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 lightly frowned.
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, glancing 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?"
最後幾個字，他說得極輕，聲音也變得越來越沙啞了。
就連放在身側的雙手，也不由自主地緊攥了起來，唯有看着碧溪的眼睛，依舊一眨不眨，沒有移開。
“碧溪姐姐，你說吧，我們能扛得住。”謝長寧也跟着在一旁說道。
她盡可能擺出一副沒事人的模樣。
但聲音還是不自覺哽咽了起來，眼眶也悄悄紅了，只是強忍着沒在這個時候哭。
“她沒騙你們。”徐端宜先回過神，開了口。
原本就是意料之中的事，徐端宜倒也沒有太意外。
謝清崖這樣進宮，消息總會傳到姨母耳邊，姨母派人來傳話，也只是早晚的事。
因此徐端宜也只是緊張失神了一瞬，便又回過神了。
碧溪見她神色已恢複如常，便也先收回視線，接着主子的話，繼續和兩兄妹說道：“三郎、女郎，奴婢沒騙你們。”
見兩兄妹，尤其是謝平安，還擰着眉，一臉不相信的模樣。
碧溪強撐了一抹笑，與他無奈說道：“是真的，不過來傳話的映雪姑娘也說了，太後很不高興王爺這樣進宮，奴婢剛才也只是擔心這個。”
“真的？”
平安向來機敏聰慧，自是還有所懷疑。
他總覺得剛才碧溪的臉色，像是發生了什麽大事一般，絕不可能只是不高興。
碧溪面露無奈。
“三郎若不信，只管把剛才來回話的人喊過來，再問她一遭就是。”
聽她這樣說。
兄妹倆這才松了口氣。
但聽說昭裕太後生氣，他們自然也有些擔心。
“嫂嫂……”
兩人同時扭頭，朝身邊的徐端宜看去。
早在不知道從什麽時候起，徐端宜就已經成了他們心中的定海神針。
不僅僅是謝長寧，就連謝平安也是。
此時他們倆就看着徐端宜，想看看他們嫂嫂怎麽說。
徐端宜早在剛才那會，就已經把自己的情緒都收拾好了，此時被兄妹倆看着，她也只是擡起手，摸了摸謝長寧的頭。
又看着謝平安說“沒事”。
“太後就是覺得王爺穿孝服進宮，引人非議不好看，我進宮去跟她說下，她不會生王爺的氣的。” 本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理 “嫂嫂這會進宮？”
謝平安捕捉到關鍵，蹙着眉問她。
徐端宜笑着說：“原本昨日就該進宮去陪的，只是想你們，才耽擱了一日。”
她同他們解釋道：“太後這陣子頭疾發作，身體不爽快，要雪芙進宮伺候也是因為這個緣故。”
“從前在宮裏的時候，都是由我來照顧的。”
“你們乖乖待在家裏，正好我進宮，也能更好地打探情況。”
“那嫂嫂何時回來？”謝長寧一臉舍不得的模樣，手也仍舊緊握着徐端宜的胳膊，不肯松開。
徐端宜看着她，笑了一下。
撫着她的頭，柔聲說：“等太後的頭疾好得差不多了，我就回來了，保不準待會跟王爺一起回來，也不一定。”
未等兄妹倆再說什麽，徐端宜便又與他們囑咐道：“你們乖乖在家，今日我要是沒回來，你們也別吵你們兄長，他這陣子夠累了，讓他先好好休息，明天你們該上學上學，知道嗎？”
她如今與他們相處多了，是越來越有嫂嫂的樣子了。
許多謝清崖不好說，不能說的事，她卻是沒有這個顧忌的。
謝長寧和謝平安，也都很聽她的話。
就如現在——
雖然兄妹倆再不舍，但還是在徐端宜的注視下，先點了點頭，嘴上也只是說了一句：“那嫂嫂早些回來。”
待徐端宜笑着與他們點了頭。
謝平安便又與徐端宜拱手一禮，而後便先牽着謝長寧回去了。
徐端宜目送他們離開。
待他們走遠之後，臉上的那點笑意，才一點點收斂起來。
“主子真要進宮？”碧溪緊鎖着眉頭問徐端宜。
時雨和秀玉也都圍了過來。
“雪芙那丫頭藏不住話，太後要是問起，她肯定不會為您遮掩，不如奴婢悄悄把人打暈，回頭只跟映雪姐姐說她人不舒服就是。”時雨也在一旁出着主意。
“總不能這樣，還要帶她進宮吧。”
秀玉雖然沒說話，但看着徐端宜的一雙眼睛也滿是擔憂。
身體也戒備着。
大有一種，無論徐端宜說什麽，她都會立刻去做的模樣。
徐端宜的眼睛，一點點掃過眼前這三張臉，心裏那點無法消褪的緊張和忐忑，也被這股溫暖，漸漸壓過去了。
她重新笑着，與她們說道。
“好了，別那麽緊張，不是什麽大不了的事，姨母不至于為了這點事責罰我。”
眼見三人蹙着眉頭，又要說話。
徐端宜卻未等她們開口，就先說道：“本來我就計劃着今日要進宮一趟，便是映雪不來，我也是要進宮去的。”
說到這。
徐端宜不由又想到今早，她還答應謝清崖，會在家裏好好等着他回來。
下次再一起去姨母那邊賠禮道歉。
心裏閃過一抹抱歉。
但她原本一開始，就沒打算，要等他一起進宮。
她對不起姨母的事，欺騙姨母的事，得由她先去把這件事給揭過去。
要不然等她帶着謝清崖進宮，姨母只會更加生氣……
姨母原本這陣子身體就不好，徐端宜自然不希望她因為他們氣壞了身子。
“時間有限，我長話短說。”
“我這次進宮，你們都不用跟着我。”幾乎是徐端宜這句話才說出口，三人就各自變了臉色，張嘴就要說話。
但徐端宜早決定好的事，自然沒準備聽她們多說。
她很快又說道：“我這次進宮，想來一時半會想出宮，應該不容易，你們跟着我進宮，只會受處置。”
“奴婢不怕！”
三人異口同聲說道。
徐端宜看着眼前這三張，沒有一點畏懼的臉，心裏軟乎乎的，但說出來的話，依舊還是很果斷，沒有一點猶豫：“我知道你們不怕，但沒必要非去受這些處罰。”
“你們跟着我進宮，也只會讓我分心擔心你們。”
“姨母不會對我做什麽，卻不會對你們有所顧忌，難道你們想看到，到時候我為了你們和姨母争吵，還是想看你們被姨母用來要挾我，讓我不得不做一些違背心意的事？”
她的這番話，令原本果斷的三人，漸漸猶豫起來了。
她們的确不怕挨罰，甚至不怕死，但她們更不想成為主子的累贅和負擔。
徐端宜見她們已經有所松動，便又緩和了語氣：“而且我先前才答應過長寧他們，不會有事，你們都在這，他們才會放心，王爺才會放心。”
“姨母不會處置我的，頂多就是說我幾句，我陪她陣子就好了。”
“可是……”
時雨看着她，還是不放心。
碧溪接到主子望過來的眼神，她雖然也擔心，但也知道主子決定好的事，是不會也不可能更改的。
“奴婢知道了。”
“奴婢會好好守在王府，等着您早日歸來。”她先彎腰，與徐端宜欠身說道。
秀玉和時雨見她這樣，遲疑一會，到底也沒再多說什麽。
同她一樣。
她們倆也退後了一步，與徐端宜欠身。
……
映雪還等在馬車裏。
想着殿下要是召見，她就正好進去給人請安；要是不召見，她便直接帶着人回宮複命去了。
心裏卻也在想，太後喊雪芙進宮，是要做什麽？
這雪芙以前在宮裏，都不是多亮眼的人，她都有些記不清了。
太後居然還記得。
實在不可思議。
還有先前丹楓姑姑的那番提醒，到底又想跟殿下說什麽？
腦子裏亂糟糟的。
映雪搖了搖頭，想着事不關己，還是別做多想了，正想喝口茶，忽聽外頭傳來一陣騷動。
起初映雪還以為自己聽錯了。
直到外頭趕車的小德子，也跟着喊了一聲“殿下”，映雪這才匆匆掀起車簾，往外看去。
果然瞧見殿下，正從大門處往這走來。
映雪臉色微變，忙起身彎腰出去了。
“殿下怎麽親自出來了？您有事吩咐，喊奴婢進去就是。”映雪邊說邊走過去給人請安。
徐端宜伸手扶了她一把，與她說：“正好我也要進宮，便與你一道了。”
對于殿下要進宮，映雪自然求之不得。
她當即便扶着人的胳膊，笑了起來：“那是再好不過了，太後曉得您進宮，肯定高興。”
映雪沒瞧見徐端宜臉上，那一閃而過的愧疚和自責。
自顧自扶着人往馬車那邊走去。
走了幾步，忽然覺得有些不對，身後有些過于安靜了，她往後頭看去，發現熟悉的兩張臉，這會竟然都不在。
還有她要帶走的雪芙，竟然也不在。
“這次碧溪和時雨不陪殿下進宮去嗎？”她問徐端宜。
徐端宜嗯了一聲：“她們有別的事。”
那也沒有讓殿下一個人進宮的道理啊……
映雪總覺得這事怪怪的，但見殿下神色淡淡，一副不想多談的模樣，她自然也不好多嘴詢問。
她只能問：“那雪芙……”
“無妨，她會做的甜湯，我也會，我進宮做給姨母喝就好。”
“這……”
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 inexplicably 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.