"Greetings, Consort Xia."
Qiao Yunsheng's joyful eyes couldn't be hidden.
Nevertheless, on the surface, they maintained a restrained and courteous demeanor, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest.
The two of them stood facing each other in silence, gazing at one another.
The lotus flowers in the courtyard swayed gently, like a pink sea, and the breeze carried their delicate fragrance.
"Xun'er, it seems a new batch of Shu brocade has arrived. I just happen to be thinking of having some new clothes made. Come with me to take a look."
"Here you are."
After Mi Shan finished speaking, she left with Xun'er.
Leave them some space to be alone.
"Ah Xue, it's been a long time."
Qiao Yunsheng stared intently at her, and seeing that no one was around, he took a step closer to her.
"I never imagined that Shan'er would come looking for me so that I could have the opportunity to meet you. But how could she know my feelings for you? Did you tell her?" Xia Ranxue asked softly, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"I've never told anyone about my feelings for you. But..."
Qiao Yunsheng paused, pondered, "Mi Huifei is such an intelligent person, she must have noticed something amiss during their casual interactions."
“That’s true.” Xia Ranxue took out a handkerchief she always carried with her, inside which was a red bean. “She saw it on the day she first entered the palace.”
“I carry it with me every day.” Qiao Yunsheng took off the sachet, took out a small cloth bag from it, opened it and saw that it also contained a red bean.
Two red beans are placed side by side.
Even so, smiles appeared on their faces.
I am content without having to do anything or have any skin contact.
"Qiao Lang, I really don't know when this will end." Suddenly, Xia Ranxue frowned and sighed softly, looking into the distance. "Although the Emperor has not summoned me to his bedchamber, my father has already written several letters and sent them to the palace. He intends for me to compete for the Emperor's favor."
“He said that I was the only legitimate daughter in the family, and he was getting old, and his mother had passed away early. He sent me to the palace hoping that I could gain the emperor's favor and give birth to a prince. That way, not only would I be worry-free for the rest of my life, but my family would also benefit. But I…”
Xia Ranxue was filled with self-reproach.
"Ah Xue, I know your difficulties. No matter what, I will not give up. I have already lost you once, and I absolutely cannot lose you a second time."
Qiao Yunsheng couldn't resist wanting to hold her hand, but hesitated for a moment and then let go.
"We can only wait a little longer. Judging from the Emperor's pulse, he is already terminally ill and will surely die soon."
“By then, if you have never been favored by the emperor, you will be demoted to a palace maid. Or, by then, I will plead with the new emperor to release you from the palace. I will also resign from my official post, and we will leave the capital together, live in seclusion in the mountains, and live a carefree life far from the world, just you and me, one love for life.”
Qiao Yunsheng's confession was undoubtedly the most beautiful love confession in the world.
The world he depicted was exactly what Xia Ranxue dreamed of.
“But lately, I’ve been feeling tightness in my chest and palpitations. I even dreamt that my father was imprisoned by order of the emperor. As you know, the Prince of Pingxi, a veteran of three reigns, offended the emperor and still met a bad end. My father has always been outspoken and has repeatedly offended the emperor with his remonstrances. I’m really afraid, really afraid that one day he will…”
"Ah Xue, don't overthink things that haven't happened yet. Dreams are often the opposite of reality," Qiao Yunsheng comforted her.
At this moment, Mi Shan, accompanied by her maid, came over with a beaming smile.
He warmly grasped Sister Xue's hand.
He selected the finest fabrics and gave them to her.
"The color of this peony perfectly complements your temperament, Sister Xue. You should take it and make a dress with it; you'll surely look beautiful in it."
"Thank you, Shan'er. You're so kind to me."
"Consort Mi Hui, Consort Xia, I have matters to attend to at the Imperial Hospital, so I will take my leave now."
"Please take care, Physician Qiao."
Qiao Yunsheng knew that as a man outside the palace, he should not stay in the concubines' palace for too long. He had already managed to get this short time to talk, and if he stayed any longer, people with ulterior motives would gossip about him.
-
Outside the palace.
The Prime Minister's Residence.
Eunuch Zheng disguised himself as a sedan chair bearer, quietly entered through the back door, handed the horse to a servant, removed his veil, and walked into the inner hall, looking travel-worn.
"This old servant greets Prime Minister Xia and Prince Xia. I have come here at great risk on behalf of the Empress Dowager to discuss matters with you both."
Upon hearing this, Xia Chenglian quickly helped him up with both hands, looked at the Sixth Prince, and hesitated before saying, "You should say it yourself."
The sixth prince stood ramrod straight, his thin body etched with a four-clawed dragon pattern on his blue robe, his face full of worry: "It is my fault. I was a step too late and failed to save my nephew, Kong Wang. He was taken away by someone else first."
"What?" Eunuch Zheng's expression changed upon hearing this. "Kong Wang is missing? Who took him away? Could it be that someone learned of our whereabouts and struck first? Attacking the descendants of the late king?"
"It is said to be a young and beautiful woman."
"What kind of woman has such high martial arts skills that she can infiltrate a prison all by herself?"
"I couldn't have guessed either, but things have come to this. I have already sent people to search everywhere for the whereabouts of my nephew Kong Wang and that woman. I hope to get news of them as soon as possible."
After the Sixth Prince finished speaking, he looked at Prime Minister Xia and asked, "What about your side? Have you contacted Master Tongji and received a response?"
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