Xiao Zhixing followed Fulu to see Granny Song, who was waiting in the side hall. Granny Song curtsied to her and said, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is free today and would like to see you. Would Your Highness be so kind as to come to see her?"
Xiao Zhixing nodded, "Please lead the way, Granny Song."
After bidding farewell to Fulu, the two bypassed Gansheng Palace and entered the inner palace along the palace road.
Xiao Zhixing casually surveyed the scenery around him, and when palace maids occasionally passed by, they would bow their heads and step aside to show respect.
Of course, there are also bold ones who will stare at her with wide, curious eyes.
Especially some elderly people, when they see her face, cannot help but show a complicated expression.
Xiao Zhixing didn't care at all, and followed Song Mama leisurely with his hands behind his back, taking a second look at the beautiful scenery.
She knew that Granny Song was also observing her, but she didn't mind.
Cihe Palace is located in the West Garden. Even with Song Mama taking a shortcut, it still took her more than half an hour to get there. The palace is indeed very large.
"Your Highness, please." Without announcing her arrival, Granny Song led her inside. The Empress Dowager was sitting upright, staring expectantly at the entrance.
Xiao Zhixing stepped forward, cupped his hands under the old woman's ardent gaze, and said, "Your subject Xiao Zhixing greets the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and good health."
"Good, good, good child, come here quickly, don't be so distant with me." The Empress Dowager beckoned to her, her eyes filled with tears.
As she sat down on the nearby official chair, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but press her eyes, as if she had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to begin.
Xiao Zhixing took the initiative to say, "I haven't had a chance to thank Your Majesty for the gifts you bestowed upon me at my coming-of-age ceremony. I've been too busy with so many things to do and haven't had a chance to come and thank you in person."
The Empress Dowager shook her head, looking at her without missing a beat. "What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I need to thank you? That was just a little pocket money I gave to the younger generation to spend as a hobby. I even thought it wasn't enough."
Xiao Zhixing was speechless. What should she say?
She couldn't be sure if she was the emperor's child, but judging from the empress dowager's expression, she seemed to have already decided that she was Zhao Yunqi's child.
Even though she was incredibly ruthless, she couldn't bring herself to lie to this old man.
The Empress Dowager seemed to realize what was happening, quickly composed herself, and smiled kindly.
"I am lonely in the palace. I used to have Fengxi come over, but now she has entered the Gentleman's Courtyard and there is no one to keep this old woman company. Yuansheng, please come to Cihe Palace more often in the future and keep me company."
Xiao Zhixing nodded with a forced smile, "Your Majesty's favor is too much, this humble subject..."
Before she could speak, the Empress Dowager scolded her, "Everyone outside says you're bold and unrestrained, so why are you putting on airs in front of me? Where is that girl who dares to give the Emperor the cold shoulder?"
Xiao Zhixing: That's awkward.
The Empress Dowager resumed her kind smile, "Once you're at Cihe Palace, feel free to relax. Alright, knowing you still have to go to Junzi Courtyard, I won't keep you any longer. You promised to come and keep me company after each grand court session, you're not allowed to skip it."
"Someone, take out the gift that I prepared for Yuan Sheng."
Then, Xiao Zhixing, wiping away cold sweat, was forcefully given several pieces of jewelry and antiques by the Empress Dowager before she was allowed to leave.
She rode her horse to the Gentleman's Courtyard, while the eunuchs went to the Prince's Mansion to deliver gifts.
Sitting on his horse, Xiao Zhixing suddenly smiled. The Empress Dowager was quite a character, but unfortunately, he and her son were destined to be on opposite sides.
When Xiao Zhixing arrived at the Gentleman's Courtyard, before she even entered the room named Dasheng Book Hall, Bai Mei said to her, "Master, what you said in court this morning has already spread."
so?
As soon as she entered, everyone turned their attention to her.
Li Wenxiu, the queen of gossip, jumped over, grabbed her arm, and grinned as she tried to get information, "Sister Zhixing, you really don't want to find a husband?"
No one took her words about being a jinx to husbands seriously; everyone knew she was just saying it in anger.
Xiao Zhixing pinched her smooth little face and gritted his teeth, "If your husband doesn't want to find someone, he can take in a few beautiful ladies. For example, why don't you come with me to the Prince's mansion, the lovely ladies here?"
Everyone was taken aback, and the girls couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Zhao Xianyin retorted coquettishly, "Your Highness wants to take us sisters in, can you handle it?"
Feng Zhen'er laughed heartily, "With my physique, Your Highness might find it difficult to take me in."
Zhao Xi raised her head arrogantly, "This princess cannot be carried away without eight sedan chairs."
Mu Wan's lips curled slightly.
Lin Rushu smiled gently, "With three wives and four concubines, Your Highness is truly blessed. I wonder who will be your principal wife?"
Li Wenxiu shouted joyfully, "I will definitely be my sister's most beloved little darling!"
The seven women looked at each other and burst into laughter, each possessing her own unique charm.
The live chat was filled with screams.
[Yellow comment: The lilies in my hometown are blooming, and I support them.]
[Red comment: Exactly! Who needs men? The seven of us can live together peacefully.]
[Green comment: The prince definitely has the ability to win over six ladies.]
The boys coughed, coughed, coughed violently.
They always felt so out of place, and gained a new understanding of the girls in Shengjing.
As they took their seats in the same place as yesterday, Xiao Zhixing casually picked up a book to read. Huo Baijun leaned over and said, "The candidates from Mengzhou, Dongzhou, Xizhou, and Huzhou, the four places closest to Zhongzhou, will arrive in the next day or two."
He shared the information he had gathered: "They were all from the families of governors and prefects, or related to them."
This practically confirms the rumors that the emperor was trying to win over his court officials.
Xiao Zhixing chuckled, "Then we must give our new classmate a proper welcome."
She already had the information of the remaining twelve people on her desk. Just as Huo Baijun had said, each of them had a huge family or network of relationships behind them.
This is also why the Imperial System stipulates that personnel must be sons of officials of the fourth rank or above.
After all, such a crown prince selection plan is too shocking. Even if a child from an ordinary family is selected, he will not be able to handle it. Without any connections to support him, he will be devoured by other court officials sooner or later.
Of these twelve people, she remembered two in particular: one was Qi Wuyi, the son of Qi Danhe from Beizhou, and the other was Li Zheng, the cousin of Li Jun from Huzhou.
Once the former's name was decided, Qi Danhe wrote to her asking her to take care of him.
The person behind her is naturally considered one of Li Jun's people.
She gradually deduced why Li Jun ultimately won the throne in the green dimension.
First, he married Xiao Qingluan, who was in a vegetative state; this was his primary bargaining chip. Second, he had the support of his family. Third, Li Zheng should also be considered a source of strength.
She will give it some attention, but not too much. Everything in this world has changed beyond recognition, and she prefers to control the direction herself.
Li Wenxiu leaned closer and whispered, "I know Wei Qi from Ningzhou."
Needless to say, it means that Wei Qi and his family are on Li Xiao's side.
Xiao Zhixing chuckled. This silly girl had revealed all her secrets.
Li Wenxiu seemed to understand the meaning in her eyes. She pouted and said, "Grandfather told me to get to know him better. Humph, he wants to arrange a husband for me as soon as possible. I won't fall for it."
Xiao Zhixing: "Very good, I support you."
I wonder if Old Master Li will be so angry he'll blow his beard and glare at him?
The day passed quickly, and news of her speech at court became a new trending topic. The common people exclaimed that Prince Yuansheng was a truly good person, and that her arrival had brought excitement to the capital city.
Only Xiao Yuanshan was so anxious he almost ripped off his long, beautiful beard. As soon as she got home, he cornered her and demanded an explanation.
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