Chapter 39: The King is Confused (6) General~

Afterwards, the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven went smoothly, and the eldest prince officially became the crown prince and moved into the Eastern Palace.

"Madam, today's ceremony for the Heavenly Sacrifice went very smoothly. We will have a banquet at the palace tonight, and we will depart for the capital tomorrow." Han Zhen said as she was dressing Xie Yun, "Madam, you have been ill recently and look haggard. You haven't dressed properly in a long time. Today, I will dress you up nicely."

Xie Yun was quite bothered by these banquets and didn't think much of them. But she didn't want Han Zhen to suffer the same constant sadness as herself. After all, people always have something to look forward to in life.

She had no right to deprive Han Zhen of her happiness and hope.

She had to go to this party whether she wanted to or not, so she might as well let Han Zhen go with her and feel happy.

"Okay, you have dexterous hands, you can do whatever you want." Xie Yun smiled.

Han Zhen combed Xie Yun's hair into a simple and elegant bun. She didn't wear overly extravagant hairpins or heavy makeup, but every touch of makeup seemed to be carefully crafted on Xie Yun's already delicate face, which just enhanced Xie Yun's complexion and brought out her extraordinary temperament.

After finishing her makeup, Han Zhen looked at her work with satisfaction, and was almost overwhelmed by Xie Yun's beauty to the point of tears.

"Madam's appearance is truly one of the most stunning in the world." Han Zhen, a woman herself, couldn't help but praise her repeatedly. Even if she could see such a face all day long, she would still be amazed countless times.

In contrast, Han Zhen silently stroked his face and sighed enviously.

Xie Yun was finally amused, "You're the only one who talks nonsense!"

As she said this, she grabbed a piece of blush and wanted to apply it on Han Zhen's face.

"Ah! Madam, spare me!"

The two of them were in a tizzy, Han Zhen covering his face with both hands. Even after calming down, he still looked defensive, peeking at Xie Yun through his fingers. Xie Yun, who was sitting opposite him, was also sweating from the chase. She stood there and made a promise to Han Zhen, "Don't be afraid of me, I won't do anything to you."

"No, I don't believe it."

"Han Zhen!"

Xie Yun called out to her, and she finally put her hand down. Madam called her, and she had no choice but to obey. "Yes, yes, Madam, I obey."

She obediently walked in front of Xie Yun and stretched out her face, intending to let Xie Yun ravage her, but Xie Yun just smiled and gently applied some blush on her cheeks, "Our Han Zhen, you are very cute! In the future, Madam will find a very good husband for you, okay?"

After saying this, Xie Yun took out a bronze mirror and looked at Han Zhen. Han Zhen had some baby fat, but her eyes were large and very lively and cute. The bangs on her forehead made her look even more youthful.

-

The couple were supposed to attend the banquet together. Xie Yun had been waiting for Yan Huinan to come back, but Yan Huinan never came back until Si Wen sent someone to inform him that he had arrived first.

Xie Yun looked embarrassed, "Okay, I understand."

Xie Yun arrived a little late because she was waiting for Yan Huinan. Everyone had already taken their seats and were just waiting for the emperor and empress to arrive.

What she didn't expect was that Liu Shijun's seat was actually on Yan Huinan's right, with an aisle between them. When Xie Yun arrived, Liu Shijun was trying to strike up a conversation with Yan Huinan.

Logically, Liu Shijun did not attend the event with her father and brother, and should have sat in the back row with the governor's family.

This reminded Xie Yun of what the Queen said that day, so was Liu Shijun the one chosen by the imperial power?

She obviously didn't care about these things, but when she saw Liu Shijun, who shouldn't have been sitting next to Yan Huinan, sitting there, she felt a sense of loss, even though Xie Yun herself hardly noticed.

Perhaps because of some conflicts in their childhood, she disliked Liu Shijun.

Or maybe it was because Yan Huinan had once stood up for Liu Shijun in front of her, telling her not to be afraid of these people, and that if she was bullied, she could send someone to the Marquis' Mansion and the Princess' Mansion to pass on the message.

Xie Yun lowered her eyes, muttering to herself: Greed is human nature. After getting something, one always wants more. It was just her damn possessiveness that was causing trouble.

Liu Shijun represents a large part of Xie Yun's childhood memories. When Liu Shijun is around, Xie Yun can't help but think of Yan Huinan who always stood by her and protected her. The disappearance of this sense of protection now reminds Xie Yun once again that everything has changed now.

She is no longer the girl who cares about such gains and losses, right?

So Xie Yun walked calmly to Yan Huinan and sat down.

Listening to Liu Shijun reminiscing about the past, she came over and chatted with Yan Huinan as if no one was around. She looked shy and her voice was tender, without any of the arrogance she had shown in front of her yesterday.

Xie Yun glanced over indifferently and met Liu Shijun's provocative eyes.

She didn't respond, but turned her gaze away as if nothing had happened. She took a piece of yam cake and quietly gave it to Han Zhen, whispering to him, "Try it. It's sweet and smooth with osmanthus sauce. Is it delicious?"

Han Zhen endured Yan Huinan's cold gaze that seemed to cut her into pieces, and ate the yam cake that Xie Yun gave her. "It's delicious."

Xie Yun smiled with satisfaction, not caring about the person next to her at all.

Yan Huinan didn't listen to Liu Shijun at all. He grabbed Xie Yun's hand, causing Xie Yun to turn her head and glare at him unhappily.

"Who taught you that?"

Xie Yun asked back: "Teach me what?"

"Who told you to put a woman in my room?" Yan Huinan tried his best to endure the bitterness and pain in his heart, "And..."

He didn't have time to say the following words.

Xie Yun said cruelly, "This is my duty as a wife. I can't bear children for the general, but I can't really let him be without children. After all, the princess and the marquis certainly don't want to see the Yan family wither away."

Every word she said pierced Yan Huinan's heart accurately, making it bloody.

Yan Huinan's grip on her hand grew stronger. "Xie Yun, how could you say such words?"

Xie Yun's hand was pinched so hard that it hurt, "General, you hurt me."

"Xie Yun, you're so cruel." Yan Huinan was paranoid and terrifying at the moment. "You want freedom, right?"

Xie Yun stared at him blankly, waiting for his next words.

But he said coldly, "Don't even think about it. You belong to me, Yan Huinan, in life, and a ghost of my Yan family in death. If angering me is what you want to see, Xie Yun, you have succeeded too well. But the result afterwards will not be what you want."

After saying this, he fiercely shook off Xie Yun's hand. Liu Shijun, who was standing by, was frightened by Yan Huinan's terrifying look. She had only seen Yan Huinan angry, but had never seen him hate him so much.

But in her heart she was very happy to see Yan Huinan break up with Xie Yun, and it would be best if Yan Huinan completely despised Xie Yun!

Yes, Yan Huinan should have disliked Xie Yun a long time ago! What was so good about her? Liu Shijun never figured it out.

But now, Xie Yun may never have another chance.

So Liu Shijun bravely said to Yan Huinan, "I heard that the general led his troops on a patrol this morning at 11:00 AM. He must have had a very tiring day. This is the essential oil my father often uses. It's very effective in relieving fatigue. I prepared it especially for you. Would you like to try it?"

Yan Huinan had ignored her until now, but now he responded for the first time: "How do you try?"

Liu Shijun felt hope and couldn't contain her excitement: "Just... pour the essential oil on the palm of your hand, rub it until it warms up, and then gently massage the Taiyang and Taiyin acupoints with the essential oil. It will help relieve fatigue."

"Okay." Yan Huinan said expressionlessly, "Then I'll do as you say."

Liu Shijun was surprised and agreed with a smile, "Okay! I used to give massages to my father and mother at home, so I'm quite experienced."

Yan Huinan didn't even bother to raise his eyelids: "Stop talking nonsense."

Yan Yiling, who was sitting across from her, opened her eyes wide in surprise. She couldn't believe what was happening before her eyes. Yesterday, Liu Shijun told her that she knew Xie Yun, and she acted as if she had a very good relationship with Xie Yun.

Yan Yiling could never imagine that her cousin would do such a thing at this moment.

She is the daughter of a second-rank official. She can be attracted to anyone else, but why does she have to be so attentive to a married man?

Meanwhile, Liu Shijun, taking the chicken feather as a token of approval, slowly walked to Yan Huinan's side and stood there, looking down at Xie Yun with a soft voice, "Madam Yan, can we change seats? I can massage the general from this position, so it's convenient."

Han Zhen was already angry because Yan Huinan actually allowed such a woman who suddenly appeared out of nowhere to touch him in public.

Although she didn't know about Xie Yun's past grudges with Liu Shijun, she still couldn't stand her bullying. "Miss Liu, it's convenient for you, but it's not so pleasing to others. You knew it was Madam Yan, yet you still dared to say such rude words. You're not doing it for convenience, you're doing it for your own pleasure!"

Liu Shijun raised her finger and pointed at Han Zhen, shaking with anger. "You! General~ I really want to give you a better massage this way."

She was still feeling wronged!

Xie Yun is not a soft persimmon. Although she and Yan Huinan had a quarrel, she could not accept it no matter who it was if they climbed on her head and shit on her to disgust her.

But just as she was about to speak, she heard Yan Huinan beside her really follow Liu Shijun's words and said, "Go to the other side."

Xie Yun: "What?"

Yan Huinan understood what was going on. He had already developed a delicate mind at the age of ten, capable of making the girls in the brothels laugh heartily. It was impossible for him not to know what Liu Shijun was thinking at the moment.

Xie Yun knew that he did it on purpose.

Liu Shijun hurriedly said, "Since the general has spoken... Madam, please switch with me. It's only for a short while, and I won't take Madam's place or anything."

Xie Yun sneered and said nothing more. Without a trace of nostalgia, he walked to the side.

In fact, she was also angry. How could she not be angry when encountering such a disgusting and frustrating thing?

Liu Shijun specially made beautiful nails and glued dried flowers on them, which made her fingers look slender and white. She poured some essential oil on her palms in a very charming way, rubbed them until they were warm, and then carefully gave Yan Huinan a massage.

While massaging, she pinched her throat and asked, "General, are you comfortable?"

Han Zhen was watching from the side, and he could not see the nose or the eyes. In the end, he simply turned his back, thinking out of sight, out of mind.

Yan Huinan was as dignified and solemn as usual, and did not respond to Liu Shijun.

When the Emperor and Empress came in, Song Hongxuan happened to see this scene. He was extremely surprised, but also happy, and very satisfied with the current situation. Therefore, he was in a very good mood at the moment.

This matter was planned by the Queen, but her eyes fell on Xie Yun who was sitting at the table next to her. Xie Yun looked normal and no emotion could be seen.

After the banquet began, Liu Shijun returned to her seat. When she bumped into Xie Yun, the pride and joy on her face almost overflowed. "Xie Yun, you are so proud, and in the end you will get nothing."

Xie Yun didn't bother to pay any attention to her.

Halfway through the banquet, Xie Yun left the table, claiming to be feeling unwell. She felt suffocated by being in this space.

She planned to go to the lotus pond in the garden to get some fresh air, but the lotus flowers were almost withered. But Xie Yun was very lucky and saw one near the edge of the pond.

"Han Zhen, hold on to me. I'll go pick that lotus flower! Put it in a vase and place it by the bed at night. It'll help you sleep well!" Xie Yun said with a faint smile. She was trying to get rid of all the unpleasant emotions in her heart.

Han Zhen nodded, "Madam, please be careful."

But the two of them didn't notice that suddenly a figure rushed over with a loud shout, knocked Xie Yun to the ground, and pressed firmly on her, causing the two women to scream!

"There's an assassin!"