Chapter 088 Chapter 88
"What did you say!"
In Shoukang Palace, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu had already learned the news from Yutian.
After hearing this from Yingxue, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu, who had stood up suddenly earlier, couldn't hold back, swayed twice and fell back down.
Aunt Dan Feng, who had been stunned by the news, turned around to look after hearing this.
"Empress Dowager, are you okay?" This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. Seeing Empress Dowager Zhaoyu sitting down, Aunt Danfeng's face changed immediately and she came over to ask.
Yingxue, who had answered earlier, also looked worried and asked a question.
But how could Empress Dowager Zhaoyu care about such a small matter? She quickly brushed Danfeng's arm away and calmly told Yingxue: "Go to the Imperial Hospital right now and ask them to send someone to Yutian. No matter what kind of medicinal herbs are not available in the palace, I will collect them from the public!" This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. "Whoever dares not give them, I will put them in jail!"
If it was just an epidemic, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu wouldn't be so anxious.
But thinking that Zhao Zhao was there right now, and it was very likely that something might happen to her, how could Empress Dowager Zhaoyu not be anxious? Seeing that Yingxue had already taken the order and ran out, she was still worried. After getting up and pacing for a while, she finally made up her mind, took Dan Feng's hand, and said to her: "No, Zhao Zhao can't stay there, you can send someone to Yutian secretly, and make sure to bring Zhao Zhao back to me!"
"But Queen Mother..."
Dan Feng looked embarrassed: "If His Highness is really infected with the plague..."
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu glared and scolded, "I don't care if she is infected or not, she can't stay in that damn place! If something happens to her, how can I explain it to A-Yuan in the future?"
"I said I shouldn't let her go. Now it's over! If I had known this would happen, I should have asked Yuan Xing to bring her back today."
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu regretted not falling.
If Yuan Xing had been sent there earlier, perhaps Zhao Zhao would have returned by now.
Why stay in that damn place?
Fortunately, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu did not really lose her mind.
She also knew the severity of the epidemic and did not dare to bring Zhao Zhao back to the capital: "Have someone take Zhao Zhao back to the hot spring villa in the suburbs of Beijing and let her recuperate there. Then call Sun Chengqi over to me. I remember that he has been studying this thing for many years. If Zhao Zhao gets into trouble, he will not be able to survive!"
Dan Feng knew that she had made up her mind and did not dare to say anything more.
She was also worried about the eldest princess's situation, afraid that something might happen to her there. It would be better to bring her back to take care of her.
I didn't dare to delay any longer.
"I will go and give the order right away." Dan Feng said and went out first.
Just as she went out, she ran into a palace maid who came in to answer a question. After asking who it was, Dan Feng looked outside in surprise.
"I'll go talk to the Queen Mother." Dan Feng said, and then went back.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was originally leaning on the throne, with her fingertips lowered between her brows, trying to calm the anxiety in her heart.
Hearing footsteps outside, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu opened her eyes and looked over. When she saw Dan Feng coming back, she frowned and asked, "Why didn't you go?"
"Queen Mother, the prince is here." Dan Feng said.
"Yuanxing?"
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was surprised.
Guessing that he came so late probably because of Zhao Zhao's matter, she sat up and said to the others, "Let him in."
Dan Feng responded and gave the order.
Not long after, Xiao Yuanxing came over in casual clothes.
"aunt."
As soon as Xiao Yuanxing came in, he bowed to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu asked people to stand up.
Seeing his outfit, she asked directly, "Do you already know?"
Xiao Yuanxing nodded.
He did not hide anything and told the truth: "Today I told the people at Tzu Chi Hall to come home and report immediately when they get the news that Zhao Zhao has returned."
But he and Tang'er were at home today and had not received any news from the Tzu Chi Hall.
It was getting darker.
He was really worried, so he planned to go to Nan'an Palace in person to take a look.
Unexpectedly, I ran into Bi Xi who was going out.
From her, Xiao Yuanxing learned about what happened in Yutian. Knowing that his aunt also knew about it, he went to the palace overnight to see what his aunt was planning.
"We don't know what Yutian's current situation is. What does my aunt think?" Xiao Yuanxing was already very mature when he was young, not to mention that he is now a father.
He shoulders the honor and disgrace of the Xiao family, so it is impossible for him to be unstable.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu did not hide the fact about her nephew.
She has few family ties.
Not to mention her brother, even her own mother, the old ancestor of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion, she doesn't have much affection for her.
She and her sister were both born in the exile area.
She had been accustomed to seeing her parents quarreling and reminiscing about the prosperous days in the past. They flattered outsiders but vented their anger by beating and scolding them.
And her brother is extremely lazy and gluttonous.
But their mother doted on her only son very much. She gave all the work to her and Ayuan, and never showed any sympathy for the fact that they were girls.
Although Ayuan is younger than her, she is very well-behaved.
In their family, the only ones who truly depended on each other were actually her and Ayuan.
Even when she was nearly raped that year, it was A-Yuan who blocked the attack for her.
And what about her parents and brother?
Her father is a coward.
Perhaps he was frightened by the beatings by the yamen runners, so not only did he not want to report to the authorities, he also did not want her to go, for fear of causing trouble and offending others.
Her mother even wanted to take the opportunity to sell Ayuan to that family as a concubine.
As for her brother, there is even less to say.
Not only was he nowhere to be found all day long, but he also allowed his wife to clamor for Ah Yuan to wipe it clean with a rope so as not to bring shame upon herself.
If Emperor Ming had not later ordered them to be recalled to the capital, she would have already decided to run away with Ayuan.
Therefore, there has always been a clear idea in the heart of Empress Dowager Zhaoyu.
Which is more important?
She knew the difference very well.
The most important things to her are, of course, A-Yuan and her Qi'er.
This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team. But Ayuan and Qier are already dead, so the only important ones left are Zhaozhao and Yuanxing.
"I plan to send someone to secretly bring Zhao Zhao out and send her to live in a hot spring villa outside Beijing, and then send Sun Chengqi over to take care of her." She said to Xiao Yuanxing.
Xiao Yuanxing had already guessed it when he came.
He looked at Empress Dowager Zhaoyu and said, "Aunt, I'll do it."
When Empress Dowager Zhaoyu heard this, she couldn't help but frown.
Zhao Zhao is important to her, but Yuan Xing is also her beloved child who grew up, and is the next head of the Xiao family.
At first, fearing that her brother and sister-in-law would not be able to teach him, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu specially brought him into the palace, let him live with her own son Qi'er, and let them study together as cousins.
The palms and backs of your hands are all made of flesh.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was naturally worried about letting people go to Yutian.
"What are you going to do in Yutian's current environment? If something really happens, I will still have to worry about you." Empress Dowager Zhaoyu did not agree. She looked at Xiao Yuanxing's eyes, which were a little softer than before. "Yuanxing, you have good intentions, but Zhaozhao is already like this. How can I let you get into trouble?"
"Don't worry about it. I will send someone reliable."
"Of course I believe in aunt's ability, but Zhao Zhao is like my own sister to me. I don't know how she is doing in Yutian now. How can I sit in the capital with peace of mind?" Before Empress Dowager Zhaoyu could say anything else, Xiao Yuanxing bowed to the others and then continued, "I will act carefully and not let anything happen to me. After sending Zhao Zhao to the manor, I will immediately return to the capital to take care of myself. After the matter is over, I will come to pay my respects to my aunt."
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu looked troubled and clearly still hesitant.
"Ming, do you agree?"
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu simply moved out of Mingtang.
Xiao Yuanxing said: "I went there with Atang before."
"Atang already knows about Yutian's matter. Auntie knows it. She and Zhaozhao are more than just aunt and sister-in-law. They are like sisters. If something happens to Zhaozhao, she will be more worried than I am."
"She regretted not being able to stop Zhao Zhao from going to Yutian in time this time."
"My husband and I must go there in person to see Zhao Zhao is fine. Only then can we feel at ease. Atang has children to take care of, so he can't go with me, but he feels the same way as I do."
"Don't worry, Auntie. Atang will be uncomfortable because of this. There are many dangerous things in this world, but we all have a sense of what is important and what is not."
"The most important thing now is to bring Zhao Zhao back safely."
When Empress Dowager Zhaoyu heard him say this, she was speechless for a moment.
She had indeed blamed Ming before, thinking that she had failed to stop Zhaozhao.
If something really happened to Zhao Zhao, she couldn't treat Ming Shi the same way she treated others, but she would never treat others the same way in the future.
But now I hear Yuan Xing say this.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu looked at the man in silence for a moment, and finally gave up.
"Go early and come back early, and come back safely." She looked at Xiao Yuanxing and reminded him in a deep voice.
Xiao Yuanxing naturally bowed and agreed.
He did not choose to go with Bi Xi and the others tomorrow, but planned to go to Yutian tonight while no one would notice him.
Therefore, after talking to Empress Dowager Zhaoyu, he did not delay here any longer.
I planned to go home, say hello to Atang and leave.
…
This night.
It is destined to be a sleepless night for many people.
＊
The next morning.
Xu Duanyi hadn't woken up yet, but Xie Qingya woke up first.
He woke up at the same time as usual, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he felt the heat beside him.
When Xie Qingya first saw Xu Duanyi lying in his arms, he thought he was dreaming. But when he was stunned, he remembered what happened yesterday.
Recalling what happened yesterday, Xie Qingya unconsciously raised the corners of his lips.
He habitually buried his face in the person's neck.
Since yesterday, he has fallen in love with this action. No matter what, he likes to bury his head like this.
很舒服。
但也不敢太大動作，生怕把人給折騰醒來。
就這麽輕輕埋着，感受着徐端宜身上的溫度和香味。
埋着埋着。
謝清崖便又開始有些心猿意馬起來。
原本早上便有些不受控，平時只是聞着她身上的香味，他都會忍不住起反應，更不用說像現在這樣，溫香軟玉在懷了。
掙紮半晌。
在繼續這麽硬扛着抱着人受罪，和先行離開，猶豫掙紮。
最後還是咬牙先把人給松開了。
做粥麻煩，還得燒火，得花不少時間。
他想着等徐端宜起來就能吃，便打算還是先起床去廚房那邊忙活。
不過起來之前，謝清崖還是先往人臉上偷了個香，這才肯心滿意足起床。
雖然該死的反應還在，但他此時心情顯然很好。
難得一場好眠。
雖然昨天半夢半醒間，某人又開始故态萌生，又覺得熱，想跑了。但最後被他死死撈在懷裏，拍着背一哄，也就老實地沒再跑了。
可見也不是沒有法子。
謝清崖內心很自得，覺得自己果然很有法子。
這會天色還很早，天也才亮了一丁點。
生怕把人吵醒，回頭惹得人睡不着，謝清崖小心翼翼先下了床，又拿過衣服穿好。
眼睛卻始終看着床上的徐端宜，舍不得移開。
就跟沒看過似的。
在此期間，徐端宜一直都沒醒來的跡象，她枕在謝清崖的枕頭上，睡得很香。
謝清崖簡直越看越歡喜，忍不住又湊過去，愛不釋手地往人臉上又親了一口。
但這次招得徐端宜有些煩了。
大約是謝清崖垂落的發絲，正好落到了她的脖子那邊，弄得她有些癢癢的不舒服。
她哼唧了兩聲。
謝清崖立刻做賊心虛一般，往人那邊先看了一眼。
見她雖然蹙着眉，卻沒有醒來的跡象，只是躲着他的頭發，往旁邊靠了點過去。
謝清崖一邊悄悄松了口氣，一邊又有些不滿地輕輕戳了下她的臉頰，小聲咕哝：“嬌氣。”
聲音輕得，跟蚊蠅一般。
別說徐端宜這會還睡着，只怕就是醒着，她也是聽不清的。
謝清崖總算肯走了，他心情很好的往廚房走去。
廚藝是從前練會的。
他家沒有君子遠庖廚的說法。
他爹、他兄長都會，謝清崖有樣學樣的，自然也會。
本來是他嘴挑。
行軍生活不易，他是自小養尊處優慣了。
身體上的累，倒是從來就沒怕過，但一口吃的，卻實在挑剔得很。
于是閑來無事的時候，他就愛跟着軍營的廚子學做吃的，本是想着之後回去，做給他娘他們吃，也省得他娘總說他四肢發達、五谷不勤。
只可惜那些年，他們都沒這個心情。
後來……
後來就沒了機會。
但給徐端宜做菜的想法，如今倒是真的實現了。
倒也不算完全辜負。
廚房那邊，昨日他們就大體清掃收拾過了一遍，可以用的調料也都已經放好了，謝清崖先燒了一鍋熱水，順道清洗了下鍋。
之後便放了一把淘洗幹淨的米進去。
一應蔬菜之類，令吉今日還未拿來，如今能用的，也就只有這戶人家從前留下來的那些臘肉。
謝清崖特地切了十來片，先放到一邊，想着等粥快好的時候，再放進去。
這期間。
謝清崖又去外面把雜草，先收拾了一下。
外頭的雜草實在太茂盛了。
不僅看着難受，走起路來也委實不太方便，徐端宜那一身細皮嫩肉，回頭別把她給劃傷了。
割草的工具，就是他的那把佩劍。
這把佩劍，是他十二歲那年，他爹送給他的生辰禮物。
見證過他的少年時期，也跟着他上過戰場。
這些年，他雖然幾乎沒什麽機會，能用上他，但平時走到哪，他都會随身把它攜帶着。
沒想到如今這把寶劍，倒是被他用來割雜草了。
但謝清崖割得無怨無悔，十分怡然。
金光徹底鋪滿大地的時候，這一大片雜草也被他收拾得差不多了，只有靠近主卧方向的那一片，他還沒來得及收拾。
怕自己的動靜太大，回頭吵到徐端宜睡覺。
謝清崖想着回頭還是等人醒來之後，他再去收拾好了。
忙活一早上。
謝清崖也不覺得累。
他抹了把額頭上的汗，看廚房炊煙袅袅，想着時間差不多了，便先回了廚房。
打開鍋蓋，粥已經煮好了，這會還在“咕隆咕隆”冒着沸騰後的泡泡，謝清崖把先前切好的臘肉放進去，又用鍋鏟把粥攪開。
臘肉原本的顏色，讓白粥變得沒有那麽白淨。
但它本身自帶的香味，也很快在溫度的上升之下，鋪散開來了，聞着就讓人十分有胃口。
臘肉本身就有鹹味。
謝清崖并未放多餘的調料在其中，只拿鍋蓋又讓它焖煮了一會，便尋了個幹淨的專門用來盛粥、盛湯的大湯碗，把煮好的粥都盛放了進去。
之後他也沒耽擱。
拿着粥碗，又尋了兩個幹淨的湯碗和勺子，便放在托盤上，然後一道端着朝主卧走去。
靠近主卧。
謝清崖先豎起耳朵聽了一下裏面。
未聽到主卧裏面有什麽動靜傳出來，謝清崖便估摸着徐端宜應該還沒醒來。
他放輕動作推門進去。
先往裏頭望了一眼，果然，某人還在那睡着。
看樣子就知道她睡得很香。
謝清崖看着這一幕，情不自禁地揚起唇角，眼裏也是一片柔軟的笑意。
他把身後的門先小心合上。
也沒驚擾人。
先把托盤放到了桌上。
身上一身汗，衣服也髒了。
謝清崖沒打算這會就去看徐端宜，想着先去換一身衣裳，洗漱一番之後，再去找徐端宜。
但等他洗漱完，外頭還是沒有什麽動靜。
謝清崖拿着帕子擦着被潤濕的頭發出去，果然瞧見徐端宜還好好躺在床上，連躺着的姿勢都沒變過。
屋內沒有計時的東西，也算不出這會是什麽時辰了，但見外頭金光滿地，謝清崖猜想這會應該已經到辰時了。
他并沒有打算把人吵醒吃飯。
就擦着頭發坐到了床邊，然後低眉看着依舊還睡着的徐端宜。
他本想着就讓人這樣睡着。
左右粥還熱着，真冷了，回頭再去熱下，也不是什麽大不了的事。
但這還是他第一次，如此悠然地看人睡覺。
不用擔心她醒來會如何，便是被她發現也沒事。
越看。
謝清崖的心就越軟。
看着看着，謝清崖便又有些手欠了，想摸摸她的頭發，再碰碰她的臉頰，就跟閑不住似的。
雖然他已經弄得夠小心了。
但徐端宜還是有了醒來的跡象。
這會也的确到她該醒的時間了。
她平時也差不多時間起，今日還算是起晚了。
原本見她眼皮微動，似有醒來的跡象時，謝清崖還有些緊張地收回手，想着要不要先遠離這邊，免得被人抓包。
又得丢人。
但最後，謝清崖還是沒走。
他也想讓徐端宜睜開眼，就能看到他。
于是等徐端宜睜開眼，第一眼看到的就是謝清崖的臉。
陡然看見。
就跟謝清崖剛醒來時一樣，徐端宜也有些愣神。
但很快，她就回過神來了，神智還未徹底恢複清楚，她卻先下意識地朝人揚起一個笑，嗓音也是才醒來後特有的綿軟：“你什麽時候醒的？”
謝清崖聽着她這個聲音，心裏就軟乎得厲害。
這一幕，他不知道曾經幻想過多少回，沒想到如今竟然真的實現了。
“沒醒多久。”
他嗓音也很柔和，是他自己都沒發覺到的溫柔。
謝清崖沒說太多，仍舊柔聲問她：“還困嗎？困得話就繼續睡，反正也沒什麽事。”
徐端宜搖了搖頭：“已經睡飽了。”
她昨夜睡得很好，大抵是心裏積壓的那些事，終于可以散發出來了。
她這一覺自是睡得酣暢淋漓，一整夜都沒做過一個夢。
“還要去煮粥呢。”
她以為謝清崖也才起來不久，便想着先起來去煮粥。
昨兒夜裏他們沒怎麽吃，紅薯都還留着。
她平時吃得少，倒是沒什麽感覺，只擔心謝清崖這會餓了。
未想謝清崖卻回她：“已經煮好了。”
“嗯？”
才坐起來的徐端宜再次愣住了。
她還在捋着自己睡亂後的頭發，怔愕的視線，卻落在了謝清崖的臉上，後知後覺的，她倒是的确聞到一股子臘肉的香味。
徐端宜有些無奈地問他：“怎麽不喊醒我？”
“又不是什麽大事。”謝清崖一臉沒事人的樣子，把床邊放着的衣裳遞給她，然後起身與人說道：“你先起來洗漱，我去盛粥。”
徐端宜看着他說好。
等謝清崖去盛粥的時候，徐端宜便先起身穿衣，兩人各自忙着自己的事，誰也沒有打擾誰。
倒是外頭，這會竟然傳來一陣輕微的聲響。
這點聲響，徐端宜自是聽不到，但謝清崖從小習武，耳力要比常人好上許多。
他原本在盛粥。
心裏還在想着，今日要跟徐端宜做些什麽？
When Xie Qingya heard this sound, he stopped what he was doing and the cheerful smile on his face gradually turned serious.
"Xie Qingya."
Xu Duanyi called him from inside.
She was thinking that the weather was good today and she could go back and help Xie Qingya clean up the weeds outside.
After all, I don’t know how long I will stay here.
She hoped that no matter whether they had a future or not, they could live the present life well.
But after shouting, there was no sound from Xie Qingya.
I don’t know what happened.
Xu Duanyi walked out from inside.
Just when I was about to speak, I saw him looking outside with a serious expression.
I don't know what happened.
But seeing Xie Qingya's solemn expression, Xu Duanyi's heart also tensed up.
The handkerchief was tightly clenched in his hand.
Xu Duanyi held his breath and said nothing, just walked towards the person with light steps.
Xie Qingya also turned around at this time.
Seeing Xu Duanyi coming over, he didn't say anything, but just held her hand to comfort her.
Then he put down the spoon in his hand.
He let go of Xu Duanyi's hand, picked up the sword beside him, walked towards the door with light steps.
This moment——
Many thoughts flashed through his mind.
Lingji had his orders and it was impossible for him to just climb over the wall and come in.
Cao Da had already called away Chai Shou and others, so it was naturally impossible for him to send someone specifically to assassinate him.
Could it be some big-name thief who came here to steal?
This notorious bandit is so bold that he dares to come here in Yutian, despite the current environment.
Xie Qingya was thinking as he approached the door. Just as he was about to open it and take a look outside, he heard a familiar, low male voice from outside: "Zhao Zhao, are you in there?"
This sound——
Both Xie Qingya and Xu Duanyi are very familiar with each other.
The two looked at each other, and they could clearly see the surprise in each other's eyes.
But compared to Xu Duanyi's surprise.
When Xie Qingya heard Xiao Yuanxing's voice, he was only briefly startled but not too surprised.
He had expected this.
Whether they are Marquis Wu'an's people or Empress Dowager Xiao's people.
They couldn't possibly let Xu Duanyi stay here in Yutian under the current situation.
They would definitely take her away.
But Xie Qingya didn't expect that the person who came would be Xiao Yuanxing.
He was speechless for a moment.
He could only remain speechless at this moment.
Xie Qingya silently put away the sword in his hand and stopped standing at the door, but he did not dare to look in Xu Duanyi's direction.
He didn't know what she would choose.
Even though she had rejected his proposal last night, the person who came now was her most respected cousin.
Will she really stay?
Xie Qingya didn't know.
He just got startled suddenly.
He didn't expect that he would feel hesitant when thinking about these things.
Shouldn't he agree with both hands that they should take Xu Duanyi away? Didn't he always hope that she could leave here?
Why did he hesitate?
How could he hesitate?
When Xie Qingya thought of the hesitation and reluctance in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a deep disgust towards himself.
He felt deeply disgusted with his selfishness.
Xu Duanyi didn't know what he was thinking.
Xie Qingya lowered his head. She couldn't see the expression on his face at the moment, and naturally she didn't know what he was thinking at the moment.
Besides, she was indeed surprised that her cousin would come.
At this moment, her thoughts were all focused on this matter.
After reacting, Xu Duanyi immediately walked towards the door and wanted to open it, but then he thought about the current situation and could only ask through the door: "Cousin? Why are you here?"
Before Xiao Yuanxing could say anything, Xu Duanyi frowned again and said to others, "Yutian is in danger now, you should go back quickly."
"I came to take you away because I knew Yutian was in danger." Xiao Yuanxing's voice came from outside the door.
Before Xu Duanyi could say anything, he continued, "I have already prepared your clothes. The carriage is waiting outside the city. Don't worry, my aunt and I have already made up our minds. We will send you to the hot spring villa outside Beijing. Even if something really happens, we will definitely not let anything happen to you."
Xiao Yuanxing never thought that she would refuse.
So after he finished speaking, he immediately urged others: "Zhao Zhao, time is urgent, we have to leave here immediately."
If other people find out, it will inevitably be inappropriate.
Not only would it affect Zhao Zhao's reputation, it would also cause others to talk about my aunt and the Xiao family.
He had already inquired about it when he came.
Now only a few officials know about this, and the rest of the people in Yutian don't know about it yet.
Now is the best time to take Zhao Zhao away from here.
If it is delayed for a while, when more people know about it, it will be inconvenient.
"cousin--"
Xu Duanyi was about to refuse.
At this moment, there was another noise outside. It was the ringgit that had arrived.
He shouted in a loud voice outside the gate: "Prince, Princess, I'm here to bring you something!"
There was silence for a moment.
Just as Xu Duanyi was about to reject Xiao Yuanxing again and ask him to go back first, Xie Qingya, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "I'll go out first."
These words were spoken to both Xu Duanyi and Xiao Yuanxing.
When the door opens.
Xie Qingya stopped again and whispered to Xu Duanyi: "...Go back with your cousin, don't let them worry about you."
After Xie Qingya finished speaking, he opened the door first.
I was afraid that if I walked a step slower, the suppressed reluctance in my heart would surge up again and I would not want to let go.
The door opened.
Xie Qingya avoided Xu Duanyi's gaze and walked out.
Xu Duanyi looked at him as he left. She did not call him at this time. When Xiao Yuanxing's voice was heard again outside, Xu Duanyi withdrew her gaze and said to Xiao Yuanxing outside, "Cousin, let's go talk to the side."