Chapter 21: Meeting the Emperor Again
Just as Yang Manyan was about to refuse, a big hand held her hand firmly.
The man's palm was broad and dry, with thin calluses covering his bony knuckles. There was a rough warmth from his touch that made her heart skip a beat.
Xiao Yan chuckled: "I just heard that the emperor is summoning Minister Yang. If we go there now, maybe we can run into him."
He paused, his voice low and bewitching, "Besides, Minister Yang will be leaving Beijing for his new post soon, so it's a good opportunity for him to meet you before he leaves."
In fact, he could have sent someone to pass the message, but for some unknown reason he went back to the East Palace and wanted to pick her up in person.
Yang Manyan's heart tightened. His father had just been promoted to Minister, so why was he suddenly sent out?
As a result, she no longer refused.
She also wanted to meet her father so that her family would know that everything was fine after she entered the palace.
The two of them walked hand in hand through the palace corridor, without saying a word for a while.
As soon as he stepped into the Qianqing Gate Square, Yang Man's heartbeat quickened as he thought of the majestic palace.
There is no final conclusion on Empress Xu's crime, but the secret between her and the emperor that night... If she were recognized, the whole family would probably be in trouble.
Coincidentally, Yang Qianxing walked out of the hall.
The moment he saw his daughter, his eyes lit up and his voice trembled with excitement: "I wish... Lord Shangyi!"
Although I don't know why the emperor suddenly decided to confer the title of first-rank Shangyi on my daughter, my daughter is now in charge of the inner court as a female official, becoming the actual master of the harem, and her honor is even greater than before.
Yang Qianxing hurriedly straightened his clothes and bowed, offering a sincere congratulatory message: "...I hope Your Highness the Crown Prince will follow my example and be blessed forever. The whole world is so lucky, the whole world is so lucky!"
Yang Manyan's cheeks turned red. He had never seen his father lose his composure like this.
Xiao Yan couldn't help laughing: "Shang Yi and I appreciate Minister Yang's kindness. I will go to the palace to see the emperor first, and you two can chat about the past."
Yang Qianxing burst into tears of gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Xiao Yan stepped into the east warm room. The long golden nanmu table was filled with delicacies, but the emperor sitting on the main seat had a gloomy face and his thin lips were tightly pursed as if carved by a knife.
Seeing that he came alone, the emperor asked coldly, "Where is Yang Shangyi?"
"Minister Yang is about to go on a long journey. I want to let the father and daughter talk alone so that he can go to his new post with peace of mind." Xiao Yan looked calm.
The emperor did not comment, but just said "hmm".
After a while, the pearl curtain rang softly, and Yang Manyan, led by the young eunuch, walked into the dining hall. He lowered his eyes and stared at the South China Sea pearls on the embroidered shoes with a timid look.
After finishing her conversation with her father, she wanted to run away, but was eventually escorted in by palace servants.
On the day of the wedding, Xiao Yan noticed that Yang Manyan was afraid of his father, and now he is even more certain of it.
He took a few steps forward, took her hand, and squeezed it gently, indicating that she didn't need to panic.
But this touch made Yang Manyan's whole body stiff.
The emperor was taking in the entire scene, with indescribable emotions surging in his deep eyes, a mixture of sinisterness and bitterness.
But he didn't want to figure out what this sourness meant.
The three of them sat down, and the eunuchs and palace maids served the dishes one by one.
Su Yue skillfully picked up food for Yang Manyan, but she felt very uncomfortable.
The dining room was eerily quiet, with the only sound being the soft click of silver chopsticks hitting porcelain bowls.
Seeing that the emperor remained calm, Yang Manyan finally felt relieved.
After the meal was served, Xiao Yan was about to leave when he heard a deep shout, "Wait a minute."
Yang Manyan subconsciously looked up and met a pair of sinister dark eyes. A chill instantly crept up his spine.
For a moment, she had the illusion that she was seen through.
The emperor simply said, "It is cold in late autumn. A new batch of mink and fox furs have been delivered from the north. I will order someone to pick out the best ones and send them to the East Palace later."
"Thank you, father, for the reward." Xiao Yan bowed respectfully.
Yang Manyan's heart was beating like a drum. The scenes of that night flashed uncontrollably in her mind. Her legs went weak and she almost fell down.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan was quick to catch her and said, "I wish!"
The father and son looked at her at the same time, and saw that her cheeks were flushed and her almond-shaped eyes were filled with watery light.
Yang Manyan felt ashamed and embarrassed, and quickly shook her head: "I, I am fine..."
Her voice was a little softer than usual, with a long and trembling tail.
The two men's Adam's apples rolled at the same time, and their eyes darkened instantly.
Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse: "Can you still walk?"
Yang Manyan forced himself to stand up, but his eyes were red from the pain. He had sprained his ankle in the panic.
Xiao Yan frowned and turned to the emperor: "Father, can I borrow the side room of the East Warm Pavilion? I want to check her injuries."
He didn't want the imperial physician to see her delicate feet, and since he had some medical experience, it would be no problem for him to check the injuries.
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