With one hand she heals, and the other hand she kills, the princess vows to rule the world!

This was Shu He's first time to visit the Daming Palace. Kunning Hall was the Queen's main residence. It was said to be the Queen's main bedroom, but in fact, it was a huge and luxurious Buddhist temple.

There are many Buddha statues here, including various Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, filling the walls of the inner hall.

The place where the queen received them was in a side hall of the Buddhist temple. A faint smell of incense lingered in the entire hall. It was not unpleasant, but people who did not smell it often would still find it unusual.

Yier covered her nose and wrinkled her delicate eyebrows, obviously not used to the smell.

"The Queen is praying to Buddha. Please wait for a moment, Your Majesty, Princess, and the little princess!" A nanny dressed in simple cloth politely said this and left.

After the side hall was clear, Yi'er tugged at Shu He's clothes and asked, "Mother, what's that smell? Yi'er feels so uncomfortable!"

Yier's sense of smell is much more sensitive than that of ordinary people. What seems like a light scent to ordinary people may become very rich and strong to Yier's nose.

This is also the main reason why she couldn't help covering her nose.

"Yier, this is where the Empress worships Buddha. The scent you smell is the fragrance of burning sandalwood, the most sacred wood in the hearts of those who worship Buddha. When you see the Empress later, don't cover your nose. Be polite, understand?"

Although Yi'er couldn't understand much, she listened to whatever her mother said.

Seeing her put down her hands seriously, suppressing the discomfort in her heart, and standing beside him obediently, Shu He touched her hair with relief.

As soon as the tea was served, a middle-aged woman with simple clothes and elegant temperament walked out. Behind her, followed a eunuch with his head slightly lowered.

When Baili Moqing saw her, he stood up with Shu He and saluted her: "Greetings, Queen!"

"The three of you please stand up."

The gentle voice, like that of a person who is independent of the world, makes people feel yearning and close to it.

Shu He was surprised because this kind of natural affinity was rarely seen in people in high positions. Especially for someone who was extremely cunning and hid himself in the deepest part, it was even more impossible for him to have such an ability.

"Thank you, Queen!"

Standing up together with Baili Moqing, Shu He raised his eyes and silently looked at this woman who even Baili Moqing found mysterious.

She had a neat and clean bun, which was the most common hairstyle for women who worshipped Buddha. Although there were a few scattered strands of white hair on her temples, she looked no more than thirty years old because she took good care of herself.

She has a typical beautiful face with delicate and soft features. She doesn't even wear any makeup. Her bare face is enough to reveal her stunning beauty. From this, we can see that when she was young, she must have been a peerless beauty.

"Princess Li, do you have some knowledge of Buddhism?"

She asked, with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Shu He shook her head. "To answer the Queen, I don't know much about Buddhist cultivation, but I do know a thing or two about fragrant wood. I've come into contact with sandalwood before, so I recognized it."

After hearing this, the queen nodded, without showing any disappointment on her face.

It's very strange. The queen's face doesn't show that of an aggressive person. One can even say that years of worshipping Buddha have made her very gentle and ethereal. It's impossible to tell that she would be a scheming person.

While Shu He was looking at the queen, the other party was also looking at her, but her eyes were very gentle and frank. In the end, there was even some admiration in her eyes when she looked at Shu He.

That admiration wasn't fake.

This discovery made Shu He even more confused.

What kind of person is the Queen?

"Is this your daughter, Princess Yongning?" The Queen's gaze fell on Yi'er, her eyes brightened a little, and she showed some fondness.

The queen's gentle smile made Yi'er want to get closer, "Yier greets Her Majesty the Queen!"

She waved at Yi'er, motioning her to come closer.

When Yi'er came over, she showed a bit of heartache on her face, "Child, did something sad happen to you? Why are you crying like this?"

Yi'er was reminded and subconsciously reached out to rub her eyes. Seeing this, the Queen quickly held her hand down and said softly, "Child, don't rub your swollen eyes with your hands. It would be bad if they get infected."

After she finished speaking, she turned to the nanny who had previously greeted Shu He and the others, "Nanny Wu, go get some ice cubes and wrap them in a cotton towel."

"Yes!"

Soon, Aunt Wu asked someone to bring ice cubes. After the queen took the ice cubes wrapped in a cotton towel, she wanted to apply ice to Yi'er's eyes.

However, she seemed to suddenly realize that her behavior was somewhat inappropriate, so she looked at Shu He and Baili Moqing and asked, "Here are some ice cubes. Ice compresses can help reduce the swelling in the child's eyes faster. Do you mind if I do it?"

She used "I" instead of "this palace".

This was the first time Shu He had heard this word from a concubine in the harem. Using this word to refer to oneself was equivalent to putting oneself on the same level as others. This was not something that should happen in a harem with its strict hierarchy!

Seeing that Shu He didn't say anything, Baili Moqing said, "Yier is honored to be cared for by the Empress personally. I'm afraid I'm going to trouble the Empress."

Empress Duan smiled faintly and said, "It's okay. This child was born in a festive way. I like him very much. As long as you don't think I'm meddling in other people's affairs, that's fine."

As she said that, she gently applied an ice pack to Yier's eyes.

While applying the cold, she asked, "Does it feel uncomfortable? If it's too cold, tell grandma and she'll add another layer of cotton."

Yi'er shook her head and replied softly, "It's not cold, it's cool and very comfortable."

After hearing this, a faint smile appeared on her face.

She carefully perfunctorily said to Yi'er, "My place has been deserted for years, and I'm sorry for neglecting you."

Baili Moqing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. This palace is full of chaos and restlessness. I think the only pure land is your Kunning Palace. We are lucky to be able to listen to you chanting here and calm our hearts."

Shu He glanced at Baili Moqing quietly. He looked calm and composed, and his dark eyes became deep and unfathomable again, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

The Queen raised her eyes, a warm warmth in them, "Just don't mind me being so boring."

"Of course not." Baili Moqing said, "Pray to Buddha to calm one's mind. If one feels bored, then it means that one is not suitable for prayer."

The queen looked at him meaningfully, her smile deepening but she said nothing.

Seeing this, Baili Moqing added, "The Queen has worshipped Buddha for many years and has achieved a high level of spiritual practice. I think her mind has long been as calm as water. She is truly enviable and admirable. Unlike us, who live in the mortal world, there are so many things we can't do."

"Helpless?" The Queen paused, not quite agreeing with his words. "If there weren't so many desires, there wouldn't be so many 'forced actions'."