Novel Bin Chapter 324 - 324: Meeting the Empress Dowager
Capital city, the Imperial Palace.
“Your Majesty, His Highness King Cheng reports that everything in Anzhou has stabilized, and he and Queen Cheng are on their way back.”
“This brat, he has helped me out this time.”
Emperor Qi Ming looked at the letter in his hand, his eyes filled with smiles.
Seeing the Emperor’s smile, Wang Kun also commented, “The prince has always been loyal to you.”
“He is my own younger brother, of course he is loyal to me. But as for my several good sons, hmph!”
Thinking of Xiao Nanye, the Emperor’s eyes were filled with warmth. But recalling the recent activities of several princes, his smile instantly faded, replaced by a stormy look.
When Emperor Qi Ming received the news, others also got the message.
The first to receive the news was the Great Empress Dowager.
“Is he that lucky?”
The Great Empress Dowager lay in bed, her eyes filled with anger.
The old nanny didn’t dare to make a sound. After the Great Empress Dowager calmed down a little, she said softly, “It’s all thanks to Queen Cheng that King Cheng is safe and sound this time.
“Jiang Peihuan, 1 might not be able to do anything to Xiao Nanye, but I can certainly deal with her, can’t I?”
“Go find two good-looking maids for me.”
“Your Royal Majesty, it’s said that King Cheng values the Queen greatly. If you send people to him at this time, it might upset him.”
“So what if I upset him? Will he dare to harm me?”
“He wouldn’t dare harm you, Your Royal Majesty, but I’m afraid he might take out his anger on the prince.”
The old maid whispered the last part.
The Great Empress Dowager’s expression darkened upon hearing this.
However, she coldly said, “Queen Cheng is now pregnant. 1 can grant two maids to King Cheng, and nobody can say anything about it.”
The old nanny still wanted to say something, but seeing that the Great Empress Dowager had already made up her mind, she didn’t say anything more.
By the time Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye returned to the capital, it was already half a month later.
Emperor Qi Ming had Wang Kun wait at the city gate. Soon, the couple followed Wang Kun to the palace.
As they disembarked the carriage, Jiang Peihuan quietly asked Wang Kun, “How has your health been lately?”
“Thanks to the medicine from the queen, I’ve been feeling much better.”
“That’s good.”
After saying this, Jiang Peihuan didn’t say more. She and Xiao Nanye proceeded to the Qianqing Palace.
“Quick, get up!”
Upon seeing Emperor Qi Ming, both Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye paid their respects. However, as Xiao Nanye bent down, the Emperor reached out to support him.
Jiang Peihuan, on the other hand, knelt directly.
Seeing this, Jiang Peihuan’s eyes filled with exasperation.
Xiao Nanye, seeing Jiang Peihuan on the ground, immediately helped her up, right in front of Emperor Qi Ming.
The Emperor, seeing this, coughed lightly and said, “Queen Cheng, please rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Nanye, you’ve done a great service this time. You…”
“This time, the quick stabilization of Anzhou was all thanks to Huan Er.”
Before Emperor Qi Ming could finish, Xiao Nanye interrupted him.
Hearing this, the corners of the Emperor’s mouth twitched.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard the eunuch’s voice coming from the door,” Your Majesty, the Great Empress Dowager heard that King Cheng and the Queen Cheng have entered the palace and has specially summoned the Queen.”
“Since the Great Empress Dowager has summoned you, Queen Cheng, you should go and pay your respects.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Nanye was about to object, but Jiang Pei Huan gently tugged his sleeve.
With a glance towards the emperor, Jiang Peihuan politely responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
As she entered the inner chamber, she noticed two stunningly beautiful maids. With just one glance, she discerned the Great Empress Dowager’s intentions.
As expected.
“I heard that you are pregnant?”
“Yes, Your Royal Majesty.”
“Although Nanye is not of my own blood, he grew up before my eyes. Now that you are pregnant, let these two maids serve him.”
“Technically, these arrangements should be made by you, his legitimate wife. But you are young, so 1 took the liberty.”
“Go and meet them.”
“Hold on!”
Before Jiang Peihuan could speak, a deep male voice sounded from behind.
Rushing into the chamber was Xiao Nanye, closely followed by Emperor Qi Ming.
Upon seeing Xiao Nanye, a mixture of surprise and warmth flashed across Jiang Peihuan’s eyes. Meanwhile, a hint of hostility appeared in the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes at his sight.
She had always had an inherent desire to kill Xiao Nanye, but now she couldn’t.
Watching Xiao Nanye bow, the Great Empress Dowager commented, “It’s good you’re here. I was just telling your queen to take these two maids back with her to serve you.”
“Great Empress Dowager, if you don’t mind these two becoming corpses, then by all means, send them to King Cheng’s mansion.”
Xiao Nanye interrupted her abruptly.
The Great Empress Dowager hadn’t expected such audacity, especially in front of Emperor Qi Ming.
Turning to the emperor, she exclaimed, “Look at him! Do you hear what he’s saying? Does he respect me at all?”
“Mother, calm down. He’s always been this way,” the emperor retorted, then scolded Xiao Nanye, “What nonsense are you talking? The Great Empress Dowager is doing this for your own good.”
“Imperial brother, in this life, I only want Huan Er. Aside from her, no other woman will catch my eye.”
“If you think the maids the Great Empress Dowager has granted are good, then they’re yours. With your numerous palaces and chambers, you’ll surely have space for them.”
“What are you implying?”
“What do you think you are to me?”
Hearing Xiao Nanye’s remarks, the emperor’s fury was palpable.
However, Xiao Nanye remained nonchalant. After a cursory bow, he said, “I’ve traveled a long way and am tired. I’ll take Huan Er home to rest.”
With that, he led Jiang Peihuan away.
“Look at his attitude!” The Great Empress Dowager exclaimed.
The empress dowager was so angry that her eyes turned red as she watched Xiao Nanye leave.
The emperor, unfazed by Xiao Nanye’s audacity, soothed, “Mother, that’s just how he is. Please don’t take it to heart.”
This statement only infuriated the Great Empress Dowager further.
Meanwhile, Xiao Nanye had already left the Ci Ning Palace with Jiang Peihuan.
“Xiao Nanye, is it appropriate for us to leave like this?”