Upon hearing this, Xie Jingrun remained noncommittal, but ultimately did not insist on bringing Rong Qingqing back.
He glanced at Emperor Zhaojing and asked in a low voice, "So, your sudden visit today was sent by the Empress Dowager to act as an intermediary?"
Emperor Zhaojing sighed and shook his head. "Of course not, your imperial grandmother never said that." He paused, looked at his son's young and handsome face, and frowned. "Are you holding too much of a prejudice against your imperial grandmother?"
Xie Jingrun did not speak, and turned back into the imperial study.
Emperor Zhaojing followed him inside.
Looking at his son, who was reviewing memorials behind his desk, he couldn't help but say, "Your grandmother is getting old, and sometimes she can be a little eccentric, but she doesn't mean any harm. In fact, she's always been good to you. The previous unpleasantness was mainly directed at the Empress, not at you. So don't dwell on the past..."
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingrun stopped reviewing his documents, looked up at him, frowned, and said disapprovingly, "Qingqing is my Empress, we are husband and wife, one. What's the difference between my grandmother targeting her and targeting me? When she targeted Qingqing, did she show any leniency towards her out of consideration for me?" He paused, then continued, "Father, stop deceiving yourself. My grandmother doesn't like me. If Feng Mo were sitting in this position today, she would probably be very happy." As he spoke, a sarcastic smirk appeared on his lips.
When Emperor Zhaojing heard him suddenly mention Feng Mo, he immediately felt uneasy. His face darkened, and he scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting, you brat?"
Xie Jingrun glanced at him, said nothing, lowered his head, and continued to review the memorials.
Upon seeing this, Emperor Zhaojing felt somewhat uncomfortable and guilty.
Does Xingxiu already know about the time he helped Fengmo return to Xuzhou?
Emperor Zhaojing opened his lips as if to say something, but he didn't know how to explain it. In the end, he left the imperial study somewhat depressed.
Xie Jingrun paused for a moment, then continued handling official business as if nothing had happened.
Thinking of something, he summoned Changfeng and asked him to go to the imperial estate to gather information.
Changfeng spent a day observing at the imperial estate and brought back news that the Empress Dowager had indeed not made things difficult for Rong Qingqing.
Xie Jingrun was relieved, but even so, he still sent Changfeng to the imperial estate to secretly protect Rong Qingqing.
Ultimately, he still didn't trust the Empress Dowager and was afraid that she would bully Rong Qingqing.
However, he managed to restrain himself and did not go to the imperial estate.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Xie Jingrun had been expecting Rong Qingqing to return, but to his surprise, the Empress Dowager sent word that the Imperial Estate was beautiful and that she had decided to stay there for a few more days, so that he and the Emperor Emeritus would not have to worry.
Upon receiving this news, Xie Jingrun felt very depressed.
What exactly does the Empress Dowager want to do?
Was it really just to mend her relationship with Rong Qingqing by suddenly taking her to the royal estate?
He did not agree with Emperor Zhaojing's statement and always felt that the Empress Dowager was secretly plotting something.
That evening, after finishing his official duties, he left the Imperial Study and planned to go to Yuxian Palace.
During this time, although Rong Qingqing was not in the palace, Xie Jingrun still made it a habit to go to Yuxian Palace to sleep and rest every day, because there was her scent and traces of her life there.
Upon arriving at Yuxian Palace and looking at the desolate sleeping quarters, he suddenly felt a sense of loneliness.
Coming to his senses, he couldn't help but smile wryly.
He had lived alone for so many years and never felt lonely. But since Rong Qingqing came into his life, it suddenly became lively. Now that Rong Qingqing is not by his side, he suddenly feels very uncomfortable.
It's like someone who has just gotten used to a lively atmosphere suddenly returning to their original, mundane life, finding it hard to get used to it again.
That's how he feels right now.
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