The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 718

Chapter 718: 334 Exposure (Two more updates)_3

Empress Xiao wished to speak but held back. She shot a glance at the palace maid and the eunuch in the room and solemnly commanded, "All of you, leave. I wish to have a private conversation with Lord Xuanping."

"Yes!"

The palace maids withdrew in turn.

Only then did Empress Xiao rise smilingly and move towards Lord Xuanping, "Brother!"

Lord Xuanping looked at her with disdain, "Why are you dressed like a bird today?" _{frёeωebɳovel.com}

Empress Xiao, who was poured cold water on, remained silent.

She took a deep breath.

Her brother’s sharp tongue really hadn’t changed over the years!

Empress Xiao and Lord Xuanping sat down together on the chairs. She didn’t take the main seat on the platform, but sat beside him.

Empress Xiao asked, "How have you been lately, brother?"

Lord Xuanping replied, "Pretty good, what about you, Empress?"

Empress Xiao smiled, "Of course, I’m fine too."

Looking at her exquisite makeup and cumbersome jewelry, Lord Xuanping questioned, "Do you regret entering the palace?"

"Why would I?" she retorted. She had no regrets. What could be better than overseeing the world as its mother? Moreover, although the Emperor had three thousand beauties in his harem, he had never actually neglected her as his Empress.

Marrying the Emperor was her choice; she was the one who thwarted Madam Zhuang’s plans.

Madam Zhuang was the Emperor’s original wife. But after the Emperor ascended the throne, he only granted Madam Zhuang the status of second-grade Zhuang Madam, while issuing an edict to marry her as Empress.

Because of this, she and the Xiao family suffered many hardships from Empress Dowager Zhuang’s side. Her brother bore all these burdens alone.

Therefore, she felt both gratitude and admiration for her brother.

She smiled and asked, "Brother, what brings you here today to see me?"

"I have a favor to ask," replied Lord Xuanping.

"What is it?" Empress Xiao asked.

Lord Xuanping stated, "An old acquaintance entrusted me to deliver something precious to Consort Jing. They insisted that I personally give it to her."

Empress Xiao laughed, saying, "I thought it was something serious. Why would this be difficult? I am about to pay my respects to Consort Jing in Huaqing Palace. Why don’t you accompany me, brother?"

"OK," Lord Xuanping nodded.

The siblings headed to Huaqing Palace together.

Ever since Consort Jing moved here, Huaqing Palace had become much livelier. All the concubines eligible to visit Consort Jing in the harem came to curry favor. They truthfully wanted to please Consort Jing, but they also hoped to meet the Emperor.

Empress Xiao didn’t need to ’accidentally’ meet the Emperor, but since the Emperor regarded Consort Jing as his birth mother, Empress Xiao naturally paid her respects as well.

However, Empress Xiao was completely unprepared to meet Zhuang Madam, who was also there.

The two most powerful women in the harem encountered each other at the gate of Huaqing Palace, each with their own eunuchs and palace maids. The atmosphere froze instantly.

Normally, the two women were on equal footing in the harem. But today, with Lord Xuanping supporting Empress Xiao, her aura felt more powerful than usual.

"Lord Xuanping," Madam Zhuang greeted him with a smile.

"Honorable Madam," Lord Xuanping responded courteously with a slight bow of his hand.

Since he acted the same even in front of the Emperor, Madam Zhuang chose not to mind his attitude. She smiled at Empress Xiao and said, "Is the Empress here to pay her respects to Consort Jing?"

"Is the Honorable Madam not here for the same reason?" Empress Xiao asked indifferently.

Madam Zhuang gave a smile, "Prince Ning just subdued a group of mountain bandits a few days ago. The villagers are grateful for the Emperor’s benevolence and specially made some tea cakes to offer to the Emperor through Prince Ning. Since Prince Ning is still dealing with affairs in the mountains, he had his guards bring them back and I am doing him the favor of delivering them."

Prince Ning, Prince Ning.

Her son was the Crown Prince, but the Emperor always had him studying in the royal study room, while Prince Ning was often entrusted with important tasks to help the Emperor govern the country!