NCCnovel Chapter 264 Walking with the Queen
Chapter 264 Walking with the Queen
Sister Cen Xiao walked into the inner hall with light steps and respectfully performed standard court etiquette.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
When He Yunshu saw Cen Jiexiao coming, he quickly put down the book in his hand, stood up and gave her a light support with a friendly smile on his face.
"President Cen, please stand up quickly."
She took Cen Jiexiao's hand, asked her to sit down on the chair beside her, and asked with concern, "Why did you come to the palace to see us today? Do you have anything new to share with me?"
Cen Jiexiao feigned a mysterious smile and lowered her voice, saying, "I recently heard a piece of news that the Empress Dowager seems to be interested in having me enter the palace to care for her and help her maintain her youthful appearance."
Upon hearing this, Chai Zhen put down the memorial in his hand and asked with interest, "Oh? The Empress Dowager is actually interested in the art of maintaining youth?"
"That's true, Your Majesty." Cen Jiexiao said in feigned surprise.
"I've heard that the Empress Dowager has always admired natural beauty and doesn't care for these external modifications. I'm a little surprised that she suddenly wants to try the technique of preserving her youth."
He Yunshu listened from the side, secretly delighted. She had long wanted to win over Cen Jiexiao and establish a good relationship with her. Now that the Queen Mother had offered to let her into the palace, this was a golden opportunity to strengthen their relationship.
"Dean Cen, since the Queen Mother is interested, you should agree to it." He Yunshu said softly.
"I was just thinking of asking you to come into the palace and keep me company."
"Yes, Dean Cen, the Queen Mother is old, so it's inevitable that she will be worried about her aging appearance."
Chai Zhen also echoed, "Your anti-aging technique is so miraculous. If you can delay aging for my mother, it will be considered a meritorious deed."
"As you command," Cen Jiexiao replied respectfully, but she was secretly planning her next plan in her heart.
Seeing He Yunshu so happy, Chai Zhen also said: "In that case, let Jie Xiao and the Queen go to the palace together. It will be better for them to take care of each other on the way."
"Your Majesty is wise." Cen Jiexiao and He Yunshu said in unison.
Three days later, on the morning of the 11th, Cen Jiexiao and He Yunshu rode together in a magnificent carriage drawn by four powerful horses, heading for the imperial palace. The carriage's interior was spacious and comfortable, covered in soft mink blankets and filled with a faint scent of incense. Throughout the journey, Cen Jiexiao treated He Yunshu with the utmost care, asking about her well-being and being attentive to every detail, a bond closer than that of real sisters. She would peel a crystal-clear grape for He Yunshu, then meticulously smooth her hair.
"Your Majesty, you are in a delicate state. You must rest more." Cen Jiexiao said as she tucked a soft cushion embroidered with peony flowers behind He Yunshu. "This cushion is filled with the finest silk. It's soft and comfortable and will relieve your back pain."
"Sister Xiao, you are so thoughtful. Having you by my side makes the journey much easier." He Yunshu said with emotion.
Cen Jiexiao smiled, gently fanning herself with a feather fan, and began to tell He Yunshu anecdotes of modern times. "Your Majesty, I have a 'friend' whose hometown is home to women who can freely choose their own husbands and can even file for divorce!"
"What? A woman can actually initiate a divorce?" He Yunshu widened his eyes, as if he had heard something out of the ordinary.
"This is unbelievable! Aren't they afraid of being divorced by their husbands?"
"No, my queen." Cen Jiexiao explained with a smile.
"In my 'friend's' hometown, this is a very normal thing. Marriage is based on love and mutual respect. If both parties feel unhappy, they can of course choose to leave."
"This... this is really unheard of! Jiexiao, you know so much!" He Yunshu sighed.
Cen Jiexiao continued, "Also, where we are, women can read and write just like men, and can work in all kinds of jobs, such as being doctors, lawyers, teachers, and even officials!"
"Become an official? Can a woman be an official?" He Yunshu was even more surprised and almost dropped the teacup in his hand.
"This... this is outrageous! Women should stay at home to take care of their husbands and children. How can she be seen in public?"
Cen Jiexiao smiled and explained, "Where we are, men and women are equal, and everyone has the opportunity to realize their own value. It's also common for women to hold official positions. They can contribute to the country and society with their talents and hard work."
He Yunshu was fascinated by what he heard and was full of curiosity about the world described by Cen Jiexiao.
She took Cen Jiexiao's hand and asked excitedly, "Jiexiao, tell me more about your world! For example, what do women officials do?"
Cen Jiexiao smiled and began to talk: "Women can be officials, manage state affairs, formulate laws and regulations, and work for the welfare of the people..." She talked about the style displayed by modern women in various fields, from politics to business, from scientific research to education. Every story made He Yunshu listen with great interest.
"For example, I know a 'friend' who is a very good doctor. She can use a magical 'surgery' to replace a patient's broken heart with a new one!" Cen Jiexiao said as she gestured.
"Change...change hearts? How is that possible?" He Yunshu was stunned. To her, this seemed like a miracle.
"It's true, Your Majesty. In my 'friend's' hometown, there are many new and strange things that you have never heard of!" Cen Jiexiao nodded affirmatively.
He Yunshu's curiosity was completely aroused. She took Cen Jiexiao's hand and asked impatiently, "What else? Jiexiao, tell me quickly!"
Cen Jiexiao smiled mysteriously and continued to tell all kinds of strange stories about her life in modern society, from towering skyscrapers to high-speed trains that travel thousands of miles a day, from mobile phones that can communicate with people thousands of miles away in real time to the Internet that allows people to see scenery all over the world without leaving home... Every story made He Yunshu fascinated, as if it had opened a door to a new world.
Seeing that He Yunshu was so fascinated and interested, Cen Jiexiao continued to talk incessantly about various strange stories and anecdotes in modern society.
She vividly described the future world, her tone full of longing and yearning. She even promised that when He Yunshu became pregnant with the dragon seed, she would customize several sets of maternity clothes for her, ensuring they were comfortable and fashionable.
"When the time comes, I will definitely design several sets of maternity clothes that are both in line with palace etiquette and beautiful, so that Your Majesty can maintain beauty and comfort during pregnancy." Cen Jiexiao said with a smile, gesturing at various styles and imagining how He Yunshu would look in them.