c35 (2/2)

The breath that was held by everyone could finally release. The news that Prime Minister Lou will be marrying Qing Ling has cause an uproar in the Palace. At one side it is the Empress Dowager and the other side it is possibly the future Prime Minister Furen. All of them did not want to offend either side. Now it seem that the Empress Dowager did not want to become enemies with Qing Ling thus everyone naturally follow up the Empress Dowager words with praises of Zhou Qing.

“Ling-er will sit beside Aijia. Everyone is here, call for the meal.” After saying that, it was really arranged for her to sit at her left hand side, facing the Empress position.

In a short while, the dishes were laid on the table but Qing Feng have no desire to eat. For whatever reason does the Empress Dowager call Eldest Sister and her to the Xi Xia Palace?

Qing Feng could not eat the fine cuisine but Zhou Qing still remained in melancholy. At this time someone laughing asked, “What does Miss Qing do during her pastime?”

Pastime? “Performing autopsy.”

Zhuo Qing coldly spoke and the large hall fell silent.

Ke ke…

Qing Feng choked on the tea and her mouth could not help to laugh. Eldest Sister really dare to say that! Eldest Sister is kind hearted and normal like to take care of injured animals. She also love reading and she also believe that she have studied on some medicine. If it is said that her own Elder Sister did the autopsy in the Great Hall, she would definitely not believe. Even though there were people in the palace who authenticate it, Qing Feng will still not believe.

During the Palace Banquet, Qing Feng was brought away by Yan Hong Tian and did not see the terrifying scene. Personally experiencing the turmoil in the Palace Banquet, Xin Yue Ning’s face turn white and felt nauseous.

In contrast, the Empress Dowager is much calmer. The hand which was picking the food up paused and her face still have the friendly smile as she said, “Concubine Qing have not seen her older sister for quite some time and must be missing her. It would be good to have Ling-er to stay in the Palace for some days so that the two sisters can talk.”

Zhou Qing have yet to refuse when Qing Feng, who was faster than her, replied back, “Thanking Empress Dowager’s grace, the wedding is imminent. Eldest Sister must have numerous things to prepare and furthermore, for a prominent official wife to enter the Palace frequently, it will not reflect well.” Not to mention Yan Hong Tian may have hidden intentions for Eldest Sister, Princess Chao Yun must not take it lying and for the Empress Dowager to do as such, meant that there is a plan in place. She will never ever let her sister enter the Palace.

Wedding is imminent? It has reached the stage of wedding preparation? The Empress Dowager and Emperor have agreed? Everyone was secretly surprise but dare not make any comments. When the Empress Dowager heard the word wedding, her expression darken. Even though there was some anger, but her words that she spoke did not reflect as such, “Those complicated things should be handled by men. But what Concubine Qing said is reasonable. How about this way, Ling-er will be marrying Prime Minister as his wife and needs to learn court etiquette. Aijia will help to get a decree from the Emperor to enter the Palace justly and honourably. Like this both you sisters will be able to be reunited.”

“Empress Dowager…”

“All right, this is settled.” The Empress Dowager waved her hands and refused to let her speak more. Qing Feng wanted to speak more but Elder Sister gave her a look which stop her from speaking again. It was just a worried look but it felt like a long forgotten warm to Qing Feng.

The Empress Dowager used so much energy to get Elder Sister to enter the Palace and will definitely not have any good intentions. Qing Feng was thinking of how to get her Elder Sister out of this danger when a eunuch piercing loud voice called out from afar, “The East Empress has arrived.”

The East Empress Dowager? Lou Xi Yan paternal aunt! What is she here for?

The eunuch’s voice just finished, a woman in a grand dark red outfit walked in surrounded by eunuch and palace maids. A face that was maintained properly and a tall figure made her look younger than the West Empress Dowager, she look like she is in her early forties. Her n.o.ble and extravagance outfit and the air of importance as comparison made the West Empress Dowager look simpler and approachable.

Her sudden arrival put the group of concubines in a state of panic as they got up to greet, “Greetings to the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager have innumerable fortune and safety.”

“Get up then.” Not looking that the whole floor of kneeling women, Lou Su Xin headed towards Yang Zhi Lan.

Yang Zhi Lan quickly got up and greeted with a smile, “Older sister please quickly sit down. Why do you have time to come over here?”

“Heard that younger sister is having a banquet in the palace. Aijia came over to join in the crowd.” Lou Su Xin swept the floor with her eyes and seemingly randomly asked, “Do continue what was spoken before.”

Unfortunately everyone kept their head bowed and no one dared to answer. It seems that everyone is afraid of her. The West Empress Dowager intimately pat Zhou Qing’s hand and smiled, “Heard that Xi Yan will be marrying but he hid the bride so well. So I specifically gotten someone to invite her in to take a look. She is indeed a pure hearted and spirited lady. One will like her when one look at her. Just now we discussed about letting the Emperor pa.s.s a decree to let Ling-er enter the Palace to learn the etiquette and she can also accompany Concubine Qing. Both of them have left home for so long, they must have lots to say.”

Her eyes only drift pa.s.s her, Zhou Qing doubt that Lou Su Xin didn’t even look clearly at her appearance. Lou Su Xin put on an arrogance and distinctively said, “Oh its about this matter. Xi Yan’s health is weak since young, every spring and summer he would easily fall ill. Ling-er knows acupuncture and she treats him when he gets sick, thus he literally begged me to let Wu Mama leave the Palace to teach Ling-er the palace etiquette. Aijia was unable to win him so it was agreed as such.”

The West Empress Dowager obviously know the change in situation and she changed the subject. She smiled, “So this was the case. Since it is related to Xi Yan’s health, that let this matter rest. Older sister rarely come here, lets eat a meal together.”

“All right.” The two Empress Dowagers sat there and the atmosphere which was not joyous became depressing. Everyone ate this meal with difficultly. After the last dish, Lou Su Xin put down her pair of chopsticks and said a few pleasantries before leading Zhou Qing out of Xi Xia Palace.

Qing Feng look at the back view of Zhou Qing walking away and started to worry endlessly. This East Empress Dowager is so domineering and she suddenly appeared today to take Elder Sister away. Wonder where do her intentions lie at?

Princess Chao Yun is the only pearl in the West Empress Dowager’s palm. With the marriage news of Prime Minister Lou spreading like wildfire in the Palace, for the West Empress Dowager to hold this banquet and invite Qing Ling, it is certainly not as polite as it seems on the surface. But when it just started, the East Empress Dowager messed it all up and in the end the person was also taken away. It was obvious to all that the West Empress Dowager’s current mood is definitely darker than her current facial expression.

Everyone started to retire, as Qing Feng stood up, Yan Zhi Lan suddenly said, “Concubine Qing just entered the place a short while ago. Do stay behind and speak to Aijia.”

Qing Feng’s steps slips, indeed, what needs to come will definitely come. Yang Zhi Lan failed to keep Eldest Sister here so now she should be venting it out on her.

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