Pu'an Hall.
This is the Queen Mother’s residence in Lingxi Garden. Double Ninth Festival will come soon after Mid-Autumn Festival, so there is no need to go back.
Ning Chen meant that this year's Double Ninth Festival would also be celebrated in the garden.
"Fuzhi, is Jishun back?"
The Queen Mother knelt before the Buddha statue, the sandalwood beads in her hands making slight noises as they were squeezed.
"It's been a while since you were gone. I guess you should be back in another cup of tea. Let me help you get up and have a rest." said Nanny Fu.
The Queen Mother nodded, reached out her hand, and let her help her up.
When he stood up, he couldn't help but support his knees with his hands, and then he frowned.
"I am old after all. After falling down once, my knees are getting worse. They are a little sore after kneeling for a while."
"Then I'll go get the ointment and apply it on you." Nanny Fu looked concerned.
"Well, the ointment is well prepared. It feels warm when applied. I don't remember much, right? Ask Ji Shun to get some more." The Queen Mother sat down and leaned back in her chair.
When her leg was just healed, she felt uncomfortable on rainy days. Now it has been more than half a year, but she still feels that it is not healed well.
Drinking bowl after bowl of medicine is not as effective as this plaster.
Although it is a folk remedy brought in from the palace, the imperial physician has checked it and confirmed that it is indeed fine and works well.
If you feel uncomfortable, just apply it for one or two hours and you will feel better.
"Queen, I am back."
As the master and servant were talking, they heard footsteps outside and saw Ji Shun walking into the room with a sweaty face.
"The garden is large, and my pace is not as fast as before. I am late, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"It's okay. I'm not young anymore. You and Fuzhi are a few years older than me." The Queen Mother waved her hand. "Have you brought the things?"
Ji Shun wiped the sweat off his forehead, nodded, and handed over the record of the harem's behavior in his hand.
The Queen Mother saw that Ming Xiu had been making a great deal of changes since she entered the garden in June, and she couldn't help but frown.
Turning the pages further, Yi Xiuyuan appears mostly in the middle, with An, who is now a concubine, appearing in a few chapters, and then there are Fang Xiuyuan, Xia Meiren, and Cui Baolin.
After such a long time, suddenly all the records were of Ye Jun sleeping with the emperor.
Until today, Ye Jun has been there the most times.
"Su Yu has been in the garden for so long, but she has never slept with me?"
After closing the book, the Empress Dowager's expression turned grim.
Ji Shun knew this question would come, so he had to bite the bullet and said, "I have asked, and the emperor has not visited Concubine Chen, and Concubine Chen... doesn't like to come out much."
"Useless thing!" The Queen Mother slammed the table. "I have endured everything for her future, but she is so disappointing. If the Emperor doesn't go to her place, she won't go to Jingqian Palace? Or does the Emperor not even want to see her?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down..."
"Calm down! How can you tell me to calm down? Her father is having a hard time in the court, and she...she can sit still! She is truly heartless!"
After all, the Queen Mother couldn't really just abandon her natal family.
Especially two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, her brother was still thinking about her and specially sent her a lot of things, which made her even more reluctant to give up.
But since she had promised the emperor not to interfere in state affairs, she couldn't go back on her word. She could only hope that her niece would persuade her son.
My niece isn't doing well now, and I'm really angry.
"Go tell the emperor to come to my place for lunch today, and then go to Shaoyaoju and tell Concubine Chen that if she wants to watch her father and brother die, then she can just do it!"
The Empress Dowager was angry, and the servants did not dare to persuade her, so they had to go down and do as she was told.
Ning Chen had finally decided not to go to Jiaotang Garden today and was going to have lunch at Concubine Xia's place, but was called away by the Queen Mother.
She was alert at first, but the Queen Mother didn't rush to say anything.
After the meal, dessert was served, which was iced almond cheese.
Ning Chen loved this, and the lunch was a bit salty, so he felt one bowl was not enough and asked for another.
Before he could eat, the Queen Mother stopped him.
"Emperor, although he likes this, he must also know how to be moderate. Emperor, do you remember when you were ten years old, you ate two bowls of it greedily and it cooled your spleen and stomach? How come you have forgotten it now that you are older?"
Ning Chen's hand paused slightly, but he took a bite before speaking.
"My queen mother is worried. My son is grown up now. He is not as delicate as he was when he was little. It doesn't matter if he eats one more bowl. My son knows what's going on."
"It's good that the emperor knows." The Queen Mother glanced at him. "I don't want to say more, but the emperor should also know that the harem should be treated equally. Although the emperor likes Ming Xiurong, he can't ignore others."
Ning Chen felt uncomfortable.
But thinking that he had indeed gone to Jiaotangyuan more often during this period, he did not refute.
"Son understands."
After coming out of Pu'an Hall, Ning Chen's expression remained calm.
After returning to Jingqian Palace, he ordered Yuanjiu to find out who had visited the Queen Mother in the past two days.
Finally, Yuan Jiu came back and told them that no one had been to Pu'an Hall, but the Queen Mother had asked someone to go to Shaoyaoju this morning.
After all, it’s all for the Chen family.
But this time, Ning Chen didn't lose his temper.
After all, I just plucked some of the Chen family's wings not long ago. After giving them a slap in the face, I have to give them a sweet treat and not push them too hard.
If the attack was too heavy-handed and forced the Duke of England to do something, Ning Chen would not be able to withstand it with his current foundation.
The Shaoyaoju at that time.
Concubine Chen sat in front of the window in a daze.
Chunyu brought in a box and opened it, revealing a set of gilded and filigree headwear, which was extremely delicate and gorgeous.
"How does this look to you, Concubine? It will go perfectly with your emerald brocade skirt."
"Just think of it as you like." Chen glanced at it and turned away.
Chunyu wanted to say something, but was stopped by Qiaoyu who had just come in.
"I know that Concubine Jieyu's mind is no longer on vying for favor, but she cannot completely ignore the words of the Queen Mother. Even if it's not for the Lord and the eldest son, Concubine Jieyu should also think about Madam. Now that the throne of the Crown Prince is vacant, if any concubine gets it, won't she tear our Madam apart? Concubine Jieyu, you are Madam's only support!"
These words finally made Concubine Chen turn around.
Looking at the intricate and gorgeous clothes and jewelry, these were what she had longed for in the past.
But her enthusiasm was in vain. She found out that her cousin, the emperor, hated her, and she seemed to be less enthusiastic.
It also seemed that she didn't like the emperor from the beginning, she just wanted to bring honor to her family.
But when she found out that her contribution to the family was only to bring honor to the family, she seemed unwilling to even bother to do this.
But now that things have come to this, she has no choice but to fight. If she doesn't fight, her family may really fall into ruin.
"Tell me, has the young master of the Yu family gotten married?" Chen suddenly said.
Chunyu's face changed drastically, and she bowed hurriedly, "He is a stranger, and Concubine Jieyu shouldn't care about these things."
"It's just a casual question." Concubine Chen smiled and said, "Let's go to Jingqian Palace. At least my aunt can see me moving."
Yu family, if Ning Chen did not ascend the throne, she should marry into the Yu family and become the legal wife.
I heard that the young master of Yu family is both talented and handsome.
It’s just that the two of them have never met each other.