Chapter 057

Zhao Youze's eyes recovered. For Jiashan, it was a joy to be overwhelmed, but for some people, it made them unable to sleep at night.

After attending the banquet at Changle Palace, Concubine Zhuang looked unhappy all the way.

There was a happy event in Changle Palace today, and in order to save face for Zhao Youze, Emperor Zhanghe had to stay in Changle Palace. Therefore, as soon as Concubine Zhuang returned to Chengqian Palace, the other palace maids closed the door.

Zhao Youcheng had already been waiting for her in the palace.

The emperor made a big fuss today for Zhao Youze's eyes. Not only did he intentionally summon her to the banquet so that everyone in the harem knew about it, he also specifically ordered the eunuch to deliver the news when all the ladies were present.

If Concubine Zhuang still can't guess what the emperor is thinking, she has no right to control the harem for more than ten years.

Unlike Zhao Youze who had Mr. Xu to keep a small stove, Zhao Youcheng had to go to the Shangshufang to study on time every day, so earth-shaking news like "The Fourth Prince's eyesight has improved" was only heard by others after Zhao Youcheng finished class.

Zhao Youcheng's appearance does not resemble either of his parents. His brows and eyes are as severe as those of Emperor Zhanghe, and the part below the bridge of his nose is more like Concubine Zhuang.

At this moment, his dark eyes seemed to be covered with frost, and he looked like he wanted to keep away from people and ghosts. The maids in Chengqian Palace all stood far away, as if they were avoiding him. Only a female official whom Concubine Zhuang trusted was standing beside Zhao Youcheng to serve him.

Upon hearing the news about his mother, Zhao Youcheng's expression became a little less cold and he stood up to greet her.

Concubine Zhuang glanced at him. Both mother and son had the same serious and solemn expression. Concubine Zhuang said, "We are in my mother's palace. There is no need to be so polite."

Zhao Youcheng's eyes scanned the surroundings. His tone was precocious, unlike other fifteen-year-old boys. Zhao Youcheng said indifferently, "There are many people talking, so at this critical moment, your son and mother should be more careful."

Hearing him say this, Concubine Zhuang couldn't help but let out a long sigh. She said, "Sit down and talk."

Zhao Youcheng sat down as he was told.

Nanny Dou quickly signaled those insignificant maids to leave, and then she retreated out of the room and guarded the door herself.

The room was silent for a moment, and then Zhao Youcheng said slowly, "Mother, is it true?"

He was vague in his words, but mother and son are connected by heart, and the matter was so commotion-filled, how could Concubine Zhuang understand?

"Really." Concubine Zhuang clenched her knuckles, her mouth drooped, and she narrowed her eyes and said, "Who would have thought that a blind person could see again."

"God is truly blind." Concubine Zhuang's eyes were grim.

Zhao Youcheng's breathing quickened and he concentrated for a moment.

"The dumb man opened his mouth, and the blind man saw the sky." Concubine Zhuang's face looked as if she was standing in the harsh wind and frost. She tilted her head and said, "This is a rare thing that happened to us."

She paused, then dragged out her words and said, "It's really hard to believe."

Zhao Youcheng let out a cold smile and asked, "I wonder what my father said to my mother when he invited her to Changle Palace today?"

Concubine Zhuang chuckled in an unfathomable way and said calmly, "What can I say? Your father has made it clear that he wants to promote him and treat him like a treasure."

Zhao Youcheng turned his head slightly and said hesitantly, "It's only the first day. Haven't you heard about it? Haven't you seen it yet?"

"I haven't seen it yet, but I'm afraid it will happen soon." Concubine Zhuang couldn't help but rub the worry between her eyebrows. She said, "His Majesty has given a lot of gifts to Changle Palace, as if he was afraid that someone would not know about this good thing."

"He is a legitimate son. The reason Jiashan was so favored in the past was simply because he was also a legitimate son." Concubine Zhuang thought of what the palace maid said. In the afternoon, Jiashan was also invited into the palace, and she was full of worries.

She let out a long breath, drank a sip of tea, and finally suppressed the anger in her heart. Concubine Zhuang's eyes were dark and heavy: "In the past fifteen years, you have always been by your father's side. He always respects you and has feelings for you. I don't believe that he has never thought of making you the crown prince."

"This is our only capital right now." No matter how she tried to raise capital for herself, Concubine Zhuang still had a heavy worry in her eyes. She said seriously, "Even if Zhao Youze saw it, he started much later than you. Whether to establish the heir or the virtuous one is not up to your father's words."

At this point, Concubine Zhuang finally regained some spirits. Thinking about how she had worked hard for her son for fifteen years, she realized that he was quite capable and always had face in front of the emperor.

Concubine Zhuang raised her eyebrows and said, "You should study harder and practice martial arts more diligently these days, and be more careful in your dealings. Don't give others a handle on you."

Zhao Youcheng glanced at Concubine Zhuang, nodded and said, "Yes."

"I heard that today, the wife of Duke Wei and the wife of Marquis Pingyang both entered the palace." In addition to Zhao Youze's eyes, Zhao Youcheng's marriage is also a big event recently.

Zhao Youcheng said: "Has mother come up with a set of rules?"

Concubine Zhuang glanced at Zhao Youcheng, the haze in her eyes slightly dissipated, and she smiled. She spoke softly, "Yes. I think the daughter of the Marquis of Pingyang is good, and she can be a good match for my son."

Zhao Youcheng glanced at Concubine Zhuang without frowning.

He knew that his mother was not very satisfied with these two families at first, so why did she suddenly relax?

Concubine Zhuang just smiled and said in a low voice: "The wives of Marquis Pingyang and Marquis Anding are both from the Duke of Qin's Mansion. They are good sisters of our cousins."

"Marquis Anding is now stationed in the northwest. He finally returned to the capital to report on his work this year, and he also recruited some new soldiers with him." This was also Concubine Zhuang's unexpected gain today. It was the only good news in these gloomy days.

Concubine Zhuang said: "Marrying into the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion means indirectly becoming related to the Anding Marquis, which is beneficial to us."

Zhao Youcheng didn't understand why, but he had heard about the Northwest. In those days, Yongding Hou made his fortune in the Northwest, but lost it because of the Northwest. It was a pity for a great general to fall so suddenly.

Now my mother suddenly mentioned the Marquis of Anding and the Northwest. Is it because of the Fu family? Because she married Zhan Yue from Jiashan?

After Zhao Youcheng thought deeply for a while, he said in a deep voice: "Since mother has made a plan, my son can rest assured."

Concubine Zhuang looked at Zhao Youcheng with a clear gaze for a long time before she clenched her teeth. She sighed and said, "The road ahead will be difficult."

Zhao Youcheng's expression changed slightly, he clenched his fists, and his eyebrows moved.

"Even if it's not easy, we have to go." Zhao Youcheng said with dark eyes.

Because he was the emperor's concubine, Emperor Zhanghe gave Zhan Yue three extra days of rest. However, it was only three days, not even one more day.

On the morning of the fourth day, Jiashan was still half asleep when he suddenly heard the rustling sound of someone dressing beside him.

Jiashan grumbled at first, then half-opened her eyes. A little light leaked into her eyes, and she asked sleepily, "What's wrong?"

Zhan Yue had already changed into his official uniform. He said lightly, "Nothing."

"You continue sleeping." Zhan Yue said with a smile.

Jiashan finally came to her senses. She reached out her hand and found that the seat beside her was empty. After Zhan Yue stood up, he wrapped her up like an airtight "worm pupa", as if he was afraid that she would catch a cold while sleeping.

Jiashan's fingertips touched the cold mattress, and he shuddered, and his spirits returned to their normal state somewhat.

She climbed up from the pillow, half of her charming body still slumped on the bed. Jiashan rubbed his eyes and saw that Zhan Yue was ready to go out.

Jiashan belatedly asked, "You...are you done with your rest?"

Zhan Yue nodded, then walked over and kissed Jia Shan on the cheek in a serious tone, "It's my turn to be on duty tonight, and I can only return home at noon tomorrow."

Yes, he is a Jinwu Guard and has to stay in the palace to keep watch.

In the past few days, Jiashan had been with Zhan Yue day and night, and he almost forgot that he was an official. Now Zhan Yue suddenly wanted to leave, and for some reason, Jiashan felt a little disappointed.

She could only say dryly: "Be careful in the palace."

Zhan Yue laughed silently. He said softly, "This is not my first day as an errand boy. What should I be careful about?"

It was originally a love word, but he insisted on digging into the matter.

Jiashan opened her almond-shaped eyes slightly and gave him a coquettish look. Zhan Yue's mouth was already slightly raised. He said, "The princess can't bear to part with me, just say it directly, why bother to beat around the bush."

Jiashan glanced at the red ruyi knot tied around his waist, which he had never seen Zhan Yue wear before. It symbolized a hundred years of happiness for the couple.

Thinking that they could now be called "husband and wife", Jiashan couldn't help but snort and said with a nasal tone: "Then, come back early."

Zhan Yue's handsome face was full of smiles. He stood up, wrapped Jia Shan in his arms and hugged her gently for a while.

"I'll be back as soon as I finish my mission, so as not to keep the princess waiting for too long." Zhan Yue's Adam's apple rolled, and his voice was a little hoarse.

He held Jiashan's face in his hands and carefully stroked her chin. He whispered, "If you want to leave the house, take Liu Qi with you. He is my foster brother. I feel more at ease with him by your side."

Jiashan glanced at him, nodded and said, "Okay."

Zhan Yue gently brushed away the hair on her forehead and kissed her forehead lightly before walking out of the room.

After Zhan Yue left, Jiashan was left alone, unable to sleep, but he could never fall asleep again.

She called Dancui to help her change her clothes, and asked Suyu to send a note to the Pei Mansion, planning to go to the Pei family after lunch.

The palace does not allow outsiders to enter, and Kong Lihui only goes to the palace to treat Zhao Youze on a regular basis. Now, he still lives in Pei's house.

There has to be an explanation for some things, whether they are just illusions or have deeper meanings.