Chapter 90 The Grand Show in the Palace
The two hugged, kissed, whispered sweet nothings, and did most of the things couples do in the room.
Much later, when Xie Yunyu's slightly swollen lips had subsided considerably, the two finally emerged from the room.
Xiao Ling and the Crown Prince boarded the carriage together to return home, and Xiao Ling's mood improved considerably on the way.
The Crown Prince looked Xiao Ling up and down, and said mockingly:
"Is it really appropriate to arrange the wedding night in a private room in Tianxing Tower?"
After saying that, he slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, I forgot, your bridal chamber is in the pool of Wan'an Mountain."
After saying that, he clicked his tongue twice and said, "It has to be you, you really have a wild way of doing things."
Then, ignoring Xiao Ling's angry glare, he continued:
"Sigh, these young people nowadays, they really know how to have fun."
We old folks just can't understand it, we just don't understand it...
Xiao Ling retorted angrily, "You're only half a year older than me, what kind of old man are you?"
Before the crown prince could speak, she retorted:
"I'm still a spendthrift, unlike some people who married the older sister but still want to marry the younger sister. I wonder who's really the spendthrift?"
The crown prince instantly fell silent, like a chicken with its neck being grabbed.
When Xiao Ling saw that the Crown Prince was silent, he got excited.
"By the way, it's been a few months since your wedding, hasn't it? So, do you still want to marry that girl's sister?"
The crown prince scratched his head awkwardly: "I don't think about it that way anymore."
Xiao Ling snorted coldly: "Hmph, the Crown Princess was a very shrewd person even when she was still in her boudoir. She can easily manipulate you."
I knew from the start that you would fall into her trap.
The crown prince was speechless.
After a long pause, he finally spoke: "I wouldn't say I was defeated by her. I still think about that second wife, but not as much as before."
Xiao Ling said irritably.
"In my opinion, that second wife is just average."
You only saw her once in the suburbs from afar; she had no idea who you were.
Besides, you've only met her once, you don't know what kind of person she is, yet you've already fallen for her.
He was only attracted to her beauty; a lecherous man who lusts after women.
Xiao Ling spat out.
When the Crown Prince heard Xiao Ling call him a lecher, he immediately became unhappy.
“I’m not a lecherous scoundrel. I didn’t drag anyone into the pool in the middle of the night. I don’t know who the lecherous scoundrel is.”
Now it's Xiao Ling's turn to be as quiet as a chicken.
After hurting each other, the two returned to the palace and immediately went to see the emperor.
After hearing the Crown Prince's account of the Edict of Grace, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked:
Where did you go today?
Xiao Ling had already prepared his answer: "The Xie family's Tianxing Tower."
The emperor nodded in agreement: "Grand Tutor Xie is indeed a man of great wisdom and strategy."
Upon hearing the emperor's words, the crown prince knew that the emperor was preparing to adopt this plan.
Then he spoke again, "Father, may I continue to have the old tutor instruct me?"
The emperor glanced at the crown prince: "The old tutor is getting on in years and has been retired for many years. It's best not to bother him any further."
If they want to learn, just summon them to the palace more often.
The crown prince listened and responded softly.
The emperor, having resolved a worry, was in a good mood and asked the two men to accompany him for a walk.
The two arrived at the Imperial Garden and, quite by chance, encountered Consort Shu.
The moment the emperor saw Consort Shu, a barely perceptible flicker of disgust flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"No need for formalities," the emperor said calmly.
"My beloved concubine, what brings you to stroll through this courtyard today?"
Consort Shu stood up and said with a smile, "I was bored and just wandered around until I came here. I never expected to run into Your Majesty."
The emperor waved to the crown prince and Xiao Ling behind him and said, "You two may step down now."
The two bowed and took their leave.
The emperor and Consort Shu were left in the Imperial Garden.
The emperor stepped forward and took Consort Shu's hand: "My beloved consort has not visited me for quite some time."
When Consort Shu saw the Emperor holding her hand, she sneered inwardly.
But she said, "It seems that Lin'er has done something wrong, which has displeased His Majesty. I dare not come to see His Majesty."
The emperor listened without saying a word.
Consort Shu glanced at the Emperor, then considerately asked:
"Your Majesty seems to be troubled by something. You don't look like you've had a good rest."
The emperor frowned: "Hmm... I've been feeling a bit down lately."
Consort Shu comforted him, saying, "There are always things to do in the court, and there is no end to the political affairs. Your Majesty should take care of your health."
The emperor sighed and patted Consort Shu's hand.
"My beloved concubine is so considerate."
The two talked as they walked together toward Consort Shu's Yong'an Palace.
In the afternoon, the emperor summoned Princess Jinyang to the palace. The two of them went to the Empress Dowager's palace to visit her and did not come out until an hour later.
The next day, the emperor summoned the eldest prince, and the father and son had a harmonious meal together.
In the inner palace, the Empress was trimming a bunch of plum blossoms on the table when she heard the news and sneered:
"It's just a death throes."
When Consort Shu heard the news that the Emperor and his son were having dinner together, she also sneered.
"Eat up, because if we ever meet on the battlefield, there won't be any left to eat."
Consort Rong was having dinner with the Third Prince when she heard the news. She said calmly:
"Heng'er, eat. This has nothing to do with us."
The second prince nodded and continued eating.
The grand dramas unfolding in the palace did not affect the lives of ordinary people like Xie Yunyu.
Days continued to pass by like flowing water, the only difference being that Du Zhengming suddenly visited twice, bringing Xie Yunyu some things.
They were all little trinkets popular on the streets that women liked, along with two hardcover picture books, all featuring landscapes and figures.
Xie Yunyu liked it.
Qingchen promptly relayed the news to Xiao Ling.
After hearing this, Xiao Ling pondered how to get rid of Du Zhengming.
"Qingfeng?"
"exist."
"Do you think Du Shaoqing had anyone he liked before?" Xiao Ling asked.
Qingfeng scratched his head: "Before? I've never heard of anyone having a crush on you."
"Is there anyone who really likes him?" Xiao Ling asked again.
Qingfeng thought for a moment and then shook his head again: "Du Shaoqing's reputation for being a jinx to his wives is so well-known, no one would dare to be interested in him."
Xiao Ling was extremely annoyed by this.
"Go and investigate, and then come back and report back."
"Here you go."
Qingfeng accepted the order and left.
Just as Qingfeng left, Pei Yanchi arrived.
Xiao Ling was puzzled when she saw him: "Why are you here?"
Pei Yanchi plopped down and poured himself a glass of water, saying:
"I have something to tell you."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling put down the dossier in his hand and looked at his cousin with a leisurely air.
He joked, "What, is your house on fire?"
To everyone's surprise, Pei Yanchi nodded seriously: "Pretty much."
Xiao Ling frowned, puzzled.
"Do you remember the beauty I sent to my father?"
"Yes. I remember," Xiao Ling said calmly.
“She sent me a message that one of the Crown Prince’s men had gone to contact my heartless father.”
Xiao Ling's expression gradually became serious.
"Is the information accurate? Is there any other information?"
Pei Yanchi curled his lip and said:
"Don't worry, the information is accurate."
Other news: that beauty is pregnant and has been elevated to the status of a concubine. I guess I'm going to have another little brother soon. Does that count?
Xiao Ling glanced at him and said, "We're talking about serious business."
Pei Yanchi chuckled and said, "This matter was initiated by Madam Wan. She and Consort Shu have been in close contact recently."
Xiao Ling asked, "I'm going to the palace to pay my respects to my grandmother. Are you coming?"
They should have called her maternal grandmother.
However, Xiao Ling was granted the surname Xiao by the emperor, and according to the rules for princes, the emperor made him call his imperial grandmother.
Once he started, everyone who called her maternal grandmother followed suit and called her imperial grandmother.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yanchi nodded hurriedly and said, "Go, go, when?"
"Now."
"Oh, okay, let's go then."
The two arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace. The Empress Dowager was very pleased to see them and took Pei Yanchi's hand, looking him up and down.
"Little Chi'er, how have you been lately?"
Pei Yanchi knelt on one knee before the Empress Dowager, looking up at her with a smile as he answered:
"Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I am doing well."
The Empress Dowager's kind face was full of concern as she asked, "Has your stepmother been giving you any trouble lately?"
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