Because he was suspicious that the crown prince of Xiahou Kingdom was also present, Ximen Yourong subconsciously glanced at Xiahou Chunyan twice more, but inadvertently met his eyes.
Out of politeness, Ximen Yourong nodded slightly to Xiahou Chunyan to say hello.
Xiahou Chunyan smiled back, but he did not stay where he was, but took the initiative to walk towards Ximen Yourong.
When he came closer, he glanced at Ximen Yourong's barely exposed hand, then he nodded politely and said with a warm smile:
"I heard earlier that the queen's hand was bitten by a fox. I wonder if it's still serious now?"
Ximen Yourong smiled slightly:
"Thank you, Crown Prince Xiahou, for your concern. I'm fine now... But why is the Crown Prince here today?"
It has been more than half a month since Xiahou Chunyan visited Xiahou Kingdom in the name of "reconciliation" between the two countries. Apart from normal diplomatic discussions, he seemed to have been traveling and did not say when he would return to Xiahou Kingdom!
Probably guessing what Ximen Yourong was wondering about, Xiahou Chunyan explained with a bright smile:
"I have heard for a long time that the Dacheng Royal Family's Beginning of Spring Sacrifice Ceremony is grand and significant. I am lucky enough to have such a good time here. Therefore, even if I am presumptuous, I still ask Emperor Dongling to facilitate me so that I can see the grand ceremony.
Chengguo’s sacrificial ceremony!”
After Ximen Yourong listened to Xiahou Chunyan's words, she didn't think much about it. The Spring Festival of Dachengguo has the meaning of happiness for everyone. Therefore, even people who are not from Dachengguo can join in and pray together.
Xiahou Chunyan is a distinguished guest from afar, both in public and private matters, and Dongling Yuanyong will not refuse Xiahou Chunyan's request.
Since Dongling Yuan Yongdu authorized Xiahou Chunyan to follow him to participate in the sacrifice, Ximen Yourong, as the queen, also welcomed him generously:
"The beautiful prayers of our Dacheng Beginning of Spring Sacrifice are known to be inclusive of the peace of the world. The prince of Xiahou came all the way to pray with us, which is equivalent to the prince praying for the Xiahou Kingdom from afar. In this way, our Dacheng Kingdom and Xiahou Kingdom
All the people can receive the protection of God and share the peace of the world!"
Ximen Yourong's words were perfectly pleasing to the ears, and fully demonstrated her grand style as a queen. Listening to this, Xiahou Chunyan had to secretly admire Ximen Yourong's natural demeanor.
The first time he saw Ximen Yourong at a palace banquet, Xiahou Chunyan was amazed by her appearance, but the calmness that emanated from her body attracted his attention even more.
As he got closer today, Xiahou Chunyan clearly felt that his eyes were more willing to focus on Ximen Yourong.
The way he looked at Ximen Yourong might be unusual, but it was only appreciation and no evil intention.
Therefore, Ximen Yourong didn't notice how he looked at her, and she always maintained a polite smile.
However, when Xiahou Chunyan was about to say something, Dongling Yuanhao, who had just arrived, came over. He first greeted Xiahou Chunyan a few words, then looked at Ximen Yourong and said:
"Sister-in-law of the Emperor, it's still early before the auspicious time, and the Emperor's brother hasn't arrived yet. Why are you waiting here so early?"
According to tradition, the day before the beginning of spring, Emperor Dacheng and his empress would stay together. On the day of the beginning of spring, the emperor and empress would appear together in front of the officials to perform the ceremony before going to the ancestral mausoleum, and then go to the ancestral mausoleum to offer sacrifices!
However, recently everyone in the palace knew that Dongling Yuanyong did not set foot in Lengyue Palace, so it was normal for the emperor and empress to arrive separately.
However, there is still at least half an hour before the auspicious time, but Ximen Yourong seems to have arrived a long time ago.
Ximen Yourong didn't know why she had to wait here first, but she said calmly:
"For such an important day, it's better to be early than late!"
"That's what I said..."
Dongling Yuanhao looked around, but did not see You Kouyi's figure. He had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
The mother of a country is here waiting for the auspicious moment, but You Kouyi has not yet appeared. It stands to reason that the queen is waiting here, and the concubine has not arrived. Doesn't this clearly mean that the queen will not come to the stage?
Dongling Yuanhao's heart went to Ximen Yourong, so he secretly felt aggrieved for Ximen Yourong, but the occasion was wrong, and Xiahou Chunyan was also present, so he couldn't bear to say anything.
Moreover, Dongling Yuanyong's carriage with You Kouyi also happened to arrive.
Everyone looked at Dongling Yuanyong as he took You Kouyi's hand and carefully led her out of the carriage. For a moment, everyone looked at each other.
How could this be so good? On this day when the emperor and empress must be worshiped, the empress was waiting far away, while the majesty stood together with his concubines. It was illegal for the officials to worship in either direction!
Fortunately, the upright veteran Dong Yan stood up at the right time and reminded Dongling Yuanyong:
"The auspicious time is approaching, please Your Majesty and the Queen to go to the ceremony platform to receive the worship of the officials, so as not to miss the time to go to the ancestral mausoleum."
Dongling Yuanyong did not respond to Dong Yan. He looked in the direction of Ximen Yourong, then looked at You Kouyi beside him and asked gently:
"Is your concubine's foot feeling better?"
You Kouyi raised her eyes coquettishly: "I am fine now, Your Majesty, don't worry!"
You Kouyi looked at Ximen Yourong who looked a little lonely and said reproachfully:
"It's all my fault that I carelessly sprained my foot and delayed Your Majesty's time. I also made the Queen wait for so long. I don't know if the Queen would think too much about it...!"
"Concubine, you don't have to worry too much..." Dongling Yuanyong interrupted You Kouyi without being happy or angry, and then intimately instructed the person serving you: "Take good care of your concubine!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Dongling Yuanyong smiled and glanced at You Kouyi before walking towards Ximen Yourong.
The moment he turned around, all the "tenderness" on his face disappeared.
Last night he stayed at Xiangyun Palace again, and You Kouyi thoughtfully suggested that someone tell Ximen Yourong to go to the palace gate early because Lengyue Palace was further away from the palace gate.
Dongling Yuanyong didn't think much about it at first, so he accepted You Kouyi's suggestion.
However, when they were supposed to set off for the palace gate on time, You Kouyi seriously sprained her foot as soon as she went out.
Subsequently, their departure to the palace gate was naturally delayed, and Dongling Yuanyong also guessed what You Kouyi had in mind.
She thought she had cleverly arranged a drama for everyone to see, with the queen waiting for the concubine, but little did she know that he was just following her wishes.
What You Kouyi got was only false honor, because the real honor and favor he had actually given to the woman he was approaching!
Ximen Yourong looked indifferent as he walked over. When he arrived, she bowed to him but said nothing more.
Dongling Yuanyong was also silent, but he stretched out his hand to her. Ximen Yourong didn't think anything of it, and she obediently put her hand into his palm.
I thought he was just holding her hand to show it to everyone, but the moment her hand came into his, under the cover of each other's sleeves, he quickly transformed into holding her fingers tightly together.
The buckle was so strong that it even caused her some pain.
However, Ximen You tolerated it without even frowning or even looking at him, as if she didn't feel anything.
Dongling Yuanyong, who led her to the podium, did not look at her. They just exchanged a word and did not accept the worship of the ministers together.
Then, under the guidance of the ceremonial officers one by one, they completed the ceremony of worshiping the emperor and the queen, and it happened to be the auspicious time to go to the ancestral tomb.
Dongling Yuanyong once again took Ximen Yourong's hand and got into the car shared by the emperor and empress. There were rituals and music, the palace door opened wide, and the royal honor guard slowly came out!
A huge crowd of people had already gathered outside the palace, waiting to admire the empress's grace...!
Unfortunately, although the emperor's carriage was obvious, the emperor's appearance was obscured by the sealed carriage, so the people could not see the people in the carriage.
Precisely because he couldn't see it, Ximen Yourong took his own from Dongling Yuanyong's hand as soon as he got in the car, and then she sat in the corner with a cold face.
It wasn't that Dongling Yuanyong couldn't hold her hand firmly that he let her take it away, but that he allowed her to be presumptuous.
However, the most important thing is that she was able to pull her hand away, and her whole body was still in front of him. He didn't rush to say anything as soon as he sat down, but he turned sideways and looked closely at her cold side face!
At least a quarter of an hour passed, but Ximen Yourong was like a carved immortal body and refused to say a word.
In desperation, Dongling Yuanyong almost compromised and broke the silence in the car and said:
"Are you that angry with me?"
It seemed that she was really angry with him, so angry that she didn't even want to say "courteous" words to him!
However, he was a little relieved that she was so obviously angry, which proved that she actually cared about him.
Ximen Yourong, who was leaning against the edge of the car, had an indifferent expression on her face, but in fact, her heart was already throbbing because of his inexplicable and gentle inquiry.
She was clearly ignoring his existence. She thought he wouldn't be able to tolerate her presumption, but he seemed to not only tolerate it, but also...compromise!
Looking at her who was still silent and ignoring people outside the window, Dongling Yuanyong sighed helplessly. He stretched out his hand and pulled her arm with a little force. Ximen Yourong was startled at the same time.
, she also passively fell into his arms.
Just when Ximen Yourong wanted to refuse, Dongling Yuanyong suddenly opened her sleeve and looked at her wound that was still covered with white gauze. After he gently untied the white gauze, there was an obvious bite mark.
The wound came into view.
Although the wound had begun to scab, the ugly marks made Dongling Yuanyong frown.
Ximen Yourong didn't understand what he was doing for a moment, but looking at his increasingly cold expression, she thought he was disgusted with her wounds, so she subconsciously felt uncomfortable in her heart, but she said stubbornly:
"Yourong's wound is scary. Your Majesty, it's better not to look at it, so as not to hinder His Majesty's eyes...!"
"Does it still hurt?"
Dongling Yuanyong gently stroked the place that made him feel distressed.
His low question made Ximen Yourong pause in his thoughts. Was he feeling sorry for her injury?
When she was almost dead from her injuries, he didn't show any concern for her. Now that she was almost healed, he came to ask her, "Does it still hurt?" Isn't it a little late for him to ask?
Unable to hear her reply, Dongling Yuanyong raised his eyes and looked into her questioning eyes. He sighed again and gently took her into his arms and let her lean on his chest. He said half-heartedly, half-scolding:
"You are obviously so smart, but how come your solution to the problem is so stupid?"
He knew that she wanted to curb other people's slander, and also to prevent people from maliciously trying to separate her and Ximen Ruozun, so she cruelly let herself get hurt like this.
Although her move of "self-destruction" was very effective in blocking all rumors, it also extinguished the pressure from the courtiers to separate her from her nephew.
However, she didn't know how much she was hurt, and how much pain he felt!