in2ebook Chapter 92 Visiting Relatives
Chapter 92 Visiting Relatives
The Western Hills Imperial Palace served as a summer retreat.
Chu Qingyin's eyes sharpened; that was the promise she made to Pei Yuanling in her past life.
Every summer, they would meet up and go to Xishan, a tradition they have maintained for many years.
What does he mean by this? Is he testing whether she is Chu Qingyin or not?
“Yes, Your Majesty, wherever you go, I will go.”
She answered with a smile, but in her heart she thought that no matter whether Pei Yuanling was testing her or not, she could only respond to whatever came her way.
That night, Pei Yuanling once again visited Feixue Palace.
The news of Consort Qiao's return to favor spread throughout the palace.
Inside Mingyue Pavilion, Lu Mingzhu lay on a soft couch, her eyes filled with hatred: "That little bitch is truly cunning. Even though His Majesty clearly despised her, she still managed to regain his favor."
"Your Majesty, this Consort Qiao is not simple. It would be best if you avoided provoking her in the future," the palace maid Yue Rong whispered from the side.
"What do you mean by that? Are you siding with outsiders?" Lu Mingzhu suddenly stood up and slapped Yue Rong across the face.
A burning pain shot through her cheek, but Yue Rong covered her face without daring to cry out. "Please calm down, my lord. I had no other intentions."
Qinglan came in from outside and saw this scene.
During the time Lu Mingzhu was confined, it became common for her to take her anger out on the palace maids. A hint of disgust flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
She stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Third Madam has sent a message saying that she has obtained the Empress's decree and will be visiting the palace soon."
"My mother is coming?" Lu Mingzhu's anger immediately turned to joy.
Qinglan nodded in agreement, but secretly thought to herself.
This Third Madam Lu is no pushover either; who knows what kind of trouble she'll stir up this time she enters the palace.
***
Before long, it was mid-May, and the summer heat was intensifying. The emperor issued an edict: "On the sixth day of the sixth month, the imperial entourage will travel to the Western Hills Palace to escape the summer heat."
The entire palace was bustling with activity, and Chu Qingyin was no exception.
Lately, although Pei Yuanling has been visiting her palace every day, he has not made any intimate moves towards her. Even when she nestles in his arms, trying to seduce him.
Pei Yuanling remained unmoved. At most, when she went a little too far, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead to tell her to stop, then pulled her into his arms and fell asleep peacefully.
This made Chu Qingyin doubt herself. Had Pei Yuanling lost interest in her because of the previous disappointments? Or did he still harbor resentment towards her because of what happened last time?
But whatever the reason, she had to win the emperor's favor as soon as possible.
This trip to Xishan may be the perfect opportunity to break the current deadlock.
That afternoon, Chu Qingyin sat sideways on the couch, designing the style of a new summer dress she planned to make. In her previous life, she had enjoyed designing her own clothes, which inspired many concubines to follow suit.
Suddenly, Xianglan walked in. "Your Majesty, please don't be busy."
"What happened?" Chu Qingyin asked, puzzled by her anxious expression.
"His Majesty specially instructed Eunuch Chen to deliver your birthday gift. Eunuch Chen and the gift are right outside the door."
Xianglan smiled broadly, while Chu Qingyin was stunned for a moment.
birthday?
By the way, today is the original owner of the body, Qiao Qingyin's, birthday.
If Pei Yuanling hadn't remembered, she would have almost forgotten about it.
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Your Highness, His Majesty is too busy with state affairs to attend to this matter, so he specially instructed me to send you this congratulatory gift to celebrate your birthday."
Chen Zhongliang spoke respectfully, then waved his hand again.
Soon, a group of eunuchs entered the palace in single file, carrying all sorts of hairpins and jewelry.
Chu Qingyin glanced around casually. Whether it was the bright red agate beads, the smooth and bright pearls, or the lustrous jade bracelets... every piece was of superior quality and quite valuable.
Chu Qingyin withdrew her gaze, nodded and smiled at Chen Zhongliang: "Please trouble Steward Chen to convey to His Majesty that I like these very much."
Chen Zhongliang readily agreed, "Of course."
Chu Qingyin gave Xianglan a glance, and Xianglan immediately understood. She took a gold ingot from her sleeve and placed it in Chen Zhongliang's hand.
"Oh dear, this won't do..."
Just as Chen Zhongliang was about to decline, Chu Qingyin said, "Eunuch Chen, this is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."
"In that case, this servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. Today, I would also like to offer my humble wishes for Your Majesty's long life!"
Chen Zhongliang smiled and bowed, then continued, "Your Majesty, rest assured, His Majesty said that after finishing his affairs of state, he will definitely come to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday."
"Thank you for conveying this message, Eunuch Xie."
Chu Qingyin smiled gracefully, waiting for Chen Zhongliang to leave. Only then did she suppress her smile, appearing thoughtful.
Today is her birthday. If she takes this opportunity to ask Pei Yuanling if she wants to leave the palace to visit her family, she wonders if he will agree.
***
In the afternoon, just as Chu Qingyin was waking up from her afternoon nap, Pei Yuanling indeed brought Chen Zhongliang to Feixue Palace.
Upon entering, the young emperor, dressed in a black brocade robe and wearing a golden crown and jade belt, asked with a smile, "Does Yinyin like the birthday gift I sent?"
Chu Qingyin hurriedly curtsied, then raised her eyes with a radiant smile, her voice soft and sweet: "Your Majesty, I thank you so much. Not only did you remember my birthday, but you also gave me so many rare gifts. To receive such honor and favor, I would have no regrets even if I died now."
Pei Yuanling frowned upon hearing this, raised a long, slender finger, and pressed it against her lips: "Why bring this up on such a fine day?"
"Yinyin, I want you to live well."
Hearing the man's serious and authoritative words, Chu Qingyin's lips twitched slightly.
If he truly wanted her to live well, how could he bear to send her to the cold palace?
It's simply a matter of showering someone with affection when they love them, and discarding them like trash when they no longer do.
Belated affection is worth less than grass.
Although her heart was filled with coldness, she still put on a shy smile and obediently nodded: "I understand, I won't say those things again."
Pei Yuanling was pleased by her obedient appearance. He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, then asked in a doting tone, "Today is your birthday. Do you have any wishes?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin knew that her opportunity had arrived.
"Your Majesty's favor is boundless, and I should be content. But I am still a little greedy and wish that Your Majesty would grant me one more wish."
As soon as Chu Qingyin finished speaking, she clearly felt the gaze falling on her sharper.
She knew that Pei Yuanling must have thought of the time she mentioned her brother Chu Tianheng.
"This is the first time I've celebrated my birthday in the palace. In previous years, my father would celebrate with me on this day, but this year..." Chu Qingyin said with red eyes and a sob in her voice, "I miss my father at home a little."
Ever since she discovered that Pei Yuanling was afraid of her crying, she had deliberately practiced in front of the mirror many times on how to make herself cry more pitifully.
Sure enough, seeing the glistening tears on her cheeks, Pei Yuanling's expression softened slightly: "Don't cry. Today, Yinyin and I will act as a married couple in the common world and visit your parents' home together. How about that?"