Along the long palace path, a figure in black hurried along, followed by a woman in a plain dress, who jogged after him.
Suddenly, thud!
"Ah!" Xu Lingqing's legs gave way and she collapsed to the ground.
Zhao Zhiyan stopped in his tracks.
Xu Lingqing looked up at the person who had arrived with teary eyes, and timidly called out "Brother Zhiyan," her heart filled with fear.
I've known him for so long, and I've never seen him look like that before.
Xu Lingqing struggled to stand up, her fair palms rubbing until they bled. She bit her lip tightly, her elbows buckled, and she fell heavily to the ground again.
Zhao Zhiyan stared at it for a while, his brows furrowed slightly, and suddenly bent down and squatted down to ask Xu Lingqing, "Lingqing, I will only ask you once. If you are willing to tell the truth, I will pretend that today's events never happened."
Xu Lingqing's heart sank, and she blinked: "Please speak, Your Highness."
Did you actually insult the Empress Dowager in the Imperial Garden and bribe Lingxi to frame the young girl?
The man's large frame enveloped the woman, his imposing presence pressing down on her. Xu Lingqing swallowed nervously and blurted out without hesitation, "I didn't!"
Su Jing is dead. As long as she refuses to admit it, everything was done by Su Jing, Xu Lingqing comforted herself.
Disappointment flashed across Zhao Zhiyan's eyes.
As long as Xu Lingqing admits it, he believes it's because her wedding was ruined yesterday, she's angry, and the loss of her child has made her want to vent her anger.
If that's the case, he'll protect her; he'll only feel sorry for her and won't hold it against her.
Unfortunately, she never admitted it.
"Your Highness, in your heart, who is more important, me or the Princess Consort of Guangjia?" Xu Lingqing asked, staring at Zhao Zhiyan.
The thought of her calling her a "little girl" really stung her.
"If it were someone else today, would Your Highness have pursued the matter to the end?"
Zhao Zhiyan's pupils contracted, and he looked at Xu Lingqing frankly: "Although the little girl is ruthless, she would never harm people in private. You are different from her, and besides, she is already married."
As they spoke, they looked up and saw a familiar figure in crimson robes walking towards them with a maid.
This road is the only way to leave the palace.
It's not unusual to encounter one.
Zhao Zhiyan raised his hand to support Xu Lingqing, picked her up horizontally, and sighed, "It's all in the past, there's no need to mention it again. Go back to your residence and rest."
Xu Lingqing thought Zhao Zhiyan had softened his heart as always, so she rested most of her head in his arms, hooked her other arm around his neck, and gently rubbed against him: "Your Highness, I have caused you trouble today."
She showed weakness.
Zhao Zhiyan pursed his lips and remained silent.
From afar, Song Yue saw the two figures from behind. She slowed her pace; she had deliberately walked slowly earlier because she didn't want to run into them again.
I didn't expect these two to walk so slowly!
"Your Highness," Yun Dong said, supporting her.
Song Yue sighed, wishing she hadn't come to the palace today, or that she had come in the afternoon.
What bad luck!
Despite her hurried pace, the man seemed to be deliberately waiting for her, and they ended up on the same road. Zhao Zhiyan kept her eyes straight ahead.
Song Yue lowered her eyes and looked at her nose.
She sighed inwardly at how foolish the man was, being ridiculed by so many people just for Xu Lingqing.
She walked very slowly, feeling somewhat helpless, wishing that those ahead would walk faster. But Zhao Zhiyan seemed to be doing it on purpose, constantly showing concern for Xu Lingqing.
finally!
Upon arriving at the palace gate, they could see Zhao Yunke walking towards it from afar.
Zhao Zhiyan stopped in his tracks.
Song Yue curtsied to Zhao Zhiyan and said, "Eighth Imperial Uncle, farewell."
She ran towards the man with light steps, a bright smile on her lips, and Zhao Yunke waved to her.
What brings you here?
"I heard you went to the palace when I returned home. I figured you'd be back soon, so I'm here to greet you at the palace gate." Yunke gently brushed a strand of hair that had fallen down her temple. "A few chefs from out of town have come to Tianxiang Restaurant. We're free this afternoon, how about we go and try some of their dishes?"
Song Yue nodded like a chick pecking at rice, rubbed her stomach, and realized she was hungry too.
"Excellent!"
Before the two boarded the carriage, Yunke raised his hand to support her, and made sure to gather her clothes up so that she wouldn't step on them.
Lifting a corner of the carriage door revealed that the spacious interior was already stocked with candied fruits and pastries.
After helping the person onto the carriage, Yunke turned around and greeted Zhao Zhiyan: "Eighth Imperial Uncle."
Zhao Zhiyan gave a faint "hmm," turned around, and got into another carriage. The two parted ways, and their carriages drove off in different directions.
As the curtain fell, Zhao Zhiyan released his grip and closed his eyes to rest.
My mind was filled with the scene of Song Yue running towards Yun Ke, as happy as a little girl, the two of them acting very intimately.
Even if Xu Lingqing didn't want to admit it, she couldn't fool herself. The reason he helped her just now was because he didn't want to lose face in front of Song Yue.
This is his true attitude towards himself.
Xu Lingqing gritted her teeth. She knew she had made a mistake today. She shouldn't have been so eager to scheme against Song Yue. Not only did she fail to bring Song Yue down, but Zhao Zhiyan also felt even more sorry for her. This was definitely not a good sign for her.
She needs to think of a way.
...
Tianxianglou
Song Yue told him about what happened in the palace without any concealment. Yun Ke frowned as he listened, anger rising on his face, but she smiled sweetly and said, "Don't worry, I'm not one to suffer a loss."
"Your Highness, if it weren't for Princess Ningxin testifying for you today, we would really be in deep trouble." Yun Dong still looked scared.
She pouted and said, "This servant did not expect the Eighth Princess Consort to be so bold as to dare to expose the Empress Dowager's sore spot."
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