Hibiscus Tent: The Prime Minister’s palm is reborn

The ambiguous tone was full of sarcasm.

Liang Qian did not get angry at the sarcasm in his words, but instead maintained the demeanor of an empress dowager.

"Since you are here, Prince Changguang, please take a seat."

After saying this, he ordered someone to set up another seat for Gao Hao.

Gao Hao was unmoved: "I am only here to visit the Queen Mother. I will leave after presenting my gifts."

"Seventh brother, it's true that the Queen Mother is ill. Since you came here to ask about her well-being, why are you being so rude and rude?"

Gao Hao has always been strong among the kings, but Gao Huan is different. Although he looks unhappy, he still persuades him gently.

Gao Hao laughed and looked over with a raised eyebrow: "If I could be valued by the Queen Mother like my brother, I would definitely speak up to protect him."

Gao Huan's brows sank.

Gao Hao ignored him completely and turned to signal his attendant. The attendant understood, walked forward holding the long box, handed the box to a palace servant beside him and presented it to the empress dowager.

The box was opened in public, and the ginseng inside was found to be natural in shape, with firm and hard skin, which was indeed rare and precious.

It can be seen that this really took some thought.

Gao Hao bowed his head and said, "I have delivered the gift. I will take my leave now."

He glanced indifferently at Liang Qian who was sitting in the main seat, then turned and left.

"and many more."

Liang Qian quickly called out to stop them.

Gao Hao paused and turned back: "I wonder if the Queen Mother has any other instructions?"

Liang Qian stood up and said, "How can I feel comfortable if Prince Changguang leaves like this?"

Gao Hao raised his eyebrows and smiled: "You are the Empress Dowager, so you can do whatever you want. Who dares to disobey you?"

Liang Qian's eyes dimmed: "Prince Changguang has misunderstood. Prince Yong'an learned that I was ill, and as soon as I was released from confinement, he came to the palace to visit me--"

She sighed and continued, "I haven't seen you for a long time, and I want to ask him something about King Ande, so I decided to ask him to stay for dinner. As for avoiding you..."

She bit her lip and lowered her eyes: "I avoided seeing you like this because I was afraid you would misunderstand."

"Really?" Gao Hao looked at Liang Qian with a faint tone.

Liang Qian looked at him and nodded gently: "Of course."

Her tone was sincere and her expression was aggrieved.

"Since Prince Changguang is here, please stay and have dinner with us."

How could an empress dowager behave like this, being humble and reluctant to speak?

Gao Huan looked at the two of them strangely, and suddenly an absurd idea came to his mind. Perhaps the rumors about the Queen Mother and Prince Changguang were not completely false.

Thinking of this, Gao Huan's heart sank. He looked at Liang Qian with some uncertainty in his eyes, but his face was smiling calmly.

"Just now, my seventh brother said that the Queen Mother treated me well, but why do I feel that the Queen Mother values ​​you more?"

His words were joking, but also contained a hint of temptation.

Liang Qian was a little embarrassed for a moment, pursed her lips, and said: "My two brothers are the backbone of Da Qi. In the future, the emperor will need the assistance of you uncles. I just hope that everyone can live in harmony. How can I favor one over the other and cause you to have grudges?"

The Queen Mother's explanation was so gentle and soft, which gave enough face.

Gao Hao looked at the two of them and said, "Since the Queen Mother said so, then I have no choice but to refuse your request."

After saying that, he sat down with a slight smile. He looked indifferent and warm. Only when he lowered his head, the light in his eyes became cold.

During this interval, Liang Qian took a quick look at Gao Huan.

Gao Huan caught the look and nodded in understanding, but the doubts in his heart were still there.

After Liang Qian sat down, she filled a glass of wine for herself. Just as she picked up the cup and hadn't spoken yet, she heard Gao Hao say.

"It is a coincidence that when I entered the palace, I ran into the Concubine Dowager who was about to leave the palace."

Liang Qian's back stiffened and she looked over in surprise.

Gao Hao met her gaze, gently shook the wine glass in his hand, and smiled.

It was at this time that Gao Yang walked in.

Following behind him was Lu Wanying, who should have already left the city.

"Why don't I and the Concubine also dine with the Queen Mother?"

His childish voice lacked its usual depth and sounded innocent. His smiling face was full of innocence, as if he had just made an interesting suggestion on a whim.

Liang Qian looked at him calmly, and at that moment, she saw the shadow of Gao Qian in him.

Gao Huan looked solemn and said nothing.

Obviously, the scene exceeded expectations.

When they saw the emperor, Gao Hao knelt first, and Gao Huan suppressed his surprise and knelt down as well.

Liang Qian looked at the two people who were moving forward step by step, sitting there without moving, her heart growing colder by the second.

Gao Yang stood with his hands behind his back, straightened his body, and said with a smile: "Prince Yong'an and Prince Changguang, please stand up."

Lu Wanying walked to the main seat, bent down, and bowed respectfully.

"Please forgive me, Queen Mother. I didn't—"

Gao Yang turned his head and looked over, his eyes firm: "I ordered people to bring the concubine back. If the Queen Mother wants to blame, then blame me."

Liang Qian narrowed her eyes, took a deep breath, then turned to look at Jinlan who was standing there in a daze, and gave instructions with a smile.

"Aren't you going to get ready?"

After everyone was seated, the simple conversation between the two turned into a small family dinner.

Gao Yang looked at the copper plate that Liang Qian had presented to him. The roasted meat on it was fragrant, and he sighed with a smile: "I didn't know that the Queen Mother had such a skill. Today I am taking advantage of Prince Yong'an."

Gao Huan stood up and lowered his head: "I dare not."

Gao Yang pointed at his seat and said with a smile: "Uncle Emperor, please sit down quickly. Don't be so polite. There are no outsiders here."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gao Huan sat back as he was told and inadvertently made eye contact with Liang Qian.

Gao Yang concentrated on fiddling with the roasted meat on the plate. He cut off a piece and put it into his mouth. Perhaps because the piece of meat was too big or perhaps he was using it too hastily, he suddenly choked and started coughing.

The palace servants and eunuchs who were serving beside him were so frightened that they broke out in a sweat. Just as Liang Qian was about to get up to check, Gao Yang stroked his chest, raised his eyes and said, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. I'm fine."

Although he was still coughing, his face was no longer as red as before.

Gao Yang brushed away the palace maid beside him, shook his head and smiled apologetically: "The Queen Mother often warned me not to eat two spoons at a time, but I didn't remember it. Ahem... I failed the Queen Mother's teachings in the past."

Liang Qian was stunned, then slowly sat down, with no sign of abnormality on her face.

"I hope the emperor is alright."

Gao Yang drank a sip of tea, calmed down, and turned to Lu Wanying: "I remember that there are some misunderstandings between the Concubine Dowager and Prince Yong'an. Why don't we take this opportunity to have a drink together and resolve this misunderstanding?"

It was common knowledge that the driver of Yong'an Prince Gao Huan accidentally stabbed the former Shangshu Ling Lu Xu to death.

After Gao Yang said this, the air turned cold.

Liang Qian frowned even more. Even if others didn't know how much Lu Wanying hated Gao Huan, they knew it clearly.

Ever since the news of Lu Xu's assassination came out, Lu Wanying was certain that the driver was instructed by Gao Huan.

However, after she checked in many places, she still couldn't find any conclusive evidence.

Lu Xu's death was unclear. Not only did Lu Wanying disagree, but even the Lu family was unwilling to let him go.

Therefore, Lu has always been brooding over this matter, and has been targeting Gao Huan everywhere, both openly and covertly.

The Prince of Guangping and other kings took advantage of the situation to suppress him.

As Gao Huan was in the wrong, he had to give in again and again.

And this is exactly the reason why Liang Qian is willing to join forces with Gao Huan.

Rather than Gao Hao who wanted to sit on the throne directly, it would be better to help Gao Huan and make him a powerful minister second only to the emperor.

At that time, there would be no need for her to take any action, Gao Huan would naturally become the target of public criticism.

But who will be the one who falls into the trap in the end...

Liang Qian couldn't guess it.

She stroked the cup, raised her eyes, and silently watched Lu Wanying's every move.