supported by a group of palace servants. This was the favorite concubine who had been favored for ten years, Concubine Chen.
Concubine Chen Guifei, Empress Chen and Empress Dowager Chen all came from the Chen family of Grand Tutor. Including the current dynasty, the Chen family has gone through three dynasties and lasted for five hundred years. In total, the Chen family has produced three empress dowagers, ten queens, and married two princesses. Half of the men in the family have passed the imperial examinations and served as officials in the court.
However, in this dynasty, the once-prominent Chen family began to decline.
Apart from the old man, Grand Tutor Chen, there are only two branches of the Chen family who have entered the officialdom, and neither of them holds important positions.
In the harem, although Empress Chen was the queen, she had no children.
That was why the Chen family was so eager to send the thirteen-year-old Chen Wanrong into the palace.
Chen Wanrong was also very capable. Not only did she give birth to the royal heir, she also tied the emperor firmly to her side. After only three years in the palace, she became a noble concubine.
From then on, Queen Chen became an abandoned child of the Chen family.
Naturally, Concubine Chen looked down upon a queen who had no emperor's favor and was not valued by her family. Every time she appeared, she made a great show and tried her best to outshine the queen.
The same is true this time.
When other concubines came to pay their respects at Ganquan Palace, they brought at most two palace maids with them, but Concubine Chen brought eight with her, showing her overwhelming aura.
She walked slowly into the palace and glanced at the main seat nonchalantly, "I greet the Queen. The Emperor just came to my palace for breakfast. It's rare that the Emperor has an appetite today, so he drank an extra bowl of porridge. That's why I'm late. I'm sure Sister won't blame me."
The Queen's expression did not change. She waved her hand calmly, "The Emperor is taken care of so well by you. I am so happy that I can't wait to blame you. Please sit down."
As soon as Concubine Chen sat down, Lin Qingxue, who was following her, could not help but whispered to her, "Aunt, the one next to the Queen is Lin Miaoyin, didn't you recognize her? I almost didn't recognize her just now. I don't know what happened to this idiot today. She pushed me for no reason and made me look bad in front of my cousin. Aunt, you have to help me teach her a lesson."
As she spoke, her little face couldn't help but twist.
Concubine Chen frowned slightly.
If there were any girls among the younger generations of the Chen family, she would never let Yu'er choose the fool Lin Qingxue as Princess Jing.
But in order to win Lin Ruhui's support, the mother and son had to endure the hardship.
But this Lin Miaoyin has changed so much suddenly. Could it be that the Queen has finally managed to make her wise?
"I almost didn't recognize her. The one next to my sister must be Miaoyin."
"Greetings, Her Majesty." Lin Miaoyin stepped forward and bowed politely.
The indifferent and distant look made Concubine Chen pause slightly. Before, Lin Miaoyin had developed a rift with the Queen under the guidance of Little Chen, but now she has become attentive to her. Today, it was strange.
She thought about it and looked at the peach-colored figure in the corner, "Oh, isn't this the most talented woman in Shengjing? Ganquan Palace is so lively today."
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