Chapter 125 Chapter 125
Xie Qingya and Xu Duanyi did not return until the early morning of the third day.
When they arrived at the Marquis' Mansion, Xie Qingya helped Xu Duanyi get off the horse carefully. Just as he was about to ask her if she felt unwell, he heard a familiar voice coming from the front: "Brother, Sister Yi, you are back!"
It was Liu Zhao.
He ran towards them happily, followed by an equally happy Ringgit.
"Prince, Princess!"
Xu Duanyi smiled and greeted them. Seeing that Liu Zhao was carrying a crossbow on his back and wearing a comfortable outfit, he smiled and asked him, "Are you going out hunting?"
Liu Zhao immediately smiled and replied, "Yes, Brother Lingji wants to take me out hunting."
"Sister Yi, do you want to go together?" He was wearing a mask on his face, but the smile flashing in his eyes that were not covered by the mask could still be seen.
A look of great anticipation.
A few days ago, his cousin suddenly said that he wanted to take Sister Yi to visit the neighboring city. He was sensible enough not to go with them, but he missed them very much in his heart.
Now that they had met, he naturally wanted to continue activities with them.
But Sister Yi, who usually agreed to his request, did not agree immediately today. She coughed and said, "I am a little tired from going out recently. You can ask your brother to accompany you."
Liu Zhao felt a little disappointed when he heard this, but he quickly looked at Xie Qingya with anticipation in his eyes.
My cousin is the best rider among his brothers.
Xie Qingya didn't want to go either. He wanted to rest with Xu Duanyi.
Just as he was about to say no, he heard Xu Duanyi's low voice: "You go with Zhao'er."
Xie Qingya listened to her very much at this time.
Although he was unwilling, he did not refuse. He just told Xu Duanyi: "Then go back and have a good rest, and take some medicine."
Although the second half of the sentence was spoken very softly, only Xu Duanyi could hear it.
But Xu Duanyi's face still turned red.
She glanced at Xie Qingya shyly and angrily, and didn't want to say a word to him.
Just as he was about to say goodbye to Liu Zhao, he heard the sound of horse hooves behind him.
This is a residence of the Wu'an Marquis Mansion. Upon hearing the voice, several people, including Xu Duanyi who was about to enter the mansion, turned around and looked over.
When Lingji saw the person coming, he called out his name first.
"Qin Shi?"
He looked at the person in surprise and shouted.
Although Xu Duanyi didn't know his name, he recognized his face and knew that he was a guard of the Marquis' Mansion.
Seeing that he looked hurt, Xu Duanyi began to feel a little nervous.
She couldn't help but walk back to Xie Qingya's side.
Seeing that his expression had lightened a little when he saw the person coming, she couldn't help but hold his hand again.
Xie Qingya felt it and looked over.
Seeing the worry on her face, he gently shook her hand in comfort, indicating that he was fine.
"Prince, Princess!"
Qin Shi quickly dismounted.
He first bowed to the two of them, and then, before Xie Qingya could ask, he reported the reason for his visit: "Your Majesty, Cao Da is missing."
A word is like a stone falling into a lake, splashing the calm water.
…
Half an hour later.
The porter had prepared the carriage for the return trip.
There were three carriages when they came, but when they left, there were only two left.
Shi Yu and Bi Xi's carriage was filled with food for the journey, as well as some souvenirs that Xu Duanyi had bought in the city recently.
I originally thought I could stay a little longer, but I didn't expect to leave so soon.
Xie Qingya wanted her to stay here for a while longer.
Xu Pingyi also thought so.
Although Cao Da no longer has power, and Dongxi Factory and Jinyiwei no longer have the influence they once had, there is no need to worry about him making a comeback.
But the centipede is still alive even after death.
During the years that Cao Da was immersed in power, he had too many connections and secrets in his hands. No one knew if he left like this, he would cause trouble again.
Xie Qingya and Xu Pingyi did not want Xu Duanyi to return to the capital and take risks.
But Xu Duanyi was determined to leave, and the two had no choice but to agree.
At this time, the carriages outside were already prepared, and Xu Pingyi sent another team to escort them back to the capital.
This time, the couple accepted the offer.
At this time, Xie Qingya took Liu Zhao outside to talk, while Xu Duanyi stayed behind to talk with Xu Pingyi.
"After I leave, please take good care of your health and don't take your health lightly."
This is the necessary bridge for the father and daughter every time they separate.
Xu Pingyi was about to agree as he had done in the past, when he heard Xu Duanyi suddenly changed the subject and lower his voice: "I don't have many relatives left in this world. I don't want you to leave me so early like my mother did."
Xu Pingyi's expression froze, and the words that were about to come out of his mouth suddenly stopped in his throat.
He looked at Xu Duanyi, his beloved daughter, in great surprise.
Although he and Zhao Zhao cared about each other, because they were not together for many years, his care was also hesitant and deliberate.
When a son grows up, he should avoid his mother; when a daughter grows up, she should avoid her father.
I have a lot to say that I care about, but when it comes to my lips, I always seem to be unable to say it.
This was also the first time Zhao Zhao spoke to him like this.
Xu Pingyi looked at her, his throat suddenly choked, and his eyes gradually turned red.
After a while, he found his voice again: "...Okay, Father promises you."
The two brothers outside have finished talking.
Xu Pingyi wiped his face and did not delay their journey any longer. He stood up and said to Xu Duanyi, "Let's go. Father will take you out of the city."
Xu Duanyi did not refuse.
But when he walked over, Xu Duanyi hesitated for a moment and said to him, "Father."
She called out to him first.
Xu Pingyi looked in the direction of the voice, hummed, and asked her, "What do you want to say?"
"if..."
Xu Duanyi had never thought of saying such words to his father before.
Although this time it was a misunderstanding.
But Xu Duanyi did think about it carefully afterwards.
Although she was hesitant at this time, she still said to her father under his gaze: "If you really meet the right person, don't worry about me. I have grown up and have someone to accompany me for the rest of my life. I hope that there will be someone to take care of you, too."
I heard these words out of the blue.
Xu Pingyi didn't react at first. It was only after a while that he finally understood what she meant, and his eyes widened even more.
Xu Pingyi had never thought that at his age, he would discuss such a topic with his daughter.
But he quickly told her, "You, my mother, are all I need in my life."
Before Xu Duanyi could speak.
He smiled, raised his arm, gently stroked her head and said, "I don't know about others, but for me, you, mother, always live in my heart and have never left."
Xu Duanyi had been to their rooms, so she naturally knew that there were many new things in her father's room for her mother.
She almost burst into tears all at once.
Xu Pingyi was most afraid of her crying, and when he saw her crying, he immediately became panicked.
"Hey, Zhao Zhao, don't cry."
Xie Qingya came in after hearing the noise.
He knew why she was crying, so he just put his arm around her shoulders and said to her, "Let's come to Liaodong to visit our father-in-law more often when we have time."
Xu Duanyi looked at him with tears in her eyes, and Xie Qingya wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief.
Xu Pingyi also said, "When father is free in the future, he will come back to the capital to see you often."
the other side.
Although Liu Zhao didn't know what happened, he quickly said, "Sister Yi, I'm grown up now, and I can take care of Uncle Xu. Don't worry, I'll write to you if there's anything."
Liu Zhao patted his chest and made the promise.
Although Xu Duanyi still had tears in her eyes, she finally managed to smile after being comforted by the three people.
She murmured yes.
After bidding farewell to their father and Zhao'er, Xu Duanyi and Xie Qingya boarded the carriage and left Liaodong under the reluctant gaze of their father and Zhao'er. This book was compiled exclusively for you by the LK team in late July.
They finally arrived in the capital.
The carriage went directly back to the Nan'an Palace.
The Liaodong soldiers were all wearing black armor, and almost as soon as they returned to the capital, some people with ulterior motives knew that they had returned.
Return to the palace.
Changfeng got the news and immediately came out to greet them.
"Prince, Princess."
Xie Qingya looked at him and nodded, then asked Lingji to take the Liaodong soldiers who were accompanying them back to Beijing to rest first, and then looked at Xu Duanyi.
Xu Duanyi had been traveling all the way and was physically exhausted.
She knew what his eyes meant, so she nodded and said to him, "Go and get busy."
That's all.
She also said to others, "I have to go to the palace again when I come back."
She had been away for more than a month. Although she had written a letter to let her know she was safe, her aunt must have been worried about her. She wanted to go see her and send the things she had brought from Liaoning to her.
Otherwise, if I knew she was back but didn't go to see her, my aunt would definitely be sad.
Xie Qingya originally wanted to let people rest for a day before leaving.
But he also knew that they had a deep relationship, and she would definitely feel uneasy if she didn't go, so he finally gave up and didn't stop her. He just asked, "Are you coming back tonight?"
Xu Duanyi smiled and said, "Come back."
"It's been a long time since we had a meal together as a family."
Xie Qingya was obviously in a much better mood after hearing this. He didn't say anything more, but just reminded Xu Duanyi: "Bring more people and pay attention to safety."
Xu Duanyi knew his concerns and nodded in agreement.
Afterwards, Xu Duanyi everyone took back to the house to rest and take a bath, while Xie Qingya took Changfeng back to the study first.
When Xu Duanyi finished bathing and washing up and came out in a new set of clothes.
I happened to meet Xiao Yuanxing on the road.
Xu Duanyi was surprised to run into his cousin in the palace: "Cousin?"
When Xiao Yuanxing saw her, he first looked at her carefully to make sure she was okay, and then nodded to her.
Look at the maids behind her carrying large and small bags.
Xiao Yuanxing guessed where she was going: "To see my aunt?"
Xu Duanyi would not hide anything, she smiled and said yes, then walked over to Xiao Yuanxing and said, "I'm thinking of going to the Duke's Mansion to see you tomorrow."
"Cousin, are you here to see the prince?"
Xiao Yuanxing did not hide it and nodded.
He hasn't had a good rest recently because of Cao Da's incident.
He never thought that despite such heavy guards, Cao Da could still escape!
Before the assassination plan could be carried out, Jin Chan escaped from the prison. The people who were guarding Cao Da at the time interrogated and investigated him again and again, but all those who had problems were already dead. As a result, there is no clue for them to find Cao Da now.
I don’t want to tell you these things and make Zhao Zhao upset.
Xiao Yuanxing just said to her: "Go see your aunt. She hasn't had a good rest recently. You should spend more time with her."
Xu Duanyi could guess why her aunt didn't get enough rest.
The smile on her face faded a little.
Without saying much, he just nodded to Xiao Yuanxing, looked at the obvious dark circles under his eyes, and reminded him: "Cousin, you should also pay attention to rest."
Xiao Yuanxing smiled at her and agreed.
Before leaving, he thought of something and suddenly said to her, "By the way, Zhao Zhao, there is... someone more by my aunt's side."
"Um?"
Xu Duanyi was a little confused about these words.
What does one more person mean?
She asked, "Who?"
Xiao Yuanxing didn't know how to answer, so he could only say to her, "You'll know when you enter the palace." He didn't say anything more after that, and said goodbye to Xu Duanyi and went to meet Xie Qingya first.
After watching him leave, Xu Duanyi entered the palace with full of doubts.
After entering the palace, she finally knew who the person her cousin was talking about was.
Xu Duanyi learned about it from Aunt Danfeng.
Dan Feng was very happy to see her come back, but when she heard His Highness' question, the smile on her face suddenly froze.
She lowered her voice and asked, "Did the prince tell you?"
Seeing Her Highness nod, Dan Feng hesitated for a moment, but finally did not hide it from her.
Anyway, everyone will know about this soon.
She then told Xu Duanyi the man's origin.
The road was short, so Dan Feng made it short: "This is the child of my uncle and another woman."
"What?"
Xu Duanyi was surprised.
"My uncle, he is not..."
The words came to my lips, but I didn't say them.
This is actually a particularly obscure matter in the Duke's Mansion.
Outsiders don't know.
Xu Duanyi also found out about it by chance when she heard her aunt and Aunt Danfeng talking about it in the palace.
In his early years, my uncle was just like Xiao Yuanfu. Once he gained power, he began to hang out with women.
As it happened, one time, I encountered a very strong one.
Knowing that he was powerful and could not be resisted, he secretly drugged him.
Although the medicine did not kill my uncle, it was enough to make him infertile. By the time my uncle found out, the woman had already fled and disappeared in the capital.
My uncle didn't even have anyone to vent his anger on, so he went to the palace to make a scene and asked my aunt to take charge of him.
But he was severely scolded by his aunt.
So after that, no matter how many women my uncle had, the Xiao family only had three children.
How come my uncle’s illegitimate daughter suddenly appeared?
Xu Duanyi was naturally very surprised.
Dan Feng did not hide anything and told her the whole story of the woman.
"Her mother was a herbalist. When my uncle saw her in the mountains, he wanted to bring her home. But even though she was an orphan, she was very strong-willed. Later..."
Dan Feng never married in her life.
Talking about this, I feel very unlucky.
If her uncle wasn't the Queen Mother's biological brother, she would definitely despise such a person.
At this moment, I didn't look very happy.
She didn't want to say more about such a dirty thing and pollute His Highness' ears.
It's just a general summary.
Basically, the uncle was attracted by the beauty of the girl and wanted to marry her. When she refused, he threatened her elderly father and forced her to obey him.
When this happened, my uncle was still in good health.
The herbalist became pregnant, but due to the threat from her uncle, she had no choice but to give birth to a child.
But Chang found out about this.
Chang brought the matter to the attention of the Queen Mother, who was still the Empress at the time, and insisted that she make the decision for her. She even wanted to kill the herbalist directly.
The Queen Mother was afraid that Chang would bring trouble to the Xiao family, so she just said that she would handle the matter.
This was how Chang was sent away.
Afterwards, the Queen Mother sent people to look for the herb collector. When the people arrived, the herb collector had already given birth to a daughter.
Afterwards, the Queen Mother had the mother and daughter sent out of the capital and gave them a sum of money.
But they were declared dead internally.
Although Chang had not seen the corpse, she did not dare to say anything more because the Queen Mother had spoken.
Until the time when the Queen Mother was at the villa, she suddenly thought of the mother and daughter, so she asked Guo Tianci to go to Shanxi. Unexpectedly, he really found the child.
Xu Duanyi learned the whole story from her.
But I still don't understand.
"But why did my aunt suddenly bring her back?"
Xu Duanyi really didn't understand.
Based on her understanding of her aunt, she would never have any blood relationship with a stranger she had never met. She knew that her arrival would cause an uproar in the Xiao family and make her aunt unhappy...but her aunt still did it and even let her live in Shoukang Palace.
Seeing Aunt Danfeng's embarrassed expression, she knew what had happened and didn't know how to answer.
Xu Duanyi didn't ask any more questions.
They were about to reach the main hall, so Xu Duanyi composed himself and planned to turn around and ask his aunt directly.
I didn't want to go out of the hall.
Before she could wait for the message to be passed, she saw a figure with his back to her.
The figure looked shorter and thinner than her.
Almost as soon as he saw this figure, Xu Duanyi knew that this was the girl that Aunt Danfeng had mentioned earlier.
——Xiao Xinyi.
This little time.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu also saw Xu Duanyi.
When she suddenly saw her figure, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu's originally expressionless face immediately broke into a bright smile.
She was just talking to Xiao Xinyi with a stern face.
But now she turned to Xu Duanyi and smiled: "When did you come back? Come here quickly and let your aunt see you."
As she spoke, she said to Xiao Xinyi, "You go back first."
Xiao Xinyi didn't say much. She lowered her eyes, replied softly, "Yes", then bowed and said goodbye to her.
Xu Duanyi looked at the girl who had her back to her and turned around and walked towards her.
Eyes met.
Xu Duanyi saw her pause, and soon lowered his eyelids again, bowed his head and bowed to her, then left. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. Xu Duanyi didn't say much.
I nodded to her as a greeting.
After she left, Xu Duanyi walked towards his aunt with a smile again.
"I just came back not long ago. I went to the palace to wash up and came to see you immediately." Xu Duanyi said with a smile, and asked Shi Yu to show her aunt all the things she brought for her.
There aren't many specialty products in Liaoning.
Besides, my aunt was a person who was used to seeing fine things, so Xu Duanyi only picked out some personal items for her, a cloak made of fire fox fur, and some hand and knee pads.
Of course, these are of no use at this time of year, but as the weather gets colder, my aunt has a leg disease, and this fire fox fur can just help to ward off the cold.
There are also some wild delicacies such as Matsutake that can be used as side dishes.
She had already asked someone to send it to the kitchen.
"It's a long way, don't you feel tired?" Empress Dowager Zhaoyu pulled Xu Duanyi to sit beside her. She said this, but she did not hide the smile on her face at all.
She asked Dan Feng to ask someone to put it away carefully.
Then he held Xu Duanyi's hand and looked at her carefully. He couldn't help frowning again: "How come you've lost weight after this trip? Is this how your father takes care of you?"
A palace maid brought her favorite tea.
Xu Duanyi looked at Empress Dowager Zhaoyu and smiled helplessly: "I didn't stay for many days after I went back. It was all spent on the road." She was in a hurry when she left and when she came back, and although she didn't have to hurry, she didn't get much rest along the way.
What's more, she has always had a bitter summer.
I have no appetite every summer and it’s normal to lose weight after the bumpy ride.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu also guessed why they were in such a hurry to return.
"For Cao Da?" she asked.
Xu Duanyi did not hide it and nodded.
Speaking of Cao Da, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu was still very angry. She didn't expect that with such heavy guards, Cao Da could still escape.
She had been set up by a net of heaven and earth. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. Not to mention the city gates, even in the city, there are people patrolling and checking every day.
But even so, Cao Da was still not found.
It would be fine if Cao Da really escaped like this, but what I am afraid of is that one day he would come out again, spread rumors to confuse people and stir up trouble.
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu couldn't help but feel a headache.
"What a bunch of useless trash." But thinking that among these trash there were people from Yuanxing, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu fell silent again.
Xu Duanyi knew that she had a headache, so he comforted her softly: "I see that my cousin is very concerned about this matter, and the prince will not let Cao Da go, so don't worry."
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu didn't want her to be bothered by these matters after she finally returned.
He didn't mention Cao Da any more.
I didn't want to tell her about the arrangement for Xiao Xinyi right away, but since she had seen it and Zhao Zhao didn't look surprised, I thought Dan Feng had already told her.
She was silent for a moment, and finally told Zhao Zhao about her plan: "I plan to give her to the emperor."
Xu Duanyi was stunned for a moment.
After she reacted, she finally understood her aunt's plan.
No wonder my aunt would bring people all the way from Shanxi at this time, it turned out to be for this reason.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu said calmly: "The emperor has grown up and it is time for him to get married."
"I plan to return the emperor's seal to him on his wedding day, but the empress and the prince must have the blood of our Xiao family."
Xu Duanyi heard this.
She opened her mouth, as if she had a lot to say, but when the words came to her lips, it seemed that every sentence was not quite right.
She knew this was her aunt's final concession.
To return power, one must ensure that the Xiao family can remain standing. As for imperial power, the continuation of bloodline is obviously the best way.
This method is the best for many people.
No soldiers were killed and no blood was shed, only the feelings of two people were lost.
She didn't ask stupid questions.
Since my aunt was able to get that girl to come from Shanxi and stay here, she must have convinced her. As for His Majesty... naturally someone will be there to convince him too.
This was never a discussion, but a decision.
A decision that is beneficial to both parties and serves the country and the people.
"Then her identity..." Since she is to be the empress, she naturally cannot marry His Majesty as an illegitimate daughter.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu had already made arrangements for this.
She said, "I have already made an agreement with your uncle and aunt to make her their fourth daughter. She and Baozhu are twins and have been raised outside."
Xu Duanyi hesitated and asked, "Will my aunt agree?"
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu sneered: "What qualifications does she have to refuse? At that time..." When the words were about to come out of her mouth, Empress Dowager Zhaoyu glanced at Zhaozhao's face and stopped talking.
I don't want Zhao Zhao to know those dirty things.
Empress Dowager Zhaoyu held Xu Duanyi's hand again and said to her softly, "Okay, I will take care of these things. You don't have to worry about it."
For her Zhao Zhao, it is enough for her to live her life well.
Xu Duanyi knew.
I am not qualified to take charge of this kind of thing.
Things in this world are never decided by one person's likes and dislikes. Moreover, if the world is a chessboard, who among them is not a chess piece in this chessboard?
…
Another person who already knew about this was Xie Qingya, who learned about it from Xiao Yuanxing.
"What?"
After listening to what Xiao Yuanxing said, Xie Qingya frowned.
Xiao Yuanxing glanced at him calmly and said, "This is the best arrangement for us. As long as Weiyang Palace and the next emperor have the blood of our Xiao family, my aunt will return the power to him on the day of your majesty's wedding."
"Isn't this what you've always wanted?"
yes.
That is exactly what they want.
But he had never thought about this outcome, let alone that the Xiao family actually had a daughter outside.
Xiao Yuanxing knew that he had a deep brotherly relationship with the man on the dragon chair.
But sometimes, we should never let our emotions get the better of us when it comes to things in this world.
"Xie Qingya."
He looked at Xie Qingya and reminded her, "Because you are Zhao Zhao's husband, the one she holds dear to her heart, I am reminding you. This is my aunt's final concession."
Xie Qingya was silent.
He naturally knew that this decision was a big concession for that person.
"But in order to avoid affecting the relationship between you two brothers, I also suggest that you don't go to the palace recently until this matter is over."
Xie Qingya did not respond to Xiao Yuanxing's remarks.
But I also know that he means well.
"Thank you."
He thanked the people.
Before Xiao Yuanxing could say anything else, he asked, "Besides Cao Da, are there any other situations involving those people in the Imperial Household Department?"
Xiao Yuanxing frowned and glanced at him.
But he did not say more about the previous incident, and only answered his question: "There was a eunuch named Chen Li, who also disappeared."
Speaking of this, Xiao Yuanxing still feels a little annoyed.
Cao Da disappeared from the prison, and Chen Li, Cao Da's confidant, also disappeared from the palace.
This was the first time that Xiao Yuanxing had encountered such a setback. He said in a deep voice, "I didn't do this well. I have already replaced the guards in the palace. This will never happen again."
He still felt that there was something wrong with the guards.
Otherwise, why would a good person just disappear?
But Xie Qingya suddenly thought of something and asked, "Have you checked the prison where Cao Da is imprisoned, and Cao Da's room in the palace?"
"What do you mean?"
Xiao Yuanxing frowned and looked at him, not understanding what Xie Qingya meant for a moment.
"I suspect they disappeared because they had another way to go. Ask someone to check the Dali Temple and Cao Da's house."
This is a possibility that Xiao Yuanxing had not expected.
At that time, Caoda's prison had not been destroyed, only the cell door had signs of being damaged and was open.
So he always thought that Cao Da was taken away by someone.
But now after hearing what Xie Qingya said, Xiao Yuanxing's heart sank. If this was true, there might be danger in the palace!
Thinking of my aunt and Zhao Zhao...
Xiao Yuanxing's face changed drastically.
Xie Qingya obviously thought of something.
The two of them tacitly kept silent, and at the same time, with sullen faces, they stood up and walked out.
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