On the fifth day of the first month of November, the emperor's procession of the palace finally returned to the city. The wide road suddenly became bustling, except for the road that connected with the inner palace of the imperial city, but there was no human figure, and after a huge queue carried out the palace, it returned to normal.

Within a few days, the army of the Western Expedition also returned to the court, and the people were naturally lively again.

But this time, the sage did not reward the main generals Xue Fangji and Li Chi, but instead sealed a few deputy generals. Among them, the deputy general Su Zilie returned, and he was named the vanguard officer of the Eastern Expedition to Silla, and he received a lot of favor. All this, the intention behind it, inevitably makes people can't help but think about it. Coupled with the incident of King Yong, the aftermath has not subsided, and the Xue family is not as lively as before, which is quite a bit of a cold.

Qingrong also has some experience of this, but in comparison, the news that Siniang came back safely made her more concerned. The queen came back after many days, and Mrs. Wei wanted to enter the palace, so it was hard for her to remember the Qingrong sisters, so she took the initiative to invite Qingrong to enter the palace together, and Qingrong was naturally willing.

As before, Qingrong still went to the Zhengyi Hall to meet the queen first.

Counting the time, I haven't seen it for almost half a year, and during this period of time, the big and small things that happened in the DPRK and China are really not peaceful... Qingrong saw the queen again, and there was still a little uneasy in her heart.

Qingrong was summoned to the palace, and the queen sat on a high chair. Just as Qingrong guessed before, the queen came back from this trip and was still a little different from before... Her bearing is more magnificent, and her eyes are more calm and dignified, as if she has a kind of ambition and the momentum that the overall situation has been stabilized, so that people dare not force their eyes.

Qingrong saluted respectfully, and the queen smiled and said, "Get up." I haven't seen you for a long time, but you're becoming more and more restrained. ”

Mrs. Wei smiled: "It's not that you have too many rules here, who can't be respectful when you come?" I didn't even dare to come out of the atmosphere. ”

The queen glanced at her and said with a smile: "Now these words only come out of your mouth." ”

"In the end, Mrs. and Her Royal Highness have a deep sisterhood, which makes others envious of it." Qingrong pursed her lips and smiled, but no, now I am afraid that few people dare to speak like this in front of the queen.

The queen's expression was also relaxed at this time, and she said: "The sage said that in a few days there will be a hunt in the Royal Forbidden Garden, and your family will also be among the entourage, so you will also be present at that time." ”

Qingrong was slightly surprised, could the saint still think of Xue Shaolai at this time? She saluted and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for the grace of the saint, the concubine will not dare to slack off." ”

The queen smiled, "It's just an ordinary hunt, and most of the people accompanying you this time are some of your daily dealings, so you don't need to be so nervous." ”

Qingrong's heart moved, and he smiled: "Yes." ”

After another conversation, Mrs. Wei reminded: "Sanniang is thinking about her sisters, and when she heard that she was going to enter the palace, she couldn't hide her joy, so you didn't hold people for a long time to talk." ”

The queen looked at her and said with a smile: "It's hard for you to remember, so let's go early." She seemed to remember something, and her eyes were a little meaningful, but she didn't say anything to Qingrong in the end. Qingrong saluted and left first.

Qingran hadn't seen Sister A for a long time, and when she learned that she was coming, she couldn't hide her excitement, so Baba had to go to the gate of the palace and wait. When Qingrong's figure got closer, seeing the familiar face, she felt a little down-to-earth in her heart.

Siniang called: "Sister! She walked out quickly, and she was so excited that she could barely hold back her tears.

Qingrong's eyebrows and eyes were all smiling, she took Siniang's hand, looked left and right, and was a little sad, her eyes were full of pity, "I've grown taller and thinner." ”

Siniang shook her head and said with a smile: "It's cold outside, Sister is cold, let's not talk outside, Concubine Xian also thinks about Sister A." ”

Qingrong nodded, responded with a smile, and entered the inner hall with her.

The incense burned in the hall, and there was a warm basin, and the warmth came to the face, and the cold wind gusted outside, like two worlds.

Liu Yuniang has not changed much, although she is pregnant now, she has not yet shown it, and she looks the same as usual. But her face was a little pale, and she looked much weaker than before. Not long after talking to Qingrong, she felt weak, she smiled apologetically at Qingrong, "After talking, I'm a little tired, and my body can't bear it, so let Siniang chat with you." You don't blame it. ”

Qingrong naturally said yes, and said worriedly: "What Concubine Xian said, naturally Concubine Xian's body is important, so I won't disturb Concubine Xian's rest." ”

Siniang took her down and went to the place where she lived on weekdays. After the subordinates retreated, only the two sisters were left in the room.

"Looking at Concubine Xian's current body, I don't know if I can afford it." Qingrong also saw the hard work of Qin's pregnancy, but now it is okay, but I am afraid that it will be more difficult in the future.

Siniang also sighed, now her demeanor has faded and she is a little more calm, "The previous time, Concubine Xian injured her body, and she has not improved in the past few days, and now her body is naturally worse." But the imperial doctor said that as long as he was well raised, he might be able to recover slowly. ”

Qingrong nodded, and said: "Now that the clouds are scattered and the moon is rising, can Concubine Xian tell you when she will leave the palace?" ”

Siniang lowered her eyes and did not speak.

Qingrong felt that something was wrong and asked, "What's wrong?" It's a virtuous concubine... Or does His Highness not plan to let you out of the palace earlier? ”

"Neither." Siniang shook her head, "It's me, Sister, I want to stay in the palace first and wait for Concubine Xian's child to be born safely, and then I can go home with peace of mind." ”

In fact, she herself made plans before coming back, and now Liu Yuniang's body is weak, which is really worrying. In addition to that, it's clear... She also heard the queen talk about it, knowing the current situation of the Xue family, although it is nothing for her to stay in the palace, if she leaves the palace, she will not be able to help Sister A.

Qingrong frowned and looked at her with some concern, "But you know, grandpa and aunt are all worried about you, and what kind of good place is this palace?" In the past, you had no difficulty, but now you can choose, you must be cautious. Tell me, what are you going to do? ”

Siniang looked up at the window, her mood was complicated for a while, if she said the reason, Sister Ah would not agree. "I understand," she pondered, "but I don't want to be someone who only worries people and always drags you down... What's more, I don't want to leave the palace to marry now. ”

"Why is that? Talk to my sister. ”

Siniang was a little embarrassed, and after a while, she still mustered up the courage to say: "Actually, I already have someone I like... He is a gentleman, he has helped me several times, treated me sincerely, never fell into the well, and looked at each other coldly. Her tone at this time was full of joy and joy, and her eyebrows and eyes were soft, and even she didn't notice it.

Qingrong's eyes couldn't hide her surprise, and she saw Siniang show a wry smile, shook her head and said, "But I am far from him... It's no longer possible. But I don't want to be wronged by others. ”

"What about him? Is he interested in you? ”

Siniang nodded, her face sad, "But I don't want him to miss the future for me, and I also persuade him to forget this... It's good for us. ”

Seeing her like this, Qingrong shook his head, "Who is he?" ”

Siniang said in a low voice: "Sister should know about him... He is the Cui family Erlang of the Wenyi County Mansion, Cui Chenyu. ”

It's him!

Qingrong has naturally heard that he has some friendship with Xue Shao, according to his generation, he is the son and nephew of Xue Shao's third aunt Cui, and the brother of Pei Lingniang's husband Cui Ningqian. He was born in a family of five surnames, a son of a family, and the prince of Xijue County... What's more, his reputation is not good, and his relationship with his clan is also very complicated, no matter how you look at it, he is not a suitable husband. When did these two people happen?

Qingrong sighed lightly, if Siniang broke off this thought, it would not be a good thing, it can be seen that she is so sad and sad, Qingrong naturally can't bear it. I had mixed feelings for a while, and I didn't know how to speak.

Seeing that Qingrong didn't speak, Siniang laughed at herself, "Sister also thinks I'm a fool and a dream?" Actually, I understand, so about this... No delusions. ”

She has always loved this sister, and she does not want her to be disappointed. Qingrong held her hand and said gently: "You are not married, he is wronged, and the matter is still inconclusive." Besides, what is delusion? If it is not delusional, it is just a rhetorical excuse for those who do not have it. You can analyze the stakes and know that you should not be empty of hope, nor should you be presumptuous. ”

"Sister..."Siniang's heart moved, and she raised her eyes to look at Qingrong.

"What position does he hold now?"

"Living."

Qingrong was clear, no wonder she wanted to stay in the palace, this Cui Chenyu was actually a close minister of the Son of Heaven, but I was afraid that these two would meet in the palace. She muttered: "I understand your intentions, but staying in the palace is only temporary, what about after Concubine Xian gives birth?" Have you ever wondered what will happen then? ”

Siniang was dumbfounded for a while, but she didn't waver in her eyes.

Qingrong asked, "Is it because of something else?" ”

Siniang lowered her eyes under her gaze, thinking back to all the things she had done in the palace before, "Some things... Sister, you don't know, but now that the fire in the court is burning, it's hard to say who will suffer next, you are now the wife of the Xue family. ”

Qingrong didn't understand the meaning of these words, because of herself, she wanted to persuade again.

Who knew that Siniang said again: "In this matter, I have already presented Concubine Ming and His Royal Highness... I hope that my sister and grandmother can forgive me for making a decision this time. ”

"You..."Qingrong frowned, sighed helplessly, nodded and said, "I understand, since you have decided to do so, then what can I say?" I'll tell my grandmother, as for the side matter... Don't think about it either. ”

Siniang had a smile on her face and nodded, "Thank you, Sister." ”

The two talked for a long time, and seeing that the time was almost up, Qingrong said goodbye to Concubine Xian and the queen before leaving the palace with Mrs. Wei.

Although Qingrong had heard of Cui Chenyu, he had never seen him, and he knew about him, so if he could be optimistic about him and Siniang's affairs, it would not be enough. Looking at how Pei Lingniang is doing in the Cui family, you can know that the Cui family is not easy to get along with, but Qingrong is selfish but doesn't want Siniang to go to this troubled water, but this is what Siniang is looking forward to...