Chapter 30 Chapter 30 (Xiao Xiu) Ah Heng, do you still remember that...
I don’t know how much trouble I’ve gone through all night.
By the time Xie Zhi carried Nie Xiangyi to the bedroom, she had already leaned on Xie Zhi's shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.
Even the cleaning was left to Xie Zhi.
The sound of water dripping was heard, and Nie Xiangyi continued to hum and mumble in her daze. Xie Zhi leaned closer and finally heard her whispers clearly.
"Ah Heng..."
The desire that was just suppressed suddenly came back again, like a taste of marrow, making people unable to stop.
Xie Zhi looked at her crimson lips with his dark eyes and gave her a long kiss in the mist.
She must have been extremely tired, as she slept like this until noon the next day. It was not until she felt something furry gently nudging her head that she drowsily opened her eyes.
"Xishi...why are you here..."
As soon as she opened her mouth, she realized her voice was utterly hoarse. The scene of last night inevitably surfaced in her mind. Those sweet, soft, and sticky sounds actually came from her mouth, and her face flushed instantly.
"Awake." Xie Zhi appeared beside the couch, blocking out most of the glaring light, and handed her a cup of tea.
"Thank you very much, Your Highness."
When Xie Zhi heard her call him that, he frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly.
She was about to turn over, but she felt as if her bones were falling apart and she had no strength left. She felt a sharp ache all over her body. A corner of her nightgown had slipped from her shoulders, revealing a faint purple mark on her fair skin.
Xie Zhi stared at the snow-white skin for a long time, his throat moved slightly, but he said nothing more.
"Open your mouth." He handed the teacup to her with a stern face.
Seeing that he seemed to be preparing to feed her, Nie Xiangyi was a little flattered and her eyes widened slightly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
She raised her head from Xie Zhi's hand, but just as she took a sip of the tea, she heard Xie Zhi's cold voice, which seemed to carry a hint of displeasure, "You should have called me like you did last night."
"Cough! Cough cough!" When she heard him mention what happened last night again, she choked suddenly and her cheeks turned red from coughing.
This name was ordinary, but it carried the intimate meaning of sex, which made Nie Xiangyi feel shy for no reason.
She hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xie Zhi with a red face, her eyes sparkling. "Then Your Highness can also call me by my nickname, Ah Si. My mother gave it to me, and it's a symbol of good fortune!"
Xie Zhi looked at her with eyes bent, feeling very proud. "Grandpa said that mother hopes I will be fearless like Si! They all call me that."
"good."
Xie Zhi put away the teacup and said, "I'll ask Hanxu to put a small table next to the couch so you can have your meal."
Nie Xiangyi looked at him in disbelief.
Xie Zhizui was very self-disciplined and followed the rules of propriety. He had many rules for eating in his daily life. He would not eat food that was not his own and would not eat from places that were not his own. He strictly followed these rules.
How could she be allowed to have a meal next to the bed today?
She tilted her head and blinked, "If Your Highness doesn't tell me what will become of me?"
Xie Zhi pursed his lips and said, "I'll make an exception today."
Nie Xiangyi's eyes lit up instantly, and she fell back on the bed with a happy cry. Even Xishi beside her jumped up and down lightly, like a ball of soft cotton.
She seemed to suddenly remember something, raised her head and blinked at Xie Zhi, "Can I make an exception tomorrow?"
"They are pushing their limits."
In this way, she rested in bed all day, and she had servants place her meals and tea on a small table beside the couch. She felt so comfortable and relaxed.
In the afternoon, Ling Zhu suddenly came over and seemed to have something to report. "Your Highness."
Xie Zhi glanced at him and went to the study with him.
"The decree for the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet has been issued, and all members of the royal family must attend. Madam is the new bride, so I guess she can't refuse..."
Xie Zhiyun was calm and looked out the window at the small figure lying on the couch in the distance, as if he didn't take his words to heart.
"Then find something for the prince to do."
At this time, Nie Xiangyi was swinging her feet and teasing Xi Shi on the couch, but Aunt Wu, who was busy with the affairs of the mansion, suddenly appeared.
"Madam, this is really against the rules!"
She glanced at the small table beside the couch and couldn't help but frown. "Madam is no longer the willful and spoiled girl she used to be! As the daughter-in-law of the royal family, how can you eat by the couch and disregard the rules and etiquette?"
Nie Xiangyi glanced at her with disdain. "His Highness has already agreed, and he hasn't said anything. Why would you, a bitch, be so nosy?"
When she heard that His Highness had given her the go-ahead, Aunt Wu's heart suddenly sank. How could His Highness have indulged her to such an extent?
Contrary to rumors, His Highness married her unwillingly. Or was it that, after only a few days of marriage, His Highness had already been blinded by her?
Aunt Wu rolled her eyes slightly, thinking that the imperial concubine would definitely not want to see this.
Although she didn't know why the imperial concubine did this, this was the reason why the imperial concubine ordered her to come.
"The affairs of the palace are very busy, and Your Highness has left everything to me. I have been very busy these past few days and have neglected to take care of Madam."
Aunt Wu said slowly with a stern face, "I'm free today, so I came to inform Madam about the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet the day after tomorrow. Madam, if you are so willful and overstepping the boundaries, won't you be disrespectful to His Majesty in the future?"
Nie Xiangyi couldn't help but frown when he heard this, "Mid-Autumn Festival Palace Banquet? But I have to enter the palace again?"
"This is a family banquet organized by the Emperor, and all the royal family members will attend. Madam is His Highness's new wife, so naturally she cannot be absent."
"knew."
"Also, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, General Anxi will be leaving for Shanzhou. The Emperor, in recognition of his hard work and contributions, has granted the General the privilege of attending the family dinner as a token of his reunion."
"What!" Nie Xiangyi was shocked by the news and immediately became nervous. She didn't care about anything else, just changed her clothes and rushed to the opposite door.
As soon as she entered the villa, Nie Xiangyi saw Zhong Qi ordering people to pack up their things.
"Asi is back?" He smiled kindly, and the wrinkles on his face were squeezed together.
"Grandpa is leaving Beijing after the Mid-Autumn Festival?" Nie Xiangyi hurried forward, grabbed his sleeve, and her voice was already filled with urgency. "Why don't you stay for two more days? It's only been a few days and you're leaving!"
"I have military orders and cannot stay any longer." Zhong Qi reached out and rubbed Nie Xiangyi's head. "When grandpa is free, I will return to the capital to see you."
Nie Xiangyi's mouth suddenly pursed, tears welling up in his eyes. He choked and shook his head, "The journey is long. It's better for me to go back to Shanzhou to visit my grandparents."
"Silly child, you are now married and a member of the royal family. How can you just leave like that?" His smiling face was full of kindness, but he still couldn't help but feel his eyes moist.
"You are such a straightforward person, and I am most worried about you. My grandfather is far away in Shanzhou, and I am always worried that someone will bully you, and he will never be able to help you. Fortunately, now that you are married to the Third Prince, I can finally feel at ease. Firstly, it is what you want, and secondly..."
He said earnestly, "With your status as the Third Prince, no one will dare to bully you again. As for the rest, Ah Si, don't overthink it. No matter what happens, everything is under the care of my grandfather."
Nie Xiangyi sniffed and whispered, "Grandfather, don't worry about me. No one dares to bully me..."
"That Jiang slut! She first brought suffering to your mother, and then ruined your reputation! She must be dealt with! But I'm worried about more than just this..."
Zhong Qi's eyes were filled with reluctance and love before leaving. In a kind voice, he gently instructed, "On the day you return home, although Jiang's words may be unpleasant, there is one thing I must admit. If the Third Prince has the intention of taking a concubine, you will not be able to stop him."
Nie Xiangyi didn't know why he mentioned this, and looked up at him in a daze.
"I've been thinking about this for days, and I'm still uneasy." His weather-beaten face was filled with deep worry. "Ah Si, if that day really comes, and it brings you unbearable pain, remember this! Make a decisive decision when necessary!"
"It doesn't matter what others think of you, your own inner happiness is what matters most! Got it?"
Nie Xiangyi nodded in confusion, "Ah Si, I'll remember it."
"No matter what, Shanzhou is your permanent retreat." He still seemed worried, holding Nie Xiangyi's hand tightly, and tears were streaming down his face before he knew it.
"You must remember this! Never be indecisive! You will end up like your mother! Grandpa has already lost your mother! He cannot lose you again!"
My mother died of vomiting blood due to worry and sadness because Nie Zhengqing took a concubine.
After so many years, she had no idea that this matter still lingered in her grandfather's heart, becoming a dull pain that was difficult to let go.
Nie Xiangyi's tears trickled down her cheeks. "Grandfather, I'll remember this."
"That's good. That's good."
By the Mid-Autumn Festival, the summer heat has dissipated and it is the time of clear and crisp autumn weather.
As soon as he got off the carriage in front of the palace gate, Nie Xiangyi saw a thin figure walking towards the palace gate from afar.
"Huh? That's..."
Before she could identify who was coming, her vision was suddenly blocked.
It was Xie Zhiwen's cool hand.
She blinked in confusion, not understanding what he meant, "Your Highness...?"
Her eyelashes brushed against her palm, bringing a gentle, tingling sensation. Xie Zhi looked at the prince who hurried past, his voice as usual.
"The wind is strong, don't get blinded."
The palace banquet was held in Zhaoshui Pavilion near Jiuzhou Pond. This spacious place was the only pavilion on the lake. Looking up, one could see the bright moon, and looking down, one could see his reflection in the water, catching a glimpse of the moonlight shimmering on the lake.
This way we will not let the full moon scene go to waste.
Just at this moment, clusters of fireworks bloomed in the night sky.
Fire trees and silver flowers filled the night sky. Nie Xiangyi turned to look at Xie Zhi, her brows full and her eyes moving.
She whispered in his ear, "Heng, do you still remember that kiss?"
Her voice was soft, and her breath was beside my ears, like a soft feather, brushing against my heart and making me feel itchy.
Xie Zhi suddenly pursed his lips.
Although it was a family dinner, Nie Xiangyi couldn't quite distinguish the appearances of the various clan members. Only Zhong Lingyu and her mother-in-law, Princess Yang Hui, seemed vaguely familiar to Nie Xiangyi.
When everyone had arrived, greeted the Emperor and the Concubine, and sat down one by one, they suddenly heard a palace maid come to announce,
"Your Majesty! There's been a riot outside the palace, west of the city. I wonder if it's the remnants of Prince Jin. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already led the Shen Ce Army there."
Upon hearing this, Nie Xiangyi whispered to Zhong Lingyu beside him, curiously saying, "Come to think of it, I've already met most of the royal family members. The only one I've never met is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"What a coincidence today," Zhong Lingyu said with a smile, "Although the Crown Prince is in poor health, he will at least show up at family banquets during the New Year holidays. As for the Third Prince, I haven't seen him in previous years due to his official duties at the Divine Strategy Department."
"How could there be rebels on such a good day?" The emperor on the throne looked displeased.
Princess Yang Hui smiled and said, "During previous festivals, it was His Highness the Third Prince who personally led the troops on patrol. Today, with His Highness the Crown Prince here, we finally don't have to work as hard as usual."
She calmly turned the topic to Xie Zhi, mentioning his hard work over the years, and vaguely showing some protection for him.
However, she seemed to share the same temperament as Zhong Lingyu, speaking very clearly and crisply. Even if her words were suggestive, they came across as joking, making it difficult to argue with her.
Nie Xiangyi had heard Wang Wulang say the same thing when he invited her to the temple fair. She felt as if something had flashed through her mind, but it was so fleeting that she couldn't grasp it.
The emperor simply followed Princess Yang Hui's words and said with a smile, "Ruheng has just gotten married. How can we let him work so hard like before? Wouldn't that be neglecting Yi? If I agree, I'm afraid Tongping will be heartbroken!"
Tongping is Zhong Qi's courtesy name, and the emperor calling him this shows a sense of intimacy.
Zhong Qi stood up and toasted the emperor, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"
Only the imperial concubine showed a hint of worry. "Yu Ru has always been in poor health, and now that the rebels are causing chaos, I hope nothing goes wrong..."
The emperor frowned slightly and said, "It would be good to let Yuru gain some experience."
The imperial concubine wanted to say something else, but in the end she couldn't utter it.
In this way, during the banquet, the emperor and Zhong Qi drank several cups together, recalling the years when they fought together on the battlefield, and they were very happy.
"Wait!" Nie Xiangyi, standing by, seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to ask Zhong Lingyu, "Does Your Highness personally inspect the city defenses every New Year?"
If that was the case, how could he have met me at the Lantern Festival that year?
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