Noticing that Emperor Zhaojing and the Empress Dowager were looking this way, Rong Qingqing's face turned bright red, and in a short while, Feng Xin had already run far away.
After bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus, Xie Jingrun took Rong Qingqing's hand and returned to Yuxian Palace.
Rong Qingqing thought of what Feng Xin had said, and her palms became sweaty. She stopped in the courtyard and said, "It's still early. Let's take a walk, digest our food, and then go back to sleep."
Xie Jingrun glanced at her sideways and said with amusement, "It's not a short walk from Taichen Palace. Are you going to walk again?"
Rong Qingqing nodded, "Yes, I'd like to walk around some more."
Xie Jingrun's gaze fell on her porcelain-white and beautiful face. He suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You should save your strength. I still need to claim my reward later."
Rong Qingqing's mind went blank for a moment. She immediately remembered what he had said about bathing together outside the side hall that morning, and her legs immediately began to go weak. She opened her mouth, about to say something, when Changlin suddenly rushed over and reported, "Master, Jiangzhou has returned and has urgent news to report."
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingrun paused for a moment, then said to Rong Qingqing, "I'm going to the Imperial Study. I'll be back soon."
Rong Qingqing was secretly pleased that she had returned from Jiangzhou at just the right time, but on the surface she said, "Hmm, don't be too late." In her heart she thought: There was no need to come back so soon.
"Okay." Xie Jingrun replied and then led Changlin out.
Seeing that he had left, Rong Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief and stopped thinking about taking a walk to digest her food. She quickly went inside, grabbed a change of clothes, and ran to the bathroom.
She needed to take a bath before Xie Jingrun returned so that they wouldn't have to bathe together.
She was genuinely afraid of him; last time in the clean room, the skin on both her legs was chafed raw.
The Imperial Study.
When Xie Jingrun arrived, Jiangzhou was waiting there.
Upon seeing him approach, she immediately stepped forward and greeted him, "Your Majesty."
"Let's go inside and talk." Xie Jingrun didn't stop walking and went into the Imperial Study first.
Jiangzhou followed them inside.
"Please sit down," Xie Jingrun said gently after sitting down.
Jiangzhou sat down as instructed.
"How's it going over there? Have they captured the leader?" Xie Jingrun asked.
"The rioters have been suppressed, but the leaders involved have escaped." At this point, Jiangzhou felt somewhat guilty. "It was my carelessness, Your Majesty. Please punish me."
Xie Jingrun's gaze fell on his left arm. "Have you found out anything about the leader's background?"
Jiang Zhou paused for a moment before saying, "It is Meng Hu, who once served Empress Situ."
Upon hearing this name, Xie Jingrun understood.
The place where the incident occurred was called Chengzhou, which borders Xuzhou. The person who led the mob to attack the county was Meng Hu. When the court received the news, three towns had already been captured. If it weren't for the timely suppression by the troops he sent, the entire Chengzhou might have fallen soon. At that time, Meng Hu and Feng Mo would join forces, and their power would double. They would then expand their influence to the surrounding prefectures and counties, and it wouldn't be impossible for them to rival the court.
Thinking of this, Xie Jingrun narrowed his eyes slightly. He had underestimated Meng Hu. He tapped his long fingers on the table and said in a deep voice, "Keep a close eye on Xuzhou. Meng Hu may go to seek refuge with the King of Xu."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhou immediately understood what was happening and his heart skipped a beat. "Yes!"
"Since you're injured, you should see the imperial physician. Don't delay," Xie Jingrun suddenly said.
Jiang Zhou looked slightly surprised, whether he was surprised that Jiang Zhou had noticed his injury or surprised that Jiang Zhou would care about him.
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