The Emperor was overjoyed. He patted Fu Ertai and Ji Chu on the shoulder and said loudly, "Good, well done. You've worked hard. Get up."
Having received the Emperor's order, everyone stood up and followed him into the palace.
Taking advantage of everyone's distraction, Fu Ertai winked at An Ke. An Ke returned the wink, and their gaze seemed to sparkle with pink hearts.
Ji Chu: ...That hurts.
Qing'er: ...I never expected Ertai to be like this in front of An'an.
Your Majesty: ...Trying to pull some tricks right under my nose?
Prince Rui: ...Alright, I still can't stand it.
Yongqi: ...I'm not envious, I have Xinrong.
Meanwhile, Fu Erkang, who was secretly watching from the side, clung tightly to the palace wall, looking at this side with resentment in his eyes.
They were brothers from the same father and mother, so why was he now more dazzling than he had been? He had some regrets before, but now he couldn't wait for that day to come.
Then they followed the emperor to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where there was another round of recognizing merits and awarding prizes.
The banquet ended quickly.
Looking at the pairs of young men and women who seemed to be expressing their feelings for each other, and recalling what his children had said to him a few days ago, the Emperor decided to give them some time to express their love. He said the banquet could be held whenever it was convenient.
Watching the young men and women leaving in pairs, the Emperor seemed to have returned to his youthful self. Lost in thought, he returned to Kunning Palace with the Empress.
The Empress froze for a moment, initially thinking she had misheard. She hadn't expected the Emperor to do something so unusual—not visiting the younger concubines like Consort Xiang and Consort Ling, but instead coming to her. She'd have to give up half of her comfortable bed again. The thought was truly disheartening.
The Emperor initially thought the Empress's momentary pause was due to his long absence from Kunning Palace, causing her to become somewhat agitated. He couldn't help but feel a pang of self-doubt and sympathy for the Empress, thinking that he would visit her and the Twelfth Prince more often when he had the time.
The Empress hadn't expected that her subconscious action just now would give the Emperor another reason to go to Kunning Palace, and he had given himself a way out.
Ertai pulled Anke directly to the Fragrant Leaf Pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Before leaving, he hurriedly took the cloak from Xingxing and then personally tied it on Anke.
"How is everything? Is everything resolved? Has Meng Bai stepped down?" An Ke asked as soon as Ertai pulled her out.
Ertai's sudden enthusiasm vanished as if doused with cold water. He said with a somewhat aggrieved expression, "Didn't An'an miss me? Was she only thinking about Myanmar?"
A barrage of accusations was thrown directly at An Ke, who was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered, probably thinking that she hadn't thought about him these days.
Anke responded immediately, stepping forward and gently hugging Ertai's lean waist. She lifted her head from Ertai's embrace and said earnestly, word by word, "Of course I want to, otherwise why would I send you so many letters? It's just that you suddenly pulled me out of here, and all I could think about was Myanmar. Were you injured in Myanmar?"
As they were talking, Anke suddenly nudged Ertai, wanting to check him out.
Ertai blushed instantly, his words faltering. He quickly reached out to stop Anke's hands from groping him. "I'm not... I'm not hurt. The matter is almost resolved. Meng Bai stepped down, and the Burmese ministers didn't say a word. They immediately turned their support to Mu Feng, who has already ascended the Burmese throne."
Thinking of this, Ertai felt a pang of panic and instinctively hugged Anke tightly. If he hadn't been brave enough to take that step back then, the princess would probably be marrying into Burma now. It was almost laughable; how could the princess marry into Burma? The Emperor would never agree to it.
At least during the Emperor's lifetime, the princess will not suffer any loss.
But Ertai still looked terrified, holding Anke tightly, as if only with Anke in his arms could he truly feel her presence.
An Ke didn't say anything, knowing he must have been exhausted these past few days. She simply held Ertai silently, the two snuggling together for warmth. It might seem a little out of place, but being together was the most important thing, wasn't it?
The other important thing is to believe that Ertai will definitely report to the Imperial Uncle at the Hall of Mental Cultivation tomorrow; at worst, I can just go and listen in. Now, it's just the two of us enjoying this peaceful time.
In the plum grove beside the Imperial Garden, Ji Chu's heart was pounding. Looking at Qing Gege tugging at her sleeve, she couldn't tell whether she was dreaming or in reality.
Ji Chu didn't even dare to blink, afraid that Qing Gege would vanish into thin air like in a dream the next second.
Qing'er slowly loosened her grip on General Ji's sleeve. It was the first time she had ever done something like this, and her palms were sweaty. She was a little nervous, swallowed hard, and asked in a low voice, "How have you been in Myanmar these days? Are you safe? Have you been injured?"
Ji Chu was unaware of Qing'er's feelings for him, so he naturally didn't dare to leave her with the impression of a reckless man. He immediately said respectfully, "I have been doing very well in Myanmar these days. I am safe and have not been injured."
Looking at Ji Chu's respectful demeanor, Qing'er suddenly wondered if what An'an had said was right or wrong. Did this General Ji really like her?
Qing'er hesitated, conflicted. She really didn't want to experience that scene a second time. If she were rejected again and hurt by those words once more, Qing'er might very well close herself off completely and never open her heart to anyone again for the rest of her life.
Looking at Qing Gege with her head down, Ji Chu felt a surge of tenderness in her heart. No matter what, being able to be in the same place as Qing Gege, even just standing there like this, made Ji Chu feel incredibly happy.
“I heard from An’an that you haven’t married yet,” Qing’er decided to speak first, “So what is your ideal wife?” These words seemed to have exhausted all of Qing’er’s courage. After speaking, Qing’er lowered her head again, not daring to look at Ji Chu again.
Ji Chu could hardly believe his ears, feeling as if countless fireworks had exploded in his mind. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "What does Your Highness mean by that? I don't quite understand."
Qing'er felt extremely uncomfortable because the two of them were standing very close together, and Ji Chu even took another step forward in order to confirm Qing'er's feelings for him.
Qing'er felt the delicate fragrance emanating from Ji Chu all around her, and her face flushed red instantly. She froze, too afraid to move. She muttered softly, "Yes, I wanted to ask what you think of me."
Ji Chu felt as if a thunderbolt had struck him, and for a moment he was so excited that he started to stammer, "Really? Am I dreaming?"
Qing'er was completely bewildered by this nonsensical remark and couldn't help but look up at Ji Chu, who was grinning foolishly with delight. She felt that this was nothing like the aloof General Ji she knew.
Qing'er couldn't help but understand why An'an said General Ji liked her, so Qing'er firmly said, "Yes, I love you. Do you love me?"
Ji Chu suddenly closed his eyes, afraid that this was just a beautiful dream. When he opened his eyes again and found Qing'er still standing in front of him, he knew that he was not dreaming. He excitedly took Qing'er's hand and said, "I, Ji Chu, swear to heaven that I will never do anything to betray Princess Qing in this life. If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning."
Both of them were a little excited after they finished speaking, especially Ji Chu, who had finally won the heart of his beauty on the very day he returned victorious.
Qing'er was a little shy, and Ji Chu didn't dare to be presumptuous with her. But Qing'er glanced at Ji Chu, then quietly reached out and grasped Ji Chu's large, calloused hand.
Even a simple act of holding hands can stir the hearts of both of them, which can be considered a good starting point.
As it was getting late, the two couples reluctantly waved goodbye and went in opposite directions.
Soon it arrived that Fu Erkang and Princess Ziwei would get married.
Anke learned about the situation in Myanmar the day after their return, and he was very relieved about the outcome of their handling of the situation. At least for the next few decades, no civilians along the Qinghai-Myanmar border would be harassed again.
Meanwhile, in a residence outside the palace, many people were plotting something.
Meng Dan was somewhat bewildered by the sheer number of people in the courtyard. He hadn't expected Xiao Jian to be such a big shot; he had only said that a few people might come, but instead, a huge horde had arrived—more than the people he had brought from the Hui tribe. It seemed their chances of rescuing Han Xiang had increased even further.
Meng Dan was overjoyed and stood there grinning, genuinely believing that Xiao Jian was going to help him go into the palace to bring Han Xiang out.
One of the elders of the White Lotus Sect frowned as he looked at Meng Dan, who stood in the courtyard looking somewhat dazed. His tone was tinged with displeasure. "Aren't you going to explain to us who this is? If he's here, how can we discuss killing the dog emperor in peace?"
After all, some of these people have started families over the years, and naturally they don't want the big things they're doing to affect their wives and children.
Xiao Jian glanced at Meng Dan standing outside and said dismissively, "Him? He won't betray us. He might even become a scapegoat. Doesn't Elder Qing want to get away unscathed?"
After Xiao Jian finished speaking, he glanced meaningfully at Elder Qing. As far as he knew, this elder had been stirring up trouble these past few days, all trying to stop the White Lotus Sect members from joining him in entering the palace to kill the emperor.
He's just afraid these people will die for nothing, and then he'll have no power as an elder and no one to rely on. In the end, he's just clinging to the little power he has.
Elder Qing's face turned pale and then red. He realized what was going on; he wasn't stupid, and he could tell that Xiao Jian was subtly criticizing him. But even so, he had no choice but to stay and listen.
If he leaves now, he will be regarded as a traitor to the White Lotus Sect. As the most senior elder of the White Lotus Sect, how can he leave at this time?
"Tomorrow is the wedding day of that dog emperor's daughter. We will all be scattered in their wedding procession, and we will enter the palace quietly." Xiao Jian discussed the assassination with the White Lotus Sect members with great confidence, as if he was extremely confident in the operation.
"Then how can you guarantee that we can kill the dog emperor safely and then get away unscathed? Is that stupid guy standing outside? What help can he be to us?" Elder Qing said with a look of disdain.
After all, if this dog emperor were really easy to kill, and if the palace were really easy to infiltrate, they would have infiltrated long ago. Why wait so many years? They could only send out people to assassinate him when the dog emperor went on incognito tours.
Xiao Jian's lips curled slightly, and he said in a slightly cold tone, "If Elder Qing is cowardly and afraid of death, he may leave. I will not stop him."
These words were a blatant humiliation to Elder Qing. Elder Qing was so enraged that his beard bristled and his eyes widened, his hand pointing directly at Xiao Jian, "You...you, a newcomer to the sect, how dare you criticize the most senior elder like yourself?"
Xiao Jian glanced at the elder indifferently. If these White Lotus Sect members weren't still useful tomorrow, he really wouldn't want to pretend to be so close to them here. "I have my reasons for doing this, and I certainly won't let everyone die in vain. If anyone is afraid of death, they can leave. I won't stop anyone. Everyone has their own ambitions."
After he said those words, how could even those who wanted to leave possibly abandon their pride and go?
At this point, they had no choice but to rely on another elder from the White Lotus Sect to uphold justice. "Alright, alright, everyone quiet down. Let's hear what Xiao Jian has to say. After all, he is also a benefactor of our White Lotus Sect and has a blood feud with that dog emperor. Shouldn't we believe him?"
Upon hearing the elder's words, the rest of the White Lotus Sect members quieted down, calming their previously agitated hearts. They all waited quietly to the side, awaiting the words of Xiao Jian, who appeared and disappeared without a trace.
Xiao Jian knew they wouldn't give up their plan. He was just exploiting this psychology. He raised the corners of his lips smugly, as if he were showing off to Elder Qing.
Elder Qing turned his head away, not wanting to see his smug, petty face anymore.
Xiao Jian stopped keeping him in suspense, after all, assassinating the emperor would require their help. "Look, everyone, this is a map showing the layout of the palaces. Following this map, we can accurately locate the emperor's position. Once we kill him, we can retreat unscathed. If all else fails, we can use that person outside as a shield. We can still escape safely." Xiao Jian pulled the map that Fu Erkang had given him from his pocket.
The elder who had just spoken up for Xiao Jian took the map from his hand, examined it carefully, and then burst into laughter, "Good, good! We'll take advantage of the chaos to blend into the ranks and then assassinate that dog emperor to avenge our grudge."
"But I heard that the one who's going to marry the emperor's daughter is Fu Erkang, the eldest son of the Fu family. Do you think they'll let us sneak in?" One of the insignificant young men from the White Lotus Sect raised his hand tremblingly and asked his question.
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