Chapter Thirty-Seven: Morning After

  Qin Lei was helped into a brand new carriage, under the escort of a team of Imperial Guards, and traveled for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The carriage stopped.

  Shen Qing opened the car door, and two attendants were already waiting under the carriage. One held a silk cushion, while the other bowed his head and stretched out his hand to help Qin Lei get down from the carriage.

  Qin Lei smiled and patted the shoulder of the inner attendant who was about to help him down, saying warmly: "Thank you, sir." After that, he stepped down from the carriage on his own.

  In front of me was a tall and majestic palace. Even though the surrounding area was brightly lit, I could only see the outline of the palace and the golden plaque hanging in front of it - Cining Palace.

  Since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, all emperors have been filial to their mothers and set an example for the world. If an emperor is unfilial or unkind, it will be difficult for him to get a good evaluation after his death. Therefore, although the emperor is the master of the world, when the empress dowager is still alive, he must still listen to her obediently.

  The Empress Dowager was the first person of honor in a country, and now Qin Lei was about to go and pay his respects to his own grandmother, the most prestigious old lady of the Qin State, the birth mother of Emperor Zhuangwu of Great Qin - Empress Dowager Wen.

  Qin Lei followed the eunuch who led the way with a calm expression, entering the palace gate, crossing the entire main hall, and turning into the east wing.

  The Empress Dowager waited for his arrival in this chamber called Nian Year Pavilion.

  The eunuch who had just helped him with his sleeves went in quietly and reported, after a while, he came out and said to Qin Lei in a low voice: "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager asks you to enter."

  Qin Lei smiled back at him with gratitude, and even in the dead of night, he could feel the sincerity in his smile. The eunuch was pleased and couldn't help but whisper to Qin Lei as they brushed past each other: "The Empress Dowager is a devout Buddhist, she dislikes noise and commotion."

  Qin Lei looked at him gratefully, nodded and stepped into the house.

  The house was not as bright as the outside, with several lanterns covered in yellow gauze, emitting a soft orange glow. The furniture in the wing room was also simple in color, although the materials were certainly rare and precious, but the shape was ancient, without any fine carvings. Even the sheepskin rug on the floor only had some cloud patterns embroidered on it. Under the yellow light, the whole room looked harmonious and natural, without a hint of the imagined luxurious atmosphere that would be overwhelming.

  In this room, the value of all things returns to their original state. No matter how precious the materials are, a chair is for sitting and not for admiration. A carpet is for treading and not for show. Things are just things, not status or identity.

  Qin Lei felt a flash of insight in his heart, this empress dowager was an old man who had enjoyed boundless wealth and nobility, but later saw through the wealth and nobility, no longer being confined by material things.

  These thoughts took a long time to express, but in fact only lasted for an instant. When Qin Lei saw the old woman sitting on the recliner smiling at him, he quickly walked up to her and knelt down in front of her, pushing against the golden armrests.

  "Bowing his head and trembling with fear, he said: 'Grandson pays respects to the Empress Dowager.' He knocked his forehead on the ground once, twice, three times."

  Upon hearing the voice of 'Empress Dowager', from the moment Qin Lei entered the house, the old woman's expression had been very calm, but her emotions finally fluctuated. She nodded and said: "Good good good, get up quickly, let Empress Dowager take a look." Her voice was gentle, but not quite benevolent.

  Qin Lei lifted his head, and tears were already streaming down his face.

  Under the dim yellow light, a young man knelt at the feet of an old man, with a joyful expression but tears streaming down his face.

  What can cut off one's intestines in this world?

  The old lady's heartstrings, which had long been frozen, seemed to have been gently plucked. She stretched out her hands and lightly stroked Qin Lei's black hair, gazing at his handsome face. It wasn't until a long time later that she let out a deep breath, as if trying to expel the lump in her chest along with it.

  The atmosphere in the house is a bit strange, warm and weird, weird and warm.

  After a long while, the old lady finally spoke up: "Xiao Wu, get up and sit down to talk." Her voice was much more affectionate.

  Qin Lei nodded and stood up. A white-haired old eunuch brought over a velvet cushion for him. Qin Lei nodded and smiled at him before turning back to sit down.

  The empress dowager nodded in approval and said to Qin Lei, "It hasn't been easy for you all these years. I also heard about what happened last time. It was indeed unfair to you. Do you have any feelings about it?"

  Feeling that her questioning was a bit severe, the old lady smiled warmly at Qin Lei and said in a soft voice: "Speak up, the Empress Dowager will support you."

  Qin Lei knew the old lady was referring to the fact that Qin Guo used him as bait to trigger a war between the two countries. He slightly hesitated, and said in a soft voice: "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, at first it was indeed difficult to accept, but as the prince of Great Qin, sacrificing for the country is my duty. Once I understood this, my heart felt much more at ease."

  Qin Lei's response was somewhat unexpected by Madame Wen, who had thought that after all these years of being a hostage, Qin Lei would surely be filled with resentment. That's why when Qin Lei burst into tears earlier, the old lady assumed this child was taking the path of sorrow and grievance.

  Now seeing this child's bright and clear appearance, spring breeze-like attitude. The empress dowager seems to feel more pleased with her eyes.

  She smiled and said: "Little monkey, there's a hint in your words. It's much more comfortable, but still not very comfortable."

  Qin Lei looked slightly embarrassed and smiled lightly: "Indeed, I couldn't hide it from the Empress Dowager."

  The empress's face turned solemn, and she sighed: "Xiao Wu, this matter is not your father's intention, don't blame him."

  Qin Lei nodded solemnly and said, "I have never blamed Father Emperor. As the ruler of Great Qin, he protects the world. He must have many considerations and cannot act on impulse."

  The empress dowager listened to Qin Lei's words, her face becoming increasingly gentle, and nodded: "It's rare that you have this kind of thought, if your father the emperor knew, he would certainly be delighted."

  Qin Lei rubbed his head and whispered to the empress dowager: "Please don't tell my father, it's not right for a son to evaluate his father."

  The empress dowager couldn't help but smile and said kindly: "You little thing is quite clever. Let's just keep it unsaid."

  Qin Lei smiled and thanked him.

  The old woman and her grandson chatted for a while, exchanging gentle words about whether they were tired from the journey, how their bodies were doing, and other mundane topics. But the atmosphere was getting warmer and more intimate.

  At this time, a beautiful female official came forward and reported in a low voice: "Report to the Empress Dowager, the female officials of Concubine Jing's palace have been wandering outside the door for a long time."

  The old lady smiled and said, "Oh", to Qin Lei: "Grandma is really muddled, hugging her grandson and forgetting his mother. Hurry up and go see your mother. Come back another day to chat with grandma."

  Qin Lei smiled and said: "The imperial grandmother has driven away her grandson, who dares not obey orders now."

  The empress dowager laughed and scolded: "If you want to show off again, then don't go. Stay here and accompany your grandmother obediently."

  Qin Lei hastily stood up and bowed, saying: "However, I still need to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and the Noble Consort." He didn't say he wanted to see his own mother, but instead brought up those great gods.

  The empress saw that he was young and handsome, with a natural demeanor. She secretly delighted in him, but pretended to be angry on her face, saying: "If you don't leave now, you won't have to leave at all."

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  Today's first update, seeking recommendation votes!