Chapter 330 If only that smile were only for me

That's why he felt that Imperial Censor Tang was someone who could be easily used...

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The appointed time has arrived, and the Golden Hall is packed with people. The lower seats are occupied by officials and their families, while the upper seats are occupied by imperial relatives.

Xie Yuxiao, sitting on the dragon throne, looked even happier than Consort Rong beside him. Consort Rong, seeing this, asked, "Your Majesty, why do you look even happier than I am? Anyone who didn't know better would think it was Your Majesty's birthday today."

Xie Yuxiao laughed heartily: "Today is the first time I've celebrated Shengsheng's birthday, of course I'm happy."

As parents, they missed five years of their child's life. If they hadn't been lucky, they might never have been able to celebrate her birthday again.

He was naturally happy to have the opportunity to celebrate Sheng Sheng's birthday today.

Today is not only Sheng Sheng's birthday, but also a small celebration for Sheng Sheng and Xie Yunyang.

The room was filled with noise, and Consort Rong sighed.

Xie Yuxiao knew that although she said she supported Sheng Sheng going out to grow on her own, Sheng Sheng was still just a child. Even if everything was ready and they had arranged everything for her, Consort Rong was still worried.

Xie Yuxiao held Consort Rong's hand and comforted her, "Alright, although Shengsheng is still just a child, I think she is no less clever than Chuan'er. Her cleverness is just like yours!"

When Xie Yuxiao first met Consort Rong, he was just a prince. At that time, Consort Rong was the eldest daughter of the Rong family. She came from a military family and was naturally more dashing. She was still raised in the inner chambers and was not the dignified Consort Rong she is today, but a clever and playful young girl.

Consort Rong blushed and playfully shook off his hand: "Why does Your Majesty always tease me?"

"This isn't a joke; it's the truth."

Xie Yuxiao grasped Consort Rong's hand again. This time, Consort Rong did not pull away, but frankly admitted with concern: "A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles. Every time I hear this, it reminds me of when Chuan'er was just as young and went to find his father alone. He was gone for a whole year."

"Yes, they truly are siblings, exactly alike." After a pause, Xie Yuxiao added, "And like me, intelligent and brave!"

Consort Rong looked at him speechlessly, staring at Xie Yuxiao until he begged for mercy, before she forced a laugh and brushed aside her boasting.

"My beloved consort, please do not worry too much. I have arranged everything. Although the Crown Prince is a bit soft-hearted and not as decisive and steady as Chuan'er, he is still a reliable person. With the Crown Prince around, he will take good care of Sheng Sheng."

"Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince is kind-hearted and benevolent, which is the most like His Majesty among the children, so I am naturally at ease. I am just worried about the safety of the two children, and also a little... reluctant to part with them."

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements."

The couple spoke of their worries about the child as an ordinary couple, until the eunuch's announcement came from outside the palace, at which point they stopped.

"The Second Princess has arrived!"

The high-pitched, drawn-out sound disappeared, and the noisy sounds inside the hall were put on pause.

The doors of the Golden Hall were pulled open from both sides. The incense inside was strong, and the noise subsided in an instant. A figure in pale yellow appeared in everyone's sight.

The candlelight in the room seemed to flicker—the pretty young girl lifted her skirt, the flowing gauze skirt sweeping lightly across the ground with each step, as if wrapping the moonlight from outside the palace inside. The layers of gauze shimmered with a soft light, and even the candlelight falling on it turned into soft, warm gold fragments.

Several red gold filigree hairpins were inserted diagonally into her delicate high bun, the fine gold foil on the hairpin heads trembling slightly with her movements. The drooping gold tassels swept past her ears, making her small face appear even whiter, and even the gold orchids she wore seemed to pale in comparison.

As she walked slowly into the hall and curtsied, her skirt fluttered gently and her gold ornaments jingled softly, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall to her vibrant pale yellow dress.

With a beaming smile and dimples peeking out from her cheeks, every little thing she did made this little princess seem even more dazzling than the gold and jade ornaments displayed in the palace.

Pei Ji paused, his gaze falling on the pale yellow figure, his eyes flickering slightly.

That smile was so familiar.

On the day they first met, the little dumpling had such an innocent and warm smile as she reached out her hand to him when he was in a sorry state.

She seems to treat everyone the same way.

Is it because they are still young and the world is still beautiful in their eyes?

No matter who it is, as long as they are not a bad person, she will always look at that person with sincerity and smile, sparing no effort to radiate her warmth.

In an instant, countless images flashed through Pei Ji's mind: the little dumpling looking at him and smiling, or even pretending to be angry and putting her hands on her hips.

Each one is different, but each one can easily make him feel a strange sense of belonging in this place that doesn't belong to him.

Why do you smile so sweetly at everyone? Is it because you see everyone the same?

Do you always treat everyone equally?

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

If only that smile could be directed at me...

"Wow, my sister is so beautiful! She's gorgeous!"

Xie Yunqi, standing beside him, exclaimed proudly, excitedly standing up and showing off to the people around him: "How about it? Isn't my sister beautiful? This is my little sister!"

Xie Yunqi's voice startled Pei Ji awake. Realizing what he had just been thinking, Pei Ji frowned, somewhat bewildered.

Pei Ji tightened his grip on his knees, lowering his eyes to conceal his panic and helplessness.

How could he have such a thought?

After a while, Pei Ji calmed down.

Those who have been touched by light in the darkness will not want to lose that warm light; perhaps they simply cherish that warmth.

After all, he had to admit that it was incredibly easy to be moved by such a beautiful voice.

Even someone as indifferent as him is no exception.

Moreover, Sheng Sheng helped him many times. The little dumpling is cute and kind. He probably already regarded her as a younger sister without even realizing it.

After Xie Yunqi proudly showed off his younger sister to everyone around him, Xie Yunjia couldn't stand it anymore and turned to him fiercely, warning him, "Xie Yunqi, did you forget your meds? Sit down right now!"

"cut."

Xie Yunqi muttered under his breath, "If it weren't for my sister's birthday today, I would have argued with you long ago."

Xie Yunqi sat down, muttering to himself, and silently repeated "I won't stoop to the level of a tigress" and "Today is my sister's birthday" several times before calming down.

After sitting down, seeing that Pei Ji remained expressionless, Xie Yunqi waved his hand in front of his eyes.

Ever since Xie Yunqi first saw Jingyuexuan's vegetable garden, he developed an inexplicable admiration for Pei Ji and suddenly became much closer to him.

Although Pei Ji's attitude towards him was no different from before, Xie Yunqi himself dared to joke with him unilaterally.

"Brother Pei Ji, why are you sitting here in a daze? Are you wondering if you've watered the vegetables at Jingyue Pavilion?"