The next day, the imperial carriage arrived in Kyoto at noon.
It’s a warm May, and today is another sunny day, everything is filled with joy.
The queen specially wore a bright yellow phoenix robe and supported the empress dowager as they stood in front of the palace gate waiting for the emperor to arrive.
All the concubines were dressed in their best and looked eagerly forward to it.
Finally, amidst everyone's expectant gazes, the imperial carriage slowly drove up from the official road. Ning Chen came back by carriage, and the one riding in front to lead the way was Prince Ping Ning Hao.
Hundreds of officials stood on both sides, lining the road to welcome him.
The carriage stopped, Yuan Jiu got off first, lifted the door curtain, and saw Ning Chen getting out of the carriage wearing a bright yellow dragon robe.
After not seeing him for a few months, he seemed more calm and dignified than when he last toured the south, with quite the majesty of an emperor.
The Queen Mother was in a trance again for a moment, and suddenly felt that the person standing in front of her seemed to be the late emperor.
It was not until she heard the officials and concubines shouting "Long live the emperor" that she came to her senses.
At this moment, Ning Chen had already walked in front of the Queen Mother.
"Mother, my son is back. I have not been able to be with you to show my filial piety during this period. Please forgive me."
"It's good that you're back. The emperor... seems to have lost weight." The empress dowager didn't know what to say.
After a pause, he said this.
As for whether she really lost weight from time to time, she didn't know.
She even couldn't quite remember what Ning Chen looked like when he left.
A hint of disappointment flashed across Ning Chen's eyes, but he returned to normal in an instant and replied with a smile.
"I'm sorry to have worried my mother. During the southern tour, it's not like being in the palace. Although I've lost some weight, I've gained a lot of experience. I can understand the sufferings of the common people in the future."
"The emperor cares about the world, this is a good thing."
The Queen Mother said this in a dry voice, and she really couldn't say anything else.
So the Queen tried to smooth things over, "Your Majesty, you must have been exhausted from the long journey back to the capital. Why don't you go back to the palace and rest first? I will have someone prepare a banquet for your Majesty in Fengqi Palace tonight. You can talk to him at that time if you have anything to say."
"The Queen is thoughtful. You should also take care of your health. I know everything." Ning Chen patted the Queen's hand.
This is also comforting.
The queen's eyes were slightly red, and she tried very hard to suppress the sourness. She nodded and forced a smile.
The concubines behind had no chance to speak to the emperor.
Concubine Wende's eyes seemed to be fixed on Ning Chen, but unfortunately she didn't get a response.
In order to come back earlier, Ning Chen did not stop to rest last night. He ran all the way back overnight and was indeed very tired.
Now I just want to go back to Jiuchen Palace to take a good bath and have a good sleep.
Of course, I also want to have a good meal.
Most southern dishes are light in flavor and he really can’t get used to them, which is one of the main reasons why he lost weight.
Everyone went back to their respective residences first, thinking that they would work hard at night to make the emperor remember them. Only Concubine Wende went back with a lot of anger.
For no other reason, she was the only one who brought a new concubine back to the palace.
Especially when he saw that Cui was young and beautiful, he became even more angry.
Bringing people to Chuxiu Palace will not be polite.
"I like quietness. The eldest prince is in poor health and needs to rest. If you live here, just behave yourself. The west side hall has been cleaned up. You can live there from now on. You don't have to come to pay respects to me every day. Just don't lie under my nose."
Such an obvious attitude undoubtedly shows that he does not like Cui.
Cui was not a fool, so she could naturally see it and became very respectful.
"Thank you, Madam. From now on, I will be a member of your palace. I will obey your orders and follow your lead."
"You are good at talking." Concubine Wende glanced at her and snorted coldly, "Okay, go back and rest first, and come with me to Fengqi Palace for a banquet tonight."
"Yes, I obey your command." Cui said obediently.
Then he led his personal maid Yinzhu away.
After entering the house, Cui's face looked unhappy. All the facilities here were really incomparable to those when she was in the boudoir.
Even though she was born out of wedlock, she was the only daughter of her father and her aunt was favored, so she still lived a fine life. Although not too luxurious, it was still a thousand times better than this environment.
"These tables and chairs are not new, and the window papers have turned yellow. How can people live here?" Yinzhu couldn't help complaining.
"Shut up, you act like you're still at home. Stop saying such things. I'm of a low rank, so naturally I can only say these." Cui frowned.
Yinzi was embarrassed, but still said in a flattering way, "You are a beautiful lady. I think the emperor will soon summon you to sleep with him. By then, you will have a high position and everything will be fine."
"Of course." Cui smiled and said, "Well, hurry up and get dressed for me. I have to make the emperor remember me for the banquet tonight."
After the failure of sending the sobering soup last time, Cui had learned something.
The emperor doesn't like frivolous behavior, so she has to please him and act more like a lady from a noble family.
In the evening, Fengqi Palace held a banquet. The concubines who came dressed up with all their might, and each of them looked dazzling.
Even the queen was wearing a brightly colored dress, which was contrary to her usual style and made her look younger than usual.
When Ning Chen came, he was wearing a lake blue robe with silver edges and a silver hair crown on his head, which was fixed with a white jade hairpin. He looked quite refreshing.
He looks like a gentleman as handsome as jade.
And only at this moment Ye Jun could not help but sigh what a coincidence.
Because Ye Jun was also wearing a lake blue long skirt today, which was embroidered with butterflies and cloud patterns with silver thread and made into a square collar style, which made her look a little charming.
On her head was a pearl hairpin, a few velvet flowers, and a short tassel hairpin. The short hairpin in particular was made of silver thread and was very delicate.
Originally, this outfit was not very eye-catching among the crowd, after all, Concubine Wende's flowing brocade was the most eye-catching, but unfortunately her dress and the emperor's had the same color.
So Ning Chen saw him in the crowd at a glance.
"Ming Jieyu's dress is nice, and her jewelry is also exquisitely made."
After hearing such praise, everyone looked over and after comparison, they naturally discovered the key.
Concubine Wende looked unhappy and said with a half-smile, "It is still Concubine Ming who understands the emperor's thoughts best. She actually wore clothes of the same color as the emperor. It is really a coincidence. I don't know who came up with this idea."
This is an allusion to the fact that Ye Jun might have secretly found out what the emperor was going to wear today, and that's why she dressed like this on purpose.
"Your Majesty, your words really embarrass me. If we talk about understanding the Emperor's thoughts, you are the one who understands them best. I wore this outfit to welcome the Emperor today. I was lazy this afternoon and didn't change. This is a coincidence."
Ye Jun said calmly.
She really made it clear, it wasn't something she changed on purpose at night.
In other words, it was not that she was trying to scam the emperor, but that the emperor was wearing clothes of the same color as hers.
Concubine Wende naturally didn't pay attention to what Ye Jun was wearing during the day, because at that time her mind and eyes were completely on the imperial carriage.
This made her look like she was judging others by her own standards, which was quite embarrassing.
Fortunately, Ning Chen didn't say anything, and the matter was over.
Everyone sat down and started the meal.