Morning dew evokes doubt yet brings peace of mind
After leaving Shou Kang Palace, Qi Dou still showed no sign of letting go. Li Xingyi didn't say anything, but Qi Dou spoke first: "I will escort you back to the palace."
Li Xingyi released her hands, slightly bent her knees, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you."
She remained as calm and indifferent as ever, unchanged after all these years.
Seeing this, Qi Dou's eyes showed some sadness. Just as he was about to say something, he saw a palace servant whisper something in Zhao Hongxing's ear. After Zhao Hongxing relayed it to Qi Dou, Qi Dou's expression immediately became serious.
He said apologetically to Li Xingyi, "Xingyi, I still have some matters to attend to..."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi understood and said, "Your Majesty, state affairs are of utmost importance. Please go and handle them first. I know the way to Fengyi Palace."
Qi Dou felt a little guilty after hearing this, but he still left.
Li Xingyi watched Qi Dou's departing figure in silence.
Is this the art of emperors? Why do I always feel a sense of familiarity when I'm with you?
Did we know each other before? But why don't I remember anything about it?
Then Li Xingyi remembered that he had been suppressed last night.
And... about what happened last night, he must know martial arts.
Li Xingyi lowered his eyes slightly, turned around and walked towards Fengyi Palace.
It's alright, there's plenty of time in the future. At least I've learned a little bit now.
Qi Dou said, "Hongxing, Prince Pingshou has already made a move. Immediately summon General Weiwu and others to the council hall to discuss the next steps."
Zhao Hongxing replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Qi Dou originally wanted to marry Li Xingyi and live happily ever after, but before that, he had to eliminate all those who were in the way of their happiness.
Not far from the council hall, Qi Dou felt that he had to be careful with every step. One wrong step would mean no turning back and getting stuck in a quagmire. The game was a puzzle, and once a move was made, there was no going back. Qi Dou could only win this game.
On the way to the morning court, Qi Dou kept thinking about Li Xingyi, worried that she might be mistreated by Shi Hui. Even after giving Qianwu to Li Xingyi, he was still uneasy.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Qi Dou slowly walked up the high platform and sat on the dragon throne. He was handsome, but always seemed aloof and unapproachable, much like the late emperor.
Upon seeing Qi Dou seated behind the dragon throne, Zhao Hongxing announced loudly, "Attend court!"
Upon seeing this, all the civil and military officials immediately knelt down and shouted, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Qi Dou said solemnly, "All of you, rise."
This appearance is completely different from when he was with Li Xingyi; he is mature and composed, a reigning emperor who can command respect from all officials.
When she is with Li Xingyi, she is cautious and shy, revealing the behavior that a young man of her age should have.
After glancing at Qi Dou, Zhao Hongxing began to shout, "Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned!" His voice was incredibly loud.
Subsequently, civil and military officials began to submit memorials one after another. Hu Cun, the Minister of Personnel, submitted a memorial: "Your Majesty, I believe that since you have only recently ascended the throne and your harem only has the Empress whom you married yesterday, we hope that Your Majesty can issue an order to recruit more beautiful women to enrich the harem and ensure the continuation of Your Majesty's lineage."
Qi Dou propped his head up with one hand, his eyes sharp, and his tone playful: "I just married the Empress yesterday, and today I'm already summoning concubines. Do you intend to put me in an unjust and immoral position?"
"Moreover, the late emperor has only been gone for less than a month. If I hold a selection of consorts now, wouldn't I be criticized and condemned by the people? I wonder if Minister Hu's intentions are good or bad?"
Upon hearing this tone, Hu Cun, the Minister of Personnel, trembled slightly, his heart sinking as if he had fallen to the bottom. However, he still straightened his back and forced himself to say, "This humble subject has no such intention. This humble subject is only thinking of Your Majesty's country and hopes that Your Majesty will give birth to an imperial heir as soon as possible to protect our country and nation."
Seeing this, Qi Dou lowered his hand and slapped the dragon throne, angrily saying, "Insolence! The Empress is only twenty-nine years old this year, and I am only of the age of dancing elephants. Why should we worry about not having offspring?! Moreover, today is the second day of my marriage. My dear minister, do you not take me seriously by submitting such a memorial?!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Cun hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention, nor any treacherous thoughts! I only hope that Your Majesty's harem can be filled and that you can give birth to an imperial heir as soon as possible, so that the country can have a successor!"
Qi Dou didn't want to hear him speak and said, "Enough. I don't want to hear anyone talk about the imperial concubine selection anymore. Considering your loyalty over the years, I will punish you by making you copy scriptures to pray for the country! You don't need to come to court for this month."
Just as Hu Cun was about to say something more, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices quickly coughed, knowing that anything he said now would only annoy Qi Dou. He could only bow and say, "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!" before returning to his original position.
Qi Dou's sharp eyes swept over the officials below him, and he asked, "Does anyone else have something to report?"
Upon hearing this, the officials fell silent. Zhao Hongxing immediately understood and said, "Court adjourned!"
After court, Qi Dou walked along the road and asked Zhao Hongxing, "Hongxing, where is the Empress now?"
Zhao Hongxing replied, "Your Majesty, I heard from the palace servants that Her Majesty the Empress is currently in Shou Kang Palace."
Qi Dou thought for a moment and said, "The Empress Dowager in Cining Palace hates the Li family like the plague. She might make things difficult for Xingyi. Let's go and see if Xingyi is alright."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongxing sensibly said, "Prepare the carriage for Shou Kang Palace."
On the way to Shou Kang Palace, Qi Dou said slowly, "The Minister of Personnel has some guts. He dares to force me to select candidates today, even though he knows that today is the second day after my marriage to the Empress."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongxing replied, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Personnel is Prince Pingshou's man, so naturally he is a bit bold. Besides, there are many people in the court who want to put their daughters into the harem, and the Minister of Personnel probably has the same idea."
Many court officials sent their daughters to the palace to vie for the emperor's favor, hoping they would give birth to a prince and thus compete for the throne.
Qi Dou's eyes showed a hint of sadness as he said, "It's nothing more than a power struggle. Which royal noble or official is simple?"
Zhao Hongxing was somewhat worried after hearing this, and said, "Your Majesty..."
Qi Dou said, "Don't worry, I am not a fish on a chopping board to be slaughtered at will."
Zhao Hongxing breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This servant is aware of His Majesty's methods, but Empress Dowager Shi will probably not agree with what you said today. She will definitely try to get Miss Shi Yan into the palace, and may even try to get her through the Empress."
Upon hearing this, Qi Dou felt somewhat conflicted. With Shi Hui causing trouble in the palace, his brothers vying for the throne, and other countries eyeing the country covetously, it was truly exhausting.
He said, "I know, I just want it to be a little later, a little later."
Qi Dou gazed at the forsythia blossoms by the roadside, longing for his beloved.
As time goes by... I just hope that the time that belongs to the two of us can last a little longer and a little longer.
Stars have shifted, have you seen the forsythia? This is... what I want to say to you, and it is also my wish.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongxing could only sigh.
With three thousand beauties in the emperor's harem, how easy is it to find one true love for life? Every family has its own troubles. Your Majesty, when will you see His Majesty's true heart? And when will you reciprocate that heart?
Soon, Qi Dou and his entourage arrived at Shou Kang Palace. The palace servants outside the palace immediately bowed to Qi Dou and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty."
After Qi Dou finished saying "Rise," he went inside. Upon seeing this, Zhao Hongxing immediately shouted from outside, "The Emperor has arrived!" and then stood outside the door.
Qi Dou was walking at a normal pace, but when he entered and saw Li Xingyi, his eyes were only on Li Xingyi. He wanted to hurry, so he rushed over and hugged Li Xingyi tightly, as if he was afraid of losing him again.
Qi Dou reminisced, and then he was amused by his own behavior. He muttered to himself, "In front of you, I will always be unsteady. I was before, I am now, and I will be in the future."
When he looked up again, the words "Council Hall" were clearly written on the building's plaque. Qi Dou straightened his expression and walked in. What came into view was the mighty General Qi Xuan Gui and his other trusted ministers.
At the intersection on the way back to Fengyi Palace, Li Xingyi took a step in the other direction. Seeing this, Qianwu gently reminded him, "Your Majesty, Fengyi Palace is this way."
Upon hearing this, Li Xingyi walked forward and said, "I would like to stroll in the Imperial Garden. You may all leave. Just leave Qingyi to accompany me."
Hearing this, Qianwu didn't know what to say, so she could only bow to her back. The others followed suit.
Qianwu said, "Then we servants will take our leave."
Within this long, red-walled palace, the ground is covered in white snow.
Li Xingyi walked slowly forward, with Qingyi following beside him.
They walked for an unknown amount of time, Li Xingyi lost in thought, his eyes lowered, revealing a complex expression.
Finally, she spoke, "Qingyi, how many years have you been with me?"
I still don't want to use that form of address when I talk to you.
Qingyi has been with Li Xingyi since childhood, and Li Xingyi also regards Qingyi as a sister. Now that there is no one else around, there is no need to use that title to distance the two of them.
After hearing this, Qingyi probably guessed what was going on, and seeing that the person was referring to herself as "I," she couldn't help but feel moved and reluctant.
After a moment of inner turmoil, she finally said, "I've been with you since I can remember, which is fifteen years if you count. Why are you suddenly asking about this, Your Highness?"
Li Xingyi's eyes revealed complex emotions. She said, "It's been fifteen years. Qingyi, can you tell me if there's anything you've been hiding from me?"
Upon hearing this, Qingyi's hand clenched slightly, and she said, "What are you saying, Your Highness? How could I possibly be hiding anything from you?"
Li Xingyi glanced at her, and seeing Qingyi's expression, she understood. She then asked, "Qingyi, would you betray me?"
Upon hearing this, Qingyi immediately raised three fingers and said earnestly, "This servant swears that I will never betray you in this lifetime."
Li Xingyi said, "Okay, I believe you. I'll wait for the day you tell me why you're keeping it from me."
I also hope you won't miss any messages.
Every piece of information could be useful to Li Xingyi, and details determine success or failure, so they cannot be overlooked.
The matter being kept secret didn't matter to Li Xingyi, as long as it didn't affect him. However, he couldn't help but feel a little curious, though he didn't really care.
Qingyi bowed to her and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. Please believe me that I would never harm you."
"Yes, I believe you won't. Get up," Li Xingyi said softly.
As the two continued forward, they saw a troop of Imperial Guards approaching. Qingyi said, "Your Highness, what a coincidence! Perhaps we'll run into the young master?"
Li Xingyi calmly replied, "Perhaps."
Upon seeing Li Xingyi, the Imperial Guards immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."
After hearing this, Li Xingyi slowly said, "Get up."
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guards stood up and said, "We thank Your Majesty the Empress."
Seeing that everyone had gotten up, Li Xingyi walked past them.
Just then, he met a pair of familiar eyes. The man looked a little stunned. Li Xingyi glanced at him and then left.
Only that person remained standing there, their face still slightly flushed.
After parting ways with the Imperial Guards, Qingyi asked, "Your Highness, is that Young Master Ji?"
Li Xingyi said calmly, "Yes, it's him."
Inside the council hall, upon seeing Qi Dou arrive, everyone knelt and bowed, saying, "This humble general/your subject greets Your Majesty!"
After Qi Dou took his seat, he said, "My dear ministers, please rise and be seated." Upon hearing this, everyone stood up.
Qi Dou said, "I presume that Hongxing has already sent people to inform you on your way here that the secret guards have discovered that Prince Pingshou has taken some action today. I wonder what you all think?"
General Qi Xuangui was the first to stand up and say, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we should immediately investigate the next move of Prince Pingshou and nip it in the bud so that we can catch him off guard and set an example for others."
At this moment, Li Xingyi's father, Li Fengtan, the Minister of Rites, immediately stood up and said, "No, this is undoubtedly stirring up trouble. We should continue to monitor his next move and wait for the mantis to stalk the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."
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