C82

The next morning, when Qing Qing had just woken up, she heard Cai Hong say that Su Kui and Yu Yu had arrived and were waiting for them in the main hall.

Su Rou had entered the palace earlier than the original owner. It had been almost six years, and every time she saw her parents at the palace banquet, she would only be able to see them from afar. Now that she had the opportunity to get closer, how could she not be anxious?

He signaled to Lingtong to invite Su Yu in and let Cai Hong and a few other court ladies help her dress and clean up. The main hall was just one side hall away from the main bedroom. Just as she left, she heard the sound of footsteps returning.

Qing Qing tilted her head and looked at Su Yu, who was beaming with joy. She felt that her casual action had some meaning to it.

"Su Zhi Yu, calm heart, it's not good for the Emperor to see you like this."

Su Gelou's hands were clenched into fists as the corners of her lips curled up slightly. Her usually bright eyes seemed to be filled with sparks as they sparkled. She had never been this happy with Duanmu Yuling before.

Su Gui knew that she had overperformed herself and quickly replied, "Yes, Mistress." Taking a deep breath, he returned to his usual gentle and calm demeanor.

He called upon Forsythia and said, "How many people would like to go to the hunting grounds?"

"In reply to the Empress, only Consort De, as well as Consort Qi and Zhu Rong Hua who are on good terms with Consort De."

Qing Qing asked indifferently, "Have you all come?"

"No, the masters must have been exhausted yesterday."

Qing Qing didn't seem to hear him as she accepted the cup of water from Cai Hong. She took a sip and spat out the water before saying, "Su Ying Yu, accompany me for breakfast."

When Qing Qing and her group finished their breakfast, the five of them were still nowhere to be seen. Qing Qing felt that something was amiss and immediately called for Ling Gou. "Go ask Consort De."

This place wasn't too far from Consort De's residence. After a while, Consort Xian and the others came back and reported, "Concubine, Consort De and the others have already left with them." He raised his head and looked at her clear expression. Seeing that there was no anger on her face, he continued, "I heard that His Majesty stayed at Consort De's place last night, so he went with the emperor to the hunting grounds early in the morning."

Qing Qing was quite surprised. This was the first time that Duanmu Yu Ling had been served a bed by someone in the palace. Consort De really had quite the skill, but she didn't know whether or not Duanmu Yu Ling knew about her pampering of the empress.

Seeing that everyone in the room was waiting for her order, she smiled and said: "It's fine. Let's go. Without them we would be more at ease."

Qing Qing and the rest walked and stopped. By the time they arrived at the hunting grounds, Duanmu Yu Ling was already gone. Even Consort De had disappeared. Qing Qing thought that there was something about these two people that she didn't know about.

Just when he was curious and wanted to chat with Xiao Qi, he saw two people riding back together as they loved each other.

"Greetings, your Imperial Majesty." Upon seeing Duanmu Yu Ling appear, a group of people kneeled on the ground and greeted him in a loud and clear voice that echoed throughout the mountain.

He jumped down from the horse and helped Consort De down from the horse. He then said, "Esteemed Sisters, please get up."

Qing Qing didn't have the leisure to disturb the two of them as she looked at the two of them embracing each other. She instructed Lian Ling to bring Madam Su over.

Madam Su stepped forward and saw Su Rou standing obediently beside Qing Qing. Her eyes reddened. "Greetings to esteemed empress. Greetings to Lady Yu."

Qing Qing pulled up the half-squatting Madame Su. "Madam Su, please get up. I saw that there aren't many family members here today, so I invited you to accompany me to talk and relieve your boredom. Are you willing?" She led the way to the nearest tent and sat down

Madam Su hurried to follow. "This subject is willing. It's my fortune to be able to chat with the Empress and relieve my boredom." At this point, Madam Su understood the meaning of this.