Li Zhaoxian stepped forward, and Xie Qianzhong glanced at his back with an inscrutable expression. Li Zhaoxian bowed slightly and said, "Father, I wish to ask you for a favor."
The emperor's anticipation slowly faded: "Is it all because of your Crown Princess again?"
It's hard to say whether the emperor felt more disappointed or helpless; he could see that the crown prince had long lost his initial expectations.
Li Zhaoxian stammered, "Your subject is foolish and cannot hide anything from Father. Ali has already realized her mistake. I beg Father's grace to lift Ali's confinement."
The emperor waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Fine, you can decide for yourself."
Li Zhaoxian looked up in disbelief, and after a moment of reaction, he knelt down to express his gratitude. Xie Qianzhong stared ahead, sneering inwardly, "He's ruined his image in the emperor's eyes, and he's still here grinning like an idiot."
He suddenly realized that having such a Crown Princess by Li Zhaoxian's side would be enough to ruin Li Zhaoxian without him even having to lift a finger.
"Your Majesty, I have something else to report," Li Zhaoxian said again. "Could you grant me a box of the pearls presented by the vassal state? Tangxue likes them, and I would like to ask for some for her."
The emperor's expression softened slightly, and he nodded in approval. He had high hopes for Song Tangxue; she was capable and had the courage to advise the crown prince, so she was unlikely to make any major mistakes.
A soft sound escaped Xie Qianzhong's nose, audible only to Li Zhaoxian, who was nearby. Li Zhaoxian looked up at him and asked, "Lord Xie, have you caught a cold?"
Xie Qianzhong shook his head. Li Zhaoxian was just being polite. Xie Qianzhong didn't respond and hurriedly packed his things and returned to his residence.
In the evening, Cuixi reported: "The Crown Prince spent another day in Zhaoling Palace today."
Song Tangxue, who was used to it, didn't ask any more questions. She turned a page of her book and found that only Cuixi was left in the room. This was a habit; once night fell, there was no one else to serve her.
This was exactly the situation they were trying to prevent. Cui Xi respectfully withdrew outside the door, and Song Tangxue turned around as if sensing something, just in time to meet Xie Qianzhong's eyes.
"You've come?" Song Tangxue smiled gently, her smile carrying a familiar sense of reliance. Xie Qianzhong took out a small box from his pocket: "Today, the Crown Prince asked for a box of pearls for you, but the palace is in short supply at the time, so the Crown Prince only got five."
The wooden box in my hand was opened, and the small box was full, with more than thirty pearls at a glance. Each pearl was lustrous and had its own luster, which was obviously not comparable to ordinary pearls.
"So this was obtained for me by Lord Xie?" Song Tangxue stood up and slowly walked to Xie Qianzhong, picking up a pearl and examining it in her hand.
"I don't need to ask others for anything I need." Xie Qianzhong lowered his eyes, his deep gaze casting a heavy shadow over her. "If you have anything, why not try asking me for it?"
Song Tangxue smiled and put the pearl back into the small wooden box with a crisp clang: "What a coincidence, I like to get what I like myself!"
With approval in his eyes, Xie Qianzhong pushed the wooden box forward: "This is a gift for you, you don't need to ask for it."
Song Tangxue didn't stand on ceremony and took the wooden box, placing it on the dressing table: "Once it's made into jewelry, I'll wear it and let Lord Xie admire it properly."
The provocative words stirred Xie Qianzhong's desires. His lust rose against the wind because of Song Tangxue, and grew stronger with the wind, gradually spreading simply because of her existence.
Until it spread to the point where he could no longer avoid it, desperately wanting to embrace her even in the scorching heat.
This feeling grew slowly over time, until it became a wild beast in my heart that I could no longer let go of.
Xie Qianzhong held the person in his arms, but he knew clearly in his heart that this person did not belong to him. Xie Qianzhong's eyelashes trembled slightly, and his lips were pressed into a straight line.
In the very end, it all boiled down to a sigh: "Wait for me."
The two men spoke in hushed tones. Xie Qianzhong tilted his head slightly, his nose brushing against Song Tangxue's hair, a unique fragrance wafting from her nose.
Both of them knew what was being said, and although the time it would take to make it public was long, it was something to look forward to.
Song Tangxue smiled at him, and Xie Qianzhong, influenced by her, felt his worries lessen and his eyes crinkled.
"You, sometimes you're more petty than a pinhead. You know perfectly well that Li Zhaoxian didn't ask for it for me..." Song Tangxue looked at Xie Qianzhong coquettishly, changing the subject with a soft, coquettish tone.
He picked up the pearl again and played with it with it, unable to put it down.
Xie Qianzhong's smile widened, and he raised his hand to tap Song Tangxue's nose: "So what if I'm jealous?"
Song Tangxue shrugged: "What can I do about Lord Xie, a man of such stature?"
Xie Qianzhong's embrace was always warm, carrying the warmth that Song Tangxue cherished; it was her safe haven.
While the room was filled with tender moments, the Zhaoling Palace was equally festive. Li Zhaoxian brought in the five Eastern pearls, and Song Tangli was naturally overjoyed to see them.
She now had the same treatment that only the ladies of the palace enjoyed. She nestled carefully in Li Zhaoxian's arms, fiddling with the pearl in her hand.
"By the way, Crown Prince, how did that matter go? Ah Li really knows she was wrong. I was just concerned about Crown Prince and Sister..." Song Tangli pouted and lowered her head, looking quite pitiful.
Li Zhaoxian raised his hand and gently patted Song Tangli's head: "I know that Ali didn't do it on purpose. Your father has already lifted your confinement."
Song Tangli's eyes lit up, her lips pursed into a beautiful angle, and she reached out to hug Li Zhaoxian's arm, swaying it playfully: "I knew that Crown Prince Brother was the best! With Crown Prince Brother taking action, he can definitely get anything done!"
Li Zhaoxian was flattered by the praise: "Of course!"
Song Tangli smiled faintly: "Tomorrow I would like to go and accompany my grandmother in person. She has a prejudice against me, so I will go and resolve it myself. It would be better to put you in a difficult position."
Li Zhaoxian took Song Tangli's hand with satisfaction and pulled her into his arms, sighing, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for!"
The person in his arms smiled, determined to make Song Tangxue spit out everything she held tomorrow!
The next morning, Song Tangxue got out of bed and, to her surprise, found Xie Qianzhong still there, his tall figure leaning against the window frame, gazing out the window in a daze.
He only turned around when he heard footsteps behind him. His eyes were devoid of joy or sorrow, like a puppet without any emotion. The moment he saw Song Tangxue appear, his face began to show an expression. First, the corners of his eyes curved slightly, followed by a slight upturn of his lips.
A vivid Xie Qianzhong emerged.
Song Tangxue raised her hand and hugged Xie Qianzhong with some heartache. Xie Qianzhong carried the burden of a blood feud and the mission of countless people.
As the leader, he carried a heavy burden, but with the rightful attention and expectations of those behind him, Xie Qianzhong could not shirk this responsibility.
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