Chapter 025

Emperor Zhanghe had disagreements with Jiashan on several occasions over the selection of a consort for her, which made him somewhat unhappy. Especially when he asked Jiashan if she had any idea, Jiashan would often say no.

This made Emperor Zhang He very worried.

But he still had no one to work with on this matter. Although Concubine Jing held a high position, it was all due to her seniority. Her family background was ordinary, so Emperor Zhanghe seldom discussed important matters with her.

Concubine Zhuang... Concubine Zhuang's family background is good, but she also has a daughter, and Shuxian is almost the same age as Jiashan. Emperor Zhanghe was afraid that she might have selfish motives, so he would hardly discuss matters related to Jiashan with her.

Emperor Zhanghe pondered, perhaps in a few days, he should summon his sister to the palace to discuss the matter properly.

Emperor Zhanghe looked up at Jiashan and decided not to think about the matter of the prince consort for the time being. He said softly, "I heard that you punished a palace maid yesterday?"

Su Yu and Dan Cui were both accompanying Jia Shan. When Dan Cui heard the emperor ask this, she couldn't help biting her lip. She looked at the princess with some worry and anger, as if she wanted Jia Shan to ask Emperor Zhang He for justice.

Jiashan smiled and said without changing his expression: "Yes."

She did not say what Dancui thought she would say. Instead, she repeated to Emperor Zhanghe what she had said to Concubine Jing yesterday: "Hanzhu has been by my side and served me for many years. I never thought that she would be so disloyal and dare to take my mother's things. This is what I cannot tolerate the most."

"I specially ordered someone to punish her at the gate of Chengqian Palace so that the servants in the six palaces can follow her example."

Her statement coincided with Concubine Zhuang's, and Emperor Zhanghe's frown relaxed a little.

Jiashan also knew that Emperor Zhanghe was a benevolent emperor, so he took the initiative to explain: "Maybe my method was a little cruel. But when I think about how she has been taking advantage of my trust in her for so many years, I really can't swallow this breath."

"Father, please forgive me." Jia Shanfu bowed his head and admitted his mistake softly.

Emperor Zhanghe just wanted an explanation. He would never get angry with Jiashan over a maid. He said to her, "You are too cruel. I will not make this an example for you next time."

Jiashan said: "Yes."

This matter was exposed at the cost of a life.

Jiashan did not flatter Concubine Zhuang in front of Emperor Zhanghe. Concubine Zhuang lost her only spy in Fengyang Pavilion, but she also failed to slander Jiashan as "unkind".

It seems like there is no harm in doing anything.

In reality, it is completely unclear who benefits and who suffers.

Emperor Zhanghe sat in Fengyang Pavilion for a while. After all, there were still many court affairs to deal with. He stood up and said, "You should have a good rest. If you feel unwell, remember to summon the imperial physician to see you."

Jiashan nodded and replied obediently, "Yes."

Emperor Zhanghe then turned to Zhao Youze and asked, "Yuankang, are you going to come with me, or stay here with your sister?"

Zhao Youze thought for a while and asked, "Can I stay with my sister again? The pastries here are very good."

He showed a greedy look, just like a child. Zhang Hedi couldn't help but smile and nodded, "Of course you can."

In fact, as a member of the royal family, Emperor Zhanghe always cherished the relationship between the two siblings, and especially appreciated Jiashan's protection of his younger brother.

He had a lot of fondness for Jiashan, and this was the reason.

Jiashan is the eldest son, beautiful, intelligent, strong and sensible, caring for her brothers, and able to maintain a rare childlike heart. It is very difficult for Emperor Zhang He to dislike her.

When he thought of this, it seemed that the few words that Jiashan had argued with him about the selection of a son-in-law just now did not make Emperor Zhang He unhappy.

He said, "I am leaving."

Jiashan and Zhao Youze immediately saluted him.

Emperor Zhanghe stepped out of the doorstep, followed closely by Chen Gong and Zhan Yue.

It was not until Emperor Zhang He left the door that Jia Shan straightened up slightly. When she looked up, she saw the door and a dark black corner of the clothes slowly disappeared.

That was the official uniform that Zhan Yue was wearing today.

His dark and deep pupils seemed to reappear in Jiashan's mind. Jiashan bit her lower lip, thinking of the too rich look in Zhan Yue's eyes when she said "no" in front of her father just now.

Will he give up because of this?

Jiashan was confused and had no answer.

At this time, Zhao Youze asked, "Sister, when do we have lunch?"

Zhao Youze's voice was childish and innocent. Jiashan couldn't help but smile. She curled her lips and said, "Could it be that Yuankang really stayed with me just for the cakes in my sister's palace?"

Zhao Youze nodded, stretched out a white and tender finger, and said honestly: "It is one of the reasons."

"You naughty boy." Jiashan said this, but still handed him a piece of mountain medicine cake.

Zhao Youze took it and said, "Sister, there must be something else behind what happened to Sister Hanzhu yesterday."

Jiashan said "hmm" nonchalantly, and Zhao Youze tilted his head and asked, "Is it related to Chengqian Palace?"

Although Zhao Youze was smart and insightful, Jiashan didn't want to let him hear the dirty things, so she said, "It's in the past, I don't want to talk about it."

Zhao Youze said "Oh" softly, and lowered his head as if a little disappointed. He even put the half-eaten yam cake in his hand back on the plate.

"Every time I get to this point, I wish I could see it," he said slowly, with a thin and pale face and neat black eyebrows. "That way, Sister wouldn't have to shoulder everything herself."

His voice was soft and gentle, and he had already become a little man who could stand on his own two feet.

Jiashan was stunned, her eyes flickered and the tip of her tongue couldn't help but start to taste bitter.

She looked at her brother's clear and bright face, and tried her best to suppress the misty sourness in her eyes. She pinched Zhao Youze's cheek carefully, opened her mouth and smiled, "Yuankang will see it one day."

Jiashan emphasized, "There will definitely be one."

"Then let Yuankang protect my sister, okay?" Jiashan asked with a smile.

"Okay!" Zhao Youze's face regained its brilliance and he nodded to Jiashan.

After a while, Zhao Youze swallowed a piece of yam cake and said vaguely: "Sister... um... be careful."

"What should you be careful about?" Jiashan thought he was going to talk about Concubine Zhuang, and immediately became frightened.

Zhao Youze said like a chicken pecking at rice: "Be careful Commander Zhan, he won't let go like this."

"Aunt Ruyang promised him that day that she would mention your matter to the emperor during his birthday celebration," Zhao Youze said, "I think it would be better for my sister to find an opportunity to explain everything to him."

Jiashan pursed her lips, and thinking of Zhan Yue, her eyes flickered: "I will pay attention."

Zhao Youze had lunch in Jiashan, and after lunch, he took a nap in Fengyang Pavilion. In the afternoon, he asked someone to carve the Chinese characters for "Shou" left by Zhan Yue on a wooden board so that he could write by touch.

It was not until dinner time that Jiashan sent Zhao Youze back to Changle Palace. Concubine Jing had already prepared dinner, so Jiashan stayed in Changle Palace until it was getting dark before returning.

The palace ladies who went to Changle Palace with Jiashan were Su Yu and Dan Cui.

Dancui was holding a small lantern in front, and Suyu was walking with Jiashan.

"Your Highness, why didn't you tell His Majesty today about Hanzhu's dealings with Chengqian Palace?" Su Yu thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure out the ins and outs, so she had to ask Jiashan for advice.

Ever since Su Yu told Jia Shan yesterday that she wanted to stay with her for a few more years, Jia Shan has developed more trust and reliance on Su Yu.

Hearing her question, Jiashan replied softly: "It doesn't make any sense to tell my father. Concubine Zhuang holds the trump card of the eldest prince. Even if my father is angry with her for this matter, it won't last long."

"As long as Yuankang is gone, Zhao Youcheng will always be the most proud son in the heart of the emperor." Jiashan whispered, "Do you understand?"

To Concubine Zhuang, these were just minor incidents. She was so fearless because she had given birth to the eldest son. The most fatal thing for them was the loss of the right to inherit the throne.

And she will wait and see this day come.

Jiashan's eyes deepened.

At this time, Su Yu carefully pulled Jia Shan's sleeve and said, "Your Highness, there seems to be someone in front."

Jiashan retracted his gaze and looked forward. There was a person standing in front of him. The figure was as tall as a pine tree, and just standing there, he faintly revealed a stubbornness.

Dan Cui was holding a lantern, which gave her a clearer view. She squinted her eyes, identified him for a moment, turned around and said, "It looks like Master Zhan."

"Master Zhan is on duty tonight, and he may be here on patrol." Dan Cui smiled heartlessly, "Do you want to say hello to him, Your Highness?"

It was dark, and it was hard to see people clearly. Zhan Yue stood with his back to the group, and never turned around.

But somehow, Jiashan felt that he should know that they had arrived.

Jiashan was silent for a while.

Su Yu was always more perceptive than Dan Cui. After these days, she also noticed some of the petty things between Zhan Daren and the princess. She asked Jia Shan softly, "Your Highness, should we take a detour?"

Several people are now passing by the carp pond in the palace. The carp pond is crowded during the day, but at night, almost no one comes here to see the fish.

This is not the only way from Changle Palace to Fengyang Pavilion, but if you take a detour, you will have to waste an extra stick of incense's time.

Thinking of Zhan Yue's unyielding eyes, Jia Shan paused and said, "No need to worry." Why should she be afraid of him? In this palace, could he eat her?

Jia Shan straightened up slightly and walked straight over.

Before he even got to Zhan Yue, he seemed to have eyes on his back and greeted him in a calm voice, "Hi, Your Highness."

Jiashan's pupils shrank slightly. She heard a hint of forbearance and restraint in his voice.

What is he restraining?

Zhan Yue slowly turned around to look at her. His eyes were as hard as a knife, thin and pale: "Your Highness just came out of Changle Palace."

"Yes," Jiashan smiled and greeted as usual, "It's so late, why are you here, sir?"

Zhan Yue stared at her without blinking, his long eyelashes trembling slightly: "I have a nephew named A-Li, who is related to carp. Sometimes, I like to come here to take a look."

"Oh." Jiashan nodded in understanding. Seeing that Zhan Yue's lips were no longer moist, she couldn't help but ask, "Have you had dinner?"

"I have been waiting for His Highness for half an hour, but I haven't had time to eat." Zhan Yue said calmly. His dark eyes were like stars at night, with morning light shining, but also endless darkness.

Jiashan raised his eyes and stared at him.

He stared at Jiashan with a burning gaze: "Your Highness was in Fengyang Pavilion today, why do you say no?"