Nanling was unaware of what had happened in the study. She removed her hairpins and simply tied her hair into a loose bun.
After changing into casual clothes, I went to the flower hall.
Helian Qi also returned, and the maids began to serve him food.
The Great Zhou followed the etiquette of the previous dynasty and adopted a separate dining system.
Even for married couples, each person has their own serving table with rice, vegetables, and soup on it.
Do not speak while eating.
The couple, one the daughter of a princess and the other the heir of a royal family, learned court etiquette from a young age.
In terms of rules, there is absolutely no room for error.
When the two ate, they didn't even make a sound, let alone exchange words or use their spoons and chopsticks.
After the meal, the maids cleared away the table, and the couple could then sit together, chat, or read a book.
Perhaps their feelings weren't intense, but their relationship was like that of a model couple, flowing gently and steadily.
"Recently, there have been many people in the court impeaching Your Majesty. Is Your Majesty alright?"
Helian Qi wasn't deliberately trying to gather information; he was just chatting casually with his wife.
After all, Nanling was Empress Xie's most trusted female official, and Empress Xie's condition would also affect Nanling.
"Thank goodness! The Emperor is about to return, and Her Majesty is overjoyed. How could she care about the rumors going around her?"
Nanling personally brewed the tea, and after it was ready, she first handed a cup to Helian Qi.
Helian Qi took the teacup, but looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
After all, they'd been married for several years, so they knew each other quite well.
Seeing Helian Qi's hesitant expression, Nanling guessed what he wanted to ask, "Your Highness, have you heard the rumors circulating? Do you think the Emperor has a new love?"
When a new love comes along, the old one has to be left aside.
Unfortunately, his ex-lover was the boss of Nanling, so as a loving husband, Helian Qi couldn't help but pay attention to these "gossips".
Helian Qi was slightly embarrassed by Nanling's words and said apologetically, "As a man, I shouldn't believe those rumors from the streets, but—"
"I know you care about me!"
Nanling smiled even more sweetly, she enjoyed her husband's care.
To reassure her husband and to tell him that there was nothing to worry about, she whispered, "It's all just talk outside."
"The Sage frequently corresponded with the Empress, and in those letters, he had already mentioned the matter of the Holy Maiden of Gaochang."
"The Emperor said that the Holy Maiden possesses a natural fragrance and is skilled in singing and dancing. He brought her back to the capital so that the Empress might have a glimpse of her!"
What new love?
They're just playthings, like musicians and orchid girls!
It's laughable that outsiders know nothing, yet they think the emperor has fallen in love with someone else and even regard the empress as a pitiful person.
Pah!
The Emperor values the Empress most highly; how could he possibly... just for a mere Holy Maiden?
"...That's good!"
Helian Qi lowered his eyelids slightly, concealing the glint in his eyes.
Did Helian Jue and Empress Xie frequently correspond?
By post stations or by fast horses from the Ministry of War?
It shouldn't be.
These methods should be recorded by the relevant government departments.
However, there is no similar record in the archives.
Helian Jue had been fighting outside for two years, yet his correspondence with Xie Yuan remained completely secret.
This shows that this supreme couple really kept their actions very secret.
Or perhaps it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Embroidered-Robed Envoy?
They are elusive and insidious, the two most secretive forces in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Xie Yuan's embroidered-robed envoys were somewhat better, as most of them were women and couldn't cause too much trouble.
It was Helian Jue's Embroidered Uniform Guard that truly inspired fear.
Helian Qi remained calm and continued chatting with his wife.
As dusk fell, the couple returned to their dormitory hand in hand.
The night was alluring, stirring up waves of red.
Helian Qi personally helped Nanling clean herself up, and Nanling fell asleep sweetly with a satisfied smile.
Helian Qi lay on her side with his eyes closed.
In the middle of the night, a soft knocking sounded in the quiet room.
Helian Qi immediately woke up.
He quickly sat up, but instead of getting out of bed, he turned to examine Nanling.
"Princess? Aqing?"
Helian Qi was still not reassured, so he gently nudged her shoulder and softly called her name.
Nanling simply turned over and continued to sleep.
Helian Qi was relieved. He quietly got out of bed, put on his shoes, and carefully walked out of the room.
"What is it? Why are you bothering me in the middle of the night?"
Helian Qi wasn't grumpy when he woke up; he could distinguish between what was important and what was urgent.
If someone wakes him up in the middle of the night, it must be something important.
However, Nanling was right beside him, and he was worried that the other party would notice his abnormality.
"Your Highness, Helian Jue's army suddenly stopped about two hundred miles from the capital."
"Also, according to our spies who have been planted in the army, they say that a strange woman has appeared in the camp."
The visitor was Helian Qi's trusted servant.
He spoke in a low voice while looking around warily.
A strange woman?
Who is it?
Could this be the "trump card" mentioned by the leader of the Yellow Sect?
Helian Qi was filled with doubt and uncertainty. His plan had already begun, and he was waiting for Helian Jue to enter the game.
As a result, the army suddenly stopped.
Helian Qi couldn't immediately determine whether the leader of the Huang Cult was helping or hindering them.
Also, is that so-called "trump card" he mentioned actually reliable?
Don't let yourself end up "losing more than you gain"!
Helian Qi was somewhat confused.
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