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 hurried, 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 change 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 took everyone 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?"

徐端宜自是不會有所隐瞞，她笑着應是，然後走過去與蕭元星說道：“想着明日再去國公府看你們。”

“表哥是來找王爺的？”

蕭元星也沒隐瞞，點了點頭。

近日因為曹達的事，他一直都沒休息好。

他怎麽也沒想到，這麽多重守衛，竟然還能讓曹達跑了！

刺殺的計劃還未來得及實施，就被人金蟬脫殼，離開了大牢，當時看押曹達的人，審了又審，查了又查，有問題的都已經死了，以至于如今想找出曹達，也毫無蛛絲馬跡可以供他們去查。

不想說這些事讓昭昭煩心。

蕭元星只是與她說：“去看姑姑吧，她這陣子也沒怎麽歇息好，你多陪陪她。”

徐端宜倒是也能猜到，姨母是為何沒休息好了。

她臉上的笑意稍稍淡了一些。

也沒多說，只與蕭元星點了點頭，又看着他眼下明顯的青黑，叮囑一聲：“表哥也要注意休息。”

蕭元星與她一笑，說好。

走之前，他想到什麽，忽然又與她說了一句：“對了，昭昭，姑姑身邊……多了個人。”

“嗯？”

徐端宜對于這番話，有些疑惑。

什麽叫多了個人？

她問：“誰？”

蕭元星卻不知如何回答，只能與她說：“你進宮就知道了。”之後他也沒再多說，就跟徐端宜告辭，先去跟謝清崖見面了。

徐端宜目送他離開後，便帶着滿腹疑窦進了宮。

進宮之後，她倒是知道表哥說的那個人，究竟是誰了。

徐端宜是從丹楓姑姑的口中得知的。

丹楓見她回來，自是高興不已，待聽到殿下的詢問，臉上笑意忽然一頓。

她壓着聲音問：“世子與您說了？”

見殿下點頭，丹楓遲疑片刻，最後還是沒與她隐瞞。

左右這事，很快所有人都會知曉了。

她便把那人的來歷，與徐端宜先說了。

路就這麽一點，丹楓便與人長話短說道：“是舅老爺以前跟別的女人生的。”

“什麽？”

徐端宜驚訝。

“舅舅他，不是……”

話到嘴邊，又沒說出口。

這其實算是國公府中一樁格外隐晦的事了。

外人并不知曉。

徐端宜也是機緣巧合的一回，在宮裏聽姨母與丹楓姑姑說起，才知道的。

舅舅早年也跟蕭元福一樣，得了權勢，便在女人堆裏混跡。

偏巧有一回，碰到個烈性的。

知道他有權有勢，抵擋不過，便偷偷給他下了藥。

那藥雖不至于要舅舅的命，卻足以讓他沒了生育能力，等舅舅知曉的時候，那女子早已經逃之夭夭，消失在京城了。

舅舅連個發洩的人都沒有，便鬧到宮裏，要姨母為他做主。

卻被姨母狠狠訓斥了一通。

所以這之後，無論舅舅有多少女人，但蕭家的孩子卻只有那麽三個。

這怎麽突然出現一個舅舅的私生女？

徐端宜自然十分吃驚。

丹楓也沒隐瞞，把那女子的來歷都與她說了。

“她的母親是個采藥女，當初舅老爺在山上看中她，便想把人帶回家中，但那采藥女雖是個孤女，卻十分有烈性，之後……”

丹楓一生未嫁。

說起這些，也覺得十分晦氣。

若非舅老爺是太後的親哥哥，她對這樣的人必定是要十分唾棄的。

此時其實也沒什麽好臉色。

只這樣的腌臜事，她也不想多說，平白污了殿下的耳朵。

便只是籠統概括了一番。

大致就是舅老爺見色起意，非要納了那采藥女，見那采藥女不從，便拿了她年邁的父親做威脅，逼着那采藥女從了他。

這事發生的時候，舅老爺的身體還沒出問題。

那采藥女因此懷了孕，又苦于被舅老爺威脅，只能為人生子。

偏偏這事被常氏知道了。

常氏鬧到了當時還只是皇後的太後這邊，非要太後為她做主，還想直接動手殺了那采藥女。

太後當時怕常氏給蕭家惹禍，便只說這事她來處理。

以此打發走了常氏。

再之後，太後便派人去找了那采藥女，人去的時候，那采藥女已經生下了孩子，是個女兒。

之後太後讓人把這對母女送出了京城，給了一筆銀錢。

對內卻宣稱她們已經死了。

常氏雖然未見屍骨，但因為太後發話，她也不敢再多說什麽。

直到之前太後在山莊的時候，忽然想到這對母女，便讓郭天詞去山西跑了一趟，沒想到還真讓他找回了當年那個孩子。

徐端宜從她的口中，知道了來龍去脈。

卻還是不解。

“可好端端的，姨母為何要突然把她帶回來？”

徐端宜實在不明白。

以她對姨母的了解，她絕對不會對一個素未謀面的陌生人有血脈親情，明知她的到來，會讓蕭家引起軒然大波，會讓舅母不高興……可姨母還是這麽做了，甚至讓人住進了壽康宮。

見丹楓姑姑面露難色，知道這事，她也不好回答。

徐端宜便也沒再多問。

正好大殿也要走到了，徐端宜便也先收拾好心情，打算回頭直接問下姨母好了。

未想走到殿外。

還未等人通傳，她就先看到一個背對着她的身影。

身影看着比她要矮一些，也更瘦弱一些。

幾乎是看到這個身影的第一時間，徐端宜便知曉，這便是丹楓姑姑先前說的那個女孩子。

——蕭辛夷。

這點時間。

昭裕太後也看到徐端宜的身影了。

冷不丁看到她的身影，昭裕太後原本沒什麽表情的臉上，立刻揚起一道明亮的笑容。

她剛還在板着一張臉，跟蕭辛夷說話。

這會卻對着徐端宜的方向，笑了起來：“什麽時候回來的？快過來，讓姨母瞧瞧。”

她邊說，邊又沖蕭辛夷說了一句：“你先回去吧。”

蕭辛夷也沒多嘴，低垂着眼眸，輕輕應了一聲“是”，而後便欠身與她先告辭了。

徐端宜看着，先前背對着她的女孩子，轉身朝她走過來。

四目相對。

徐端宜見她腳步一頓，很快又垂下眼簾，只低着頭與她欠了欠身，便先往外退去。  本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理　　徐端宜也沒多言。

與她點了點頭，算是打了招呼。

待她出去，徐端宜方才重新笑着朝姨母那邊過去。

“才回來不久，回王府洗漱了一番，便立刻來見您了。”徐端宜笑着與人說完，又讓時雨把她給姨母帶的那些東西，都呈給姨母看了。

遼東那邊特産不算多。

何況姨母是見慣好物的人，徐端宜便也只給人挑了些體己的東西，一套火狐皮做的鬥篷，還有護手和護膝。

如今這個時節，自是用不上這些，但天氣冷了之後，姨母素有腿疾，這火狐皮正好可以驅寒。

還有一些松茸類的山珍，可以用來配菜。

先前她已經讓人先送去廚房了。

“大老遠的，你也不嫌累。”昭裕太後牽着徐端宜坐在自己身邊，話是這麽說，但臉上的笑意卻是一點也都沒藏住。

她讓丹楓喊人仔細收起來。

而後便握着徐端宜的手，仔細打量了起來，這一瞧，又忍不住皺眉：“怎麽去了一趟，還瘦了？你爹就這麽照顧你的？”

有宮婢送來她喜歡的茶水。

徐端宜卻看着昭裕太後無奈笑道：“我回去也沒住幾日，都花在路上了。”去時匆匆，來時也匆匆，她雖然不用趕車，但這一路也沒怎麽歇息好。

何況她一直以來，都有些苦夏。

每逢夏天都沒什麽胃口，又一路颠簸，瘦也是正常的。

昭裕太後也猜到他們着急回來的原因了。

“為了曹達？”她問。

徐端宜也沒隐瞞，點了點頭。

說起曹達，昭裕太後還是一肚子的氣，她也沒想到這麽多重守衛，竟然還能讓曹達跑掉。

她早讓人下了天羅地網。  本書由LK團隊為您獨家整理　　別說城門口，就連城中，也日日有人巡邏查訪。

可即便這樣，還是沒能找到曹達。

要曹達真就這樣逃之夭夭，也就算了，怕就怕他哪一日，又跑出來，妖言惑衆，攪弄風雲。

想到這，昭裕太後不免還是有些頭疼。

“一群沒用的廢物點心。”但想到這些廢物之中，還有元星的人，昭裕太後又沉默了下來。

徐端宜知她頭疼，便輕聲安慰道：“我看表哥對此事很上心，王爺也不會放過曹達的，您別擔心。”

昭裕太後也不想她好不容易回來，就來煩擾這些事。

便沒再多提那曹達。

本不想立刻與她說起對蕭辛夷的安排，但既然看都看見了，又見昭昭并無意外的模樣，想來是丹楓已經與她說了。

她沉默片刻，最終還是與昭昭說起自己的打算：“我打算把她賜給皇帝。”

徐端宜愣了片刻。

待反應過來，她也終于明白姨母的打算了。

怪不得姨母會在這個時間，把人大老遠從山西找出來，原來是為了這個緣故。

昭裕太後言語淡淡：“皇帝長大了，也到了該大婚的年紀了。”

“我準備在他大婚當日，把皇帝的寶印還給他，但皇後和太子必須有我們蕭家的血脈。”

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.