"Living in seclusion in the mountains and forests?" The queen was a little surprised.
Lu Qingran smiled sheepishly, "Although the days in Nanyuan Mountain are dull, they are also leisurely and contented. Qingrong misses her very much."
The queen's calm expression just now changed a little, and she raised her eyebrows, "Is this really true? With your character, isn't it a pity that you just married into an ordinary family?"
Mrs. Wei nodded in agreement and agreed: "No, I think even this prince and noble lady is worthy of it."
Qingrong is not stupid, she naturally knows what the queen means. No matter whether she is really kind or not, she will test her own thoughts. She does not know what is right and wrong in the palace, and does not want to mess with it. She just hopes to stay as far away as possible. Qingrong bites
Biting her lip, she lowered her head and said, "To be honest with Your Highness, Qingrong actually already has someone she admires in her heart. With this thought in her heart, she has no other hope and is unwilling to give in. She just hopes that everything will be fine for him."
"Oh?" The Queen and Mrs. Wei both looked at her, "Who is he?"
Qingrong didn't know why she thought of Xue Shao at this time. Even though she had some unpleasantness with him before, she could only think of him now. "He...helped me several times. When I returned to Yongcheng with my uncle, on the way
Unfortunately, I encountered a bandit, but fortunately he saved me and I survived. Qingrong is very grateful to him."
The queen smiled and said, "I see. Is he an official in the court?"
This...do we really need to tell Xue Shaolai? But if we don't tell him, he will naturally not be able to pass this test. After several struggles, Qingrong could only grit his teeth and said: "He, he is...Xue Shao, the nephew of Duke Xing. It's just that
He... doesn't know Qingrong's thoughts. Qingrong doesn't want to force it and embarrass him. If His Highness hadn't asked, Qingrong would never reveal his thoughts to others. I hope His Highness will notice clearly."
Mrs. Wei's eyes lit up at this moment, she stared at Qingrong and said with a smile: "Let me tell you, that day at my house, you took the initiative to mention him several times and asked if you didn't want to say more. It turned out that you had such thoughts.
Now, Ying Niang, you still don’t believe it, but now she has said it herself, have you heard it?”
She even told the queen this! Qingrong felt secretly bitter in her heart, she really was her biological sister and she really knew everything.
The queen glanced at Mrs. Wei and said with a smile: "I have acquired a lot of clothing materials and jewelry these days when Sister A is not here. Do you want A Song to take you to pick them out?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wei responded repeatedly and said with a smile: "Okay, you dislike me, so I won't stop you two from talking, and let Song take me to have a look first."
After they left, the queen smiled and said, "My sister just loves to dress up, so I guess you won't be surprised."
Qingrong remembered that she had met Mrs. Wei in the West Market because she wanted to make clothes, so she smiled and said, "Everyone has a love for beauty, and Madam is a true-hearted person."
"I heard from Asong that you saw the imperial concubine on the way here?"
Qingrong replied: "Yes."
Seeing that Qingrong didn't look aggrieved or angry, the queen looked at her and said leisurely: "I understand your thoughts, but do you know who it is that asked you to stay in the palace? Do you understand what it means?" She and
Li Jin and his wife have been married for many years, so they naturally understand that Li Jin will ask to keep her, and they also understand how to dispel Li Jin's thoughts.
Qingrong didn't understand it before, but she understood it now. The queen also looked at her and said, "I just told you that it is your choice which way you want to take. If what you just said is true, I will
I am willing to give you a chance, it only depends on yourself."
Qingrong calmed down, quickly turned around and understood what the queen meant. Her heart tightened, she didn't want to enter the palace at all, and at this moment, perhaps only the queen could help her. She knelt down
Said: "Qingrong dare not deceive His Highness."
The queen nodded and said: "You said that you and his family background are not equivalent, but this is not an insurmountable difference. Why should you care so much? You are also a rare talent. How can you not match him?"
"Qingrong understands His Highness's kind intention." Qingrong didn't understand why every step seemed to be beyond her expectation, but now, she had no other way to go. Her heart was filled with anger, and she knelt down and said, "Thank you very much.
Your Highness fulfills your love for Qingrong, and I ask Your Highness to grant you Qingrong for marriage."
The queen looked at her with very satisfied eyes. She nodded and smiled, "Get up, don't worry, since you said so, I won't let you be happy in vain. I also went to Nanyuan Mountain once when I was in the East Palace.
, it’s been several years now, I wonder what the situation is now?”
Qingrong had no choice but to smile, and seeing her change her mind, she responded a few words. After finally getting a response, Qingrong's tone became more relaxed, and the two chatted for a few more words. When Mrs. Wei came back, the Queen simply explained
After a few words, Qingrong withdrew.
The queen specifically ordered the female official Song to take her back to Xianning Palace, but the way back was different from the way she came. Only then did Qingrong realize that the Zhengyi Palace was actually not very far from Xianning Palace.
Mrs. Wei did not stay in the palace today. She left the palace after lunch. Now there were only two people left in the room, the Queen and Lady Song.
"Is His Highness's move too flattering to Lu Sanniang?" Female Officer Song was a little confused. Your Highness is a middle-ranking official, so why bother with such trivial matters?
The queen took a sip of tea and said slowly: "The situation is like this. Being able to marry the Xue family and win the hearts of the ministers is a big or small matter." In the court, the people from King Yong's side had the upper hand, and the Xue family was among the generals.
The family is also the main force in the Western Expedition now. If they can be won over, they can be used by the saint in the future.
Ms. Song asked again: "Does she have to be the candidate?"
"Of course not, it's just that she is the most suitable person for the moment. If she wants to enter the palace, that's fine. If she doesn't want to enter the palace, it's okay to fulfill her wish. She knows how to advance and retreat, is knowledgeable, and is so clever.
With this relationship with the Xue family, it will be good to have such people."
The queen had heard her sister talking about her, but she didn't expect her to return to the palace. Seeing her behavior today, she was also satisfied. It's just that a strong horse needs training, let alone such a talent? She doesn't want to stay, so she should be allowed to see the inner palace clearly.
Who makes the decision so that she can be willing to do it?
Ms. Song's frown slowly relaxed, "But, will this move make the saint displeased with His Highness?"
"Sanniang asked for this marriage herself. I only want to be a beautiful woman, which is good for everyone. As for the Xue family... the saint will not understand. Since he understands, he will not be reluctant to let go."
Concubine Song thought that this was true. She was indeed overly worried, and she said with conviction: "His Highness is far more foresighted, and A Song is naturally far behind. This Concubine Liu Xian usually looks honest, but unexpectedly she is also restless...
"
Empress Wei reached out and stroked her temples. There was no trace of happiness or anger on her face, and she interrupted lightly: "It's understandable if she has her own plans. It's just a small fight, why should she be afraid? Don't say this again in the future.
After all, you are also a female official, what does it sound like to others?"
Female official Song responded in a low voice and said no more.
"Tomorrow, Mrs. Lu, who is declared to be the Duke of Ning County, will come to the palace. She will follow me to the Xuanshi Palace in a short while."
Qingrong didn't know why the queen wanted to help her. She accepted the queen's favor and would naturally repay it in the future. Otherwise, she and the queen were not related, so why would the queen go to all the trouble for a person like herself? Then it could only be her.
Becoming a queen is a step in the game. As for where this game will go, whether she will win or lose, she still doesn’t know...
"Sanniang is back. After being here for so long, Concubine Xian is getting anxious. Is everything okay over there?" Cuiyuan saw Qingrong coming back and went to greet her.
Qingrong smiled: "Well, please, please take me to see Concubine Xian first."
Qingrong naturally told the story to the Concubine Xian, but briefly said that the Queen would grant her a marriage. Although Liu Yuniang was surprised, she was very happy, "Did Your Highness really say that?"
Qingrong nodded, "Why is Concubine Xian happier than Qingrong?"
"The Xue family is also a high-ranking family. I am naturally happy for you to have such a marriage. Your Highness has always been virtuous. You are just a newcomer to the palace and you have such a favor. You are really lucky." Liu Yuniang looked worried again, "However,
There is nothing in this matter that comes in vain, His Highness has his own plans for making such arrangements."
It turns out that Liu Yuniang knew it in her heart, and I'm afraid she also knew what the saint was thinking, but she just didn't intend to tell herself. Qingrong looked at her, her mood was complicated for a moment, and she just sighed, "Let's go and see, there's no point in thinking too much.
"
When Qingrong came back from Zhengyi Hall, she felt a little absent-minded. She couldn't help sighing that there were too few pure things in this world. But she probably had no position to blame others. She clearly wanted to avoid Xue Shao, but she happened to get involved again.
Got him.
Azhen didn't want her to blame herself, so she comforted her and said, "I think Xue Langjun also has some feelings for Sanniang. Maybe he will be secretly happy after knowing this?"
Qingrong shook her head, "Marriage between a man and a woman is not something you and I can do based on our wishes. He may have some affection, but marriage is another matter."
Songyue was older and more stable. She also sighed and said: "Marrying a woman is a big deal. It should be planned carefully. How much do we know about the Xue family now? If it is a den of wolves and tigers...
"
Azhen said anxiously, winking at Songyue: "Bah, bah, bah, what a wolf and tiger's den, don't talk about these unlucky things to fool Sanniang."
Songyue didn't want Qingrong to worry, but this was the truth. She shook her head and said: "loyal words are offensive to the ears. If I don't say it, wouldn't there be such a thing? But it's just in this back house, I'm afraid it's more in this palace."
It’s not easy, if Sanniang is dissatisfied in the future, maybe she can make peace with her, but if she stays in this palace, she will never see her end.”
Qingrong also fell into deep thought after hearing this...
This queen was even more resolute than Qing Rong thought. After the agreement was made yesterday, Mrs. Lu of Guining County was summoned the next day. The news that the queen granted marriage to Xue Shao, the second son of Xue House, and Qing Rong came
The news spread in the inner court.
Qingrong was also summoned to the Zhengyi Hall. When she first met Mrs. Lu, Qingrong felt very uneasy. She always blamed herself for dragging others into this muddy water. If Mrs. Lu looked coldly at her, she would admit it...
Mrs. Lu smiled and sighed: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It's just that my youngest son has a weird and dull temper. In the past two years, his father and I proposed marriage for him, but he refused. He was so stubborn. Your Highness's move is certainly a good thing. I
But I am afraid that my Shiro will offend my daughter."
Qingrong was waiting in the outer room, and naturally she heard clearly what was said inside, and she didn't know what it was like. Before she could think about it, the queen smiled and said: "Since ancient times, when a man starts a family, he starts a family first and then a career. What can be done before the family is completed?
?If the family home is unstable, how can we make peace with the outside world? Madam certainly loves her son, so she must be worried about him."
Lu didn't know the meaning of the Queen's words, so she nodded and said with a smile: "What Your Highness said makes sense."
The queen smiled slightly: "What a coincidence, Mrs. Wei told me about the secretary-general, Lu Sanniang, the eldest daughter of the Lu family. She is just about the age to get married. She is beautiful and virtuous. I find her very special.
That's right. She happens to be in the palace today, so I asked her to come and see Madam?"