She decided to take a step further and pay a visit to the empress first!
Since Chu Yihan was not around, Su Yingxue, who stayed indoors to bask in the sun, had to admit, it was boring.
Yet unexpectedly, Sun Wu came to tell her that the Prime Ministerâs daughter wished to see her.
âThe Prime Ministerâs daughter? Your Highness, you have no acquaintance with the Prime Ministerâs daughter.â
Zhilan frowned, expressing doubt on behalf of Su Yingxue.
Su Yingxue was aware of this, âBut my grandfather was friends with the old Prime Minister Leng, perhaps itâs by his instruction or the old Prime Ministerâs?â
Whether it was for a visit or to curry favor to build relationships, Su Yingxue considered it normal and thus allowed Sun Wu to bring the person in.
Leng Muling greeted Su Yingxue with proper etiquette, and seeing that she was pretty and charming, Su Yingxue happily said, âZhilan, offer her a seat.â
Leng Muling had heard that the empress was approachable and of good temperament, which eased her nerves considerably.
Before she spoke, Su Yingxue said, âGrandfather and the old Prime Minister were good friends, and we met as children, but the memory isnât clear. Although thereâs a difference in status now, thereâs no need for you to be restrained.â
Leng Muling smiled sweetly, âThank you, Your Highness, for your kindness. Although I have not seen Your Highness for a long time, I often admire Your Highnessâs grace.â
âAdmire?â Su Yingxue raised an eyebrow, âIt seems that during my absence from Jiang Du City, the noble ladies have been discussing me quite a bit.â
âIt was not meant unkindly. The noblemanâs daughters, including myself, truly admire Your Highness. Nobody can match Your Highnessâs beauty and no one surpasses Your Highness in courage and strategy. And then there are Your Highnessâs friends and sisters.â
Leng Muling genuinely admired those who got along well with Su Yingxue.
They could never stand side by side with their husbands on the battlefield like her, nor did they have the medical skills that could reach the heavens, nor the inclination to openly run something like the Thousand-Jiao Pavilion.
These were the aspects that they exceedingly envied and admired in Su Yingxue.
Having not been in contact with the noble ladies of Jiang Du City for some time, Su Yingxue found herself feeling a bit of pride and satisfaction upon hearing Leng Mulingâs words.
Perhaps it was the affinity between the two, with Leng Muling being talkative, she shared with Su Yingxue many recent interesting stories from Jiang Du City, along with plenty of gossip, while Su Yingxue narrated some of her and Chu Yihanâs experiences abroad. Leng Muling listened with rapt attention, her eyes widening in excitement, the handkerchief in her hands becoming damp with sweat.
âAnd then what? Your Highness was replaced by Shen Yu as the princess, but what became of Shen Yu afterward?â
âShe died. The day her true identity was exposed, Qin Muyanâ¦â
âYour Highness!â
Zhilan brought some tea and pastries for Su Yingxue and Leng Muling, interrupting the engrossing tale she was telling.
Sitting below in the great hall, Leng Muling took a sip of tea to rest and didnât notice that Zhilan was whispering to Su Yingxue, âYour Highness, you havenât seen Miss Leng for many years, and you have no deep ties. Wasnât it a bit imprudent to speak so candidly?â
The thrilling stories of Su Yingxue were fine to share among close friends, but if they were to spread, it was unpredictable how the court would view Su Yingxue as the empress.
Leng Muling, who came from the Prime Ministerâs Estate, had suddenly asked to visit and may not have had entirely good intentions.
Feeling thirsty, Su Yingxue took a sip of tea, smacking her lips, âYour concern is valid, but this Second Young Miss seems lively and adorable, not the type to have deep schemes.â
Therefore, she had elaborated a bit more on the stories to her.
âYour Highness sits high in your position and must be cautious,â Zhilan gently reminded.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om