Drunk Bamboo

Fu'an Palace.

"Mother, are you feeling better after drinking the medicine?" Hua Qinming's face was pale as he served beside the Imperial Concubine's bed.

The Imperial Concubine was helped up by her personal maid Xuan'er and sat down on the edge of the bed. She looked unwell but was in good spirits.

"Much better. My body has always been like this. But are you feeling unwell?" He held the Buddhist beads in his hand and forced a smile.

"I am fine and not poisoned. Please don't worry, mother." Hua Qinming replied.

Besides them, there was another person in the room.

Xiao Bingxin came up with a cup of tea:

"My Lady Imperial Concubine, the prince is very worried about you. He was so restless just now that he couldn't even have a cup of tea."

"Ming'er has always been filial. How is Miss Bingxin?" The Imperial Concubine looked at Hua Qinming with a distressed look on her face.

At this moment, it seems like the mother is really loving and the son is filial.

The Imperial Concubine smiled more often than before. As long as there were outsiders around, there would always be a little more kindness in the Imperial Concubine's eyes when she looked at Hua Qinming.

But when they were alone together, they became much colder.

Hua Qinming discovered this difference since he was a child.

Seeing that the Imperial Concubine was smiling, Hua Qinming took the teacup, took a sip, and placed it on the cabinet beside him.

"I almost sprained my foot in a panic. If it weren't for the prince's help, I might have been injured. Thanks to the prince. This is the third time the prince has helped Bingxin. I really don't know how to repay him." Xiao Bingxin is very good at acting and her ability to make up lies is also first-class.

The Imperial Concubine smiled and said, "Ms. Bingxin is beautiful and delicate. As a man, Ming'er cannot bear to see her get hurt."

Xiao Bingxin deliberately revealed her identity: "The grace of saving my life must be repaid. As a child of the Xiao family, my father taught Bingxin to be grateful and repay kindness since childhood. Even a drop of water should be repaid with a spring, let alone the grace of saving my life."

The Imperial Concubine was very cooperative and surprised: "It turns out that Miss Bingxin is from the Xilin Xiao family, the daughter of General Xiao. No wonder she has an extraordinary appearance and a dignified manner."

"Bing Xin's appearance is far inferior to that of the Imperial Concubine. The Imperial Concubine is truly stunningly beautiful. When I was in Xilin, I often heard that the Imperial Concubine was deeply favored by His Majesty, and I have always admired her. Today, I am honored to see her in person and to serve her."

The meaning of this statement is very clear, which is to curry favor with the future mother-in-law.

There was a glimmer of shrewdness in the depths of the imperial concubine's eyes.

Then he showed a loving look, pulled Xiao Bingxin by the hand, and said earnestly:

"I don't need anyone to accompany me. You should spend more time with Ming'er. He has reached the right age to get married. His Majesty has been worrying about his marriage in recent months. If Ming'er has someone he likes, I will go and ask His Majesty. Family background is not important. The most important thing is that the two of them love each other."

She smiled happily, "Although His Majesty has three thousand beauties in the harem, his heart has always been with me, and I only have His Majesty in my heart. His Majesty did not despise my background, and overcame all difficulties to let me sit in the position of Imperial Concubine, and also favored Ming'er. I know that if it weren't for His Majesty's preference, Ming'er would not have her current position in the court. I am very content, and I also hope that Ming'er can get his own happiness."

Hua Qinming lowered his eyes, and his long eyelashes blocked his pale pupils.

"Mother, don't worry about my son's marriage. You should pay more attention to your health."

A trace of sadness emerged: "Ming'er has been well behaved since childhood, and he is excellent in everything. If it weren't for my poor health, Ming'er wouldn't be weaker than ordinary people since birth. When the weather is cold and windy, I can feel at ease if there is a caring person around to take care of him."

Xiao Bingxin was excited and held her hand tightly: "Don't worry, Imperial Noble Consort, Bingxin is willing to take care of the prince."

At this time, the emperor, who had been standing outside the door for a long time, spoke:

"Don't worry, Ji'er. I will make proper arrangements for Ming'er's marriage."

"See Your Majesty!"

"See my father!"

The people in the room immediately saluted.

The emperor sat beside the bed, his eyes were rarely gentle, and he said with concern: "Ji'er, don't get up, lie down and rest. It was I who didn't let anyone know because I didn't want to disturb your rest."

His attitude and tone were completely different from when he met the Queen.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The voice was weak.

"You all get up." He turned around and looked at them.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, father."

The emperor's eyes fell on Hua Qinming and he admonished:

"Ming'er, don't leave the palace these days. Stay in Fu'an Palace to take care of your mother. You have always been good at doing things, and I am most relieved."

"Yes." Hua Qinming replied.

His gaze shifted to Xiao Bingxin, who lowered her head and eyes.

In a warning tone: "Miss Bingxin has come from afar. Please enjoy yourself in Zhongdu. After that, return to Xilin to avoid worrying your father and brothers."

Xiao Bingxin immediately knelt down and said in fear: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I, Xiao Bingxin, did not intend to conceal my identity."

The emperor said nothing.

Just then someone came to report: "Your Majesty, Royal Concubine, the Feng Palace has sent someone to take Miss Bingxin out of the palace."

The emperor retracted his gaze and said, "Let's leave the palace now."

Xiao Bingxin quickly responded: "Yes. I will not disturb the Imperial Concubine's rest. I hope you will recover soon."

Before leaving, she looked at Hua Qinfeng reluctantly.

The Imperial Concubine nestled in the Emperor's arms and tenderly requested:

"Your Majesty, can you let Ming'er see Miss Xiao off?"

The emperor took one look at the miserable and beautiful imperial concubine and his heart softened.

"Go."

"Thank you, father."

The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly.

What does the word "thank you" mean?

Could it be that he is interested in Xiao Bingxin?

In the evening, Gao Fengyu from the Shang Pharmacy came to Fu'an Palace in person to take the Imperial Concubine's pulse.

"Your Majesty, I am following His Majesty's order to take your pulse."

Xuan'er sent the servants out of the door: "All of you leave."

"Yes."

Gao Fengyu gently placed his hand on the imperial concubine's wrist and carefully took her pulse.

Concentrate and calm down for a moment, then withdraw your hand.

"The queen is fine. Everything the queen instructed has been done. The two people who took over have already dealt with it. No one will say a word."

The Imperial Concubine said nothing and fiddled with the Buddhist beads in her hand.

Gao Fengyu asked, "I have a question. Although the almond cakes were made by the Queen herself, a careful investigation will eventually reveal that the amount of raw almonds is not enough to cause poisoning. The wooden stakes under the stage were tampered with, and the Ministry of Works, not the Queen, is most responsible. The arrangements made by Her Majesty with great pains will not cause any major harm to the Queen."

The indifferent lips opened slightly: "Your Majesty came out of Baoping Hall in anger today, and banned the Queen from walking, losing the jurisdiction of the harem. Although Your Majesty restored the Queen's management rights within half a day, a gap has already appeared between them. How can they be close again?"

The long hair covered half of her face, so her eyes could not be seen clearly. Only the slightly upturned corners of her mouth revealed a cold aura.

Gao Fengyu's eyes were sinister: "Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision, and I admire you."