Of course, if you really want to go down this path, it will be the best outcome for you, but also the worst outcome.
Since Lu Anyuan had no intention of rebelling, but now the Queen Mother has received news that he wants to rebel, it proves that someone wants him to do so.
The list includes but is not limited to: the father who is determined to become the father-in-law of the emperor, the other princes who are eyeing the throne and hoping that Lu Anyuan will make a mistake, the retainers and loyalists who follow Lu Anyuan and hope that he will ascend the throne, Lu Anyuan's enemies, his own enemies such as his grandson You's relatives, and even Prince Cheng has a hint of suspicion.
But the most likely candidate is Dad, who is feigning illness and acting suspiciously. Xu Yixing hasn't figured out exactly what role Dad has played, but she knows that if Dad wants to help Lu Anyuan ascend to power, then someone in the Northern Army must be doing something shameful for him!
Maybe it was a few words of instigation, maybe it was coercion or inducement, maybe it was surrendering directly with troops, or maybe it was directly "escorting" him back to the capital under Lu Anyuan's banner.
Thinking about it this way, Lu Anyuan did not send back the news of the Emperor's Sword in time. Perhaps this was not his intention. After all, it only took a little obstruction to completely ignite the emperor's suspicion.
Alas! If you had listened to me and offered your sword earlier, this wouldn't have happened.
Xu Yixing tossed and turned until midnight, and finally fell asleep in a half-awake state. He could only hear the sounds of fighting and shouting in his dream. It seemed that Lu Anyuan's figure was right in front of him, but he could not touch him.
When Xu Yixing opened her eyes again, the sky inside Yixiao Pavilion was bright, and the sunlight was almost shining directly into her eyes.
"Miss, you are really big, how can you sleep like this? I was so worried that I didn't sleep well all night!"
Xu Yixing stood up and looked at Siqin with a smile. "You should have slept well last night with the help of the incense. Why are you saying this? I don't believe it."
"Oh no! Is it almost time to end the court? Come on, help me clean up!"
Xu Yixing hurriedly washed and dressed, as the Emperor would soon summon her. Unlike the Second Prince's Consort, when she was escorted back, neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager questioned her, sending her directly to the Cold Palace. That was because Lu Chiyan's guilt had already been established and she was dead, so there was no need to see her.
But she was different. As long as Lu Anyuan didn't come back with the dragon flag, she would still be the royal princess. More importantly, she was Xu Xianshan's daughter. If Lu Anyuan really rebelled, she could still restrain his father.
Sure enough, before she had even finished the last piece of dry steamed bun, a group of people arrived at the door with great fanfare: "By the Emperor's order, Princess Xiaoyi is summoned to an audience!"
Xu Yixing hurriedly straightened his clothes, opened the door calmly and walked out, revealing a standard smile: "Thank you for leading the way, eunuch."
Siqin was not allowed to be brought along, which was good, so that she wouldn't be scared when she saw the emperor.
Walking all the way to the imperial study, Xu Yixing silently adjusted the ends of his hair and entered the imperial study with a low breath. He saw the emperor half-sitting on the couch, the imperial brush in his hand suspended in the air, constantly sketching something on the memorial.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor!"
When Xu Yixing entered and saw that there was no one else in the imperial study except Eunuch Kang, he knew that the emperor did not want to publicize what had happened today. He just knelt on the ground for a long time, but the emperor did not make any move.
Xu Yixing's legs ached from kneeling, and he dared not move. Was this the emperor's way of showing off his power? No way, would the emperor use such a low-level method?
"Ahem." After a long pause, the emperor finally put down his pen and looked up at the man kneeling on the ground. "Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Yixing struggled to stand up. His legs were numb but no one was supporting him, so his body was swaying a little.
She had expected the emperor to angrily or indifferently ask if she knew anything about it, but she was caught off guard when he opened his mouth. "Xu Yiyan, you've been in the royal family for three years now, and you've always referred to yourself as your son and subject, but you've never followed the rules by calling me father. So, are you dissatisfied with the marriage I've arranged for you?"
Huh? Xu Yixing's face paled, beads of sweat trickling down his temples. What kind of question was this? Were they going to charge me with disrespect? Isn't that a bit unfair...
"Your Highness dares not!" Not long after he stood up, Xu Yixing kowtowed once more, lowering his head tightly as he frantically thought of excuses. How could he answer this?
"I like my husband very much, and my husband also likes me. If Your Majesty had not approved of this marriage, how could I have such a good fortune? It's just... it's just that I am stupid and thought that only princes and princesses can call you father..." The voice was getting smaller and smaller, and Xu Yixing was about to cry.
I don’t call you Father purely because I’m not used to it. I don’t even call my own father father. Isn’t this the same as calling Daddy Daddy? Father… I can’t bring myself to call him that…
"Hmph." The emperor snorted, refusing to comment on her explanation. "Do you know why the Queen Mother summoned you to the palace?"
"Empress Dowager, I was summoned yesterday. It was said that my husband found the Emperor's Sword that was lost by the late emperor in the northern border, but did not report it. I suspect that my son's family did something to induce my husband to plot...rebellion." Xu Yixing spoke neither fast nor slow. She was weighing how to choose her words.
She had already prepared her words, thinking the emperor would ask, "Did your family participate?" But the emperor didn't ask in detail. He simply said, "The Emperor's Sword, have you seen it?"
Xu Yixing was startled. She wanted to look up to see the emperor's expression, but she didn't dare. Why would the emperor ask such a question? He simply didn't believe the Emperor's Sword had been obtained from the Northern Territory. Otherwise, why would he ask if she had seen it?
"this..."
"Hey! No hurry, no hurry, think about it before answering." The emperor said, and he picked up the pen again after hearing the voice.
Xu Yixing kept her head pressed against the ground. She didn't dare to keep the emperor waiting. If she thought about it for too long, wouldn't it seem too insincere?
Recalling what Lu Anyuan said about the emperor, Xu Yixing closed his eyes and made up his mind, "Lu Anyuan, this is your father. If you cheat me, I will be sentenced to death and turn into a fierce ghost to settle the score with you in the north!"
"Your Majesty, I am honored to meet you." After saying this, she still did not look up, nor did she dare to look up.
She didn't dare look, but Eunuch Kang saw it clearly. Just as the princess finished speaking, the emperor raised the tip of the pen he had just picked up slightly, as if he hadn't expected her to answer so quickly. At the same time, he leaned back slightly, as if to relax.
Eunuch Kang stood beside His Majesty, and seeing that these few questions scared Princess Xiaoyi half to death, he couldn't help but laugh. Our Majesty still likes to tease the young ones!
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