Chapter 227 Queen Emperor Wang Ruofu: I don’t understand housekeeping?
"I've heard for a long time that the wife of Marquis Pingyang is a good-looking person, and a virtuous and kind person. It's time to meet her and see what she's like."

Since Hualan was the eldest lady of the Yang family, Empress Cao naturally had a favorable impression of her.

Soon, the palace maid led Princess Pingning and Hualan into the hall.

Looking at the young woman with graceful demeanor and beautiful appearance standing beside Princess Pingning, Empress Cao nodded in her heart.

"No wonder she has such a good reputation. She is really a lovely girl. She doesn't look like the daughter of a minor official at all."

But then she thought of Old Madam Sheng, and Empress Cao began to understand a little.

'But even so, she is completely different from when she was young.'

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen!" After entering the hall, Princess Pingning led Hualan to pay her respects.

"Be flat!"

After a slight nod and a greeting in return, Empress Cao asked the two to sit down first.

Then a peaceful voice came from above again:
"I guess you are the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, the wife of that naughty Yang Wenyuan?"

Hualan then dared to raise her head and look upward. There was the queen sitting alone in front of a large sandalwood table. Her face was kind and gentle, and she had the air of a mother who rules the country.

"To answer the Queen, it is you, my concubine!"

After recognizing the real master, seeing Hualan being very cautious and polite, Empress Cao immediately chuckled:
"Don't be so reserved. It's just that Yang Wenyuan has been less active in recent years. Otherwise, he would have to bring you to me before getting married."

At this point, Empress Cao paused and said jokingly:
"Looking at it this way, that kid is really lucky!"

Facing the Queen's teasing and hints that they should get closer, Hua Lan thought of Yang Wenyuan's instructions before he came, and took the opportunity to reply:

"Thank you very much, Queen, for your kindness. I feel guilty about this, and you asked me to come to see you more often in the future."

Empress Cao nodded happily:

"That would be the best. I'm bored and bored in the palace every day. It's hard to warm up the cold stove. I'd be very happy if someone could come and talk to me every now and then."

This was obviously saying that the officials' wives had gone to the Princess of Yong and the Princess of Yan. Hua Lan did not dare to answer directly, but due to her status, she had to continue the conversation:
"I will definitely accompany the princess to pay her respects more often!"

Queen Cao did not expect Hualan to say anything clear-cut, so she nodded immediately, signaled the palace maid to serve tea to Hualan and Princess Pingning, and said no more.

After the polite words, it's time to get down to business.

Naturally, Princess Pingning cannot be allowed to take charge of this matter.

So after holding the tea with both hands, Hua Lan thanked him and said:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so rude. My father was temporarily detained in the palace by Your Majesty last night. He did not return home all night. My family members are anxiously waiting for him, so they asked me to go to the palace to ask. I wonder what crime my father has committed?"

"It's not a big deal, Marquis Pingyang..."

As she spoke, Empress Cao felt that this was not close enough, so she continued:
"This seems strange. I see that you are not very old and can be considered my junior. How about I call you Hualan?"

Hualan accepted the offer and thanked him immediately.

"Thank you Queen for your kindness!"

Queen Cao nodded and asked Hualan to sit down first before continuing:

"Your Majesty kept your father in the palace only as a warning. It is not a serious matter."

The emperor slept in Empress Cao's house last night, and he told this to Empress Cao as a joke, so she knew the reason best.

He immediately told the reason why Sheng Hong and several officials were detained in the palace.

"Since you enjoy the salary of the imperial court, you naturally have to understand that there are some things you can say and some things you cannot say. The same is true for the children in the family."

Seeing Hualan's unhappy expression, Empress Cao said:

"At most, he will be locked up in the palace for a few days and will be released the next day. Hualan, you don't have to worry."

"Thank you, Queen!"

"Well, since I'm not attending court today, and Hualan, this is the first time you've asked me to do this, I'll go to His Majesty and lock him up for a day or two."

Hualan didn't expect that she had so much face. She felt a little embarrassed and didn't know whether she should refuse.

At this time, Princess Pingning stood up and echoed:
"Then mother, we will take our leave first!"

"Ok!"

Having said that, Hualan had no choice but to bow and leave the palace with Princess Pingning.

Outside the palace gate.

"Now that we know the reason, Hualan, you should go home and report it as soon as possible so that they can rest assured. I will take my leave now."

Princess Pingning gave some instructions and then got on the carriage and left.

After watching Princess Pingning's carriage leave, Hualan also got on the carriage.

On the way to Jiying Lane, Hua Lan explained what had just happened to Yang Wenyuan.

After saying this, Hua Lan looked worried and said to Yang Wenyuan:

"Sir, is it inappropriate for me to ask the Empress to speak for me in front of the emperor?"

Unexpectedly, Yang Wenyuan laughed out loud and said happily:
"Well, what's wrong with that? This is the best way!"

Yang Wenyuan didn't expect Hualan to exceed her target. Not only did she improve their relationship, but she also did Empress Cao a favor of some magnitude. Of course, Princess Pingning also assisted her.

But no matter what, after this incident, Hualan will have every right to go to the palace to talk to the queen.

"Just as the Queen said, today or tomorrow, after your father-in-law is released, you can go to the palace to express your gratitude." Yang Wenyuan said quickly.

At this time, you have to take advantage of this enthusiasm and quickly get close to the Queen, letting her know that when you say you often go to the palace to accompany her, it is not just talk, but you practice it with all your heart.

"Ah?" Hua Lan looked surprised.

Judging from what my husband said, does it mean that I will have to go to the palace to pay homage to the Queen often in the future?
Although the Queen's attitude just now was very friendly, the palace and the majesty she had gained from years of pampering still made Hualan feel a little uncomfortable.

"Ah for what?"

Yang Wenyuan looked serious, put his hands on Hualan's shoulders, and said:
"Hua'er, this is the mission assigned to you by the organization!"

"Besides, the queen is alone in the deep palace. Although she has a high status, she is usually alone except for Princess Pingning who occasionally comes to the palace to talk with her. Shouldn't you go and talk to such a lonely old woman?"

Hualan: "..."

How can you describe the queen so miserably when you say this?

However, thinking of Yang Wenyuan's repeated warnings, Hua Lan knew that Yang Wenyuan must have his own plans and reasons behind it, so she did not hesitate and nodded firmly.

"Ok!"

Isn't she the queen?

Ever since I married into the Yang family, I have won a lot of praise among the middle-aged and elderly women. I have nothing to fear!

at the same time.

Imperial City.

In the imperial study room.

The emperor was enjoying the "Stories of Bianjing Officials" that the Imperial City Department had just presented today, and was laughing happily when the eunuch outside shouted loudly:
"The Queen is here!"

Seeing the Queen coming in, the Emperor closed the intelligence report in his hand and put it down, still smiling, and asked the Queen:
"Empress, was it the young wife of Marquis Pingyang who came just now?" When he first kept Sheng Hong, he had already anticipated that Hua Lan would go to the palace to pay a visit to the Queen.

The emperor also had considerations in this regard.

He doesn't have much time left. He caught a cold a few days ago. Although he is well now, his health is getting worse than before.

At this time, people start to have more thoughts.

The emperor thought that it would be good if he could leave more favors for the queen during her lifetime.

Of course, the most important thing is to warn those who have ulterior motives and not leave a mess for your next partner.

Just like leaving Sheng Hong and others behind yesterday.

Just like Yang Wenyuan’s fourth place.

"Your Majesty knows?"

Empress Cao personally served tea and asked:
"Then when does Your Majesty plan to release them?"

The emperor initially only wanted to lock them up for a few days, but now that the queen had arrived, he wanted to help her borrow some favors, so he nodded and said:
"Then just keep them for one more day. They were so frightened yesterday that they probably didn't sleep well at night. I think they can sleep better tonight."

Faced with the emperor's naughty behavior, the queen shook her head slightly, with a smile on her lips.

'As long as it's not too noisy, it's fun to have some fun.'

Jiying Lane.

Sheng family.

After asking Mama Liu to go to Pingyang Marquis' Mansion to deliver the message, Wang Ruofu was anxious for a while, and then she wisely came to Shou'an Hall to ask for advice from Old Madam Sheng.

Compared to Wang Ruofu's anxiety, Old Lady Sheng showed no expression and acted as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Old Lady Sheng's expression, Wang Ruofu realized that she was the only one worried, and immediately complained in her heart:
"After all, she is not your biological mother. Even though she encountered such a big thing, she acted as if nothing had happened."

After sitting there for a while, Wang Ruofu couldn't bear it any longer.

But she also learned some indirect techniques:
"Mother, the emperor got angry and kept several people in the palace. If this person is locked up for ten days or half a month, won't he starve to death?"

"Nonsense! Even if they were prisoners, there is absolutely no way they would starve to death!"

Old Madam Sheng glanced at Wang Ruofu lightly, causing Wang Ruofu to avoid her gaze immediately. Then Old Madam Sheng continued:

"Besides, we can ask Hua'er about this matter. We don't know what the rules are. What's the point of being anxious if we just wait at home?"

After saying that, he signaled Wang Ruofu to be quiet.

Wang Ruofu pursed her lips and finally stopped talking, but she still snorted stubbornly to show her indignant attitude.

At this time, Yang Wenyuan and Hua Lan also arrived at the Sheng family.

As soon as you enter Shou'an Hall.

Wang Ruofu came forward in a hurry and asked:
"But now that we know why your father was kept in the palace, what was the reason?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Lan turned to look at Yang Wenyuan, but Yang Wenyuan shrugged his shoulders and showed no intention of stepping forward.

This is the Sheng family's family affair.
If he was a son-in-law of low status and with little influence, relying on the Sheng family, he would have said whatever he said and listened whatever he wanted. But he was a marquis of high status and power, so it was naturally not easy for him to interfere in other people's family affairs. Besides, he was not the one who entered the palace, and he only heard Hualan's retelling, so he definitely would not understand as well as his own wife.

"I think Changbai is also worried. I'll go talk to him."

After saying that, Yang Wenyuan left quickly.

Hua Lan knew that this was not the time to refuse, so she helped Wang Ruofu sit down and said:

"It is said that it is because... because my third brother drank too much with someone last night and said some nonsense that Prince Yan should be made the crown prince, and someone spread the news to the emperor..."

"Okay, so this is the root of the problem!"

After hearing this, Wang Ruofu immediately realized what was going on. Even without Yang Wenyuan present, she was not at all restrained. She slammed the table, stood up, and went to Linqi Pavilion to fetch someone over for questioning.

"There's no rush for this, let's get the main thing sorted out first."

Old Madam Sheng stopped Wang Ruofu and said:

"But since the Queen just said it was 'nonsense', I don't think it will cause too much trouble. Madam, don't worry, the Emperor is a tolerant person. When there was no tea in the Imperial Garden, he was afraid that the palace servants would be punished, so he would rather endure it and go to the Queen's Palace to have tea without saying anything. Such a person will not act recklessly."

"Besides, there has been no precedent of killing civil officials since the founding of this dynasty, so relax."

"But you have to meet the person first."

If it were normal, Wang Ruofu would definitely jump for joy knowing that her daughter could meet the Queen and talk to her in person, but now she was listless.

Wang Ruofu calmed down a little and asked Hua Lan:
"Hua'er, the Queen said when your father will be released?"

Since Old Madam Sheng at Linqi Pavilion stopped her from going, Wang Ruofu was going to host a welcoming party for Sheng Hong. Suddenly, such a bad thing happened, and she had to go to get rid of the bad luck.

Hua Lan thought for a moment and replied:

"The Queen said she would go ask His Majesty, and then I went out with the Princess. But before she left, the Queen said that this was not a big deal and would only take two days.

If not today, then tomorrow."

Only then did Wang Ruofu feel relieved.

Old Madam Sheng looked at Wang Ruofu and said:

"Now that you know the whole story, don't rush to find fault with Linqi Pavilion. Just wait for Hong'er to come back before making plans. You should keep an eye on the door and take care of your family behind closed doors for the next two days. Take out the money from the mistress, so that you don't get into trouble with your family before your master does, and make a fool of yourself."

Hua Lan also comforted him:

"Yes, mother, you have been worried all night, go back to your room and rest first."

As she spoke, Hualan motioned to Mother Liu to help her mother back to the room.

Having not slept well the previous night, she woke up in fear this morning, and her mood was up and down like a roller coaster. Wang Ruofu also felt a little tired. She nodded immediately, told Hualan to pay attention to the news from the palace, and let Mother Liu support her arm and go back to the house.

After seeing Wang Ruofu off, Hua Lan turned to Old Madam Sheng and said goodbye:

"Grandma, I'm sure you didn't sleep well either. I won't disturb you anymore and will take my leave now."

Old Madam Sheng nodded slightly and said kindly:
"It's hard for you, Hua'er, to be busy all morning. You and Wenyuan can rest at home at noon, and have a meal with Changbai and the others before leaving."

Hua Lan nodded.

Wei Ruixuan.

Wang Ruofu returned to the house and couldn't help showing off to Mother Liu:
"It's all thanks to Hua'er."

Mother Liu looked at her mistress's smug expression and nodded helplessly, while advising:
"Madam, you have been worried all day, take a rest first."

Wang Ruofu nodded and watched Mother Liu make the bed. Suddenly she thought of the cause of the incident and immediately perked up, clutching her handkerchief and angrily saying:
"That evil creature from Linqi Pavilion, it's fine if he can't pass the imperial examination, but he was so envious that he actually dared to cause trouble outside!"

"Mother just stopped me from going and told me to keep a close watch on the door and control the servants. Do I still need to be taught this?"

After that, Wang Ruofu asked Liu Mama:
"I have been a mistress for more than ten years. Don't I know how to manage the household?"

"..." In response to Wang Ruofu's question, Mother Liu paused while making the bed and remained silent.

"It's better not to undermine the self-confidence of your own girl."

(End of this chapter)