Chapter 028 Chapter 28

Outside Shoukang Palace.

Aunt Danfeng was already waiting outside with Yingxue.

Seeing Xu Duanyi leading Xie Qingya over from afar, the two people who were standing at the door waiting eagerly immediately smiled.

"The eldest princess!"

The two of them smiled and called out to Xu Duanyi, then immediately went to meet him. When they were almost there, they lowered their heads and greeted Xie Qingya, "Your Majesty."

Xie Qingya still looked indifferent.

Hearing this, he just hummed in a cold voice and glanced to the side, obviously not taking them seriously.

Aunt Danfeng was about to frown when she saw him like this, but then she heard Xu Duanyi ask with a smile, "Aunt, where is your aunt?"

At that moment, he no longer cared about the King of Nannan.

Dan Feng hurriedly said to Xu Duanyi, "We are waiting for you inside. Thinking that you would come back today, the Queen Mother got up early in the morning."

"I also asked the kitchen to prepare a lot of your favorite foods for you."

Dan Feng's eyebrows are smiling and her eyes are relaxed.

The look he gave Xu Duanyi was one of respect and pity.

"You and the prince, please go in quickly."

She was afraid that Xu Duanyi would be exposed to the sun.

Xu Duanyi smiled and agreed, but did not go in immediately. Instead, he said to Xie Qingya beside him, "Prince, let's go in."

"Um."

Xie Qingya still had that indifferent look on his face and didn't even look at Xu Duanyi.

He seemed not to care about her.

How could he look like he was running away in the carriage just now?

Dan Feng and Ying Xue frowned as they watched.

Xu Duanyi's expression remained normal, without any change.

She walked forward side by side with Xie Qingya.

On the way, he also asked Dan Feng how his aunt's food and accommodation were these two days.

This was what she was most worried about when she left the palace.

Dan Feng observed her expression and saw that she didn't care. Although she was dissatisfied with the way the Prince of Nan'an acted, she couldn't say anything in front of the Princess, least she felt embarrassed.

If you don't see it, it's clean.

She simply stopped going to see the King of Nan'an. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. While she led the way for the two of them, she smiled and answered Xu Duanyi's words.

After entering the gate and walking across a path, you will reach the main hall.

When they were almost there, Aunt Danfeng seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, by the way, His Majesty is here today too."

As she said this, her remaining eyes silently glanced at Prince Nan'an beside her.

But the Prince of Nangan still looked the same as before, and nothing could be seen.

She was afraid of being noticed, so she quietly looked away.

Dan Feng didn't know.

She thought she was doing it secretly, but in fact Xu Duanyi saw everything.

Xu Duanyi watched her actions, pursed her lips slightly, and pinched her fingertips unconsciously with her slender fingertips.

She also glanced over at Xie Qingya.

Seeing that his expression remained the same, Xu Duanyi silently withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyelids.

Until I heard the palace servant in front of me replying happily: "Queen Mother, the eldest princess is back!"

Try to focus your thoughts at this moment.

A gentle smile appeared on Xu Duanyi's face again.

Dan Feng led them into the house.

Following behind him was Bixi, who was holding a gift box.

As Changfeng was an outsider, it was not convenient for him to enter the palace, so he was waiting for them on the palace road outside the inner palace.

As soon as Xu Duanyi entered, the first thing he saw was Empress Dowager Zhaoyu sitting in the main seat facing them.

No matter what he had thought before, when he saw Empress Dowager Zhaoyu, Xu Duanyi still quickened his pace unconsciously and called out, "Aunt."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was also quite moved when she saw her.

The girl whom she had watched grow up since she was a child is now married and has even tied her hair into a bun... She is naturally filled with a myriad of emotions.

"Come here quickly."

She extended her hand to Xu Duanyi, not caring whether she bowed or not.

But etiquette cannot be abolished.

Xu Duanyi has always attached great importance to rules and etiquette.

If it was only my aunt, it would be fine, but His Majesty is here today... What's more, there is also Xie Qingya.

She was afraid that her aunt would take advantage of the situation.

"I haven't kowtowed to you and His Majesty yet." Xu Duanyi said this first, half smiling and half coquettishly.

Then, after Xie Qingya came over, he and she greeted their aunt and His Majesty.

The moment the young emperor saw Xie Qingya appear, he clenched his hands hidden under his sleeves.

These years.

He seldom sees his cousin.

Only a few times, when he left the palace to pray in Huang'en Temple, was he able to see his cousin.

But with so many eyes around, they couldn't be discovered, so they couldn't talk much. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. He only remembered that three years ago, the little noble suddenly gave him a secret note.

Afterwards, he met his cousin in Huang'en Temple.

At that time, my cousin's reputation in the city was already very bad. Both the common people and the officials said that my cousin was drunk every day and was no longer capable of taking on important tasks.

He naturally didn't believe it in his heart.

His cousin was the most powerful young general. How could it be possible that he became so useless?

It was not until a palace banquet that he lost his temper for the first time and, using his status as emperor, insisted that they let his cousin enter the palace.

He thought at that time that they deliberately said that to his cousin and deliberately prevented him from seeing his cousin.

So that we can continue to control him.

Later, he finally met his cousin.

But he was a drunkard who fell to the ground when someone let go of his hand, and kept talking about drinking.

He finally believed it then.

His cousin is really different.

He was extremely sad at that time and didn't understand why such a brave and heroic cousin had become like this?

He also panicked about his future situation.

His maternal grandfather's family was weak and had no say in the court, and his mother was killed by the queen mother... He could originally rely on his cousin, but he didn't expect his cousin to become like this.

Who else can he rely on?

Do we really have to live in this fear and anxiety every day?

Like a sword hanging over your head.

He didn't know when the sword would fall and pierce his neck.

Until that secret letter——

He went to Huang'en Temple and saw his cousin who was completely different from the one who was drunk at the palace banquet that day.

But my cousin at that time was no longer the same as before.

It felt strange to him.

My cousin used to be unbridled and high-spirited.

It is like the most dazzling sun hanging above the sky.

But the cousin in Huang'en Temple was taciturn and obviously more reserved, looking like a pool of stagnant water.

Since then.

He then got in touch with his cousin.

Huang'en Temple became their meeting place.

But in order to avoid attracting the attention of the Queen Mother and Cao Da, they have only seen each other a few times in these years.

His cousin kept telling him not to worry.

But how could he not worry? He stayed in this high-walled palace every day, and he didn't know how many eyes were staring at him.

He couldn't sleep at night.

I'm afraid that one day I'll be killed in my dream.

Like his brothers, like his mother...

The situation improved slightly only after Mr. Mei won the top spot in the imperial examination last year.

Although he and his cousin still couldn't meet in person, he could always ask Lord Mei to tell him anything on a daily basis.

This made him feel much more at ease.

Seeing his cousin at this time, the young emperor immediately felt a strong sense of admiration and affection in his heart.

Now in this world, he only has his cousin, the only relative who truly cares for him.

Just thinking of what Lord Mei told him yesterday, the young emperor clenched his palms tightly, trying his best not to reveal any clues.

He didn't speak right away.

When the queen mother is around, it is not his turn to speak first.

"Get up."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu spoke.

Although she was dissatisfied with Xie Qingya, she couldn't bear to leave her baby Zhaozhao, so she knelt with him.

Dan Feng stepped forward and helped Xu Duanyi up.

After Xu Duanyi got up, he thanked her again and then took the gift box prepared for the two of them from Bixi's hand.

"This is a gift that the prince and I prepared for my aunt and His Majesty."

After she finished speaking, she handed the things to Dan Feng and Xiao Guizi respectively.

The gift to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was a fan with the word "Shou" on it. The dark red fan handle and the word "Shou" on it did not seem special, but the magic lay in this word... If you looked at it from a distance, there would be a hundred "Shou" characters, but if you looked at it closer, there would be only one larger "Shou" character left.

"Huh?"

Dan Feng saw the clue first, she was a little surprised: "Queen Mother, look!"

She presented the thing in her hand to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu as if she were presenting a treasure.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu took a look and also saw the clue. She was used to seeing good things and originally just wanted to avoid offending Zhao Zhao.

Now that I see the cleverness of this, I am somewhat surprised.

"This is a novel thing." Empress Dowager Zhaoyu took it and played with it in her hand.

From the expression on her face, I could tell that she was very satisfied with this item.

Xu Duanyi smiled with her eyes squinting: "I knew my aunt would like it."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu also looked at her and smiled, her eyes soft, "Zhao Zhao still understands my heart the best."

She reached out to Xu Duanyi again, and glanced at Xie Qingya who was standing there as a wooden stick. Although she didn't like him, she said lightly: "Give the Prince of Nan'an a seat."

"yes."

Yingxue led Xie Qingya to take a seat.

This time Xu Duanyi did not refuse and sat next to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu sat upright, holding Xu Duanyi's hand. As if she had just remembered something, she asked the young emperor, "Where is the emperor? What gift is he holding?"

The young emperor hasn't opened it yet.

Hearing Empress Dowager Zhaoyu asked this, it felt like holding a hot potato.

Even though he knew his cousin wouldn't put anything in it, his heart hidden in his chest still started beating uncontrollably.

In the corner of my eye, I looked towards my cousin.

But I saw my cousin drinking tea with his head down and didn't even glance over here.

My heart beats faster.

"I know that Your Majesty loves chess, so I specially picked out a set of chess pieces for Your Majesty. Would you like to take a look?" A gentle female voice suddenly came into my ears.

The young emperor looked in the direction of the sound.

Just happened to meet Xu Duanyi's gentle, smiling eyes.

My tense mood suddenly relaxed for no reason.

The young emperor lowered his eyes and opened the gift box, and it turned out to be a set of chess pieces made of jade.

"Thank you, sister Yi, thank you... Prince Nan'an, I like you very much." Because he was in a relaxed mood, the emperor sounded relieved when he spoke.

Xie Qingya remained silent.

Xu Duanyi smiled and said, "As long as Your Majesty likes it."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was too lazy to care about them.

She mentioned that earlier not to investigate anything, but just said it casually.

She didn't want to have these two people around her after finally reuniting with Zhao Zhao, which made her feel uncomfortable.

I really don't want to see them.

"You two brothers haven't seen each other for a long time. Go out for a walk. Someone will call you when it's time to eat."

This is to drive them out.

When the young emperor heard this, his relaxed mood immediately became tense again.

Although he also wanted to meet and talk to his cousin.

But he's not stupid, he knows...

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

The lazy and low voice interrupted the young emperor's thoughts.

Seeing that his cousin had already stood up, the young emperor did not hesitate any longer and stood up and bowed to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu: "Then I will take my leave first."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu nodded indifferently.

After that, he ignored the two brothers and let them go.

Xu Duanyi watched them leaving, feeling a little nervous in her heart, and her red lips pursed again.

Until she heard her aunt ask her, "How have you been in the palace these past two days?"

Xu Duanyi then looked away as if nothing had happened and replied softly, "I'm fine."

I caught a glimpse of my aunt's face full of disbelief.

Xu Duanyi smiled and took her arm, and continued to speak to her softly: "It's really good."

She said a few things: "On the first day I entered the palace, Aunt Deng from the palace gave me the reward from the palace."

"The servants were very respectful to me."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu raised her eyebrows: "Deng Lin who was by Liu Yi's side before?"

Xu Duanyi said yes.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu did not comment and said lightly: "She is a smart person." She did not continue to ask her how she was doing.

With her supporting Zhao Zhao, she doesn't need to worry about others looking down on her.

What's more, Deng Lin is a smart person.

As for that kid Xie Qingya——

Thinking of Xie Qingya's attitude, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was filled with displeasure.

She also didn't ask Zhao Zhao how Xie Qingya treated her.

It doesn't look that good.

But it's nothing, just a man.

Good or bad, the most unreliable thing in this world is a man’s feelings; the most useless thing is also a man’s feelings.

When the late emperor wanted to marry her, what sweet words did he not say to her?

But after he really sat in that position, what did he do?

Pampering concubines and destroying wives.

If she didn't have the support of her family and Qi'er, she probably wouldn't even be able to hold on to the position of queen!

Instead of coveting these useless emotions, it is better to take control of the power.

Only with power can you do whatever you want.

Therefore, she was too lazy to ask Zhao Zhao these things. Instead of asking these questions, she might as well see what Zhao Zhao wanted.

If Zhao Zhao feels that this life is okay and the status of Princess Nan'an is not bad, then she can continue to be the princess. It would also be nice to have children by her side in the future.

As for Xie Qingya, why bother about him?

If Zhao Zhao no longer likes this identity one day, or finds someone she likes, then she will naturally be able to fulfill her wish.

All in all, as long as Zhao Zhao likes it, it's fine.

…

This morning.

Xu Duanyi and Empress Dowager Zhaoyu were having a private conversation in the house.

Xie Qingya and the young emperor did not go far either, they were playing chess outside the yard.

Originally, the young emperor thought that his cousin would deliberately mess things up like he did last time at the palace banquet, or he would ask him to have a fight with him to prove that their relationship was really not harmonious now.

Unexpectedly, his cousin took the initiative to suggest playing chess with him.

Although the young emperor didn't understand, he always listened to his cousin.

The two of them played chess openly in the courtyard of Shoukang Palace.

"Where are the Emperor and Prince Nan'an?"

In the side hall, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu asked this question casually while drinking tea.

Xu Duanyi was peeling loquats for her.

Hearing this, she paused for a moment, but in a flash, she lowered her head and continued to peel loquats for others as if nothing had happened.

"Playing chess outside."

Dan Feng had just gone outside to see what was going on, so he naturally knew what the two were doing.

"Play chess?"

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu frowned.

"Right outside?" she asked.

Dan Feng replied, "It's right outside. The princess gave your majesty the chess set this morning. Your majesty couldn't let it go and insisted on playing with Prince Nan'an."

She knew what the Queen Mother wanted to hear, so she added, "Prince Nan'an seems reluctant. I just..."

I accidentally spoke too fast.

When the words were on the tip of his tongue, he realized that he shouldn't say this in front of the eldest princess.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu frowned when she saw her suddenly stop talking: "What did you say just now?"

Dan Feng did not answer immediately as he did before, but instead glanced in Xu Duanyi's direction.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu knew that these words must not be heard by Zhaozhao.

She didn't say anything for a while, but her face became even uglier. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you "Auntie Eats Loquat."

After Xu Duanyi peeled the loquat, he cut it into slices with a knife, placed the core on an empty plate aside, and then inserted a silver fork for someone else.

She looked normal, as if she hadn't noticed anything.

After pushing the plate of loquats to her aunt, Xu Duanyi said, "I'll go see how the lunch is prepared."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu frowned and said, "How can you be of any use in these matters? Just send a palace maid to do it."

Obviously, she was reluctant to let Xu Duanyi run this distance.

It was almost lunch time and the sun was shining brightly outside.

Although it is not the hottest time of the year yet, it is still somewhat sunny at this time.

Xu Duanyi smiled and said, "I heard from my aunt that you have been feeling bad these days. I will make a bowl of longan, red dates, chicken and egg custard to help you feel better."

"Why are you saying this to Zhao Zhao?"

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu looked at Danfeng unhappily.

Before Dan Feng could say anything, Xu Duanyi spoke for her: "Don't blame Aunt Dan Feng. I asked her to say it. Aunt Dan Feng had no choice but to do it because I pushed her into a corner."

Xu Duanyi stood up after he finished speaking: "Please sit down first, I'll be back soon."

She is a decent cook.

When there is nothing to do in the palace, you always have to find something to do.

But her aunt seldom lets her do it.

Therefore, only when my aunt was not feeling well would she give people some nourishing and conditioning things.

Xu Duanyi walked out.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu looked at her figure with tenderness in her eyes.

Only when she could no longer see did Empress Dowager Zhaoyu withdraw her gaze and let Dan Feng continue to speak the words she had not finished before.

Without the princess by her side, Dan Feng no longer had to hide the secret.

She told Empress Dowager Zhaoyu what she had just learned: "I just heard that Prince Nan'an wanted to go to Changyin Pavilion to listen to the opera, but Your Majesty did not allow him to do so."

"Bullshit!"

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was so angry that she slammed the table.

Although she knew what kind of person he was, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was still furious.

Dan Feng hurried forward and stroked her back to encourage her.

"Don't be angry. If you get angry, your health will be damaged and the princess will definitely be worried."

She also knows what to say that works.

Sure enough, when it came to Xu Duanyi, although Empress Dowager Zhaoyu still looked unhappy, she did not bang the table or smash things anymore.

He just cursed angrily: "It's a piece of shit that can't be helped up."

These words were obviously referring to Xie Qingya.

Then she thought that her daughter Zhao Zhao was so good, but she married such a person... She felt extremely remorseful and felt that she had failed to live up to A Yuan's trust. She would not be able to face her again in the future.

On the other hand, he became even more jealous of Cao Da, who had put Zhao Zhao into such a predicament.

If it weren't for this dog slave, Zhao Zhao would never have married such a bastard!

This made Empress Dowager Zhaoyu very angry.

On the other side, the young emperor carefully looked around and saw that although there were still people watching nearby, this time there was no one close by, so he lowered his voice and spoke to Xie Qingya: "Why did my cousin say he was going to Changyin Pavilion just now? I saw that when Aunt Dan Feng came out just now, someone immediately went to reply to the message."

As he spoke, he couldn't help frowning again.

He lowered his head, as if thinking about the chess game, but whispered: "If the queen mother knew, she would definitely be angry with you again. If I had known this, I would have lost my temper with my cousin just now."

He thought his cousin did this to let his mother know that he was no longer the high-spirited second son of the Xie family.

Xie Qingya supported his head with one hand and held a white jade chess piece in the other.

He plays white today.

At this time, he also lowered his eyelids.

His eyes fell on the chess board in front of him.

His thin lips opened and closed, but what he said was: "I just want her to know."

"Why?"

The young emperor was puzzled.

He subconsciously wanted to look up.

He continued to keep a low profile for fear of being discovered by the spies around him.

Xie Qingya spoke up: "Mei Xuezheng told me that my marriage to...her was caused by Cao Da alone."

The young emperor did not notice that Xie Qingya paused briefly when he said the word "she".

He said yes.

Recalling the scene at that time, the young emperor added: "My mother was very angry that day. I heard that she even smashed several sets of tea sets."

Not understanding why his cousin suddenly mentioned this, the young emperor looked puzzled: "Cousin, why are you suddenly talking about this?"

This not only proves that my cousin is not favored by the Queen Mother, but also...

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

The young emperor blinked, and suddenly seemed to understand something: "Cousin, do you want the Queen Mother to be angry with Cao Da because of this?"

Seeing that he understood, Xie Qingya also raised the corners of his lips and smiled at him: "Your Majesty is smart."

The young emperor was delighted by his praise and the smile on his face became even wider.

But for fear of being discovered, he quickly suppressed his smile and continued to pretend to be thinking hard about the chess game in front of him.

But his mood obviously became much more relaxed.

It was only when he thought of one person that he said hesitantly, "But...Sister Yi is also in there. If Aunt Dan Feng goes in and tells her, wouldn't Sister Yi know about it?"

He didn't know what kind of relationship his cousin had with Sister Yi now.

He only knew that in the past, at least a long time ago, the relationship between his cousin and Sister Yi was very good.

The prince was very busy at that time.

He often followed Sister Yi and his cousin, going wherever they went.

He actually has some worries now.

He was afraid that his cousin would still treat Sister Yi the same way as before.

He knew that Sister Yi was a very good person. Most of the time, it was Sister Yi who helped him in front of the Queen Mother. But Sister Yi... was the Queen Mother's person after all.

He was afraid that his cousin had too good a relationship with her and that Sister Yi might find out something.

If Sister Yi tells the Queen Mother something at that time, then everything they have done in these years... will be destroyed in an instant.

By then, he might not even be able to survive, let alone take power.

The fear in his heart was now revealed on his face.

Others were too far away to see it.

Xie Qingya was sitting opposite him, so he could see it clearly.

He also knew the reason for his change of expression, and sighed silently in his heart. Xie Qingya comforted him: "Don't worry, she doesn't know anything, and I... won't let her know."

But his hand holding the chess piece tightened unconsciously.

Obviously, he was not completely unmoved by the young emperor's previous words.

Even when he was preparing to do this, he hesitated.

But life is full of trade-offs.

He...is no longer the Xie Qingya of the past.

He had no choice but to be the Xie Qingya of the past.

"The eldest princess."

Suddenly, a few greetings came from a distance.

It was almost an instinctive reaction. Xie Qingya's expression changed slightly and he immediately raised his head.

The hand holding the chess piece loosened for no reason.

The jade chess pieces broke into pieces and were destroyed instantly when they fell to the ground.

But he never noticed.

He just looked ahead.

He saw Xu Duanyi walking towards him not far away.

He also saw the gentle smile on her face. When her eyes met him, it suddenly froze a little, not as bright as usual.

He seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Xu Duanyi just nodded at them without coming over, and then continued walking forward.

"...Sister Yi should know."

The young emperor also saw it and said in a low voice.

Xie Qingya hummed and looked away calmly, seemingly without any change of emotion due to Xu Duanyi's words.

The young emperor on the opposite side breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him like this.

Xie Qingya could clearly feel his own heartbeat, which was a beat shorter than before.