I slowly raised my eyes and looked at the woman sitting in the main seat, with purple-red gold phoenix hairpins, a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix hairpin on her head, shining brightly. Her maiden name had been gradually forgotten by people, only remembered in Qingyang Palace, where the gentle and elegant Noble Consort was.

  And so, although Nan Chengyao called out her name last night, I didnt take it to heart and never thought he would dare to be so presumptuous as to have a private affair with the current emperors most favored concubine, Qing Guifei.

  The astonishment in my heart lasted only for a moment, and after some thought, I couldnt help but secretly laugh at myself for still being too naive. If it werent for the fact that Consort Qing could effortlessly get close to the Emperor, and also had an older brother working at the Imperial Hospital, Nan Chengyao probably wouldnt have gone to entangle himself with her either.

  But this Queen Qing was not a simple character, her family was thin and had no great power in the court. She alone, step by step, walked to today, finally favored the imperial harem. There were even rumors that when the emperor was ill, even memorials were reviewed by this queen on his behalf.

  "If the three queens are not in a hurry to leave, I would like to find someone to accompany me and have a chat." After serving tea, she casually fiddled with her long, vermilion-painted fingernails and opened her mouth with a lazy, gentle charm.

  I smiled warmly: "To be favored by your highness is a blessing for Murong Qing."

  She smiled and slowly opened her mouth: "On the day of the Queens grand wedding, I originally wanted to congratulate her in person. Unfortunately, the Emperor had a sudden headache, and the palace was full of women, so they were all flustered and couldnt think clearly. They had no choice but to summon all the princes back to the palace. As a result, the three queens spent their wedding night alone in their chambers, and I truly felt sorry for them."

  I smiled faintly in my heart, but on the surface, there was no hint of it. If I still had three parts of faith that the emperors illness was true before, then now, if you say that the emperors illness this time has nothing to do with the lady in front of me, I absolutely dont believe it.

  I couldnt help but think of a phrase that Pan Yuer once said: Once a womans jealousy is triggered, things will likely go wrong.

  Its not entirely unreasonable now.

  The words of Qing Guifei, whether intentional or unintentional, already carried a sharp and gloating tone.

  I lowered my head and replied in a gentle and respectful tone: "Among the hundred virtues, filial piety comes first. Qinger dare not complain."

  Qing Guifeis eyes sparkled with a smile, seeming to be both disdainful and teasing: "Ive seen your sister once, very proud indeed. I thought all the daughters of the Murong family were like that, but it turns out youre still decent."

  I lowered my head and replied lightly: "Everything in the Murong family is bestowed by His Majesty, how could Qinger dare to be arrogant?"

  Upon hearing this, the Empresss disdain grew even more apparent and she no longer bothered to conceal it. Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly looked towards the palace gate, her expression instantly softening.

  I was slightly startled and turned around to see Nan Chengyaos figure entering the front hall.

  The Honorable Imperial Concubine Qing smiled softly and said: "Your Highness came in without even having someone announce your arrival."

  Nan Chengyao lazily smiled: "Ive always been annoyed by these empty formalities, Your Majesty isnt an outsider, in this Qingyang Palace, lets just dispense with them, shall we?"

  Although he was speaking to Queen Ki, his eyes were always faintly looking in my direction.

  My quiet smile is like a beautifully dressed wooden puppet doll, revealing no emotions.

  Qing Guifei smiled and said in an even softer tone, "This is the kind of person the Third Prince is. Dont mind him, Princess. In the future, youll have to take on more responsibilities."

  I lowered my eyelashes, covering the smile in my eyes. To others, it sounded like she was advising her daughter-in-law with a seniors identity, but the flaunting tone was too heavy, I couldnt pretend not to understand even if I wanted to.

  She still smiled warmly and replied with courtesy: "I dont dare accept your invitation, this is Qingers duty."

  Raising her eyes, the hint of satisfaction in Imperial Consort Qings eyes was well concealed, yet still faintly discernible.

  Nan Chengyao suddenly smiled and walked over to me: "In that case, Ill thank the princess first."

  I didnt understand his intention, so I quickly stood up and bowed to him. The smile on his lips grew deeper, and as he helped me up, he whispered in my ear: "Youve known who she is for a long time, yet you still pretend to be humble. If its not because of cowardice, then it must be because youre hiding something. Youre obviously not the former, are you?"

  I knew that nothing could be hidden from him, so I smiled slightly and replied in a low voice: "If Your Highness wants me to be jealous, Qinger can do it too."

  He chuckled softly, his breath brushing against my neck, causing a slight itch. I subtly shifted to the side to avoid him, and just as I let out a sigh of relief, I heard him burst into laughter, seemingly finding it amusing, and also appearing to be in a good mood.

  Those dark eyes, however, remained as cold as ever.

  I hadnt even had time to sigh when I heard the voice of Queen Qing, tinged with mockery and sharpness, slightly provocative: "Since the Third Princess is so understanding, then if the Third Prince stays in the palace for a few more days to serve the Emperor, the Princess will also be considerate?"

  Nan Chengyao didnt respond, his face still wore a careless smile, with an air of watching a good show.

  I smiled slightly, my voice gentle and courteous: "Qinger naturally dare not have any complaints, the emperors sacred body is at peace, which is our good fortune. Besides, since Ive already married Your Highness, were destined to be together for a lifetime, so why rush into things between husband and wife? Theres plenty of time ahead."

  The last sentence "come again tomorrow", I spoke slowly and softly, as if with a hint of shyness, and even more so with emotion.

  His demeanor and behavior were all humble, courteous and cautious, leaving no room for criticism.

  A snakes strike is seven inches long; this principle I understand. The more unintentional the hurtful words that come out, the more they can harm people.

  She raised her eyes again and saw the smile on Qing Guifeis face, which was no surprise.

  And Nan Chengyaos lips, however, slowly curled up, with a hint of excitement and joy.