Zhen Huan is still in love, and her sister's goal is to become the queen mother

Chapter 218 Game

After Huimin made a deal with Xu, she prepared to meet Concubine Duan.

The current Concubine Duan still lives in seclusion and is not in good health.

He spent most of his time in Yanqing Hall and rarely interacted with others.

There were few people serving her. Apart from a personal servant named Jixiang, the others were palace maids and eunuchs who rarely came near her and only did chores like sweeping and dusting outside.

Concubine Duan was very vigilant. The people Huimin placed in her service were all serving outside, but with so many people placed in her service, they were able to grasp her movements.

This time, Huimin went to meet Concubine Duan late at night without disturbing anyone.

That night, Concubine Duan did not look surprised when she saw Huimin coming, she just looked a little sleepy.

"I am sorry to bother you so late at night."

Huimin said a few polite words to her, but Concubine Duan didn't care.

"It has been a while since anyone has come to my Yanqing Palace. It is rare for someone to come and see a patient like me."

Concubine Duan sat there with a faint smile on her face, her hair was loose and her whole demeanor was gentle.

Huimin sat down and looked around the room.

"This place is too plain, why not add some things."

As she spoke, Huimin looked at Concubine Duan with a smile.

"Speaking of which, since you are a few years older than me, how about I call you sister?"

Concubine Duan also smiled, "Your position has risen quickly. Back then you still called me Empress Duan, but now you are already a noble concubine. According to your position, I should call you sister. It's up to you how to call me."

Huimin also smiled faintly, giving Concubine Duan enough face in her address.

"Sister has a lot of experience. I heard that she was the emperor's first concubine when she was in the palace. She and the emperor have a close relationship since they were young."

When Concubine Duan heard Huimin say this, she smiled but said nothing.

Huimin added:

"Sister Duan Fei has always loved Wen Yi, and as Wen Yi's stepmother, I am very pleased."

"Speaking of which, my sister is very kind to the children in the palace. She is patient even with a naughty monkey like Hongxi."

Huimin’s words made Concubine Duan stunned, and she spoke after a moment.

"I'm not destined to have children, but the child is adorable and it makes me happy to see him."

"Wen Yi is a child who really makes people happy. As for Hong Xi," Concubine Duan looked at Hui Min, "this child is a little naughty, but it is normal for children to be lively and active. He is a kind child."

As Concubine Duan was talking, she coughed twice. Seeing Huimin was about to go forward to check, Concubine Duan shook her head.

"It's an old problem, but it's nothing serious."

Then, Concubine Duan said:

"It was a nice day, so I stayed in the Imperial Garden for a while and saw a few children playing there."

As she spoke, Concubine Duan laughed, "Hongxi and Honghan are stabbing with their little wooden swords, looking pretty impressive. Jing'an is also following them. This child doesn't look like her mother..."

Concubine Duan kept talking about her interactions with the three children that day, with a genuine smile and envy in her eyes.

The smile that had not reached his eyes before finally became more genuine.

As she said this, Concubine Duan looked at Huimin and said, "You have raised a good child."

Concubine Duan seemed to remember something and her lips curled up slightly.

"My father is also a military commander. When I was young, I loved following him and watching them practice martial arts. But now, my body doesn't allow it. If I say I'm from a military family, I'm afraid others won't believe me when they see me like this."

"However, Hongxi saw me standing there for a long time and took the initiative to invite me to join him. He knew that I was not feeling well and tried to comfort me. He is really adorable..."

When Concubine Duan mentioned this past event, there was less intrigue and secret testing, and more of a pure smile.

"Children are so innocent and cute."

Listening to Concubine Duan's sigh, Huimin wondered why she didn't understand her own son. Although Hongxi was enthusiastic, his temper was not good. Her son was able to invite her at that time. It seemed that Concubine Duan was indeed very patient at that time.

Huimin also smiled, "Sister likes Hongxi so much, it shows that she is also a child-loving person. To be honest, Hongxi is a domineering person. The fact that she can make Hongxi close to her shows that sister is very patient with children."

"Come to think of it, sister, don't you want to raise a child yourself?"

"Sister must be a good mother who loves her children."

Concubine Duan's eyes darkened, and she instantly understood Huimin's purpose.

"I also know that I have not been blessed over the years and have not had that good luck..."

Huimin also understood Concubine Duan's meaning, so she changed her offensive strategy and made things clear.

"I have also seen the princess born to Xu. She is really a lovely girl."

"It's a pity that her mother's position is too low. Xu wanted to find a suitable adoptive mother for the child, and so she found my sister."

Concubine Duan looked at Huimin and her eyes changed, but Huimin remained unmoved and continued speaking.

"It's a pity that my sister has two children to raise, and she is too busy to take care of them. I can only let down Concubine Xu's kindness."

"But I thought that taking care of Xu Changzai's baby was also a fate, so I also wanted to help this child find a foster mother who loves her."

As they spoke, Huimin and Concubine Duan looked at each other.

"I thought my elder sister always loved children, so I came to ask her for her opinion."

These words sound nice, but Concubine Duan also knows that Huimin must be asking for a lot if she is willing to give her the position of princess. Nian Shilan has been suppressing her all along, and Concubine Duan has always been guessing who this person is.

This virtuous imperial concubine is indeed a formidable opponent.

But... Concubine Duan was really excited about the possibility of raising a child.

The emperor is not young anymore, and it is unknown whether he will have newborn children in the future. Even if he does, he may not be able to raise them himself.

If it was a prince, Concubine Duan knew that the emperor would definitely not allow her to contact him.

It is not easy to have two princesses whose mothers are of low birth this time.

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Concubine Duan couldn't help but be moved.

but……

There was a cold light in Concubine Duan's eyes as she stared into Huimin's eyes, no longer hiding herself behind a gentle mask.

Huimin was not afraid at all and just looked back calmly.

After several rounds of eye contact, Concubine Duan returned to her sickly and docile appearance.

"The virtuous concubine has a good method. She hits the snake at its weakest part."

Huimin also retracted her gaze and said modestly:

"No, no, I can't compare to Sister Duanfei."

There was something hidden in the two people's words, testing each other.

Concubine Duan took a step back and made concessions on her own initiative.

"Can Concubine Xian guarantee that I can raise this princess of the Xu family?"

"The Emperor is thinking of their old relationship. Concubine Nian has never had a child, and the Yikun Palace is empty. The Emperor can't help but want to make her happy."

Huimin also knew Concubine Duan's concerns, but she guessed wrongly and only said:

"If Noble Nian doesn't want to go, no one can force someone in. The Emperor also has to take Noble Nian's wishes into consideration."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Duan seemed somewhat surprised, yet also somewhat understood.

Concubine Duan murmured:

"That's right...that's right...she has always been like that."