The four of them were having a meal at the table. Concubine Shu said to Dongfang Yi sitting opposite her, "Your Majesty, I've also heard that it was Nanny Dong from Concubine Shun's palace who scared you this time."
After saying that, she even stopped eating. With a look of displeasure on her face, she then turned to Concubine Dong beside her and continued, "There must be more to this. In my opinion, it was Concubine Shun herself who did it and then made that nanny take the blame!"
She looked extremely indignant, as if this incident had happened to her.
Concubine Jia, who was listening to her, also said with a look of displeasure, "I think so too. After all, how could a mere nanny have such means?"
But Concubine Dong shook her head after hearing their words and expressed a different opinion.
"I think Concubine Shun looks quite submissive. Nanny Dong was originally an old servant of the Nangong Mansion. Could it be that someone from the Nangong Mansion wanted to harm Your Majesty?"
Dongfang Yi watched the women in front of her express their opinions one after another. Her heart warmed. Anyway, there were still people who cared about her. No matter for what reason, their speculations and concern at this moment were all for her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help lowering her head and chuckling a few times. Then she reached out her hand to pick up a piece of braised pork from the nearest dish and gave it to Concubine Shu, saying, "Stop making wild guesses. Just enjoy your meal in peace."
Concubine Shu beside her was shocked when she saw the Queen pick up food for her. It was already an unparalleled honor to dine with the Queen. The other women were also extremely surprised when they saw this action.
Dongfang Yi didn't expect that her simple action of picking up food would shock them so much. So she explained with a gentle smile, "I know you truly care about me, so I also want to dote on you!"
After saying that, she reached out her hand to pick up a chopstick of food for each of them in turn.
All three of them said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen!"
Suddenly, the whole dining table was filled with laughter and joy, and the harmonious atmosphere spread to every corner of the Queen's Palace.
"Your Majesty, I've heard that this Mid - Autumn Festival banquet will be very special!" Concubine Shu said.
Dongfang Yi then told them the specific details of this Mid - Autumn Festival banquet. Looking at their curious and expectant expressions, she suddenly felt a great sense of accomplishment.
After the meal, Concubine Shu and the other two left the Queen's Palace while chatting and laughing.
Dongfang Yi was in a great mood and decided to go out of the palace for a stroll to digest. She did as she thought. She took Donghua and headed for the Imperial Garden.
It was already autumn. The sky was clear and the autumn wind was blowing. Fortunately, she had put on a cloak when she went out of the palace, so she wasn't affected by the cold wind.
All the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden were in bloom. The colorful chrysanthemums were vying for beauty and looked extremely beautiful.
Dongfang Yi suddenly felt refreshed. She took a deep breath of the fresh air and thought to herself that in ancient times, there was hardly any pollution, and she didn't have to worry about getting sick when taking a deep breath.
As they were strolling, they came to a small pavilion. There was a small stream and a gravel path around the pavilion.
Suddenly, she got a playful idea. She bent down, took off her shoes, and ran onto the gravel path.
Donghua behind her saw her series of actions and couldn't help frowning and shouting, "Your Majesty, what are you doing? It's cold and you may get sick easily!"
But Dongfang Yi didn't seem to care at all. She even trotted back and told her, "Donghua, hurry up and take off your shoes too. It's so comfortable to walk on this gravel path."
Donghua was very skeptical about her words. Because Dongfang Yi clearly had a pained expression on her face. She couldn't help waving her hands and shaking her head to indicate that she didn't want to.
"Donghua, hurry up! I order you as the Queen to take off your shoes and come up." Dongfang Yi said seriously.
Donghua saw the serious look on the woman in front of her when giving the order. She knew that it was useless to refuse anymore. So she slowly took off her shoes and tentatively walked up.
At first, there was indeed pain in the soles of her feet. But since Donghua had been practicing martial arts all year round, her adaptability was extremely strong. She got used to the pain in a short while and even felt a kind of comfort.
Dongfang Yi also noticed the change in her expression and said with an expression of "I told you so", "It's comfortable, right? I didn't lie to you!"
Donghua then asked with a puzzled look on her face, "What on earth is going on?"
She just laughed twice and replied a bit slyly, "This is called - pain with pleasure! Hahaha!"
After saying that, she laughed so hard that she could hardly catch her breath. Donghua beside her looked at her in confusion, not knowing what was going on.
He Lianqi, who had just entered the Imperial Garden, heard the noise not long after he entered. After turning a corner, he saw Dongfang Yi playing with Donghua. The way she was laughing heartily seemed as if she had encountered something extremely pleasant.
He was used to taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden after finishing his official documents every night. Letting the wind blow seemed to make his mind clearer.
Unexpectedly, he would meet Dongfang Yi here today. Looking at her bare - footed on the gravel path, he also had a puzzled look on his face.
He didn't know why they were torturing themselves like this. Were they playing some game? Was this a form of punishment?
On the other hand, Dongfang Yi and Donghua were fully enjoying themselves. Although their facial expressions looked like they were being tortured, they actually felt that their blood was flowing more smoothly.
"Your Majesty, this is so comfortable!" Donghua said.
Donghua didn't expect this to have such a great effect on her. Then she thought that this was more effective for those who were more tired. Thinking that she was always running around in the palace every day and was the most likely to be tired.
So she said to Dongfang Yi with a smile, "Why don't we just pave a gravel path in the Queen's Palace so that we can walk on it every day."
Donghua happily agreed after hearing this. For a moment, the atmosphere between the two became very harmonious, and their laughter echoed in the quiet Imperial Garden.
He Lianqi, who was silently hiding aside, still couldn't figure out what they were doing, but he couldn't just walk over and ask.
A bitter feeling welled up in his heart. He smiled bitterly to himself. He was the Emperor, and he should be able to do whatever he wanted. But now, for a woman, he had to be so cautious in everything he did.
But looking at the woman laughing and playing with Donghua not far away, the carefree and happy look on her face, so innocent and pure, made him unable to feel any dislike.
He just wanted to keep looking at her smiling face. After all, her smile was so beautiful that it seemed to outshine the whole world.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help lowering his head and smiling softly. Then he turned around and left. He headed back in the direction of Chengqian Palace.
There will be plenty of time for just the two of us, won't there? If love between both sides can last for aye, why need they stay together night and day?