Chapter 284 It Won’t Go Well
It was already midnight when the two returned to Chengning Palace.
When he arrived at the inner bedroom, Pei Tingyue was startled to see the figure on the couch.
Xiao Si sat on the edge of the couch, his eyes darkened from staying up late. He had no energy to see anyone and could only weakly say, "Father, Mother, you're back."
Pei Tingyue sat beside him and asked softly, "Why are you still awake so late? What are you waiting for Father and Mother for?"
Xiao Si's eyelids had been drooping. Hearing the question, he forced himself to reply with his last bit of energy, "Aunt Yunzheng said that the emperor's decree today is a great joy for him and his mother. I thought about congratulating him and his mother, and when I returned, I waited for him and his mother in the palace. Who knew that he and his mother didn't come back for a long time..."
By the end of his speech, his eyelids had already closed.
Pei Tingyue's heart softened as she gently stroked his back. "Our Zhou Zhou, you're so good. Your congratulations have been received by the Emperor and the Concubine. Go to sleep quickly."
"Hmm..." Xiao Si responded by willpower, and then fell into a deep sleep.
Pei Tingyue smiled and put him on the bed, then turned to look at Xie Chen, "Let him sleep here tonight, don't bother him."
Xie Chen raised an eyebrow and responded gently, "Hasn't he always wanted to go out of the palace for a day? It just so happens that tomorrow is a day off, so I'll grant his wish."
Pei Tingyue took off her clothes and jewelry and got on the couch. She patted the seat next to her and said, "Okay, let's take a rest."
Xie Chen tucked the quilt in for the mother and son before going to sleep outside.
*
Chengning Palace was filled with peace and tranquility.
However, there was an uproar in other places.
It's late at night.
Yichun Palace.
Xie Xiuyi sat in the warm room and was reluctant to go to sleep.
Since returning from Mingyue Terrace, she has been sitting here for a long time without saying a word.
Her personal maid Lan Hui sighed, then pulled out the cold tea and replaced it with warm water. "Your Majesty, drink some water to moisten your throat."
Xie Xiuyi shook her head grimly.
Lan Hui understood the hint and retreated.
Just when she thought that her queen would just sit there all night, there was suddenly movement.
She hadn't spoken for a long time, her voice hoarse, "Finally... the position of Queen, Concubine Chen finally got it."
Lan Hui lowered her eyes: "Although it was expected, it happened too quickly. We are not fully prepared yet."
Xie Xiuyi raised her eyelids, a cold light flashing across her eyes. "There's nothing I can do about not being prepared. Now the arrow is on the string and must be released. I will not let Concubine Chen take the throne of Empress as she wishes."
Lan Hui knew the seriousness of the matter, so she asked tentatively, "How about asking the mistress to come to the palace some other day so we can discuss this matter?"
Xie Xiuyi waved her hand. "Mother can't enter the palace during this period, otherwise she'll be too conspicuous. Although the decree to appoint the Queen has been issued, the ceremony is scheduled for early October. This means we still have more than four months. Although this time is short, it's enough. Let's wait until the next time when the concubines and their families enter the palace as usual, and then let Mother enter."
Lan Hui nodded: "Your Majesty is right."
Xie Xiuyi clenched her fingers. "This is a golden opportunity to overthrow Concubine Chen. We must act prudently and with all due care."
Lan Hui was a little worried: "I'm afraid that after this is done, the Emperor will risk the wrath of the world for Concubine Chen, just like the late Emperor..."
Xie Xiuyi sneered, "But the late emperor lost the world for a beauty. If the emperor insists on losing the hearts of the people for a beauty, then the fourth prince, as the legitimate son, will not pose any threat. The people and the court officials will not allow the fourth prince to ascend to that throne, which is even better for us."
Lan Hui thought about this carefully and felt that it made sense. She nodded and said, "Yes."
Xie Xiuyi continued, "What's more, the Emperor is a wise ruler. He naturally knows the importance of power over beauty. I don't believe he would give up his hard-earned kingdom for a mere concubine. So as long as the matter is accomplished, there is no need to worry about the future."
*
The sky brightened.
Before Xiao Si opened his eyes, he felt something soft and fragrant beside him.
He opened his eyes.
It’s mother!
Xiao Si was so happy.
For some reason, last time, he clearly slept with his mother, but when the sun rose, he only saw his father's cold back.
This time it’s right!
Hehehehe.
Xiao Si didn't want to get up, so he quietly moved closer and carefully reached out his hand to stroke Pei Tingyue's belly.
After playing for a while, his eyes widened in horror.
He forgot to go to school!
Studying is harder for the princes than managing state affairs for the emperor. Except for festivals, his father, mother and his own birthdays, he has to go to school every day. There is no such thing as a day off.
Yesterday was Father's birthday, so I didn't have to go, but today I have to go, and he's still in bed...
Just as Xiao Si was about to get up, he saw his father open his eyes outside. He lowered his voice and said aggrievedly, "I don't know why I got up late..."
Xie Chen replied lazily, "I asked someone to ask for leave for you today."
Xiao Si's anxiety disappeared, his eyes brightened, and he asked, "Really?"
Pei Tingyue answered him, and she slowly opened her eyes, "Well, after dinner, I'll take you out of the palace to play for a day."
Xiao Si cheered and said, "That's great!"
After his joy faded, he bargained again, "Can we eat outside instead of in the palace? Ah Xun told me there are many delicious foods on Zhuque Street."
Xie Chen refused without a second thought: "No. The food outside is not very clean. Eating it will give me a stomachache. Besides, your mother is pregnant with my sister."
Xiao Si lowered his head in disappointment: "Okay."
Pei Tingyue turned around and looked at Xie Chen: "I am also tired of the food in the palace. Your Majesty, please take me to a famous restaurant in the capital for a meal?"
Xie Chen lowered his eyes and thought for a while, then agreed, "Yeah."
Xiao Si: “…”
Why did he say no, but my mother said yes?
Father is partial!
But he was used to such partiality and didn't take it to heart.
Instead, I was excited about being able to go out for a meal.
The three of them got up, washed up briefly, and then got on the carriage and left the palace.
Xiao Si was particularly excited.
This was the first time he had left the palace since he was over four years old.
He lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and kept looking outside. He even exclaimed "Wow" after seeing the bustling scene on Zhuque Street.
Xie Chen did not forget to instruct him, "Do you remember how to address your father, the emperor, and your mother, the concubine, outside the palace?"
Xiao Si immediately called out "Dad" and "Mom" in a crisp voice.
Xie Chen pulled his little face: "Remember, don't call it wrong."
Xiao Si nodded seriously, but he didn't know what he saw. He kept clinging to the window and looked back eagerly when he passed by.
Pei Tingyue asked curiously, "What are you looking at?"
Xiao Si shook his head: "A lot of kids gathered together to buy long red strings."
Pei Tingyue laughed: "It's candied haws, right? Do you want some? Ask your dad to buy you a bunch."
Xiao Si lowered the curtain and nodded heavily.
The carriage with a canopy stopped in an alley. Xie Chen picked up Xiao Si with one hand and held Pei Tingyue's hand with the other, and walked towards the stall selling candied haws on the street.
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