The Destiny that Hasn't Ended
CHAPTER 21 "SUPPORT"
"Your Majesty, I met the Empress in front" Liu Ying said as she poured tea into the glass.
"But when the servant offered to join her, she refused and threw the cake on the ground" added Liu Ying who was now sitting beside the Queen Mother.
"She must be jealous of you" the Queen Mother said after smelling the scent of tea by Liu Ying.
Xuan was silent. Given how he said before, he felt awry.
"If there's nothing to talk about anymore, please Queen Mother and Miss Wei come back soon. I want to rest" said Xuan who disliked them gossiping to Lin Zi.
The Queen Mother and Liu Ying came out and walked together through the palace garden.
"Liu Ying, you don't wire the concubine's selection. It's just a formality. Surely I will approve you and make you a Level 1 Concubine" the Queen Mother said as she walked slowly.
"But didn't the one who governed the inner palace was the Empress?" asked Liu Ying to equalize the steps.
"Originally I want to, she definitely can't refuse it. After all during her time as Empress, all her duties were done by the Emperor, all she did was eat and sleep only"
"Then, please help the Queen Mother"
1 Week went by very quickly. Many girls gathered in front of the special election hall. All beautiful and young. The first stage selection was completed in the afternoon and passed 27 participants from 42 participants. The participants who pass will do the second stage selection, 2 days later.
"Honor the Queen Mother" Lin Zi said as she passed by the Queen Mother and Liu Ying who were walking together.
"The selection is over, why are you walking that way?" ask the Queen Mother.
"I'm heading towards the palace medicine hall which happens to be the place next to the special selection hall" Lin Zi politely replied.
"Curement wheel? Are you sick? Then why don't you use a stretcher and just bring 1 waiter?" ask the Queen Mother.
"I just want to get my order's tea. At the end of this my body hurts because it doesn't move much, so all the way. And also about the waiter, I don't easily trust others, if many servants are afraid that someone is blowing their eyes"
"You say it's like you're insinuating me because some of the servants in your residence are my people"
"I don't dare. It seems like the Queen Mother is so close to Miss Wei that I often see you guys together"
"Suri's mother is very kind to me, and also I will soon become the Emperor's concubine. So I don't think there's any harm" Liu Ying said.
"Please!" lin Zi said making everyone surprised.
"The selection is still unfinished and you've proclaimed your concubine's title, is it appropriate?" added Lin Zi made Liu Ying bow.
"Servant, take Miss Wei back to her residence" the Queen Mother told the servant behind her.
One of the servants of the Queen Mother had left with Liu Ying.
"Sir, aren't you overreacting?!" said the Queen Mother before passing by with her 5 servants.
"Your Majesty, it looks like Miss Wei will be your greatest enemy. Moreover, she had the support of the Queen Mother." Ruyu said worriedly.
"You don't have to think about it. It seems like the future is not an easy path. I must try to be the real Queen"
Soon Lin Zi and Ruyu arrived at the medicine hall and were greeted by the 7th prince.
"Your empress." Xiu said after Lin Zi whispered her request.
"Sssstttt" said Lin Zi immediately so that Xiu did not slip.
"How long has it been? Did the Emperor know?" whispered Xiu.
Lin Zi did not answer Xiu's question and simply looked at him with a meaningful gaze "don't ask much".
"Since the Empress is already here.How about having tea with me? I have a very good tea"
They also sat not far from the medical center. A waiter had served Xiu's ordered tea. Lin Zi picked it up and smelled it.
"Peppermint?" muttered Lin Zi recognized the scent.
"really. This tea is very effective in overcoming indigestion and improving mood. I see that the Empress is already unable to laugh freely as before, let alone coupled with the selection of this concubine....." Xiu hesitated to continue saying.
"Since becoming Empress, it's been boring.."
"Didn't the Emperor visit you often?"
"really. But it's been 1 week he hasn't seen me. Maybe too busy.."
"true too.. But usually even though he is very busy he always takes the time to visit you. Is there a problem?"
"I think there's been a little misunderstanding between us. It's just that we're too selfish to get it straight"
"The emperor is stubborn, but even so he is actually a gentle person"
"Jing Xiu, for my previous order, just replace it with this tea. It seems like this tea is better" said Lin Zi switching the conversation.
"alright. If there's one I'll bring it for you"
"The sun is almost completely set, I have to go back"
Lin Zi returned to his residence. But the moment he entered his residence, there was already a person in golden color robes and dragon patterns who had been waiting for him.
"Zi'er" greeted the man welcoming the newly-entered Lin Zi.
"Jing Xuan.." muttered Lin Zi.
"Liu Ying? Looks like you've gotten along with him to the point of not calling with his surname.."
"You haven't answered my question. And also about what you wanted to tell me the other day..."
"Is that still important?"
"Zi'er are you still angry?"
Lin Zi let out a long sigh not knowing how to explain her feelings.
"I'm not angry. I'm just. After all as an Emperor, you would not be able to live without a concubine. But I am also a woman, that feeling is inevitable" Lin Zi explained later.
"Then what did you want to say the other day?"
"Actually that time I wanted to tell you that I was." said Lin Zi cut off because a female servant barged in.
"Your Majesty forgive the leniency of the servant"
"Aren't you the Queen Mother's servant?" said Lin Zi recognized the servant.
"What's going on?" tanya Xuan looked at the panicked face of the maid.
"Suri's mother just fainted"
"Zi'er our conversation resumes next time, I have to go" Xuan said before starting to walk with the maid.
"Suri's mother fainted why she was looking for the Emperor instead of looking for the healer" Ruyu grumbled.
"Ruyu, prepare chamomile tea. We also have to go see the Queen Mother"
Shortly after, Lin Zi went to the Empress Dowager's pavilion with Ruyu carrying a tray filled with teapots and cups.
"Honor the Queen Mother" said Lin Zi slightly bowing to the middle-aged woman who was sitting leaning against the bed.
"Stand" said the Queen Mother.
She said the Queen Mother fell unconscious, but why didn't her face look pale at all?
"Zi'er?" call Xuan to disperse Lin Zi's daydream.
"I heard the Queen Mother fell unconscious, so I prepared a very nutritious chamomile tea"
Ruyu stepped forward and held out a tray with 2 cups filled with tea. Xuan took it and smelled it.
"The scent of chamomile flowers is very strong. I heard this flower can help relax the mind, relieve inflammation, overcome migraines and also diabetes. This tea is very good, I have to try it" Xuan said.
The Queen Mother took the remaining 1 cup of tea and drank a mouthful.
"Lumayan" said the Queen Mother covering the taste that fits on her tongue.
"If the Queen Mother likes it, I still have 1 box. Tomorrow I'll have Ruyu drop him off"
"As far as you go" Queen Mother said.
"Zi'er, it's night. Come back" Xuan said realizing the attitude of his mother who was still unable to accept Lin Zi.
Lin Zi was alone together with Ruyu. On the way to his pavilion, his mind could not stop working.
"Ruyu, I need you to make sure of something" said Lin Zi stopping her steps.
"Whatever it is, Ruyu is ready to do it" Ruyu accepted.
"You went to find the doctor who diagnosed my pregnancy at that time. But let no one know, do you understand?" the orders of Lin Zi who wanted to find out if his guess was correct.
Ruyu went to carry out Lin Zi's orders. He searched the treatment hall but could not find it. Then he went quietly out of the palace, towards the house of the physician not far from the palace.
The night was already late, yet Lin Zi was still waiting nervously. Shortly after, Ruyu entered her room and Lin Zi immediately greeted her.
"How's it?" asked Lin Zi immediately.
"The Prophet has been killed by His Majesty" Ruyu reported.
"Killed?" lin Zi was surprised.
"His family said the body of the healer was found on the street 1 week ago" Ruyu said.
"It turns out my guess is correct..."
"Your point is.." murmured Ruyu who had also guessed.
"Suri's mother already knew the news of my pregnancy and tried to cover it up from Jing Xuan. Well, then, sooner or later he's gonna be after me"
"Then should we how Your Majesty?" ask Ruyu.
"Ruyu, do you have any trustworthy friends?"
"There's His Majesty, but they've become slaves in government offices"
"It's okay, tomorrow you give me my orders to make them my servants"
"Good Your Majesty" said Ruyu with a cheerful face because she could meet her friend again.
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