After the exhaustion that day, Xuechun refused to let Xi Dian move around. It was not until he lay down for a few more days after he recovered that he was allowed to walk around.
Looking at her face that had gained a lot of weight in the mirror, Xi Qian shook her head helplessly. These days, Xuechun wanted to feed her five meals a day, which made her feel like she was in confinement. She had gained a lot of weight.
"Princess, why don't you sleep a little longer?" Xuechun walked in from outside with face wash.
Xiqian stood up, picked up the handkerchief, wiped it on her face and said, "After lying down for so many days, it's time to go and pay my respects to Empress Zhaoyuan. I haven't thanked you for saving my life that day."
"But Empress Zhaoyuan gave her instructions a few days ago, saying that there is no need to go and say hello if there is nothing special."
"Why? Doesn't the empress like people to come to her room to talk?" Xi Qian put down her handkerchief and asked doubtfully.
"Empress Zhaoyuan is ill and has not been well these days, so I don't want anyone to disturb her."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Xi Qian asked anxiously. Li Zhaoyuan was so kind to her, but she didn't even know that she was sick.
Seeing that Xi Qian was angry, Xuechun said aggrievedly from the side, "It was Empress Zhaoyuan who specifically ordered you not to visit her, saying she was afraid of delaying your recovery."
"Okay, go see if the empress is up and let Fantao come in to dress me up." Xi Qian knew that Xuechun cared too much about her, so she didn't blame her too much.
Entering the inner room of Li Zhaoyuan's residence, the strong smell of medicine permeated the entire air. Xi Qian pressed her nose uncomfortably and saw Li Zhaoyuan writing something on the desk, coughing and panting violently from time to time, and there were piles of piles beside her.
There is a stack of used manuscript paper.
Seeing her walking in, Li Zhaoyuan put the manuscript paper on the table and said, "Why bother coming to see me if you are still sick."
Xi Qian bowed and walked forward and said, "My concubine's body is already well, but my empress, why did she suddenly become so ill? What did the imperial doctor say?"
"**I'm sick. It's not a big deal. It happens every spring. It's just a bit more severe this year."
"The more this happens, the more urgent it is to be cured as soon as possible. It happens once a year. How can the empress's body survive?" Xi Qian took the decoction from the palace maid's hand with concern and served it personally.
"This disease was caused by a lung injury on the battlefield. I'm afraid it won't be cured." Li Zhaoyuan pushed the medicine bowl away, not wanting to smell the bitter smell of medicine.
Seeing Li Zhaoyuan's gloomy look, Xi Qian changed the topic and said, "I always hear the palace people talk about the majestic deeds of the empress in those days when she was galloping on the battlefield. She is really a woman who cannot be compared to other women."
"Yes." Li Zhaoyuan looked out the window, as if she saw the dusty border. "Although those days were hard, they were the happiest time in my life. If you haven't been there, you can't experience the freedom of the sky and the earth."
.”
Seeing that Li Zhaoyuan's face had regained its luster, Xi Qian continued to ask, "It is rare for a woman to join the army. Why would the empress want to serve on the battlefield?"
"I am an orphan. I was lucky enough to be adopted by General Wang when I was a child and am alive today. I have been fighting with him on the battlefield since I was a teenager. Do you know why I am not afraid of Wang Baoluo?"
Xiqian shook her head, this was what she had always wondered about.
"I grew up with her since she was a child, and can be considered her half-sister. She has been domineering since she was a child, and only I can control her. Before entering the palace, the old general specifically asked me to suppress her to prevent her from causing trouble in the future.
There will be big trouble." Li Zhaoyuan started coughing again after finishing speaking.
Xi Qian gently stroked Li Zhaoyuan's back a few times and said, "Concubine, I only knew that the empress and Wang Zhaoyi were at odds with each other. I never knew that you and her had such a connection."
"I rarely talk about these words to others. It's good for you to know in your heart."
Xi Xuan nodded calmly. Li Zhaoyuan knew that she was not a gossip, otherwise he would not have told her these things.
"Because of your matter, the emperor banned Wang Baolu. I don't think she will dare to do anything to you openly in the future." After hearing this, a trace of grievance flashed in Xi Qian's eyes and fell into Li Zhaoyuan's eyes.
Holding her hand, Li Zhaoyuan said, "I know you are wronged, but the emperor has no other choice. All six sons of General Wang died on the battlefield, and now only Wang Baoluo's daughter is left. The emperor can't do anything no matter what." I won’t make the old general sad again.”
Seeing the sadness in Li Zhaoyuan's eyes, Xi Xian's heart was severely tugged, "Jun Moxiao, who is lying drunk on the battlefield. There have been many battles in ancient times. General Wang seems to be majestic, but he has also sacrificed more than ordinary people can imagine. Don’t worry, my queen, I can understand the price.”
After listening to Xi Qian's "How many people have fought in ancient times", the string buried deep in Li Zhaoyuan's heart moved sadly, and two lines of clear tears fell from the corners of her eyes.
"Empress???" Seeing Li Zhaoyuan crying, Xi Qian was a little at a loss.
Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Li Zhaoyuan smiled and said, "It's okay, I just remembered the soldiers who fought together."
"It's all because of the concubine's fault. It made the empress sad."
"It's none of your business. It's just that I've become more and more sentimental over the years." Li Zhaoyuan sadly touched the manuscript paper on the table. Since the paper was fastened to the table, Xi Qian couldn't see clearly what was written.
"Your Majesty is currently ill. You should take good care of your health first and don't bother writing these things." Xi Qian advised kindly.
Li Zhaoyuan did not answer and said instead, "The Emperor will leave the palace for inspection in a few days. I used to follow him, but this year my health is not good. If you have a chance, do you want to go?"
"Me?" Xi Qian said with a surprised look, "Concubines have a low status in the palace and are not favored. How can the emperor let concubines serve around him?"
Li Zhaoyuan smiled slightly, "Actually, I saw that day at Wu Meiren's place that you were very resistant to the emperor. I don't know the reason, but have you ever thought that you might have rejected someone you can trust for life?"
Xiqian lowered her head and remained silent. It was not that she didn't have any feelings for Yuwen Haoxuan, but she had grown up in a deep palace and had seen too many chaos and abandonment. She was afraid that after giving her sincerity, she would only get long locks and deep love. The loneliness of the palace.”
Seeing that she was silent, Li Zhaoyuan said earnestly, "Life is only a few decades, how can you be so wasteful? Believe me, the emperor is by no means a ruthless person."
Looking at Li Zhaoyuan's eyes, Xi Qian felt as if she was being summoned by some force, and her blood suddenly boiled.
After leaving the main hall for a long time, that feeling still lingered in her heart. Xi Qian walked to the lotus pond, dipped her hands in the cold water, and her mood calmed down a little.
"Princess, what are you doing? The injury is just fine, what if you get cold again?" Xuechun hurriedly pulled her hand out of the water.
Seeing Xuechun's sincere concern, a warm current flashed through Xiqian's heart. In this cold palace, someone could treat her so sincerely. What else could she ask for? The nameless commotion gradually faded away. Xi Qian returned to her usual calmness and rationality.