When Xiao Nanhui came out of the palace, the carriage that had brought her was not waiting for her, so she walked heavily on the street.
Sure enough, the old emperor had no intention of promoting her. It turned out that he had planned this in advance.
The emperor's words were still echoing in my ears, and my heart sank a little more with every thought.
"I have resolved to attack Bijiang, but the Bai clan is cunning. If I fail to strike them, I'm afraid it will drag on for years. I'd like to assign you as a vanguard, to survey the enemy's situation west of the Ling Mountains. What do you think?"
"The responsibility of being an outpost is very heavy, and I am afraid I am not up to the task."
"My dear, do you understand that this entrustment of mine is a rare opportunity for you?"
It's said that those in power are extremely perceptive and adept at attacking people's hearts. Xiao Nanhui had heard this before, but never paid much attention. Now, at this moment, he witnessed its power.
Every word the emperor said fell into her heart.
Although she lived in the Marquis's Mansion, she was not born there. In the final analysis, she was always an outsider.
Xiao Zhun has an open-minded personality and the Xiao family's situation is extremely special, so she has never been criticized or questioned, nor has she thought too much about the subtle relationship.
Although Xiao Zhun was no longer a high-ranking official, he often benefited her. Previously, she was just a small captain, and although she had made a few military achievements, they were like a stream flowing into the sea compared to Xiao Zhun's achievements, and could not really cause much trouble. As time went by, although others had not expressed anything openly, there were still some people who felt dissatisfied.
To put it simply: she doesn't deserve to stand next to Xiao Jun.
Whether in terms of background or ability to achieve success, she and Xiao Zhun are still from two different worlds.
Her background was a fact she couldn't change no matter what. Although the latter was more difficult for a woman, she still had a chance to try. Furthermore, the Qinghuai Marquisate was now supported only by Xiao Zhun. If she could succeed, it would be a good thing for both the Marquisate and herself.
Of course, the prerequisite is that she does the job well and comes back alive.
The emperor wanted her to risk her life to serve him, and in the end she should be grateful for giving her the opportunity to achieve success.
It’s so heartless, really so heartless.
Xiao Nanhui stopped and suddenly felt a little regretful for agreeing to the emperor.
What was an outpost? To put it nicely, it was an advance troop, but to put it bluntly, wasn't it a spy? She hated spies, and she couldn't pull off such deceptive acts. Did the emperor have no one around him? He actually sent her on this mission.
Xiao Nanhui was deeply troubled and decided to find someone wise to discuss this matter. However, when she went to Yanfu Street, she found no one. The waiter at Wangchenlou told her that Manager Yao had left the city early that morning.
Leaving the city? Yao Yi, a thousand-year-old tortoise who is too lazy to move, would actually leave the city?
When Xiao Nanhui found the earthen slope ten miles outside the city, Yao Yi was sitting on a rock holding a small heater.
He was wearing a gaudy royal blue double-breasted jacket with bat patterns, and was guarding a fire where rabbit and sweet potatoes were roasting. Beside him was a porcelain jar filled with silver, and he was eating melon seeds, looking like a local rich man.
"What's wrong with you? You don't want to stay in the building, but have to run up the mountain."
Yao Yi moved the jar aside and reluctantly made room for her: "Come if you want, don't disturb my business."
Xiao Nanhui looked around curiously and saw a lot of cushions on the ground. The ones in the front were more exquisite. Each cushion was also accompanied by a small table with tea and snacks on it. It looked very elegant.
But what business is there on this overgrown hillside? Is it just to enjoy the scenery?
Dozens of mats were now filled with people, all looking towards the south. Xiao Nanhui glanced back and found that from here he could just see Yueqi Lake inside the wall of Tiancheng Palace.
Yueqi Lake, located between the second and third palace walls, was originally a vast lotus pond, dating back to the previous dynasty. However, after the Su family took over, they discovered that the water had inexplicably dried up. They initially planned to level it and create a garden or something, but they couldn't fill the massive hole. It's said that the silt at the bottom of the pond was so thick that digging would never reach its limit, and filling it with soil would cause it to sink. Ultimately, they had to fill it with water, creating a small viewing lake. The water is incredibly calm, and at night, the moonlight is reflected in it, making it seem as if the moon itself resides within. Hence the name "Yueqi."
Now there are some people gathered by the lake, and it seems that something is going on.
"What's so exciting over there? Everyone's necks are stretched out like chickens."
Yao Yi spat out the melon seed shells: "Don't you know? The emperor is choosing a wife."
Choosing a wife? The emperor choosing a wife?
Xiao Nanhui looked incredulous. He peeled the freshly baked sweet potato and slowly put it into his mouth: "How can he choose a wife for others to watch? Who is he trying to fool?"
Yao Yi glanced at the sweet potato in Xiao Nanhui's hand with disdain. "Look at you, you've never seen the world. The emperor is selecting beautiful women, so of course you can't watch the selection process. But after the selection is complete, if you bring her into the palace, won't you have the chance to watch?"
Xiao Nanhui suddenly remembered that when he met the emperor just now, he seemed to have just finished taking a bath. So he went to see these beauties?
She stuffed her mouth with sweet potatoes and raised her eyebrows in confusion: "You mean, after they entered the palace, the saint was here by Yueqi Lake?"
Yao Yi nodded mysteriously. At this time, another man came hurriedly. It was obvious that this was not the first time for him to come here to "view the scenery". He skillfully took out the silver and put it in the porcelain jar in front of Yao Yi, and was about to walk in.
Yao the Conspirator smiled politely, "Isn't this Mr. Huang? The timing is perfect, and I've reserved a spot for you. However, the guards at the Guangyao Camp in the capital area have been replaced this year, and the inspections are stricter. I'm afraid the viewing fee..."
Young Master Huang blew his beard and glared, "Are you going to raise the silver again? Didn't it just double last year?"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
