Her words unexpectedly won the approval of Lady Nangong for a moment. After all, Lady Nangong didn't want any interruption when criticizing the younger generation.
But Concubine Chu seemed to turn a deaf ear to their words. She just kept saying, "Adoptive mother, you'll surely know who your real family is one day."
After saying that, she burst into a wild laugh and then turned away from the two of them.
Lady Nangong was completely confused. Although she didn't understand the meaning of Concubine Chu's words, she was greatly displeased with Concubine Chu's attitude. So she whispered a curse at her.
Then she said to Concubine Shun, "Shun'er, don't always look so weak and easy to be bullied."
Hearing this, Concubine Shun just lowered her head and softly responded with an "um", her eyes dropping very low.
Lady Nangong felt angry seeing her like this. After looking behind her, she asked in confusion, "Where's Nanny Dong? Why isn't she with you on such an important occasion!"
When Concubine Shun heard the name "Nanny Dong", her expression changed. The momentary look of pain was even noticed by Lady Nangong, who was usually rather insensitive.
"What happened to Nanny Dong? What happened to you two in the palace?!" she asked.
But the woman in front of her just lowered her head with a sorrowful expression and said nothing.
Seeing that she didn't answer, Lady Nangong became even angrier. For a moment, she showed her usual arrogance at home and raised her hand to strike.
Just as her palm was about to land on Concubine Shun's face, a male voice came from behind them.
"Prince Nanping pays respects to Concubine Shun."
Unexpectedly, it was Helian Rong!
He had been chatting with the ministers about state affairs nearby. But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed what was going on here. Seeing the old woman getting angrier and angrier and about to hit someone, he stepped forward to stop her.
Concubine Shun was extremely surprised to see him coming. She still remembered that the last time she saw Helian Rong was at his victory celebration banquet, which was also the first time she met him.
Now he appeared again to help her out of trouble.
Lady Nangong didn't expect that she would attract Prince Nanping. For a moment, she felt a bit at a loss. She didn't know where to put the hand she had raised.
"Lady Nangong, did you raise your hand because you wanted to have some snacks?" Helian Rong asked, his tone cold, clearly dissatisfied with Lady Nangong's behavior.
"Ah—yes, yes, I want to eat the osmanthus cake over there. I just couldn't reach it for a moment." Lady Nangong forced a laugh and responded.
After all, the man in front of her had given her a reasonable way out, so she should take it without hesitation.
"Madam, I just saw your maid looking for you." he continued.
Lady Nangong understood what he meant, so she quickly replied, "Ah, yes, yes, I should go back. Hahaha, Concubine Shun, you must take good care of your health!"
She flattered Helian Rong and then gave Concubine Shun a threatening look as if warning her not to talk nonsense.
Concubine Shun just bowed slightly and said to the woman, "Take your time, aunt." Then she looked up at Helian Rong and said, "Thank you, Prince Nanping."
Helian Rong just smiled and nodded at the woman in front of him. Without asking any more questions, he turned around and left.
Concubine Shun watched the man's back gradually disappearing from her sight, and a warm feeling rose in her heart. It had been so long since someone had helped her out like this.
Sure enough, those who lack love will always be touched by the slightest kindness from others.
After Helian Rong blended into the crowd, he found an unremarkable corner and sat down.
Frequent chats with the ministers about state affairs inevitably made him feel tired.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh. He looked up at the woman sitting at the highest position.
Although his small corner seemed unremarkable, it allowed him to overlook the whole venue and clearly see the woman sitting at the highest position.
The woman was dressed in red. Instead of looking coquettish, the red dress made her look even more pure and out of the mundane. Her small face was delicate and charming.
That woman was Dongfang Yi. At this moment, she was sitting on her seat chatting with the concubines not far away, looking very happy.
Helian Rong couldn't help but curl his lips when he saw her. He always thought that she was so eye - catching no matter where she was.
Of course, Dongfang Yi, who was chatting merrily, didn't know that someone not far away was staring at her intently. Instead, her eyes kept wandering in the crowd, trying to find the trace of her mother.
Concubine Shu beside her seemed to understand what was on her mind. So she said, "Your Majesty, are you looking for Lady Dongfang?"
Dongfang Yi nodded with a slight frown.
Then she heard Concubine Shu continue, "I heard from my mother that Lady Dongfang is ill, so she couldn't come to the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet."
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi sighed regretfully. After all, they were her parents in this era. After organizing such a grand banquet, the first person she wanted to show off to should be her mother.
Concubine Shun beside her seemed to notice her disappointment. So she quietly stood up, took two quick steps to her side, bent down and whispered in her ear,
"Your Majesty, let's secretly go down the city wall and take a look!"
Dongfang Yi was startled at this suggestion. She didn't expect Concubine Shu to suddenly say such a thing. After all, she was a girl raised in a well - behaved and proper way in the inner chambers. She shouldn't be so adventurous.
But her suggestion was really tempting. So after thinking for a while, she poked Donghua beside her. The three of them quietly went down the city tower.
Although Helian Qi seemed to be chatting with the ministers, he had been paying attention to their movements. Seeing them suddenly running down the city tower together, he frowned tightly. Then he waved his hand and called Ru Yi over, saying, "Go and follow the Queen closely."
Ru Yi took the order and quickly ran down the city tower.
Not long after, Helian Qi dismissed all the ministers in front of him and walked down the city tower alone. He turned into a corner.
"Come out." he said to the empty air.
After a while, a masked man walked out from somewhere.
"What are your orders, my lord?" the man asked, clasping his fists.
"Protect the Queen well!" he said with a slight frown.
He knew that the banquet today was full of all kinds of people. There might be some ill - intentioned people mixed in. He still wasn't very relieved just sending Ru Yi alone.
The black - clothed man took the order and disappeared in front of him.
Helian Qi then quietly returned to the city tower.
After Dongfang Yi and the others all ran down the city tower, Donghua finally asked, "Your Majesty, what should I do?!"
Dongfang Yi winked and said, "Go and stroll around in the crowd."
As she said that, she pointed to the crowd of common people not far away, which looked extremely lively.
Concubine Shu beside her happily agreed, saying, "I heard that the lanterns on the Mid - Autumn Festival are very beautiful!"
Donghua frowned even tighter. But she couldn't run back up the city tower to tell the Emperor about this. So she had to sigh helplessly.
Concubine Shu seemed to understand what she was thinking. So she grabbed their hands and rushed in a certain direction.
"We have to change our outfits first."