Chapter 168: Uncertain Joy and Anger, Shang Xiao Enters the Palace
Xiao Qinggu was stunned: "......?"
Was...was I stimulated by her two words?
Emperor Chengming saw that the child didn't understand, but he didn't intend to say more.
He pointed at the chessboard and said, "Gu'er, it's your turn."
Xiao Qinggu nodded, "Yes, Father."
After a few rounds of fighting between the big and the small, Xiao Qinggu was quickly defeated.
She smiled embarrassedly, "Father, I'm not very good at playing chess..."
Even if she really could, she couldn't do it in front of Emperor Chengming. She had used up all her courage to write those two sentences before, and Emperor Chengming's calmness was already a sign of great patience.
If Xiao Qinggu behaved any more recklessly, she herself could not guarantee that she would be able to live to see the sun tomorrow.
"That won't do."
Emperor Chengming looked into her eyes and said, "The world is like a chessboard, and the people are like chess pieces. If you can't even play a chess game well, how can you talk about world affairs?"
"Father!" Xiao Qinggu's heart skipped a beat. "That's not what I meant!"
Emperor Chengming asked with a smile, "What do you mean?"
"Your son, that, that, uh..." Xiao Qinggu was speechless. Being stared at so blatantly by Emperor Chengming, he couldn't even utter a nice word.
Emperor Chengming seemed unconcerned and asked with a smile, "Another round?"
“…” Xiao Qinggu nodded obediently.
In this second round, Xiao Qinggu dared not relax anymore.
Xiao Qinggu pulled himself together and put in his best effort. The two of them played chess back and forth, and for a moment it was impossible to tell who was winning.
Eunuch Kang watched from the side, adding tea from time to time, and thought to himself: Could it be that the emperor wants the princess to...
He broke out in a cold sweat at the thoughts in his mind.
Xiao Qinggu touched his chin with his hand, wondering where to go next, and didn't notice Eunuch Kang's little thoughts at all.
Emperor Chengming glanced at Eunuch Kang, his eyes as sharp as an eagle.
"If you feel unwell, please leave first."
Eunuch Kang seemed to have been read through by him. His heart trembled, and he bowed and saluted: "Yes. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness."
Emperor Chengming looked at the frowning Xiao Qinggu but didn't respond. Eunuch Kang quietly withdrew and told the palace servants to serve him well.
"No one is needed here to serve, everyone leave. No one is allowed to come in without my permission."
Eunuch Kang and the palace maids looked at each other and said in unison, "Yes."
After the palace people had left, Emperor Chengming asked knowingly, "How is it? Have you thought about the next step?"
Xiao Qinggu pursed his lips and said, "Father, forgive my stupidity. I really don't know what to do next."
She knew which move would win, but she didn't know whether she should take that move.
If she wins, Emperor Chengming will probably ask who taught her that. If she loses, another round will be called. Where can we even draw?
Xiao Qinggu had been among the common people for many years, and while she had some ability to tell lies to different people, she was now facing the Supreme Being, the Chengming Emperor, who stood at the highest point, looking down on all living things. Even if she exhaled, her inner thoughts and feelings might be seen through in that instant.
Emperor Chengming saw through her, but she was not sure of his character.
If it's right, everything will be fine. If it's wrong, then everything will be over.
"Heh." Emperor Chengming chuckled.
Xiao Qinggu raised his eyes and looked at him secretly.
Emperor Chengming still doesn't show any anger on his face. What does that mean?
"I didn't see you being so cowardly when you gave me your answer."
Xiao Qinggu's face turned pale. She immediately stood up, walked to the side of the chessboard, knelt down and kowtowed.
"......" Xiao Qinggu's face was facing the ground, his mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Emperor Chengming still had a smile on his face. He lowered his eyes slightly and stared at this daring child.
"I thought you would say something like 'I acknowledge my guilt.'"
"So it seems that you think you are not wrong."
Emperor Chengming's tone was inaudible, but Xiao Qinggu couldn't help but shudder, "...your son...your son..."
"Royal brother~"
Xiao Qing's heart was beating like a drum, and at this moment Xiao Tong's voice happened to be heard outside the imperial study.
"Royal brother~Royal brother~"
Eunuch Kang hurried over, and his voice reached Xiao Qinggu and Emperor Chengming through the doorway, "Your Majesty, the Princess requests an audience."
Eunuch Kang broke out in cold sweat on the back of his head.
Dear aunt! Please stop yelling outside the imperial study! Isn't he here to pass on a message?
"Royal brother~ My flower-moon wine is ready, please don't refuse~"
Emperor Chengming looked outside the door and then looked at Xiao Qinggu.
Gradually, the smile on his face grew wider.
"Eunuch Kang, please invite Seventh Sister in."
"yes."
Eunuch Kang took the time to wipe his sweat and walked towards Xiao Tong.
"Your Highness, the Princess, His Majesty invites you in."
Xiao Tong smiled and waved to Mo Ran behind him.
"Be careful, if my wine gets stained, you won't be able to bear the consequences."
Mo Ran lowered his head and responded, glancing at the Huayue wine in his hand.
When the master and servant reached the door, the palace maid immediately opened it.
"Royal brother, this is the wine I started brewing last March. I just dug it out from under the camellia tree two days ago. Do you want it... Hmm?"
Xiao Tong seemed to accidentally discover Xiao Qinggu kneeling on the ground.
She immediately frowned, "You're so young, but I don't know where you learned to be so bold. You should be punished!"
Emperor Chengming smiled and tried to smooth things over, "Gu'er, go back to the princess's mansion first."
Xiao Qinggu whispered, "Yes."
Xiao Qinggu walked out with her head down. Xiao Tong glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and felt relieved to see that she was just a little lethargic.
"Is this the Huayue wine brewed by my seventh sister?" Emperor Chengming looked at Mo Ran, his gaze slowly moved down and saw the two jars of Huayue wine.
Xiao Tong smiled and said, "Yes, but it took me a lot of effort to brew it. My royal brother, please enjoy it and don't let me down."
Mo Ran stepped forward to pour the wine, and Eunuch Kang immediately took over the work in her hands. When the palace servant next to him saw that Eunuch Kang had poured the wine, he immediately took out a silver needle to test for poison.
He picked up the silver needle and saw that it had not changed color, so Eunuch Kang brought the wine over.
Xiao Tong laughed and praised: "Eunuch Kang is worthy of being an old man by the emperor's side. He acts cautiously."
Eunuch Kang bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, the Princess is too kind. This is all my responsibility."
The corners of Emperor Chengming's lips curled up, but there was no trace of smile in his eyes.
The two of them chatted with each other, and finished the unfinished game of chess left by Xiao Qinggu, and then started a new game.
"Your Majesty." A palace servant spoke at the door.
Emperor Chengming was enjoying his chess game. "Speak."
"Your Highness requests an audience."
The expression in Xiao Tong's eyes changed, but Emperor Chengming didn't react and just waved his hand.
"Tell him to go back."
"yes."
The palace maid hurried to Xiao Qingxu and said, "Your Highness, please go back. The Emperor is playing chess and doesn't like to be disturbed."
Xiao Qingxu looked at the door of the imperial study and asked, "Who is father playing chess with?"
"It's Her Royal Highness the Princess."
"Where's the princess?"
"The emperor asked the princess to return to the princess's residence."
Xiao Qingxu thought so too. The Langjiang envoy team will arrive in Kyoto tomorrow. If something happens at this critical juncture, it will not only damage the reputation of Emperor Chengming.
He turned and looked at Shang Yuwan.
Shang Yuwan frowned slightly.
But they didn't see Xiao Qinggu on the way here... Where did she go?
Xiao Qingxu saw through her thoughts and said, "I remember that I haven't visited the Queen for a long time. Why not take this opportunity to go and say hello to her?"
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