PDLP Chapter 190 Changning Palace
Chapter 190 Changning Palace
On the way back, Qi Minxiu asked Ling Su to speed up, and they arrived at the imperial city on New Year's Eve.
In the palace, the emperor held a family banquet and asked the eunuchs to go to Prince Chen's Mansion to invite him several times, but no one showed up.
Seeing that he was getting a little angry, when they sent someone to invite him for the fourth time, they ran into Qi Minxiu outside the palace corridor who was bringing Xiao Mo to the palace to pay his respects.
"Oh, Your Highness, you are finally back. Come with me to see His Majesty!"
The eunuch happily stepped forward and bowed to Qi Minxiu.
Qi Minxiu gave him a faint smile and held Xiao Mo's hand tightly: "Let's go."
In the hall, the emperor was discussing state affairs with his ministers. After hearing the eunuch's report, he ended the discussion.
Looking at the two people kneeling below, the nameless anger in my heart instantly dissipated.
"I thought you weren't coming back!"
"Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Every New Year's Eve, I go to pay homage to my mother. How could I not come back?"
When mentioning Concubine Shu, the emperor's stern eyes softened a lot.
"The banquet will begin at three quarters past five in the evening. General Xiao should come along then."
Xiao Mo originally wanted to pay her respects and leave, but she was suddenly invited by the emperor and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
She was silent for a moment, and before she could think of the right words, Qi Minxiu agreed on her behalf: "Yes, your son will take his leave."
He pulled Xiao Mo and turned to leave. Xiao Mo quickly let go of his hand and knelt down again.
"I have returned from my travels and should be with my elders at home to celebrate the festival. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me for not being able to attend the banquet."
The emperor admired her filial piety. If it were someone else, they would have been so happy that they would have forgotten their last names, let alone their elders.
"In that case, let's go home quickly."
Qi Minxiu hesitated to speak, opened his mouth and wanted to say something to keep Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo saw through his motives, bowed to the emperor, and quickly walked out of the hall.
He hurried out and caught up with her: "Amo, we can actually go back to see the Prime Minister and his wife now, and then go to the palace for the banquet in the evening.
This is a family dinner. Father invited you because he treats you as one of his own family. After all, you will soon become the Princess of Chen."
Xiao Mo looked at him, pursed her lips and said: "This year may be the last time I have New Year's Eve dinner at the Prime Minister's Mansion.
After I marry you and become Prince Chen's Consort next year, will I still be worried about not having the opportunity to attend the family banquet?"
Qi Minxiu looked at her for a while with his eyes shining, then slowly smiled: "That's right, then you should go to a place with me first."
Although Xiao Mo didn't understand where he was taking her, she still let him lead her to the harem.
Just as she walked, she felt as if something was not right.
After passing through the Imperial Garden, she slowed down her pace, tilted her head and asked Qi Minxiu: "Why did you bring me to the harem?"
Qi Minxiu had a smile on his face and looked back at her but didn't say anything.
Outside Changning Palace, Xiao Mo opened her mouth slightly and stared blankly at the brand new palace plaque above her head.
"Who did you bring me here to see?"
As for the palaces where the concubines in the harem lived, she only knew that Concubine Liang's was Yongyang Palace, and she knew nothing about the others.
Qi Minxiu smiled mysteriously and pulled her inside: "You'll know once you go in."
Xiao Mo frowned and followed him into the yard, observing everything around her as she walked.
The size of this palace is comparable to Concubine Liang’s Yongyang Palace.
Moreover, the environment and furnishings inside were much better than those in her palace.
After passing through the front yard, they came to the main hall. As soon as they entered, Xiao Mo smelled a faint floral fragrance.
A closer look revealed that each small table in the hall was covered with freshly picked flowers.
The windows in the room were slightly open, the curtains were neat, and the couches and chairs were clean. It looked like someone was living there.
But what is strange is that there is not even a maid or palace servant in such a big palace.
What was the meaning of Qi Minxiu bringing her here? Apart from his mother, Concubine Shu, she had never heard of any other concubine in the harem having any relationship with him.
Xiao Mo blinked in confusion, let go of Qi Minxiu's hand, and looked around the huge room.
"Is this the palace where your mother lived when she was alive?" She thought of something and asked tentatively.
Qi Minxiu's smile faded slightly. "Yes, this Changning Palace is where my mother has lived since she entered the palace, and it has not changed until now."
Never changed...meaning no other concubines lived here.
The furnishings in the palace and every plant and tree in the courtyard should be the style that Concubine Shu liked during her lifetime.
Xiao Mo sighed in her heart. She never expected that the emperor, who was so high and mighty, would go to such lengths for a woman.
"Your father is truly devoted to your mother!" she couldn't help but sigh.
Qi Minxiu chuckled softly: "Maybe. Come on, follow me."
He brought Xiao Mo to an altar, looked at a painting hanging on the wall, and smiled at her.
"This is my mother, Consort Shu."
Xiao Mo looked at the person in the painting carefully and couldn't help but sigh silently in her heart.
No wonder Qi Minxiu is so handsome, it turns out half of his looks come from his mother.
It's just a pity that such a beautiful woman died of depression at such a young age.
Qi Minxiu saw the regret in Xiao Mo's eyes and handed her three incense sticks with a smile.
"At first I couldn't accept her leaving, but after letting it go and looking back, I realized maybe this is fate."
He sighed softly, lit the candle in his hand, and looked at the person in the painting.
"Mother, this is Xiao Mo, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion, who saved me when I was a child, and is also my princess.
The Emperor has granted us a marriage, and the wedding will be on the 17th day of the first lunar month, the day you were married into the palace."
Xiao Mo was shocked for a moment when she heard his last words.
No wonder the emperor chose the first month of the lunar calendar to grant the marriage, it turned out to be the day when his beloved first got married.
Thinking of this, Xiao Mo sighed in her heart again. She never thought that this emperor was such a loyal person.
She didn't even dare to think about whether the position of crown prince would fall on Qi Minxiu if Concubine Shu was still alive.
Xiao Mo was suddenly frightened by her own idea. She withdrew her thoughts, glanced at the woman in the painting, walked forward, lit the incense in her hand and put it into the incense burner.
"Hello, Madam Shufei, I am Xiao Mo."
She briefly introduced herself, and Qi Minxiu, who was listening beside her, looked displeased.
"Say a few more words, saying that you are the future Princess Chen, the Prince Chen's favorite woman."
Xiao Mo curled her lips into a smile and repeated what he said.
The two talked for a long time in front of the altar, and then Qi Minxiu took her on a careful tour of Changning Palace, and they did not leave until quite late.