The two people in the Qianyuan Hall were completely unaware of the plans of the Queen and the Empress Dowager. They only knew that it was an ordinary dinner invited by the Empress Dowager.
Here, Di Yunjian was still holding the charming woman in his arms. Seeing that there was still an unresolved knot between her eyebrows, his heart softened considerably.
As the sun was setting in the west, it was almost time for dinner.
Di Yunjian had been holding the woman in his arms all afternoon, patiently reading half a book to her and the child in her belly.
Yan Qingshu enjoyed listening so much that she cheerfully brewed a cup of scented tea and served it to him attentively.
"Your Majesty, it's almost getting dark," Yan Qingshu said, glancing out of the window. It was already autumn, and the sky got dark quickly.
Hearing this, Di Yunjian tilted his head and took a glance. He took a sip of tea and ordered outside, "Li Dahai, prepare the imperial sedan chair!"
"Follow behind me later. Don't be nervous, you know?" Di Yunjian whispered instructions. He knew that the girl in front of him was naturally timid.
Sure enough, the girl nodded timidly. "Your servant is not nervous. Your servant just respects the Empress Dowager."
Di Yunjian pinched her cheek and asked someone to put a wind - blocking cloak on her. Then he took her out of the Qianyuan Hall.
Before leaving, with a cold look like the bleak winter wind, he swept his eyes over the several eunuchs who served him closely in the Qianyuan Hall and said coldly, "When did Concubine Zhen come today?"
As soon as the words fell, a quick - tongued little eunuch blurted out, "Your Majesty, she came before lunch."
Hearing this crisp answer, Di Yunjian sneered. His knife - like eyes fell on Li Dahai beside him.
"You're really getting better at handling affairs," he said, then looked at the little eunuch who had just spoken. "Since you can't learn to keep your mouth shut, let your master teach you well."
"Drag him out," Di Yunjian said, rubbing the imperial green jade ring on his thumb. His handsome eyebrows showed a serious and cold look, and his imperial dignity, which could not be ignored, was fully displayed at this moment.
So this was how the Emperor's mood could change unpredictably in the midst of a conversation.
A chill ran through Yan Qingshu's heart. Today, she had been arrogant because of the Emperor's favor. She mustn't be like this in the future.
Di Yunjian, who didn't know Yan Qingshu's thoughts, blamed Li Dahai in his heart.
For those who served in the Emperor's presence, the most important thing was to keep their mouths shut. If they could do so, they could survive in the palace.
Li Dahai also knew that the Emperor was angry. He quickly directed people to take the little eunuch away for a beating.
In the Emperor's presence, those with quick tongues were not tolerated. Today it was Concubine Zhen, but if this guy casually leaked state affairs tomorrow, even the nine generations of his family would not be enough to atone for the crime.
Seeing this, the other little eunuchs bent their bodies even lower. "Concubine Zhen was in the Qianyuan Hall for only about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. It was the Emperor who specifically asked Father - in - law Li to pick her up. Now they are about to go to the Empress Dowager's palace for dinner."
Hearing this, Di Yunjian's expression softened a little.
He turned around and got into the imperial sedan chair, then reached out his hand to Yan Qingshu.
"Your Majesty... This is the imperial sedan chair. Your servant..." Yan Qingshu was a little embarrassed. It was a bit unreasonable to ride in the same sedan chair with the Emperor openly.
"Don't be afraid. There are curtains on the sedan chair, and others can't see inside. There's also your sedan chair behind," Di Yunjian motioned for her to look behind. She saw that there was a much smaller sedan chair following the imperial sedan chair, also with curtains, and it really couldn't be seen clearly.
Only then did she smilingly put her hand on his broad palm.
There was a moment of dizziness, and when she came to her senses, she was tightly held in his arms.
After making sure that both of them were seated stably, the imperial sedan chair headed towards the Cining Palace.
All the way, Di Yunjian held the woman in his arms tightly, afraid that the autumn wind would blow her away. Otherwise, she would get sick again, which would make him feel heart - ache for a long time.
They had a smooth journey and soon arrived at the Cining Palace.
Di Yunjian specifically asked the sedan chair to stop dozens of steps away from the Cining Palace. After getting off the sedan chair with Yan Qingshu, they walked into the Cining Palace hand in hand.
The Cining Palace was brightly lit. When the eunuchs and maids saw them coming, they all knelt down to pay their respects.
"Greetings to Your Majesty. Greetings to Concubine Zhen!"
Di Yunjian didn't even look at them. He casually waved his hand and led Yan Qingshu into the palace.
Yan Qingshu secretly glanced at the man beside her and saw that his expression was rarely relaxed and dependent.
Presumably, the Emperor had had a good time under the Empress Dowager's care when he was a child.
In the main hall, the Empress Dowager had already had the meals prepared. The table was full of dishes that Di Yunjian liked.
"Mother," Di Yunjian said. Hearing his voice, the maids in the hall quickly curtsied.
Di Yunjian lifted his robe and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.
Yan Qingshu also tactfully withdrew her hand and knelt in the hall to pay a grand salute to the Empress Dowager.
"Your servant, Yan of the Concubine rank from the Guanghan Hall, wishes the Empress Dowager good health and eternal happiness!" She bowed and knelt on the ground, showing perfect respect.
"Good, good. Get up," the Empress Dowager said with a smile that could not be hidden in her eyes. She looked at the two of them with satisfaction.
When her eyes fell on Yan Qingshu, her expression froze for a moment, but in an instant, she put on a kind smile again.
"Quickly sit down," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.
"You've been back for so long, but you haven't had dinner with me, Emperor. Finally, you're free today," the Empress Dowager waved her hand and asked someone to bring a pot of wine.
"This is the special medicinal wine in the palace. It can strengthen your body. Have a few cups later. Otherwise, I'm worried about your health. You've been staying up late to review memorials every day," the Empress Dowager pointed at the precious liquor in the wine pot and seriously instructed.
"Yes, Your son understands," Di Yunjian had always been filial and never disobeyed the Empress Dowager on small matters.
"Let's all start eating!"
The Empress Dowager said and took the first bite. Yan Qingshu waited for the Emperor beside her to start eating, and then she began to have dinner.
Di Yunjian saw that there were many dishes on the table that Yan Qingshu liked, so he picked a lot and put them in her bowl.
"Concubine Zhen, how many months are you into your pregnancy?" the Empress Dowager asked, glancing at her belly.
"Your servant is just six months pregnant, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," Yan Qingshu slightly raised her head and answered with a gentle smile.
"For twins, you must be more careful. I've had the blood bird's nest stewed for you. Drink some quickly," the Empress Dowager asked Dongyun beside her to bring the warm bird's nest.
Yan Qingshu nodded with a smile. "Your servant thanks the Empress Dowager."
"Why be so polite? You've extended the imperial family's line for the Emperor. You're a great contributor to the royal family. I'm really happy in my heart," seeing that she was still so polite, the Empress Dowager pretended to be a little angry and deliberately pulled a long face.
"Don't be so polite. Eat your food," the Empress Dowager said and personally picked a chopstick of food for her.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Yan Qingshu blushed shyly and picked up a spoon to take a mouthful of the blood bird's nest.
Di Yunjian saw this and his heart was filled with happiness.
Since his mother died, he had been raised by the Empress Dowager, who had carefully taught him. Now that the woman he loved could get along so well with the Empress Dowager, he felt warm in his heart.
Thinking of this, he picked food for both the Empress Dowager and Yan Qingshu beside him.
This dinner had truly become an ordinary family dinner.