松鼠症仓库

The freshly cut pomegranate flowers, vibrant and fiery red, approximately eleven or twelve of them, were arranged in a vase. Qu Yingrong was sitting beside the round table, delicately trimming the excess branches and leaves with golden scissors.

“Please, have a seat,” Qu Yingrong said, her face adorned with a gentle smile, radiating warmth.

Liu Shimei didn’t hesitate and sat down. She asked, “These pomegranate flowers are truly beautiful. Wouldn’t it be better to leave them on the tree to bear fruit?”

“The Crown Prince personally cut them for me,” Qu Yingrong glanced at her and smiled. “Although I love pomegranates, having them bear fruit doesn’t help! Most likely, even before they could be brought to my palace, King Dun Yu has already plucked them!”

Liu Shimei felt a pang of surprise.

She had just spoken casually, but Qu Yingrong’s words seemed to imply something more. However, she couldn’t expose it and decided to feign ignorance. “So, it was the Crown Prince’s filial piety.”

“Exactly,” Qu Yingrong said, trimming the overly dense leaves with her golden scissors. “The Crown Prince is very gentlemanly, always considerate of his younger brother and willing to yield in everything.”

Liu Shimei grew wary.

If she had only suspected Qu Yingrong’s hidden intentions before, now she was almost certain!

She kept silent, not wanting to say anything wrong, waiting for Qu Yingrong to change the topic.

As expected, Qu Yingrong couldn’t be straightforward about her words. She spoke gently, “Forget it, in my eyes, my own son is naturally the best. But what others see might not be the same. Why am I telling you all this?”

She smiled and asked, “Did you specifically come here for something?”

Only then did Liu Shimei speak, “In response to the Empress Dowager’s words, I, your servant, have adopted a child and intend to keep her by my side to serve. Because she is too young, I am not at ease leaving her with others. Therefore, I wish to bring her with me and stay in the palace for a few days, until King Dun Yu’s injuries have fully healed.”

“It’s such a trivial matter; there’s no need to bother me with it. Just send someone to inform the Chief Steward of the Internal Affairs Department. Whatever you need, they will provide it for you!” Qu Yingrong finally expressed satisfaction with the pomegranate flowers, put down her golden scissors, and gestured for a palace maid to arrange them. She then went to the basin to wash her hands.

The Empress was standing, and Liu Shimei couldn’t remain seated.

She stood up silently, waiting.

When Qu Yingrong returned, she gestured for Liu Shimei to sit and asked, “How is King Dun Yu’s injury?”

Liu Shimei replied, “It’s only been a few days. Fortunately, it didn’t affect his bones. As long as the wound heals and scabs over, he won’t need to stay in bed for rest.”

Qu Yingrong nodded, saying, “King Dun Yu has always been stubborn since he was a child. He doesn’t let anyone approach him when he’s unwell. Otherwise, he throws a tantrum and refuses to take his medicine. Only you can handle him so well.”

Liu Shimei didn’t quite understand the meaning behind these words and cautiously said, “Children are easy to appease.”

Qu Yingrong smiled at her and said, “You have patience.”

Liu Shimei smiled back, saying, “The Empress also has patience. I can see that the Second Prince respects you a lot. Children, you know, they only dare to snatch things from those they are close to.”

They chatted for a while longer before Liu Shimei took her leave.

Outside, walking on the palace road, her expression reverted to its usual impassivity.

She had been smiling for so long; it felt like her face was turning into a permanent smiley emoji!

This Empress was not simple at all. What did her words really mean?

Did she say that Huangfu Lingyao stole the Crown Prince’s belongings?

Liu Shimei didn’t want to dwell on it too much, but just after leaving the main palace, she encountered someone she didn’t want to see!