It’s a pity that we can’t see each other now, for the stability of the palace and for the relationship between mother and son.
Gu Yanxi picked up the teacup and handed it to her grandmother, "We'll see each other sooner or later."
"But you can't put off showing me filial respect because of this. I really like the snacks she makes. Talk to her and tell her that my portion should be similar to Shaoyao's in the future."
"Yes, I'll tell her when I get back."
The Queen Mother looked at him and felt regretful, but also happy for him. Finally there was someone who made him no longer have to carry everything alone and feel that everything was meaningless. Such a smart and capable girl could always share some of the burden for her grandson who had a rough fate. She also believed that a girl who was so trusted by the most sensitive Shaoyao could not be too bad. From the way she treated Shaoyao, it could be seen that no sister-in-law could treat her sister-in-law as well as she did.
After taking a sip of tea, the Queen Mother said casually, "The palace has been very lively recently. Concubine Yue is enjoying the emperor's favor. It is said that she even went to Concubine Xu to show off her power. Now the two sides are at odds with each other."
"Which side has the upper hand?"
"They are the same. Concubine Yue is a newcomer, young and fresh, and is the most precious at this time. But Concubine Xu has been the favorite in the harem for many years, so she is different from the emperor. The emperor will only go to Concubine Yue. Her advantage is that she has the Fourth Prince by her side, and Concubine Yue may not have this opportunity."
Gu Yanxi felt relieved and was happy for them to work against each other so as to avoid focusing their attention on Xiaoliu.
It was already getting dark. Gu Yanxi had dinner with her grandmother and chatted for a while before preparing to leave.
"You take this to the girl from the Hua family." The Queen Mother took the brocade box from Yuxiang, touched it, and then handed it to her grandson. "This set of jewelry was added by Wanniang's mother when I got married. At that time, the family situation was complicated. She loved me and was afraid that my dowry was not rich and would be looked down upon. She also worried that it would be too much and make my family unhappy, so she secretly bought a lot of jewelry. This set of ruby jewelry is one of them."
"You don't have to."
"Just take it if I give it to you." The Queen Mother put the box in his hand. "It has returned to her great-granddaughter after so many twists and turns. Even if she is still alive, she must be happy. In my life, I have seen wealth and honor, but I can't do anything. I couldn't protect the Hua family and caused Wan Niang to die young. I won't even be able to see her after I die."
"Don't say that. The Hua family is grateful for your protection. If you hadn't helped them, they would have been..."
"You should stand on their side and thank me for coming." The Queen Mother slapped her outgoing grandson in annoyance, and then sighed, "How could you not understand that I was just going with the flow."
If the emperor had not intended to do anything extreme, there would have been other people who would have asked for favor instead of her. It would be better to let her be the good person. At least she would not take this as a favor and skin the Hua family.
"Okay, let's not talk about these unhappy things. Go back and have a good rest. Even the most important things should be put aside for now. Hua Zhi needs more protection. The Seventh Division seems to be under the control of the court, but in fact it is still in her hands. People are tempted by profit, especially such huge benefits."
"Yes, grandson has noted it." Gu Yanxi looked up at her grandmother, whose eyes could hardly hide the fatigue. She had been enduring day after day in this palace, exhausting her energy and spirit, and her blood. All she was waiting for was the time to throw away this skeleton.
Gu Yanxi felt sad and whispered, "Grandma, please take care of yourself. I will definitely take you out of the palace to spend your remaining years in peace."
The Queen Mother was stunned. Even though she had experienced many ups and downs in her life, she couldn't hold it in anymore. She opened and closed her mouth several times before she managed to utter a few words, "Okay, okay, Grandmother, wait."
Gu Yanxi bowed deeply and walked away without looking back.
Yuxiang, who had been standing guard at the palace gate, came over and helped the queen sit down. "You have to take good care of your health for the good days ahead. Let them make a scene as they please. We will just close the door and ignore everyone."
The Queen Mother pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, shook her head and sighed, "It's hard to avoid it as long as you are in this palace. The Emperor didn't appoint a queen, and the Phoenix Seal has been here for many years. Who wouldn't come to me more often? And that Concubine Yue, don't look at her young age, she has endless tricks. Didn't I hear that she prescribed a prescription for a female official and cured her illness the other day? When she gets better, won't she be devoted to her? Fortunately, she doesn't have a child, otherwise Concubine Xu might not be her opponent."
Yuxiang could only remain silent. After staying in the palace for too long, even as the empress dowager, it would not be easy for her to be independent from the outside world.
"It's okay to avoid him for a while. Tomorrow you should spread the word that I will sincerely worship Buddha for the next month and will not see anyone."
"Yes." Yuxiang agreed, and then asked, "If the emperor comes..."
"Just let him go to my quiet room. He will feel relieved when he knows what I am doing."
"… yes."
Looking at the small area outside the palace, the Queen Mother's eyes flashed with desire. Leaving the palace, this was the only thing she had hoped for in her life. Even if she couldn't get it while she was alive, before she died, she would make a will not to be buried in the imperial mausoleum, but to be buried next to her mother.
***
Gu Yanxi once again became a thief on the beam.
Originally, I was thinking of just taking a secret look at Ah Zhi, but I didn't expect to meet a pair of smiling eyes as soon as I entered the room. The person with the smiling eyes was lying on the beauty couch, with her hair hanging on both sides, making her look more gentle.
Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around subconsciously and saw Yingchun leading the way with a lantern, and Fudong walking towards him carrying a large wooden tray.
"Not coming in?" Hua Zhi lifted the blanket, stood up and sat at the table.
Seeing this, Gu Yanxi hurried over and picked up the blanket to cover her legs again, "Why don't you rest earlier?"
"Thought you would come."
Yingchun helped Fudong to set the table, and said helplessly, "Miss was worried that you didn't eat well tonight, so she asked the kitchen to prepare it."
If this meeting in the middle of the night got out, it would really ruin her young lady's reputation. But no matter how worried she was, Yingchun didn't stop it. She just hoped that this man would remember how good the young lady had been to him and not let her down.
Hua Zhi had no idea of the maid's hidden thoughts. She grabbed a pair of chopsticks and put them in Yan Xi's palm, "You have been spoiled by my cook. How many mouthfuls of the cold food in the palace can you eat? I asked someone to make mutton soup for you. It is good for your health in winter. Drink more."
"Will you eat some more with me?"
"I can't eat anymore. I already drank a bowl of soup." Hua Zhi smiled, "I broke the rules a long time ago. I don't have any burden."
Gu Yanxi touched her face and said, "The old lady won't blame you."
"It's my fault. She never comes to my dreams." Hua Zhi picked up another pair of chopsticks to pick up some food for him, "Eat it while it's hot."
Gu Yanxi lowered his head and started eating with big mouthfuls. Although the food at his grandmother's house was not cold food, he did not eat much. He loved the food at Azhi's house and thought everything was delicious.