Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Catch her in an embrace with a refreshing fragrance...
The sunlight is mottled and peach blossoms are falling.
Nie Xiangyi's eyes sparkled, and he looked at Zhong Lingyu with a firm and sincere expression.
Her voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough to reach the imperial concubine's ears.
She looked at Nie Xiangyi, who was lying in the falling petals not far away, and asked curiously, "Whose girl is that? She's quite straightforward and lovely. Ruheng, do you know her?"
Ruheng was Xie Zhi's courtesy name. He seemed to dislike the imperial concubine calling him that and could not help but frown.
He looked at Nie Xiangyi's brisk back as she chased butterflies and played with them, and gradually disappeared in the drizzle of peach blossoms.
The coral-colored skirt hem looks very much like the blushing face of a beautiful woman under the blooming fireworks.
Xie Zhi frowned slightly and said, "I'm not familiar with it."
The imperial concubine glanced at him, covered her lips and smiled, "That's fine. If we bump into her now, I'm afraid she'll be embarrassed."
After strolling around for a while, when the sun was setting, the dinner was set in the Qingyan Boat on Jiuzhou Pond near Shanglinyuan.
The water in the pond sparkles with golden light, and the boat is filled with delicacies on jade plates. It is such a beautiful feast and an extremely elegant and magnificent sight.
The ladies took their seats. Nie Xiangyi saw from afar a group of people accompanying a gorgeous lady as they came towards them. Everyone knelt down to pay their respects.
That was the first time Nie Xiangyi met Xie Zhi's biological mother, the current imperial concubine.
The late queen passed away many years ago, and now only the imperial concubine is in charge of the affairs of the palace.
Seeing her from afar, I felt that she was graceful and elegant, with no trace of time between her eyebrows and features, and her every move was dignified.
Nie Xiangyi looked at her curiously in the crowd, only to find that she didn't look very similar to Xie Zhi.
"It's a beautiful spring scene, with the girls gathered together, just like a cluster of flowers, it's hard to look away."
The imperial concubine smiled and exchanged a few words with everyone, then asked everyone to take their seats.
The seat below her on the right was empty, with only Xie Zhi, who was as lonely and tall as a pine or bamboo, sitting on her left.
The imperial concubine's gaze was always fixed on the empty seat, with a hint of worry between her brows.
"The Crown Prince has always been in poor health, and is prone to coughing in spring. I'm afraid he won't be able to attend the banquet."
As she spoke, she pointed to the bowls on the table and instructed the nanny beside her, "Send this bowl of snow pear and almond yogurt to the East Palace. Yu Ru loves it the most, and it's good for his cough."
He looked very concerned.
Xie Zhi on the side said nothing, just pursed his lips slightly.
Seeing this, Nie Xiangyi couldn't help but lower her voice and asked quietly, covering her lips: "Is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in poor health?"
Zhong Lingyu nodded slightly at her, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was born to the late Empress Wencheng. I heard that on the day the Crown Prince was born, Empress Wencheng had a difficult delivery, which affected the fetus, and that's why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been in poor health."
As she spoke, she pretended to cover her lips with a piece of silk, "The Third Prince, who was born on the same day as the Crown Prince, is in much better health."
Nie Xiangyi's eyes widened upon hearing this. "What a coincidence? We were born on the same day!"
Zhong Lingyu was obviously a bit secretive about this topic, and spoke vaguely, "It's just an old palace story. I heard it from my mother-in-law, Princess Yang Hui. You must not tell anyone."
Involving the secrets of the imperial palace easily piqued people's interest in gossip. Nie Xiangyi nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, her face full of curiosity, and she stared at Zhong Lingyu intently.
"I heard that the Imperial Concubine's pregnancy lasted only eight months. She wanted to give birth to her eldest son before Empress Wencheng, so she took a drug to induce labor. This is why the two were born on the same day."
"After Empress Wencheng passed away, the Emperor entrusted the Crown Prince to the Imperial Concubine to raise together."
"No wonder the Imperial Concubine seems so concerned about the Crown Prince. She's actually his foster mother." Nie Xiangyi nodded nonchalantly. "Come to think of it, I've never met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Not to mention you, even I rarely see him." Zhong Lingyu explained to her quietly, "It's rare to see the Crown Prince at a palace banquet like this."
As she spoke, her tone was slightly puzzled. "It's strange, but the Third Prince doesn't often come to such occasions. I don't know why he came today."
Nie Xiangyi's gaze followed her words and fell on Xie Zhi, but unexpectedly her gaze met his.
Those dark eyes were calm, as if she had been caught peeking. Heat welled up in Nie Xiangyi's cheeks, and she pretended to be calm as she looked away, her eyes moving around in panic.
"Is that the eldest daughter of the Nie family?"
Just as Nie Xiangyi was lost in thought, for some unknown reason, the imperial concubine's slender fingertips suddenly moved, and everyone's eyes fell on her.
Nie Xiangyi was surprised that she would mention herself, so she stepped forward and bowed, "Your servant Nie Xiangyi greets the Imperial Concubine."
"She is truly a bright and beautiful woman." The imperial concubine looked at her with a kind smile, exchanged glances with the nanny beside her, and then chuckled while covering her face with her silk quilt.
"I've heard Aunt Wu talk about you a long time ago. Seeing you so polite today, you're quite different from the person she described." She smiled, "It seems Aunt Wu was biased."
Nie Xiangyi didn't know that Aunt Wu was hers. When she first heard her mention Aunt Wu, she was not sure what she meant.
Zhong Lingyu, however, smiled and tried to smooth things over for her, "Excuse me, Your Majesty. Xiangyi grew up in Shanzhou and isn't very familiar with the etiquette of the capital. I did make a fool of myself."
She ordered Nie Xiangyi to return to the table without formalities, and then continued chatting casually, "I heard that Miss Nie returned to the capital to discuss marriage. Has she found a husband yet?"
Zhong Lingyu quickly answered for her, "Your Majesty, not yet."
"It's a bit abrupt for me to ask this, but there is a reason behind it." The imperial concubine smiled with her eyes curved, her gaze passed over Xie Zhi, and then stopped at Nie Xiangyi's face.
"Miss Nie's mother, Madam Wen'an, was an old friend of the late Empress. I heard from the Emperor that they had joked about being engaged since birth."
Nie Xiangyi heard the chopsticks in his hand tremble violently.
Who? To whom was she betrothed? How come she had never heard of it before?
These words frightened her so much that her eyes widened and she looked at Zhong Lingyu for help.
Unexpectedly, the imperial concubine suddenly brought up the matter of marriage. Zhong Lingyu had never dealt with such an occasion before, so she could only think of how to decline it on her behalf.
"Your Majesty, I'm so kind to you. But Xiangyi has been spoiled and active since she was little. I'm afraid she might disturb the royal family."
"It's better to be more lively." The imperial concubine smiled meaningfully.
Having said that, she suddenly changed the subject, "I was just saying it casually, Miss Nie, please don't take it to heart. This kind of thing shouldn't be discussed with young people like you."
She paused slightly, "It's just that Miss Nie is so straightforward and lovely, even I like her very much. I think she and the Crown Prince are a perfect match."
Although it was just a joke, her words did not hide her desire for Nie Xiangyi to marry the prince. Everyone in the room couldn't help but have different thoughts when they heard this.
Xie Zhi's expression was cold and silent, as if the excitement at the banquet had nothing to do with him. However, his expression seemed even colder than usual.
Zhong Lingyu, who was standing aside, frowned slightly, looking at Nie Xiangyi who was stunned with fear, and kept wanting to say something but stopped herself.
Nie Yuanwei was sitting at the end of the table where no one paid attention to her. After hearing what the imperial concubine said, she couldn't help but clench the wine glass in her hand.
If Nie Xiangyi were to marry the prince, given her arrogant and domineering personality, she would probably be in great trouble.
Her eyes dimmed slightly, and she waved to the maid beside her, whispering in her ear, "Go inform Aunt Wu..."
Nie Xiangyi was distracted by this sudden arranged marriage and just stared at the cup in front of her.
Naturally, she didn't want to marry a prince she had never met.
But the emperor's order cannot be disobeyed. What should I do if the imperial concubine really wants to grant me the marriage?
She was so worried that she had no appetite for the delicious food in front of her and drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.
The palace maid filled her wine cup in due time.
The rose wine in the palace is extremely delicious, sweet and tasty, and it is a rare treasure that you can tell from the first smell of it.
However, this wine seemed to have a stronger aftereffect. After Nie Xiangyi drank a few glasses, he felt hot all over and his cheeks were flushed like clouds.
"Why are you so drunk?" Zhong Lingyu was shocked by her drunken look.
The imperial concubine seemed to have noticed the commotion here and couldn't help but smile, "Miss Nie can't hold her liquor well."
As he spoke, he called over the palace maid, "Please help Miss Nie go and rest for a while."
Nie Xiangyi stood up to take her leave, feeling her steps light and airy, as if she were treading on clouds. Yet, her entire body felt incredibly hot, and even breathing felt like it was burning her.
Nie Yuanwei watched as the palace maid helped her out of the Qingyan Boat, and a slight smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
"Miss Nie, the nearest warm room is near Yuehua Gate. I will help you there."
Nie Xiangyi's head was dizzy and he just nodded blankly.
At first she could still walk on her own, but later, for some reason, she felt her legs became so weak that she could only lean on the palace maids to gain support.
"Haven't we arrived yet? Why is it so far?" She complained vaguely, her voice sweet and nasal.
The palace maid only replied: "We are almost through Yuehua Gate."
As night fell, a thin man passed by Yuehua's gate. It was the height of spring, but unlike the others, he wore not a light spring garment but a rather dull, thick brocade.
Under the moonlight, his skin was almost pale and transparent, and even his lips were pale. Like a ghost walking in the night, his footsteps were so silent.
He suddenly stopped and looked at the coral-colored figure being helped past Yuehua's door. "Mo Jiu, who is that?"
The eunuch behind him guessed, "Your Highness, this is someone's noble daughter. The Imperial Concubine is hosting a flower banquet in the palace today, and all the noble ladies are here."
Xie Chengxin looked at the figure's staggering steps, narrowed his eyes slightly, and his eyes were sharp.
"Further ahead is the guards' quarters." He had seen many such tricks in the palace. "These girls from noble families are really bold. They dare to use such despicable means in the palace."
Ruining someone's reputation will eventually destroy him.
As he was speaking, a night wind suddenly blew by and he started coughing suddenly.
Mo Jiu hurriedly took out a mint sachet to help him calm down, and said, "Your Highness, why bother with these things? The Imperial Concubine will take care of everything. Let's go back to the East Palace first."
"Wait." He suddenly asked, "Did my third brother also return to the palace for the banquet today?"
"yes."
A gentle smile suddenly appeared on his pale cheeks. "Since someone dares to disrupt the situation in the palace, I might as well go with the flow."
He then ordered, "Send someone to stop them. If they are not from the Pei family, take the girl to Jingming Palace."
Jingming Hall is the residence of the Third Prince in the palace. Occasionally, during palace banquets, the Third Prince would stay here.
The eunuch understood and agreed, and soon returned to report.
"Your Highness, the people have been taken to Jingming Palace."
Xie Chengxin nodded, "Xie Zhi has always been close to the Pei family. If something like this happens, it will also put an end to the Pei family's idea of marriage. Otherwise, it will give Xie Zhi more support."
"I wonder whose daughter got such a good deal." Mo Jiu laughed, "She was originally going to be paired with a guard."
"If they want to destroy someone's reputation, they'll definitely find a reason to catch them in the act. All we have to do is watch the commotion outside and then add fuel to the fire."
Xie Chengxin raised a sly smile, "I want to see how the Third Prince, who is always known to be aloof and reserved, will handle this situation."
"Your Highness is a man of foresight."
Xie Chengxin sneered, "If it weren't for my persistent cough, how could the position of the Divine Strategy Department have been passed to Xie Zhi? Why would we have to be so cautious and scheming?"
While sniffing the mint fragrance in the sachet, he slowly disappeared into the dark night.
Nie Xiangyi was helped by the palace maids to an unfamiliar palace.
The surroundings were quiet, with only a few faint warm yellow candlelight flickering.
She lay drowsily on the soft brocade couch, and could smell the familiar, clear fragrance on the quilt, which almost enveloped her completely.
She felt increasingly hot and unbearable.
This kind of agitation had already gone beyond the realm of drunkenness. Even though Nie Xiangyi was a virgin, she knew that she had been subjected to some despicable trick.
Nie Xiangyi bit her lips tightly until a faint smell of blood filled her lips. The pain then brought her a rare sense of clarity.
She rolled over and fell off the couch, stumbling towards the door.
The burning sensation all over her body filled her eyes with tears. She muttered angrily, half in anger and half in grievance, "Wait until I get out! I'll teach you a lesson!"
Before she reached the door, she suddenly heard steady footsteps coming from outside.
This must be the backup plan prepared by the person who drugged you!
They waited until the drug took effect and then sent people to destroy her innocence and reputation.
The sound of footsteps sounded like a death warrant in Nie Xiangyi's ears. She gritted her teeth, forced herself to support her weak body, took out a gold and jade hairpin from her hair, and held it tightly in her hand.
The palace door was suddenly pushed open, and she just raised the golden hairpin, but her feet went weak and she fell forward.
She was embraced by an embrace with a refreshing fragrance, exactly the same as the scent of the quilt.
She raised her misty eyes and met his calm and indifferent deep pupils.
At this moment, he seemed like a god descending.
It was already late at night when the banquet ended, and Xie Zhi just stayed in Jingming Palace in the palace for one night as usual.
This was his old residence in the palace. Apart from the servants who came to clean the place daily, few people came here.
However, tonight, when he arrived at the door, he heard rustling noises coming from inside the house, like human voices.
Xie Zhi stood still for a while, then pushed the door open cautiously.
But I was filled with the fragrance of the blooming gardenia.
The girl's coral-colored dress was loosely open, revealing a bright red small dress belt above her snow-white neck, and winding underneath, a large area of delicate skin as delicate as tofu was faintly visible.
She leaned in his arms, her hair slightly disheveled, and the ruby tiara in her hair was like peach blossoms in spring, spreading sideways.
Xie Zhi's gaze fell on her abnormally flushed cheeks. Her round eyes like a kitten were now out of focus and hazy, filled with a pool of watery tears.
Outside, the sound of Yulin soldiers patrolling the palace could be heard.
With a creaky sound, Xie Zhi closed the door.
The fragrance of gardenia is like a dense net, tempting people to go deeper into it.
Xie Zhi frowned. He stretched out his hand, trying to pull Nie Xiangyi's soft body out of his arms, but her soft and boneless arms wrapped around his neck.
The scorching breath kept hitting his ears, "Your Highness... Your Highness..."
The girl's anxious and aggrieved voice was soft and light, with a strong crying tone.
"Xie Zhi... please help me..."
The author has something to say:
----------------------
The next article is "The Cold Husband I Forced to Marry Is a Crazy Thing", welcome everyone to click on the homepage [Starry Eyes]
Copywriter:
Liu Lingyue used some not-so-glorious means to successfully marry Pei Yuhuai.
Pei Yuhuai is the only son of the Regent. He is bright and clear, and as cold and lonely as snow.
He is the most noble and unapproachable among the young men of the aristocratic families in the capital.
She didn't like Pei Yuhuai at first.
She planned to marry him just because she wanted to take away what her elder sister liked.
*
Liu Lingyue had many things stolen from her by her elder sister.
The eldest sister is the apple of my eye and has everything she wants.
Compared to her elder sister, Liu Lingyue was just a turbid and dim fish eye, and no one cared about her.
Even her appearance, the only thing she could show off, was criticized by the world as not dignified enough, more charming but without any spirit. She was just a wooden beauty, far inferior to her gentle and generous elder sister.
Until she saw her elder sister handing a purse to Pei Yuhuai with a blushing face at a banquet.
*
After marrying Pei Yuhuai, the two people who had no feelings for each other were physically together but spiritually apart.
But she always felt that there was some kind of damp and sticky gaze, peeping at her darkly in the darkness.
It was not until later that she discovered that this gaze came from her always aloof and noble husband, Pei Yuhuai.
Small Theater:
1.
Liu Lingyue, who saw Pei Yuhuai's true face, wanted to escape.
Pei Yuhuai smiled as he tied a fine gold bracelet around her ankle, and his white jade-like knuckles gently caressed her rosy lips.
The strong possessiveness almost overflowed from his scarlet eyes.
"Ayue is not a good boy. You chose it yourself, how can you escape?"
2.
Everyone said that Liu Lingyue used clumsy means to marry the cold and dignified Pei Yuhuai.
Only Pei Yuhuai himself knew that when Liu Lingyue handed him the glass of drugged wine with a red face, his eyes darkened, the corners of his lips slightly curved, and he drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
