Chapter 435 Hello, hey, hey! I'm the Queen Mother. Who are you?
Now in the Xian Dynasty, the ruler is weak and the ministers are strong.
All the ambitious ministers in the court were secretly observing and testing Qi Changchuan's reaction.
If civil officials want to truly gain power, they must cooperate with powerful military generals.
Qi Changchuan is now the most popular figure in Xian Dynasty.
With his outstanding military achievements accumulated in the Southern Region in recent years and holding half of the military power in the Xian Dynasty, no one dared to stand up and oppose him even if he wanted to become the regent who was second only to the emperor.
But Qi Changchuan is very low-key.
After returning to the imperial capital, except for the one time when His Majesty hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome him, he spent most of his time in seclusion, making it difficult to predict his whereabouts.
"His mind is so cunning that it is incomparable to ordinary people."
Many old officials who have served in the court for many years say this.
There were also many spies lurking around the general's mansion.
Finally one day, the quiet general's mansion began to change.
The servants and the soldiers who followed Qi Changchuan back from the Southern Region were very busy every day, going out early and returning late.
The spies carefully inquired for a while and came to an incredible conclusion -
Qi Changchuan is preparing gifts for the Empress Dowager's Centenary Festival next month.
The news was unbelievable to the people who placed the spies.
Why should a general who holds great power treat a young empress dowager with great respect?
Even if you wanted to save face, you wouldn't spend a fortune to buy all the South China Sea corals and North Sea pearls, right?
Isn't this too much of a show?
Only a very small number of people with excellent memories vaguely recalled that Qi Changchuan had been seriously injured on the battlefield several years ago, and after returning, he seemed to have stayed in the Shi Mansion for some time to recuperate.
Could it be that this is really the reason?
"Humph, I think he has other intentions than drinking."
Only one person, after hearing the news, held onto his chair and snorted coldly.
"He just wanted to please the little girl from the Shi family. Back then..."
Taifu Su came out of the palace. He was in a very bad mood as he had been waiting for many days but saw no news about the selection of concubines or the establishment of the queen from the palace.
Just at this time, news came that the General's Mansion was purchasing a large number of gifts for the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
But as I get older, my spirits sometimes fail, and I didn’t notice at all that a pink skirt flashed by outside the door while I was saying this.
The imperial palace also attaches great importance to Queen Mother Qianqiu.
After all, Zhou Youning is back, and the eldest princess should not be underestimated. She takes the lead in valuing her, and others dare not neglect her.
Even the young emperor Zhou Chenghao took it very seriously and arranged for the Ministry of Rites to make the ceremony grand many days in advance.
On the contrary, the person involved didn't care at all and spent the whole day eating and waiting to die in Chengyang Palace.
"Her Majesty, please take a look. The Ministry of Rites has sent us two sets of newly made clothes. Which one do you like?"
Xin Tang came in with two palace maids holding clothes and asked her to take a look with a smile.
Shi Li was sitting on the chaise longue, hugging a warm hand warmer and flipping through a storybook. She was almost asleep, but when she saw two sets of gorgeous clothes shining with golden light in front of her, she woke up immediately.
Thinking of Qi Changchuan's serious face last time, he shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, it's too unfashionable. If Qi... outsiders see it, they will definitely say that I am extravagant!"
Although she changed her words at the last minute, the sound of "Qi" had already been uttered. Xin Tang looked at her strangely, "What did you want to say, Your Majesty?"
"No, no, it's nothing. I like to dress simply. Let's put these two sets away for now." Shi Li shook her head like a rattle.
Xin Tang was helpless, but still followed her wishes and waved to the two palace maids holding clothes, signaling them to leave first.
She felt that what the Queen Mother wanted to say just now was not "outsider" but "Qi Changchuan", but how could she say that the Queen Mother was extravagant?
Three days before the Empress Dowager's centenary, according to custom, all the ladies of state and noble families had to enter the palace.
Because they were reprimanded by the emperor last time, no one dared to excuse themselves from coming this time. Even some people who were really ill had to rush to the palace to congratulate them.
There were too many people, so Shi Li had to summon them in several batches.
It was almost evening when a group of noble ladies led by Su Yanshi entered the palace to offer congratulations.
The sunset filled the sky outside Chengyang Palace.
"Congratulations, Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
Su Yanshi was dressed very beautifully today, with delicate makeup on her face and a very beautiful flower ornament on her forehead.
But for some reason, Shi Li sensed a hint of hostility from her.