Chapter 104 Meeting the Queen Mother

Huazhi prepared a special dress for Li Qingxuan to wear when entering the palace.

Now that Li Qingxuan is a prince, of course he can't dress too casually.

The clothes fit just right, which showed that Huazhi knew Li Qingxuan's figure very well.

Of course, Li Qingxuan knew her body better.

Towards evening, the couple walked into the palace together.

The empress dowager lives deep inside the palace and is said to eat fast and chant Buddha's name every day.

Even Huazhi is not often seen.

Knowing that Li Qingxuan was coming, the Queen Mother had already ordered people to wait early.

"You are King You, you are indeed a talented person."

As soon as he stepped into the house, the Queen Mother greeted him with a smile on his face.

In Daxia, princes were given one-character titles, and county princes were given two-character titles. Li Qingxuan was named King You.

The Empress Dowager is about forty years old.

Although there are some wrinkles on his forehead, he is still bright and charming, with a noble temperament on his body.

Obviously, time has not left many traces on her body.

She was the empress dowager, and Li Qingxuan did not dare to stare directly at her, so as not to be rude.

But he noticed that the Empress Dowager was obviously well-groomed.

"Isn't it to say that the Empress Dowager has lived in a deep palace for a long time, accompanied by green lanterns and ancient Buddhas every day?"

Li Qingxuan thought in his heart.

"I've met my mother."

Huazhi salutes.

Li Qingxuan also followed suit and saluted.

The Queen Mother looked very happy and looked at Li Qingxuan up and down.

"Prince You, Zhi'er said that you love roast duck. The Ai family specially asked the imperial kitchen to prepare a dish. You don't have to be cautious. When you come to the Ai family, it's like going to your own home."

"yes."

Li Qingxuan nodded, feeling as uneasy as meeting his parents in the future.

It's just that he felt that the Queen Mother Ji was a little too enthusiastic towards him, and her enthusiasm made him feel a bit fake.

Originally, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were opposed to Li Qingxuan and Hua Zhi being together. When Li Qingxuan came to think of it, maybe the Queen Mother would give his would-be son-in-law a little power.

But it was completely different from what he expected.

The three of them sat down in the main hall, and the maids around them immediately brought out the dishes.

However, except for the roast duck, the rest were all vegetarian dishes, and there were only five or six dishes in total, which was very economical for the royal family.

"The Queen Mother hates waste when she is fasting and chanting Buddha's name. We are here today, otherwise the Queen Mother would only eat one dish."

Huazhi said.

"There are still many people in the world who don't have enough to eat. As the Queen Mother, Ai Jiagui should set an example and eat."

The Queen Mother personally put a piece of meat into Li Qingxuan's bowl.

The Queen Mother picked up the food herself, which was a great honor. Li Qingxuan stood up in a hurry to express his gratitude.

"Don't be so formal."

In fact, Li Qingxuan was indeed a little nervous. After all, it was his first time to meet his mother-in-law.

Everything seems fine now.

"By the way, now that the matter between you and Zhi'er has been decided, we still need to hold a grand wedding to announce it to the world."

"Queen Mother, I am already making preparations."

Huazhi said hurriedly.

"That's good. I heard that you were a painter before, but now that you are a prince, you should read more classics and help Zhi'er."

"Your Majesty is extremely smart. I don't understand the affairs of governing the country. I just need to serve your Majesty well."

Li Qingxuan said.

Huazhi rolled her eyes at him quietly, her ears feeling a little hot.

"How about that?"

Unexpectedly, Queen Mother Ji's face darkened.

"From what the Ai family sees, you should join the court and become an official. This is what you should do. How can a man like you do nothing all day long?"

"Mother, please eat quickly."

Huazhi spoke up to help Li Qingxuan.

Li Qingxuan thought to himself: "This old mother-in-law is not easy to deal with."

"By the way Zhi'er, have all the remaining members of the Huangling rebellion case been eliminated?"

Queen Mother Ji asked casually.

"Most of them have been arrested, but uncle..."

Huazhi was interrupted by Queen Mother Ji before she finished speaking.

"Although he is the younger brother of the Ai family, if he makes a mistake, he must be dealt with according to the national law, without considering the feelings of the Ai family."

Li Qingxuan originally thought that Queen Mother Ji would plead for his brother, but he did not expect that her attitude would be so firm.

But according to what he heard from Huazhi, the Queen Mother was a demon who helped her younger brother.

Li Qingxuan lowered his head and ate silently, just listening with his ears raised.

"The cancer in the Ji family has been eliminated, and the government is stable. Now Zhi'er, you can show off your talents."

Queen Mother Ji said seemingly casually.

"That's what I said. Now that the King of Zhenbei has his own troops, it is also a headache for my son."

Huazhi sighed.

"In my opinion, King Zhenbei has too much power. He should be promoted to the position of Imperial Grand Master. This will allow him to relinquish his military power to avoid trouble in the future. The deterrent effect of a tenth-level master is far greater than the actual significance. As long as he sits in the court, Bei Yuan also doesn't dare to attack."

Li Qingxuan said.

From a military attache to a civilian official, he took up the post of Grand Master, which not only promoted the king of Zhenbei, but also took away his military power.

If the King of Zhenbei has no intention of treason, he will naturally be willing to accept it. If he has any intention of treason, he can also test it out at once.

"No."

Unexpectedly, Queen Mother Ji immediately slapped her chopsticks on the table, and even her expression changed.

"The King of Zhenbei guards the border. Only with him can Beiyuan dare not invade. How can your Majesty chill the hearts of the soldiers?"

When we talked about the Ji family before, Queen Mother Ji didn't react at all. Why was she so concerned about the King of Zhenbei?

Li Qingxuan felt a little strange.

"Okay, the Ai family is a little tired today. Your Majesty, please take Prince You for a walk around the palace. The matter of joining the court as an official must be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

Empress Dowager Ji issued an order to expel guests.

Huazhi and Li Qingxuan had no choice but to leave.

After the two left, Queen Mother Ji looked outside and fell into thought.

"I didn't expect that Li Qingxuan was a bit knowledgeable, and he actually came up with the method of ascending and descending secretly."

"well!"

She sighed quietly again: "Little brother, you must hold on in prison. Sister will definitely find a way to rescue you."

…

Early the next morning, several fast horses passed the city gate and galloped all the way to the palace.

Riding horses is prohibited in the imperial capital, but exceptions can be made if there is an emergency military situation.

"Urgent report, Bei Yuan's 300,000 troops have invaded the territory, Beigugu Pass is in danger..."

Above the Jinluan Palace, the early court had not retreated. When the military news came, the civil and military officials in the court changed their colors.

Since King Zhenbei guarded Northern Xinjiang, the enemy has not been able to cross the thunder pool, but this time three important towns were defeated overnight, and even Beiguguan was surrounded. This is no small matter.

"What's going on?"

Huazhi asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, many soldiers in the army have been suffering from malaria recently, and the Northern Yuan army took advantage of the situation and invaded, resulting in the destruction of three important towns."

"The morale in the army is low now. The King of Zhenbei hopes that the imperial court can send a royal family member as an imperial envoy to boost morale on behalf of His Majesty, otherwise Beigu Pass will endanger the barbarians."

Hearing this, Huazhi frowned.

royal? There is no royal family, she is the only woman in her lineage, and the other clans are all distant relatives, so they are not qualified to go and boost morale on her behalf.

"Li Qingxuan?"

Suddenly the fierceness in her eyes disappeared.

The only person who can represent her now is Li Qingxuan, who was named King You.

The emperor's husband-in-law has enough status.

But whether King Zhenbei wanted Li Qingxuan to boost morale, or he had other ideas.

Huazhi's face has darkened.