Spring Drunk Chang'an

All matters related to the selection of concubines in the palace are the responsibility of Concubine Qu, but that does not mean that Queen Song has no right to interfere at all.

No matter how much power Concubine Qu has in the palace, she is still the mother of a country and the empress.

She spoke out of pity for Shi Xiaoyue and wanted to help her improve her status so that she could pass the final selection and gain a good reputation.

Even though Concubine Qu was reluctant, she couldn't object.

Emperor Yingwu didn't take it seriously at all. Letting Shi Xiaoyue enter the palace to learn the rules was a favor he gave to Shi Lin.

The Duke of Qi’s Mansion should express gratitude.

He didn't get involved at all, and even Queen Song only gave orders to Concubine Qu.

Sometimes, the life of a lower person is nothing more than a few words from a higher person.

Queen Song thought about it and sighed slightly.

Song Zhinian tilted his head, his face full of curiosity, "You did it? Why?"

"You probably don't know Xiaoyue!"

"Yes, is it because of us?"

As a good friend of Shi Xiaoyue's, Song Zhinian certainly knew about the marriage between her and the Eleventh Young Master, and privately, she did not approve of it.

After all, the character of the Eleventh Young Master and the situation of the Shouning Marquis' Mansion are obvious to all.

However, Shi Xiaoyue pretended to obey her parents' wishes and get married honestly.

What she always said to her two friends was, "It doesn't matter who I marry. No matter how bad the Eleventh Young Master is, I will just ignore him. Once the courtyard gate is closed, I will be able to live a good life anyway..."

She did not express her opposition to the marriage. No matter how much Shi Xiaoyue and Liu Chang'an loved her, it was not appropriate for them to interfere and make decisions for her.

After all, that was her marriage, her life. She couldn't ask her family and Queen Song to help her change it just because they didn't like it!

If things get better, everyone will be happy. But what if things get worse?

"You let her enter the final selection. Do you have a candidate in mind and are you planning to arrange a marriage for her?"

"Who is that person?"

"Xiaoyue is a good person, with a good temperament and a gentle and kind heart. However, her appearance..."

Song Zhinian paused slightly, frowned, and said, "After all, there are some minor flaws. If we were to arrange a marriage for her, wouldn't we have to choose carefully?"

Don’t be inferior to the Eleventh Young Master, otherwise it’s all over!

"Sister, I think it's best to let Xiaoyue meet that person before the arranged marriage..."

Song Zhinian didn't think that Empress Song had chosen Shi Xiaoyue simply to elevate her status. What was the point? Even if there was no arranged marriage, would Shi Xiaoyue still marry the Eleventh Young Master after leaving the palace?

what's the difference?

Would Shi Lin and Princess Nan Weng choose a new husband for her because of her better reputation?

Queen Song must have an idea in mind.

Shi Xiaoyue thought so.

Liu Changan also looked at him with a look of great curiosity and concern.

Seeing this, Queen Song smiled slightly, spread her hands, shrugged her shoulders, and said in a bachelor's tone, "Don't ask me about this. Although I kept Miss Shi, it was not my idea."

"Chuo'er asked me to do this, and I just followed his instructions."

"Your Highness?" Shi Xiaoyue was startled and blurted out, "Why?"

"Then who knows?" Queen Song joked, looking at Liu Changan.

Song Zhinian also followed her gaze, a thoughtful look on his face. After a moment, his eyes suddenly turned.

"Oh..." She stretched out her tone and pinched her chin with her hand.

Make a weird face.

Liu Changan's face flushed uncontrollably, almost instinctively recalling his reaction the last time he complained to Xiao Chuo about Shi Lin and Princess Nan Weng's ruthlessness and how he felt sorry for his good friend...

Did Xiao Chuo specifically ask the Empress to take Xiaoyue in his arms in order to please her?

"Then, Your Highness, what arrangements are you going to make for Xiaoyue?"

Liu Changan lowered his head and asked in a low voice.

"I don't know about that. He didn't tell me the details. But, Chang'an, you don't have to worry. Chuo'er is a well-behaved child. Since he did it, he must have had his reasons in mind."

"Don't worry."

"Oh..." Liu Chang'an responded, his brows indeed still furrowed.

There is no doubt about Xiao Chuo's ability, but girls have delicate minds that are completely different from men's.

For a man, it is enough to choose a husband who has a good family background, is capable and has good character.

However, if we think about it carefully, what kind of character does the mother-in-law have? Is she easy to get along with? Are there any difficult sisters-in-law? Does the husband have a caring maid in the backyard?

Do you have a childhood sweetheart who grew up with you?

Do you have a favorite pet?

These are extremely important things that affect a woman's quality of life after marriage, but they are things that men don't care about.

Liu Changan was very worried, but then he thought, no matter who Xiao Chuo found, it would not be worse than the Eleventh Young Master.

Perhaps among his confidants in the Eastern Palace, there are people who don't care so much about appearance.

Moreover, Shi Xiaoyue's so-called "ugliness" was because the birthmark on her face was too big, occupying half of her face, and the color was red. At first glance, it was very impactful and naturally made people think she was ugly.

In fact, if you look closely at her facial features, Shi Xiaoyue is not ugly, and can even be called a pretty lady.

It's a pity that no one can look past her birthmark and appreciate her facial features.

Liu Changan sighed softly, his mind racing to recall who Xiao Chuo's closest associates were. What were their family circumstances? How old were they? Which one could be the 'suspect'?

During this time, Xiong Zhen's face appeared in her mind, but it was only a flash.

Xiong Zhenzhen was really a commoner, with no money and no power, and he was also redeemed from slavery. In the past, when he was a servant in the mansion of Duke Cheng'en, he signed a contract. However, later on, he had good physical conditions and a martial arts master was willing to teach him.

Shi Xiaoyue's biological mother was also kind-hearted. She felt that he had such talent and might be able to find another way out in the future. Since his slavery was affecting him, she personally helped him get rid of it.

otherwise……

Liu Changan sighed and said nothing more. Instead, he started discussing with Song Zhinian and Queen Song.

They chatted about life in the palace and life outside the palace. Time passed slowly and it was lunch time in a blink of an eye.

Queen Song kept two of them.

The three of them sat facing each other, and Queen Song personally served the two children food. Moreover, with them accompanying her, she ate a little more...

I just ate too much.

The female official suggested that the two girls accompany the Empress to the Imperial Garden to exercise a little, firstly to help digest the food, and secondly to relax...

After all, it was a habit she had developed over the years that Empress Song rarely left Fengqi Palace unless there was something important.

If people stay in one place for a long time without moving, it will definitely be bad for their health.

The female officials always tried their best to get Queen Song to go out of the palace for a walk.

Liu Changan and Song Zhinian naturally would not refuse. After some laughter and persuasion, Queen Song agreed with a helpless smile. After changing into casual clothes, the three of them walked out of Fengqi Palace and headed straight for the Imperial Garden.

After enjoying the flowers and the scenery, and playing with the cats and dogs at the animal sanctuary, the group finally sat in a pavilion by the lake to watch the cranes...

Just then, a group of people came towards us.

"Hey, isn't that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Song Zhinian called out, "Your Highness, we are here!"