Chapter 116 Chapter 116

The news was brought in by the little nobleman.

At that time, the morning court had ended and a large number of officials had left the Huangji Palace.

Only Xie Qingya and Mei Xuezheng remained in the Huangji Palace.

But this time, the two of them were talking with Liu Xie in the back hall.

This was also the first time in so many years that they gathered in the palace and talked like this.

The last time the three of them met together privately like this was two years ago. They met briefly in the Huang'en Temple outside, on the pretext of Liu Xie burning incense and praying for blessings.

It was Xie Qingya who recommended Mei Xuezheng to Liu Xie at that time.

So that they can communicate more conveniently in the future.

After this.

The three of them never saw each other like this again.

Any news on weekdays was delivered by Mei Xuezheng through the secret passage.

At this time, the three of them gathered together, and even the little nobleman withdrew, not to mention the others. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. Although Liu Xie is an emperor, he is young, and this will be the most exciting.

Thinking of how Cao Da was taken away just now, he could hardly suppress his excitement.

The young and handsome face also turned red at this moment.

"I didn't think that Cao Da could be defeated this time. I, I thought there was no hope."

Facing Mei Xuezheng and Xie Qingya, Liu Xie did not refer to himself as "I". He paced excitedly in the hall while speaking.

I'm just worried after all.

Cao Da had been immersed in the imperial court for so many years, and his power was so great that he could not imagine it.

Although no one spoke up for him before, there's no guarantee that someone won't do something in the future...

Thinking of this, Liu Xie couldn't help but looked worried again.

He turned to Xie Qingya and asked nervously, "Cousin, can we really get rid of Cao Da this time? I'm afraid..."

Xie Qingya comforted him, saying, "These things are based on solid evidence and cannot be refuted. Once the three courts have reviewed the case, they will be able to punish him. Your Majesty does not need to worry."

The only thing to worry about is whether someone will rescue Cao Da.

About this.

He has also told Shen Yu about this.

Cao Da has not been convicted yet and is currently being held in the Dali Temple's prison.

The Dali Temple happened to be Shen Yu's territory.

He had reminded others of this in advance.

Shen Yu knew how powerful Cao Da was, so he would naturally be extra cautious.

He now hopes that the three courts can hold a trial as soon as possible and Cao Da can die sooner.

His words.

Liu Xie has always believed it.

I have been like this since I was a child.

Hearing him say this, Liu Xie, who had just looked worried, couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief.

A shy smile appeared on his face, and he heaved a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good."

"But Prince Xiao, why are you testing for your cousin today?"

Thinking of the scene in the palace just now, Liu Xie was still a little confused: "Did my cousin really go to see Prince Xiao yesterday?"

When Xie Qingya heard this, he was about to answer when there was a knock on the door.

The sound stopped instantly.

The only one who can come here at this time is the little nobleman.

Xie Qingya stopped talking and turned around. He didn't ask anyone but "What's the matter?"

"Your Highness, the eldest princess has entered the palace and has now gone to Shoukang Palace." The young nobleman replied on behalf of Changfeng.

This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. Although I don't know why Guard Chang is so anxious, I asked him to pass the news to the prince immediately.

But since it concerns the prince's affairs, the young nobleman naturally dared not delay.

But he didn't expect it.

When Xie Qingya heard these words, his previously calm expression immediately changed.

Even Mei Xuezheng, who had been standing aside without saying anything, immediately looked towards Xie Qingya.

Only Liu Xie——

He was still ignorant and didn't know what was going on.

After hearing this, he just asked curiously: "Why did the Queen Mother suddenly call Sister Yi into the palace?"

But when it comes to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu, Liu Xie can't help but become nervous again.

Cao Da's problem was solved, but his mother's... habit over the years made him feel afraid whenever he thought of Empress Dowager Zhaoyu.

To be honest.

The fear he showed when facing Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was even greater than that of Cao Da.

His fear of Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was an instinctive fear that came from the bottom of his heart.

He was worried.

Later, the Queen Mother will call him over and ask him about what happened today, and he will ask if he knew about it in advance.

I was just about to ask my cousin what he should do.

Then I heard my cousin speak first: "Your Majesty, I have to go there."

Liu Xie was stunned for a moment and didn't react for a moment.

"Where are you going?"

He looked at Xie Qingya and asked in a daze.

It was at this time that Liu Xie noticed that something was wrong with his cousin's expression.

Just when I was about to ask my cousin what was wrong, I heard him say in a deep voice, "Shou Kang Palace."

"What?"

Liu Xie was stunned again.

Xie Qingya didn't have time to explain anything more to him at this moment.

He didn't know whether Xu Duanyi came here on her own or was summoned into the palace by someone, but what happened today, no matter how she got here, it couldn't be a good thing.

Xie Qingya was really worried and couldn't stay any longer.

He said to Mei Xuezheng in a deep voice: "You talk to His Majesty." Then he could no longer hold back, and bowed to Liu Xie, then withdrew first.

"cousin?"

Liu Xie watched Xie Qingya leave with a look of shock on his face.

He took two steps after her.

Seeing that my cousin was in a hurry, he walked out in the blink of an eye.

I couldn't help but stop.

There was still a look of shock on his face.

Mei Xuezheng watched Xie Qingya walk away bravely, with worry on his face, but he also knew that at this moment, no matter how much he tried to dissuade him, it would be useless.

I could only watch him leave.

When Xie Qingya was no longer in sight, Mei Xuezheng turned around and said to the young emperor beside him, "Your Majesty, don't worry for now."

Then he took the initiative to talk to others.

Qingya's meeting with Xiao Yuanxing some time ago and his thoughts.

I originally wanted to wait until I got news from Xiao Yuanxing before telling the emperor about this matter.

But in the current situation, Shoukang Palace obviously can no longer keep it secret, and there is no need for Your Majesty to hide it any longer.

Originally, they had planned to get rid of Cao Da and then talk to him.

…

Changfeng was guarding outside.

Chen Xing is not here.

After the morning court session ended, Chen Xing was taken away by Shen Fu.

Seeing that he was happy, Xie Qingya didn't say anything.

At this time, Changfeng heard hurried footsteps behind him. He looked behind him subconsciously and saw the prince walking towards him with a sullen face. He hurried over to greet him.

"My Lord."

After approaching the people, Changfeng took the initiative to lower his voice and told the prince what he had heard before.

"Today, Shoukang Palace sent people to the palace, and then the princess was brought into the palace."

Xie Qingya did not stop walking, but asked, "How long has it been?"

Changfeng did not dare to hide the truth, and answered truthfully: "As soon as I got the news, I immediately asked the eunuch Xiaoguizi to tell you. At this time, the princess should have just arrived at Shoukang Palace not long ago."

Changfeng followed the person, talking as they walked.

After saying this, the prince said nothing, but his pace became noticeably quicker.

Changfeng secretly thought that this was not good.

He was also worried about the princess, but he was still afraid that the prince would do something stupid, so he had to follow the people and said to them: "Prince, Shoukang Palace is a key area of ​​​​the inner palace. Foreign officials are not allowed to enter without being summoned."

Seeing that the prince had a sullen face, he did not respond.

Changfeng couldn't help but become even more worried.

"The token of the late emperor will prevent them from stopping you, but you know in your heart how that person treats the late emperor. If you really go over there like this, it will only add fuel to the fire."

"Why don't we go look for Prince Xiao? I heard that he is still in the palace."

But no matter what he said, the footsteps of the people around him never stopped, and even showed signs of getting faster and faster.

Changfeng was really afraid that if someone went there like this, it would bring disaster upon itself.

The person in Shoukang Palace must be very dissatisfied with the prince now, and is worried about having no reason to reprimand him.

If the prince goes there like this, wouldn't it be a good excuse for others to punish him?

Changfeng gritted his teeth.

After careful consideration, he finally disregarded the rules and gritted his teeth to hold the prince back.

"My Lord!"

"The princess would definitely not be happy if she knew you were like this."

He tried to bring up the princess so that the prince could regain his sanity.

Xie Qingya just looked at him and said, "What would you do if something happened to your wife?"

Just one sentence made Changfeng stunned.

He stared at the man in front of him, and could hear his voice in his ear: "I know she will be fine. With her position in that person's heart, at most he will just say a few words to her or ignore her for a few days. If I go over there, it will only make things worse."

Changfeng didn't expect that he knew everything, and he couldn't help but said in a hoarse voice: "Then you..."

"But I can't let her bear all this alone. She has done enough for me. I don't want to hide behind her every time and watch her charge into battle for me."

"It's not fair to her."

"I can't bear to do that either."

This is why he has to go.

Even if he would be punished, he accepted it, as he was originally planning to go to Shoukang Palace.

I was also prepared to be punished.

Although this morning, he told Xu Duanyi that he would go to the palace with her to meet that person.

But in his heart, he had already made up his mind.

I thought I would go and see that person after the morning court session was over.

Since he had decided to be with Xu Duanyi forever, he had already prepared himself to overcome this hurdle.

Dealing with the conflict between the Xiao family and His Majesty is only the first step. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. He also didn't want Xu Duanyi to always be caught between him and Queen Dowager Zhaoyu, and was in a dilemma.

So no matter what, he had to go see her in person and alone first.

Xie Qingya just didn't expect it.

Before he could do this, she was taken into the palace.

It also made him lose his original calmness and composure.

"You stay here. If I am late, there is no need for His Majesty to go. You go home first and tell Changning and Ping'an that I am fine. I just need to deal with Cao Da. I am afraid I can't go back for a while. Let them take care of themselves."

He was predicting the worst.

After saying this, he continued walking forward without waiting for Changfeng's response.

When Changfeng saw him leave, his expression changed slightly, and he chased after him for two more steps, but this time he still didn't catch up with him in the end. He only chased after two steps and then stopped where he was.

But I am still worried that something might happen if the prince goes there like this.

Just then the young noble came running over breathlessly and asked him what was going on and where the prince was going as he left in such a hurry.

Changfeng hurriedly said to others, "Eunuch, please find someone trustworthy and quick to find where Prince Xiao is and tell him that the princess has been taken into the palace by the Queen Mother and the prince has gone to Shoukang Palace."

"What!"

When the little noble heard the last sentence, his face turned pale.

"How dare the prince go to Shoukang Palace alone?" He murmured with a pale face and a trembling voice.

Although I didn't understand, I didn't dare to delay.

Xiao Guizi hurried back to look for someone to look for Xiao Yuanxing.

But they didn't need to look for him, as Xiao Yuanxing had already gone to Shoukang Palace.

Ever since he received the message from Shi Yu, who was sent by Zhao Zhao, he knew that something could no longer be kept secret today. After the morning court session ended, he asked someone to find the imperial physician Tang, who was responsible for treating his aunt, in case of emergency.

Later, I heard that Zhaozhao had been brought into the palace, so I didn't delay.

He immediately went to Shoukang Palace.

He and Xie Qingya met halfway.

When they saw each other walking in a hurry and unable to hide their worries, they guessed what the other was going to do.

The two of them tacitly said nothing and just walked towards Shoukang Palace in silence.

With Xiao Yuanxing by their side, no one from the imperial guards or palace maids passing by would stop them.

At most, I was just curious that the two of them would end up together.

…

And at this time, Shoukang Palace.

Xu Duanyi had already arrived.

The moment he saw her appear without Xuefu, Dan Feng knew that His Highness was aware of the matter concerning Prince Nan'an.

I'm afraid it's more than that...

At this time, she and Yingxue were forced to guard outside the door, and the rest of the palace servants were directly sent out by them.

There were only two of them in the huge yard.

Even though Yingxue didn't know the whole story, she knew that something was going to happen.

Thinking of how His Highness knelt down without hesitation after entering just now, and the expression on the Queen Mother's face, which changed from surprise at the beginning to silence and coldness little by little.

She was very worried.

"aunt……"

Just as he opened his mouth to suppress his voice, he heard the sound of broken porcelain coming from inside.

This sound is not unfamiliar to them.

The Queen Mother often behaves like this when she is in a bad mood, but this is the first time she has done so in front of Your Highness.

Let alone Yingxue.

Even Dan Feng's face immediately turned pale.

He hesitated to go in, but due to the Queen Mother's majesty, he could only pace nervously outside.

The atmosphere in the inner hall was equally tense.

This was the first time that Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was angry with Xu Duanyi.

"So you knew about this long ago?" Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's chest heaved, and her voice was obviously trembling.

"I felt sorry for you at first. I'm sorry. But it turns out you were the one who informed him!"

"I……"

Xu Duanyi subconsciously wanted to refute, but when she looked up at her aunt's angry face, her red lips opened slightly and finally closed again.

In any case, it is a fact that she deceived her aunt.

But when Empress Dowager Zhaoyu saw her like this, she became even angrier.

She never imagined that Zhao Zhao, whom she had loved since childhood, would deceive and lie to her because of a man!

Her eyes turned red.

But I don't know whether to be sad or angry.

She just looked at the person kneeling in front of her with disappointment.

Even if she was angry about Xie Qingya's disguise before, it wouldn't make her so angry. At most, she was just a little annoyed.

But facing Xu Duanyi——

This child whom she had watched grow up since childhood was now the closest person to her in the world.

Any deception on her part would make her sad.

Especially since it's such a big deal.

The sadder Empress Dowager Zhaoyu became, the angrier she became.

His murderous intent towards Xie Qingya also reached its peak at this moment.

If she had known that this kid was so harmful, she should have listened to Cao Da and dealt with him earlier!

This would also save her from being so heartbroken by Zhao Zhao now.

"Tell me, what else have you done to deceive me?" Thinking back to when he had wanted to have a good talk with Xie Qingya for her sake, he had even thought about returning power to the emperor.

Unexpectedly, in the end, she became a fool who was deceived!

This made Empress Dowager Zhaoyu even more furious.

Thinking back to the last time Zhao Zhao was here, he even said that he wanted to accompany her to travel around Da Xia.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu now really doesn't know whether this is true or just a lie she made up to coax her into giving up power.

She asked Xu Duanyi with a calm look.

"Last time you said you would accompany me to leave the capital, is this true or are you lying to me?"

When Xu Duanyi heard this, he didn't hesitate at all and immediately raised his head which had been lowered.

He looked his aunt straight in the eye and said, "Of course it's true!"

When Empress Dowager Zhaoyu saw her like this, her mood eased a little, but her face was still very ugly.

She just looked at him like that, her tone uncontrollably sinister: "You like Xie Qingya so much, you even dared to lie to me, are you willing to break up with him?"

"I……"

Xu Duanyi opened his mouth to speak.

But under her aunt's gaze, Xu Duanyi still couldn't say it.

At this time.

Not only Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was sad and angry.

Xu Duanyi was also sad.

For my own deception, and also for being looked at like this by my aunt.

This was the first time her aunt was angry with her since she was a child, and it was impossible for Xu Duanyi not to be sad.

But it was precisely because of this that she was more aware of how angry and sad her aunt was at this moment.

Tears fell down and I couldn't stop them.

and……

She really didn't have some answers.

She thought she could leave her aunt without hesitation, and she was even ready to leave at any time.

It was not until she heard from her cousin what Xie Qingya had done for her.

And last night.

Xie Qingya hugged her and told her not to leave him...

Xu Duanyi still couldn't say "I'm willing to give up".

When Empress Dowager Zhaoyu saw her like this, she became even angrier. It was not appropriate to say that she was angry. If she was really just angry, she would not be so sad.

The child I watched grow up since childhood has become like this because of a man.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu didn't know what to say. She felt uncomfortable even looking at him any longer. She could only let him go first and they both calmed down.

Otherwise, we might say something irreversible and become estranged from each other.

But just as she was about to ask someone to go down first, a noise suddenly came from outside.

At first, Yuan Xing and Dan Feng were talking. Empress Dowager Zhao Yu heard it but ignored it.

She doesn't want to see anyone at this moment.

I just pinched my eyebrows and didn't want to say anything more.

But I didn't expect to hear him being called "King of Nan'an".

Not only did she hear it, Xu Duanyi also heard it.

When Empress Dowager Zhaoyu opened her eyes, she saw that the child, who had been kneeling obediently before her, was now turning his head to look outside with an expression of disbelief.

Seeing this scene, the anger in Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's heart, which had not yet subsided, became even more intense.

This time I'm really just angry.

She sneered.

"Well, I won't bother him, but he still has the nerve to come to me!"

When Xu Duanyi heard this, he secretly thought that something was wrong.

She looked at the person on the throne and pleaded, "Auntie..."

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu ignored her this time and shouted coldly outside: "Let them in!"

There was a sudden silence outside.

"aunt……"

Xu Duanyi shouted with red eyes while crawling over on his knees: "Don't punish him, I like him, he doesn't know these things, if you want to punish someone, punish me."

Xu Duanyi was at a loss at this moment.

I was afraid that my aunt would get really angry and punish Qingya, so I could only beg her like this.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's eyes were burned by her action. From childhood to adulthood, she was reluctant to even kneel down, let alone crawl all the way here on her knees.

She was angry and hurt.

He stared at her with red eyes, wanting to scold her and hit her, but he couldn't bear to do that to her.

So naturally, all the anger in his heart was directed at Xie Qingya who came in.

The first thing Xie Qingya saw when he came in was the angry glare of Empress Dowager Zhaoyu. However, he did not care to be surprised. Instead, he immediately began to search nervously for Xu Duanyi.

I saw her kneeling on the ground, her face full of tears that she hadn't had time to wipe away.

Xie Qingya's heart suddenly stopped.

He subconsciously quickened his pace two steps forward until Xiao Yuanxing grabbed his arm. In front of him, Xu Duanyi was shaking his head at him.

Xie Qingya then clenched his fists hard.

Calm yourself down for the moment and continue walking slowly forward.

His eyes were always on Xu Duanyi.

When she looked over with tears in her eyes, he smiled at her first, and then followed Xiao Yuanxing to pay respects to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu on the throne.

Say angry.

But Empress Dowager Zhaoyu just kept a sullen face and looked at Xie Qingya coldly. She didn't speak to him or pay any attention to him.

I don't know how much time passed.

She then turned her gaze away from Xie Qingya with a cold face and looked at Xiao Yuanxing.

She was really angry today.

I don't like anyone.

At this time, he looked at Xiao Yuanxing with a bad face: "You brought him in? How could I not know that you two are so close now?"

She also already knew what had happened in the morning court session. Her original doubts had now turned into certainty.

But she doesn't know.

Yuan Xing helped Xie Qingya, was it for Zhao Zhao, or was there some other reason behind this?

When Xiao Yuanxing heard this question, he was a little hesitant about whether he should tell his aunt at this moment... But while he was hesitating, he suddenly heard Xie Qingya's voice coming from beside him.

"I know that Your Majesty is confused, so why not let me answer it for you?"

As soon as he said this.

The three people in the room all looked at him.

Xiao Yuanxing has wrinkled eyebrows.

Xu Duanyi was nervous.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu looked back at the handsome and fearless young man in front of her. After examining him for a long time, she suddenly sneered at him and said, "You come and speak? Do you have the right to speak here?"

"How dare you enter the inner palace without permission? Do you know that I can directly punish you for disrespect!"

"Aunt..."

Xu Duanyi's pleading voice came from the front again.

When Empress Dowager Zhaoyu lowered her head, one could see the pleading look on her face.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was still furious, but she did not say anything to punish him. She just kept a stern face and looked at Xie Qingya gloomily.

After a while, she looked at Xie Qingya and asked impatiently, "What do you want to say?"

"Your Majesty, please let them go out first." Xie Qingya said.

Before Empress Dowager Zhaoyu could even open her mouth, Xiao Yuanxing coldly scolded her, "Xie Qingya, don't be so shameless!"

Although Xu Duanyi didn't say anything, he looked at Xie Qingya nervously.

Xie Qingya did not respond to Xiao Yuanxing's words. He just smiled comfortingly at Xu Duanyi sitting opposite him, and then looked at Empress Dowager Zhaoyu.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu met Xie Qingya's gaze, remained silent for a long time with a cold face, and finally spoke: "You go out first."

Xu Duanyi was still worried after hearing this.

She wanted to open her mouth to say something, but she saw Xie Qingya's thin lips slightly opened, silently saying to her: "Don't be afraid, trust me."

Of course she believed him.

Even at this time...

Although he didn't know what Xie Qingya wanted to say to his aunt and why he wanted her to go out with her cousin, Xu Duanyi looked at Xie Qingya in silence for a moment and finally agreed.

She said nothing, but turned around and kowtowed to her aunt again, then she staggered to her feet, supporting herself on the ground.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu and Xie Qingya were both looking at her with frowns.

Xiao Yuanxing stepped forward and helped her.

Then, while looking at Xie Qingya, Xu Duanyi left this place step by step.

Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's gaze was still on Xu Duanyi.

Only after she watched her leave and the door closed did she retract her gaze and focus on Xie Qingya again.

He still had a sullen face and didn't let anyone get up.

"What do you want to say?"