Chapter 32 He wanted to see Yang Liuqing with snot running down her face...
The scholar Tan Yue, who served His Majesty, died. His body was discovered at the back door by Dai Xian, who was in charge of emptying chamber pots.
It is said that his body was decapitated, and his death was gruesome.
The people in the palace were filled with panic.
Those girls had shown their faces to the princess. Who killed them?
The group speculated amongst themselves, but none dared to reveal who the murderer was. Though they didn't say it aloud, they all unanimously knew who it was.
Overnight, serving the princess no longer seemed like such a desirable job.
The palace began selecting new eunuchs and maids again, and two long lines formed outside Xuanwu Gate.
Inside the palace, the shared living quarters were transformed overnight into a courtyard for one person.
Yan Dibai kicked the door open and left that day. The noise was so loud that all the neighbors heard it.
As a result, no one has set foot in the courtyard since.
Dai Yun scolded her for being spineless: "I'm not trying to be mean, but His Majesty treats you very well. He even condescended to come to see you personally, so why did you leave in such a huff?"
He pressed her: "What exactly happened?"
Qingqing sat on the threshold, lost in thought.
What happened?
Perhaps it was a case of "the rabbit mourns the fox's death," and for a moment I felt lost.
She felt a strange unease about Yan Xifang's return.
Princess Xifang seemed to be a very sensible and well-mannered person. She had won the favor of the three candidates for the top three scholars, but this resulted in such a tragic outcome.
She was confused by her own judgment.
Yan Dibai cherishes and protects his sister so much, so why doesn't he extend that love to the people around her and show them more kindness?
The three top scholars even followed him for three whole years. Three years, and he couldn't even muster a shred of pity?
She considered using Princess Xifang to counterbalance Yan Dibai.
But at this point, the likely consequence of getting close to her would be the death of the third-ranked scholar, Tan Hua.
...At that time, that hand was fiddling around on her leg, and Yan Dibai mumbled something, but she couldn't hear it.
The boy finally realized something was wrong, leaned closer, and pouted, "You dare to daydream even with me here? Yang Liuqing, I've realized I've spoiled you too much." His words were nonsensical, but the ending carried a hint of the arrogance typical of boys his age.
Qingqing had no time to savor the deeper meaning behind his actions and words today.
For a split second, she stared straight at him, her eyes brimming with tears:
"How cruel Your Majesty is."
Yan Dibai's hand, which was kneading the meat, suddenly stopped, and then began to tremble.
"What did you say?"
It was as if he had been slapped hard across the face. The boy's eyes were red, his expression suddenly twisted into a ferocious and distorted face, and a sudden surge of violence rushed straight to the top of his head.
"Yang Liuqing, who do you think you are? You really think you can talk to me like this? I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead. What are you pretending to be, some compassionate bodhisattva?"
... ...
Qingqing lowered her head.
Although he only uttered a few words in a fragmented manner, Dai Yun could roughly guess the whole story. She couldn't help but sneer:
"Girl, you should mind your own business. Thinking about so many things all day long, do you even want to live?"
She pursed her lips, unable to refute.
How should I put it?
She saw the big picture in the small details, and the strengths in the weak. At first, she thought that as long as she achieved great things, the imperial aura would naturally gather. But her conversation with Xiao Yuanjing during the autumn hunt made her realize that wasn't the case.
Xiao Yuanjing came from a humble background and understood the suffering of the common people, which is why he was loved by them. He wouldn't kill a servant who had followed him for years because of a few inexplicable words.
But Yan Di refused to meet.
Even after witnessing firsthand the suffering of the people, he remained unmoved.
This is a fundamental difference.
“I…I’m worried about myself. Perhaps His Majesty treats me differently for some reason. But that’s all. I don’t want to die; I want to live.”
Her efforts to attract attention and her various methods were nothing more than a few special things mentioned casually.
Dai Yun fell silent. After a moment, Qingqing rallied, "Why are you so free today? Aren't you going to take care of Wende Hall? What if someone sees you here?"
He chuckled, "I'm doing much better than you. I've got a well-behaved and sensible assistant. He's smarter and more capable than you. I'll bring him to meet you sometime."
*
Yan Dibai was very angry on her way back.
The anger, resentment, and confusion in his chest could not be relieved even after he lay in bed in Xianning Palace.
Staring at the dome, Yan Dibai just couldn't understand where he was being cruel.
He showed Yang Liuqing mercy on several occasions, even going so far as to forgive past transgressions and personally go to her to bring her back to serve him.
Unfortunately, she didn't know what was good for her and became arrogant because she was favored!
They were just two maids.
The boy turned over angrily, grinding his teeth as he thought, "Yang Liuqing is just a maid."
The two beautiful and gentle women who were still alive were just lucky to have been rescued. Besides those, she had nothing.
"Sister is still the best..." Yan Di's white and red lips formed a straight line.
Overjoyed, Yan Dibai conjured up countless ways to torment Yang Liuqing. Finally, with a sigh, he got out of bed to grab his sword and stab Yang Liuqing as well. But after taking a few steps, he remembered the way Yang Liuqing had looked into his eyes that day, her pinkish-white lips:
"Is this the kind of emperor His Majesty is?"
"...Get out!" With a furious shout, Yan Dibai threw down his sword.
In the end, he did not break his promise.
Kneeling outside, Wo Xue shuddered, thinking that Yang Liuqing was surely doomed this time. After a night of anxiety, she hurriedly knelt beside the bed early the next morning and asked, "Does Your Majesty wish to go see the princess?"
Yan Dibai, still half asleep: ...
She glared at him.
But we cannot neglect to care for our elder sister.
Thinking about it, he smiled with satisfaction. He put on a brightly colored robe and went to visit Yan Xifang as usual. But when he arrived at the door, he was told that the princess was unwell.
Chaos erupted immediately; a long line of imperial physicians knelt, and the young emperor's face turned ashen.
"What exactly is this illness?!"
Wiping away sweat, the head priest said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, it seems the princess was depleted during childbirth. Her pulse is extremely weak and cold. She needs to rest in bed immediately, avoid overexertion, and avoid worrying. She must not dwell on the past."
Yan Di was stunned: "Prescribe the medicine!"
The imperial physicians hurried off to prepare the medicine, while the young man, holding his sister's hand, looked on with deep sorrow.
"Why didn't you tell me before, sister? Why did you keep putting on a brave face? What kind of life were you living in Longxi? Why were you in such a deficit?"
Yan Xifang turned her face away in embarrassment and sighed after a long while.
"It's all in the past."
How could anyone feel at ease with her hesitant and unsure-to-speak demeanor? Yan Dibai immediately said to the maid beside her, "You speak!"
"No!" Yan Xifang hurriedly stopped him, but Yan Dibai said, "If you don't speak, I'll kill you right now!"
The maidservant hurriedly knelt down, and with tears streaming down her face, poured out her story.
It turns out that when Yan Xifang married the fifty-year-old head of the family, he was ill. No one came to greet her, and the dignified princess was left outside the door for an hour, becoming a laughing stock.
Then it was Li Jia Dalang who came to greet his stepmother on behalf of his father.
After the marriage, the older husband and younger wife had nothing to say to each other. Yan Xifang was timid and weak, and because of her bloodline, she was neglected by the old patriarch. Her daily food, clothing and other necessities were not as good as her stepdaughter's.
No one in the family respected her, and they openly and secretly mocked and ridiculed her.
"If it weren't for Erlang returning home later, helping me out many times, and helping me send messages to you, my brother..." Yan Xifang couldn't help but wipe away tears as she listened to this emotional moment.
"I am already dead."
Yan Dibai seemed to have no idea what to do and immediately said, "How about I promote Li Mingshao and appoint him Grand Marshal?"
Yan Xifang was taken aback, not expecting this to happen so easily.
"This is against the rules! This—"
"I am the rule!" Yan Dibai declared. "I hereby appoint Li Mingshao as Grand Marshal and bestow upon him a five-courtyard residence!"
“Sister,” he frowned, considering earnestly, “the renovation of the Garan Temple is almost finished. I’ll take you there to pray for blessings tomorrow. Ghosts and gods may be illusory, but it’s okay to believe in them occasionally.”
"I will light ten thousand lamps for my elder sister and have a group of Taoist priests burn incense to drive away the bad luck brought by that godforsaken place in Longxi."
Before Yan Xifang could speak, Yan Dibai's eyes shone brightly, and she continued:
"The New Year is almost here, and then there's the Lantern Festival. The whole city will be filled with colorful lanterns. I'll take my sister out to play!"
Her face was stiff.
Regardless, the goal has been achieved. But a reminder is still necessary:
"Brother, don't make a big fuss. And don't go against Lin Xiang."
When the old prime minister was mentioned, who had previously fainted from anger and then stayed home for many days without attending court, Yan Dibai's face turned pale.
Yan Xifang gently stroked his head at the opportune moment: "Prime Minister Lin has devoted himself to the country and is a loyal minister rarely seen in a century. I heard on my return to the capital that you and he were not on good terms. Why bother?"
“Brother…it would be better if you looked after the people occasionally.”
Yan Dibai stared intently, while Yan Xifang sighed, "The ruler is like a boat, and the people are like water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."
The vast palace fell silent. For the first time, the young emperor, who never showed any displeasure in front of his sister, froze with a smile.
"Does my elder sister also think I am incompetent and cruel?"
Her brother's words were unexpected, and Yan Xifang quickly tried to get up, "Sister didn't mean that—"
Yan Di was stunned for a moment. Seeing the fear on her sister's face, she immediately took her hand and made her lie back down. "I understand that my sister wants me to be well."
With a gentle look in his eyes, he coaxed her softly, "Sister, don't be afraid, I will never do it again."
The beauty nodded timidly.
"Sister, please rest."
The air outside the palace was chilly, and the boy's face turned from sunny to cloudy as soon as he stepped out of the palace.
Wo Xue didn't dare to say a word and jogged after him.
At the corner, Yan Dibai stopped. Suddenly, she smiled and asked Wo Xue:
Do you hate me too?
Wo Xue's legs went weak and she knelt on the ground: "How dare this servant! How could Your Majesty believe such rumors? This servant will tear His mouth apart! It was Your Majesty who chose this servant to save this servant from suffering. Your Majesty is this servant's benefactor. This servant swore long ago to repay Your Majesty's kindness by serving you like an ox or a horse! This servant swears on nine generations of my ancestors that I have never harbored any disloyalty! Your Majesty is heaven and earth! Your Majesty—"
"Alright."
Yan Dibai clicked his tongue in annoyance, "What's with the show of loyalty?"
Realizing the boy had only asked casually, Wo Xue patted his chest, his eyes darting around, and tentatively asked:
"Your Majesty, have you discovered which thief? The assassin outside the palace last time has been captured. He will be caught soon! Your Majesty, rest assured!"
Thief?
Yan Dibai scoffed at it, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Tell me, is there anyone in this world who truly cares for me?"
“This…” Wo Xue’s heart tightened. “Of course. Doesn’t the princess… cherish you very much?”
Wo Xue had not served Yan Dibai since childhood, and had only heard rumors about these things.
Although the search of Yang Liuqing's residence last time yielded that booklet of dubious authenticity, the siblings in the book clearly had a very close relationship.
If Princess Xifang doesn't truly care for His Majesty, who else will?
yes.
The boy gazed at the continuous snow, his nose gradually turning red.
"Besides my elder sister, who else is truly sincere?"
All those past times seem to have been swallowed up by the snow of the fourth year of Mingde.
An indescribable restlessness. Yan Dibai let out a deep breath. Snowflakes drifted up and down, faintly obscuring the gloom in his eyes.
Wo Xue remained silent.
He had been living a life of ease for too long. Only then did he slowly recall that His Majesty had often done the same in his younger days.
He was young then, unlike his current madness, and always somewhat melancholic.
Yan Dibai neither knew nor cared what the attendant was thinking. He grabbed a handful of snow and twisted it vigorously in retaliation, letting the melted snow water flow into his palm.
"My elder sister needs to rest quietly, so I will not visit her these next few days. I will send several concubines to recite scriptures for her outside every day."
This caused another breath to choke in Wo Xue's throat.
Where would you find something like that?
Instead of having nuns chant scriptures, they had palace concubines do it. Doesn't this offend several groups of people at once?
He still answered, "Yes." The emperor's decree was difficult to disobey.
Fate is up to you.
That afternoon, Supervisor Wang led everyone to knock on doors and ask who had thoroughly read Buddhist scriptures.
Several concubines were overjoyed, thinking that good luck was about to arrive, and they all raised their hands to sign up.
Wang Dajian drew a circle with his pen and led away ten people. Just as they were about to leave, Qihuang, a maid from Yuhua Palace who had heard the news, rushed over and said that Lady Yuerong often went to the temple to burn incense and worshipped Buddha.
So another person was added to the list.
Upon arrival, the unfortunate souls lined up outside the palace, braving the wind and snow to strike wooden fish drums and chant prayers for blessings.
When they got back that night, two of the eleven people had frostbite.
The next day, the nine people continued, and two reluctant new concubines were added.
People were freezing and fainting every day, and within just a few days, most of the concubines in the palace had fallen ill.
The only one who stayed until the very end was the seemingly frail Lady Yue Rong.
It is said that the princess took pity on her and invited her into the house to have a bowl of hot tea.
Ten days have passed since the winter solstice, and no one has told Qingqing this news.
No one mentioned going back to serve her, so she settled down in her corner. She burned paper money for the two girls once, and then went to the kitchen to get her meals every day, and did laundry after eating. Life was quite peaceful.
However, the good days are very limited.
When Qingqing went to collect her meal that day, she received an empty bowl. Standing at the door, puzzled, she asked the old woman in charge of the kitchen, who put her hands on her hips:
“Imperial Attendant Yang, I have no reason to ask. The coldest season is approaching, and everything is in short supply. Naturally, those who work should be provided for first. You are happy to have some free time, so it doesn’t matter if you skip a meal.”
Sure enough, it came.
Qingqing took a deep breath and smiled:
“Aunt He, I’ve always been kind to you when I came to collect my meals. Although I have a lot of free time, I have a leg injury and I have no choice but to come. Please forgive me this time, and I won’t bother you next time.”
The old woman gave a forced smile and threw down her apron:
“Imperial Attendant Yang, it’s not that I’m making things difficult for you, it’s just that there really isn’t one.”
The door slammed shut, splashing a spray of snow water onto her face.
"..." Qingqing wiped her face and sniffed, still smelling the aroma of mixed grains.
We need to think of a solution.
Now, the only person with some status or position who can help her is her former boss.
Yang Liuqing took a shortcut to find the Wende Hall. However, she was greeted by a stranger who had a slight difficulty walking.
The eunuch paused slightly upon seeing that she was a pretty young woman. Then, her peach-blossom eyes closed, and she smiled, her beauty as gentle as a spring breeze, her features elegant and clear.
"The master is not here, what brings you here, young lady?"
Qingqing's half-foot, which was suspended in mid-air, was unsure whether to put it down or not.
Thankfully, he was considerate. "My name is Fu'an. I'm new to the palace. I was just assigned to the Wende Hall a few days ago."
She was a newcomer to the palace, so it's understandable that she didn't know about what happened before.
Qingqing nodded and lowered her head to straighten her clothes.
"I used to work under Lord Daiyun. I was fortunate to be taken care of by him. I want to come back and see him."
"So, what is your surname, young lady?"
"You can just call me Qingniang."
Fu'an glanced at the snow outside and saw that it was getting heavier. So he invited her in: "Please have a seat, young lady. My master has been sent by Eunuch Wang to Xuanwu Gate to check the New Year's gifts from various prefectures, and he won't be back for a while."
Qingqing felt a little embarrassed.
It wouldn't be appropriate to say they came here to beg for food. And, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this begging might continue for several days.
But health is the most important thing. Looking at the hot tea Fu'an brought, the girl chuckled awkwardly, then suddenly sat up straight, her dark-rimmed eyes revealing a hint of ingratiation:
Do you have any extra food?
Fu An paused, then suddenly laughed.
Halfway through the day, Qingqing ate a mixed flour pancake made in Fu'an.
She was quite embarrassed at first. But the new eunuch seemed to be in the innocence of a newcomer, and gently invited her to sit down. Then he took out a bag of flour and a ceramic pot from under a bookshelf.
He held out his hand: "Lao Qingniang, help me tie up my sleeves."
Fu Ansheng is very handsome, and his voice is pleasant to hear. He inexplicably makes people feel comfortable and at ease.
“I often made this at home, and I still miss it even after I went to the palace. My master is kind enough to get me this bag. Which palace does Qingniang belong to?”
Fu'an recounted that he was a newly arrived eunuch. He was seventeen years old, his parents had died early, and he used to make a living by tending horses. Due to the internal strife in Jizhou, he had nowhere to live and also suffered from a leg ailment, so he had no choice but to sell himself into the palace to make a living.
Entering the palace at that age meant enduring an extraordinary amount of suffering.
Qingqing was quite surprised when she learned his age. At the same time, she fell silent.
If they weren't truly desperate to survive, why would they have to go to such lengths? Fu'an doesn't seem like someone who can't endure hardship.
She frowned, no longer trying to hide anything.
"Do you know a court attendant surnamed Yang...?"
Her current awkward situation is harmless to talk about. She's not worried about others trying to curry favor with her.
It was clear that Fu'an also knew about the deeds of "Yang Liuqing", but he did not expect it to be the simple girl in front of him.
But then he rolled up the freshly baked pancake and handed it to her: "I was wondering why Master had a female apprentice, but it turns out it's you, Qingniang."
Qingqing laughed awkwardly, "I've embarrassed my sect."
Fu An smiled and said, "How could that be?"
As they chatted back and forth, they gradually became more familiar with each other, and Dai Yun returned just in time. Qingqing quickly got up, and Dai Yun exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, you're here?"
She had no choice but to explain what had happened.
Fu'an was packing his things when Dai Yun snorted coldly, not bothering to look away from Fu'an, and said bluntly: "Isn't the palace all about playing favorites? If you can't regain His Majesty's favor soon, you'll be lucky if you don't freeze to death in the future. I can't very well report this to Eunuch Wang again."
"Fine," he gritted his teeth, "If it weren't for Dai Xian...! I still have some food here, you can eat here from the back. Fu'an is older than you, he can take care of you. Don't worry about him if you need anything."
Qingqing thanked him repeatedly and then officially started mooching a meal.
The next day, she bowed three times to the former residence of the three top scholars and took out some of their belongings.
A bag of white rice.
Fu'an asked nervously, "This is extremely valuable, Qingniang, please take it back?"
Qingqing scratched her head: "To be honest, this isn't mine. But, it might be okay to use it in an emergency."
She will burn it for the moon exploration later.
Fu An shook his head. A quarter of an hour later, the two of them were enjoying their fragrant white rice porridge.
Half a month passed by in a blur. When they passed by the kitchen again, Aunt He came out and called them to a stop.
Qingqing turned around and heard her ask suspiciously, "How come you're still not dead?"
"...No need for Aunt He to worry, I can manage."
Aunt He scoffed, "Keep pretending. Do you think you're still a royal attendant? His Majesty is choosing a new concubine, so you'll have to move out from now on."
She didn't pay attention.
Aunt He has a goddaughter who is a second-class maid. It's no secret that she hopes her daughter will be promoted.
But Yan Dibai has chosen new palace women again?
Fu An nodded: "Yes, I went out a couple of days ago and heard that His Majesty disliked the newly selected maids and eunuchs and killed them all."
Qingqing felt a pang of sadness. He then asked, "What are Qingniang's plans?"
She choked, "I..."
He noticed the deep unease and sorrow on the girl's face. Fu'an chuckled, went over to tend the charcoal fire, and said softly:
"I noticed a sense of bewilderment in Qingniang's eyes, as if she was always worried about something. Is something on her mind?"
Yang Liuqing hadn't expected him to be so observant. She was indeed troubled and confused.
Fu'an didn't urge them, quietly letting the fire burn even brighter. The orange light danced, devouring the seemingly endless snowballs.
Qingqing hugged her knees again, saying, "I'm worried about something that's hard to accomplish."
She had tried, had many ideas, but never took a step. She lacked the ability. Her mission to assist Yan Dibai was as unrealistic and unrealistic as hoping for world peace.
Every time she felt hopeful, Yan Dibai's actions would plunge her into despair.
She never really knew what to do or what to do.
The girl's dejection was so stark that Fu'an clasped his hands together. "Could I possibly listen?"
Qingqing remained silent; this was not something she could share.
Fu'an pondered for a few moments, then smiled: "Why don't you tell me my wishes? I hope for peace throughout the world, so that all people will no longer be displaced. I also hope that I can achieve great things and become... a good person."
Qingqing was surprised, her eyes shining: "Coincidentally, I also hope for peace and prosperity in the world."
"Oh?" Fu'an looked puzzled. "Isn't this the common desire in the world today?"
She suddenly stopped.
"yes..."
This is nothing special.
For some reason, Qingqing felt a strong urge to confide in someone. But Fu'an, sitting beside her, turned and began to tell his own story.
“I was extremely saddened when my mother died. I hated those refugees and those evil Taoists. Fortunately, Lord Xiao came to Jizhou. So he pointed out a path, and all the people I hated died.”
"I am all alone, and I don't want to stay in this barren Jizhou. I want to see the world, and I also want to be a hero like Lord Xiao, galloping across the land. Unfortunately, I am crippled, destined to only envy him. So I thought, since I'm leaving anyway, I might as well go to the capital and see what the emperor looks like, see..."
He smiled and asked, "Is there any possibility that this world will get better?"
Fu'an turned his head to the side, his peach blossom eyes fixed intently on Qingqing, as if trying to discern something from her face.
"Before I entered the palace, I heard that there was a girl who was quite favored by His Majesty. I heard many anecdotes about her, some good and some bad. I was curious about just how capable Yang Yushi really was. I was also worried about what would happen to me if I accidentally offended her one day, if she was really so scheming."
Her heart skipped a beat, and Fu'an continued, "But Imperial Attendant Yang is nothing like the rumors. In fact, many things and people in the world have different depths. If you persevere and keep going, and wait patiently, you will definitely discover the differences."
"If there's something you want to do but can't do right now, try setting a small goal first. I often go hungry at home, and it always feels like the days are endless and I feel hopeless."
But later I learned to frame my days, to count each period as a stage, and within those days I did what I had planned, and gradually it became less difficult to endure. "Although the boy was young, his thinking was very clear.
He gazed at the thoughtful girl, slowly lowering the deep look in his eyes.
“Qingniang, you are different.”
You are different.
She was stunned for a moment; the snow in Wende Hall suddenly didn't feel as cold as before.
It seems like we've found a new direction.
Qingqing, enlightened by enlightenment, set a goal.
Yan Dibai was instructed to be tolerant of the palace servants first.
How can this be achieved?
Just as I was struggling with this dilemma, a real predicament suddenly presented itself to me.
The Xianning Palace is short of servants, and none of the new batch meet His Majesty's approval. His Majesty, in a fit of rage, orders another search to begin. If none can be found, then they should be chosen from the existing staff.
Upon hearing this, many palace maids were so frightened that some pretended to be sick, while others committed suicide.
After all, the lessons of the third-place scholar and the second-place scholar were still fresh in everyone's minds, and even Supervisor Wang couldn't find many usable or acceptable candidates.
Ultimately, someone recommended several palace maids from the inner palace to Yan Dibai.
His Majesty surprisingly raised his head and agreed.
The entire palace was stunned, but they were also relieved that it wasn't them who had gone.
Supervisor Wang went to fetch the person.
He dismissed the eunuchs who were following him on the way, and his previous indifference was no longer evident on his face.
The news actually spread quite quickly, but he hated that it was too slow.
The list in my hand only had two names on it.
Wu Yuzhi, Deng Mengnu.
Wang narrowly escaped by tearing the imperial edict apart.
Why was she the only one there?
The young emperor issued this order after visiting Princess Xifang's Zaiyue Palace. He was caught off guard and had no time to dissuade the emperor. He watched helplessly as the edict was handed to him by Woxue.
The young emperor sat lazily at his desk, his eyes, still hungover, brimming with interest.
He dared not look at it even once, hastily agreed, and immediately turned and headed towards the Yeting Palace.
The others in the Yeting Palace could be ignored, but Wu Yuzhi could not.
The imperial harem was right before him, but the young man hesitated, unable to take that step.
As Deng Mengnu opened the door with a smile, she vaguely thought she saw a tall, straight figure. Perhaps it was because of the heavy snow, because she reached out to brush away the snow, but when she looked again, there was no one there.
The door was closed, and Deng Mengnu murmured, "Sister Wu, why hasn't Supervisor Wang been throwing out any food lately? How can we survive this weather without eating some meat?"
A cold female voice came from inside: "Eat, eat, all you know is how to eat. Don't you ever think about what's going on with your good sister?"
The silence fell instantly. Wang Bi stood expressionless beneath the wall not far away. The imperial edict in his hand fluttered in the wind, the black characters seemingly melting into the snow, scattering the message to every corner.
Qingqing was sweeping snow in front of the door when a group of palace maids passed by in twos and threes, talking about the Yeting Palace.
She went about her business, oblivious to the fact that it seemed like every day in the capital's winter was snowy. The charcoal in the house was almost used up, and if they didn't shovel the snow soon, they would freeze to death.
When the palace maids mentioned "Deng Mengnu" and "Wu Yuzhi," Qingqing suddenly stopped working.
Ye Ting's older sister is going to be conscripted to serve Yan Dibai.
She gasped and abruptly threw down the shovel.
The Wende Hall was quiet and peaceful, and Dai Yun was not there. Fu'an was leisurely brewing tea when he saw a girl in green running towards him, panting.
Under the silvery-white sky, her cheeks and nose were flushed from the wind, and her hair was unkempt, draped messily over her chest.
He subtly withdrew his gaze, settling calmly into the bamboo chair and flipping through the daily records in his hand. It wasn't until Qingqing stopped a foot in front of him, her voice trembling, that she asked:
"Fu'an, where is Dai Yun?"
Fu'an gasped in surprise, putting down the book and asking, "Qingniang, what's wrong?"
Qingqing's mind went blank, and Fu'an quickly supported her:
"Calm down first."
She couldn't calm down. She said tremblingly:
"I have something to do..."
Seeing her anxious, Fu'an frowned and comforted her.
"Don't worry, things will always turn around." But he didn't stop her. After the girl ran away in a panic, the young man leisurely sat back down in his bamboo chair and poured himself a fresh cup of tea.
"That's wonderful."
Fu'an suddenly laughed.
I don't know if I'm referring to tea or something else.
Having sought help everywhere to no avail, and being turned away several times, Qingqing continued running frantically. Until she tripped on the steps and fell heavily into the snow, she lay there and suddenly calmed down.
Also, there's Supervisor Wang.
Sister Wu is inside; Supervisor Wang will be in charge...
However, the courtyard gate was tightly closed.
Qingqing leaned against the wall and slid down helplessly.
There was no one anywhere.
It seemed like she was the only one worried about the news, the only one who was afraid.
She sat in the snow, silently turning her head.
The Xianning Palace stands majestically. Among countless palaces, it seems that only this one can be seen.
Qingqing stared blankly for a while.
"Crunch—crunch—" The green dumpling in the snow shook off the dust and headed towards Xianning Palace.
*
"Your Majesty, they have arrived."
"Your Majesty, we are almost there."
"Your Majesty, Yang Liuqing has come to request an audience."
Wo Xue stood by the window and reported everything to the boy who was lying sprawled on the ground.
Yan Di stared straight ahead at the dome without glancing to the side:
"Yang Liuqing? Who is she? What does she have to do with me? If you have nothing better to do, go and clean my entire palace."
Wo Xue thought to himself, "You're talking nonsense again. Even as an outsider, I can see that this is what you've been deliberately picking a fight for these past few days." He still smiled, "Yes, yes, that maid in blue must have come to apologize. Does His Majesty wish to receive her?"
Yan Dibai picked up an arrow and toyed with it, his face expressionless: "What kind of status do I have to see a mere maid?"
Wo Xue: "This servant will beat her to death and drag her out of the palace immediately!"
Yan Dibai: "..."
The boy rolled over, his black hair brushing against his cheek, partially obscuring the harsh, sinister look between his brows.
"If you're here to plead for those two laundry maids, tell them to get out."
He wanted to see Yang Liuqing, like those servants who heard the news of his death, trembling and crying for a long time.
This shouldn't be the case. He is the ruler, and he should be high above. The mistakes we made in the past can be corrected through this.
If she obediently bends her back and sincerely apologizes, he might be able to show her kindness again.
The boy smiled slyly.
Today, I'll have to thank my older sister for mentioning it casually.
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Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2023-09-18 15:15:23 and 2023-09-20 20:17:02!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Lululu (2 bottles); Qunzi (1 bottle);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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