With Hu Qingqing's persistence and the persuasion of Qin Xiaoxiao and others, Qin Guihua finally gave up the idea of ​​marrying the Wang family.

Just thinking about her parents-in-law and husband who were more enthusiastic about marrying their daughter to the Wang family than she was, she couldn't help but have a headache. She was worried that she couldn't convince them, and she didn't know how long the quarrel would last.

Qin Xiaoxiao was also worried that the three demoniacs from the Hu family would forcibly marry the Wang family, so he planned to go to the Hu family with the mother and daughter to coerce and induce them so that they would not dare to do so.

"Xiaoxiao, no need, I will solve it." Hu Qingqing stopped Qin Xiaoxiao and said calmly under her puzzled eyes: "There is still a long way to go in the future. I can't always hide behind you and let you do it for me.

Sheltering from wind and rain, you have done enough for me."

Qin Xiaoxiao couldn't say anything to refute. It was a good thing to let her grow up: "...Okay, I won't interfere with the rest of the matter, but if it really can't be solved, don't hold it to yourself. You can just ask Grandpa or me."

Hu Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Well, I know what to do."

The mother and daughter did not stay long. They sat for a while and then went back. It was not easy to convince Hu Biantou and the others.

Zhou Baoer also hurried back to the city, declined the Qin family's kindness to leave a meal, and left in his own carriage under the watch of the Qin family.

After sighing for Hu Qingqing's marriage for a while, the Qin family began to busy themselves with their own affairs. While the sun was not too harsh, they rushed to the fields to weed and catch insects. Otherwise, if they were allowed to grow longer, the crops would be harmed and affected.

future harvest.

Qin Xiaoxiao had nothing to do, so he and Mingyue dried the herbs they collected in the past two days and prepared them.

The sun outside was too strong and the herbs could not be exposed to the sun. They put the dustpan under the shade of the tree so that the sun shining through the shade would not damage the medicinal properties of the herbs.

However, Bie Mea was restless and wouldn't eat the cut grass. She had to go to the fields to nibble on fresh and tender grass. Afraid that this guy would harm other people's crops again, Qin Xiaoxiao had no choice but to follow him, feeling dizzy and dizzy from the sun.

.

The next day, Qin Xiaoxiao and Mingyue went into the mountains again, taking Dahuang and Mieme with them. When they came back at noon, they unexpectedly found that Rock Scissors had arrived. The two of them were waiting at the door, apparently waiting for her.

of.

An ominous premonition flashed through her heart, and she hurriedly asked: "Uncle Shitou, why are you here? Is there something going on in the house?"

"Madam, the Empress Dowager is seriously ill. Your Highness and the Marquis have ordered us to take you back to Beijing immediately." Shitou explained the reason with a solemn expression. Obviously, Empress Dowager Jing's condition is not optimistic and there is a high possibility that she will not survive.

"How could this happen? She was fine last time I saw her!" Qin Xiaoxiao said in surprise, never expecting that Queen Mother Jing would fall ill like this in just half a month.

"The Empress Dowager suffered a serious illness last year, and she became much weaker after recovering from the illness. The weather has been too hot these days, and the Empress Dowager's craving for cold caused her old illness," Shitou explained.

"I'll pack up, and we'll go back to Beijing right away!" Qin Xiaoxiao didn't dare to delay, so she hurriedly dropped these words, unloaded the basket of herbs and ran back to the house to change clothes.

This time Rock Scissors brought Dabai over. After all, it was faster to ride a horse, so that Qin Xiaoxiao would not go back late and be accused of being unfilial by those who entered the palace early. If the news reached the ears of Emperor Yuanhe, he would inevitably have thoughts about her.

Qin Xiaoxiao naturally understood this truth. When she finished changing her clothes and came out, Mr. Qin and others also rushed back from the fields.

After hearing the reason why she wanted to return to Beijing immediately, they all said: "Then you go back quickly. Don't take Rhubarb and Meie with you this time. You can take them with you when you come back next time."

Qin Xiaoxiao thought the same thing. After saying hello to his family and telling Mingyue to be frightened, he got on his horse and hurried towards the capital with the paper scissors.

Mingyue Jingque couldn't ride a horse or drive a carriage, so the two of them stayed at Qin's house for the time being. If they had to return to Beijing, they could only go to Le'an to get a carriage to take them off.

Dabai and his horses traveled quickly and arrived at the Princess Protector's Mansion in less than two hours.

Knowing that Jing Heng and Princess Huguo have been staying in the palace since Queen Mother Jing fell ill last night, Qin Xiaoxiao's mood became heavier and heavier. After letting Cicada comb her hair again, she took her identity plate and went straight to the palace.

.

When she arrived at Yongning Palace, the hall was full of people, including almost everyone who was supposed to be there, including the pregnant Princess Jiaming.

Qin Xiaoxiao's heart sank, realizing that Queen Mother Jing's condition might be more serious than she imagined.

Stepping forward to salute the high-ranking concubines, the crown prince, and others, she came to Princess Jiaming. Seeing that Princess Jiaming's face was pale and cold sweat was dripping from her forehead, she hurriedly helped her to the corner: "Auntie, you

Sit down and take a rest."

There were several embroidery piers placed in the corner. No one dared to sit down easily until Queen Mother Jing turned the corner, for fear of offending others and being thought not to sincerely care about Queen Mother Jing.

Princess Jiaming has a bad reputation. When all the concubines and princesses are still standing, she dare not find a place to sit down no matter how uncomfortable she is: "Xiao Xiao, no need, I can hold on, don't worry

.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiaoxiao knew that she couldn't sit down anymore, so he tilted his body slightly and asked her to lean on him: "Hold on, you must sit down if you can't hold on any longer."

Princess Jiaming felt warm in her heart: "Yes, I can."

The palace was quiet, and the whispers of the two people reached the ears of other people around. These people already knew that Princess Jiaming was pregnant, and also knew that her pregnancy was not good, so naturally they would not say anything at this time.

Although he doesn't want to see Princess Jiaming because he thinks her reputation is too bad and it will bring trouble to him, Princess Jiaming has no conflict of interest with them. If she says something too harshly and makes Princess Jiaming angry, it's good or bad.

They don't do any good at all.

Time passed slowly in the anxious atmosphere. Qin Xiaoxiao stood with stiff legs. There was still no news from Queen Mother Jing's palace. She only knew that Queen Mother Jing fell into a coma after becoming ill. The Holy Emperor, Princess Protector, Jing Heng and several others

A favored grandson of the emperor accompanied him inside.

At this time, the door of the palace suddenly opened, and Aunt Tan walked out, instantly causing a commotion in the palace.

The Crown Princess and others hurriedly came forward and asked: "Mammy, is the Queen Mother awake?"

Aunt Qin nodded: "My queen has woken up."

The Crown Princess and others wept with joy, and they all looked extremely filial: "Bodhisattva bless you, Bodhisattva bless you!"

Aunt Tan didn't care to talk to them and looked around. After spotting Qin Xiaoxiao behind the crowd, she hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Madam, the Queen Mother wants to see you, please follow me in quickly."

Qin Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment, then helped Princess Jiaming steady: "Auntie, I'll go in first. If you can't stand any longer, just sit down for a while. It'll be fine."

Princess Jiaming urged: "Go quickly, I'm fine."

Qin Xiaoxiao nodded and followed Aunt Tan into the palace amid the strange looks in the eyes of the Crown Princess and others.

The others looked at each other in confusion, seeing unwillingness in each other's eyes.

In this case, whoever the Queen Mother calls in first shows who she values, and the Holy Emperor will also take a high look at him.

Obviously they are all the direct grandson-daughter-in-law or great-grandson-daughter-in-law of the Queen Mother, but let Qin's grandson-daughter-in-law take the lead. Wouldn't it be a slap in their face? If this matter spreads out, how will outsiders view them?

No matter how unwilling they were, no one dared to show it at this time. They could only watch the door of the palace being closed.

This was the first time Qin Xiaoxiao came to Queen Mother Jing's bedroom, but she didn't bother to look at the unique furnishings. Entering the inner room where she could hear needle drops, she immediately saw Jing Heng standing in front of the bed.

He was well-dressed and had no unnecessary expression on his face. He looked the same as usual, but she could still tell that he was sad from the red eyes and slightly stiff posture.

Jing Heng noticed her gaze, raised his head and looked over, and said with a suppressed voice: "Come here."

Qin Xiaoxiao felt a pain in her heart, and quickly stepped forward to Emperor Yuan He, who was also looking over. Before she could get down, Emperor Yuan He waved his hand: "No need to be polite, come and see your grandmother."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoxiao quickly came to the bed and saw Queen Mother Jing slowly opening her eyes and stretching out her hand tremblingly towards her.

This serious illness came so violently that it knocked down the most noble woman in the world in an instant. At this time, Queen Mother Jing's eyes were lifeless, her complexion turned blue, and there was an aura of impending death lingering around her.

"Grandma." Qin Xiaoxiao knelt on the footrest, gently holding Queen Mother Jing's thin and cold hand with both hands, and her eye circles suddenly turned red.

She had known Empress Dowager Jing for less than a year, and after marrying Jing Heng, she only entered the palace to pay her respects a limited number of times, so she didn't have a deep relationship with her.

It's just that she is her husband's most beloved grandmother, and she is also the mother-in-law who loves her as a daughter. When they think of her passing away, the mother and son don't know how sad they must be. They can't help but feel sad and can't help but look forward to her.

can get better.

"Okay, good child, don't cry, everyone has this experience." Queen Mother Jing said weakly, wanting to hold the little girl's hand back, but she was unable to do so. She tried her best to move her fingers, comforting her silently.

.

Jing Heng also came to the bed and knelt on the footrest side by side with Qin Xiaoxiao. His eyes were also red: "Grandma, you will be fine."

A faint smile appeared on Queen Mother Jing's face, and she immediately looked at Qin Xiaoxiao: "The happiest thing for the Ai family is to see Li'er get married with their own eyes. Don't take it to heart about what I said before about giving him a concubine.

superior."

Qin Xiaoxiao shook her head vigorously: "Grandma, I don't take it to heart. As long as you get better, you can give Brother Li a house full of concubines!"

Empress Dowager Jing was amused by her words, and her eyes brightened a little: "Silly boy, when the Ai family gets old, don't you see that you are not happy for Li'er to have a concubine? The Ai family are not unreasonable people. You, the younger generation, are not happy with this.

, the Ai family will not tolerate this."

After that, as if he was worried, he said in a somewhat hasty tone: "As long as you and Li'er live a good life, it doesn't matter whether you have concubines or not. If you don't like whoever brings up concubines to you in the future, just say it's a pity.

The family won’t accept it.”

After speaking, she looked at Emperor Yuan He.

Emperor Yuanhe choked up and said: "Mother, as long as you get better, I will not care about these trivial matters."

It turned out that just a few days ago, Emperor Yuan He was dissatisfied with Qin Xiaoxiao's frequent trips to her parents' house and would not come back for several days. He felt very sorry for his nephew who was so busy with sea trade every day, and thought that Qin Xiaoxiao had no idea what he was doing.

Since he couldn't take good care of him, he thought of giving him some concubines.

If Jing Heng hadn't refused quickly with a firm attitude, he might have already been at the Princess Protector's Mansion. However, his refusal also made Emperor Yuan He very dissatisfied. When greeting Empress Dowager Jing, he couldn't help but mention it, hoping that Empress Dowager Jing would come forward.

Teach Qin Xiaoxiao how to be a wife.

"Grandma, Brother Li and I will live a good life, you don't have to worry." Qin Xiaoxiao didn't know there was such a problem. Seeing that Queen Mother Jing's heart was still with their young couple, she couldn't stop her tears from falling.

Empress Dowager Jing said happily: "Okay, okay, Li'er is suffering too much. No matter how kind the Aijia and your mother are to him, he still feels miserable in his heart. Fortunately, he met you and you grew up with him, and you will be with him in the future."

You should stay with him well!"

Qin Xiaoxiao looked at Jingheng subconsciously, not quite understanding where he was suffering. Suddenly she thought of the words of the two female guards in Qiu Lie that year, and vaguely understood that his suffering was related to his biological father.

She didn't care to think about it, and under the expectant gaze of Empress Dowager Jing, she solemnly said: "Grandma, I can do it. Brother Li and I have agreed to grow old together."

Empress Dowager Jing smiled again, looking a little excited: "This will put the Ai family at ease."
To be continued...