For some reason, Xue Xingyue felt a little sad.
As if sensing her sadness and confusion, the Empress said, "Don't be sad for me, it's alright. I've gotten through so many years, and besides, he wouldn't want me to be sad and upset where he is."
"Your Majesty, you are still young," Xue Xingyue did not know how to comfort the Empress, she only hoped the Empress could be happier.
"Not young anymore, I've grown old." The Empress involuntarily touched her temples.
"Your Majesty, it's time to go to the hunting grounds," a palace maid reminded her.
The Empress nodded, taking Xue Xingyue's hand and saying, "Yue'er, stay by my side for a while. Don't worry, as long as I am here, no one will dare to touch you."
"Imperial Aunt, who would dare to touch me? I have Imperial Aunt."
The Empress smiled, "It's Xiu Yuan, he came to find me early this morning, insisting that I watch you closely, as if afraid you'd get lost. If I don't watch him watch you properly, and something happens, how could I bear the responsibility? So, you'll obediently accompany me!"
Xue Xingyue was stunned. She had never imagined that it was Song Xiu Yuan who had asked the Empress to come. Thinking of this, she felt that Song Xiu Yuan had truly done too much for her.
"Are you moved? Actually, Xiu Yuan is just like that. Don't let his cold demeanor fool you, everything seems indifferent and detached, but he's actually very sentimental. I used to wonder what kind of woman could catch his eye. You don't know, but despite his coldness, he's quite popular with women. If it weren't for Little Jiu hastily securing the imperial marriage decree, many girls would have eagerly vied to become the Prime Minister's wife." Da Feng Novel Network
Speaking of this, the Empress seemed to recall something. "Look at me, I'm being too talkative. Yue'er, don't overthink things. Xiu Yuan, he is a very devoted person. Once he sets his heart on someone, it's for a lifetime, so you don't have to worry about him getting involved with other women."
"Imperial Aunt, I... I didn't mean that."
The Empress smiled, "I'm just telling you that Xiu Yuan is someone you can entrust your life to. If he wanted to, what kind of woman couldn't he have?"
Xue Xingyue agreed with the Empress's words. Just considering Song Xiu Yuan's position as Prime Minister, there were countless families eager for a marriage alliance, let alone someone so young.
"Alright, it's time to set off. Later, I'll tell you about Xiu Yuan's childhood," the Empress said with a smile.
Xue Xingyue nodded. She wanted to understand Song Xiu Yuan and didn't want to miss anything.
Huan Yi Palace
When the Ninth Princess heard the palace servants report, she swept all the teacups off the table onto the floor. "That vixen, why does she have Mother's favor?"
Consort Wan walked in and saw the Ninth Princess with tear-stained cheeks, and quickly asked, "Little Jiu, what's wrong?"
"Mother Consort, Mother has summoned the butcher's daughter into the palace, and she's sharing a carriage with Mother," the Ninth Princess said enviously.
"Are you angry because of this?" Consort Wan looked at the Ninth Princess and asked word by word.
The Ninth Princess was stunned, then bit her lower lip. "Mother Consort, I..."
"Little Jiu, those who aim for great things must learn to endure. If you can't even tolerate this, how can you win someone's heart?"
"Mother Consort, I understand." The Ninth Princess lowered her head.
"Little Jiu, you must know that a man's heart cannot be won quickly, it must be a gradual process."
"Mother Consort, I understand."
Consort Wan nodded, "Don't worry, Mother Consort will help you." Otherwise, how could her Fourth Prince compete with the Crown Prince?
"Mother Consort, I knew you treated me the best," the Ninth Princess said happily.
The Royal Hunting Grounds were located at the southernmost tip of Yin City. It was lush and green, perfect for summer retreats and hunting.
Upon arriving at the temporary palace, the consorts from various palaces went to rest. The Empress entered the temporary palace located in the northeastern corner. As soon as she entered, Cui Lan and other palace maids began to tidy up. Xue Xingyue helped the Empress onto a soft couch to rest.
"Yue'er, you go rest too! You must be tired from sitting in the carriage for so long, no need to stay here with me." The Empress said.
"Yes, then Yue'er shall take her leave!" Xue Xingyue left the Empress's chamber. Her room was not far from the Empress's.
"Miss, the room has been cleaned. You should go and rest," Qin Er Niang came up to her.
She nodded. After the journey, she was indeed a bit tired. She lay on the bed and fell asleep shortly after. When she woke up, the sky was already dim.
"Miss, you're awake?" Qin Er Niang saw her wake up and walked in.
"What time is it now?" she asked.
"It's already the third quarter of the hour of the Rooster," Qin Er Niang replied.
"Did the Empress send someone to look for me?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Qin Er Niang nodded. "Sister Cui Lan came just now, but seeing that Miss was not awake, she returned."
Xue Xingyue sat up, tidied her hair and clothes. "Let's go!"
"Miss, aren't you changing your clothes?"
"Change clothes? Why? I'm not going to a beauty pageant," Xue Xingyue replied with a smile.
When she arrived at the Empress's temporary palace, she found that besides the Empress, there were a few other people. One of them was the Ninth Princess, whom she recognized.
One of them was wearing a light pink elegant dress, with a white gauze outer layer. Her face was beautiful and charming, her eyebrows and eyes filled with lingering grace.
She felt a sense of familiarity, but still couldn't recognize her.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, it seems she doesn't recognize you?" The Ninth Princess said, raising her eyebrows as she pulled the woman in the pink dress.
Imperial Sister-in-law? Xue Xingyue really couldn't recall who it was.
"Yue'er, this is Xiu Zhu, the Crown Princess," the Empress suddenly said.
Xue Xingyue was stunned. She simply couldn't connect this woman with the Jin Xiu Zhu from before.
Because the woman in the pink dress now was heavily made up, lacking any trace of the former Jin Xiu Zhu's ethereal beauty.
"It seems Miss Xue doesn't recognize me?" The Crown Princess glanced at Xue Xingyue, her gaze cold. Da Feng Novel
"Greetings, Crown Princess," Xue Xingyue stepped forward to bow.
The Crown Princess did not speak, continuing to chat and laugh with the Ninth Princess, as if forgetting that she was being greeted.
"Sister, Miss Xue is still paying her respects to you. Aren't you going to let her up? What will you do if Mother is displeased later?" Another woman wearing a blue elegant dress spoke.
Hearing this, the Crown Princess covered her mouth and smiled, "Oh dear, my Imperial Ninth Sister and I are chatting so engagingly that I forgot. Miss Xue, please don't blame me."
"Your Highness the Crown Princess is joking. How would I dare to be upset with you?" Xue Xingyue looked up at the Crown Princess, a smile on her lips.
Seeing this, the Crown Princess smiled, "I said, Miss Xue is a sensible and knowledgeable person. It's a pity she was born into a butcher's family, otherwise..."
"Xiu Zhu, are these words coming from you?" The Empress glanced at the Crown Princess and coldly interrupted her.