"Damn it!" Hua Xiangwei was very unwilling after returning to her own courtyard. As expected, Fu Yuheng was completely bewitched by her after she came back. All her previous efforts were almost in vain. Thinking of this, she crumpled the handkerchief in her hand, but then she suppressed her anger, quickly adjusted her state, and calmed down as if nothing had happened.
She was well educated at home and never showed her emotions. When she was young, her biological mother was just an aunt, but it was with this forbearance that she gradually got rid of the main wife, so that she had the opportunity to become a legitimate daughter.
"Meng'er, has the Queen been notified?" He turned and asked the person who was watching over Meng'er with a smile, his words still generous and gentle.
"In reply to your Majesty, I have already notified them." Meng'er nodded.
"That's good."
At this time, Xiao Shushen was leaning on the phoenix couch, listening to the report from the palace maid below.
"Empress, do you need to bribe the new maid?" Aunt Gui suggested. "After all, she is a girl she picked up casually and she comes from a poor family. She must be very easy to bribe."
Xiao Shushen turned her head to look at her, then thought for a while, and slowly sat up, "Don't worry, let's go and see who that woman is and how she could enter the palace like this. Logically speaking, this woman of unknown origin should not be allowed to enter the palace. Since she has such ability, I'm afraid she is not a simple person." She obviously thought a lot, after all, she had been in the harem for such a long time and experienced so many intrigues.
"Then I will go and arrange it." Nanny Gui said and then stepped out.
But after a while he came back and followed Xiao Shushen to Shen Qingwan's yard.
"Greetings, Queen." Shen Qingwan bowed slightly. She was a little surprised by her arrival. She rarely saw her except when she came to pay respects. But she never thought that she would come to her courtyard today. "I wonder what's the matter with the Queen?"
He raised his hand and gave Lianyun a look. Lianyun understood and went downstairs to pour tea.
"What's the matter? Don't you want to welcome me? Can't you come and see me if you have nothing to do?" She was not polite at all. She sat down without her having to say anything. Her aura was very upright, giving people a feeling of elegance and luxury.
Shen Qingwan shook her head. This was the Queen, so she couldn't say that she was unwelcome. "Of course I welcome you. Wouldn't it make my humble home more glorious if you can come?" She smiled slightly, tactfully and distantly.
But Xiao Shushen's coming this time was not to ignore her. She just didn't come to see her, but wanted to see Qing Ling whom she brought back.
Qing Ling happened to come out from behind at this time. Her body was cleaned up and she had a good appearance to begin with, so she looked acceptable even though the scar on her face was ignored.
"Is this the palace maid you brought back a few days ago?" Xiao Shushen raised her eyebrows and asked, but there was a hint of doubt in her eyes. Why does this person look so familiar
Shen Qingwan didn't think there was anything wrong with her asking. After all, no matter who it was, bringing someone in from outside the palace would be questioned. But she didn't show any abnormality on her face. "That's right." Then she waved her hand and said, "Come, Qingling, come and meet the Queen."
Qing Ling glanced at Xiao Shushen, hiding her shock. She lowered her eyes, looking a little uneasy, "This servant greets the Queen. May the Queen live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years."
"Get up." Xiao Shushen raised her hand and saw a smile in her eyes. In this smile, there was a calculation, "What a wonderful person." If you ignore the scar on her face, isn't she a perfect beauty? With a sneer in her heart, this might be an opportunity for her.
"Here, this jade bracelet is for you. You must serve your queen well in the future." She walked forward a few steps to her side, lowered her head and whispered in her ear, emphasizing the word 'serve' deliberately.
Qing Ling bit her lip, but still accepted it calmly, "Thank you, Queen."
"Madame Gui, let's go!" This trip was quite rewarding.
"Your Majesty, this woman..." After arriving at her courtyard, Nanny Gui asked. Seeing the smile on her face, she was a little confused about what she meant.
"We don't need to interfere with this woman. If she has the ability, she will naturally give us a big gift." There was a hint of viciousness between Xiao Shushen's eyebrows.
After hearing what she said, although Nanny Gui didn't understand the meaning yet, she felt relieved and followed him back to the palace.
"Qingling, go prepare some hot water. I want to take a bath." Shen Qingwan gave the order, but she still kept it in mind and asked Lianyun to go along.
“Yes…” Qing Ling responded.
During the bath, Shen Qingwan asked Qing Ling to go out, but kept Lian Yun. "Has she behaved abnormally these days?" She rubbed her brows and asked. It must be said that she actually cared about her life experience.
"To answer your question, Her Majesty, no." She had been paying close attention to her every move these past few days, but it seemed as if there was nothing unusual about her and she had always been very well behaved.
She nodded. "You have to pay close attention these days. If there is anything unusual, you must report it to me." Thinking of what Fu Yuheng had said to her before, although she felt a little helpless, she did keep it in mind.
"You have been following her around for the past few days. Have you noticed any specific characteristics of her?" She asked as if she suddenly remembered something. If she only looked at her actions, she might not be able to tell anything. She probably still had to investigate.
"Hmm..." Lianyun was silent for a while, then suddenly raised her eyes, "Your Majesty, there is a butterfly-shaped birthmark on her back. I once asked her about it, but she just said that she never cared about it. After all, she is a girl, so others can't see it, and she doesn't know about it."
“So… in a few days go find someone to go to the place where we met her before and ask if there is anyone who recognizes her.” He reached out his hand to pick up the petals floating in the water, gently scooped them up, and put them in the water, letting them float slowly.
This repetition seemed to be just like what she was thinking in her heart, coming and going and floating.
Let everything be determined slowly. The truth will come out one day. At least before she can truly prove that he has no ulterior motives, she will be wary of him.
This cannot be blamed on her. After all, she has been dragged into the whirlpool countless times in this harem during this period of time.