The weak prince's queen

Brilliant sunlight poured down without reservation, seemingly coating the entire world in a dazzling golden glow. This light reflected on the magnificent and majestic palace gate, making it shimmer and dazzle the eyes. Just then, a magnificently decorated carriage slowly stopped at the palace gate.

With a gentle sound, a delicate hand gently lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. Then, a graceful woman, carefully supported by her personal maid, Dong'er, stepped lightly and gracefully from the carriage. This woman was Chu Xiyue, dressed in a long, lavender dress, the sleeves flowing as if blending in with the breeze. The lavender hem fluttered gently in the breeze, each movement drawing a graceful arc through the air, making her look like a fairy descending from the earth, otherworldly and beautiful.

"Princess, please follow me." At this time, a leading maid came forward, bowed respectfully to Chu Xiyue, then stretched out her right hand, made a gesture of invitation towards the front, and took the initiative to lead the way.

Chu Xiyue nodded slightly, a faint smile appeared on her face, and she responded politely, "Thank you, Ma'am." Her voice was crisp and pleasant, as melodious as the sound of a yellow oriole singing in a valley, which made people feel happy after hearing it.

The nanny led Chu Xiyue along a winding path. Along the way, they passed through a series of intricately shaped corridors and beautifully arranged courtyards. Each corridor and courtyard had its own unique characteristics: some were quiet and elegant, some were lushly blossomed, and some were quaint and ancient. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, leaving Chu Xiyue intoxicated.

After an unknown amount of time, they finally arrived at a spacious, brightly lit hall. Upon entering, Chu Xiyue was captivated by the sight. The floor was covered with a thick, soft, vibrantly colored carpet embroidered with exquisite designs. Around the hall were a variety of precious flowers, each vying for attention with its beauty and emitting a captivating fragrance. In the corners, precious antiques and curios were displayed, some simple and elegant, some exquisitely crafted, each showcasing the royal family's luxury and nobility.

After the nanny stood still, she turned around and said respectfully to Chu Xiyue, "Princess, please wait here for a while. The Queen will come to see you later."

Chu Xiyue nodded slightly, indicating that she understood, and then she walked slowly to a chair nearby and sat down. She stood dignified, her hands folded on her knees, quietly waiting for the queen to arrive.

Not long after, a palace maid tiptoed into the hall, first bowed respectfully to Chu Xiyue, then placed a cup of steaming hot tea and several plates of exquisite snacks on the table beside her, and then retreated quietly.

Time ticked by, but the Queen still hadn't appeared. Chu Xiyue couldn't help but feel puzzled, wondering, "What does the Queen mean by that? If she summoned me to the palace, why is she keeping me waiting here for so long?" As she pondered, she grew bored and simply reached out to pick up a piece of pastry and tasted it. It was beautifully crafted, melt-in-your-mouth, sweet but not greasy, and truly delicious.

At this moment, in the Queen's bedroom, she was reclining leisurely on a comfortable recliner, covered with a thin brocade blanket. Her eyes were slightly closed, as if she was taking a nap, but her thoughts had already drifted away.

Suddenly, the queen, who had been napping with her eyes tightly closed, fluttered her eyelashes slightly before slowly opening them. A hint of laziness flashed through her eyes, and she softly asked, "Mammy, how is the Princess of Jin doing now?" Her voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

Nanny Liu, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Princess of Jin has been waiting in the palace for quite some time. No one has been sent to urge her during this time."

After hearing this, the Queen nodded calmly, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she said with a smile that seemed to be neither smile nor laughter: "Well, it seems that this Princess Jin is quite patient. Well, please dress me up. It's time for me to show up."

Nanny Liu quickly responded, "Yes, your Majesty." After that, she swiftly began to comb the queen's hair, apply rouge and powder, and other makeup tasks.

At this moment, Chu Xiyue, completely unaware of what was happening, was leisurely savoring the delicious snacks on the table in a corner of the palace. The exquisite snacks exuded an alluring aroma, completely immersing her in it.

However, at this moment, a loud and clear voice suddenly rang out—"The Queen has arrived!" This sudden shout was like a thunderclap, instantly waking Chu Xiyue from her world of delicious food. She was so frightened that she trembled all over and almost dropped the plate of snacks in her hand.

Chu Xiyue didn't have time to think about it. She hastily swallowed the unfinished snack in her mouth, quickly wiping the corners of her mouth and hands with a handkerchief to remove any remaining crumbs. After doing this, she finally gathered herself, straightened her dress, and quickly walked to the center of the hall to kneel and salute with the others, shouting in unison, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen..."

The empress was dressed in an incredibly gorgeous palace gown, the hem richly embroidered with exquisite patterns, and her hair adorned with dazzling pearls and jade. She approached with an elegant and dignified gait, each step seeming to touch the hearts of the crowd. The maids beside her carefully supported her, fearing that the slightest mistake might disturb this distinguished mistress.

Finally, under the awed gazes of the crowd, the Queen steadily sat down on the center seat, a symbol of supreme authority. After settling down, she gently raised her right hand and waved, saying calmly, "Stand up..."

Chu Xiyue stood straight, a hint of nervousness and uneasiness on her beautiful face. At this moment, the Queen smiled and said gently, "Princess Jin, don't stand there all the time. Come and sit down and rest for a while."

Chu Xiyue felt a little warm in her heart when she heard the Queen's kind words, but she still didn't dare to be negligent. She quickly bowed respectfully and replied softly: "Thank you, Your Majesty..." Then she walked carefully to the chair and sat down gently.

The Queen looked at Chu Xiyue in front of her, a trace of concern flashing in her eyes. She asked, "I have specially summoned you to the palace today because there have been some rumors circulating lately that the relationship between Prince Jin and you is not going well. So I wanted to ask you, what exactly is going on?"

When Chu Xiyue heard the Queen mention this, her heart skipped a beat, knowing that something serious was about to happen. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she unconsciously covered her face with her hands. With a hint of tears in her voice, she replied, "Your Majesty, I... I really don't know where to begin! In short, this is all my fault. I accidentally angered the Prince, causing him to lose his temper and become furious. I know I am guilty, and please punish me, Your Majesty." As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Xiyue stood up without hesitation, knelt on her knees, and bowed her head, awaiting the Queen's decision.

Seeing this, the Queen quickly raised her hand to stop him and said anxiously, "Oh, how can you say that? Princess, please get up quickly."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiyue responded obediently, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then, she slowly stood up and returned to her seat, her eyes lowered, not daring to look directly at the Queen.

Seeing Chu Xiyue so nervous, the Queen couldn't help but sigh softly. She spoke again in a gentle voice, "Princess Jin, please don't be too sad. I already know about this matter. When I see the Prince of Jin another day, I will ask him about it for you and find out the reason."