The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

"My Lady, would you like to take a break today?"

Xiangyi advised Feiwan not to go out.

Because Feiwan's wound was almost healing and it was itchy, she didn't sleep well last night and woke up this morning with black eye sockets.

But Fei Wan shook her head.

It was a rare opportunity for the Empress to intervene before the Emperor to stop He Shuangying's ascension. Whether He was promoted or not would attract the attention of the harem and the Emperor.

At this time, if she visited Concubine Qing, it would attract less attention.

After having the maid help her wash and dress, having breakfast and resting for a while, Fei Wan dressed warmly and got on a small warm sedan chair to go to Concubine Qing's palace.

The weather was getting colder, and the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair each wore a thin padded jacket. The palace maids following the sedan chair were also fully dressed, even wearing a thin layer of cotton on their shoes.

These were all purchased by Fei Wan herself.

According to the rules of the palace, the winter clothes for the concubines had all been distributed at this time, but the palace servants had not yet received winter clothes. They had to wait another month before the people in the palaces and courtyards could receive cotton clothes and pants.

This was a rule established during the reign of Emperor Taizu. The Empress at the time believed that since palace servants moved around doing daily activities and tended to get hot, unlike concubines who stayed indoors and tended to get cold easily, it was okay to give them clothes later.

But this is only theoretical.

In fact, for example, palace servants standing guard in various places could easily catch a cold if they stood motionless in the cold wind. Similarly, palace maids who encountered a bad day would also feel uncomfortable if they caught a cold.

Of course, the sooner you send out winter clothes, the better.

And you can get two extra sets, which is convenient for changing and washing.

When the master ignored these matters, the palace servants had no way to plan for themselves.

Although Fei Wan intended to provide all the palace maids with cotton-padded clothes ahead of time, the new empress had just ascended to the throne, and her power as assistant could not be exercised too soon. The previous punishment of forcing He to kneel had already made everyone in the palace aware of her authority. She would wait until Empress Yan made her move before exercising her power to avoid overstepping her bounds.

No matter how good the relationship between you is, you should still be careful about the limits.

So for the time being, Fei Wan bought winter clothes for her palace servants.

Wait a few days and find another opportunity to discuss this matter with Queen Yan.

"Noble Concubine Zhao, are you here so early?"

When they arrived at Concubine Heqing's palace, the scent of sandalwood was lingering. Concubine Heqing had just finished her morning prayers and when she heard that Feiwan had arrived, she personally went out to the main hall to welcome her.

"Empress Jin An."

Fei Wan stopped at the bottom of the steps, bowed and saluted, and only stood up and walked up the steps after Concubine Heqing accepted the salute.

He explained that he didn't sleep well last night and woke up early, so he might as well go out and do some work.

"What is the business?" Concubine Heqing looked at Fei Wan with a smile.

The rice-bead tassels on her temples swayed gently, making her fair face look even more cool and refreshing on the cold morning of early winter.

But her gaze towards Fei Wan was warm.

"Listening to the goddess's lectures is a serious matter, a matter of great importance, a matter that determines whether the future path will be smooth."

Fei Wan's words deepened Concubine Qing's smiles and she nodded, "There is great wisdom in the scriptures. It's hard for you to understand my intentions."

The two men chatted for a few words at the door of the hall, then walked into the hall hand in hand.

In Concubine Qing's palace, the maids and eunuchs were all at their ease. When Fei Wan entered the courtyard, everyone bowed, and once she was inside, they all went back to their work. Those who swept the yard, fetched water, or fed the birds and fish went about their business.

There were not many people. There were only two palace maids standing in the corridor outside the hall, and only Concubine Heqing's personal maid and Feiwan's maid Xiangyi followed into the hall.

It's far less than the personnel exchanges in Fengming Palace.

But there is no feeling of emptiness and loneliness in the palace.

Perhaps it was because everyone had a smile on their face, and their leisurely state flowed like water, filling the entire palace with a gentle atmosphere.

"You can enjoy the freshly made preserved pears from yesterday. You don't need to be served here."

After entering the inner hall, Concubine Heqing sent away her maid and Xiangyi.

After the two of them went to the west side room, which was separated by two rooms and could not hear each other's whispers, Concubine He Qing took out the handwritten scriptures and read them with Fei Wan.

Such caution made Fei Wan feel more and more that this trip was worthwhile.

"Your Majesty's calligraphy is profound and noble, and the scriptures you copied are pleasing to the eye. I have read the scroll of scriptures you delivered to Chunxi Palace the other day and have been deeply impressed. I have come to discuss it with you, Your Majesty."

Fei Wan went straight to the point.

As expected, Concubine Heqing responded quickly.

Question: "Which page did you feel the most deeply? Tell me, the third page or the fifth page?"

"Page three."

"What did you realize?"

"The world is like a burning house. To escape, one needs the burning of fire. Without experiencing the torment and burning, one cannot obtain the true taste. However, the burning requires seeking the right opportunity. If one cannot find it, the burning is in vain."

Concubine Heqing smiled again.

He then asked, "What if I have found it and roasted it, but still don't understand its true meaning?"

Fei Wan said, "It depends on one's aptitude. Some people understand the meaning of the scriptures right away, while others need to study."

"Sister Zhao, can you understand?"

Fei Wan dipped her fingers into the tea in the bowl and wrote on the table.

The words written on it were exactly the same ones that Concubine Qing had sandwiched between the sutras.

Every stroke is exactly the same.

Because of the unique shape of the characters, after the two lines were finished, the table looked like dancing figures. The first lines gradually dried up and faded, but the last lines remained vivid, and Concubine Qing and I watched silently.

Only when the last word began to fade did she raise her eyes. Her light grey eyes shone softly in the light of the winter morning. She looked directly at Fei Wan and said, "Being able to write the sutra doesn't necessarily mean you can understand its meaning."

Fei Wan dipped the pen in water again and wrote the Chinese translation of the text on the table.

Only then did Concubine He Qing take a deep breath and a look of relief appeared on her face.

With a little bit of relief of taking a gamble.

"Fei Wan, maybe the goddess is really protecting me and letting me meet you."

After meeting today, she changed her address to Fei Wan from Concubine Zhao to Sister Zhao, and now she just called her by her name. They became more and more familiar with each other, and closer and closer.

Fei Wan didn't show any joy, but said calmly: "Comprehension is just the beginning. Sister hasn't asked me yet what my plans are after I comprehend the profound meaning of the scriptures."

He Qing Guifei said: "Your coming here is your plan. My heartfelt conversation with you means that we are in harmony and can comprehend together."

The intention of cooperation is expressed sincerely.

Fei Wan nodded: "But please give me some advice, sister."

Concubine Heqing called out to the maid in the west room.

When the maid arrived, she ordered, "Sister Zhao and I are going to meditate. You all should go down and rest. Don't come in and disturb us."

The maid squatted and retreated.

Xiangyi followed her, glanced at Feiwan, and when she saw Feiwan's approval, she bowed and took her leave.

As the palace door closed, the footsteps faded away, and even the little palace maid standing guard at the door was taken away.

Concubine Heqing whispered to Fei Wan: "I am in Beiqu and I have an army."