Chapter 78 Schadenfreude

Xie Yankang immediately nodded and bowed respectfully: "Yes, thank you for your reward, Your Highness!"

After Xie Yankang left, the Imperial Concubine stood up and said with a smile, "Shouldn't you come out too?"

Xie Hanyue came out from behind, pouting somewhat dissatisfied, and said sullenly, "In the end, Father is just biased and still wants eldest sister to marry into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, isn't he?"

"Silly girl, how can you not understand? Your father is just using Xie Qingran as a pawn in his game, to make the most of her."

"But he truly loves you and won't take advantage of you. He only wants you to be happy. In the Xie family, who can surpass you?"

"You might not know this, but the big fat pigs in the imperial kitchen are all fed a few good meals before they are slaughtered!"

The Imperial Concubine took Xie Hanyue's hand, made her sit beside her, smiled gently, and softly comforted her.

Originally, Xie Hanyue was very unhappy about this marriage, but after hearing these words, she immediately understood and felt much better. She looked at the Imperial Concubine with some embarrassment.

"Your Majesty is so kind to Yue'er, Yue'er doesn't know how to repay Your Majesty."

When the Imperial Concubine looked at Xie Hanyue, her eyes were filled with indescribable tenderness. She smiled and said, "I only have one son, the Sixth Prince, and I have always wanted a daughter. From the moment I saw you, I knew that we were destined to be together, so I like you."

"Greetings to Mother Consort!"

The sixth prince, Zhou Huai'an, hurried in and knelt down to give a proper bow.

As she stood up, she saw Xie Hanyue sitting with the Imperial Concubine. A fleeting hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and asked, "Hanyue, my dear sister, are you here?"

"This humble woman greets Your Highness, the Sixth Prince!" Xie Hanyue stood up, awkwardly wiped her eyes, and bowed respectfully.

When the Imperial Concubine looked at the Sixth Prince, her gaze was clearly indifferent. She said, "Why aren't you studying in your study? What are you doing here?"

"My father said that I should go to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices on his behalf."

"There are many things I don't understand, so I came here to ask my mother."

Zhou Huai'an lowered his gaze and began to act in a businesslike manner.

Over the years, Zhou Huai'an has gradually risen to the emperor's side and gained the emperor's favor and trust. For example, the task of worshipping at the ancestral temple should have been done by the crown prince, but the emperor gave it to him!

What this means is self-evident.

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine was overjoyed and immediately nodded, smiling as she said, "Good, very good. This shows how highly your father values ​​you. Here, you should go back first, and I will find someone from the Ministry of Rites to properly instruct you on etiquette!"

"yes!"

Zhou Huai'an glanced at the Imperial Concubine, nodded, and agreed.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now, as I must return home before nightfall." Xie Hanyue rose and smiled at the Imperial Concubine.

The Imperial Concubine glanced at Zhou Huai'an, then said directly, "Huai'an, take Yue'er back!"

"yes!"

Zhou Huai'an nodded and smiled at Xie Hanyue.

"Sister Hanyue, please?"

When Xie Hanyue met Zhou Huai'an's gaze, she felt a little shy, her face flushing slightly, and then she followed him outside.

After getting into the carriage, Zhou Huai'an's expression changed, and he looked at Xie Hanyue with some curiosity: "Why did you come to the palace today? I saw you crying so sadly, did you suffer some injustice outside?"

"No, it's just that I haven't seen Your Highness for a long time, and I miss you terribly." Xie Hanyue certainly wouldn't admit that she came to the palace to complain, so she just made up an excuse.

Seeing Xie Hanyue's expression, Zhou Huai'an knew she was lying.

For many years, this has been the case. Whenever Xie Hanyue suffered injustice outside, she would go to the palace to complain. And the Imperial Concubine loved her so much, even more than her own son.

Whenever Zhou Huai'an thought about these things, he felt very uncomfortable. So many years have passed, and no matter how hard Zhou Huai'an tried, there always seemed to be a barrier between him and his mother.

Because of this, every time Zhou Huai'an saw Xie Hanyue enter the palace, he felt an indescribable resentment.

Sensing the strange look in Zhou Huai'an's eyes, Xie Hanyue shrank back slightly and whispered, "Sixth Prince, I've arrived!"

"Okay, take care, Hanyue." Zhou Huai'an smiled, opened the car door, and let her out.

Just as I opened the car door, I saw Xie Qingran's back as she entered. She was still wearing a light blue outfit, her eyes were fixed straight ahead, and she looked aloof and independent.

Just seeing her back, Zhou Huai'an's breathing became rapid. He followed her down, grabbed Xie Hanyue's arm, and walked inside together, catching up with Xie Qingran who had just returned.

"Your subject, Xie Qingran, pays her respects to the Sixth Prince."

When Xie Qingran saw Zhou Huai'an, she immediately bowed respectfully.

Zhou Huai'an chuckled softly, then looked directly at Xie Qingran: "Miss Xie, there's something I'd like to ask you!"

"Sixth Prince, please feel free to give your orders." Xie Qingran raised her head and looked coldly at Zhou Huai'an.

After hearing this, Zhou Huai'an smiled and said, "Please be kind to Yue'er at home, so that she won't go to the palace to complain after being wronged, disturbing my mother's peace."

These words left Xie Qingran and Xie Hanyue extremely embarrassed, but Xie Hanyue was the most embarrassed.

Xie Hanyue truly did not expect that Zhou Huai'an would say such a thing in front of Xie Qingran!

She felt embarrassed for a moment, then said softly, "Sixth Prince, you have really misunderstood me! Sister, I didn't mean it!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Sixth Prince. I understand now."

"Respectfully seeing off the Sixth Prince."

Xie Qingran immediately agreed, confirming Xie Hanyue's complaint, and thus smoothly accepted the blame.

"you!"

"Xie Qingran!"

Xie Hanyue understood perfectly well what Xie Qingran meant. Her face contorted with rage. If Zhou Huai'an hadn't been there, she probably would have already turned on him!

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Zhou Huai'an finally felt much better, turned around, and strode outside.

Watching Zhou Huai'an's retreating figure, Xie Qingran then looked at Xie Hanyue: "No matter how much the Imperial Concubine dotes on you, the Sixth Prince is still her biological son. What are you anyway?"

After saying this, Xie Qingran strode towards her rose garden, a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.