Chapter 21: The Cold and Arrogant Master is Actually a Great Enemy
The Empress Dowager's maiden name was Qi, and her brother was a general.
In the past, General Qi followed the late emperor into the battlefield to kill the enemy and made countless military achievements.
Later, when the world was pacified, the late emperor's Empress Yuan passed away, leaving behind only the young Crown Prince Xiao Jin.
The following year, the general's sister entered the palace and was made the empress.
The Qi family was at the peak of their power in the court. Empress Yuan's family was worried that the Qi family and the queen would harm the crown prince, so they sent another daughter into the palace, hoping that she could protect the young crown prince.
The late emperor had deep feelings for Empress Yuan and tacitly approved of this matter. He also made Empress Yuan's cousin a noble concubine and doted on her.
The imperial concubine lived up to her family's hopes and raised and protected the prince. She herself had been in the palace for many years without giving birth, but later, by chance, she gave birth to a little princess.
It’s a pity that the little princess was lost in her childhood, and the imperial concubine became ill due to worry. She died before she could see Xiao Jin ascend the throne.
When she was dying, she held Xiao Jin's hand and begged him for the first time, just to ask him to try his best to find her only bloodline.
After Xiao Jin ascended the throne, he tried his best to find Shi Li.
Fortunately, I finally found it.
As for the Empress Dowager, who was highly expected by the Qi family, she had been in the palace for many years but had no children. The Crown Prince was raised by the Imperial Concubine and had nothing to do with her.
So even after the death of the previous emperor, the empress became the honorable empress dowager, but she still lacked confidence.
Seeing the new emperor growing more powerful, the empress dowager became uneasy.
General Qi has a little daughter named Qi Rong, who is sixteen years old and well-educated.
If Xiao Jin could take a fancy to them, the Qi family might be able to produce a second noble queen and continue the family's glory.
The one who is now asking to see Shi Li outside Yuli Palace is Qi Rong.
Shi Li pinched a crystal clear grape thoughtfully.
General Qi was naturally present at yesterday's banquet, and it seemed that Qi Rong was also there.
But she didn't pay much attention to it, and now naturally she couldn't remember whether Miss Qi was tall or short, fat or thin.
"Princess, would you like to see me?"
Shi Li was silent for a long time, and Yueying asked again.
To be honest, Shi Li didn't really want to meet someone with a sensitive identity like Qi Rong. But if she didn't meet him, it would seem like she would offend the Qi family and the Queen Mother...
Yueying saw her dilemma and said, "Princess, don't be embarrassed. I'll find a reason to send him away."
"Then let her go." Shi Li looked at Yueying gratefully.
It's not that she is timid, but she knows her own limitations and is not cut out for palace fighting. If she says something wrong when they meet, it would be better for her not to meet.
Yueying smiled slightly and stepped out.
Outside the palace, the floor was paved with turquoise glazed tiles, which were wiped clean by the palace servants for fear that the princess would feel unclean when she came in and out.
The graceful girl stood motionless in front of the door, quietly looking at the palace in front of her.
The girl was wearing a delicate pink skirt, her posture was elegant and impeccable, her black hair was blown across her cheeks by the wind, and her pretty face was like a lotus.
When Yueying saw this, she couldn't help but admire in her heart that the girl that the Qi family had carefully trained was indeed outstanding.
"It's really unfortunate that the princess is taking a nap. Miss Qi, why don't you come another day?"
Yueying's tone was so sincere and heartfelt that it was hard to find any fault with it.
"Okay, then I'll come back another day. I don't dare to disturb the princess." Qi Rong smiled slightly, with a gentle attitude, which also made people feel like spring breeze.
However, after being rejected by Shi Li, Qi Rong did not leave the palace directly, but went to Chang'an Palace where the Queen Mother lived.
Although Xiao Jin had a cold relationship with Empress Dowager Qi, she would not cut back on the expenses of Chang'an Palace, and Empress Dowager Qi always spent more on food and clothing than Xiao Jin.
Empress Dowager Qi was also a rare beauty when she was young. Although she is not as beautiful as she used to be, her charm can still be seen in her eyes and eyebrows. The golden phoenix hairpin on her bun shows her extremely noble status.
"Good boy, come here." Seeing Qi Rong, she waved kindly and motioned Qi Rong to sit next to her.
"Thank you, Queen Mother." Qi Rong walked over obediently with a submissive look on her face.
Before she came in, the palace maid had already told the Queen Mother that Shi Li had refused to let her in.
Therefore, Queen Mother Qi held Qi Rong's hand and comforted her with great pity, "Good child, you have been wronged."
Empress Dowager Qi thought that Shi Li deliberately avoided seeing Qi Rong because of her previous neglect.
After all, she had not expected that Xiao Jin would value Shi Li so much. Because she resented the fact that the former imperial concubine was more favored than herself, even though Shi Li had been in the palace for many days, she had never summoned her or given her any rewards.
But now, everyone in the palace knows that Xiao Jin loves his sister who he found with great difficulty, and gives her all the good things first.
If Qi Rong wants to win Xiao Jin's favor by entering the palace, establishing a good relationship with Shi Li is a shortcut.
"Queen Dowager, I am not wronged." Qi Rong's almond-shaped eyes flickered and her voice was soft.
She had been brought up according to the same standards as Empress Dowager Qi since she was a child. She knew better than anyone that before she really reached that position, she had to endure any grievances and unwillingness.
Even if Princess Nan'an didn't want to see her today, she had to put on a graceful smile to the palace servant who delivered the message, and not reveal anything that could cause criticism.
"Our Rong'er has always been a sensible child." Queen Mother Qi ruffled her hair with satisfaction and smiled lovingly, "It's okay. It will be the same when I ask her to come here tomorrow."
Queen Mother Qi felt that as long as she took the initiative to show goodwill, Shi Li would definitely let bygones be bygones.
"Miss Qi is gone?"
Although Shi Li was very confident in Yueying's work, she couldn't help but ask a question after she came back.
Yueying nodded, "I said the princess is resting, Miss Qi is very polite."
Shi Li let out a light sigh, raised her head and couldn't help but chuckle, her eyes curved into two thin crescents, making people happy at the first sight.
"Yueying, you're so nice."
[The anchor looks so cute! I want to raise him! ]
[To be honest, I also want to raise one. 】
[Am I the only one who thinks the anchor is the group’s favorite? The emperor loves her, Yueying loves her too, jealousy makes me split apart T T]
The style of the live broadcast room is the same as always, totally out of tune.
No matter how big or small the events in the palace were, they could not be hidden from Xiao Jin.
When the palace maid came to report, Xiao Jin was discussing matters with his ministers in the Imperial Library.
This minister happened to be Lord Shao Quan, whose arrow wound had not yet healed but who felt he was able to function again.
Hearing that Qi Rong failed to meet Shi Li and went back to Chang'an Palace, Xiao Jin snorted, "These people always like to make trouble. Don't you think so, Wen Yu?"
The man who was named was slightly stunned.
He was distracted just now.
I only heard the palace servants talking about Princess Nan'an, and didn't hear anything about what Xiao Jin said next.
"Oh, it's rare to see you so absent-minded." Xiao Jin didn't seem surprised and casually handed him the memorial he had just mentioned.
"Let's do this as you say... away from the eyes and ears of the Prime Minister. It's getting late, you can have lunch in the palace, I have something to tell you later."
Outside the court, Xiao Jin did not treat Shao Quan as an outsider.
However, he did not stay to have dinner with Shao Quan. Seeing that it was getting late, he hurried to Yuli Palace.
If I go there at this time, I can have lunch with my sister.
Xiao Jin had a good idea.
His imperial sister is the cutest. He can eat several more bites when dining with her!