PFC Chapter 127 Old Friend
Chapter 127 Old Friend
Xie Yaoqing raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Now that the emperor has seen it, can he leave?"
Xiao Chengxu did not move, but took a step forward slowly, approaching Xie Yaoqing, and said in a low voice: "Such a beautiful scenery makes people linger, and I don't want to leave. Can you please let me stay for a few nights?"
Xie Yaoqing slowly opened her eyes and the words "Are you crazy?" almost came out of her mouth, but she held it back at the last moment.
Because she felt that Xiao Chengxu was simply crazy for doing this. He even wanted to stay here for a few days. Then who would handle the government affairs?
Xiao Chengxu's eyes were full of smiles, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a chuckle, giving people the feeling of a graceful gentleman, gentle as jade.
Xie Yaoqing realized that he was being teased, and couldn't help but hum in dissatisfaction, then turned and left.
The sun slowly moved from the east to the west, the sky gradually darkened, and a cool breeze blew.
Xie Yaoqing glanced at the guy who was still standing in the yard and seemed to have no intention of leaving, and began to wonder: Is Xiao Chengxu really going to stay in the manor?
Xiao Chengxu actually wanted to stay, but as an emperor, he had too many responsibilities to shoulder. He had to put the country first and could not just act on his personal preferences and emotions. Xie Yaoqing could stay in the manor as long as he wanted, but he couldn't.
Although he felt a little reluctant, Xiao Chengxu still left.
Time flies, days pass by, and the weather gradually becomes warmer.
Xie Yaoqing has lived in the manor for nearly a month, but she has no plans to return to the palace. Instead, she likes this peaceful, comfortable and free rural life more and more.
During this time, Bai Fu also made a lot of new friends. Every day, he would happily run to play with the tenant's big yellow dog and big black dog. He became more and more wild, and even rolled around in the mud, getting covered in mud.
Every time it came back, Zhiyu and the others had to spend a lot of effort to clean its body, which took about an hour.
The vegetable garden is beginning to take shape. The seeds planted previously are beginning to sprout, and tender green leaves are emerging from the soil. Although the small plants are tender, they are full of vitality.
Xie Yaoqing and Zhiyu and others around her were all satisfied with their current lives. Even the older Nanny Fang had recently found a new job - she was keen on matchmaking and facilitating happy marriages.
Life went on like this for too long. Sometimes Xie Yaoqing would fall into a trance, as if she had always lived this kind of life, getting married, entering the palace to become queen, being deposed, the family being stuck in a quagmire... all seemed like an unattainable dream.
It would be better if the sadness in the dream only stayed in the dream.
The weather was very good that day, neither too cold nor too hot, with a gentle breeze. Xie Yaoqing went out for an outing and met an old friend unexpectedly.
"The Queen."
The moment he saw Xie Yaoqing, he subconsciously wanted to salute, which was the etiquette for concubines in the palace to meet the queen.
Xie Yaoqing waved his hand and declined the other party's gift.
An embarrassed smile appeared on the visitor's face, because she thought that she was no longer a concubine in the harem. Even if she met the empress, she should follow the rules for officials' wives to pay respects to the empress, instead of following the etiquette for concubines.
Xie Yaoqing looked at the woman in front of him, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
They once lived together in the palace, and now they meet again in the suburbs.
"Miss Yuan, are you also out for an outing?" Xie Yaoqing asked softly.
Yuan Nanzhi, the former Empress Zhuang, had not been seen by Xie Yaoqing since she left the palace. Time passed like a white horse, and half a year had passed unknowingly. Now that they met again, Xie Yaoqing carefully observed her face and complexion and found that she seemed to be doing quite well.
Compared to the Concubine Zhuang in his memory, Yuan Nanzhi in front of him seemed more energetic.
In the past in the palace, Xie Yaoqing had never seen Concubine Zhuang wearing such a heroic outfit, especially the bright red dress. When she came on horseback, it was even more eye-catching. It was as if she had turned into a free-flying bird, full of vitality and vigor, and in high spirits.
Yuan Nanzhi smiled and nodded, saying softly, "Today's weather is nice, with a gentle breeze, it's a good time to fly a kite. I didn't expect to meet Miss Xie here, it's really fate."
Xie Yaoqing had no intention of revealing her true identity. Yuan Nanzhi was also a smart person, and she noticed Xie Yaoqing's intention, and she also tacitly did not mention her identity, but only politely called her Miss Xie.
Not far away stood a few women dressed in maids' clothes, holding several colorful kites of various shapes in their hands. They seemed to be the servants responsible for serving Yuan Nanzhi.
Xie Yaoqing frowned slightly.
I thought to myself, flying a kite, what a good idea, why didn’t I think of it?
It is located in the suburbs, with not even a single house around, let alone a stall selling kites.
Xie Yaoqing sighed slightly. It seemed that she would not be able to fly a kite today.
Yuan Nanzhi took in all the subtle changes in her facial expressions. He thought to himself that this empress who was usually dignified and graceful actually had such a childish side in private. He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth and revealed a faint smile.
"I have always wanted to find a chance to repay your kindness in the past. Today I will take this opportunity to give Miss Xie a kite." Yuan Nanzhi said softly, with gratitude in his eyes.
Xie Yaoqing looked puzzled as he looked at the exquisite butterfly kite in his hand, then looked up at Yuan Nanzhi and blinked blankly.
She couldn't remember when she had ever taken care of Yuan Nanzhi.
To be precise, it should be Concubine Zhuang.
Xie Yaoqing tried hard to recall, and a figure emerged in his mind.
In her memory, Concubine Zhuang was a very honest and peaceful person, usually keeping a low profile and never causing trouble. It was just that when facing Concubine Yi, Concubine Zhuang's temper might appear a little impatient and harsh, but it would not offend others.
On weekdays, apart from the necessary greetings, Yuan Nanzhi always stayed in her palace without going out, living her own life, never participating in any competition for favor, and was extremely respectful to her, the queen.
Xie Yaoqing pondered for a moment, but really couldn't remember.
After all, given the relationship between them as queen and concubine, it was already good enough that she had never made things difficult for Yuan Nanzhi.
Seeing the puzzled expression on Xie Yaoqing's face, Yuan Nanzhi smiled and told a story from the past.
Yuan Nanzhi had just entered the palace not long ago, and her position was still low, just a small noble. At that time, Yipin, later Yifei, lived with Yuan Nanzhi in Yongshou Palace. Yipin had a higher position and was the main seat of Yongshou Palace.
If the main concubine wanted to make things difficult for the concubines in her own palace, she had plenty of ways to do so. Unfortunately, Yuan Nanzhi was targeted by Concubine Yi, who disliked her because of her outstanding appearance, so she found all kinds of excuses to torture her.
It can't be said that she takes special care of them. After all, there are so many concubines in the harem. If Xie Yaoqing needs to take special care of each of them, then why should she still be the queen?
Only when she found out that Concubine Yi was relying on her high position to maliciously bully Yuan Nanzhi, she maintained a fair and just attitude, punished Concubine Yi according to palace rules, comforted the bullied Yuan Nanzhi, and asked Xiao Chengxu to promote Yuan Nanzhi's position so that she and Concubine Yi were on equal footing. In this way, even if Concubine Yi wanted to bully Yuan Nanzhi again, it would not be so easy. As they were both concubines and later concubines, no one was nobler than the other, and no one was inferior to the other.
When this happened, Xie Yaoqing didn't take it to heart, but after Yuan Nanzhi's reminder, she recalled this incident from her memory, and immediately felt that the kite in her hand was a little hot.
She was just doing what a queen should do. Moreover, if you think about it carefully, it was her negligence that led to Yuan Nanzhi being bullied by Concubine Yi. If she had been more careful at the time, perhaps such a thing would not have happened.
Thinking of this, Xie Yaoqing couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
The good thing is that Yuan Nanzhi didn't hold a grudge against her and still remembered her kindness. This made Xie Yaoqing feel that she was not worthy of Yuan Nanzhi's gratitude.