The imperial garden in late autumn is not as bleak as outside, but is full of clusters of flowers.
Various kinds of autumn chrysanthemums compete for beauty in the imperial garden.
Xing Qing followed behind Princess Changle and looked around casually.
Xing Nong's words last night made her relax completely.
At this moment, she relaxed and was in the mood to appreciate the scenery of the imperial garden.
Last night her sister told her that even if she went to the palace to see the Queen Mother, she just had to perform the formal formalities. There was nothing to be afraid of and she didn't owe them anything!
And now they want to plot against her, which means they have "something to ask" of her.
Before they achieve their goal, they will tolerate whatever happens to them.
So I can be open and free in front of them and do whatever I want.
Princess Changle looked back and was a little surprised to see that she was so natural and generous, without any sign of fear.
She looked at Shen Ruolan again.
Shen Ruolan lowered her head, looking timid and cautious, which made people disdain her.
Princess Changle couldn't help but look at Xing Qing with admiration.
She is much better than her biological mother.
Shen had entered the palace many times, but every time she did, she was still trembling with fear and could not show herself in public!
She looked at Xing Qing again and pursed her lips. Although she was brave enough, she was not afraid of entering the palace for the first time.
But after all, she came from a poor family, had never seen the world before and didn't know any etiquette. She acted like a country girl coming to the city, looking around and finding everything new!
Disrespectful person!
She couldn't help but quicken her pace!
Xing Qing thought: I don't get to visit the palace often, so I have to take a closer look! When I get back to the village, I can tell everyone what the palace looks like.
Thinking of this, she looked at it more seriously, as if she was visiting a tourist attraction.
Soon, the group arrived at the Cining Palace under the guidance of a maid.
Princess Changle took the lead in paying respects: "Changle greets the Royal Grandmother. May the Royal Grandmother be blessed with good health and happiness!"
"Your humble servant/common woman pays respect to the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed!"
The Queen Mother was an old lady in her fifties, holding Buddhist beads in her hand. Her hair was black and round, her skin was very white, and she looked kind and gentle. It could be seen that she must have been a beauty when she was young. She smiled and said, "No need to be polite, get up quickly!"
Three people: "Thank you, Queen Mother!"
"Come here, please take a seat! Changle, please sit next to me and let me see you. It's been a while since you came to the palace to accompany me! I miss you so much!"
Changle smiled and sat on the Empress Dowager's soft couch: "Changle also misses the Imperial Grandmother. Imperial Grandmother, my sister has come to the capital. With her accompanying me in the mansion, I am finally not so bored! Today I specially brought her to the palace to thank the Imperial Grandmother!"
Xing Qing stood up and bowed after hearing this: "Thank you, Queen Mother! May your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
The Queen Mother smiled and said, "No need to be so polite. Hurry up and come here to let me see you!"
Xing Qing pinched the handkerchief, but thinking of Xing Nong's words, she took a deep breath and walked over calmly.
That’s right, the Queen Mother and the Princess both have “requests” from me, and they won’t do anything to me until they achieve their goals!
They may even be extremely nice to you and grant your every request!
Don't be afraid!
The Queen Mother's eyes sparkled as she looked at her without any fear at all.
Xing Qing came and knelt before the Queen Mother.
"Child, why are you so polite! There's no need to be polite when you come to my place! Come and sit next to me with Changle!" As she said this, the empress dowager pulled Xingqing up and asked her to sit next to her.
The Queen Mother picked up an exquisite brocade box beside her, opened it, took out a white jade bracelet from it, and put it on Xingqing's wrist: "It's our first meeting. This is my gift to you."
Xing Qing hurriedly said, "I am so humbled. I cannot accept this gift without merit! This is too valuable. I cannot accept it!"
Shen Ruolan never dared to speak in front of the Queen Mother unless she asked her questions. Now she was very happy to see that the Queen Mother actually rewarded Xing Qing with such a good jade bracelet.
The first time the Queen Mother summoned her, she gave her a warning!
Now it seems that the Queen Mother has seen how hard she has worked to take care of Princess Changle and the Crown Prince over the years, and she has finally truly accepted her.
"A gift from an elder cannot be refused, so accept it! Your mother has done a great job in taking care of the princess over the years, and you have suffered a lot in the countryside! How can you say you have done nothing?!" the Queen Mother said tentatively, and then looked at her.
Xing Qing smiled flatteringly: "Thank you, Queen Mother! It is her blessing that my mother can take care of the princess! I have my grandmother to take care of me in the village and I don't have to suffer much."
My sister said that I must take the rewards and not let them go to waste!
In addition, you have to act very greedy and try your best to get more benefits from them, until they feel pain in their hearts, livers, spleens and lungs, and they are scared! You have come here through mountains and rivers, you can't make a wasted trip, you have to collect some appearance fees!
She felt that her sister was absolutely right!
How much she can earn in the future depends entirely on her acting skills!
Everyone is acting, let’s see who has the best acting skills!
Thinking of this, Xing Qing deliberately touched the bracelet, looking like she couldn't let it go.
The Queen Mother's eyes sparkled and she smiled: "You are such a sensible child! I like sensible children like you the most."
The Queen Mother took out a red gold butterfly bead hairpin from the brocade box and inserted it into Xingqing's hair: "Children of your age should dress up more. Look, you are more beautiful than Changle after dressing up like this!"
Xing Qing's eyes lit up and she smiled, "Thank you Queen Mother for the compliment! But how can I compare with the princess? The princess is the princess, the queen mother is the queen mother, and the aura of the princess is obvious at a glance. It can't be faked!"
After saying this, her eyes couldn't help but fall on the brocade box again.
The Queen Mother saw Xing Qing's little action and felt disdainful in her heart!
He is indeed from a small family, short-sighted and greedy for money!
But greed for money is good, such people are easier to control!
Princess Changle's eyes turned when she heard this. Yes, if you want to attract the attention of the Zhao envoy, you have to show off your style!
Even though it hurts, I still have to prepare some things for her.
Princess Changle smiled and said, "Sister, I'm right, right? Grandma is the kindest person in the world! You don't have to be afraid!"
Xing Qing smiled and said, "The Queen Mother is the mother of the country. She loves the people like her own children. She is like the Bodhisattva in heaven who saves all living beings. She is the best and most charitable person. How could I be afraid of her?"
The Queen Mother smiled at Xing Qing and said, "Haha... You are so sweet, did you put honey on your lips? Haha... The chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, let's go out for a walk."
So the group got up and walked out.
But when the Queen Mother stood up, her large and solemn palace dress accidentally lifted up the tea bowl, soaking her sleeves. "I will change into simple clothes. Changle, take Shen and Xingqing with you."
"Yes." Princess Changle responded with a smile, and then said, "Second Mother, Sister, let's go!"
"good."
Several people walked towards the imperial garden surrounded by palace maids.
Halfway through the journey, a palace maid hurried out from the path holding a tray. She bumped into Princess Changle and the fresh fruit juice on the tray spilled all over her.
Shen Ruolan's clothes were also dirty.