She was not qualified to attend this dinner, but she was invited through a post. At that time, she didn't quite understand it. Until the Queen Mother summoned her, it all seemed too fantasy.
Although she had been raised in the Marquis Mansion since she was a child and had met many dignitaries, the palace and the Queen Mother were something she never dared to think about.
"I and Mrs. Hou are old friends. This time I heard that she was seriously ill. I wanted to visit her, but I was busy with official duties. Fortunately, I called you here to inquire."
The Queen Mother spoke lazily, her words filled with concern for Mrs. Fu's condition, but there was no trace of pity in her expression.
Cheng Wanmiao naturally did not dare to look at the Queen Mother. She lowered her head from beginning to end and answered respectfully: "My aunt's illness often recurs. The imperial doctor said that it is due to internal qi stagnation and external injuries to the body. Recently, she has been getting worse and worse. , think about it, there is not much time left... the daughter of the people... "
At this point, her expression was sad and tears welled up in her eyes: "The daughter of the common people thanks the Queen Mother for her concern for my aunt. I hope that the emperor's kindness can help my aunt to support her for a little longer."
She finished speaking slowly, but the Queen Mother did not reply. She only felt an inexplicable uneasiness in her heart, but she didn't know why.
But the Queen Mother did not speak. She could only wait respectfully, keeping an eye on her nose and her heart.
"So Mrs. Fu's illness will never be cured." Zheng Shuwen said and sneered.
This laughter actually made Cheng Wanmiao feel a little scared in her heart. She couldn't help but dared to steal a glance at the Queen Mother, but she suddenly met a pair of cold eyes as cold as the moon, which made her tremble all over and quickly looked away.
"Mrs. Fu's illness came suddenly and strangely. Do you think there is any problem in this?" Zheng Shuwen sat up, a little impatient. She didn't know whether it was because Cheng Wanmiao peeked at her just now, because she was impatient or because she was sleepy. Deeply impatient.
When Cheng Wanmiao heard this, her heart went cold, and she answered hesitantly: "People's girls... even people's girls don't know."
Why do I have the illusion that I am exposed to the scorching sun and have nothing to hide from
"Is it because I don't know, or because I don't dare to know?" Zheng Shuwen had lost all her patience and suddenly said: "Cheng Wanmiao, you are so brave, you dare to poison me, the wife of the imperial court of Da Qi, do you know your guilt?"
Something unexpected happened, and before Cheng Wanmiao could react, she was hit on the forehead by a ceramic teacup—
There was a bang, and bright red blood flowed down.
But she didn't bother to wipe it, and knelt on the ground with a thud: "The Queen Mother, please forgive me, the Queen Mother... the daughter of the people, the daughter of the people was blinded by lard for a moment, and she didn't mean to! Please forgive the Queen Mother."
She had already felt guilty and could not withstand the temptation, so the Queen Mother just added a little color and told the whole story.
He looked like he had no future.
Zheng Shuwen's eyes and brows were full of disgust, but she allowed her to kowtow and spare her life. She ignored her, turned around and walked into the inner hall leisurely.
"Queen Mother, how should we deal with this person?" Zi Wan followed up and asked Zheng Shuwen.
Zheng Shumei yawned: "I'm too sleepy. I'll interrogate her again when I wake up."
The implication is that Cheng Wanmiao will kneel all night tonight. When will Zheng Shuwen remember tomorrow, when will she come to interrogate her again.
…
Fu Tingye and Hua Qingxue came to the palace gate and did not want to be stopped by the guards guarding the city.
"I'm sorry, General. My subordinates have received orders that Si Bing's wife cannot leave the palace tonight." The guard stepped forward to explain to Fu Tingye.
Hua Qingxue was stunned. Is this... what the Queen Mother meant
My movements are now restricted...
Fu Tingye's face was ugly, and his eyes were as hardened as ice: "I want to see who dares to stop me."
"This..." The guard was very embarrassed, but he did not dare to move.
Hua Qingxue is the person wanted by the higher-ups. If he is let go, he will be done with it; but if he goes against the general, it seems that he is also done with it.
This is how to do
"What happened?" A burly man in armor walked over with a sinister look on his face, and a layer of deep anger between his brows: "Isn't this General Zhenbei King of the Imperial Court, General? Why are you in trouble with my subordinates?"
It seemed that he was a general guarding the city, but he came with bad intentions.
Fu Tingye glanced at him coldly and said nothing.
The man's eyes then fell on Hua Qingxue, and he smiled abruptly: "Mrs. Si Bing, now you are a noble of our palace. You must never leave this palace gate. Please forgive me for this embarrassment."
"What if I have to take her away." Fu Tingye took a step forward, stood in front of Hua Qingxue, and looked at her.
Although the man was tall and burly, his aura was obviously lacking. His eyes quickly gave way to defeat: "General, you are also a soldier. You should know that military orders are like mountains, so please don't embarrass your subordinates."
With a flash of cold light, Fu Tingye suddenly had a short knife in his hand, and the edge of the knife was already touching the most vulnerable part of the opponent's neck.
"You can choose to let him go... or not?" Fu Tingye's voice was cold, as if he had transformed into a devil from hell in an instant, filled with murderous intent.
The man was so frightened that he regretted why he was so close to this devil, but this was the palace... the palace!
Why are you so arrogant in other people's territory
"General... General, I release... release him." The man was trembling, half of his soul was lost.
"But sir, this is an order from above." The guard below was hesitant.
"Trash! Didn't you see my current situation? Do you want me to die if you don't let me go?" The man roared suddenly, and the guards below had no choice but to get out of the way.
Hua Qingxue walked in front, Fu Tingye still held the man's throat and followed her.
Outside the palace gate, Qin Laowu, Hai Shixuan and others were actually there. Not only that, the people standing guard behind them were all Fu Tingye's personal soldiers.
If the embarrassment of the city guards just now made Hua Qingxue smell the tense atmosphere, seeing it with her own eyes now was enough to cause the smoke of war to spread.
"Has this matter reached such a serious stage?" Hua Qingxue unconsciously clutched Fu Tingye's clothes.
Fu Tingye lowered his head. Under the moonlight, the woman's eyes were as helpless as a deer's, clear and pitiful.
"Is it... that there was an omen before you entered the palace?" Hua Qingxue lowered her head. Everything happened so suddenly at night. His Highness the Third Prince of Liao Kingdom threw out baits one after another. Prince Ning and the Prime Minister Zuo added fuel to the fire, and the authority of the Emperor was undermined by the Queen Mother. weaken…
It all happened by chance.
It's like a carefully arranged chess game.
And she and Fu Tingye were both deeply involved.
Although she is not usually good at such power games, she can still understand a little bit.
"Yes." Fu Tingye said solemnly: "Xiao Han has been doing little things behind his back recently."
"Just to get me?" Hua Qingxue was slightly startled: "I really don't understand that this person clearly covets my new weapons, but he makes everyone think that he admires me."
Hua Qingxue let out a long sigh.
"Get in the car." Fu Tingye came to her side, gently stretched out his hand and hugged her into the carriage: "Let's go back first."
Late at night, the Queen Mother had fallen asleep, but the chief guard of the city insisted on asking Zi Wan to wake up the Queen Mother, saying that she had something important to report.
Zi Wan came to the Queen Mother's bedside and said softly: "It's He Yi, the chief guard of the palace."
"It's useless, I don't expect him to keep anyone," the Queen Mother paused and said lazily, "Let him go back."
"yes."
Hua Qingxue was sitting in the carriage, listening to the rustling sound of the wheels turning, feeling a little irritated.
Recalling what Xiao Han promised tonight, to make peace with Da Qi forever and become allies, she believed that the court ministers present would not believe such nonsense, but the land of the 18 state capitals was tempting.
The land ceded by the former emperor can be regained without going through a huge war or complicated political means. It only requires the sacrifice of a woman.
An incredibly good deal.
Anyone with a brain would agree.
Maybe it's time to learn to protect yourself.
It's really ironic that she recognized Qi Guo because of Li Jingnan, but because of Qi Guo, she had to learn to protect herself.
The carriage creaked to a stop. Hua Qingxue opened the curtain and was about to get out of the car when she suddenly saw the plaque hanging on the red door in front of her engraved with the two characters: Houfu.
This is…
She was shocked, and Fu Tingye rode up to her side: "I'm not worried about your safety. You will stay here tonight."
Hua Qingxue blinked and got out of the car hesitantly: "Is this... okay? Madam Fu, she doesn't seem to accept me very well?"
"I can't control that much." Fu Tingye got off his horse, helped her out of the carriage, and the two of them walked in together.
The Hou Mansion is well-proportioned and has many courtyards. It looks like an old house for many years. The flowers and trees have grown very lush and well-proportioned.
However, Hua Qingxue had no intention of admiring it. She followed Fu Tingye and walked quickly to a courtyard, which was like a small courtyard isolated by herself.
"This is my yard." Fu Tingye put down his vigilance all night, and said with a relaxed tone: "I thought about taking you to have a look a few days ago, but I didn't have the chance. I didn't expect that I would be in such a situation. Bring you here."
Hua Qingxue's heart moved slightly, and she subconsciously buried her head in his arms, as if there was a warm current flowing through her body.
Fu Tingye reached out and patted her back: "Don't worry, strong winds and waves are coming, this little devilish wind is nothing."
Isn't this considered a big storm... Although Hua Qingxue doubted it, she was willing to believe him.
Nodding, he buried himself in the other person's arms.
"You go to bed early and stay in this courtyard tonight. You are surrounded by my soldiers and Hai Shixuan. If anything happens, call him." Fu Tingye sent Hua Qingxue into the room and was about to leave.
Hua Qingxue looked at him with a dazed expression.
"I'm going to see my mother. Her condition is a bit repetitive." In order to prevent her from thinking too much, Fu Tingye did not forget to explain before leaving.
It turned out to be to visit Mrs. Fu.
Hua Qingxue breathed a sigh of relief. She finally felt tired and didn't bother to wash up. She climbed into bed and wrapped herself in a quilt and fell asleep.
…
Fu Tingye came outside Mrs. Fu's room and only heard the old lady still talking nonsense.
The maid and woman in the room knelt on the floor, and the imperial doctor beside him also looked helpless.
He was slightly startled, then stepped forward and asked, "What's going on with my mother?"