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  In front of the queen, etiquette and posture are all governed by rules.

  Even if Empress Pei was not favored, the Emperor could ignore her, and Concubines Hui and Gui could be slow to obey her, but it would not do for Ming Xuan and Huang Yi. One day she wore the crown of the Middle Palace, one day she was the Mother of the State of Zhou, representing the dignity of the imperial family. If she had a mind to make things difficult for someone, then any improper words could become evidence of disrespecting the Empress.

  So when she heard the queen ask the question, Ming Xuan became somewhat nervous and looked at Huang Yi, secretly sweating for her.

  Unexpectedly, Huang Yi was very calm and composed. She took a few steps forward and performed a proper palace ceremony, "In response to the Empress's words, I am indeed Huang Yi."

  This palace etiquette was learned from following strict nanny.

  Since the seventh day of the New Year, after clarifying their feelings with Gu Yuanjing at the Yongning Marquis's family banquet, she has been working hard to become Gu Yuanjing's daughter-in-law. Not only did she learn all the etiquette for receiving guests in a noble family, but also considering that Gu Yuanjing may have the opportunity to attend court banquets in the future, she asked Yan Niangniang to teach her proper palace etiquette so as not to make a fool of herself.

  The old lady of Yongning Hou, Zhu Lao, was a good friend of the late Empress Dowager when she was young. She had never entered the palace before, but Sheng Zhen had seen her many times and remembered all those etiquette in her heart. This time, Huang Yi asked to learn from her, and she was moved by Huang Yi's persistence and diligence. She also wanted to show off her knowledge and prove that she was still capable, so she taught Huang Yi everything she knew, not only the rules of etiquette but also how to respond to unexpected situations.

  One taught with sincerity, one learned with sincerity, so Huang Yi's first appearance in front of Empress Pei in the Kun Ning Palace was excellent. Her courtesy was elegant, every move was in place, her attitude was respectful yet not humble or arrogant, and she was at ease, making it impossible for anyone to find fault with her.

  Empress Pei seemed to be slightly surprised as well, but she kept her surprise in her eyes and didn't reveal it. She smiled and said, "Miss Huang, why such a big ceremony? As my sister-in-law's honored guest, you are also mine, and we're all close family members. Why the fuss? Come, take a seat!"

  She turned her gaze to Ming Xuan, "Since Grandfather and Father passed away, I haven't been sleeping well every night. The past few days my body hasn't been feeling great, but the last two days have seen some improvement, so I was thinking of seeing family members. Mother...

  Yang Shi's face showed a mixture of helplessness and worry, "Father passed away suddenly, Mother was grief-stricken, I heard that her illness has been lingering, as a daughter, I should be by her side to take care of her, but unfortunately, I am in the palace, except for missing her, there is nothing I can do. My second brother Jing Ye is also useless, he's always causing trouble, in the past when Grandfather and Father were still around, they could still cover up for him, but now it's impossible."

  She sighed deeply, "I heard that my sister-in-law was pregnant a few days ago, and I was delighted. On such a cold day, my sister-in-law shouldn't have made this trip, but I really miss my family and want to see them. Sister-in-law, don't blame me for being reckless."

  It was clearly aimed at Huang Yi, but this remark seemed as if it was meant for someone who wanted to see his wife's family.

  Ming Xuan raised an eyebrow, this feeling of being tied to the chariot of war with Pei Jingchen was somewhat uncomfortable.

  She thought for a moment and said seriously, "The Empress wants to see me, I dare not disobey. You are the mistress of the imperial palace, the mother of the heavens. Although I was favored by the Emperor and became the Princess of Anping, etiquette and rules must be followed. How could I dare blame you? There is just one thing, I don't know if I should say it or not."

  "Big sister and I are family, what can't be said?" Empress Pei hastily replied.

  "Ming Xuan bowed and said, 'It is well known that the King of Anping and Her Majesty the Empress share the same bloodline. The King of Anping is the Empress's elder brother by birth. Originally, you treated my family with kindness and called me "older sister". Although I was terrified, I still accepted it. However, now that His Majesty has granted the King of Anping a royal surname, he has succeeded to the title of Marquis of Xiangchu, following the bloodline of Princess Yongjia. In terms of generation and rank, His Majesty is the King of Anping's uncle by marriage, while the King of Anping is His Majesty's nephew by marriage.'"

  She paused, "The queen still follows the old habit of calling me 'elder sister', isn't that confusing the ranks? I am terrified. If someone with ill intentions hears this, wouldn't they think that Your Majesty the Queen does not acknowledge the Emperor's granting of the surname Anping to our country, this...this is not good."

  The royal family of the Zhou Dynasty had a precedent for aunts and nieces serving the same lord, so the imperial family did not pay much attention to the seniority among female relatives. There were also precedents where cousins married uncles or nephews of the imperial family. All these were arranged according to the seniority of the royal family. Therefore, the relationship between Pei Jingxun and the Emperor changed from uncle-in-law and brother-in-law to cousin and uncle, which was not considered strange by people at that time, nor did Pei Jingxun himself mind it.

  Ming Xuan's words were clearly intended to pull the Anping Wangfu down from the chariot of the Pei family's main house, not wanting to have any connection with Yang Shi and Pei Jingxiao. Although Empress Pei was infuriated, she had no way to say a single "no" to Ming Xuan.

  Yes, Ming Xuan is right. If Pei Empress continues to be called "Big Sister", it would be disobedient to the Emperor's will and suspected of defying the Emperor. She is already in a difficult situation in the palace and has not received the Emperor's favor. Hui Fei is also looking for an opportunity to frame her, she actually doesn't dare to make any mistakes, as long as she makes one wrong move, she would be in danger of being destroyed.

  Empress Pei coughed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed, "Fortunately, Princess Anping reminded me, I was indeed wrong."

  Since there is no possibility of intimacy, she also stops pretending to be approachable and humble, doesn't call herself "older sister", and also stops referring to herself as "I".

  This phrase "Ben Gong" fully reveals the majesty of the empress, but when Ming Xuan heard it in her ears, she felt much more comfortable. She knew that Pei Jingchen was now surnamed Zhou, but this couldn't represent that he had nothing to do with the Pei family from now on. In this life, he would never be able to cut off his relationship with Empress Pei, but it was better for both of them to understand each other's hearts and minds without pretending to be close, because they were not close in the first place. To tell the truth, because of Yang Shi, she and Empress Pei were actually enemies.

  The Empress Pei's waxen face looked somewhat unsightly for a moment, but she still maintained her imperial demeanor and did not erupt immediately.

  The grand Kun Ning Palace main hall was quiet for a moment, and at this time, the female official beside Empress Pei led the little palace girl to serve tea. Empress Pei took the opportunity to smile and say, "This is the eyebrow tea that the Crown Prince of Lin Nan presented as tribute last time. Although it's not rare in the southern border, only the palace has it in Shengjing City. Let Princess Anping and Huang Yi taste it and see how it tastes?"

  Xūméi tea is a specialty of southern Xinjiang and only grows in extremely hot climates. Every year, the King of Lin Nan would send people to offer it as tribute to the imperial court.

  Ming Xuan was somewhat embarrassed by this tea. She is now pregnant and pays special attention to her diet. Not to mention that she has never drunk this kind of tea before, even the common ones are not touched by her. However, in the Kun Ning Palace, Empress Pei had spoken up, if she refused or didn't drink it, it wouldn't be a good thing.

  Just as she was hesitating, Huang Yi raised her head and drank the Mustache Tea in one gulp, still smiling as she took the teacup from Ming Xuan's hand. She smiled and said, "The old people of Lin Nan all say that Mustache Tea is most suitable for women to drink, nourishing yin and moisturizing the complexion, it's a beauty tea for health preservation. However, for women who are weak in body or pregnant, it's not suitable. Sister Xuan is pregnant, this Mustache Tea can't be drunk, but since it was given by the Empress, it would be a pity to waste such good tea, why not give it to me to drink?"

  She rushed up to Empress Pei and asked, "Please, Your Majesty, let me offer you this cup of tea!"

  Empress Pei was shocked to hear that pregnant women couldn't drink eyebrow tea for the first time, and she took out this tea, actually just wanting to lead to the next conversation, but didn't expect to make such a fuss.

  She had never thought of harming Ming Xuan's child in her womb, and that child was not a conflict or obstacle to her interests. On the contrary, now that King Anping is deeply favored by the Emperor, if Queen Anping were to have an accident after drinking a cup of tea given by her in the Kun Ning Palace, King Anping would naturally not let it go easily, and the Emperor would also unhesitatingly send her back to the Cold Palace. Would Consort Hui let go of this great opportunity?

  She no longer has the powerful and prestigious grandfather, her father is also gone, and the title of Marquis Guo has been lost. Her younger brother is now doing something that makes her extremely difficult, and the Yang family, which used to be helpful to her, has long since declined. The last time she was confined, she could still come out again because of her grandfather's words, but this time, she knew very well in her heart that it was likely that she would be abandoned for a lifetime.

  Empress Pei, aware of the pros and cons, hastily said, "This palace didn't know that this tea is not good for pregnant women. Fortunately, Huang Yiniang has insight and reminded us to quickly remove Anping Wangfei's tea."

  The palace maid hastily took away the tea cup and teapot. Perhaps her movements were too hasty, and she accidentally splashed a small part of Ming Xuan's sleeve wet.

  The Empress Pei flew into a rage and ordered the female official to take the palace maid away and give her thirty heavy slaps. Thirty heavy slaps, although they wouldn't kill someone instantly, were almost enough for a frail little palace maid, and even more terrifying. Because if she didn't receive medical treatment and care, the wound would gradually fester, and those who survived would be lucky to have escaped with their lives. However, most people only had one path - to slowly die, which was an agonizing process, not as quick and painless as being beaten to death.

  The palace maid's face turned pale and she wept continuously, begging pitifully.

  Ming Xuan furrowed her brow and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The little palace maid didn't do it on purpose. Besides, I only got my clothes dirty, no big deal. Please spare her this time for my sake."

  She is now pregnant, and can't bear to see such a scene. Although she has always followed the rules of this era, knowing that hierarchy is an uncrossable chasm, most of the time she has conformed to these, accepted them. However, just because her sleeve got wet, she had to let the little palace maid suffer such severe punishment, which is also something she cannot calmly accept.

  Empress Pei sighed, "Princess Anping is kind-hearted, since that's the case, this palace will spare her."

  She turned her head and said to the female official, "It's cold today, the princess's clothes are wet and uncomfortable, take the princess to the side hall to change her clothes."

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