Chapter 269

The setting sun slanted, and the evening clouds filled the sky. The sunlight was no longer scorching, but the air was more sultry than at noon. By the side of Yangxin Lake, lotus leaves swayed, and a few cool breezes blew from time to time, but unfortunately, there was no coolness at all. The humid and hot wind made people feel even more uncomfortable. Two figures walked slowly along the lakeside toward Xixia Palace, walking somewhat arduously.

After drinking that bowl of medicine, her lower abdomen had been aching faintly. Qingfeng had to rely on Fuling's support to continue walking forward. Knowing that tonight's banquet was likely aimed at her, Qingfeng still decided to go. She wanted to see what tricks the Empress Dowager could play, and she also wanted to see what kind of formidable person that Princess Zhaoyun was.

On such a hot day, Qingfeng's hand holding hers was getting colder and colder. Fuling looked worriedly at Qingfeng, who was still pale even with makeup on, and persuaded her worriedly, "Master, let's rest in the pavilion ahead before walking."

Qingfeng looked up. There was indeed a small pavilion by the lakeside where summer lotuses swayed, but she had to cross the winding Jiuqu Bridge to get there. By the time she walked there, she would almost be at Xixia Palace. Just as Qingfeng was still hesitating, her gaze was attracted by a woman coming toward her. She was dressed in a light purple palace gown with a front opening, silver silk tassels hanging from her waist, and golden silk hairpins swaying gently with her elegant steps. From afar, she looked like a painting of a lady. That quiet and noble temperament made people admire her. Qingfeng sighed secretly, what a beautiful woman.

Following Qingfeng's gaze, Fuling frowned slightly after seeing the person approaching and whispered in her ear, "Master, that is Consort Hui."

She was Consort Hui? What a beauty, nourished by water and carved from jade. With such a beauty in the palace, it was no wonder Xin Yuening was jealous and Yan Hongtian pampered her. While Qingfeng was sizing up Zhen Zhen, Zhen Zhen also noticed her not far away. Her ink-black hair reached her knees, lightly coiled and hanging behind her. A sky-blue long skirt trailing to the ground outlined her slender figure, making it graceful and light. She stood by the water just like that, like a wisp of flowing clouds in the sky, gathering and scattering with the wind, drifting and difficult to fathom.

When their eyes met, Zhen Zhen was secretly startled. What clear eyes—sharp, cold, clear, and distinct. How long had it been since she had seen such eyes in the palace? No wonder the Emperor looked at her differently. Hiding the surprise and faint unease in her eyes, Zhen Zhen nodded and smiled lightly at Qingfeng. Qingfeng was stunned for a moment and returned the smile.

"Are both younger sisters going to Xixia Palace for the banquet?" Before the two could exchange pleasantries, a smiling female voice suddenly sounded behind them. The two turned their heads to look, and Xin Yuening, dressed in magnificent attire, was squinting at them with a smile.

The two looked at each other and saluted: "Paying respects to the Empress." Qingfeng saw a trace of faint impatience in Zhen Zhen's eyes. It seemed that these two had deep grievances.

"No need for such formalities, younger sisters." Although she said so, Xin Yuening only reached out to help Qingfeng up and asked softly, "Is your health better these days, younger sister?"

Zhen Zhen rose gracefully, seemingly long accustomed to Xin Yuening's difficulties. Her every move showed elegance, which made Xin Yuening look impolite. Qingfeng was quite interested in this Consort Hui who was favored in the harem. While secretly paying attention to her, she unobtrusively withdrew the hand held by Xin Yuening and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Empress. It is no longer a major issue."

The wind by the lake was a bit strong, and the silk scarf on Qingfeng's neck fluttered with the wind. Most women in the harem were sensitive and would not let go of any clues, let alone the dots of crimson on Qingfeng's neck that couldn't be covered. Zhen Zhen's water-like bright eyes flashed slightly. Although she quickly returned to calm, it was still seen by Xin Yuening.

Zhen Zhen, you have today too. You finally tasted the feeling of guarding an empty room and wasting a good night! Xin Yuening, who was in a good mood, pretended to help her tidy up her silk scarf while laughing: "The Emperor is really something. Your body has just recovered, and he doesn't know how to be more considerate."

This yin-yang strange tone made Qingfeng's brows furrow tightly. Was the Empress using her to stimulate Consort Hui? Did the women in the palace have nothing else to do? Her lower abdomen was hurting more and more, and Qingfeng didn't want to get involved in their boring jealousy, so she simply shut her mouth and was too lazy to speak. Qingfeng's silence was somewhat abnormal, and Zhen Zhen just stood aside with a smile. With no one taking her words, Xin Yuening felt bored and said listlessly, "It's getting late, let's go together, younger sisters." Hmph, Zhen Zhen, I want to see how long you can endure!

"Yes."

The three walked all the way to Xixia Palace without a word. After entering the hall, Qingfeng realized that Yan Hongtian really had quite a few women. In the huge room, more than twenty women were already waiting there, each as beautiful as a flower and as exquisite as jade. Just the ones qualified to attend the banquet made Qingfeng dazzled, and she didn't know how many more were not qualified to attend. Qingfeng snorted coldly, Yan Hongtian had quite a lot of luck with women.

When everyone saw the Empress arrive, they paid their respects one after another, but their eyes all stayed on Qingfeng, especially those women who had suffered in the palace for many years but were still only beauties or ladies, who almost wanted to stare a hole through Qingfeng. Qingfeng wasn't afraid of them looking, just impatient. There were so many women in the palace, and it was never about seniority; they were all just serving people with their looks, so what was worth fighting for?

"The Empress Dowager has arrived." After a loud shout, a slightly plump woman in her fifties entered the hall, supported by a nanny.

"May the Empress Dowager be blessed with peace."

"All rise." The gentle voice sounded very kind. Qingfeng looked up at the main seat at the very top. The woman was dressed in a deep purple long skirt with simple headwear, looking very plain, and her smile was also very kind. She was the Empress Dowager? Qingfeng was a bit surprised; the Western Empress Dowager looked different from what she had guessed. Qingfeng was secretly observing when the Western Empress Dowager suddenly looked at her. Meeting those smiling eyes, Qingfeng shuddered for no reason. After looking at her for a long time, the Western Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for her, but smiled at everyone: "Today is the first day of the month. The nun at Xiuyun Temple prepared vegetarian food for me. I specially invited you all to taste it and build a connection with Buddha."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for the banquet."

"Take your seats." The Empress naturally sat on the Empress Dowager's right hand, whispering to the Empress Dowager from time to time, while Consort Hui sat in the next row, deliberately avoiding the position of sitting on an equal footing with the Empress.

Qingfeng's abdominal pain was unbearable, and she had no intention of observing others, so she walked to a seat in the back and sat down. After she sat down, she realized that many women walked to the seats behind her, and those who dared to sit in front of her were only six or seven. She now understood a little why she was envied and hated.

An old nanny walked in from outside the courtyard and whispered a few words in Yang Zhilan's ear. Yang Zhilan raised the corner of her mouth and smiled: "Today I also invited an honored guest."

Everyone secretly guessed who could be considered an honored guest by the Western Empress Dowager? They didn't wait long before the old nanny led a woman into the hall.

The woman was tall with a beautiful face, but there were also two scars on her cheeks. Everyone's eyes lingered between Qingfeng and the woman, and they instantly understood the woman's identity.

Big Sister? Seeing the woman's appearance clearly, Qingfeng's heart suddenly jumped to her throat, and her hand holding the teacup tightened. Why did Big Sister enter the palace? So this banquet wasn't aimed at her, but... Big Sister?

Receiving Qingfeng's suspicious gaze, Zhuo Qing looked in her direction, stunned for a moment, and then returned a "don't be anxious" smile. That calm and confident smile made Qingfeng's raised heart settle down a little.

"You are Qing Ling?" The inquiry from the main seat interrupted the exchange of eyes between the two. Zhuo Qing replied generously: "Yes."

"Come, come to my side." Zhuo Qing walked generously to her side, and Yang Zhilan began to look her up and down. Just as she was about to get goosebumps, she took her hand and smiled: "Prime Minister Lou's eye is really good. You are indeed a spirited girl. This name is also well chosen; the person is like the name. Don't you all think so?"

Everyone who had been holding their breath finally breathed a long sigh of relief. The matter of Prime Minister Lou wanting to marry Qing Ling was spreading like wildfire in the palace. On one side was the Empress Dowager, and on the other was the potential future Prime Minister's wife. None of them wanted to offend either. Now it seemed that the Empress Dowager didn't want to be on bad terms with Qing Ling, so everyone naturally followed the Empress Dowager's words and praised Zhuo Qing.

"Ling'er, sit by my side. Everyone is here, serve the food." Saying this, she really arranged for her to sit on her left hand, facing the Empress from afar.

Before long, a table of food was served. Qingfeng had no intention of eating at all. The Empress Dowager called Big Sister and her to Xixia Palace, what exactly was her intention?

Not only could Qingfeng not eat the exquisite food, but Zhuo Qing was clearly listless. At this time, someone asked with a smile: "What do you do for entertainment on weekdays, Miss Qing?"

Entertainment? "Autopsy."

Zhuo Qing threw out a cold sentence, and for a time, the hall was dead silent.

Cough, cough...

Qingfeng was choked hard by the tea, and the corner of her mouth couldn't stop wanting to laugh. Big Sister really dared to say it! Big Sister was kind-hearted and liked to take care of injured small animals on weekdays, and she also liked to read books and study some medical skills on her own, which she believed. But if it were said that her own sister was dissecting corpses in the hall, she wouldn't believe it. Although people in the palace said it with certainty, Qingfeng still didn't believe it.

During the palace banquet, Qingfeng had been taken away by Yan Hongtian's people early, so she didn't see that terrifying scene. Xin Yuening, who had personally experienced the storm of that palace banquet, turned pale and almost vomited.

By comparison, the Empress Dowager was clearly much calmer. Her hand holding the chopsticks only paused slightly, and her face still had a kind smile, saying: "Concubine Qing hasn't seen her sister for a long time, she must miss her very much. Why don't you stay in the palace for a few days, Ling'er, so the two sisters can talk."

Before Zhuo Qing could refuse, Qingfeng was one step faster than her and replied: "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your grace. The wedding is imminent, and Big Sister must have many things to prepare. Besides, it is not very good for the wife of a high official to enter and exit the palace at will." Not to mention that she didn't know what Yan Hongtian's intentions were toward Big Sister, Princess Zhaoyun would definitely not give up. The Empress Dowager doing this must have had some plan, and she absolutely could not let Big Sister enter the palace.

Wedding imminent? Already at the stage of preparing for the wedding? Did the Empress Dowager and the Emperor both agree?

(End of chapter)