Chapter 207 The Third Prince's Test
The next day.
Xie Yao inevitably got up late.
Xiao Ji was not in the room, and before she could ask, Zhu Qing took the initiative to say, "Crown Princess, the Third Prince is here, and His Highness is in the study."
"His Highness said that you worked hard yesterday, so he didn't ask me to disturb you." Zhu Qing said, pursing her lips slightly.
Although she is not married, she has served His Highness and the Crown Princess for a long time and she knows what's going on.
Xie Yao's pretty face turned slightly red and she glared at Zhu Qing.
The little girl actually learned to tease her!
Zhu Qing stuck out her tongue, regained her serious expression and said, "I have already handed down everything according to your instructions."
Xie Yao praised: "I feel at ease when you do the job."
"Where is Xie Yujiao?" Xie Yao asked again.
Xie Yujiao was "stupid" after all, and His Majesty did not punish her yesterday. Zhang was taken away and no one took care of her anymore.
So she was still kept in the Prince's Mansion.
"In the guest room." Zhu Qing hesitated for a moment and asked, "Crown Princess, is the Second Miss really not stupid?"
"Why do you ask?" Xie Yao raised her eyebrows.
Zhu Qing lowered his head and said, "After I took the second young lady away yesterday, she made a fuss for half the night and didn't fall asleep until she drank the calming soup."
"I cried and made a fuss to thank Madam and to find you..."
Xie Yao smiled faintly, "Don't you believe it now?"
Zhu Qing immediately said, "I am stupid."
"How is she stupid?" Xie Yao said, "She is... too good at pretending." Xie Yujiao has experienced so many things and has finally grown a little.
"Crown Princess, then are you still keeping... the Second Miss?" Zhu Qing frowned, "She and Shanshan are trying to murder you..."
"Of course she should be kept, but she can't stay in the Prince's Mansion." Xie Yao thought for a moment and said, "Find a separate courtyard and send her there and have someone take care of her."
Since Xie Yujiao has cooperated with Shanshan, keeping her might help lure Shanshan out.
But Xie Yao would not leave Xie Yujiao in the Prince's Mansion. Zhao Zhao and Sui Sui were also in the mansion. She could not let the evil man get so close to her child.
"Yes." Zhu Qing agreed.
Xie Yao looked at herself who had finished dressing up, then stood up and said, "Let's go and see Zhao Zhao Sui Sui."
She waited for His Highness to return to the main courtyard and have breakfast together.
study.
The third prince came to pay a visit right after the morning court session. He was led into the study by Xiao Ji and was slightly stunned when he saw the layout of the study.
"sit."
Xiao Ji had a stern face and an indifferent expression.
He has always been like this, and only in front of Xie Yao and his two children would his expression become much gentler.
Somehow, Xiao An felt a little nervous for a moment.
He quickly calmed down and sat down opposite Xiao Ji, "I came here today to thank my brother."
"If it weren't for the strategy formulated by my brother, this trip to Shu wouldn't have been so smooth! I will definitely ask for credit for my brother in front of my father."
Xiao An had a gentle smile on his face, and his slightly curved eyes made him look very sincere.
Xiao Ji glanced at him coldly and said, "No need."
"I am not doing this for you, I am doing this for the people."
If you really wanted to ask for credit, you would have done it during the morning court today. Why would you wait until now to come to him and say it?
Xiao An's eyes flashed with darkness when he heard this, but his face showed a little more admiration, "Your Majesty, I am a righteous man. I have judged you with my own mean heart. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Xiao Ji: “…”
He picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Xiao An did not feel embarrassed and continued to ask tentatively: "Brother Emperor, I heard that... the Director of the Imperial Observatory, Mr. Song, was promoted by the Emperor's sister?"
Xiao Ji saw through it but didn't say anything, "I don't know much about the affairs of the court."
Xiao An added: "But that Lord Song... to put it in a higher way, he is also the emperor's brother-in-law, but I didn't expect him to be such a person."
Xiao An shook his head, "It seems that the royal sister is quite cunning."
Xiao Ning had many lovers, and after what happened yesterday, he naturally checked when he returned.
You don’t know until you check, and you’ll be shocked when you do.
Xiao Ning actually had many friends serving as officials in the court. Although their official positions were not high, they were in very important positions.
Xiao Ji didn't say anything.
Xiao An thought for a moment, put the list he had found on the desk, and pushed it in the direction of Xiao Ji, "My Royal Highness, please take a look."
Xiao Ji took it and looked at it, his expression changed slightly and his brows furrowed, as if he had seen it for the first time.
Xiao An didn't see any clues, and spoke carefully, "These people are all the emperor's lovers."
There was inevitably a hint of contempt in his words.
He naturally believed that women should be faithful to their husbands. Although Xiao Ning was a princess, she was so unfaithful to her husband. It was really...
It's a disgrace to the royal family!
But he did not see any contempt on Xiao Ji's face.
Xiao An paused and continued, "Royal brother, the second brother is very ambitious, and the royal sister is planning for him, you need to be extremely careful."
"I am on your side, brother. Please rest assured." Xiao An said sincerely and confidently.
Xiao Ji did not comment.
Xiao An dared to stand out after Xiao Hong became a commoner. Besides the fact that it was a good opportunity, he was afraid that someone had secretly told Xiao An that the crown prince would not live long.
Otherwise, why would Xiao An act so rashly?
As for who that person was, Xiao Ji also had some guesses in his mind.
I’m afraid it’s Xiao Ning.
Xiao An deliberately said this in front of him...
Xiao Ji asked Xiao An, "How do you know Xiao Ning did this for the second brother?"
What?
Xiao An was startled by these words, and suddenly became nervous. Could it be that he guessed wrong?
Who else could the imperial sister be doing this for if not Xiao Hong?
The gentleness and calmness on Xiao An's face were broken, and he looked at Xiao Ji in shock. Could it be...
Not smart at all... Xiao Ji felt a little disgusted.
If she were his Crown Princess, she would have understood what he meant long ago.
Xiao Ji reminded, "There was a female emperor in the previous dynasty."
"She, she!" Xiao An's eyes widened in shock, "She actually has such intention?"
Xiao Ji: “…”
If Xiao An can have it, why can’t Xiao Ning have it?
Xiao Ji didn't ask this question out loud, but just said: "I am just guessing. After all, I was the one who investigated the flood in Nanzhou myself."
He looked at Xiao An, "Don't forget, the evidence against the second brother was handed over by Xiao Ning himself."
"The second brother has been banished for so long, have you ever seen Xiao Ning trying to save him?"
Xiao Ji's tone was already somewhat impatient.
He doesn't like to talk too much, especially to people he doesn't like.
But Xiao An in front of him opened his mouth wide, looking shocked and stunned, as if he had never seen the world before, forcing him to explain.
"Yes, yes..." Xiao An nodded, "No wonder I felt something was wrong before, but couldn't figure it out."
"Thank you for your guidance, brother."
He never expected that Xiao Ning would actually dare to have such thoughts.
Does the Emperor know?
After being shocked, Xiao An quickly said to Xiao Ji: "But don't worry, my brother. After all, my sister is just a woman, and what she does is not something that can be shown on the stage."
"It will definitely not affect my brother's position."
Xiao Ji didn't say anything.
Walking path?
He heard that Xiao And had chosen the legitimate daughter of Tutor Xuan as his principal wife, and also the legitimate daughter of the Minister of War and a young lady from the aristocratic Wang family as concubines.
This move is nothing more than an attempt to win over the three families. How is it different from what Xiao Ning did?
However, Xiao Ji was too lazy to refute him and just responded with a perfunctory "hmm".
Xiao An was in a state of confusion and did not stay in the Prince's Mansion for long. He only expressed his loyalty to Xiao Ji and left in a hurry.
As soon as the other person left, Xiao Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
He had already drunk two cups of tea, but Xiao An still refused to leave.
He didn't even understand the principle of serving tea to guests, and I had no idea what Master Xuan usually taught him.
Xiao Ji quickly stood up and headed towards the main courtyard.
He didn't want to keep the Crown Princess waiting too long.
Main courtyard.
Xie Yao was teasing Sui Sui. She looked at the soft and tender little girl and felt incredibly soft-hearted.
She used to always notice Xiao Ji's arrival immediately, but today she didn't notice him at all.
"Yaoyao."
It was not until Xiao Ji's voice rang out that Xie Yao suddenly came back to her senses, hugged Sui Sui and turned around, "Your Highness..."
But the distance between the two was too close.
Xie Yao was holding Sui Sui in her arms. When she turned around, she bumped into Xiao Ji. She lost her balance and fell backwards!
Xiao Ji reacted quickly, holding Xie Yao with one hand and holding Sui Sui firmly with the other hand, then he let out a long sigh, "It's my fault for scaring the Crown Princess."
Before Xie Yao could say anything, Sui Sui, who was held in Xiao Ji's arms, laughed.
The sound was very small and brief, but Xiao Ji and Xie Yao both heard it clearly, and they both immediately looked at Sui Sui.
The little guy didn't laugh out loud, but just opened his mouth to reveal his pink gums, looking very cute.
Xie Yao couldn't help but say, "How cute."
She thinks Suisui is the cutest child in the world!
"It's all thanks to the Crown Princess." Xiao Ji immediately said, "The Crown Princess was born well."
Xie Yao: “…”
Her face turned slightly red and she glared at Xiao Ji. There were servants here.
Xiao Ji took her hand and handed Sui Sui in his arms to the wet nurse. He led her to the main room and then told her the purpose of the third prince's visit today in a concise manner.
Xie Yao almost laughed out loud after hearing this.
"Your Highness is so welcome."
Knowing that Xiao Ji is "dying soon", everyone wants to "succeed". In the past it was Xiao Ning, and now it is Xiao An.
"I don't want any of them." Xiao Ji held Xie Yao's hand and sat down, serving her the food himself.
"Hmm?" Xie Yao's heart moved slightly, and she looked up at Xiao Ji.
Xiao Ji's deep eyes were staring at her, with a faint smile in them, and deeper in them was a strong and unbreakable love.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it softly, "I only want you."
Xie Yao's heart suddenly stopped beating for a moment, then started beating violently again.
Your Highness's words... have a double meaning.
"Your Highness."
Xie Yao hugged him tightly, resting her chin on his shoulder, "Let's find Shan Shan back."
"I do..."
Before she could finish her words, Xiao Ji sealed her lips, "I don't want to."
His kiss was fierce and punishing.
After a long time, he finally let go of the person in his arms and warned her by name, "Xie Yao, if you dare to talk nonsense again next time, I will really punish you."
Xie Yao was kissed so hard that she was breathless, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were watery.
She regretted what she said in excitement and felt that she was too impulsive.
But His Highness' words made her feel ashamed.
she……
"Let's eat." Xiao Ji interrupted Xie Yao's thoughts, "Aren't we going to the Xie family today?"
Xie Yao hummed.
Zhang plotted to murder Xie Cheng, and Xie Jing was nowhere to be found, so the task of taking care of Xie Cheng naturally fell on her and Xie Zhan.
Xie Yao specially asked for leave from the Imperial College for Xie Zhan today.
After breakfast, he took him to Xie's house.
As for Xie Yujiao, she had already been sent away from the Prince's Mansion by Zhu Qing and his men, and was being supervised in secret by people arranged by Si Nan.
The Xie family knew that the Crown Princess and Xie Zhan would come today, and they were already waiting.
After the emperor left yesterday, an imperial physician went to the Xie family to diagnose and treat Xie Cheng, and Yuyan was in charge of this matter.
At this moment, Yuyan came forward and said, "Crown Princess, the imperial doctors examined him yesterday and all said that Master Xie took too many medicines that were harmful to his body. I'm afraid there is no chance of recovery in the future."
"Please take care of your health, Princess, and don't be too sad."
Xie Yao lowered her eyes, and the round fan in her hand covered half of her face, hiding the upturned corners of her lips.
Her voice was sad, "Father has suffered."
"Sister." The eleven-year-old Xie Zhan was now as tall as Xie Yao's shoulders, with a serious expression, just like a little adult. "Fortunately, the people who secretly harmed my father have paid the price."
Xie Yao nodded, "Yes."
"Ah Zhan, from now on, the Xie family will depend on you to support it."
She also had this intention when she sent Xie Zhan back to the Xie family today.
Xie Zhan is recorded in the Xie family's genealogy as the legitimate adopted son, and now he should support the Xie family.
Xie Zhan clasped his fists and bowed, "Please rest assured, sister. I will definitely not let you down and will take good care of father."
"It's hard for you." Xie Yao dragged Xie Zhan's arm and helped him stand up straight.
When Xie Zhan straightened up, the brother and sister looked at each other, with a tacit understanding in their eyes that only the other party understood.
Xie Zhan was her younger brother whom she raised personally and was the adopted son of the Zhao family, so she naturally knew what to do.
Now, Xie Yao has vacated the Xie family for Xie Zhan.
The servants of the Xie family gathered in the front yard, and under the witness of Xie Yao, they recognized Xie Zhan as their master.
Before Xie Zhan can completely support the family, Xie Yao will ask people to help him. After all, Xie Jing is still missing and Xie Yuru is still eyeing him covetously.
If Xie Yujiao had the chance, she would not give up...
Xie Zhan frowned and after a few words of scolding, he asked the servants in the mansion to perform their respective duties.
Only the brother and sister were left in the room, and Xie Yao asked, "Ah Zhan, are you afraid?"
Xie Zhan shook his head firmly, looking at Xie Yao with bright and firm eyes, "Sister, I'm not afraid."
"Please rest assured, sister. I will study hard. In the future... I will support you and Zhao Zhao Sui Sui."
Xie Zhan spoke firmly, and Xie Yao looked at him, feeling touched and sad at the same time.
Xie Yao raised her hand and rubbed Xie Zhan's head, saying "no need" without any hypocrisy.
This was her purpose.
She just smiled at Xie Zhan, her eyes full of trust, "Okay, sister will wait for you."
Xie Zhan also laughed.
Xie Yao said: "Okay, go and look at your future residence. This house will be under your management from now on."
Xie Yao's smile faded slightly, and she said, "I'll go see my father."
Xie Zhan said: "I will listen to my elder sister."
Xie Yao followed Yuyan all the way to the room where Xie Cheng was. The imperial doctors had all come yesterday, so the servants of the Xie family naturally cleaned up for Xie Cheng.
But the bedsores on his back and waist had already been oozing with pus and would not heal in a day. Once the imperial doctors left... Xie Cheng's treatment naturally returned to what it was before.
Xie Yao hadn't visited him for some time, and was a little shocked when she saw Xie Cheng.
Xie Cheng looked emaciated, and his cloudy eyes showed confusion.
When he saw Xie Yao, his pupils widened and he gasped.
As Xie Yao walked to the bedside, she saw a tiny light suddenly shoot out from the side of Xie Cheng's bed and head straight for Xie Yao.
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