Chapter 145 No Taboos
Knowing that she is still alive, living freely in some corner of the Great Zhou Dynasty, is enough.
"Little Seven," the emperor sighed, stroking his head, "you are all I have left."
The seventh prince comforted him, saying, "There are still many people by Father's side."
There were countless concubines and children.
The emperor looked at him with complicated emotions. Among all his children, Xiao Qi was the best in character and most like himself.
Now that the crown prince has been deposed, of his remaining sons, the one he trusts the most is Xiao Qi.
"She said that if the Fifth Prince comes to ask me in person, I should tell him everything. Go, Little Seven, I'm tired."
The emperor slowly slid down, lay comfortably on his back on the bed, and closed his eyes wearily.
"Father, please rest well. Your son takes his leave."
In the small garden, Xie Mianmian chased after the Fifth Prince for a long time before finally seeing the Seventh Prince come out.
"Seventh Prince, how is Uncle Huang? Did he scold you?"
He looked like he was about to cry, even though he wasn't. Xie Mianmian just sensed it.
"It's alright," the Seventh Prince comforted the child.
Then, he looked up at the Fifth Prince beside him, pursed his lips, and didn't know how to begin.
The fifth prince crouched down, like a small mountain, and pressed down on the two children, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere.
"Are you really my little nephew?"
The seventh prince nodded, and the eight-year-old child, with a tense face, recounted the whole story of what happened back then to the man in a clear and organized manner.
The fifth prince's brows furrowed more and more as he listened, but when he learned that his sister had left the capital safely, his face softened.
The man chuckled, "I knew it. This troublemaker wouldn't die so easily."
He suddenly reached out and kneaded the Seventh Prince's face with his rough hands, as if he were kneading a lump of dough.
"You really are my little nephew, call me uncle and let me hear it."
Seeing the Fifth Prince's delighted expression, and enduring Xie Mianmian's secretly amused gaze, the Seventh Prince called out "Uncle".
That "uncle" was like sweet spring water, nourishing his already wounded heart, and he smiled happily.
A large hand patted the seventh prince's shoulder, "Just for this title of 'uncle,' don't worry, your uncle will definitely help you seize the throne and take back everything that belongs to us... Hmm!"
Before he could finish his lewd words, Xie Mianmian and the Seventh Prince simultaneously covered his mouth with their hands.
The weight of the two children pressed down on the half-squatting man, causing him to lean back slightly, before he firmly held the two little devils down.
What are you doing?
"Uncle, please don't say such things again. I have no such intention."
"You're still young, don't be afraid, your uncle will take care of everything for you."
"There's no need for that..." the Seventh Prince refused.
At this moment, a subordinate rushed over and whispered a few words in the Fifth Prince's ear.
He immediately suppressed his smile, his voice growing heavier with each word. The Western Barbarian Emperor was seriously ill; it seemed his brothers and sisters couldn't contain their excitement after his trip to the Great Zhou.
"Something's happened. I need to rush back to Xiyi tonight."
The fifth prince looked at the child with reluctance. This was his newly recognized nephew, and he hadn't even played with him for a while before he had to leave.
The Seventh Prince wiped his chin, and for some reason, he felt a sense of relief.
"Uncle, be careful on the road."
The fifth prince opened a brocade pouch he always carried with him. Inside was a small silver headband engraved with ancient and mysterious patterns.
He took out the silver headband, his tone full of nostalgia, "In the Western Barbarians, silver can ward off evil spirits, and the headband can lock a person's soul and prevent evil ghosts from disturbing them. This was made for me by my third sister. Now your uncle is giving it to you. Here."
The seventh prince paused for a moment, then stepped forward.
The rough-looking Fifth Prince gently placed the silver headband on the child's brow, and then patted his head, whispering, "May you have peace and good fortune, and be free from all taboos."
The seventh prince lowered his head, tears welling in his eyes, but he suppressed his overwhelming emotions and said, "Thank you, Uncle."
The fifth prince gave him a deep look, then left without looking back.
Xie Mianmian curiously leaned her head close to the Seventh Prince's lowered face, "You cried?"
"No." He held back his tears.
Xie Mianmian looked at his face and exclaimed, "Seventh Prince, you look so handsome!"
The seventh prince turned his head, but the child insisted on following him to look at him, saying repeatedly that he was handsome and that she liked him very much.
"You must wear the silver headband to school tomorrow, Mianmian wants to see it again," she said.
The next day, however, the seat reserved for the Seventh Prince was empty. For the first time ever, he, who was always diligent and eager to learn, did not come to school.
During class, Xie Mianmian couldn't help but interrupt the Grand Tutor's lecture. She pointed to the empty seat and asked, "Grand Tutor, why didn't the Seventh Prince come to school today?"
The Grand Tutor said, "His Majesty invited Master Tang to come out of seclusion overnight. He is a renowned scholar from the previous dynasty. From now on, the Seventh Prince will be taught by Master Tang and will no longer come to the Wenhua Hall. Alright, are there any doubts now? Everyone, listen carefully, what follows is very important, it will be on the quiz..."
Xie Mianmian let the Grand Tutor's words flow into her left ear and out her right, her heart filled with unease, knowing that she would never see the Seventh Prince again.
No, no, it's just that we don't go to school together anymore. I can still go visit him.
However, Xie Mianmian did not encounter the Seventh Prince again in the days that followed. She used to think that the palace was not big, because no matter what, they would always meet.
Now she finds the palace terrifyingly large, so large that she might accidentally brush past the Seventh Prince at the archery range, in Aunt Lan's courtyard, or in secret places.
We've been to just a few places, yet we've never met again.
Xie Mianmian would sit obediently in the Wenhua Hall every day, listening attentively to the Grand Tutor's lessons.
Through the large window next to the child, one can see time passing little by little, and the lush greenery outside the window gradually turns yellow, becoming the color of autumn.
During this period, Xie Mianmian met He Chuan once. He shyly told Xie Mingyi that he had passed the provincial examination and would participate in the metropolitan examination next year.
Xie Mingyi smiled and congratulated him. He Chuan looked at her firmly, engraving her name in his mind, and then took his leave, saying he had to go back to study.
That day, Xie Mianmian braved the bleak autumn wind and was the first to arrive at Wenhua Hall. She found a stack of books on her desk.
She scratched her head and looked around, but didn't see anyone. There was nothing on her desk when she left yesterday.
Filled with doubt, Xie Mianmian walked to the desk and curiously flipped through the stack of books.
There are calligraphy copybooks by famous calligraphers, dull primers, and more...
Xie Mianmian picked up a book, and as soon as she opened the first page, she was captivated by its contents.
This is a book that tells children about the wonders of mountains and seas, and it also has vivid illustrations. Xie Mianmian sat in the chair and read it with great interest.
As I turned the pages, something suddenly fell out and landed on the table.
It is a golden ginkgo leaf.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
