Chapter 227 - he Was So Beautiful. Did She Take the Pill?

It took Baili Anning a while to restore her senses. She subconsciously looked at Shen Ninghua, “Ninghua, is that sister Anqing?”

She actually didn’t know that Anqing could be so attractive after dressing up. At this moment, Baili Anning couldn’t tell whether she was envious or surprised.

Shen Ninghua’s face was calm, but her eyes flashed with light. “Eternal Beautifying Panacea!”

“Ninghua, what do you mean by that?”

Shen Ninghua’s gaze was deep. “There was a medical record that an imperial concubine of the previous dynasty was worried about the fading of her beauty, so she gathered many rare medicinal ingredients from all over the world and made them into small pills. The pills could be consumed after they were burned into ashes. Seven days later, this imperial concubine became extremely beautiful and charming, so she named this pill Beautifying Panacea. It was said that the pills could even prevent women from aging. That was why they were called Eternal Beautifying Panacea.”

Baili Anning was surprised and her eyes were filled with disbelief. “There’s actually such a miraculous pill?”

Shen Ninghua smiled faintly and said, “I’m not sure. I just thought of this after seeing the sudden and dramatic change in Anqing. However, she is beautiful even without makeup. If she dresses up properly, it’s not surprising that she looks as beautiful as she does today.”

Baili Anning was silent, but she memorized the words “Beautifying Panacea” in her heart. She thought to herself, “No matter how good Baili Anqing’s foundation is, her appearance can’t change so obviously in just five or six days. After all, a person’s appearance can be decorated, but her temperament from the inside out is very difficult to change. It is not something that can be cultivated overnight.”

Baili Anqing’s change was too obvious. It was almost like rebirth. It seemed that she had become a completely different person. She was definitely unable to make it without some special methods.

When Shen Ninghua took a sip of tea, Baili Anqing had walked to the pavilion where they were.

“Greetings, Sister Anning. Greetings, Sister Zhaohua.” Her gentle voice was as smooth as silk, making people’s heart tremble uncontrollably.

Baili Anning felt a chill down her spine, and she was stunned. Even Anqing’s voice had changed a lot!

Shen Ninghua did not seem to be affected. After Baili Anqing finished speaking, she stood up and greeted. “Greetings, Sister Anqing. Hurry up and take a seat.”

Baili Anqing’s lips were full of smiles as she sat next to Baili Anning on a stool. The palace maid at the side hurriedly brought up a warm cup of tea.

Baili Anqing took it and nodded slightly. Her fair fingers were like fresh tofu, making people unconsciously lighten their movements for fear that a rude move would hurt her.

Shen Ninghua glanced over and lowered her eyes slightly. A guess flashed through her mind. Was this Princess Anqing intended to follow the example of Xiao Huanxi and seduce someone with her beauty?

Baili Anning restored her senses and smiled brightly at Baili Anqing. “Sister, it’s only been a few days since I last saw you. You’ve changed so much. I’m really surprised.”

Baili Anqing smiled back. “Sister Anning, it is said that after being apart for three days, you need to look at a person with new eyes. Can’t I give you a surprise?”

Baili Anning replied with a smile, “The more you surprise me, the happier I feel. After all, you’re getting more and more beautiful, aren’t you?”

The two of them talked intimately, as if there was no grudge between them. However, in reality, both of them were testing each other, and they had already gradually become more vigilant.

Baili Anqing suddenly turned to look at Shen Ninghua. Her clear eyes were filled with intimacy. “Sister Zhaohua, why are you silent?”

“I’m not silent. It’s just that you and Anning were chatting happily and I didn’t know what to say.”

Baili Anqing chuckled. She suddenly turned around and leaned against Baili Anning. She covered her lips and chuckled. “I thought Sister Zhaohua didn’t see her husband today and felt depressed. As the saying goes, one day apart seems like three years, and we all know that you and the imperial son-in-law are deeply in love.”

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes. Her exquisite eyebrows were charming, and her gaze was stunning. “How dare you tease me like this, girl? It seems that the seed of love grows vigorously in your heart.”

“Sister…” Baili Anqing lowered her head, and her white porcelain cheeks blushed, making her look as fragile and gorgeous as a flower.

However, Baili Anning whom she leaned against had to forcefully resist the desire to push her away. When Baili Anqing leaned against her, she was surprised to find that her body was extremely soft. Although Baili Anqing was slim, she shouldn’t be boneless. She couldn’t help but wonder!

Sensing the surge of emotion in Baili Anning’s eyes, Shen Ninghua secretly came to a conclusion. It seemed that her guess was correct. Baili Anqing had indeed taken the Beautifying Panacea!

Just as Baili Anning almost couldn’t bear it anymore, the empress’s maidservant Fangxue walked over and bowed to everyone. “Her Majesty invites the three princesses and the madams and young ladies to be seated.”

Because it wasn’t a formal ceremony, Zhao Huiying didn’t wear a formal dress. She appeared in a pink robe. But with her beautiful face, she looked dignified and majestic.

“We need to thank Your Majesty for hosting the banquet today. Otherwise, how would we have the chance to enjoy the spring scenery so early?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. You are so generous.”

Zhao Huiying’s graceful smile deepened when she heard the compliments. “Well, which one of you doesn’t have a garden? Without my invitation, you might feel more at ease admiring flowers in your own garden. Although you are so sweet-tongued, you might be complaining about me in your heart.”

Zhao Huiying’s words were obviously teasing, and everyone expressed their sincerity and implicitly praised Zhao Huiying’s kindness and beauty at the same time. As a result, the smile on Zhao Huiying’s face grew even deeper.

“I heard that His Majesty has praised you for holding this event and even specifically mentioned that the banquet can be extended for a while so that he can come to attend it later.”

“Yes…”

Shen Ninghua frowned slightly. His Majesty would come…Early this morning, Chu Junyi entered the Palace and said that he would accompany His Majesty today. In that case, Chu Junyi would also follow him…

Thinking about it, she involuntarily glanced at Baili Anqing beside her and narrowed her eyes slightly. Could it be that she had guessed correctly? Baili Anqing really wanted to imitate Xiao Huanxi? If that was the case, she mustn’t blame her for being ruthless…

Not long after, Baili Qingcang walked over with a few officials.

Just as everyone was saluting, Shen Ninghua took a glance and discovered that not only Chu Junyi, but also the Crown Prince, Qu Yi, and some other men were following Baili Qingcang.

After everyone finished saluting, Baili Qingcang sat beside the empress with a delighted expression.

Zhao Huiying smiled and said, “Your Majesty, you seem to be in a good mood today.”

The Crown Prince Baili Jinyi smiled and said, “Mother Empress, you don’t know. Today, news of a great victory came from the northwest again. I think troops in the northwest will be able to return soon, and Second Younger Brother will also be back then. That’s why Father Emperor is very pleased.”

Zhao Huiying’s expression was pleasantly surprised. “So that’s the case. We have both news of victory in the northwest and blooming flowers in the imperial garden, these really bode well. Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

With Zhao Huiying’s words, everyone below knelt down to congratulate Baili Qingcang, making him even happier.

“Haha, alright, all of you, as you were. Today is a joyful occasion. Everyone, please don’t stand on ceremony and enjoy the flowers freely.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chu Junyi’s gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Shen Ninghua. The two of them exchanged glances with tacit understanding.

Baili Anqing raised her head and looked in Chu Junyi’s direction. She clenched her fingers tightly. Looking at Chu Junyi’s handsome face and upright figure, her heart trembled slightly. She didn’t meet such a good man in the first place, but it wasn’t late to snatch him away now.

Shen Ninghua glanced at Baili Anqing, only to find her head lowered. Therefore, she could only roughly see Baili Anqing’s exquisite eyebrows. Her gaze turned slightly cold.

Since it was a flower viewing banquet, the priority was to admire the flowers, and eating and drinking came in second place. Baili Qingcang had given the order that there was no need to stand on ceremony, so everyone chose a good spot in the imperial garden to admire flowers. At first glance, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Baili Anning stood beside Shen Ninghua and looked at Baili Anqing, who was admiring an orchid in the distance. She pursed her lips and said, “Ninghua, look. Today, Anqing…”

Shen Ninghua stopped her with her gaze. “She’s extremely beautiful, right?”

Baili Anning nodded and frowned slightly. “She is extremely beautiful, but her beauty is a little abnormal and makes me feel worried.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and turned to look at Baili Anqing who was standing in front of an orchid. She and the flower formed such a delightful contrast that people couldn’t tell for sure which one was more beautiful.

Chu Junyi, who was standing beside, also noticed the “unusual” Baili Anqing, he couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. Why did this person become like this? She looked like a siren today.

Baili Anqing curled her lips slightly and her eyes grew brighter. The empress was right. Which man didn’t like beautiful women?

She had been worried about being overshadowed by Shen Ninghua’s beauty, but with Her Majesty’s secret medicine, she could also have stunning beauty. In this way, she had nothing to fear. She was confident of winning both Chu Junyi’s attention and affection!

The smile on Zhao Huiying’s face was exceptionally gentle, but her gaze towards Baili Qingcang was both nervous and cautious.

Baili Qingcang sighed slightly and held her fingers. “You’ve done a good job, Empress.”

After he said these words, Zhao Huiying’s eyes were already filled with tears. “Your Majesty it’s my pleasure.”

Ever since that damned Yang Lin pounced over and hugged her, Baili Qingcang had never entered her palace again. He didn’t even touch her. This made Zhao Huiying extremely angry. But she didn’t expect that the flower viewing banquet would bring her unexpected benefits and make Baili Qingcang’s impression of her improve a lot.

Zhao Huiying was pleasantly surprised and she did not notice the chill hidden in Baili Qingcang’s eyes.

“Alright, let the young people have their fun. I’m tired. You can accompany me to rest.” Baili Qingcang held Zhao Huiying’s hand, got up, and walked towards Ningkun Palace.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zhao Huiying nodded slightly and agreed. Before she left, she glanced in Baili Anqing’s direction. Seeing Baili Anqing slightly nod in response, she slowly left with a smile.