kvmb Chapter 415 Offense
Chapter 415 Offense
Hearing the words "noble lady," a noblewoman standing nearby whispered, "Some things can't be envied. Who in this world has the same good fortune as Your Majesty? Your Majesty's destiny is noble and you are a perfect match for His Majesty. However, Your Majesty has been sickly since childhood, and the physician predicted that she would have difficulty conceiving. The late Emperor had some concerns about this. Fortunately, the Imperial Physician Zhong helped to improve Your Majesty's health, which is why you were able to marry His Majesty."
After the Empress entered the Eastern Palace, her belly remained flat, while Consort Shu gave birth one after another. People outside speculated that the Empress's health was not yet fully recovered and that she might never have any children.
Unexpectedly, a few years later, the Empress became pregnant with Prince Qi, dispelling the rumors.
A noblewoman standing in the corner, upon hearing this, glanced subtly at the Empress's figure—slender waist, narrow hips. A moment later, she calmly withdrew her gaze: "This is the palace. Be careful what you say, and refrain from speaking ill of noblewomen."
Although the noblewoman's words were words of praise, they were still offensive.
The noblewomen realized they had broken the rules and immediately fell silent, looking anxiously at the Empress, only to see her enter surrounded by palace maids.
They instinctively looked at Shen Qingtan; apart from the Empress, she was the person of the highest status here.
Shen Qingtan and Princess Guangning went up together to greet the Empress.
The ladies of the court followed suit and bowed.
The Empress's gaze lingered on the jade pendant at Shen Qingtan's waist for a moment before she said in a low voice, "No need for formalities."
Then, the Empress looked at Princess Guangning beside her and noticed her reddened eyes. Suddenly, she couldn't bring herself to say what she had been about to say.
As women, they had no control over their own destinies and were born to sacrifice themselves for their families and their country.
"You are a princess of Northern Qi, and now you are marrying into the Great Zhou, with no hope of returning. You must take good care of yourself." The Empress was originally going to accompany the Emperor of Northern Qi to see Princess Guangning off at the palace gates, but her health did not allow her to overexert herself. So she came here specifically to say a few words to Guangning and present a privately prepared congratulatory gift. However, thinking of Princess Guangning's status and situation, she was ultimately moved with compassion: "Since you call me Mother, you can be considered my daughter. I will arrange two maids to accompany you in your dowry."
Princess Guangning was slightly taken aback, then heard the Empress call out, "Yunshu and Yunying, from now on you will stay by Guangning's side."
The two maids guarding behind the Empress responded, greeted Princess Guangning, and then stood beside her.
A look of astonishment flashed across Green Branch's eyes, because these two maids were quite skilled. The Marquis had sent them to the Empress's side to protect her safety.
Now, however, the person has been given to Princess Guangning.
She collected her thoughts and handed the congratulatory gift that the Empress had given to Princess Guangning to Yunying.
Princess Guangning came to her senses, not understanding the Empress's intention: "Mother, I will remember my identity and the responsibilities on my shoulders..."
A hand landed on her shoulder, and Guangning stopped speaking abruptly, staring blankly at the Empress with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
Seeing the fear in Princess Guangning's eyes, the Empress straightened the embroidered robe on her shoulders: "You have completed your mission by marrying into the Great Zhou. What you need to do is live a peaceful life."
Princess Guangning felt a lump in her throat, and tears welled up in her eyes.
At this moment, a palace servant came in to announce: "Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived."
The Empress withdrew her hand and instructed the palace servants, "Touch up the princess's makeup first."
When the palace servants saw that Princess Guangning's makeup was smudged, they hurriedly applied powder to her face again.
The Empress watched quietly as the palace maids placed the red veil over Princess Guangning's head, then gestured for Lüzhi to help her leave.
Green Branch supported the Empress's arm, helping her leave the noisy palace and head towards Chang Le Palace. Suddenly, the Empress stopped and looked towards the palace gate.
Green Branch called out softly, "Your Majesty?"
The Empress turned and arrived at the palace gate, stepping onto the city wall. Palace servants, carrying lanterns and square and round fans, led the way. Next came the Emperor of Northern Qi, who looked haggard, with dark circles under his eyes, and his steps were unsteady; he was even weaker than before.
Immediately afterwards, Princess Guangning, supported by palace servants, slowly walked out of the city gate, stood before the Emperor of Northern Qi, and together with Prince Yu, bowed to the Emperor before getting into the carriage beside her.
The wedding procession drove away towards the city gate.
The Empress watched the procession depart, her fingertips gently clenching her sleeve as she gazed towards the direction of the Great Zhou.
That was the homeland that Yizhen longed to return to.
"Cough cough... cough..." The Empress coughed a few times, covering her mouth.
Green Branch said worriedly, "Your Majesty, it's windy on the city wall. Shall we go back to Chang Le Palace? Otherwise, your health won't be able to withstand it."
The Empress nodded slightly, returned to Chang Le Palace, and sat on the long couch.
On the couch lay an unfinished garment. The Empress, knowing that Prince Qi was about to return to his fiefdom, endured her discomfort and picked up the garment to continue sewing.
The plan is to give this garment to the King of Qi before he returns to his fiefdom.
Meanwhile, after seeing Princess Guangning off, the ladies of the court returned to their respective residences.
The lady who had advised the noblewomen in the palace to be careful with their words went to her study in a hurry after returning to her residence and sought out her husband.