How about it?
Of course not.
Madam Qin fell to the ground. The two maids beside her clearly followed Lan Miao's orders, and none of them thought of helping her up.
She could only groan a few times, support herself on the ground, and slowly get up.
The look in her eyes when she looked at Lan Miao had changed from disgust and hatred to fear.
Lan Miao had changed.
She was no longer someone who could be easily manipulated.
She seemed to have nothing, but who knew what her relationship with the emperor was?
Madam Qin finally softened her attitude.
Deep in her always cold eyes, there showed a softness and pleading that had never been seen before.
She pleaded bitterly.
"Lan Miao, you are after all a member of the Lan family. For the sake of you and Xin'er both having the surname Lan, please help your younger sister. I won't force you to plead with the emperor now, but... if you have the chance to meet the emperor, please say a few good words for Lan Xin, okay?"
Only after such a scene did Madam Qin start to treat her like a person and talk to her properly.
Lan Miao originally wanted to tell Madam Qin what Lan Xin had once said to her, but because of Madam Qin's outburst, she didn't want to say it anymore.
If she did, Madam Qin would only think she was showing off.
Lan Miao's expression was cold and calm. She remained silent and only nodded slightly.
Then she turned around and walked into the room, ignoring Madam Qin.
Madam Qin was rebuffed and speechless.
"Madam Lan, please go back. Lady Lan doesn't want to see you now."
Han Bi bowed respectfully as usual and invited Madam Qin to go back.
Madam Qin had no choice but to turn around and leave dejectedly.
She had made such a big fool of herself today and lost all her face. Madam Qin gritted her teeth, patted the dust off her body, tidied her clothes, and resumed her image of a virtuous and proper woman.
Led by a little maid, Madam Qin left the harem unwillingly.
After Han Bi and Yan Hong saw Madam Qin leave, they immediately went in to report to Lan Miao.
"Lady Lan, your mother has gone back."
"I see. Please don't tell the emperor about this."
Lan Miao smiled calmly.
There was still a kind and gentle smile on her face. There was no sign of the imposing manner and persistence when she had pushed Madam Qin down just now.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing their surprised looks, Lan Miao said with a smile.
"I didn't expect Lady to be so strong. We really couldn't tell at all." Han Bi said in surprise.
"I work with jade. How can I carve jade well if I'm not strong? I've just practiced my hand strength before, so I'm a bit stronger than ordinary people."
Seeing that they were all very curious, Lan Miao explained.
"Lady Lan is really amazing."
Han Bi praised and then bowed with Yan Hong and left.
After they left, Lan Miao was the only one left in Acacia Pavilion.
But she could no longer calm her mind.
Something must have happened after she got drunk on the night of the Rare Stone Banquet. She had asked Han Bi and Yan Hong, but they didn't know anything either. They only knew that the emperor had stayed with the drunk her all night.
Lan Xin was detained in the palace by the emperor.
There must be something wrong in between.
Lan Xin had once boasted in front of her that the emperor had taken a fancy to her and told her not to go back to the mansion and affect her reputation. She was probably the one who had said something wrong to the emperor and offended him.
In this case, who could save her?
Lan Miao was not a fool.
Nor was she a saint who would repay evil with good.
If she had the chance, at most she would go and find out what had happened clearly, but she wouldn't risk her life to plead with the emperor, nor would she waste the promise the emperor had given her.
Madam Qin should learn her lesson after going back today.
Even if the Lan Mansion wanted to use her, they had to weigh their own strength.
After such a scene, Lan Miao's heart calmed down instead.
She had already decided how to answer the emperor.
After making the decision, she carefully polished the Kongshan jade in her hand. Now carving this piece of jade well was her top priority. She always had a premonition that what had happened yesterday might have made the imperial concubine bear a grudge against her. She didn't know how the imperial concubine would make things difficult for her in the future.
Lan Miao looked at the crystal - clear jade in her hand.
It was gradually taking shape under her carving.
Maybe the imperial concubine would start with this jade.
Before she knew it, it was evening.
Suddenly, the childish voice of Xue'er came from outside the door. Lan Miao, who had been carving jade all day, was shocked. Why did Xue'er come here?
She gently put down the jade in her hand.
She walked out of the room.
Sure enough, it was Xue'er outside, wearing a student's clothes. She was standing at the door, looking so small. The Heir Apparent of Li was standing beside her, a bit taller than her. He had delicate features and was dressed in gorgeous brocade, a golden robe.
Behind them, there were four maids.
Each of them was gentle and elegant. Judging from their clothes and costumes, they should all be maids from the Qi State.
"Mother, Yu Jia has something to do today and won't rest in the Cining Palace. I've come to find you."
"Come in quickly. It's so cold outside. Are you tired after walking such a long way?" A mist welled up in Lan Miao's eyes. She bent down and held Xue'er's little hand.
There was a warm feeling in her palm.
"I'm not tired. The Heir Apparent of Li sent me back. I sat in his sedan chair. It was very big and comfortable."
Xue'er's black eyes were shining. She looked extremely happy.
Lan Miao turned her eyes to the Heir Apparent of Li, who was dressed so gorgeously, and gave a gentle smile. "Thank you, Heir Apparent of Li, for sending Xue'er back. You've worked hard."
When the Heir Apparent of Li met Lan Miao's gentle eyes, he felt his heart skip a beat.
Ah, Xue'er's mother was so beautiful.
No wonder she could give birth to such a beautiful daughter as Xue'er.
The usually eloquent little heir apparent stood there stunned at this moment and couldn't bear to look away.
"Xue'er's mother, you're so beautiful..."
Being stared at so directly, Lan Miao felt a bit embarrassed and laughed softly. "The Heir Apparent of Li is also very good - looking, just like the princess."
"Heir Apparent of Li, come in and sit for a while. Thank you for sending Xue'er back." Lan Miao stepped aside and led Xue'er into the room.
Only then did the Heir Apparent of Li come to his senses.
His tone returned to one full of joy and banter.
"No need. I still have to go back and report to my mother. In a few days, my mother will hold a banquet for you and Xue'er in the palace. At that time, I will personally come with the servants to pick up Xue'er."
"A banquet in the palace?"
Lan Miao hesitated.
"Xue'er saved me. Please don't decline." The Heir Apparent of Li behaved like a little adult and said politely.
This made Lan Miao feel embarrassed to refuse.
"Okay..."
Lan Miao nodded in agreement. Xue'er also obediently waved goodbye to the Heir Apparent of Li.
Then the Heir Apparent of Li left gracefully, surrounded by the maids, just like a butterfly spreading its wings.
Back in the room.
Xue'er and Lan Miao had dinner happily together. During the meal, Xue'er mentioned the Heir Apparent of Li. She raised her face and asked in doubt,
"That Heir Apparent of Li always said thank you to me. I felt so embarrassed."
"... He is also a smart kid."
Lan Miao laughed and picked up a fragrant sparerib for Xue'er.
"Well... He also said he would take me back to the Qi State and marry me as his heir - apparent's consort."
"Pfft..."
Lan Miao's eyes widened instantly. She couldn't help spitting out. Fortunately, there was no food in her mouth.
Xue'er quickly put down the chopsticks in her hand, took a handkerchief for Lan Miao, rushed into Lan Miao's arms, and said with big watery eyes, "Mother, don't worry. I've already rejected the Heir Apparent of Li. I don't want to go to the Qi State, and I don't want to leave you."
"I just want to be with you forever."