cooperate
He met Chu Chengjing's gaze calmly, his eyes sharpened by the battlefield, and said, "My sword will only protect those who deserve it."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze. Xiao Zhouyan's words, "impure intentions" and "someone who deserves protection," carried a strong warning. Chu Chengjing's smile finally faded slightly.
Just then, the Fourth Prince Chu Yunzhan, who had been quietly watching the show, suddenly clapped his hands and chuckled: "Oh dear, look at you all, a perfectly good festival, turned into a court meeting. Father, I'm getting a little tired of this singing and dancing, how about we change things up?"
The emperor seemed pleased to change the subject, and asked with a smile, "Oh? What suggestion does Zhan'er have?"
Chu Yunzhan lazily pointed to the center of the hall: "I heard that the palace has recently staged a play called 'Treading the Ballad Maiden,' which is humorous and interesting. Why don't we bring it up and let everyone have a laugh?"
"Ta Yao Niang" was a popular song and dance drama during the Han and Tang dynasties, mainly featuring humor and banter. The emperor readily agreed, the music resumed, and a group of extravagantly dressed actors rushed into the hall, quickly creating a light and lively atmosphere.
Taking advantage of the fact that everyone's attention was drawn to him, Xiao Zhouyan gently took Xu Qingyao's slightly cool hand under the table and whispered, "Don't be afraid."
Xu Qingyao felt the warmth from his palm, gently squeezed it back, and whispered, "It's alright."
She looked up, her gaze inadvertently sweeping across the other side.
Princess Anyang looked at the two clasped hands, her eyes almost spitting fire.
As the singing and dancing reached their climax, Xu Qingyao excused herself to change and, accompanied by Yuejian, temporarily left her seat. She had barely walked a short distance from the Linde Hall and turned into a secluded corridor when a charming figure blocked her path.
"Xu Qingyao?" The voice carried undisguised arrogance.
Xu Qingyao looked up and saw that the person standing in front of her was Princess Anyang, dressed in a scarlet robe.
She raised her chin slightly, scrutinizing Xu Qingyao from head to toe with a critical look, and sneered, "You really do look sickly. I really don't know what Xiao Zhouyan sees in you? Is it perhaps your prestigious Duke of Wei's mansion? Or... does he have some leverage over your Xu family?"
Yuejian turned pale with anger and was about to speak when Xu Qingyao gently pressed her down.
Xu Qingyao's expression was calm, even carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of fragility and bewilderment. She gave a slight curtsy: "Greetings, Princess. I wonder what brings you here?" Her voice was soft, as if she truly couldn't understand the harshness in the other person's words.
Seeing her submissive attitude, Princess Anyang felt even more frustrated, as if she had punched a cotton ball. Her tone became increasingly sharp: "Advice? I only pity you! Do you think Xiao Zhouyan really likes you? He's only being forced by the imperial decree and old feelings! A sickly woman like you, who knows how long she'll live, yet she doesn't even mind occupying the position of a Marquis's wife..."
“Anyang!” A clear and cheerful voice suddenly interrupted Princess Anyang’s harsh words.
The Fourth Princess, Chu Fuguang, strode over with a bright smile on her face, but her eyes held a hint of warning: "What are you doing here? Your mother is looking for you." As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Xu Qingyao, her smile becoming more genuine, "Madam Xu is here too? It's windy outside, and Madam is not well, so you should return to your seat soon."
Although Chu Fuguang and the Second Prince were born of the same mother, Chu Fuguang was straightforward and could not stand Princess Anyang's domineering behavior because of the Empress Dowager's favor. She especially disliked her obsession with Xiao Zhouyan.
Princess Anyang was interrupted by Chu Fuguang, and seeing that she was clearly biased towards Xu Qingyao, she was so angry that her face turned pale. She stomped her foot and glared at Xu Qingyao before turning around and storming off.
Chu Fuguang made a face at her back, then smiled at Xu Qingyao and said, "Madam, don't mind her, she's spoiled. Go back quickly, be careful not to catch a cold."
"Thank you so much, Fourth Princess, for helping me out of that predicament," Xu Qingyao said sincerely.
Chu Fuguang waved his hand: "It's nothing! Go back now." After saying that, he turned around and went back to Linde Hall.
Xu Qingyao watched Chu Fuguang's departing figure, then glanced at the brightly lit Linde Hall, and took a deep breath of the cool night breeze.
[Host, stop looking, they've disappeared.]
As if knowing what Xu Qingyao was about to ask, the system automatically began to announce: "[Chu Fuguang, the Fourth Princess of Dazhou, straightforward and chivalrous, loves to oppose Princess Anyang.]"
"You know, how come people born to the same mother have such different personalities?" Xu Qingyao suddenly remembered this sentence.
If the system of imperial succession were changed so that women could also become emperors, everyone would be willing to gamble for that power that was so close at hand.
[According to the progress indicator, the plot is currently in a highlighted state. Due to a discrepancy in the subjects involved, please stay away from the plot and ideally remain a bystander.]
The system carefully examined the possibility of clinging to the female lead's coattails and found that it actually was.
Moreover, the female lead is very generous to her own people, so even when the plot progresses to the point where the Great Zhou is annexed, the host can still live a comfortable life.
[Host, I've been doing some research these past few days, and I think clinging to the female lead might be a good strategy.]
"Okay, I'll give it a try if I get the chance." Xu Qingyao planned to go back; staying outside for too long might cause problems. "You know, the female lead specifically asked the emperor to have me attend the palace banquet, but she didn't show up..."
As Xu Qingyao was speaking, a young palace maid hurried over, bowed respectfully, and said, "Madam Xu, Consort Li requests your presence for a chat."
Xu Qingyao raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself: What does the female lead want with her at this time?
The system popped up an analysis: "Perhaps the female lead wants to discuss a collaboration with you."
cooperate?
It's like someone brings you a pillow when you're sleepy.
She likes it.
"Understood, I'll go right away." Xu Qingyao smiled slightly and gestured for the maid to lead the way.
After passing through a winding corridor, Xu Qingyao was led to a secluded pavilion.
Consort Li, also known as Shen Rou, was leaning against the railing admiring the flowers when she saw her arrive. She waved with a smile and said, "Madam Xu, come and sit down."
After bowing, Xu Qingyao sat down and asked respectfully, "I wonder what Your Majesty has commanded me here?"
Shen Rou chuckled softly and took the initiative to bring it up: "Does Madam still remember that we met once in Crescent City of Gaochang?"
Xu Qingyao raised her eyes and met Chen Rou's gaze. After a moment's thought, she said, "This subject remembers."
She replied gently, "At that time, it seemed that Your Highness was searching for relatives?"
Shen Rou's eyes flickered slightly, and she tapped the railing lightly with her fingertips: "Yes, it's a pity that we couldn't find it in the end." She paused, then smiled and said, "Later in Liangzhou, I met you again, and I felt that we were particularly compatible."
Xu Qingyao thought to herself that these two encounters seemed like coincidences, but Shen Rou's special mention of them clearly had a deeper meaning.
Shen Rou continued, "Upon hearing that General Xiao had returned to the court, I asked His Majesty for a favor and invited you to the palace for a chat."
Her tone was soft, yet probing, “It is said that General Xiao has never been interested in women, but he treats you differently, even making an exception by taking you to the Western Regions. It’s really intriguing.”
Xu Qingyao smiled slightly and replied calmly, "The general treats his subjects with kindness and generosity; I am merely benefiting from his kindness."
Shen Rou lightly tapped the stone table with her fingertips, seemingly unintentionally mentioning: "Speaking of which, Crescent Moon City used to be the capital of Tibet. When I was there, I heard the locals mention an old story."
She raised her eyes, her gaze deep and unfathomable. "More than a decade ago, the Great Zhou and the Tubo were constantly at war. The imperial court sent Marquis Xiao, who was also General Xiao's father, to quell the rebellion, but unfortunately..."
Xu Qingyao's fingers tightened slightly as she looked up at her.
Shen Rou sighed, her tone regretful: "It's a pity the supplies were delayed, leaving General Xiao isolated and without support, ultimately leading to his death on the battlefield." She paused, then added meaningfully, "Has General Xiao ever mentioned this matter, Madam?"
Xu Qingyao lowered her eyes, concealing her thoughts: "The general rarely mentions the past, so I am unaware of it."
Shen Rou smiled gently: "Indeed, after all, it involves old court matters, so it is only right that General Xiao is cautious." She changed the subject, her tone softening, "However, I think that some things should not be buried."
Xu Qingyao looked up and met Shen Rou's gaze. Their eyes met, and they each probed each other.
After a moment, Shen Rou withdrew her gaze and smiled, "I had a very pleasant conversation with Madam today, but it's getting late. I've already had someone inform General Xiao that we kept Madam for a while longer, and I'll send someone to escort Madam back later."
Xu Qingyao stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Shen Rou nodded slightly, watching her leave, a deep meaning flashing in her eyes.
In this life, Xiao Zhouyan, what will you choose?
*
Back at the banquet, Xu Qingyao immediately met Xiao Zhouyan's gaze. He stood not far away, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes filled with worry, clearly having been waiting for her return.
She smiled slightly at him to indicate that she was alright, and then slowly walked over.
"Why did you take so long?" Xiao Zhouyan asked in a low voice, his tone calm but unable to hide his concern.
Xu Qingyao shook her head slightly and said in a low voice, "Consort Li kept me here for a while to talk, but there was nothing else."
Xiao Zhouyan's gaze darkened slightly, clearly not entirely at ease. He pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Consort Li has only been in the palace for a short time, and her special visit to you today is probably for a deeper purpose."
Xu Qingyao looked up at him, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke in a low voice: "She... brought up the incident on the Tibetan border more than ten years ago."
Xiao Zhouyan's expression suddenly turned cold, and his aura instantly darkened. He remained silent for a moment before slowly asking, "What else did she say?"
Xu Qingyao shook her head: "It was just a test, she didn't say much. But I always feel that she seems to know something."
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes were deep, and his fingertips unconsciously rubbed the wine glass. After a long while, he said, "This matter is not suitable to be discussed here. Let's talk about it when we get back to the manor."
Xu Qingyao nodded and said no more.
[Host, why didn't you go along with the female lead back then?]
The system was puzzled. Didn't the host always say he wanted to latch onto the female lead's coattails?
Xu Qingyao responded to the system in her mind: "There's a right way to curry favor. Shen Rou's sudden mention of the Xiao family's past is clearly a test. If I just go along with her, it will seem deliberate and make her more suspicious."
[So, what does the host plan to do?]
Xu Qingyao lowered her eyes slightly, concealing her thoughts: "Let's observe the situation first. Xiao Zhouyan reacted strongly to this matter, which clearly indicates there's more to it than meets the eye. We'll decide on our next step after we return to the manor and see how he handles it."
***
After the palace banquet ended, it was already late at night.
The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the General's Mansion. Xiao Zhouyan got out of the carriage first and turned around to help Xu Qingyao.
His large, warm palms held her wrist firmly, with just the right amount of pressure—neither making her feel slighted nor hurting her.
Xu Qingyao used his strength to get off the carriage. The night breeze was slightly cool, and she subconsciously pulled her cloak tighter around herself. Seeing this, Xiao Zhouyan quietly stepped aside to block the wind.
"General, you've drunk quite a bit today. Would you like someone to make you a hangover soup?" Xu Qingyao asked softly.
Xiao Zhouyan shook his head: "No need."
He paused, then added, "You must be tired today, so get some rest."
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