Chapter 107 Will you take me in?: I don't mean to turn you away.
"Shen'er, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Lady Yang was sweating profusely and wanted to say something, but Xi Congshuang raised her hand to stop her: "She's still a child, I won't hold it against her. If you want to say something, say it now."
"I apologize for abruptly stopping Her Highness the Crown Princess." Lady Yang stopped dwelling on the matter and revealed her true purpose: "I have come here to bid farewell to Your Highness. I wish to take Shen'er out of the palace and live as an ordinary citizen, no longer involved in court affairs."
Madam Yang has always been a decisive person. Once she makes a decision, she resolves it as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.
Secondly, it was also to make her stance clear to Xi Congshuang in advance: she and her daughter were willing to be used for their freedom, and now they only wanted to retire successfully without any regrets.
Xi Congshuang did not answer her immediately, but instead looked down at the child who had just jumped onto her lap and was loudly apologizing.
The other person was also looking at her, or more accurately, at the gourd-shaped jade pendant at her waist. Noticing Xi Congshuang's gaze, she raised her head and looked at her with her round eyes, her clear eyes reflecting Xi Congshuang's image.
Zhong Shen heard her say, "No, you can't leave."
She didn't understand what this meant, but her neck was tired from looking up, so she turned her gaze back to the jade pendant at the other person's waist.
It's very pretty, she likes it a lot, but she doesn't dare to take it.
Lady Yang panicked instantly: "But the matter is over. Your Highness is already the de facto head of the Eastern Palace and will be moving in soon. Shen'er and I have no such intention and will never be used by anyone to deal with Your Highness."
Xi Congshuang: "Don't be nervous. I will fulfill all the promises I made to the Princess. Some things may have changed too quickly and caused you some misunderstanding. But one thing remains unchanged: she will still be the Crown Prince of Dayong in the future."
"..."
Lady Yang was taken aback. Xi Congshuang's words were indeed what she was thinking. When the other party asked her if she wanted to become the Empress Dowager, how could she possibly refuse?
But what happened later was beyond her expectations. No matter how much she planned, she never imagined that Xi Congshuang would become the crown prince herself.
In fact, Xi Congshuang herself had not thought of this outcome. She raised her hand and pressed it on Zhong Shen's head: "Stay. I will not get married in the future. I need a crown prince."
Short and stocky Zhong Shen was stunned. He raised his hands and touched the hands on his head: "Wow, my hands are cold."
They won't get married?
"..." Is it okay to say something like that so easily?
Yang Niangzi was shocked by Xi Congshuang's words and didn't know what to say for a moment. She didn't think Xi Congshuang had any reason to lie to her, but when she actually heard it, she still felt it was unrealistic.
"Are my hands cold?" Xi Congshuang gave her a moment to recover before asking, looking down at her.
"No, Shen'er isn't cold." Zhong Shen thought for a moment, "If you are cold, Shen'er will warm you up."
Xi Congshuang shook her head and said it wasn't necessary, then continued to ask Yang Niangzi, "She's three years old now, have you hired a tutor for her?"
Madam Yang shook her head: "No."
Previously, he entered the palace under the pretense of attending to the sick, but in reality, he was used as medicine for the emperor. Although he no longer had to waste his life in the Prince's mansion, it would be difficult for him to survive for long after entering the palace, let alone find a teacher to enlighten Zhong Shen.
Entering the palace has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that the world will have Zhong Shen in their sights, but the disadvantage is that one must be cautious and careful to avoid making a mistake that could cost one's life.
Ultimately, it all depends on the Crown Prince's decision.
Xi Congshuang knew that Emperor Jianxing was incompetent, but she never expected him to be this bad.
He casually took off the jade pendant from his waist and placed it in Zhong Shen's hand: "Then it's time to ask the teacher to begin the course. I will have someone take care of it."
Zhong Shen finally got what he wanted, his eyes shining as he held it in his hands: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Lady Yang had no choice but to let her go, and also thanked His Highness.
After explaining everything, Xi Congshuang was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something and asked, "Where do you live?"
Seeing that Madam Yang looked troubled, and knowing that they were not staying in a good place, he said, "The child is still young, and staying in such a bad place will harm his health. You should move to Zhaohua Palace tonight."
Zhaohua Palace is Xi Congshuang's current residence. Madam Yang instinctively wanted to refuse, especially since the Eastern Palace had not yet been settled. If they were to occupy it, where would Her Highness the Crown Princess live?
"No need for further words, you can go and stay here." Xi Congshuang did not give a direct answer and left with her group.
Yang Niangzi, completely bewildered, asked, "We stayed where she lived, so where did she live?"
Is the crime of usurping someone else's place, which was questioned by the size of the building, simply swept under the rug?
But since it was Her Highness the Crown Princess who took the initiative, there shouldn't be any problems, right?
More than one person wondered where Xi Congshuang would stay tonight. Even the palace servants accompanying her were bewildered by the order and subconsciously asked, "The East Palace is not yet repaired, so what about you, Your Highness?"
Xi Congshuang: "Never mind, I have my own place to go."
The palace maid was puzzled, but as dusk fell, she understood the Crown Princess's true meaning.
Because Her Highness the Crown Princess changed her clothes, got into her carriage, and drove off!
They headed straight for the outside of the palace with a clear objective, which was many times faster than entering the palace.
We have no idea where our destination is.
*
At the same time, a blurry black figure squatted at the head of Xun Suihuang's bed, his eyes filled with resentment, looking just like a mountain eagle.
Noticing that the person in bed had woken up, she lowered her head and said softly, "You're awake?"
Xun Suihuang jolted awake and was fully conscious.
To be honest, Vice General Gu was only eighteen years old, lean and slender, and looked nothing like the bandit leader Zuo Shandiao.
Unfortunately, Xun Suihuang had just woken up and was still groggy. He glanced at the dark mass squatting by the bedside and mistook it for a ghost. It was only because the great general was experienced and had great composure that he grabbed his sword and slashed at it.
“…” Xun Suihuang sighed.
Then she lifted her foot and kicked the person off the bed.
The eagle rolled off the bed, and she lay on her back on the floor, letting out a sigh: "I can't understand it."
"Don't even mention it, I can't figure it out either." Xun Suihuang was sleeping fully clothed. She sat up, looked down, and the moment she saw the person, she finally remembered what she had forgotten.
She forgot to ask where the unfortunate child was!
Xun Suihuang exclaimed in shock, "Why did you come out?!"
Gu Daifang: "..."
The resentment on her face was so obvious that Xun Suihuang felt guilty and couldn't ignore it. She clenched her fist and put it to her lips: "Ahem, I mean, who let you out?"
Frankly, there is no difference between the two.
Gu Daifang replied, "Her Highness the Crown Princess sent a letter to the Dali Temple, and that's when I came out."
Xun Suihuang, still feeling guilty, said, "I see."
Gu Daifang sat down cross-legged on the spot, propped his chin on his hand, and continued to ponder: "I can't figure it out, General, I just can't understand it."
They were finally released, but who would have thought that the world outside would change so drastically.
First, the Prince of Wu died. The steward said that there were rumors that the Emperor had ordered his death. Before Gu Daifang could even feel alarmed, she heard the steward say that the Prince of Wu had sent someone to hide a dragon robe in the Marquis's mansion. She immediately cursed that he deserved to die.
Then he heard that Prince Xin had died. Gu Daifang was still shocked. The steward continued to say that he had been killed by the imperial guards because he had rebelled.
Upon hearing this, Gu Daifang sensed something was amiss: "His Majesty only has two sons left, and both of them are dead. So who will inherit the throne?"
The steward gave her a strange look: "If there are no princes, there are princesses."
Gu Daifang: "???"
Princess? Where would the emperor get a princess? She hadn't heard that any of the concubines were pregnant before she entered the Dali Temple.
Even if they did, could the emperor really outlive the baby until it grew up?
It was obvious what she was thinking. The steward repeated what he had said to Xun Suihuang to the bewildered Gu Daifang: "Not long after you were imprisoned, His Majesty found the princess who had been lost for many years and bestowed upon her the title of Princess Rui. You and the general were able to leave Dali Temple because of her. Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, she is now the Crown Princess."
Gu Daifang: "Princess Ruiguo... no, when did the princess, who has been separated from me for many years, become acquainted with the general and even rescue her?"
If such a person exists, there's no reason she wouldn't know about him.
The housekeeper was unsure whether she knew her or not, and hesitated before saying, "She should know me. Her full name is Zhong Yan, and she also has a courtesy name, Cong Shuang."
Fearing being discovered for addressing the Crown Princess by her given name, the butler lowered his voice, but his cautious tone clearly reached Gu Daifang's ears.
Zhong is the royal surname of the Yong Dynasty. If you remove the surname Zhong, the given name is very familiar.
Within her knowledge, there was only one woman whose given name was Yan and whose courtesy name was Shuang.
Master of Yihaotang, a retainer of Prince Xin.
“…I remember now.” Gu Daifang’s face contorted as she crouched down, clutching her head. “I remember everything.”
It's Xi Congshuang!
The name instantly triggered Gu Daifang's memory, and a cold and weak face appeared in her mind.
The woman who vomited blood on their first meeting, and then took advantage of the situation to move into the General of Fuzhou's mansion, was actually a princess?!
My goodness, an acquaintance has become the Crown Princess?
However, she had a fight with the general on the wall of the Xi residence before he went to prison, and she had also neglected him a lot when they were in Fuzhou. Logically speaking, it would be the best outcome if they could never see each other again, and it would be good manners if she didn't kick him while he was down in prison.
How could it be that she saved the general?
Back in the present, Gu Daifang, still unable to understand, sat on the ground and chanted scriptures to Xun Suihuang.
"General, I really can't understand it. Why don't you give me a punch and see if I'm still dreaming?" Gu Daifang seemed to have made up her mind and said to the person on the bed.
Xun Suihuang, however, was easygoing. She got up, stretched, and patted her on the shoulder as she passed by, saying, "Don't worry, there are many things in the world that you can't understand."
These words proved prophetic, for the servants announced that the Crown Princess had arrived at our residence.
Gu Daifang immediately jumped up: "Then we should go to the main gate to greet them, right?"
The servant shook his head: "There's no need to greet her at the main gate. Her Highness the Crown Princess finds it too troublesome and has already come in on her own."
Gu Daifang: "What about the people she brought?"
Such a distinguished person is always accompanied by guards and servants when he goes out, with meticulous preparations and a grand entourage.
The servant shook his head again: "His Highness came alone, with only a coachman to drive him."
Gu Daifang: "Isn't this a bit too casual?"
I can't quite describe the feeling, but it feels strange.
Scratching his head, Gu Daifang said, "It seems like Her Highness the Crown Princess is visiting a friend, General, what do you think... hmm?"
She habitually turned to talk to Xun Suihuang, but she didn't realize when the person beside her had disappeared.
Gu Daifang pointed to the empty seat next to her: "Where's General? When did he leave?"
The servant who came to announce her arrival asked in surprise, "I said that when Her Highness the Crown Princess arrived at our residence, the General had already left. Didn't you see that?"
At that moment, the general shot out like an arrow, very fast, and she thought General Gu had seen it.
Gu Daifang: "Really not..."
*
Because of what happened that morning, the servants of the Marquis's residence were not too reserved when facing Xi Congshuang, and served her tea before the general arrived.
She didn't have to wait long before the person she was supposed to meet appeared. She put down her teacup and looked over.
As night falls and the city lights begin to twinkle, someone walks through the crowd of people with their feet on the lamplight.
Xun Suihuang strode into the hall and indeed saw the Crown Princess, who had changed her clothes: "It's so late. Why didn't you bring more guards with you when you left the palace? I'll personally escort you back later."
Xi Congshuang smiled and said, "I'm leaving the palace now because I'm prepared not to go back tonight. Don't even mention asking me to leave now; the gates have already been locked, and I can't go back."
Having said everything he wanted to say, he successfully shut Xun Suihuang up.
She then asked, "Where will you stay if you don't go back?"
Xi Congshuang: "The East Palace is still under renovation, so I can't move in for the time being. I've let the orphan and widow stay in Zhaohua Palace. After thinking it over, I have no choice but to come and rely on you."
Xun Suihuang: "..."
So instead of staying in one of the many palaces in the palace, she ran out of the palace late at night to ask for lodging in the Pingding Marquis's residence, which was only half-finished.
The condition of the Pingding Marquis's residence was not much better than that of the Eastern Palace, and in some cases even worse.
The Eastern Palace is just without an owner, but it is still cleaned and maintained by palace servants and craftsmen every day. It just lacks decoration now. The Pingding Marquis's residence, on the other hand, has been empty for more than a year, and the grass has grown as tall as a person.
If she stayed overnight, she didn't dare to imagine what would happen if word got out.
Xi Congshuang looked at her for a while, put down her teacup and walked closer: "You don't want me to come over so suddenly? Or did I go too far this morning and upset you? If so, then I'll go back..."
"Wait a minute." Xun Suihuang instinctively felt she couldn't let the person leave like that, so she grabbed the hand of the person who was about to leave. "No need to go back. I never intended to shut you out."
Xi Congshuang was not satisfied with just touching him through his sleeve, so she grasped Xun Suihuang's hand: "You're willing to let me stay?"
Xun Suihuang asked curiously, "Why wouldn't I want you to stay?"
Xi Congshuang lowered her eyelashes, and the woman who had angered the emperor to the point of fainting during the day suddenly looked more pitiful: "I think I went too far this morning, and you are unhappy and hate me. If you don't like it, I will never do it again next time."
It's better not to mention it, because just thinking about it makes Xun Suihuang's heart race. What happened this morning was a huge shock to her, and she was terrified of being seen by someone.
She glanced left and right instinctively, thankfully no one was there. She whispered, "I don't hate it, it's just that I'm not used to it yet."
Xun Suihuang didn't particularly like many of the refined tastes of Yongdu. She thought she was already bold enough, but who knew there was always someone better. In front of Xi Congshuang, she was a defeated opponent and was often unable to defend herself.
Xun Suihuang couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Where did you learn all this? It's really... reckless."
Xi Congshuang chuckled and moved closer step by step: "Come closer, I'll whisper something in your ear."
The mysterious atmosphere piqued Xun Suihuang's curiosity, and she leaned closer to listen.
The familiar aura drew near, almost enveloping her entirely. As soon as Xi Congshuang spoke, Xun Suihuang immediately regretted it.
"Actually, I was watching..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xi Congshuang paused, because Xun Suihuang quickly turned her head and looked up at the person coming from the courtyard.
The person who arrived was Gu Daifang, who was a step too late. She was looking in this direction with a puzzled expression. Her confused and unfocused gaze suddenly fell on Xi Congshuang's face, but she couldn't understand her eyes, so she looked away.
Gu Daifang: "General, Your Highness, you..."
In fact, Xun Suihuang didn't intend to keep it a secret from those around her any longer. She had practically watched this younger generation grow up, so it wouldn't hurt to tell them about her relationship with Xi Congshuang.
Unfortunately, she overestimated Gu Daifang's stubbornness; her mind was incapable of thinking about anything other than wielding swords and spears.
Gu Daifang looked at the two hands tug at each other, so close it was almost unbelievable. Her eyes were clear, and she uttered a loud, booming voice: "Ah? So the General and His Highness are on good terms?"
From Xun Suihuang's subtle expression to Xi Congshuang's unusual composure, after racking her brains, she felt that this was probably normal.
Historical records show that emperors and ministers slept side by side every day. Your Highness is only speaking to the general at a slightly closer distance; it's nothing serious.
If it's normal, then what's the reason for this?
Gu Daifang slapped her forehead, finding a reasonable explanation for herself. She suddenly realized, "So, back in Fuzhou, the general was just putting on an act for others! I understand now!"
Xun Suihuang couldn't bear to watch any longer, thinking to herself, "What do you know? You unlucky kid."
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Shenzai still doesn't know what kind of exchange he made with his older sister.
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