The prince returned to the East Palace, and the secret guard Dongqing had been waiting for a long time.
"Your Highness, news has arrived from the Qiao family!"
The prince's face suddenly became serious, "Come in and explain in detail."
Holly followed suit and whispered:
"Your Highness, the order was personally delivered by the eldest son of the Qiao family. There are two major pieces of news."
"First, the blood has been taken, so His Highness should act as soon as possible. Second, His Highness must find an opportunity to leave the palace to see me. The Qiao family has top-secret matters to report."
"The eldest son of the Qiao family also asked that Master Qiao just send a message to the Holy One. If His Highness goes to the Qiao family to meet immediately, it may be harmful to His Highness, so the meeting place can be at Dingguo Duke's Mansion."
When the prince heard this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, Da Lang did things properly.
In the imperial study just now, my father had already mentioned Mr. Qiao that it was really not appropriate for him to go to Qiao Mansion these days.
However, he and the eldest daughter of the Xiao family are getting married soon, and they are indeed in close contact now, so it is reasonable to go to Duke Dingguo's mansion to send something.
"Dongqing, please send a message to Dalang and make an appointment for me to be there after the court tomorrow morning!"
After Dongqing was ordered to leave, the prince sat down for a while, then got up and went to Yikun Palace.
————
Near dinner time, the palace attendants around the empress came to the imperial study to ask for an audience.
Huang Pei went out to see her in person, and his eyes widened when he learned that it was the empress who invited the saint to have dinner at Yikun Palace.
"Just wait."
Huang Pei entered the imperial study, and Emperor Yong's review of the memorials had come to an end.
Huang Pei said softly: "Your Majesty, the Queen has sent someone to ask, Your Majesty, would you like to have dinner at Yikun Palace?"
When Emperor Yong heard this, he suddenly raised his head from the case, with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Are you sure she's the queen?"
Ever since he said those decisive words to the queen for Yu Liu, he had not eaten at Yikun Palace for more than ten years.
Huang Pei smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty, she is the Queen!"
Seeing that Emperor Yong looked at the candlelight and hesitated to speak, Huang Pei hesitated for a while and finally spoke to persuade:
"Your Majesty, just think that this old slave is talking too much. If he makes a mistake, you can punish me no matter what."
"I feel that the Queen, who is so strong, has now taken the initiative to surrender to the Holy One. Why don't you give the Queen some thin noodles?"
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, your Majesty has managed the harem in an orderly manner for so many years and has never disturbed Your Majesty in the slightest. This is no small feat!"
Emperor Yong frowned slightly when he heard this, and was obviously a little moved.
But he was a tough talker, so he said without saltiness: "Huang Pei, are you, an old slave, taking advantage of the queen? Why are you speaking for the queen today?"
Huang Pei quickly shook his head and said with a smile: "Oh, Your Majesty, you have really wronged this old slave."
"I just look at these days. The relationship between the Holy One and the Queen has eased a lot. I am happy for the Holy One!"
"Perhaps it's because His Highness the Crown Prince's marriage has been decided, and I immediately became excited when I saw the Queen."
"Your Majesty, you don't know that all the servants have seen it. You and the empress are sitting together to discuss the wedding of His Royal Highness, with smiles on your faces!"
Emperor Yong turned his head in surprise when he heard this, "Seriously?"
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 back then. If it hadn't been for the appearance of Concubine Jade...
Forget it, let’s not mention the past!
The second prince's identity was in doubt, so he naturally tried his best to push the emperor towards the empress and the prince.
Otherwise, if you accidentally betray your country, wouldn’t it be a huge sin?
Emperor Yong was finally persuaded, not only because he trusted Huang Pei, but he also had some expectations in his heart.
"Then... then let's go to Yikun Palace and have a look!"
Emperor Yong suddenly stood up, walked around the long case and walked out.
Huang Pei felt happy and hurriedly followed him.
On the way to Yikun Palace, Huang Peisheng was afraid that Emperor Yong would regret it, so he made some jokes from time to time.
Emperor Yong looked at the palace in the distance, feeling a little nervous in his heart for no reason.
He rarely goes to Yikun Palace at this time. Is the Queen... waiting for him?
Stepping into the gate of Yikun Palace, the palace people knelt on the ground, and the queen came out to welcome her.
Under the candlelight, the queen was dressed in regular clothes, looking casual and gentle, which made Emperor Yong stunned.
Ever since...ever since that year, the queen had always been dressed in fancy clothes in front of him, cold and distant.
He almost forgot that he and the Queen were once so close and casual.
"Okay, everyone, please step aside."
The queen spoke warmly, and everyone retreated with cheers, leaving only Huang Pei who was serving with him.
"Your Majesty, please."
The queen smiled lightly, not too close, but much gentler than usual.
Emperor Yong nodded blankly, walked ahead and entered the main hall, and saw a sumptuous dinner table at a glance.
The emperor and empress took their seats. Emperor Yong raised his eyes and looked over. The table was full of his favorite dishes...
"Queen, you..."
Emperor Yong didn't seem to expect that after so many years, the queen would still remember his preferences.
The queen stood up and served the dishes to Emperor Yong in person. She did not look at Emperor Yong, but said warmly:
"Your Majesty, my concubine's behavior today is a bit unexpected. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"It's just that Zhan'er's wedding is coming soon. You have given Zhan'er a good marriage. I am grateful in my heart and don't want to be so cold-faced with the Holy Father again."
Emperor Yong suddenly frowned when he heard this, and blurted out: "So the Queen's hard work today is all for Zhan'er?"
The queen was slightly startled when she heard this. Although her expression remained unchanged, she was actually feeling sick in her heart.
By asking this question, could it be possible that the Holy One still thought that her old relationship was over? He doesn't even look at how many disgusting things he has done!
If it wasn't for the blood...that's all, it's all for the blood, hold on!
The queen lowered her eyes slightly, pretending to be sad.
"Your Majesty, these dishes...are all cooked by my own hands. Doesn't this show my concubine's thoughts and sincerity?"
Emperor Yong was greatly moved when he heard this, "Did you make these yourself, Queen?"
The queen nodded slowly and said warmly: "It took more than two hours."
That’s weird!
She just sat in the imperial dining room for two hours!
The man in front of her was no longer worth her trouble!
Emperor Yong was slightly touched, and his eyebrows softened.
"In that case, let's have a meal."
The queen specially poured wine for Emperor Yong, "Your Majesty, I haven't had a drink with your Majesty for I don't know how long it has been."
Emperor Yong was filled with emotion, raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
The Queen poured the wine again, and Emperor Yong refused to accept anyone who came, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious for a moment.
Seeing that there was no need for him, Huang Pei retreated with crooked eyebrows and quietly stood guard at the entrance of the palace.
That's great. If the emperor and empress can continue to be in such harmony, His Highness the Crown Prince's status will be stable.
He, an old slave, doesn't have to worry, he can probably live a few more years...
That night, Emperor Yong stayed in Yikun Palace for the first time in nearly ten years. The whole palace was shocked when they heard the news!
