The next morning, Lady Soetu brought the two sisters, Xu Yan and Xu Yun, into the palace.
He Xue glanced at Xu Yan, whose eyes still held a hint of hostility. He Xue smiled disdainfully. Today, Xu Yan was dressed in a moon-white cheongsam and wearing platform shoes.
He Xue felt that if Xu Yan could continue to dress like a Han Chinese woman, she might catch the Crown Prince's eye. But now that the Crown Prince saw people dressed in Manchu attire, she had lost her advantage in front of him.
He Xue saw a baby-faced little girl behind Xu Yan, with bright eyes and a smile on her face.
"You are Xu Yun?" He Xue asked with a smile.
"Yes, this commoner greets the Crown Princess!" Xu Yun's bowing movements were very standard, it seemed she had practiced a lot.
"Get up quickly. I've heard the Crown Prince talk about your affairs. To be so outstanding at such a young age is truly remarkable. You are a woman who is just as capable as any man. You deserve our respect!"
He Xue admired Xu Yun's courage. He had traveled from Jiangnan to the capital, and was even pursued by assassins along the way. One can imagine the hardships he had endured. Xu Yun had survived all of this, which was truly remarkable.
"Your Highness is too kind! I only wish to fulfill my brother's request and relieve the people of their suffering. I also want to thank His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince for their help to the people of Jiangnan!" Xu Yun said calmly.
He Xue turned to look at Madam Suo'etu, "Madam is so blessed to have two such lovely daughters!"
"Thank you for the Crown Princess's praise. These two children really make my life easier," Lady Soetu said with a smile.
"Xu Yan, I've heard about what happened before from the Crown Prince. I'm truly grateful to you!" He Xue was genuinely grateful to Xu Yan. In an era where a woman's chastity was valued more than life itself, she was grateful to Xu Yan for what she did, regardless of her motives.
Xu Yan knew what He Xue was talking about. "Your Highness, you are too kind. I did this not for your sake!"
After Xu Yan finished speaking, the room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
He Xue chuckled softly, "Anyway, I still want to thank you."
Lady Suo'etu's face changed. "Isn't this Xu Yan a bit ungrateful? If it weren't for the master's high regard for her, I wouldn't care about her at all. She's so arrogant!"
Even if you enter Yuqing Palace later, you'll still have to work under the Crown Princess. You've offended her before you've even done anything; do you think you'll have a good future?
"Please forgive me, Your Highness! Sister, I didn't rest well last night and spoke and acted without thinking!" Xu Yun hurriedly knelt down to plead for Xu Yan.
"It's okay, as long as you have a brain, just don't lose it!" He Xue said with a smile.
"Yes! Thank you, Your Highness!" Xu Yun replied awkwardly.
Just as Xu Yan was about to say something, Madam Suo'etu gave her a look, and Xu Yan immediately shut her mouth.
"Your Highness, a family reunion banquet will be held in the manor in a few days. You and the Crown Prince must attend!" Lady Suo'etu said with a smile.
"Okay!" He Xue replied calmly.
"Xia Bing!" He Xue said to Xia Bing.
Xia Bing walked in carrying two boxes.
"This is a gift for you two. If you like it, you can keep it for yourselves. If you don't like it, you can give it to the servants as a reward!" He Xue said.
Xu Yun pulled Xu Yan to her feet, "Thank you, Your Highness, I like it very much!"
"If you like it, that's good!" He Xue felt that Xu Yun was more sensible than Xu Yan.
"Your Highness, I have a request! Please grant it!" Xu Yan suddenly stepped forward and said.
"Since you know it's an unreasonable request, I think it's better not to say it. If I don't agree, you'll be unhappy! Your unreasonable request will put me in a difficult position, and if I agree, I'll feel uncomfortable!" He Xue retorted directly.
"Is the Crown Princess afraid?" Xu Yan said provocatively.
"I'm scared. Scared of what? Scared of your unreasonable request? Since you know it's an unreasonable request, why did you still say it?" He Xue asked, puzzled.
"This humble woman only wishes to see His Highness the Crown Prince to express her gratitude!" Xu Yan said, her neck stiff.
"I see! But if you want to express your gratitude to Father Emperor, I'm afraid I can't. Father Emperor is busy with state affairs, so you won't be able to see him!"
"Xia Bing, go to the study and fetch the Crown Prince. Tell him what Xu Yan said!" He Xue said to Xia Bing.
"Yes!" Xia Bing replied.
"Xu Yan, I've already sent someone to deliver the message to you. As for whether the Crown Prince will come or not, that's beyond my control!" He Xue said to Xu Yan.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Xu Yan felt that the Crown Prince would definitely see her.
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