Lou Qingwu followed a palace maid into Kunning Palace.
The empress wore a phoenix gown in true red as she sat in the master hall.
As she saw her walk in, her eyes immediately became gentler, âQingwu, hurry and let this empress see. Iâve havenât seen you in a few days so Iâve been really thinking about you, child.â
Lou Qingwu displayed proper etiquette as she bowed before walking towards the front.
She stood not too far and not too close to the empress, warmly and obediently.
She didnât display too much fear but also not too much arrogance because of the empressâ favour.
Her whole person was gently and obediently standing to the side, as graceful and subdued as a Jiangnan ink painting.
The more the empress saw, the more she liked her.
But thinking about what sheâd just heard, she exchanged some greetings before being unable to resist changing the topic: âAh, Qingwu, did you suffer some grievances at the residence? If you have anything, tell this empress and I can get justice for you.â
From the gossip that spread from the Lou residence, to the clearly biased version spoken by the left prime minister in the early court, even though the emperor said he believed it, how could anyone with eyes not see clearly?
The emperor was only giving the left prime minister face, because after all, if they actually did end up arguing over this, there was no way of ending it well.
So they could only let this child suffer.
Lou Qingwu shook her head, âThis subject girlâs well at the residence. Empress doesnât have to worry.â
â....â The empress was stunned.
She originally thought that this child would at least complain a bit, unable to bear having to suffer from the false accusations.
Who wouldâve thought that she wouldnât say anything at all?
This type of Lou Qingwu made her heart hurt even more.
Towards the left prime ministerâs clearly bias towards the concubine born and hatred towards the legitimate born, how was this not similar to the emperorâs att.i.tude towards her and Consort Ningâs children?
Just thinking about the events then made the empressâ heart feel cold as pity welled up in her heart.
She pulled Lou Qingwu over and finally sighed, âYouâve suffered.â
But the imperial chambers couldnât meddle with politics and even if she really wanted to persuade the emperor, she couldnât open her mouth.
Furthermore, what happened that night at the banquet, sheâd already seen clear the emperorâs heart and therefore would definitely not do anything that would give her no benefits.
It was only a pity for this child because even though the emperor acknowledged the left prime ministerâs words, the citizens werenât blind.
Having an illicit affair was having an illicit affair, so as long as it was secretly spread everywhere, once the Lou familyâs second daughter married into the Li residence, she definitely would get her own rotten karma back!
âQingwu, donât worry. This empress will definitely find you a good family to marry you into!â
She thought and thought, unable to help but look towards behind the curtains.
As if sheâd finally decided on something, coughed, then resumed back to normal, holding Lou Qingwuâs hand, âQingwu, ah, I heard that youâll reach marriageable age in ten or so days. In this capital, are there are any boys that have caught your eye?â
Lou Qingwuâs lowered eyes flashed as she lowered her head even more.
It looked as if she was too shy to even open her mouth and as if sheâd finally been forced to the point of no return by the empress, finally lifted her head up with reddened eyes to face the empress, âN-no, no one!â
The empress covered her mouth and laughed, âNo oneâs good, no oneâs good.â
As she finished speaking, sneaked a peek at behind the curtain before trying to sound her out again, âThen, why donât this I find one for you? Who do you like amongst the princes?â
Lou Qingwuâs face reddened even more, bit her lips and didnât say another word.
âYouâre not willing?â
The empressâ laughter dulled but didnât have any hint of blame in her words.
Sheâd suddenly only said so to sound her out.
Lou Qingwu shook her head, and after half a day, hoa.r.s.ely spoke, âQingwu thanks the empress for your favour, but ⊠after last nightâs affair, Qingwu temporarily doesnât want to ⊠empress, please donât be angry at Qingwu.â
âSilly child, how could this empress be angry at you? Then weâll just wait for a few more days.â
At this time, even if this child agreed, it wasnât a good time for marriage any way.
So all they could do was wait.
The empress then pulled Lou QIngwu to say a few more words before letting her go.
*
TL note:
Whoâs behind the curtains and eavesdropping?
(Also, who is this shy girl? Where is LQW????)
Leave a comment and for the sneaky eavesdropper to be revealed xx