Hibiscus Tent: The Prime Minister’s palm is reborn

The weather today is unusually sunny, the sky is blue, and the sun shines through the clouds onto the white snow, sparkling with crystal clear light.

The palace maid respectfully led the way and said, "Madam, you are here early. The morning court has not yet ended. I am afraid you will have to wait a little longer."

Cao Danqing sighed, "I am just an idler in the backyard, so it is only right for me to wait."

She also heard the news of Zhou's invasion.

Liang Qian is now the Empress Dowager, and there are many things that require her to make decisions.

If the eldest sister were still alive, I wonder what she would think when she saw Gao Yang being assisted by Liang Qian?

What would happen if my father saw this scene?

The biting cold wind felt like it was being cut by a knife.

Unable to help but secretly sigh, she glanced at the road ahead and raised her eyebrows in surprise: "Aren't we going to Hanguang Palace?"

"No."

The palace maid only gave a simple answer without further explanation.

Cao Danqing also shut up tactfully.

This path is not often used. She glanced around and saw that it seemed to be heading towards Liuhua Garden.

However, there is no beautiful scenery in Liuhua Garden in this season. Just like other places, snow can be seen everywhere.

Why did Liang Qian let her come here?

Cao Danqing was puzzled, but when he raised his eyebrows, he saw that the palace servant did not stop and turned to the other side of the climbing corridor.

"Madam, please come this way." The palace servant turned around and said calmly, ignoring the surprise on her face.

Cao Danqing frowned, vaguely remembering that at the end of the climbing corridor was an exquisite waterside pavilion with white walls and green tiles.

As she walked, she saw familiar palaces and buildings, which confirmed her guess.

She followed the palace maid over the threshold, and the warm air instantly surrounded her, and the frost on her body seemed to melt away.

"Madam, please take a rest here for a while."

The palace maid settled her down, bowed, and left.

Cao Danqing sat quietly alone for a while. The tea in the cup in front of her was boiling hot. She looked around.

That year, her eldest sister held a birthday banquet in the palace. Before the banquet began, she stood by the railing, staring at the jacaranda trees full of flowers, not wanting to hear the female relatives and noble ladies gathering together to gossip.

Cao Danqing stood up and walked towards the window. Next to it should be Liuhua Garden.

As I thought about it, I opened the window and the cold wind blew in my face.

The snow scene is refreshing and cool.

My thoughts floated out of the window like a wisp of hot air, and were gradually submerged in the cold wind.

At that time, Zhou Yun was still alive, Lian Ji was pregnant, and the eldest sister was still the queen. At the banquet, she unexpectedly met her second sister who had been missing for a long time.

At that time, she was depressed every day, but now, they are no longer here...

Her heart was calm, just like the winter scenery outside the window, lonely and desolate.

Cao Danqing stood silently by the window, not knowing how long he had been there.

Until there was a creaking sound, the door behind him opened, and someone stepped in.

"Danqing."

The voice seemed to have a chill that could not be warmed up by heating.

Cao Danqing turned around and saw the person at the door. He was dressed in gorgeous clothes, standing with his back to the light, and walking towards her step by step.

The light from the snow outside the window was blinding. Looking into the house suddenly, Cao Danqing could hardly see the appearance of the person coming.

She squinted her eyes and could only see the light emitted by the intricate and luxurious palace dress and jewelry.

The visitor did not blame her for her rudeness. After calling her softly, he turned around and gave a few instructions to the palace servant next to him, then looked at her with a smile.

Cao Danqing bowed her head and said, "I pay my respects to the Queen Mother."

Liang Qian walked closer to look at her, then looked out the window, and after a moment of silence, she said, "Get up."

He added, "Danqing, there's no one else here, you don't have to be so polite."

"Thank you, Queen Mother." Cao Danqing thanked her before standing up.

Liang Qian withdrew her gaze and looked at the person in front of her. It was not surprising that Cao Danqing came to see her.

Cao Danqing did not beat around the bush and said bluntly, "Queen Mother, I came to you to ask for a favor."

Liang Qian smiled faintly and looked out the window again: "If you have anything to say, just tell me. I promised Zhou Yun that I would take care of you."

Zhou Yun...

Cao Danqing felt a pain in his heart.

When she came, she had thought about it many times, how to say it and what to say.

She pursed her lips and was about to speak.

But then someone came in carrying a small stove and holding some tea and fruit.

Liang Qian looked over there, pointed at the window and said to the palace maid, "It's right over there."

The palace maids and eunuchs were in good order and quickly arranged everything.

Liang Qian turned around and invited Cao Danqing, who was standing silently behind the crowd, to take a seat.

"If you have anything to say, let's sit down and talk."

After she finished speaking, she sat down first, and after sending away the palace maids and eunuchs, she personally made tea and heated wine.

The greenhouse became quiet again, with only the crackling sound of burning fruit wood to be heard.

Cao Danqing raised his eyebrows and took a look. White steam was wafting out from the ancient teapot. Oranges, longans, chestnuts, corns... were placed on the baking tray. The aroma was so fragrant that it made people salivate.

Liang Qian didn't even raise her head and said calmly, "It's most pleasant to make tea after the snow."

For many days, the various parties in the court held their own opinions and refused to convince each other.

The windows were wide open, but sitting in front of the stove, I didn't feel cold at all. Instead, I felt a moment of relaxation.

Cao Danqing didn't respond, but sat down as he was told.

Liang Qian brewed a cup of tea and placed it in front of her: "You've been exposed to the cold wind for so long, go get rid of the cold."

Cao Danqing bowed his head to express his thanks, without touching the teacup on the table.

Liang Qian pursed her lips, did not force it, and picked up the porcelain cup to drink.

Cao Danqing lowered her eyes and said, "To be honest with you, Queen Mother, I have a selfish reason for asking to see you today. Grandpa is old, and his health has been getting worse since the beginning of winter. Shaochun is young and weak, and is far from the age to serve the country. I think, I think--"

Her clenched palms were damp, and even though she had prepared herself mentally along the way, she still found it difficult to speak.

Liang Qian lowered her eyes and just as she put down the teacup, Cao Danqing stood up, knelt on the ground beside her, and gritted his teeth.

"I also ask the Queen Mother to allow Ah Gong to return home in retirement, in consideration of Zhou Yun's sacrifice for the country, so that Shao Chun can grow up and serve the Lord and the Queen Mother again—"

Liang Qian glanced at the person whose forehead touched the ground and interrupted her: "Danqing."

Cao Danqing did not stand up. He raised his eyes slightly and met a pair of bottomless black eyes.

Liang Qian smiled and said, "I think Zhou Situ should have ordered people to pack their bags in his mansion by now."

Cao Danqing lay on the ground, his body as stiff as a rock, only the expression on his face kept changing and his lips trembled slightly.

"… Queen Mother, what do you mean?"

Liang Qian picked up the wooden tongs, turned the oranges on the baking tray, and said calmly: "Since the court was dismissed, there is no Zhou Situ anymore, only the good citizen Zhou Zhaoyuan."

Cao Danqing was stunned for a moment, her eyes widened and suddenly turned red, and she kowtowed quickly: "Thank you, Queen Mother."

Liang Qian put down the wooden clip: "No need to be polite."

Cao Danqing felt relieved, his heart finally settled down, but he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

She knew very well that the court was in need of people right now, but for her own selfish reasons, she did not want to put her family in danger again.

Family and national affairs have never been something she has to consider. To this day, she only wants and can only protect her small family.

Cao Danqing bowed again, his throat a little tight.

"… Queen Mother, please forgive me."

Liang Qian sighed silently, held Cao Danqing's arm and helped him up from the ground.

The huge hall was filled with the aroma of wine and tea.

Liang Qian sat quietly in front of the desk, turned her head to look at the quiet snow scene outside the window, and the tea opposite her remained untouched.

There was no trace of Cao Danqing at the door any longer.

"you--"

Someone appeared out of nowhere and came forward.

Liang Qian didn't look at him: "Tell them to bring some venison."

Chun Yubei was stunned.

I am really sorry that I cannot update on time because there are too many three-dimensional things. It will be finished this month, and I promise not to abandon it!