After such an incident, Qingyin lost the will to continue attending court.
The ministers could see the Emperor's expression, and one by one they asked to take their leave.
As for those minor matters, it will be the same to report them to His Majesty tomorrow.
They're not stupid; His Majesty is clearly in a bad mood today, yet they still want to court death.
Of course, even a fool can't become an official.
—
After court, Qingyin went straight to her own bedchamber. Putting aside the memorials, she had just woken up early in the morning, and her body was still underdeveloped. How could she not sleep?
So Qingyin openly prepared to go back and catch up on her sleep, since no one would dare to say anything about her being lazy, the emperor.
However, as soon as she arrived at the palace, Qingyin took a bath.
Then they saw the head eunuch Li Deqian standing guard at the door, his eyes filled with apprehension.
Oh well, now I definitely can't go to sleep right away.
Qingyin thought.
With a focused expression, Qingyin kicked the hesitant Li De, "You stupid servant, just say it. What is there that you dare not report to me?"
Li De chuckled. Having followed His Majesty for so many years, and having practically grown up with him, Li De still held some respect in the original owner's heart. He also knew that His Majesty generally wouldn't touch him.
Therefore, when facing Qingyin, he was not as afraid of His Majesty's fickle nature as others: "Your Majesty, it is that one from the east, Princess Xiyue, who has come and requests an audience."
Normally, Li De would never have reported a princess's request for an audience to His Majesty.
Because His Majesty has always been aloof, when the late Emperor was still alive, His Majesty only cared about the late Emperor; he really couldn't see how much importance others held for him.
As for those princesses, His Majesty's sisters, His Majesty probably only knows of them and has no feelings for them.
But today, the barbarians of the Northern Wilderness only need a princess to form a marriage alliance to end the war and return to their territory. His Majesty rejected that person's suggestion and even executed an official who spoke too harshly. This is quite different now.
That shows that His Majesty still cares about his sisters.
He naturally had to report Princess Xiyue's visit to His Majesty.
Li De pondered the matter several times in his mind, but his expression remained calm.
It must be said that none of those who became the emperor's chief eunuch were fools; in fact, they were all excessively clever.
Qingyin blinked her slightly sleepy eyes and casually sat down in the hall: "Alright, let the princess in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Li De quietly took his leave.
On the other side, Princess Xiyue, whose appearance was not outstanding but still fair and delicate, was also holding her maid's hand tightly.
"Moon, do you think His Majesty will see me?"
The palace maid who called Yue'er was a round-faced girl with calm eyes. She patted the princess's hand reassuringly.
"Princess, rest assured. Since His Majesty openly refused the marriage alliance in court for your sake and even executed an official, he must care about you. His Majesty will definitely see you."
"Really?" Princess Xiyue's mind was a jumble of thoughts. One moment she remembered her mother's dying words to her not to get too close to her younger brother, and the next she was confused by the news she had just heard about His Majesty killing an official for her sake.
Princess Xiyue looked somewhat dejected. She wasn't particularly bright to begin with. Her eyes reddened. If her mother were still alive, she wouldn't be so worried now and would know how to thank her younger brother.
Yue'er knew her princess's temperament and that the princess was somewhat afraid of His Majesty's violent and cold nature. A hint of worry flashed in her eyes.
I was worried that the princess's timid nature would displease His Majesty, but today, the marriage alliance with the Northern Wilderness has been announced. Although His Majesty has temporarily rejected the possibility of the marriage alliance, it is hard to guarantee that His Majesty will not change his mind later.
It's like a person moving directly to a different city. If Yue'er were the emperor, she would be willing to go through that marriage alliance.
Therefore, considering the princess's weak maternal clan and His Majesty's current protection of the princess, she had to help the princess improve His Majesty's favor so that the princess would not become a victim of the marriage alliance.
Given the princess's personality, Yue'er never considered that the princess should take the path of a political marriage. With the princess's intelligence, if she could be tricked and sold out and still count the money, Yue'er would be burning incense in gratitude.
Therefore, whether it's to express gratitude or for any other reason, she absolutely had to bring the princess to His Majesty's residence this time.
The magnificent and luxurious sleeping quarters of the Qianqing Palace gleamed in the sunlight, as if symbolizing the supreme imperial power.
The master and servant stood anxiously at the door, waiting for the eunuch inside to announce their arrival.
Fortunately, their wait was not in vain, and Eunuch Li De, who had been acting like a smiling tiger, came out again.
He smiled at them and said, "Hehe, Princess Xiyue, please come in. His Majesty is waiting for you inside."
Princess Xiyue was both saddened and delighted upon hearing this voice. She was delighted that she had been summoned, but saddened that she was about to meet her infamous younger brother.
"Yes, thank you, Eunuch Li." Princess Xiyue smiled softly and handed the prepared purse to Eunuch Li.
"Father-in-law, would you like to have a drink too?"
Although Princess Xiyue was a little slow-witted, she grew up in the palace and, under her mother's guidance, still knew some of the rules that one had to follow when dealing with people in the palace.
"Hehe, thank you, Princess Xiyue." Li De squeezed the purse in his palm, smiled with satisfaction, and his attitude was better than before.
Princess Xiyue, who was leaning on her maid for support, couldn't help but marvel at the allure of money.
Waaah, that was part of her dowry that her mother had saved for her. She used it all, and then gave some to Eunuch Li.
Princess Xiyue cried inwardly, but she still knew that giving the money to Li De was the right thing to do.
The constant reminders along the way prove this fact.
"Princess Xiyue, His Majesty has just returned from court and has already bathed and changed into his nightgown."
Eunuch Li had already made his point clear, and Princess Xiyue wasn't stupid. She was just a little slow, not dumb. Her younger brother had just finished court and was taking a bath and changing into his nightgown; didn't that mean he was sleepy and wanted to go to bed?
It seems she can't chat for too long, lest she disturb her brother the emperor's sleep, Princess Xiyue thought.
Step into the luxurious palace.
Princess Xiyue also sensed the huge difference between herself and her younger brother, and secretly envied the luxurious and rich decorations in the palace before she was distracted and noticed the beautiful emperor sitting above her, dressed in a casual black robe with his long hair flowing down.
"Ahem, Xiyue greets Your Majesty." Princess Xiyue bowed hastily.
Qingyin nodded lazily, giving a lukewarm "Mmm," and said, "Get up."
In fact, Qingyin didn't miss the look in her overly naive older sister's eyes. After all, none of the expensive-looking decorations and vases in her palace caught the eye of the young girl.
A smile flashed in Qingyin's eyes.
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