Chapter 80 The Substitute Chapter: Living in the Palace

Xie Changyu was still recovering from the shock of last night's events, so she was woken up very early this morning.

He suppressed his morning grumpiness and asked what was wrong, but all he saw was his mother's worried face, so he could only shut up and not ask any more questions.

He had no choice but to obediently follow his father and get into the carriage.

After getting into the carriage, he learned from Xie's father where he was going.

"The Imperial Palace?" Xie Changyu panicked, thinking that Pei Zilie had found out about her being taken away without her permission last night and that she was going to be punished.

"Father, what... what am I going to the palace for?"

He suppressed his trembling legs, clenched his fists, and looked terrified. If Pei Zilie saw him, he would surely laugh at him mercilessly.

But Xie Changyu had that kind of guts. He was usually very arrogant because he had Fu Jing behind him, but deep down he was a bully who was afraid of the strong and would cower when he encountered a tough opponent. And that tyrant was the one he feared the most.

This man is ruthless; he can drag and behead any high-ranking official with a wave of his hand. He is just the son of a minor minister, and his father must be afraid of that tyrant!

Just thinking about it terrified Xie Changyu, and his face turned deathly pale. No wonder his mother had looked hesitant and had tears in her eyes just now. Could he really be going to the palace to die this time?

"His Majesty specifically requested that you enter the palace," Xie's father said in a low voice. Seeing his usually radiant son looking panicked, and recalling His Majesty's words during court this morning, he was unsure of the meaning behind specifically ordering him to bring someone along this time.

"Is he going to kill me?"

Xie Changyu's eyes were filled with tears, and his expression was panicked. "Father, you can't just watch me die."

This time, Xie's father did not scold him for crying. Instead, he held his shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry, I won't let you die. His Majesty just said that the Imperial Guards behaved improperly last night and frightened you. He specifically asked you to go to the palace to get compensation. His Majesty also said that he wants to ask you some questions."

"Just answer honestly when the time comes."

"His Majesty will not kill you."

Xie Changyu didn't understand why his father was so certain that the tyrant wouldn't kill him. He knew that ministers with higher ranks than his father had been dragged out and killed like chickens, but he could only trust his father now.

After getting off the carriage.

As soon as Xie's father led Xie Changyu to the palace gate, they saw people waiting there.

Xie's father was somewhat surprised that His Majesty had actually sent someone. Regardless of what he thought, Xie Changyu only saw his father give him a look before following the person forward.

The further Xie Changyu went, the more panicked he became. He clenched his fists, trying to calm himself down.

They followed the man to a house, which was the tyrant's study.

"Please, Lord Xie and Young Master Xie," said a eunuch, gesturing for them to enter.

Xie Changyu looked at the vermilion door in front of him, his eyes barely calm, and then, led by his father, went inside.

"Your Majesty, the person has been brought."

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." "This humble subject greets Your Majesty."

The study was very quiet, with only the faint sound of pages turning. The further in you went, the stronger the fragrance became, making Xie Changyu involuntarily sniff.

"Hmm." The seated man responded lightly, and soon after, everyone else in the study left.

The atmosphere grew increasingly quiet. Xie Changyu couldn't figure out what this tyrant was up to. He had actually brought him to the study on purpose. Had he guessed wrong last night? Were the Imperial Guards not lured here by that storyteller?

He suddenly felt a tickle in his ear, but the situation wasn't right to scratch it, so he had to endure it.

"Xie Changyu," the seated tyrant spoke.

"This humble subject is here." Xie Changyu lowered his head, feeling his heartbeat growing stronger and stronger.

“Raise your head.”

Xie Changyu's fingers, hidden beneath his clothes, curled slightly. He slowly raised his head to look at what was in front of him, but his eyes remained fixed on the side, not daring to look directly at that face.

"Heh, I told you to look at me, not to look to the side."

Xie Changyu hesitated for a moment, then slowly shifted his gaze, which immediately fell upon a pair of emotionless eyes, not as terrifying as he had imagined.

After staring at each other for a while, Xie Changyu, seeing that the tyrant remained silent, mustered his courage and asked, "I wonder if Your Majesty has summoned me to the palace for some important matter?"

Wei Yuehua raised an eyebrow, propped his head up with one hand, and a strange emotion flickered in his eyes. "Lord Xie, please go out first."

"Your Majesty..." Xie's father hesitated.

"Does Lord Xie worry that I might be in trouble with Young Master Xie?"

"Your subject dares not."

After taking one last look at Xie Changyu, Xie's father left, leaving only the two of them in the study.

Xie Changyu's eyelashes trembled wildly. He swallowed hard and feigned innocence, asking, "What is it, Your Majesty?"

With a rustling sound, it was the sound of someone standing up and clothes slipping off. Xie Changyu could only watch as the tyrant's face drew closer and closer. To be fair, although the tyrant's methods were extremely bloody and terrifying, his face could be described as beautiful. This kind of beauty was very similar to Fu Shuqing's, except that Fu Shuqing had a scholarly and handsome beauty, while this tyrant had a desolate beauty like ice and snow.

It can freeze people to death.

The sound of the boots hitting the ground was heavy and slow, like counting heartbeats.

Xie Changyu's gaze unconsciously fell again, his heart pounding, gripped by an unknown sense of panic.

What exactly is this person trying to do?

Just as he was thinking this, his chin was lifted up, and his gaze could only follow it upwards, where he met the tyrant's eyes again.

"Look at me," Wei Yuehua said calmly.

Forced to meet the tyrant's gaze, Xie Changyu dared not slap away the hand that was lifting his chin, and could only force a smile, "Your Majesty, what is this...?"

Wei Yuehua's expression remained unchanged. He lowered his head and said, "The tavern last night was the secret meeting place of the barbarian bandits."

Upon hearing this, Xie Changyu felt his mind go blank for a moment, realizing he had gotten himself into a huge mess.

He was suspected of colluding with enemy countries.

He stammered, "Your Majesty, I... I have no dealings with those barbarians. I just went there to drink."

He tried his best to prove his innocence, but seeing that the tyrant's eyes did not change, he panicked and quickly said, "Pei Zilie can prove it!"

What did you do last night?

Seeing that the person in front of him had finally softened his stance, Xie Changyu quickly told him everything that had happened the night before. He was still resentful of Pei Zilie's actions last night, so he slightly changed his words and shifted the blame for going to the tavern onto that guy.

Anyway, they're all family, so nothing will happen to them. Xie Changyu is worried about his own safety.

Xie Changyu felt a slight rubbing on his chin, but he thought it was just his imagination. Only after the man finished speaking did he look at the person in front of him with anticipation, trying to clear his name.

Wei Yuehua stared at him for a second, and Xie Changyu's gaze was sincere.

"I understand."

Wei Yuehua withdrew his hand, turned around, and sat back down. He maintained a calm expression throughout, as if his actions just now were merely Xie Changyu's illusion.

But those words did put his mind at ease.

It's good that you know, it's good that you know. As long as you won't misunderstand him as a traitor, that's a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family.

"It's getting late, so you should stay in the palace for a while."

What?! Stay in the palace? And for a while?! Xie Changyu had just thought he had been exonerated, but the next second he felt like he had fallen off a cliff.

"Your Majesty?" He was somewhat out of control.

Wei Yuehua glanced at him. "Some of those barbarians escaped last night. I need you to provide some clues."

Xie Changyu was completely relieved. It was good that he hadn't been misunderstood. Providing clues was a perfectly normal reason. His heartbeat gradually slowed down.

"This humble subject obeys the decree."

...

And so Xie Changyu moved into the palace, but because of his special status, he was assigned to the bedchamber next to the tyrant's.

She also explained to her father that he should go back to the mansion and let her mother know that she was safe.

As night fell and everything slept, Xie Changyu was still lying on the couch, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

He shielded his forehead with his arm, his body hunched over, and his expression agitated.

"Tsk."

After calming down completely, Xie Changyu began to recall his behavior during the day, and the more he thought about it, the more annoyed and angry he became.

That damned Pei Zilie! That damned tyrant!

You two can all die!

Especially that tyrant's face, tsk, he's practically an ice block. Don't laugh at the end, it'll definitely scare people to death if he does.

She even touched his chin. Thinking of this, Xie Changyu wiped his chin in disgust, as if the cold touch still lingered on it.

Not only does she look cold, but her body is also like an ice cube.

I don't know how Fu Shuqing could stand it, Your Majesty, hehe.

Xie Changyu felt increasingly unlucky. He had only gone to the tavern to listen to gossip twice and still encountered this kind of thing. He wondered why the things these people were saying hadn't spread. It turned out they were all barbarians.

He started blaming those people again, saying they had no choice but to pick a place with so many people, like a tavern, which was incredibly arrogant!

Thinking too much naturally makes you tired. Xie Changyu slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep, his breathing becoming heavier.

...

The next day, when Xie Changyu was pulled out of bed, he was still in a daze. He saw a group of palace maids suddenly rush into his room and continued to be served by them to wash up and eat, still looking confused.

Even yesterday's clothes are gone, replaced with more expensive clothing. Hmm, they're warmer now.

Xie Changyu hadn't expected that he would be treated quite well in the palace; he had thought he would be imprisoned forever.

When he raised this question, the eunuch laughed so hard he trembled, and said in a high-pitched voice, "Young Master Xie is an honored guest, how could we dare to neglect you? If Young Master Xie would like to take a stroll, you can have Xiao Huan and Xiao Xi accompany you."

Upon receiving permission, Xie Changyu was naturally surprised. His eyes lit up, and he asked with delight, "Browse? I can wander around as I please?"

The eunuch smiled. "Of course."

What are we waiting for? It's not easy to have the chance to visit the palace. Before, when he went to the palace to attend banquets, he could only move around in a few places. Now that he has been allowed to walk around freely, he couldn't contain his excitement.

After finishing their meal, they excitedly went out with their group.

The gloom of last night is completely gone.

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Author's Note: [Cat's paw]