Chapter 73 Chapter 73 I heard that His Highness cried for me yesterday? ...

"I also heard..."

Halfway through her words, the palace maid hesitated again and glanced at Jiangzhu, but found that Jiangzhu had already turned her face away. For a moment, she was unsure whether she should tell the whole story.

"If you still hide it, I won't keep you here."

Upon hearing Ji Lian's threatening words, the palace maid was so frightened that she immediately burst out in shock. "I've also learned that Lord Xie redeemed a Xianbei slave last night. Many officials from the Imperial Court witnessed it with their own eyes. This is absolutely true and cannot be false."

What can you do with buying a male slave?

What else can you do by buying a handsome male slave?

For a moment, the image of Xie Tingyu turning away and the enchanting scene within the red gauze tent intertwined in Ji Lian's mind. He wished he could rush to Changhao Courtyard and confront Xie Tingyu directly. Was she so eager to find a new lover? Had she ever truly loved him?

In just five days, she'd found a new love? What about him? Could it be that breaking up with her would relieve her worries, freeing her from having to pretend to be with him?

"Uncle, uncle, uncle..."

A soft handkerchief suddenly touched Ji Lian's cheek. He suddenly came to his senses and saw the worry on Ji Xun's face.

Ji Xun asked with concern: "Why is my uncle crying?"

Ji Lian wiped the red corners of her eyes with her fingertips and coughed lightly. "It's just the wind and sand that blinded me."

Ji Xun looked at the carved window, which revealed only a sliver of a crack, then at Ji Lian's tearful expression, and her confusion deepened. She had a vague feeling that her uncle was heartbroken because her teacher had bought a male slave, but she couldn't understand why. Why would this bring her uncle to tears?

She didn't understand all these twists and turns, but she didn't know how to comfort Ji Lian, so she could only talk about the interesting things that happened recently, and only left when Ji Lian's expression calmed down a little.

Ji Lian glared at Jiang Zhu coldly, her voice hoarse, "From now on, you are not allowed to inquire about Xie Tingyu's news. It's completely over between her and me."

"Such a heartless person is not worth my attention."

“A-choo——”

Xie Tingyu sneezed several times, rubbed his itchy nose, and muttered, "Who is scolding me?" He looked up at the officials in front of him and asked, "What do you want from me?"

These officials from the Construction Office were in charge of civil engineering. A few days ago, they were ordered by the Emperor to prepare for the construction of the Imperial Palace, and according to custom, they had to conduct a feng shui survey first.

Unfortunately, the master craftsman at the workshop had retired two months earlier, and his replacement was still on his way. With deadlines pressing, they were consulting their superiors when Grand Tutor Xie happened to be passing by.

However, opportunity does not wait for anyone. They originally wanted to ask their superiors what decision to make on this matter. It happened that Grand Tutor Xie was passing by. Their superiors immediately came up with a bad idea, saying that Grand Tutor Xie's beloved daughter had practiced in Shangqing Temple for many years, and such an outsider would naturally know a little about Feng Shui.

Although I may not be proficient in it, it is sufficient for the time being. I only need to ask Master Xie to go through the motions and do some superficial work. After the new incumbent takes office, I will conduct a thorough review and submit a second, more complete memorial to the Holy Judge.

After much hesitation, rather than being demoted for failing to complete the task assigned by their superiors, the officials had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask for help from Mr. Xie, who had nothing to do with the Si Zaofang.

The officials exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I wonder if Xie Sizhi has ever heard of the old custom of imperial officials in this dynasty who, after reaching the age of 15, must have a residence built outside the palace?"

"Um?"

Seeing Xie Tingyu's interested expression, the official was delighted, feeling that this matter had great potential. He quickly said, "According to ancestral rules, the emperor and his ministers must first build a palace before their wedding. Now we need to consult the geomancy. I have heard that Lord Xie is an expert in this field. I wonder if you can help us?"

Instead of waiting for a yes or no, Xie Tingyu was concerned about "When will the emperor get married?"

The official hurriedly explained, "Thank you, my Lord, for misunderstanding. It's just that after reaching the age of 15, according to custom, one must move out of the imperial palace and move into the Imperial Residence. As for marriage, Your Majesty has not yet chosen a candidate."

"Okay, I'll go." Xie Tingyu agreed readily.

This straightforward reply confirmed the situation, leaving the officials looking at each other in bewilderment. They had expected a lot of trouble, even finding out that Master Xie had bought a Xianbei slave the previous night and even planning to jointly invest in a beautiful woman as a gift, but they hadn't expected it to go this smoothly.

"Thank you, sir, for your generosity in resolving our urgent needs. It is truly a timely help."

Everyone bowed in unison.

"It's just a small favor. As officials in the same court, I should help you." Xie Tingyu bowed in return.

The officials were deeply impressed and decided to follow the previous agreement and jointly select a few beauties as gifts to express their gratitude.

"When, please?"

"Tomorrow."

At noon the next day, two royal carriages slowly emerged from the palace, their wheels making rumbling sounds as they rolled over the bluestone road.

Ji Lian lifted the curtain of his carriage and watched the vermilion palace walls recede into the distance. As the carriage traveled along the Qinhuai River, past the blue-tiled, white-walled dwellings of the aristocratic families, a sudden, inexplicable unease welled up in his heart.

"Why does it seem to me that this carriage is heading towards Wuyi Lane?"

"Your Highness is wise. Among the several locations His Majesty had previously chosen, there was indeed one in Wuyi Lane, adjacent to the Xie family of Chen County. Your Highness did not raise any objection at the time." Jiangzhu replied cautiously.

Ji Lian was speechless for a moment.

Did he have no objections? The discussion about the Imperial Palace had taken place a year ago, and he hadn't even met Xie Tingyu then! If it had been after this incident, he would definitely not have agreed to build a palace next to the Xie family's garden in Chenjun.

The carriage stopped and Ji Lian walked down slowly.

Amidst the waiting officials, a particularly striking figure stood out. He wore no official uniform, only a neat, narrow-sleeved black riding coat. As he dismounted, he bowed with a normal expression, "Your Highness, your Highness, is greeted by your servant, Xie Tingyu."

No, what does it have to do with you, Xie Tingyu? What are you, a fake Taoist priest, doing here?

Ji Lian's eyes were filled with resentment. He glanced at the group of officials beside him and asked, "I wonder what Master Xie is doing here?"

An official hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, Mr. Xie once practiced at Shangqing Monastery and has some knowledge of Feng Shui, so we specially invited you here."

How can a fake Taoist priest like you look at Feng Shui?

Ji Lian's eyes uncontrollably swept across Xie Tingyu's calm face. A dull pain surged in his chest. He turned his face away abruptly and said in a cold and hard voice, "Don't look at this place anymore. I don't want to live here. Let's go look somewhere else."

"Uncle——"

Ji Xun jumped closer, his eyes sparkling when he saw Xie Tingyu. He took her hand affectionately and turned to look at Ji Lian, "Why don't you go in and take a look? If you live here, I can visit my uncle and ask for advice from my teacher at the same time. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

"Uncle——"

Unable to resist Ji Xun's repeated requests, Ji Lian finally nodded in agreement.

This garden was originally favored by Xie Qingyan, who wanted to purchase it for Xie Tingyu to start a family. However, it was requisitioned by the royal family, so he had to give up.

This residence is built along the Qinhuai River, covering a vast area with scattered pavilions and lush flowers and trees. It is truly a treasure land where wind and water gather.

Ji Xun was delighted the moment he stepped inside. Although it still needed construction, if it could be arranged to his uncle's liking, it would surely feature winding corridors dotted with Xiaoxiang bamboo groves, and a lotus pavilion built by the water. Next summer, it would be perfect for enjoying the cool breeze while admiring the lotus flowers.

However, my uncle had a cold face the whole time, as if covered with frost. After a quick glance, he said something displeased and got on the carriage without looking back.

Ji Xun tugged at Xie Tingyu's wrist, looked at the carriage frame, and whispered, "My uncle seems a little unhappy."

"Why is His Royal Highness the Emperor unhappy?"

Ji Xun immediately recalled the news of buying a male slave yesterday. She thought about it again and again, feeling distressed, and finally confessed, "It seems that it is because my uncle learned that you bought a male slave."

Xie Tingyu was surprised: "Really? This is actually related to me."

Ji Xun nodded: "It's absolutely true. My uncle even shed tears when he heard it."

Xie Tingyu was even more surprised: "Really?"

Ji Xun nodded again: "Teacher, do you know why my uncle is sad?"

Xie Tingyu pondered, "Could it be that the window was not closed tightly that day, and the wind and sand blinded my eyes?"

Ji Xun: "...Teacher, why do you and my uncle both say this?"

"Any similarity is purely coincidental."

Xie Tingyu smiled vaguely, and after coaxing Ji Xun onto the carriage, she nimbly turned over and jumped onto the Step Moon Horse, and rushed to the next house along with the carriage.

Speaking of the locations of these houses, they are very different. This story started a year ago.

When the Taichang Yuan submitted a memorial about the construction of the Imperial Palace, Ji Zhao forwarded it to the Posuo Pavilion intact, allowing Ji Lian to choose a site. However, Ji Lian not only returned the memorial without commenting on it, but also attached an earnest petition requesting to remain a nun in Ci'en Temple with her hair uncut and remain unmarried.

This petition was naturally rejected. Ji Zhao directly issued an edict, ordering Ji Lian to select a site for the government office. Ji Lian simply circled a few random locations, two of which were located in the wilderness outside the city.

The place where everyone is standing at this moment is one of them.

Ji Xun looked at the overgrown weeds and broken walls before him and turned away in disbelief. "This... Uncle, did you really choose this yourself?"

This was an abandoned house that had changed hands several times before finally being abandoned. However, judging by the faintly discernible eaves and brackets, and the area spanning dozens of acres, it must have once been the private residence of a certain aristocratic family.

Ever since she met Xie Tingyu, Ji Lian's mind had wandered. She'd visited several mansions that afternoon, but none of their distinctive features had caught her eye. Even when they weren't in the same place, she could always spot that familiar figure from the corner of her eye.

Really...why is Xie Tingyu everywhere?

It's so haunting!

When Ji Lian regained consciousness, she looked around and realized that Xie Tingyu had vanished without a trace. Ji Xun and the accompanying palace maids had vanished as well. Perhaps the children were just playful and had chased after some novelty they had spotted.

He hurriedly turned to look for her, not noticing the huge rock protruding from his feet. He stumbled and fell forward. Just as he was about to hit the pillar, someone suddenly grabbed his wrist. Looking back, it was Xie Tingyu.

When did she fall behind?

Jiangzhu, who was following him from a distance, was quick-witted and immediately stopped the palace servants who were about to follow him without seeing anything.

"Let go."

Ji Lian whispered, trying her best to suppress the trembling in her voice.

Xie Tingyu was released immediately.

The warm touch wrapped around his heart like a vine. He bit his lower lip lightly and looked at Xie Tingyu with resentment. "I told you to let me go, so let me go. Why weren't you so obedient when you bit my lip back then?" Now that there's someone new, he's so decisive.

It was like swallowing an unripe green plum by mistake, and a faint bitter taste spread in the throat.

"I heard that Your Highness cried yesterday because I bought a male slave?"

Xie Tingyu suddenly spoke, breaking the subtle silence between the two.

"Who cried for you? Stop being so sentimental!"

Ji Lian was filled with shame and anger, and even more unwilling to give in, she raised her hand to push Xie Tingyu away. Unexpectedly, he grabbed her wrist, spun around, and the two of them disappeared behind the pillars.

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The author has something to say: I now finally understand why many authors, especially those with poor performance, who only have a thousand or a few hundred collections, stop writing and continue to update. It is really too difficult.

I was stuck on writing for two days. This morning I got up at 4:00 AM to write. By 6:30 AM, I had only written about 1,400 words. I was still writing on my phone while commuting.

Now that I have a little free time, I took out my computer to finish writing. At noon, I bought a double cheeseburger and ate it while typing, without even taking a nap.

Help.

I didn't understand it before, but now I really understand. No wonder they say that when it comes to writing online articles, the winner is the winner. With such a disproportionate amount of effort and dedication (I'm referring to myself, not those who easily get 10,000 copies), the fact that I was able to finish it is definitely a manifestation of self-discipline. Ahhhhhhh... Help, I have to write again when I get home tonight