Hearing the scream, Huo Xiaoxiao quickly untied the silk ribbon covering her eyes. After seeing that both the Princess Consort of Ning and Lady Xuan were unharmed, she heaved a sigh of relief.
When she heard the scream, she thought she had accidentally hurt the Princess Consort of Ning. Whether the emperor and the others blamed her or not, she would never forgive herself.
Having been in the palace for many years, she had only remained a Lady-in-Waiting. This was because she had no interest in the power struggles in the harem. Even though she was deeply in love with the emperor, she always suppressed her feelings. She was afraid that any wrong move on her part might bring trouble to the Huo family.
However, she knew very well who was kind to her and who was not.
Although she didn't know what the Princess Consort of Ning's intentions were, she had indeed helped her by going with the flow. She was grateful for this kindness.
At this moment, Chu Qing's casual remark that she had accidentally sprained her ankle instantly silenced the entire hall.
Everyone looked at Chu Qing, who was standing there leisurely, and then at Lady Xuan, who was sitting on the ground, pale with fright and looking extremely disheveled.
"Pfft!" Finally, the emperor's soft chuckle broke the silence.
"My Lady Wan is truly amazing! Shooting an apple blindfolded! She can be said to be the number one archer among the women of the Great Chu. Even among the men, she would surely rank among the top few!" The emperor was beaming with joy. He couldn't believe he had only just discovered this outstanding woman.
"Princess Consort of Ning!" Lady Xuan, who had been in a daze from the shock, suddenly regained her senses. With a furious look on her face, she stood up and walked up to Chu Qing.
They had clearly agreed that she would block the arrow for her, but she had dodged at the last moment!
Chu Qing blinked her eyes innocently. "I did stand in front of you. But when I saw the arrow being shot, I got a bit scared and lost my balance. I sprained my ankle and ended up moving to the side. Isn't that just a coincidence?"
Hearing this last sentence, Lady Xuan was almost on the verge of fainting from anger! If she still didn't realize that Chu Qing had been luring her into a trap and playing tricks on her from the very beginning, then all her years in the palace would have been in vain!
Unable to bear being toyed with like this, Lady Xuan looked at the emperor with a wronged expression and cried, "Your Majesty, you must avenge me! The Princess Consort of Ning has gone too far! She clearly promised to stand in front of me, but then she dodged and left me to face the arrow alone!"
Chu Qing frowned. She felt that there was something wrong with what Lady Xuan had said. Soon, she burst out laughing.
"Lady Xuan, your words make it sound as if I'm a heartless lover who has abandoned you," Chu Qing said without hesitation, teasing her.
After hearing Chu Qing's words, almost everyone couldn't help but burst out laughing. Lady Xuan, on the other hand, blushed with anger.
The emperor raised his eyebrows. He subtly pushed Lady Xuan away and then looked at Chu Qing meaningfully.
Noticing the emperor's scrutiny, Chu Qing couldn't help but give him a look full of complex emotions.
She didn't know why, but every time she was in front of the emperor, she always couldn't help but regain the aura she had as the Grand Empress Dowager.
Perhaps in her memory, the emperor was still the child who used to sneak into the Buddhist hall to visit her. His sweet calls of "Grandmother Empress" always made her heart melt.
So, she always felt that things were the same as before when she was with the emperor.
The emperor frowned slightly. He didn't know why he felt that there was something about the Princess Consort of Ning that was very familiar and nostalgic to him. He had felt this way since he first saw her in the Hall of Eternal Joy.
Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, the emperor finally spoke, "Although the Princess Consort of Ning sprained her ankle, she did stand in front of Lady Xuan before. So, she cannot be said to have broken her promise. However, Lady Xuan, the Princess Consort of Ning is still my aunt. You must not be disrespectful." At the end of his speech, the emperor assumed a more imposing manner, and his eyes became sharp.
Seeing this, Chu Qing was overjoyed.
Look! Her grandson was still her grandson! He still took her side!
Even though they had different bodies and bloodlines, their souls could still connect! It was really worth it that she had always saved some delicious food for him in the Buddhist hall.
Lady Xuan was reluctant to accept this, but seeing the emperor's cold attitude, she had no choice but to lower her head and agree.
"Lady Wan is truly talented. She really impresses me," the Empress Dowager suddenly spoke up.
Chu Qing's eyebrows twitched. She looked at the Empress Dowager, wondering what she meant by bringing up Huo Xiaoxiao at this moment.
"Lady Wan is indeed very talented. By my order, promote Lady Wan to Lady Zhao Yi!"
"Your Majesty?!" The Empress Dowager looked at the emperor in shock. Was this stupid boy misunderstanding her intentions?!
Since Lady Wan had indirectly helped Chu Qing, she naturally wouldn't think highly of her! She had only wanted to remind her not to show off too much!
But what was the emperor doing?! He was really an ungrateful son, always helping outsiders to make things difficult for her!
"Your Majesty, one should not receive a reward without merit. Why are you suddenly promoting her?" the Empress Dowager couldn't help but say coldly.
The emperor widened his eyes in confusion. "Didn't Mother just praise her for her talent?"
"..." The Empress Dowager was speechless.
"Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager meant something else when she praised Lady Wan?" Chu Qing then added, pretending to be confused.
"..." How could that be? I really did praise her from the bottom of my heart," the Empress Dowager said, forcing a smile.
Hearing this, the emperor clapped his hands happily and said loudly, "Since Mother and I both think she is talented, and besides, she comes from the family of General Huo, her background is also very good. So, I've decided that Lady Wan's promotion is settled!"
Saying this, ignoring the Empress Dowager's forced smile, the emperor ordered someone to start making the necessary preparations.
Chu Qing looked at Huo Xiaoxiao, who was standing there in a daze, with a smile in her eyes and whispered, "Why don't you thank His Majesty quickly?"
Only then did Huo Xiaoxiao come to her senses. With tears in her eyes, she thanked the emperor and the Empress Dowager.
After that, everyone had dinner with their own thoughts.
After the banquet ended, Chu Qing bid farewell to the emperor and the Empress Dowager and then left the palace and returned to her mansion.
...
On the way back to the mansion, Green Vine, who had been listless on the way there, became extremely talkative. She praised Chu Qing in various ways, and Chu Qing actually blushed for the first time.