♂?，，

  The queen's face wore a warm smile, but in her heart was an unspeakable shock.

  She had met Ming Huan before, although the two families of Pei and Gu were not very harmonious from the beginning, but after all, they belonged to the top aristocratic families in Shengjing City, and their ages were similar. They would inevitably meet each other at banquets and poetry gatherings a few times. In the past, Ming Huan was still young, with a personality that was unrestrained and flamboyant, and she liked to wear gorgeous clothes. She didn't associate her with the gentle and elegant Ninth Prince's consort.

  It's been four years, and the woman in front of me has retracted her former sharpness, becoming calm and gentle. Perhaps it's because of their long-standing relationship, but she now bears a 70-80% resemblance to Empress Yuan. If the Emperor were to see her, he would probably...

  The queen's eyes were slightly dim, and she was resentful of Yuan Fei.

  The Emperor initially favored Yu Huifei, but later transferred his affections to Gu Guifei. After Shu Fei entered the palace, she was favored every night, and all the imperial favors were concentrated on her alone. The Emperor's eyes no longer had any other woman, and except for the first and fifteenth of each month, he never set foot in Kun Ning Palace again, and his favors to her were extremely rare.

  It's really too difficult to get pregnant after trying for a countable number of times!

  The queen's beauty is unparalleled, yet she does not receive the emperor's favor. She has the most noble status in the Zhou Dynasty, but her husband treats her like a stranger. Her heart is desolate and cold, with no one to confide in. Although she appears to be surrounded by wealth and glory, she is actually filled with bitterness. With her family background and beauty, if she had not entered the palace, she would have been able to find a suitable husband who matches her in talent and appearance. Even if they couldn't love each other deeply, they would at least have respected each other like guests.

  Better than her peach blossoming years withering away slowly in this desolate and isolated palace, without offspring, also without hope.

  If the Empress Dowager had not died, the Empress would not have been treated so coldly. She was born into a noble family and was young and beautiful, it was impossible for her to lose to Yu Huifei, that shallow and low-born woman. If the Empress Dowager had not died, Gu Gui Fei would not have entered the palace, how could Shu Fei possibly occupy the Emperor's heart?

  Always complaining, how can you not complain?

  The emperor is not a loyal and devoted husband. At first, he was the one who actively sought out the Pei family for support, but after all, they were married couple, accompanied each other for many years, there must be some feelings between them. If the empress was well, the Gu family would be promoted to nobility, everyone would be happy. Perhaps this feeling would slowly fade away in time, worn away by the smiles of new beauties.

  Yuanyuan Fei died in such a tragic way, and the three houses of the Gu family were equivalent to experiencing a disaster that destroyed their home. The emperor couldn't help but feel guilty, but he had no one to confide in. So he transferred his irreparable guilt towards Yuanyuan Fei onto Yu Hui Fei, who had served Yuanyuan Fei for many years, and onto Gu Gui Fei, Yuanyuan Fei's cousin. Now, because Shu Fei's appearance, demeanor, and speech were similar to those of Yuanyuan Fei in her youth, the emperor was completely infatuated with Shu Fei.

  She is not reconciled!

  At the beginning, Wu Long usurped the throne, and the Ninth Prince had no chance of winning. If it weren't for Pei Xiang's support, the Ninth Prince wouldn't even be able to stay alive, let alone ascend to the throne. The four princes who were once so proud and confident are now nothing but a handful of yellow earth. As for the direct descendants of the Zhou Dynasty's imperial family, apart from Your Majesty, which branch is left?

  If successful, he becomes an emperor; if defeated, his whole family is ruined.

  Take a woman of the Pei family as empress. In exchange for the support of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, this was a proposal made by the Ninth Prince first, and the Gu family was aware of it. The Ninth Prince's consort could not be completely unaware of this, which was an unspoken agreement reached in secret between each other. For this, the Pei family of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu paid a great price, while the Gu family only lost the title of empress.

  If it weren't for the Pei family, the Gu family wouldn't have produced an empress either.

  This is a win-win situation for all parties, the ninth prince ascends to the throne smoothly, the Pei family's daughter becomes the empress, the Gu family's daughter becomes the noble consort, and as compensation, her father Gu Changping is granted the title of second-class Marquis of Enhou, no one is a loser.

  Even the crime of "plotting against the emperor" was pre-arranged, and after being thrown into the prison of the Ministry of Justice, he would be released with honor after the coronation ceremony, under the pretext of being framed by others. At that time, the empress's position would have been secured, and as long as high-ranking official positions and noble titles were granted to the Gu family, the position of imperial concubine would still be a beautiful story for the Gu woman.

  Who would have thought that such an accident would happen?

  The queen's eyes narrowed slightly, recalling her wandering thoughts, and smiled at Ming Xuan, saying, "Today, I invited Da Shu to come in, there is nothing else, just chatting about family matters. Mother said that since Big Brother got married, his body has been getting better every day recently, and he even went to the Ministry of Revenue to work these days? It's really delightful, all thanks to your credit, I'm also grateful in my heart while living in the palace."

  She suddenly looked embarrassed, gazing at Ming Huan with a low sigh, and said apologetically, "Mother's absurd behavior these days, we've all heard about it. She was the only legitimate daughter of her grandfather, and she was spoiled since childhood. After marrying into our family, Grandfather also indulged her, so she has been acting somewhat willfully. It's not that she intentionally wants to make things difficult for Elder Sister-in-law, I hope Elder Sister-in-law can forgive her for my sake."

  The tone is sincere and doesn't seem fake.

  It's a bit too simplistic to just attribute Yang's actions to being reckless, but looking at how she wanted to put Huang Baozhu to death, the same ruthlessness that led to Du Niangzi's demise by beating her to death with a board, is that of a ferocious and sinister wolf, with a ruthless attitude of "those who obey me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish".

  Yang's viciousness cannot be pushed away by just a few words from the Empress.

  But Ming Xuan just smiled and said, "Your Ladyship is being too serious. Mother has exempted me from the morning and evening greetings, and also exempted me from serving her meals. In Jingyi Temple, there are slaves who bully their masters, I am a newcomer after all, I dare not take charge of them, it was mother who took care of everything with her mighty power."

  She smiled slightly, her smile even more radiant. "With a mother as kind and loving as you are, what difficulty could I have? These affections, I am not made of wood or stone, they are all remembered in my heart."

  In the Pei Mansion, one could address Yang Shi as "Madam" when following Pei Jingxuan, but in the palace, before the Empress Dowager, it was not possible. Otherwise, wouldn't that be slapping oneself in the face? Ming Xuan knew that although she might say whatever, it was impossible for her to get along with the Empress. But if by any chance, she openly clashed with the Empress, that would absolutely not be a good thing.

  Calling her a substitute is just a code name, calling Yang's mother is also common sense, she doesn't care about it particularly.

  The queen seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief, "It's better this way, it's better this way."

  She no longer hesitated, changed the subject and started chatting about family matters.

  Ming Xuan answered, but she felt a bit strange in her heart. The empress seemed to have really just called her into the palace for idle chatter, without scolding her or showing any intention of making things difficult for her. But Ming Xuan had no relationship with the empress before, and recently she had a falling out with Yang Shi, so even if the empress was really bored and wanted to find someone to talk to, she would not have looked for her.

  At this moment, a faint rustling sound came from outside the palace, and Yingxiu's aunt came in to report, "The Shu Empress has arrived!"

  The Empress Shu wore a moon-white gauze palace shirt, with a light and elegant makeup on her face. Compared to the majestic and noble Empress Pei, she seemed particularly pure and charming, like a white lotus flower without any blemishes, bringing a refreshing coolness in the sweltering summer heat.

  She indeed had a faint fragrance on her body, with lotus steps lightly moving, and between the movements of her hands and feet, she subtly emitted it.

  Ming Xuan heard that this was Ming Rong's favorite Lingling fragrance, her face changed color, and if she remembered correctly, Lingling fragrance had the effect of contraception and abortion.

  The Empress is already pregnant, and she's wearing this perfume, which can easily cause a miscarriage. Although she doesn't particularly like the Empress, after all they are sisters, and the unborn child in her belly is innocent, so she thinks to herself that when no one is around, she should remind her, lest some tragedy occurs.

  The Empress personally helped the Shu Fei who wanted to pay her respects, still smiling and said, "Sister has just been diagnosed with pregnancy, it's the most delicate time, why not lie down in the palace? How did you come here on this hot summer day? Don't bother paying your respects, these empty rituals, as sisters, what's the need? Hurry up and lean on the couch, don't get tired."

  The Empress also smiled and said, "Although Her Majesty is kind-hearted, rules and etiquette cannot be abolished."

  She turned around, looking at Ming Huan with a surprised expression, "I heard that Seventh Sister came to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Thinking that we sisters haven't seen each other for many days, I missed her so much, so I specially came to disturb the Empress Dowager, and also to have some intimate conversations with my sister. Eh, my sister, no need to bow, it would be too formal."

  Ming Xuan didn't dare not to complete the grand ceremony, although Shu Fei was her cousin from her maternal family. However, their current status was different; she was a second-rank consort who deeply received imperial favor and was pregnant with an heir, so even the Empress treated her with extra courtesy. Ming Xuan was merely the wife of a low-ranking official without any imperial decree on her person, how could she really consider herself important?

  This was within Kun Ning Palace, where she absolutely could not let anyone catch a glimpse of her mistakes.

  After finishing the formal ceremony, Ming Xuan dared to raise her head and look at Shu Fei. Her face had a quiet smile, neither too enthusiastic nor too cold, with just the right amount of humility. "Your Highness is worrying too much. You and I are sisters who grew up together since childhood, with many years of affection between us. How could we be estranged?"

  The empress let out a chuckle and said, "Alright, I see that my presence here has made the two sisters feel uneasy. Never mind, Yingxiu, help me to the Water Pavilion, and leave this place for Shufei and Dainai to chat. The two sisters haven't seen each other in many days, they must have a lot to talk about."

  She supported Xingxiu's arm and slowly walked to Mingshuang, saying warmly, "Today I met my elder sister-in-law, and we hit it off. If there's nothing else, just come to the palace to chat with me. The Heping Palace where Shufei lives is not far from here, so you can also chat with your sisters, isn't that great?"

  Ming Xuan hurriedly nodded in agreement.

  The queen smiled and waved her hand, "I'll go to the Water Pavilion for a rest. If you sisters have finished talking, there will be palace staff to send your sister-in-law out. The carriage of the Town Country Duke's Mansion is waiting at the Anhe Gate, so don't worry."

  She finished speaking and went away with a gentle swaying motion to the main hall of the Da Kun Ning Palace, leaving only Shu Fei and Ming Xuan behind.

  Ming Xuan couldn't conceal the shock in her heart, this Kun Ning Palace was a symbol of the Empress's absolute power, and the main hall... The Empress had actually let out the main hall for Shu Fei to converse with her.

  What is going on here?

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