The Queen sealed her heart and locked up her love, and the Emperor was trapped in the crematorium

After the banquet began, Xie Yaoqing, dressed in gorgeous clothes and with a smile on her face, was responsible for receiving the court officials and female members of the royal family who came to the banquet.

During the banquet, everyone was talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious. I don't know which official's family member took the lead in bringing up the topic of the prosperity of the Nan'an Palace's offspring. For a moment, the originally lively banquet hall became a little quiet, and the female family members all turned their eyes to Xie Yaoqing.

However, Xie Yaoqing acted as if he hadn't heard anything and continued to sit calmly at the head seat, enjoying the delicious food and wine without even raising his eyelids.

When the banquet was over, Xie Yaoqing was the first to get up and leave without any lingering feelings. She looked calm and composed, as if the curious, envious, or jealous eyes around her had no effect on her.

Many girls looked at her graceful back as she left, and couldn't help feeling deeply moved. It was amazing that the Queen was able to remain calm and composed in the face of such a sensitive topic without being disturbed by the outside world at all.

You know, after a woman gets married, if she still hasn't conceived a child after seven or eight years, she will inevitably be criticized. Even if she hasn't given birth for two or three years and there's no good news, not only will her mother-in-law be dissatisfied and urge her daughter-in-law to quickly arrange a concubine for her son to continue the family line, but even her husband may not necessarily understand his wife's difficulties and happily take a concubine in.

But Xie Yaoqing didn't care how others viewed her. As long as no one dared to come in front of her and provoke her, she didn't bother to care too much.

After all, life is short, why bother yourself with the opinions of insignificant people?

It is true that the Nan'an Prince's mansion has many descendants. In addition to the princess he married, the Nan'an Prince only has two concubines. Compared with the huge and complex backyards of other royal children, it can be said to be quite quiet, and even a breath of fresh air. When talking about the Nan'an Prince, people will inevitably say that he is infatuated. However, he has quite a few children. He is younger than Xiao Chengxu. He has four sons and several daughters. There are twins, twins, and triplets in the mansion. Everyone can't help but sigh that he is blessed.

The next afternoon.

Xie Yaoqing was sitting in front of the desk, about to grind ink and paint. At this moment, a loud report came suddenly. She turned her head and saw Xiao Chengxu wearing a dark blue brocade robe with exquisite and fine patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. He looked simple and elegant yet luxurious. He wore a jade crown on his head, his hair was neatly combed behind his ears, and there was a faint smile on the corners of his mouth. He was tall and straight, handsome and graceful, like a jade tree. He was handsome and noble and arrogant.

Xie Yaoqing couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, as if he had suddenly returned to a few years ago.

"Is the emperor planning to leave the palace?"

Xiao Chengxu nodded gently and said softly: "Yes, today I want to go out of the palace with the Queen. The market in the capital has been particularly lively and prosperous recently. I remember that the Queen used to like lively places the most."

Speaking of this, Xiao Chengxu couldn't help but reveal a hint of guilt in his eyes.

Buried in busy and trivial government affairs all day long, he has not been able to spend enough time with the Queen for a long time.

He always thought that there was a long time to come, and once he got through this busy period, he would have some free time in the future. However, what's wrong with occasionally taking a break from his busy life? The dynasty was now prosperous and the world was peaceful, and there were many wise ministers and generals who were not mediocre and incompetent. Why should he, as a monarch, do everything himself?

Xie Yaoqing was naturally willing to leave the palace, even if it was just for a short escape. She had been trapped in the palace for a long time, and no matter how luxurious and magnificent the pavilions and towers were, she had already felt bored.

So, Xie Yaoqing quickly changed into casual clothes and left the palace with Xiao Chengxu.

An exquisitely decorated carriage was parked in front of the palace gate early in the morning and waiting.

After boarding the carriage, the wheels began to roll. After moving slowly for a distance, the surrounding atmosphere gradually became noisy.

There are shops lined up on both sides of the street, the merchants' expressive hawking sounds can be heard one after another, and the customers are bargaining with great interest... These are sounds and scenes that you would never hear or see in the palace, full of the hustle and bustle and vitality of the world.

Xie Yaoqing gently lifted the car curtain and looked out, a faint smile quietly creeping up the corner of her lips.

She hadn't left the palace for a long time and had been trapped in that small square world. She almost forgot how vast the outside world was and what the life of the common people was like.

Not long after, the carriage stopped steadily.

Xiao Chengxu got out of the car first, followed by Xie Yaoqing.

Looking at the hand stretched out to her, with distinct joints, white and slender, Xie Yaoqing put her hand on it without hesitation, gently held Xiao Chengxu's hand, and stepped down from the carriage with his support.

"Thank you, husband."

Xie Yaoqing raised her head, the corners of her lips slightly raised, revealing a beautiful and moving smile. Her voice was crisp and pleasant, like a yellow oriole singing in a valley. Anyone could feel her joy at the moment.

Xiao Chengxu's heart softened, and he responded with a smile: "Madam, you don't have to be so polite."

Xie Yaoqing was still filled with joy at being able to leave the palace, even if it was traveling with Xiao Chengxu.

Xiao Chengxu was very patient and accompanied Xie Yaoqing throughout the whole process. No matter where Xie Yaoqing wanted to go, he would follow her wishes; if Xie Yaoqing took a fancy to something, he would buy it without saying a word.

The guards in plain clothes who followed him out soon had their hands full of large and small bags.

Seeing that their master was still going on a shopping spree, the guards couldn't help but look sad.

The Queen is too lavish in her spending. Is she going to buy up the entire street?

I feel that working outside the palace is more tiring than working inside the palace. We have been walking around for more than an hour, but why is the Queen not tired yet? She doesn't show any sign of stopping to rest.

"Eunuch Feng'an..."

A guard came to Feng An.

When Feng An heard this, he shook his head and refused.

Are you kidding? He would never ask for trouble when he has nothing to do. Didn't he see that the Empress was in high spirits and enjoying it? Even the Emperor was in high spirits! Since the Emperor hadn't said anything to interfere, how could he have the courage to point fingers at the Empress, unless he was tired of living and wanted to move his head to another place.

Amid the crowd, Xie Yaoqing watched a dazzling acrobatic performance. Although she had witnessed more exquisite performances in the palace, she was still very interested and watched it with full concentration.

There were all kinds of stalls and vendors all around, and the dazzling array of goods was dazzling. While Xie Yaoqing was concentrating on other stalls, the sharp-eyed Xiao Chengxu first noticed a small stall selling jewelry, took Xie Yaoqing's hand, and walked over.

The stall owner was a little nervous at first. After all, facing such a noble customer who was obviously rich or noble, he found it hard to believe that the other party would be interested in the things on his stall. However, when he saw that Xiao Chengxu seemed to really want to buy something, the stall owner immediately became enthusiastic, walked up to him with a smile on his face, and greeted him attentively.

"Sir, do you want to buy a hairpin for your wife? I have a wide range of products here, you can choose whatever you want. If you don't like the style, you can also customize it. You just need to draw the pattern or describe the style you want."

This small stall specializes in selling all kinds of exquisite hairpins. Although most of them are made of wood, the exquisite craftsmanship makes these hairpins appear to have a unique ancient and elegant beauty.

Xie Yaoqing's mood was extremely complicated, as if a bottle of five flavors had been overturned.

At that time, Xiao Chengxu also gave her a wooden hairpin. It was also bought when she left the palace, but it was a year later. As for whether it was from the same stall, she had long forgotten. After all, the capital was under the feet of the emperor, and all kinds of vendors gathered, and there was more than one wooden hairpin business.

Because the wooden hairpin was given by Xiao Chengxu, even though it was just an ordinary wooden hairpin and far less valuable than a white jade plum blossom hairpin, Xie Yaoqing cherished it and kept it carefully.

Later, when she was banished to the cold palace and became the deposed queen, it was impossible for her to carry any gold, silver, or precious ornaments. The only thing that could be preserved was the worthless wooden hairpin.

Later, Xie Yaoqing used the wooden hairpin to pierce his throat and committed suicide.

Seeing the wooden hairpin again at this moment, to be honest, Xie Yaoqing couldn't calm down and even felt a little uncomfortable.

After Xiao Chengxu glanced at the hairpins on the stall in front of him, his gaze finally stopped on a wooden hairpin and he reached out to pick it up.

This wooden hairpin is so exquisitely made that you would not notice that it can be separated if you do not look closely. When it is closed, the end of the hairpin presents a beautiful double plum blossom, and when it is separated, it becomes two hairpins, each with a plum blossom. The double plum blossom is usually endowed with beautiful meanings, and such a unique design is really worth applauding and praising.

However, at this moment, Xie Yaoqing remained silent...

Is it really just a coincidence?

Xiao Chengxu actually chose the same wooden hairpin as the one in his previous life. Not only was the style the same, but even the twin plum blossoms on it and the structure that could be split into two were exactly the same.

Could it be that I bought it at this stall in my previous life?

Just as Xie Yaoqing was thinking secretly, she heard Xiao Chengxu ask, "Madam, what do you think of this plum blossom hairpin?"

Judging from the expression on Xiao Chengxu's face, he was obviously very satisfied with this wooden hairpin.

At this moment, Xie Yaoqing did not want to delay any further. After all, she was starving and just wanted to find a place to satisfy her appetite as soon as possible, so she said casually, "It's good. If you like it, buy it. It's not a big deal."

After listening to it, Xiao Chengxu felt that it made a lot of sense. He signaled Feng An to pay the money without hesitation and bought the wooden hairpin.

This was obviously a hairpin used by women, and Xiao Chengxu naturally could not have bought it for himself, but intended to give it to Xie Yaoqing.

In the restaurant, Xie Yaoqing stared at Xiao Chengxu closely, with a half-smile on her face, and asked softly: "Does the emperor really want to give it to me?"

Xiao Chengxu raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. Although he did not speak, his expression seemed to explain everything - who else can he give it to except you?

Xie Yaoqing snorted and curled her lips, "Since the emperor likes this hairpin so much, why not keep it for yourself? I don't lack jewelry, and I don't like plum blossoms that much."

She didn't spoil Xiao Chengxu. He liked it, not her. Why would she accept it? Would it make things difficult for her?

Hearing this, Xiao Chengxu couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, then slowly lowered his eyes and tightly clenched the hairpin in his hand.

He actually forgot that Qingqing's favorite flower was the gardenia, not the plum blossom. If he changed it to a peach blossom hairpin, would she be happy to accept it?

Thinking of this, Xiao Chengxu couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and regret.

He made the wrong choice.