C154 Accompanied by Incense

"Esteemed Empress, the empress dowager's mama came earlier to pass on a message for you to come to her palace before noon."

"Understood, you can leave first." Shen Qingwan waved her hand and sent him out.

She could only sigh helplessly. The empress dowager definitely wanted to talk to her about the matters of the past few days, but she didn't know how much attention she was paying and was afraid it wouldn't be easy to deal with them. Although she wasn't very willing to go, she was the empress dowager after all, so she could only obey. Seeing that it wasn't too far away from noon now, she turned over her appearance before rushing to the empress dowager's Tzu Ning Palace with her personal maidservant.

"Elder sister, I have to trouble you to inform the empress dowager that Concubine Xian has come to see you." The personal maidservant made a small bow to a maidservant from the Palace of Gentle Serenity and said in a gentle voice.

"Wait." The maid glanced at the two of them, but did not make things difficult for them. He went straight in to pass on the message.

Not long after, a mama came out to announce that the empress dowager was waiting for her at the Full Moon Pavilion in the backyard.

Shen Qingwan nodded, signalling for the maidservants to wait outside for her. The mama led her in a zigzag to the empress dowager's place.

Her Majesty poured tea for herself in the pavilion, but there was no palace maid around her. Seeing that Shen Qingwan had arrived, she only looked at her indifferently. Her hands didn't stop moving, and only signaled the mama with her eyes to move away.

Although Shen Qingwan didn't know what the empress dowager was planning to wait for her today, she still bowed politely and didn't move forward. Instead, she waited on the spot for the empress dowager to speak, leaving no room for mistakes.

After a long while, the empress dowager put down the tea set and spoke at a moderate pace. "Ah, Consort Xian …"

"Chenqie is here."

"You've been in the palace for quite a while. It seems like you know my temper, so I won't beat around the bush." The empress dowager carelessly picked up the teacup and took a sip, frowning. It was unknown if it was because she was dissatisfied with the tea or because she was giving Shen Qingwan a look.

"Yes." If you have any orders, just say it. " Shen Qingwan lowered her head.

"This one knows that you are the daughter of a noble general. You have always done as you pleased, but you have already married into the royal family, so every action you take represents the royal family's dignity. I hope that you will always remember your current status and know your limits." Although the empress dowager didn't say any harsh words, her tone carried an indescribable dignity.

"Chenqie understands." No matter what the Empress said, she could only agree.

The empress dowager nodded with satisfaction and said, "In two days, This Dowager will be going to the Buddhist temple to burn incense. You can accompany This Dowager."

"Yes." Although she really didn't want to, she couldn't disobey the empress dowager's words.

"Alright, This Dowager knows that you have a lot of things to do, so I won't keep you here for food. Gui mama —" The empress dowager raised her voice, then called the mama over.

"Yes," the mama answered, then indicated for the Consort Xian to follow her. "Empress, please."

"Chenqie will take her leave." Shen Qingwan did not even bother to pay her respects and left.

Not long after, news of Gui mama sending Shen Qingwan back to the palace spread. Everyone was wondering what the empress dowager was thinking.

Fu Yuheng had sent people to keep an eye on Shen Qingwan's movements the entire time, and now he knew that Shen Qingwan had been invited by the empress dowager to discuss the matter. In his heart, he was extremely displeased with her actions. After all, she was not his birth mother, so there wasn't much kinship between them. He usually treated her with utmost respect out of filial piety, and he had always followed her decisions, which she did more and more.

The emperor played with the pearl in his hand. It seemed like it was time for him to make some changes.

On the other side, Ninth Prince also heard that the empress dowager wanted Shen Qing Wan to accompany her to the Buddhist temple to burn incense. He felt that Shen Qing Wan would definitely be unwilling, but it would be difficult for her to reject the empress dowager.

"Empress, the Emperor has come." The maidservant came to report.

"Your Majesty? "Bring him in." Shen Qingwan paused for a moment. Fu Yuheng, who had just gone to the empress dowager, had arrived. It was probably not a coincidence, but he had come to discuss some matters.

"Yes." The maidservant nodded.

"My beloved concubine, did Imperial Mother make things difficult for you today?" Fu Yuheng did not beat around the bush and asked directly.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. Esteemed Empress Dowager wouldn't make things difficult for me." Shen Qingwan gently smiled. Although she did not want to go to the Buddhist temple, it was indeed a small matter and could not be considered a problem.

Fu Yuheng saw through her with a glance and said, "She asked you to accompany her to the Buddhist temple? If you don't want to go, then don't. I'll help you speak up for the empress dowager. "

"Thank you, your majesty." She knew that he was afraid that she would make things difficult for him, so he specially went to find the empress dowager to reject her request. He was making a big fuss over nothing, and perhaps the empress dowager would hate her even more, "It's fine even if you don't want to go to the Temple of Law, but since the empress dowager has asked me to go, I might as well go with you."

"But …" Fu Yuheng wanted to persuade her, but Shen Qingwan shook his head, signalling for him to stop. She had already made her decision.

Fu Yuheng also knew that it was rare to change something that Shen Qingwan had decided on, so she had no choice but to give up.

"If that's the case, then I won't say much. If the empress dowager makes any excessive demands, then come find me." Fu Yuheng still had many things he needed to do, so he did not linger any longer. "Then I'll go back first. If there's anything else, just come and find me."

"I won't send you off. Thank you for your trouble, your majesty." Shen Qing Wan was blessed.

Fu Yuheng came and left in a hurry, but for the sake of her safety, she felt extremely grateful. He also silently remembered this favor in her heart.

Liu Chugrong had also heard about Shen Qingwan's rumours, but she didn't think that the empress dowager had any good intentions in finding Shen Qingwan. She must have given her a lecture. Since she had nothing to do, she decided to go to Shen Qingwan's residence and say a few words about the matter today. She didn't expect to see Fu Yuheng in a hurry on the way.

Liu Chu Rong rolled his eyes, thinking that he wasn't in a hurry to step on Shen Qing Wan's matter, there were plenty of opportunities, and he didn't know why the Emperor was in such a hurry. Thus, she quickly walked up to meet Fu Yuheng, who was walking towards her.

"Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry?" Liu Chu Rong said.

"Imperial Consort Liu." Fu Yuheng frowned as he looked at Liu Xiurong in front of him, a little displeased. "Is there something you need?" If there is nothing else, you can leave. "

"Chenqie only wanted to share the Emperor's worries. She didn't expect the Emperor to be so heartless towards her." Liu Chugrong pretended to feel wronged as she looked at him with her watery eyes.

"This …" Fu Yuheng felt very helpless. He did not expect her to say such a thing.

"If Your Majesty has no urgent matters, can you eat with chenqie? "Chenqie knows that the emperor has matters to attend to, but she can't get busy and break down just for official matters. It's more important to take care of the dragon's body!" Liu Chu Rong didn't care that he didn't want to be troubled, he just wanted to achieve his goal.

"That's good too." Looking at how Liu Chugrong refused to give up until he reached his goal, Fu Yuheng could only nod in agreement.