Xie Jingrun had already released her hand, glanced at her indifferently, and urged in a deep voice, "Go in quickly."
"Oh." Rong Qingqing subconsciously walked quickly towards the mansion, but after a few steps, she realized why she had listened to him. She slowed down, but the gaze on her back could not be ignored. She couldn't help but look back and saw Xie Jingrun still standing in front of the horse, his deep eyes fixed on her, as if he wouldn't leave until she entered the mansion.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lifted her skirt and ran into the mansion.
Only after Rong Qingqing's figure disappeared inside the door did Xie Jingrun turn his gaze away and say to Changlin, "Go and find out who stopped Rong Qingqing on the street just now."
"Yes," Changlin replied respectfully.
The Imperial Palace.
As soon as Xie Jingrun arrived outside the Imperial Study, he saw Haifu leading a man over.
"Prince Su, His Majesty has been waiting for a long time. Please come in with me." Hai Fu said politely.
Xie Jingrun looked over and his eyes met those of Prince Su, Xiao Zhen.
The two exchanged a glance, then looked away and entered the imperial study.
In the imperial study, Emperor Zhaojing was playing chess with Shangguan Boyan.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!" Xiao Zhen was the first to bow to Emperor Zhaojing.
He did not kneel down, but only bowed slightly.
Emperor Zhaojing did not pay any attention to this.
For many years, Xiao Zhen guarded Suzhou and blocked the ambitious Xiongnu, which made great contributions to Daliang. Because of him, the Xiongnu did not dare to invade. Therefore, Emperor Zhaojing granted him a special pardon and exempted him from kneeling when meeting the emperor.
Emperor Zhaojing immediately dropped the chess piece in his hand, stood up and personally helped him up, saying, "Prince Su, you may rise. I must be tired from your journey back to the capital."
"I am not tired." Xiao Zhen's expression remained unchanged. Even when facing Emperor Zhaojing, his cold face remained expressionless.
Emperor Zhaojing was already used to it and understood his character, so he didn't take his almost arrogant attitude to heart.
"Everyone, please sit down," Zhao Jing said, then walked back to his desk.
Haifu immediately led his men to bring over several chairs.
The group took their seats one by one.
Xiao Zhen glanced at Shangguan Boyan and Xie Jingrun without showing any emotion, then looked at Emperor Zhaojing, who clearly had something to ask of him. After a moment of contemplation, he broke the silence first.
"I wonder why His Majesty has summoned me back to the capital so urgently?"
Emperor Zhaojing knew his temperament well. If he were to tell him directly that the reason for summoning him back was merely to keep the Situ family in check, he would surely be angry.
In his eyes, the safety of the people of Suzhou was paramount, and he never meddled in the factional disputes within the court.
But this time, he ordered him to abandon border duties and return to the capital. If the news were to leak out, the Xiongnu would definitely launch a full-scale attack, which would be tantamount to putting the safety of the people of Suzhou aside.
Given Xiao Zhen's temperament, he would surely be furious if he knew his intentions.
In a fit of anger, he might disregard the emperor's orders and turn back to Suzhou.
Just as Emperor Zhaojing was wondering how to begin, Shangguan Boyan suddenly asked, "Does Prince Su know that Lady Lan gave birth to a daughter back then?"
Upon hearing the name "Lan," a slight change finally appeared on Xiao Zhen's cold and ruthless face.
He turned around abruptly, his eyes fixed intently on Shangguan Boyan.
Even though this wasn't the first time Shangguan Boyan had faced him, he was still taken aback by being stared at like that.
But as the head of all officials, he had seen all kinds of situations. After the initial shock, he regained his composure and looked at him calmly.
Xiao Zhen closed his eyes slightly, and after a long while, he said in a calm tone, "So what?"
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