After Chief Gu Shan left, Queen Mother Yu could not calm down for a long time.
Zhilan and Yuqiao waited outside the door knowingly and did not go in to disturb them.
"In this world, only Chief Gu Shan can move the Queen Mother." Yu Qiao sighed softly.
Zhilan also sighed softly: "Yes! Since the late emperor passed away, the Queen Mother has rarely shown her emotions. She has not cried like this for a long time."
Human beings have flesh and blood and emotions, not wooden piles or ice sculptures.
In the past six months, Empress Dowager Yu has spoken less, laughed less, and been less angry. Her majesty has grown, and she has lost the emotional fluctuations that a secular person should have... Even Zhilan and Yuqiao, who are serving closely, are becoming more and more depressed and dull.
In front of Queen Yu, I didn't have the courage to speak loudly.
As soon as Chief Gu Shan came, Queen Mother Yu came to life.
Unfortunately, in a few days, Chief Gu Shan will leave the capital with the King and Princess of Shu.
Yu Qiao raised her eyes and glanced at Zhi Lan, and suddenly asked in a low voice: "Eunuch Lu seems to have not come to see you for some days."
Zhilan's eyes showed a hint of bitterness and helplessness: "He is now on duty in the Yiqing Palace, and it is inconvenient for him to move around at will."
Eunuch Lu was the late emperor's confidant. Once the late emperor died and the new emperor came to the throne, he had to promote and appoint his own confidants. Eunuch Lu immediately became embarrassed.
Fortunately, with Empress Dowager Yu's support, the new emperor did not go too far and only placed Eunuch Lu on duty in the Yiqing Palace. It looked pretty, but only Eunuch Lu himself knew what was going on inside.
In the past, Eunuch Lu would come to Jiaofang Palace with the late emperor every day and see Zhilan from time to time. Now, however, it is rare to find an opportunity to meet once every ten and a half months.
Yu Qiao glanced at Zhi Lan again and said pointedly: "If this continues, won't this pair of food only have a name left?"
Zhilan and Eunuch Lu were married that day, all because of the order of Empress Dowager Yu. Eunuch Lu was twenty years older than Zhilan, and now Zhilan was not even thirty, and she was the most respected female official around Empress Dowager Yu.
But Eunuch Lu was in decline. Without his holy family, the new emperor was wary of him and was on guard at all times, making him in a difficult situation.
Why should Zhi Lan continue to quarrel with Eunuch Lu? She could just ask the Queen Mother Yu to make the decision and break up with Eunuch Lu.
In the palace, no one cared about love and justice. Zhilan, on the other hand, and Eunuch Lu were still having sex with each other, and they were teased by many people behind their backs.
Zhilan didn't want to talk any more and quickly changed the topic: "The Queen Mother has been alone for a long time. It's not enough for the two of us to stay here all the time. Let's go in and take a look!"
Yu Qiao curled her lips invisibly, but nodded in agreement.
After pushing the door open and entering, the two of them stepped forward respectfully and saluted. One said, "My servant is here to help the Queen Mother wash and change clothes." The other said, "It's getting late, and I will go to the imperial kitchen to pass on the food."
Queen Mother Yu glanced at Yu Qiao's face: "Go and pass the meal."
Yu Qiao was slightly startled, then quickly agreed and withdrew.
Empress Dowager Yu looked at Zhilan again and said calmly: "The food and clothing in Hanxiang Palace will be improved. You can go to the Taiyuan Hospital again and deliver the Ai family's oral instructions to the envoy of Zhaoyuan."
"Princess Mei is weak and sick and needs to rest for half a year."
Sheng Hong and Xie Mingxi stayed contentedly, and Concubine Mei would "recover" soon. However, Concubine Mei did not want to go to this vassal land. It was better to stay in the palace peacefully!
Zhi Lan calmed her face and responded in a low voice.
…
That night, Sheng Hong received news from the palace.
"The Queen Mother has improved the food and clothing of the Mother Concubine." Sheng Hong's eyes showed a little sarcasm: "It seems that as long as I am peaceful and honest, the Mother Concubine can live a better life in the palace."
Xie Mingxi did not say anything to comfort her.
It is inevitable for Sheng Hong to feel gloomy when encountering such bad things. It is useless to say anything.
Sheng Hong took a deep breath, squeezed out a smile and said, "I should go thank the mountain chief for this."
He alone didn't have such a face in front of Empress Dowager Yu.
Xie Mingxi said softly: "I told Master not to mention my mother and concubine after entering the Jiaofang Palace. You don't have to thank Master. After she came back, she stayed in the study alone and never came out."
After saying goodbye to Queen Mother Yu, Gu Shanchang's mood could not be calmed down for a long time.
At this time, it is better not to disturb Chief Gu Shan.
Sheng Hong nodded and said, "In a few days, we have to set off. We should also choose a day to go to Xie's Mansion and say goodbye to my father-in-law and others."
Xie Mingxi is not close to her natal family and does not have much contact with them on weekdays.
However, you still have to show off.
Xie Mingxi hummed: "I will ask Congyu to send a message back. In two days, we will go back to Xie's house."
…
Two days later, Sheng Hong accompanied Xie Mingxi back to Xie's mansion.
Five-year-old Xie Lingxi and four-year-old Xie Yuanlou were both taken out.
"Lingxi has met His Royal Highness the King of Shu and the Princess of Shu." Xie Lingxi was born with a handsome appearance. She had been taught strictly and knew etiquette quite well.
The fair and delicate Xie Yuanlou also saluted gracefully: "Yuanlou has met the King of Shu and the Princess of Shu."
Xie Jun suffered a lot from Xie Yuanting, and he was very strict in his discipline and upbringing of his children.
Xie Mingxi smiled slightly: "I don't need to be polite, please get up quickly!"
Xie Jun immediately smiled and said: "The etiquette cannot be discarded." Then he said with a straight face: "Lingniang, you and Yuan Lou stand beside my grandfather."
Sheng Hong insisted on sitting down. Mr. Xie, being the elder of the family, sat down. Sheng Hong's gesture made everyone in the Xie family feel happy.
The conversation among the people naturally revolved around the matter of the feudal clan.
Xie Yuanzhou, who got married two years ago, was also on the list of the King of Shu. The young man was not anxious about traveling far, but was full of lofty ideals. He smiled and interjected: "My brother-in-law and I went together. The third brother looked at it with tears.
So much so that I’m muttering that I’m going to Sichuan in a few years.”
Sheng Hong laughed and looked over: "You also want to go to Shu?"
Thirteen-year-old Xie Yuanwei blushed but nodded.
"You should stay in the capital and study hard!" Xie Mingxi said with a faint smile: "Within five years, you can become a Jinshi and support the Xie family's reputation."
Xie Yuanzhou was not very talented in studying. After passing the scholar examination, he did not even pass the exam. He could go to Shu to take care of the common affairs or find a low-level official position.
Xie Yuanwei is different. Although he is young, he is already a well-known talent in Boyu Academy. Such a talent should study to obtain the title of Jinshi and seek a serious career.
Xie Yuanwei was very convinced of Xie Mingxi, and nodded obediently after hearing this: "Okay, I will study hard and strive to pass the Jinshi within five years."
After thinking for a while, he added: "Just like Ye Changshi."
Students from poor families who can learn as well as Ye Jing are already winners in life.
There is no need to elaborate on the gratitude in the hearts of Xu and Xie Ming.
Now the three children have a bright future. When they came to the capital from Lin'an anxiously, they only wanted food and clothing. How could they have dared to hope that such a day would come?
