pillow bird spring

inside the house.

"Why is it so lively so early in the morning?" Consort De asked casually as she sat down.

But her gaze was fixed on Granny Gui.

Cui Lingyi noticed it too.

She smiled and took the initiative to coax him.

"Your Majesty, I was just about to pay my respects to you, but you came in person."

Cui Lingyi is beautiful, and with her sweet voice, she knows how to please people.

This tactic was invincible in the imperial harem.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to please the Empress Dowager so much and even be granted the title of Princess Anping.

But such attempts to please Consort De were utterly useless.

Consort De was not enthusiastic towards Cui Lingyi.

However, Cui Lingyi didn't take it to heart.

Because Consort De seemed indifferent to everyone.

Even the emperor and empress dowager are no exception.

But the Emperor doted on Consort De, so in the harem, everyone had to show her respect.

Even the Empress Dowager was much more polite to Consort De.

When Granny Gui realized that Consort De had come for her, she immediately kowtowed and respectfully explained, "Your Majesty, I am here on the orders of the Empress Dowager to teach Miss Shen the rules of the palace, so that nothing may happen to her in the palace."

Consort De raised an eyebrow and chuckled mockingly upon hearing this.

Her gaze was direct as she looked Shen Yinshuang up and down.

Then, with a half-smile, she looked at Granny Gui: "Palace rules? What, is Miss Shen going to enter the palace?"

Granny Gui was taken aback by the question, and even Cui Lingyi, who was usually quick-witted, couldn't refute it now.

Shen Yinshuang remained quiet.

"This is Kaiyuan Temple, there aren't so many rules here. If I remember correctly, Miss Shen is just an embroiderer, why does she need to learn the rules of the palace?" Consort De took a sip of tea unhurriedly, still indifferent. "Is it because the Emperor has taken a liking to Miss Shen and wants to take her as a concubine, so the Empress Dowager had Granny Gui personally teach her? If that's the case, then I really don't know."

These words immediately silenced the room.

How could someone as clever as Granny Gui not know that Consort De implied between the lines that she didn't need to be there?

Consort De put down her teacup and continued, "As for why I came here in person, it was because I heard from Zhao'er that Miss Shen's mother is from the Liu family in Jiangnan, which piqued my interest."

These words seemed to offer a rather bland explanation for why she was there.

Cui Lingyi was taken aback.

Consort De smiled at Cui Lingyi, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

She knew very well that she did not like Cui Lingyi.

Having spent so long in this deep palace, she knew all too well.

The more innocent and naive they appear on the surface, the more ruthless their methods behind the scenes.

This place is full of people who would devour you without spitting out the bones.

Those kind and innocent people are long gone.

"That's why I sought out Miss Cui," Consort De said with a smile. "I happen to have a padded jacket that I cherish, but the embroidery on it is now blurred and the stitches are missing. I would like Miss Shen to help me repair it."

As she spoke, Consort De took another sip of tea to moisten her throat.

"But now it seems that I was overthinking things. After all, Miss Cui is also waiting for Miss Shen's wedding dress. If I were to take her away, wouldn't that delay Miss Cui's important event? I cannot bear such a crime," Consort De said calmly.

Cui Lingyi wasn't stupid, and immediately said, "Your Highness, Consort De, you jest. This humble woman would never dare to have such a thought."

Seeing this, Consort De smiled and said, "That's good. I'll bring Miss Shen to stay with me for a few days, so we can discuss with her in detail how to repair it."

This is how you openly and legitimately ask for people.

Cui Lingyi and Granny Gui looked at each other in bewilderment.

Consort De is taking the person away.

Then they really can't do anything.

After all, it's impossible to target Consort De directly; one could easily implicate oneself in the mess.

"Your Majesty, but what about the Empress Dowager..." Cui Lingyi hesitated before looking at Consort De.

Consort De smiled: "If Your Majesty the Empress Dowager really wants Miss Shen to learn etiquette, I have nannies. That's not a problem. If anything happens, I will personally ask Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for someone."

This is beyond question.

Cui Lingyi and Granny Gui suffered a loss they couldn't speak of from Consort De.

They certainly wouldn't dare to disturb the Empress Dowager over something like this.

Moreover, compared to Consort De, they seemed even more insignificant.

Even the current empress has to show deference to the emperor because of his favor, let alone them.

After speaking, Consort De didn't even glance at the two of them.

Then Consort De stood up.

Granny Zhuang, who was standing next to her, was smiling as she looked at Shen Yinshuang.

"Miss Shen, please pack your things and come with me to Consort De's place." Granny Zhuang was quite polite to Shen Yingshuang.

Shen Yinshuang nodded, then looked at Cuixi.

Before she could speak, Consort De noticed her.

"Bring your maid along, so that someone can take care of you and I won't have to be distracted by looking after you." Consort De agreed.

"This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your grace." Shen Yinshuang expressed her gratitude.

Cui Xi also knelt down and kowtowed to express her gratitude.

Without hesitation, Cui Xi packed her things and helped Shen Ying Shuang out.

Throughout the entire process, Cui Lingyi remained silent.

Seeing this, Xiao Yin's tense expression gradually relaxed.

But without leaving a trace.

His hand naturally slipped out of Cui Lingyi's grasp.

"I didn't expect Consort De to come in person." Xiao Yin said calmly. "She probably came to see you about Shen Yinshuang. That jacket was used by the little princess back then, so Consort De has always cherished it and taken it with her wherever she goes. Over the years, the embroidery on it has been damaged, and Consort De has repeatedly asked many embroiderers to embroider it back to its original appearance, but none of them could do so. That's why she had the idea of ​​finding Shen Yinshuang."

Cui Lingyi nodded obediently: "I see?"

"Hmm." Xiao Yin did not deny it.

Xiao Yin didn't say anything more.

Xiao Yin calmly changed the subject: "I still have to see the Emperor, I'll come find you later."

"Brother Yin, I'll go with you..." Cui Lingyi seemed to be pleading, "You go in, I'll wait for you outside."

"Listen to me, don't make a fuss." Xiao Yin paused for a moment, then soothed him in a low voice.

Cui Lingyi pouted, looking quite serious.

"I've always felt that you're different lately than when you were on the frontier. You seem to have something on your mind." She poked Xiao Yin's chest with her hand. "You're sullen, but I don't know what happened to you. You don't even want to tell me. You used to be so open and honest with me."

These words carried a hint of resentment, and seemed to be directed at Xiao Yin with a hint of anger.

Her slender arms wrapped around Xiao Yin's neck, pressing closer as if she were being affectionate.

Xiao Yin lowered his gaze slightly.

He naturally reached out to grab Cui Lingyi's hand.

Cui Lingyi objected: "Brother Yin, are you really hiding something from me?"

"No," Xiao Yin denied.