Chapter 531 Attending the Banquet
An Dehai saw Xuan Ting approaching from afar and hurried forward, saying, "Your Highness..."
But before he could finish speaking, he met Xuan Ting's gaze.
He glanced around and immediately shut his mouth.
Xuan Ting led An Dehai to a row of medicine pots being used for brewing medicine.
Seeing Xuan Ting's expression, Eunuch Liu subtly moved aside the bystanders and let Xuan Ting sit down at the very edge.
The surroundings quieted down. Xuan Ting sat on the small stool, staring intently at the flame licking at the earthenware pot. After a long while, he asked, "An Dehai, why do you think this is?"
The firelight illuminated Xuan Ting's youthful face, making his features seem somewhat hazy. In a fleeting moment, he appeared to possess a maturity beyond his years.
Looking at him with a worried expression, An Dehai couldn't help but ask softly, "Your Highness, what are you asking?"
Xuan Ting pursed his lips: "Mother, Little Sister, Ancestor, have all changed?"
Now, even my father looks completely different to me.
Upon hearing this, An Dehai turned deathly pale. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then let out a sigh of relief and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, you mustn't say such things. If you're uncomfortable, you can do whatever you want when we return to the palace later."
Xuan Ting pursed his lips and remained silent.
He subconsciously looked up at the sky.
As dusk settled, the still-unmelted snow took on an inky hue, obscuring the green tiles and red walls, with the square sky above. The pitch-black, misty atmosphere pressed down, making it hard to breathe.
Xuan Ting lowered his eyes: "This place is really annoying."
"Your Highness." An Dehai was taken aback.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu, who was standing nearby, immediately became even more vigilant, watching his surroundings closely.
Xuan Ting glanced at his father's bedchamber from afar and asked, "Do you think I can still return to the Great Wilderness?"
An Dehai's lips moved several times, but in the end, he didn't say a word. He only looked at Xuan Ting with a hint of pity in his eyes. In the end, it turned into a long sigh.
Clearly, Xuan Ting wasn't actually waiting for An Dehai's answer. He simply looked at the misty sky and murmured softly, "Will I end up like that one day?"
After a long pause, An Dehai sighed again and lowered his voice, "Your Highness, the Emperor still cherishes you after all."
Xuan Ting gave a noncommittal twitch of his lips, then added a piece of firewood to the fire in front of him, lowered his eyes, and waved to Eunuch Liu from afar.
Eunuch Liu immediately trotted forward: "Your Highness."
Xuan Ting nodded: "Liu Wang, go to the Imperial Kitchen and bring some exquisite food. Just say that it's for Aunt Nuan."
He lowered his voice and said, "Send two more teams to Aunt Nuan's residence to protect Master and the others."
An Dehai looked over, somewhat puzzled, and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, isn't it most dangerous that Physician Jiang is going to the Regent's Palace? Shouldn't we send someone to check on him?"
Xuan Ting pursed his lips, his dark eyes flashing: "With Father Emperor protecting her, Aunt Nuan will not be in any danger for the time being. But at home, there are few people now, I'm afraid this is some kind of diversionary tactic."
As he said this, he looked up at the sky, his still somewhat immature face showing a hint of bewilderment.
"Aunt Nuan, have you arrived at the Regent's Palace yet? Have you been harassed by Xiao Yuanshan?"
The Regent's Palace.
Under the cover of night, the main hall of the Prince's Palace was illuminated by candlelight.
Xiao Yuanshan leaned against the carved rosewood seat, his long, dark sleeves flowing like clouds, a white jade folding fan lightly tapping his knee. His eyes turned toward the servant who had run in.
"Your Highness, they're here, they're here."
The servant boy rushed into the main hall, breaking the silence. He knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness, a group of people have arrived outside. They say they are from the Li family."
Upon hearing the sound, Lord Xie, sitting to the left, immediately stood up. The sword at his waist struck the jade brick with a clang.
He took two steps forward, looked at Qin Lin in front of him, and a cruel smile appeared on his lips: "I can't wait to see Li Rong's expression."
Gasps rose and fell in the hall at Lord Xie's words.
After all, the name Li Rong has been forgotten in Kyoto for many years, but it is still a nightmare for many people.
Lord Zhang's expression also turned somewhat solemn as he frowned and stared at the doorway: "Your Highness, shall we have the Ghost Feather Guards prepare? We must not let our guard down against Li Rong until the very end."
Xiao Yuanshan paused for a moment while playing with his fan, then nodded and looked outside with slightly narrowed eyes.
Inside the hall, everyone was fully prepared and ready to go.
In the courtyard, the Ghost Feather Guards were already in ambush, bows drawn and ready for battle.
The atmosphere was almost frozen in place.
Lord Xie even ordered someone to bring him the spear he had used in battle, and then, while weighing the spear in his hand, he asked, "How many men did Li Rong bring? What kind of weapons did he bring?"
The young servant was taken aback: "Reporting to the Marquis, only three people came. They didn't bring any weapons."
There was a moment of silence after he said that.
Xiao Yuanshan above also frowned and looked over.
"What did you say?" Lord Xie grabbed the servant by the collar, squinting his eyes as he said, "You said he only brought two guards?"
Then, seemingly incredulous, he exclaimed, "Absurd! In his current state, he's still so arrogant? Does he not take us seriously at all? Li Rong! He really hasn't changed a bit!"
"My lord, this...this..." The servant was also bewildered: "There's a man and two women outside."
Upon hearing this, Lord Xie abruptly released the servant, his brows furrowing deeply: "He brought two women with him?"
Then, looking up at Xiao Yuanshan, he said, "Your Highness, could it be that he's been beaten into submission and is now here to beg for peace?"
Xiao Yuanshan glanced at him: "Do you think Li Rong is that kind of person?"
“No,” said Lord Xie, then narrowed his eyes slightly. “It must still be his trick! He’s always been good at these things!”
"Let me have a go at him!"
As he spoke, he picked up his spear and stood in the middle of the gate. With a clang, the spear struck the ground. He stood like a gatekeeper, his imposing presence so intimidating that the servants beside him dared not even raise their heads.
In a daze, he saw three figures approaching. Lord Xie squinted at them, but as he looked, his face stiffened.
His eyes widened and his voice changed: "No, who is this?"
"This humble official greets Lord Xie."
The woman's clear and melodious voice rang in their ears, and everyone was stunned for a moment.
The Black Feather Guards lying in ambush looked at each other, unsure whether they should continue to keep the bows on hand.
Even Lord Xie was somewhat bewildered at this moment. Regaining his senses, he said unhappily, "Where did this little wench come from? Get out of here!"
"You may not recognize me, so let me introduce myself." Jiang Nuanzhi stepped forward, bypassing the stunned Lord Xie, and said with a faint smile, "I am the newly appointed imperial physician Jiang Nuanzhi, and also Li Rong's wife."
(End of this chapter)
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