Chapter 115 Chapter 115
Shoukang Palace.
By this time, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu already knew what had happened in the Huangji Palace.
She had been feeling a little worried these days and hadn't been sleeping well.
Just now in the hall, she closed her eyes and let Dan Feng press her temples to relieve her headache, when she suddenly heard a rustling sound outside.
The palace was quiet.
Even though the noise outside was suppressed, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu still heard it.
She wanted to call Dan Feng out to reprimand him, but unexpectedly, she heard a few more words.
Prince of Nan'an, mourning clothes, Cao's seal...
These three strange words combined together seem even stranger.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's mind, and the reprimand that she was about to blurt out became asking Dan Feng to bring them in for a reply.
At this time.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu sat back on the bed, staring at the two palace maids kneeling below, and asked in a deep voice: "What were you talking about outside just now? What Prince Nan'an? What mourning clothes?"
The two palace maids naturally did not dare to hide the truth.
Then he told her everything that had been reported from outside.
"We also heard from a few palace maids outside. They said that Prince Nan'an entered the palace today in mourning clothes, and that Cao Zhangyin also went with him. The Battle of Changye was also mentioned in the Huangji Palace."
When Dan Feng heard the last sentence, her eyes widened in shock and she almost immediately turned around to look behind her.
This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. Seeing the Queen Mother sitting behind him, her expression suddenly turned ugly, and Dan Feng's heart couldn't help but sink.
After hearing this, the Queen Mother looked gloomy and said nothing.
She knew in her heart that the Queen Mother must be unhappy at the moment, so she ordered the two palace maids to leave first.
After they left, Dan Feng was still hesitating, not knowing what to say.
The voice of Empress Dowager Zhaoyu came from the front: "...Cao Da is right. We have really been fooled by this kid all these years."
Although this idea has long been there.
But when Empress Dowager Zhaoyu really found out that the boy from the Xie family had been pretending to fool them all these years, how could she not be angry?
She had a headache and was in a bad mood.
Hearing this news, I felt even worse.
She frowned and asked angrily, "Where is the person I asked you to plant in the Nan'an Palace? With such a big commotion, she didn't notice anything beforehand? What is she doing!"
At this time.
Dan Feng naturally didn't dare to say anything more. At this moment, he could only calm her down, lest her headache, which had not yet been cured, be aggravated by this incident.
"You are not well yet, so leave Xuefu's matter to me."
Dan Feng stroked her back and said softly, "I will send someone to find her and ask her what she has been doing recently."
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu leaned back on the pillow.
He placed his fingertips on his temples, not making any comment. Hearing her words, he just said in a cold voice, "Bring her to the palace. I want to ask her in person!"
Dan Feng frowned slightly.
Seeing her obviously bad complexion, she wanted to say something, but before she could open her mouth, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu gave another order: "Send someone to the Huangji Palace to see what the situation is now."
She was in a very irritable mood.
This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. After saying this, he said to Dan Feng: "Go!"
Dan Feng had no choice but to stand up and give the orders, but he was still a little worried in his heart... This worry was naturally not about Xue Fu.
But I am worried about Your Highness.
Her Highness went back to the palace yesterday. Does she know about what happened today?
If she didn't know.
How should she deal with the current situation?
If she knew...
Just thinking of this possibility, Dan Feng's heart sank again.
He turned his head and glanced at the Queen Mother behind him.
Even with her eyes closed, I could sense her frustration and low mood.
Dan Feng naturally didn't dare to ask her if she had ever thought about this possibility.
He could only look away and go out to give orders with a heavy heart.
Anyone who is smart and quick-witted can be sent to the Huangji Palace. Since it's under the name of Shoukang Palace, no one dares to stop them.
But the people sent to Nan'an Palace.
Dan Feng specifically sent someone to call Yingxue over.
Yingxue was originally busy in the kitchen when she was called over in a hurry. She didn't know what had happened, but when she saw the ugly look on Danfeng's face, her heart suddenly tensed for no reason.
"Aunt, what's wrong?"
After she came over, she asked this question in a low voice.
Dan Feng also lowered her voice and said to the others, "Go to the palace, find the princess, and ask her for a person named Xue Fu. Tell her that the queen mother wants to drink the sweet soup she made, and bring her into the palace to borrow her for a few days."
Yingxue may have been in the palace for many years.
In Shoukang Palace, apart from Dan Feng, she is the one with the highest status among the servants.
What's more, she is young.
Normally, she is more likely to come into contact with the palace maids who serve the Queen Mother than Dan Feng.
She also knew about Xue Fu, who had married into the Nan'an Palace with His Highness.
But when did she know how to make sweet soup? How come she didn't know?
The Queen Mother actually took the initiative to mention that she wanted to eat the sweet soup she made? No matter how you look at it, this is full of weirdness.
But Yingxue is able to sit in her current position, so she is certainly not a stupid person.
Even though she felt something was wrong, she didn't dare ask more questions and just responded with a low "yes".
"I will leave the palace now."
She finished speaking and was about to leave, but Dan Feng suddenly grabbed her arm again.
Under Yingxue's questioning gaze, Danfeng first glanced around, and then lowered his voice to say to her: "I'll tell your Highness one more thing. The Queen Mother was very unhappy when she found out that Prince Nan'an entered the palace like this today."
Although Yingxue was busy in the kitchen before, she did hear about it.
After all, the scene when Prince Nan'an entered the palace today was truly astonishing...
The news had already spread in the palace.
She hadn't thought much about it before, but now seeing Aunt Danfeng's expression, although she still didn't quite understand, she had a vague idea in her heart...
It seems that her trip today is because of King Nan'an.
I dare not ask more questions.
She responded softly again, then bowed and left.
This time Dan Feng did not stop her. He just watched her disappear into the distance, sighed, and then went back inside to serve her.
…
When Xu Duanyi received the news, more than half an hour had passed.
Neither Changning nor Ping'an went to school today.
Xu Duanyi knew that he would force them to go today.
They couldn't concentrate in class, so there was no need to do that. So they sent someone to report the news to Qu's family and Ping'an's school.
Just say that I have something to do today and ask for leave.
At this time, the brother and sister are still staying in Linfeng Pavilion.
Xu Duanyi sat aside, looking through the account book of the palace's recent food, clothing and expenses, while Changning and Ping'an, brother and sister, sat on the bed by the window, playing chess.
There were only three of them, and they obviously didn't seem to be concentrating, glacing outside from time to time.
In a tense and worried atmosphere.
Suddenly, someone came hurriedly outside. Xie Pingan, who was usually calm, was the first to lose control. He put down the chess piece in his hand and stood up immediately.
Next came Xie Changning, and then Xu Duanyi...
The three of them walked towards the door at the same time.
Bixi and others are also waiting outside at this moment.
Like the three masters inside, the few people who knew the story to some extent were also very worried at this time.
Seeing someone coming outside, Bixi took the initiative to put down what she was holding and walked forward to ask questions.
After listening to the report from the visitor.
Bixi's expression suddenly changed slightly.
Unable to control herself, she turned her head and looked behind her.
"Sister-in-law, could something have happened to my brother?" Xie Changning looked at the expression on Bixi's face, nervously, and grabbed Xu Duanyi's arm.
An expression of tension and worry also appeared on her delicate and small face.
Although Xie Pingan didn't say anything, his expression was the same as hers, filled with tension and worry.
Xu Duanyi was equally worried.
Especially when he saw Bixi sending people towards them with a serious expression, Xu Duanyi's already uneasy heart began to beat again.
“Sister-in-law…”
I could hear Chang Ning trembling with nervousness.
Although Xu Duanyi was also nervous, he still held her hand and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, everything will be fine."
This is Kung Fu.
Bixi has also arrived.
"What is it?"
Xu Duanyi looked at her and asked.
Bixi first glanced at Changning and Ping'an.
Seeing her like this, Changning couldn't help but become even more worried.
Xie Pingan clenched his fists and said hoarsely, "Sister Bixi, if you have anything to say, just tell me. We... will be fine."
Bixi glanced at Xu Duanyi again, obviously asking what she thought.
If Changning and Ping'an were not here, and something bad really happened, Xu Duanyi would naturally try to keep it secret and try not to let them know in advance to avoid worrying them.
But at this time, there is no point in keeping it secret, and the unknown will only make people more worried.
"Go ahead."
She looked at Bixi and said in a deep voice.
Seeing this, Bixi did not hesitate any longer. She whispered the words that came in from outside: "...Miss Yingxue is here. She wants to bring Xuefu into the palace. The Queen Mother said she wants to eat the sweet soup she made."
These words.
Bixi finished speaking in a hoarse voice.
She knew the reason and naturally knew that the Queen Mother definitely did not call Xuefu in just for the sweet soup.
I'm afraid that she has found out about Prince Nan'an entering the palace.
I really want to send Xue Fu to the palace——
Then naturally, what the master did before could not be concealed...
really.
She saw that her master's face turned pale immediately after hearing what she said.
But how could Xie Ping'an and Xie Changning know about this? Hearing this, Xie Ping'an couldn't help but frown and said, "Sister Bixi, you don't have to hide it from us. Is it Xie Qingya who..."
"Something happened?"
He spoke the last few words very quietly, his voice becoming increasingly hoarse.
Even his hands at his sides were clenched involuntarily, but he looked into Bixi's eyes without blinking or moving away.
"Sister Bixi, just tell me, we can handle it." Xie Changning also said.
She tried her best to look as calm as possible.
But her voice still choked up unconsciously, and her eyes turned red, but she tried hard not to cry at this moment.
"She didn't lie to you." Xu Duanyi came to his senses first and spoke.
This was something that was expected, so Xu Duanyi was not too surprised.
With Xie Qingya entering the palace like this, the news would eventually reach my aunt's ears, and it was only a matter of time before my aunt sent someone to deliver the message.
Therefore, Xu Duanyi was only nervous and distracted for a moment before coming back to his senses.
Seeing that her expression had returned to normal, Bixi also withdrew her gaze and continued to talk to the two siblings, "Sanlang, Miss, I did not lie to you."
Seeing the two siblings, especially Xie Pingan, they were still frowning and looked unbelieving.
Bixi forced a smile and said helplessly, "It's true, but Miss Yingxue who came to deliver the message also said that the Queen Mother was very unhappy that the prince entered the palace like this. I was just worried about this."
"real?"
Ping An has always been smart and clever, so he still has some doubts.
He always felt that the look on Bixi's face just now was as if something big had happened, and it was impossible that she was just unhappy.
Bixi looked helpless.
"If you don't believe me, just call the person who just replied and ask her again."
Hear her say that.
The brother and sister finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But when they heard that Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was angry, they naturally became a little worried.
“Sister-in-law…”
They both turned their heads at the same time and looked at Xu Duanyi beside them.
No one knew when, but Xu Duanyi had become the pillar of support in their hearts.
Not only Xie Changning, but also Xie Pingan.
At this time, the two of them looked at Xu Duanyi, wanting to see what their sister-in-law would say.
Xu Duanyi had already calmed down her emotions just now. Now being watched by the brother and sister, she just raised her hand and touched Xie Changning's head.
Then he looked at Xie Ping'an and said, "It's okay."
"The Queen Mother just thinks that it is not good for the prince to wear mourning clothes to enter the palace, which will attract criticism. I will go to the palace to talk to her. She will not be angry with the prince." This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. "Why is my sister-in-law going to the palace?"
Xie Pingan grasped the key point and asked her with a frown.
Xu Duanyi smiled and said, "I should have gone to the palace to accompany you yesterday, but I missed you so much that I delayed it for a day."
She explained to them, "The Queen Mother has had a headache recently and is not feeling well. That's why she wants Xue Fu to come into the palace to serve her."
"When she was in the palace, I was the one who took care of her."
"You all stay at home. It's a good opportunity for me to go to the palace and find out the situation better."
"When will my sister-in-law come back?" Xie Changning looked reluctant, his hand still tightly holding Xu Duanyi's arm, refusing to let go.
Xu Duanyi looked at her and smiled.
He stroked her head and said softly, "I will come back when the Queen Mother's headache is almost healed. I may come back with the Prince later."
Before the siblings could say anything else, Xu Duanyi told them again, "You stay at home and be good. If I don't come back today, don't bother your brother. He's been tired lately. Let him have a good rest first. You should go to school tomorrow, understand?"
Now that she is spending more time with them, she is acting more and more like a sister-in-law.
There were many things that Xie Qingya was reluctant to say or could not say, but she did not have such concerns.
Xie Changning and Xie Pingan also listened to her very much.
Just like now——
Although the brother and sister were reluctant to leave, they still nodded under Xu Duanyi's gaze and only said, "Then sister-in-law, come back soon."
Then Xu Duanyi smiled and nodded to them.
Xie Ping'an then bowed to Xu Duanyi again, and then took Xie Changning back first.
Xu Duanyi watched them leave.
After they walked away, the smile on his face gradually faded.
"Master, do you really want to enter the palace?" Bi Xi asked Xu Duanyi with a frown.
Shi Yu and Xiu Yu also came over.
"Xuefu can't keep secrets. If the Queen Mother asks, she will definitely not cover up for you. It would be better for me to knock her out quietly and then just tell Sister Yingxue that she is not feeling well." Shi Yu also gave advice.
"We can't do this. We still have to bring her into the palace."
Although Xiuyu didn't say anything, her eyes were full of worry when she looked at Xu Duanyi.
The body is also on guard.
She looked like she would do whatever Xu Duanyi said immediately.
Xu Duanyi's eyes slowly scanned the three faces in front of him, and the lingering tension and uneasiness in his heart were gradually suppressed by this warmth.
She smiled again and spoke to them.
"Okay, don't be so nervous, it's not a big deal, auntie won't punish me for this."
Seeing the three of them frowning, they were about to speak again.
Before they could speak, Xu Duanyi said, "I had originally planned to go to the palace today. Even if Yingxue didn't come, I would still go."
Speaking of this.
Xu Duanyi couldn't help but think back to this morning when she had promised Xie Qingya that she would wait for him to come back home.
Next time, let’s go to my aunt’s house together to give gifts and apologize.
A feeling of regret flashed through my mind.
But she had not originally planned to wait for him to enter the palace together.
She had to get over the fact that she had let her aunt down and deceived her first.
Otherwise, when she brings Xie Qingya into the palace, her aunt will only get even angrier...
My aunt has been in poor health recently, so Xu Duanyi naturally doesn't want her to get sick because of them.
"Time is limited, so I'll keep it short."
"You don't have to follow me when I enter the palace this time." As soon as Xu Duanyi said this, the three of them changed their expressions and opened their mouths to speak.
But Xu Duanyi had already made up his mind, so he naturally wasn't prepared to listen to them say more.
She quickly added, "I'm in the palace this time, and I think it won't be easy to leave in a short time. If you follow me into the palace, you will only be punished."
"I am not afraid!"
The three of them said in unison.
Xu Duanyi looked at the three faces in front of him, none of which showed any fear. His heart softened, but he still spoke decisively without any hesitation: "I know you are not afraid, but there is no need to accept these punishments."
"If you follow me into the palace, it will only distract me from worrying about you."
"Auntie won't do anything to me, but she won't be timid about you. Do you want to see me quarrel with her for you, or do you want to see you used by her to coerce me, forcing me to do something against my will?"
Her words made the three people, who had been decisive at first, gradually hesitate.
They are indeed not afraid of being punished, or even of death, but they do not want to become a burden to their masters.
Seeing that they had relaxed a little, Xu Duanyi softened her tone again: "Besides, I promised Changning and the others earlier that nothing would happen. If you are all here, they will feel at ease, and the prince will feel at ease."
"My aunt won't punish me. At most, she'll just say a few words to me. I just need to accompany her for a while."
"But……"
Shi Yu looked at her, still feeling uneasy.
Bi Xi received the look from her master. Although she was worried, she also knew that what her master had decided would not and could not be changed.
"I understand."
"I will stay in the palace and wait for your early return." She bent down and spoke to Xu Duanyi.
Seeing her like this, Xiuyu and Shiyu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not say anything more.
Same as her.
They both took a step back and bowed to Xu Duanyi.
…
Yingxue was still waiting in the carriage.
She thought that if His Highness summoned her, she would go in and pay her respects; if not, she would take everyone back to the palace to report.
But in my heart, I was also wondering, what did the Queen Mother want to do by calling Xuefu into the palace?
Xue Fu was not a very eye-catching person in the palace before, and she could hardly remember her.
The Queen Mother actually still remembers it.
It's incredible.
And what did Aunt Danfeng want to say to His Highness regarding that reminder earlier?
My mind is in a mess.
Yingxue shook her head, thinking that it was none of her business and she decided not to think too much about it. Just as she was about to drink a sip of tea, she heard a commotion outside.
At first Yingxue thought she had heard it wrongly.
It was not until Xiao Dezi, who was catching the carriage outside, also shouted "Your Highness" that Yingxue hurriedly lifted the curtain and looked out.
Sure enough, I saw His Highness walking towards here from the gate.
Yingxue's face changed slightly, and she quickly stood up, bent over and went out.
"Why did Your Highness come out in person? If you have anything to tell me, just call me in." Yingxue said as she walked over to greet him.
Xu Duanyi reached out and helped her up, saying to her, "It just so happens that I am also going to the palace, so I will go with you."
Yingxue was naturally very happy to hear that His Highness was going to enter the palace.
She immediately held onto the man's arm and smiled, "That's great! The Queen Mother will definitely be happy to know that you have entered the palace."
Yingxue didn't see the flash of guilt and self-blame on Xu Duanyi's face.
He helped himself and walked towards the carriage.
After walking a few steps, she suddenly felt something was wrong. It was too quiet behind her. She looked back and found that the two familiar faces were gone.
And Xuefu, the person she wanted to take away, was not there either.
"Will Bixi and Shiyu not accompany His Highness to the palace this time?" she asked Xu Duanyi.
Xu Duanyi hummed: "They have other things to do."
There's no reason to let Your Highness enter the palace alone...
Yingxue always felt that this matter was strange, but seeing that His Highness had an indifferent expression and looked like he didn't want to talk more, she naturally didn't ask too much.
She could only ask: "What about Xue Fu..."
"It doesn't matter. She can make sweet soup, and I can make it too. I can just go to the palace and make it for my aunt."
"This……"
Yingxue was hesitant, thinking that the Queen Mother might be looking for Xuefu just for the sweet soup.
But seeing that His Highness had already walked to the carriage and was about to get in, she had no choice but to suppress her thoughts and helped him get in first.
The carriage headed towards the imperial city.
Xu Duanyi leaned against the carriage all the way, closing his eyes and saying nothing.
Yingxue became more and more uneasy watching this situation.
But how could a servant like her have any say in the masters' affairs? Although she felt that everything that happened today was strange, she did not dare to say much. She could only wait for the newly brewed tea to boil and then pour another cup for the man.
When the sound of water flow begins.
Yingxue suddenly heard the prince's question: "When you came here, did the morning court have any results?"
This happened so suddenly that Yingxue almost couldn't react. She looked up and saw that the eldest princess was still sitting with her eyes closed. The hot steam from the tea was enveloping her beautiful face, and for a moment she could not see clearly what she looked like.
I dare not look at it any more.
Yingxue put the teacup on the small table in front of the people and replied, "When I came out, I heard that the people from the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice had already taken Cao Zhangyin first..."
The eldest princess, who had kept her eyes closed since she got on the carriage, suddenly opened her eyes and looked at her.
Yingxue was inexplicitly nervous.
He swallowed and then finished his previous words: "I took it away."
"He didn't resist?" Xu Duanyi asked her.
Yingxue shook her head and answered truthfully: "I don't know about this. I just heard about it from the palace servants on the palace road when I was leaving the palace."
Seeing this, Xu Duanyi didn't ask any more questions. He just nodded and said "I understand."
Although Yingxue is not like Danfeng, she knows everything.
But she also knew that Cao Da and their Queen Mother were in the same boat, but the situation in the court today...even she could tell that something was amiss.
Things that I had not dared to think about before now gradually became possible.
Yingxue is certainly not stupid as she can stay in Shoukang Palace and sit in such a position.
She suddenly understood why His Highness entered the palace alone.
If it were anyone else today, Yingxue would not speak.
But it happened to be Xu Duanyi.
There was almost no one in Shoukang Palace who had not received her kindness.
The same goes for Yingxue.
She entwined her hands tightly, but looked at Xu Duanyi, and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, you know why the Queen Mother called you, right?"
Xu Duanyi's face showed a hint of surprise because of this sentence.
Obviously, she didn't expect Yingxue to ask such a question, but soon, she replied with a normal look: "Yes."
Yingxue suddenly became nervous.
"That..."
"It's OK."
Xu Duanyi comforted her softly.
She only said two words, and Yingxue didn't know what to say for a moment.
She looked at Xu Duanyi eagerly, her red lips opened and closed.
Xu Duanyi could see her worry.
She said softly, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
That's all for now.
Xu Duanyi didn't look at Yingxue again, but looked out the car curtain behind him.
The carriage has entered the palace.
Looking at the red walls and yellow tiles flashing by.
Xu Duanyi's mood was not as relaxed as her previous tone.
She actually didn't know what would happen.
Even if her aunt doesn't punish her, she will definitely be angry with her.
From childhood to adulthood, she had never made her aunt unhappy, but she didn't expect that this time it would be such a big deal.
I couldn't help but sigh silently in my heart.
She just hoped that her aunt would not be angry for too long and would consider the cooperation between her cousin and Xie Qingya.
When she was on her way to Shoukang Palace, Xie Qingya also got the news that she had entered the palace.
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