Shu Wanxing, who was standing beside the Empress Dowager, couldn't take her beautiful, misty eyes off the young emperor in front of her, and stared in amazement.
He was noble and domineering, with a dazzling and elegant demeanor. Every gesture he made exuded a captivating brilliance, making it hard not to be drawn to him.
"I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me here?"
Ye Lingfeng bowed, walked to one side of the main hall, sat down next to Hai Ling, and looked up at the Empress Dowager at the head of the table.
The Empress Dowager smiled and took Shu Wanxing's hand, speaking softly, "Feng'er, you haven't greeted Wanxing yet."
"Wanxing?"
Ye Lingfeng raised an eyebrow, his eyes fixed on the beautiful woman beside the Empress Dowager. She was so lovely and gentle, like water. He immediately thought of the little girl he had met when he was a child. He never expected that after so many years, she would grow into a graceful lady.
Seeing Ye Lingfeng looking at her, Shu Wanxing slowly stood up and said shyly, "Brother Ling, you haven't forgotten Wanxing, have you?"
The moment she spoke, the expressions of several people in the hall changed. Hai Ling was secondary; Nalan Mingzhu, Xi Liang, and the others looked extremely unpleasant. "Tch, what a pretentious act! 'Brother Ling,' is it really necessary to pretend to call him so affectionately? What Brother Ling? Does he think the emperor is his personal man?"
Ye Lingfeng didn't say anything, but his eyebrows twitched slightly before he spoke calmly.
"Now that Wanxing has entered the palace, she should stay and keep the Empress Dowager company."
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Tonight, I'm going to host a banquet for Wanxing to liven things up. I hope Feng'er won't refuse. Wanxing spent a lot of time with you when you were little."
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she glanced at Hai Ling seemingly intentionally or unintentionally. Seeing that Hai Ling had no expression from beginning to end, she couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed, but she didn't say anything more.
"I will come."
Having said all that, Ye Lingfeng had already figured out what was going on. It seemed that his mother was just trying to anger Ling'er. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and look at Hai Ling to the side. Seeing that there was no change in her expression, he felt a little relieved, but he still didn't dare to be careless. Would this little girl be angry and jealous?
There was nothing between him and Shu Wanxing. She did accompany him when he was a child, but that was a memory from many years ago, and he couldn't remember it clearly. However, he remembered that his mother had always liked Wanxing.
Inside the main hall, Shu Wanxing was disappointed to see that the Emperor didn't pay much attention to her, but she still smiled. With the Empress Dowager's favor, she refused to believe that she had no chance at all.
I've heard that this empress is very jealous. She actually monopolizes the emperor all by herself. What a shameless woman, Shu Wanxing thought.
After giving instructions to Ye Lingfeng, the Empress Dowager also gave instructions to Hai Ling.
"The Empress should also come to the banquet tonight. Princess Nalan and the young princess of the Cangwang Mansion should also come. It will be more lively with more people. The palace hasn't been lively for a long time."
Everyone agreed and then excused themselves. Once outside the main hall of Cixi Palace, Hailing's face turned sour. Although she wasn't extremely angry, she still felt uncomfortable. The Empress Dowager's actions were clearly aimed at her. In the past, she hadn't spoken up only because she was temporarily holding back. Was she finally losing her temper?
"Ling'er," Ye Lingfeng said as he escorted Hailing back to Qingqian Palace, explaining the story of Shu Wanxing to her along the way.
Actually, it wasn't anything special. Shu Wanxing's home was at the foot of the mountain where Ye Lingfeng used to practice martial arts. When Shu Wanxing first saw Ye Lingfeng, she was amazed by his beauty and clung to him. However, Ye Lingfeng didn't have much time to spend with her, so they only had a few rare encounters.
Hai Ling's face darkened slightly as she was surprised that the Empress Dowager had actually brought out such a person this time.
"Mother is probably angry with me."
Actually, she didn't want to fall out with the Empress Dowager and put Ye Lingfeng in an awkward position.
However, it was obvious that the Empress Dowager was annoyed with her for not speaking up about the appointment of officials in the court this time, which is why she brought out this Shu Wanxing.
I wonder what else she wants to do?
"Ling'er, don't overthink it. Shu Wanxing and I are nothing to each other."
"But the Empress Dowager specifically mentioned earlier that he wanted to marry you when he was a child."
Hailin pouted slightly, clearly displeased. It was naturally unpleasant to have someone else covet what belonged to her.
Ye Lingfeng hugged her tightly, leaned down and pecked her red lips, then affectionately pinched her little nose: "Are you jealous?"
"Yes, can't you tell?"
Hai Ling made no attempt to hide her thoughts. This woman who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, though insignificant, had clearly become an obstacle for her. The Empress Dowager's actions clearly indicated that she had no intention of letting the Emperor take other women into the palace.
In Qingqian Palace, Ye Lingfeng spent some time with Hailing before going to the study to handle matters. He didn't pay any attention to the suddenly appearing Shu Wanxing, although he knew that his mother had a problem with Ling'er. However, he wouldn't care about anyone.
Once the emperor left, Hailing instructed someone to summon Nalan Mingzhu and Xi Liang.
The two women looked at her with concern and spoke very seriously.
"Ling'er, it seems that the Empress Dowager brought out this Shu Wanxing because she wanted to deal with you."
Hai Ling knew perfectly well that the Empress Dowager had treated her well before, and she thought the two of them would get along well. However, she did not expect that it was not the case at all. The Empress Dowager did not approve of the Emperor marrying only her. She just did not take any action before. Now that she brought Shu Wanxing into the palace, she must have her own ideas.
Shu Wanxing and Ye Lingfeng had played together since childhood, so they definitely had some kind of bond, unlike ordinary people. The Empress Dowager relied on this to bring that woman into the palace. If Shu Wanxing entered the palace, then the Xi family would also be able to enter.
Come to think of it, as a member of the west family, how could the Empress Dowager allow Hailing to dominate and occupy the harem of Beilu?
Her inaction doesn't mean she won't move; she simply doesn't want to anger the Emperor.
Hailin rubbed her head; it hurt a little. What was wrong with her?
"Alright, I'll be careful. You all go to the banquet tonight and see what they can do."
The three of them talked for a while and then went to rest. As expected, in the evening, someone came from the Empress Dowager's Cixi Palace to invite them to a banquet.
In Cixi Palace, besides Hailing, Nalan Mingzhu and others, the Empress Dowager also invited many noblewomen from the court, making it a lively and crowded gathering.
In the main hall, people sat in groups of three or five, whispering and discussing the woman beside the Empress Dowager. They wondered about her background and how she had caught the Empress Dowager's eye. The Empress Dowager smiled and held her hand, showing her great affection.
Hailin, Nalan Mingzhu, and Xi Liang huddled together, listening to the chatter around them while responding to those who came over to greet them.
Once everyone had arrived, the Empress Dowager gave the order to begin the banquet, and eunuchs led them to their seats.
As the Empress, Hai Ling naturally sat next to the Empress Dowager, with Shu Wanxing sitting on the other side of the Empress Dowager, and the others sitting down in order.