Forced to die for his loyalty, he was reborn in the arms of the cold and cruel regent!

The Queen Mother was amused and gently touched her nose with her index finger.

"You little girl, your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter. Do you think I'm flattered by you? It feels good."

Shen Mengyao laughed: "Grandmother, Mengyao is not good at speaking and cannot flatter others. She can only speak the truth."

"Look at this girl." The Queen Mother coughed a few times and laughed even more happily: "If she was dumb, I'm afraid there would be no one in the world who was eloquent."

Fu Qing also laughed along. In Xingqing Palace, the charcoal fire was crackling and happy laughter filled the entire palace.

The first snow in the capital came unexpectedly.

The overwhelming white almost submerged the entire capital city.

Although Qi Sui'an had already removed all the poison from his body, he still found this winter unbearable. When it got a little cold, he felt as if the chill had seeped into his bones.

He put down the hot tea in his hand. The tea that Shen Mengyao gave him was indeed good tea, with a refreshing fragrance.

Bei Lan walked quickly into the yard and brushed off the snow on his shoulders: "My Lord, there is some progress on the eldest princess' side that you asked someone to investigate."

"Speak." Qi Sui'an stretched out his bony hands and warmed them over the charcoal fire.

"Recently, the eldest princess has been very close to her mother's family, and is willing to spend money to promote them lavishly." Bei Lan frowned and said solemnly.

"She probably did this not for herself, but for her brother." Qi Sui'an smiled indifferently.

Bei Lan thought for a moment, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Qi Sui'an saw through it and said coldly, "Just say it if you have something to say."

"I have also found out that the eldest princess has been in the palace these days. I don't know what she is doing. Our people cannot infiltrate the palace, so we can't find out clearly."

Qi Sui'an frowned: "What did the princess deploy in the palace?"

"Yes, but the princess often goes in and out of the harem, so I think it should not involve the affairs of the previous dynasty. What the princess is planning should be related to the harem."

"I remember that the emperor issued an order two days ago, saying that the winter solstice should be celebrated in a grand manner and all the princes and nobles were invited to the palace."

Qi Suian spoke slowly, as if he was thinking about something unusual.

Bei Lan's eyes flashed, and suddenly he understood: "Could it be that the princess wants to attack the princess again?"

Qi Suian frowned. The eldest princess had never suffered any hardship since she was a child. She grew up delicate and pampered, and her personality was arrogant and domineering. She must get whatever she wants!

From what happened before, Qi Suian knew that she would never give up so easily. He didn't expect that she would choose to do it at this place. She was so bold.

"Your Majesty, what should we do? You are restricted everywhere in the palace, and it is even harder to guard against assassinations."

Qi Sui'an thought for a moment before saying, "Tell Queyue to ask the princess to find a way to turn down the banquet in the palace."

"Yes." Bei Lan nodded.

Qi Suian looked up at the snow sliding down from the eaves and falling to the ground piece by piece.

The snow fell particularly early in winter, and it seemed that this winter would be a long one. He was not afraid that the eldest princess would really do something, but he was afraid that if he could not guard against any of her, Shen Mengyao would be in complete danger.

When Queyue received the order and delivered the message, Shen Mengyao was instructing Cuiwei.

"Go and spend some more money on your account and make two thick cotton-padded jackets for each person. Don't cut corners."

Cuiwei smiled happily and said, "Princess, I know that you care about us slaves and servants. Don't worry, it's a cold winter this year, so I will definitely make thick clothes."

Shen Mengyao gave another instruction: "I remember there are still some fabrics in the warehouse, so I took them away and divided them up. There is no point in keeping them."

"Yes, then I'll go." Cuiwei bowed and ran away quickly, just brushing shoulders with Queyue who had just come in.

Seeing that no one was in the room, Queyue spoke directly.

"Princess, the prince just called me over and said that the eldest princess has made another move, and it seems that they are targeting you. Please decline the banquet in the palace."

Shen Mengyao frowned.

"What exactly did the princess do?"

"The princess has made many arrangements in the palace, but since the prince cannot reach into the palace, he has not found out everything. The best way is to avoid it." Queyue said directly.

Shen Mengyao sighed, her brows still furrowed.

"This time, we are also doing it to pray for the Queen Mother's happiness, so we have to hold a grand ceremony. I have already discussed this with the Queen Mother at Xingqing Palace. I am afraid it will be difficult to find an excuse halfway through."

Queyue was worried: "The princess is very ruthless. She can do anything for her own ends. If we accidentally fall into her trap..."

"I know you are worried, but the palace is heavily guarded, so it's not easy for her to do anything she wants." Shen Mengyao smiled and shook her head slightly.

"It's easy to dodge a spear, but hard to guard against an arrow from the dark." Queyue was full of worries and was always uneasy, and still wanted to persuade.

Shen Mengyao patted her shoulder and smiled: "Don't worry, I won't go anywhere except Weiyang Palace where the banquet is held."

Seeing her so sure, Queyue didn't know what to say for a moment and just nodded slightly.

After a night of heavy snow, the capital city was covered in white, and the magnificent glazed palace was covered in ice and snow, making it look even more solemn and mysterious.

The next morning, Shen Mengyao got up early, dressed neatly, and took Queyue to Xingqing Palace to pay her respects to the Queen Mother.

Along the way, snowflakes were blown down from the eaves, as if adding a bit of chill and anticipation to the upcoming winter solstice feast.

"Mengyao pays her respects to the Empress Dowager." Shen Mengyao walked into the hall and performed the formalities with a gentle but firm voice.

When the Queen Mother saw her coming, she smiled lovingly: "Mengyao, hurry up. It's freezing cold. Why are you here so early?"

Shen Mengyao took a few steps forward and handed the food box in her hand to Fu Qing who was serving beside her.

"Aunt Fuqing, it's the winter solstice, we need to eat dumplings. These are the fresh mutton dumplings I made myself. They are very nourishing in winter."

"Then, Your Majesty, I will cook it and serve it to you." Fu Qing bowed with a smile and retreated with the food box.

The Queen Mother patted her hands and said, "You are so thoughtful. You came at the right time. I always feel that I am not in good spirits. Please come and put on makeup for me."

"Okay." Shen Mengyao nodded slightly, stood up and combed her hair. The two of them chatted and laughed happily.

At the palace gate, the eldest princess' carriage stopped for a long time before Qi Suian arrived.

She told Lu Rui: "We are going to eat dumplings today. Go and give the dumplings I made to the prince."

Lu Rui was in a dilemma, not because the task was difficult, but because she was afraid that the princess would get furious again after Qi Suian refused.

She slowly walked to another carriage and placed the food box on it.

"Your Highness, these are dumplings given to you by my princess. Please enjoy them."