C166

"The servant said that you have something important to tell This King?" Dongfang Zi's voice woke Zhao Pingqing up from her thoughts. She held her heart like a deer and said, "Yes. I don't dare to disturb you, your highness. But after thinking for a while, I still feel it necessary to tell you."

Dongfang Yi folded the military information paper in his hand and briefly said, "What is it?"

"Ping Qing met Big Sister Shen in the palace today. I heard she said …" Zhao Pingqing stealthily glanced at Dongfang Yi's stern face and spoke unexpected words. "The empress dowager has already promised to give her a marriage, and that person is the prince. The decree should come tomorrow."

Dongfang Qing stared at her with an ashen face. "Are you serious?"

"How could Ping Qing dare to joke around with my master? It's absolutely true. I personally heard it from Big Sister Shen."

Dongfang Qing was both angry and annoyed. He slammed his fist on the table. He thought that Shen Xijun had given up after coming to the palace, but who would've thought that she was so shameless as to ask the empress dowager to marry her!

"Pingqing knows that the emperor has always disliked Big Sister Shen, so she came to inform the emperor. Now that the empress dowager's decree hasn't fallen, perhaps there's still room for manoeuvre."

With great difficulty, Eastern Sou suppressed the anger in his heart and coldly said, "I understand. Thank you, Miss Zhao." With that, he said to Cai Yuan, who was standing beside him, "Send Miss Zhao out."

Zhao Pingqing didn't expect him to send her away as soon as he finished listening. He was anxious, she still had something to say. When she saw Cai Yuan approaching, she was struck by a sudden inspiration and fell to the ground.

Cai Yuan was startled. He immediately supported her and asked, "What happened to Miss Zhao?"

Zhao Pingqing pretended to be weak as she held her forehead and said, "I …" I don't know, just dizzy. " Taking advantage of the fact that Cai Yuan didn't see it, she secretly gave a look to the maid, who had followed her for many years and knew her intentions. She immediately said, "It must be because I was in a hurry to tell the prince that I caught a cold on the way. It's a pity that there's no ginger tea here, otherwise I would have the cold to warm my body."

Cai Yuan helped her sit down in the chair. "It was just a coincidence, but it just so happened to be snowing and it was freezing cold."

"Don't worry, I can handle it." Zhao Pingqing tried to stand up, but she fell down and sat on the chair. Half of her body was against the maid's body. SShe was gasping for breath. He looked weak.

Dongfang Wenshui frowned and said to Cai Yuan, "Tell the kitchen staff to make a bowl of ginger tea. Remember to be strong."

Zhao Pingqing was secretly happy. She looked worried and said, "I don't have the nerve to bother you, my lord. I think it's better for me to go back." After saying that, she stood up, but was stopped by Dongfang Gu. "It's just a bowl of ginger tea. If there's any trouble, just sit still."

Although he was wearing thick clothes, that short contact still made Zhao Pingqing's heart pound like a deer. He lowered his head to hide the red clouds on his face.

After Cai Yuan went out, Dongfang Gu said, "Aren't you afraid that Chang Rong will blame you for telling me this?"

Zhao Pingqing lowered her head and stroked the smooth and shiny hair on her sleeve. She sighed, "In fact, Sister Shen really treats me very well. She has always treated me like her own sister, taking care of me from all sides. [Even if I am forced to marry him, I will only feel pain in my entire life. I can't even become enemies with him. I really don't want Master Wang and Sister Shen to reach such a state. I will not regret it even if Sister knows that she is blaming me for it.]

Dongfang Shou nodded and said, "You've thought it through quite thoroughly. If Shen Xijun was half as understanding as you are, then she wouldn't have caused so much trouble."

Zhao Pingqing looked at his handsome face under the orange candlelight and said helplessly, "In fact, I have tried to persuade Sister Shen a few times in private, but unfortunately, she refused to listen to my advice. Instead, she drew the blame."

"She has that kind of personality to begin with!" Dongfang Qing's face was filled with derision and disgust when Shen Xijun was mentioned. He had never seen a woman with skin as thick as Shen Xijun's.

The two of them fell silent as they heard the sound of the wind outside. From time to time, the wind would blow dry branches and other things. They would hit the windowsill and make sounds of "tuk tuk".

After an unknown period of time, Cai Yuan came in with some ginger tea. He smiled and said, "Miss Zhao, you can drink now. Be careful not to boil your mouth."

"Thank you, Manager Cai." Zhao Pingqing thanked her and slowly drank it. After the bowl was filled up, she smiled and said, "It has indeed warmed up a lot after drinking it. My hands and feet are full of strength now." With that, she stood up and faced the east. "It's getting late, so I should take my leave. I hope the prince can resolve this matter tomorrow."

Dongfang Shimo nodded. "As long as it's within my capabilities, I will definitely do everything I can to help Miss Zhao in the future."

"Your Highness is too serious." She followed Cai Yuan out of the room. When they stepped out of the South Pavilion, her lips curled up into an imperceptible smile. With Dongfang Qing's loathing for Shen Xijun, he would definitely ask the empress dowager to take back her life. If she wanted to be Prince Rui's consort, hehe, it wouldn't be so easy.

The snow continued falling for an entire day and night, and only at a quarter of an hour was it finally released. The previous day's depth of half an inch had turned to half a foot, and every step he took left a deep imprint.

When the morning arrived, Dongfang Qin immediately headed towards the Palace. He left in a hurry, but an incense stick of time later, he arrived at the Palace. The supervisor, who was sweeping snow in the courtyard, saw him enter and quickly knelt down to pay his respects.

Dongfang Shou glanced at the tightly shut vermillion palace and asked, "Is the empress dowager inside?"

One of the internal guards replied in a low voice, "To reply Your Highness, the empress dowager has just finished his ritual of buddhism and is currently dining in the Eastern Courtyard."

Dongfang Yi nodded. "Pass on the message that this king will pay his respects to the empress dowager."

"Yes." The supervisor walked over in the snow that had yet to be cleaned up. After a while, he came out and said, "The empress dowager invites the prince to speak with her in the Eastern Courtyard."

Wherever Empress Dowager Wei was, it had always been as warm as spring, even in the Eastern Courtyard. As soon as she entered, a warm gust of heat assaulted her face and quickly dispelled the chill on his body.

Dongfang Qing cupped his hands and said, "Your son greets the Queen Mother."

"Come, sit by This Dowager's side."

After Dongfang Wenyi sat down, she said with a smile, "Today's royal kitchens made a good round sesame soup. It tasted sticky, slippery, and sweet like honey, and you should try it as well."

"Yes." "I remember that when you and the emperor were young, you both liked to eat this sesame seed ball. Every time the imperial kitchens were made, the two of you had to eat a full bowl, sometimes not enough."

Dongfang Qing smiled and said, "Your son remembers. Your mother would always ask your son and brother to eat less, so that his stomach wouldn't feel full."