Mei Qingxue's heart was in a turmoil of emotions. She had been fooling around in the prince's mansion all day and even forgot to ask Du Gu Qing to take her back to the prime minister's mansion to visit her family. Although the two families were just a stone's throw away, they couldn't visit each other openly. As a married daughter, she couldn't even take a step into her own family's gate even if she could see it clearly.
"Qing, accompany me back to my parents' home more often." She missed her father, mother, elder brother and her small courtyard.
"Sure." Du Gu Qing held her small hand. Silly girl, that was a matter of course. He also liked the prime minister's mansion very much. Not because Mei Zhenguo was the prime minister, but because they were his father - in - law and mother - in - law. He chewed the words "father - in - law" and "mother - in - law" in his mouth several times and said in a voice close to a murmur, "I miss our mother's soup."
It was the most delicious soup he had ever drunk in his life.
Mei Qingxue knew that the children in the palace didn't grow up with their biological mothers. Compared with Du Gu Qing, she was still lucky. She grabbed Du Gu Qing's big hand with her backhand and said, "Silly boy, I'm so happy with you that I even forgot my own parents. It's all your fault."
Hearing Mei Qingxue's half - angry and half - complaining words, Du Gu Qing's face returned to normal.
"We're almost there. It's just past the imperial garden ahead."
"Should we pay our respects to the princess consort?" Mei Qingxue asked.
She didn't want her mother - in - law to catch her on a small mistake of etiquette and then speak ill of her in front of her son. Since ancient times, mother - in - law and daughter - in - law had always been natural enemies, and their relationship could never be truly harmonious.
"That's why I asked you to go through the imperial garden. At this time, the princess consort and other imperial concubines must be there." Du Gu Qing said with a big smile.
Once they entered the palace, or rather, once there was a third person around, he became the sickly prince with a pale face again. He was really good at acting.
Thinking of the poison on Du Gu Qing, Mei Qingxue blamed herself for being careless. Before, she had been busy with the flood in the south, sending the people's hard - earned money there to relieve the poor, but she had forgotten that there was someone beside her who needed her care.
As they were walking forward, several beautiful ladies in palace costumes appeared in front of them. At the end of a winding bridge, there were several figures in the waterside pavilion. Mei Qingxue had seen them from afar.
Du Gu Qing whispered an introduction, "The one in purple is Concubine Yu, the biological mother of the third prince. The one in red is Concubine Yue, the biological mother of the eldest prince. The rest are concubines of lower ranks. Just greet them casually. Being too enthusiastic will arouse suspicion."
"Got it."
As they were talking, they had reached the bridge. Mei Qingxue looked at her clothes nervously and said, "Am I dressed too simply? Even the maids of the imperial concubines are better dressed than me."
"The sixth princess consort is unique!"
The two of them walked rather slowly. People knew it was the well - known sickly prince, so they didn't mind. Concubine Yue covered her mouth with a palace fan and said, "Sister Concubine Qin, how long has it been since you came out to gather with us sisters?"
Everyone knew that Concubine Qin was out of favor, but no one would mention her name. Concubine Qin's face remained calm. A hint of smile flashed in Concubine Yu's eyes. Concubine Yue was such a brainless fool. Even though she disliked Concubine Qin, who had once been the most favored in the harem, she wouldn't dare to suppress her. A concubine who could be the most favored in the harem and with the position of queen still vacant, there must be something behind it.
"Sister Concubine Yue is wrong. If it weren't for His Majesty being here today, I wouldn't have come either. Eating and drinking, isn't it the same everywhere?" Concubine Yu's words made Concubine Qin have a bit of a good impression of her. However, she didn't like to associate with the people in the harem, from the very beginning... to the end!
"Sister Concubine Yue is right. I really don't go out much. It's my fault."
Hearing Concubine Qin's words, Concubine Yue felt like she had punched into a cotton pile. She had strength but nowhere to use it.
"Sister, it seems that Qing'er has improved a lot. Is it because he's happy with his princess consort?" Concubine Yu pretended to laugh. Concubine Qin turned her head and saw the couple coming hand in hand. The smile on her face deepened a bit.
Her eyes fell on Mei Qingxue's belly. It would be even more perfect if her daughter - in - law could have a baby earlier.
"Yes, Qing'er is indeed better than before."
"Greetings to Your Highness Concubine Yue and Your Highness Concubine Yu." The two of them bowed to Concubine Yue and Concubine Yu one by one, and then turned to Concubine Qin and bowed together, "Is mother well?"
"Get up! There's no need for so many etiquettes." Concubine Yue waved her hand impatiently. A hint of disgust flashed in Concubine Yu's eyes. Even the concubines of lower ranks behind them were angry but dared not speak.
According to the etiquette, although their ranks were lower, they were still entitled to receive the bow of the prince. But Concubine Yue's words blocked them.
Mei Qingxue was sharp - eyed. She had seen the looks in their eyes. After paying respects to Concubine Qin, when Mei Qingxue stood beside Concubine Qin, she gave them a helpless smile. It wasn't that she didn't want to pay respects, but Concubine Yue was suppressing them. In this era, a higher rank really meant overpowering others.
"Sixth princess consort, you've been married for a while. Why haven't you conceived yet? Is it...?" Concubine Yue couldn't keep quiet for even half a minute.
Mei Qingxue was speechless. Had she been married for a long time? It had only been a few months, less than a hundred days in total. Was she going to question Du Gu Qing's manhood again?
"Your Highness Concubine Yue, I'm still young!" Mei Qingxue lowered her head and smiled. She thought she looked quite shy, but unfortunately, Concubine Yue wasn't in the mood to appreciate it.
"You're not young anymore. I was only fifteen when I was pregnant with Jue'er." Concubine Yu said.
The women here took pride in giving birth early. Didn't they know about prenatal and postnatal care? Mei Qingxue really wanted to yell at them, "Gossips! Busybodies! Why do you care about everything? Do you want to ask how many days I've had my first period?"
Mei Qingxue had a little internal rant and then quickly said with a lowered head and a docile look, "It's my duty as a daughter - in - law to bear children. I'll never forget it." It was a soft counter - attack...
"The sixth princess consort has a sharp tongue." Concubine Yue sneered. She understood what Mei Qingxue meant, but there was nothing wrong with her words.
Mei Qingxue gave a shy smile. Playing dumb always worked!
"Your Highnesses, His Majesty requests your presence." Since they were of the same rank, the eunuch beside the emperor, Father Tang, called them all together. Anyway, he didn't need to curry favor with them.
Hearing Father Tang's words, Concubine Yue gritted her teeth in hatred. But that Tang guy was a favorite in front of the emperor, and she still had to flatter him.
"Sixth prince and sixth princess consort, His Majesty requests your presence." Although Du Gu Qing was a sickly prince, he was still a royal heir, so Father Tang wouldn't show any bias.
"Thank you, Father, for leading the way." Mei Qingxue had a sweet mouth. Just a casual word made Father Tang have a good impression of her.
"That's my duty. Please watch your step."
Father Tang had a good impression of Mei Qingxue. Although she was just the wife of an out - of - favor prince, her maternal family couldn't be underestimated. He, Father Tang, was very discerning. Those who treated him courteously would surely be treated well by him. In the palace, although he seemed to be in a glorious position, everyone bullied him for being a eunuch. On the surface, they called him Father Tang or Chief Tang, seemingly very affectionate, but he was sure they had cursed him hundreds of times in their hearts.
The sixth princess consort was definitely different. She was a wonderful person!
The eldest prince and the third prince had already been in the banquet hall with the emperor for quite a while. When they saw everyone coming in, they quickly paid their respects. Mei Qingxue looked over and found that Du Gu Ming, who had been under house arrest for a few days, didn't look haggard at all. It seemed that he had been living quite comfortably during those days.
Du Gu Jue's face was a bit stiff. He had been so sure that he would be the crown prince, but he didn't expect Du Gu Ming to be restored so quickly and without any sign.
At this moment, he was extremely angry, but he still had to put on a smiling face. Mei Qingxue understood this kind of person's mind best. They were so hypocritical. Seeing a group of women fluttering in to pay their respects to the emperor, after they finished their coquetry, Du Gu Qing and Mei Qingxue stepped forward to pay their respects.
"I was wondering where my youngest son had gone. So he took the small path through the imperial garden."
"Yes, Father. I thought mother must be there enjoying the flowers, so I thought I'd take a chance. I didn't expect all the ladies to be there!" Du Gu Qing bowed and said, his eyes looking at the ground. No one knew what he was thinking.
"Blind one! Hurry up and set a seat for the sixth prince." Du Gu You turned to the eunuch beside him. Father Tang nodded at an eunuch, and soon a comfortable chair was brought. Mei Qingxue gently helped Du Gu Qing sit down.
Only then did Du Gu You talk about the purpose of today's palace banquet.
"One reason is that we should get together well. It's been a long time... since we've been so complete."
"Another reason is that Ming'er has been under house arrest for some time and has repented a lot. Let's give him a welcome banquet."
Hearing Du Gu You's words, Mei Qingxue wasn't surprised. As she had expected, it was really a banquet for the restoration of the eldest prince.
Du Gu Jue's face became even more unpleasant, but he quickly hid his expression. His face became the same as everyone else's in the hall.
"Since it's a family banquet, I have something to ask Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Du Gu You raised his eyebrows and looked at his youngest daughter - in - law with interest.
Mei Qingxue bowed gracefully and said, "I'd like Your Majesty to give your kind words."
Mei Qingxue had built up enough suspense. In fact, Du Gu You had already guessed what the topic was. Talking to the smart Mei Qingxue was really a pleasant thing.
"Just tell us quickly. You're making us anxious." Concubine Yue couldn't hold her tongue any longer. All eyes secretly turned to her. Realizing her rudeness, Concubine Yue quickly shut up. A hint of displeasure flashed across Du Gu You's face, but it disappeared in an instant.
"I think the third daughter of Lord Luo Kaiming, the official scribe, is both beautiful and virtuous. She's still unmarried and is a perfect match for my elder brother in the family. I beg Your Majesty..."
Du Gu You burst into laughter. Originally, he had given her two choices. According to his prediction, she would surely choose one of them. As long as she chose the right one, he would let the Mei family off.
Who would have thought that the sly little thing didn't choose either. Today, she took the initiative to choose Lord Luo Kaiming. That official scribe only had an official rank in the court but no real power. Having such a in - law family, the Mei family wouldn't get any real help. But why did this little girl make such a choice?
"Oh? When did the Miss Luo catch the eye of the sixth princess consort?"
"Before I got married, I had heard of the Miss's talent. Although she's not as good as me, she's still quite good." Mei Qingxue boasted about herself shamelessly, putting herself first in the world and Miss Luo second.