Chapter 71 Progress of the Relationship
"The Crown Prince usually doesn't get involved in military matters; he only handles trivial matters."
But those who impeached me this time are very knowledgeable about the military, and their approach is very shrewd.
Consort Shu thought for a moment, then said with a gloomy expression, "Could it be the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"
Upon hearing this, the eldest prince shook his head: "It was clearly Xue Jiuniang who plotted against me on Yongning's birthday. I didn't really do anything to her, so it shouldn't be the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Consort Shu listened without saying anything, but her woman's intuition told her that this matter must be related to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
"Is this a big deal?" Consort Shu asked.
"It's not a big deal, just a bit troublesome," the eldest prince said.
"It's alright, it's not a big deal. Your father won't blame you." Consort Shu was relieved to hear this.
Then he added, "If you're busy, I'll take care of these things in the inner quarters for you."
The eldest prince waved his hand: "No need to trouble Mother."
After the two talked for a while, Consort Shu gave the prepared food box to the eldest prince's eunuch, and the eldest prince got up and left the palace.
Xie Yunyu had just caught her breath after resting at home for a day.
Then Qingchen came over to report that the Prince of Shou'an had invited her to a gathering at Tianxing Tower at 5 PM the next day.
Xie Yunyu was furious. "Fine, I haven't even settled accounts with you yet, and you're already rushing to find me."
So he said to Qingchen with a stern face, "Tell him I'll be there on time."
With August already here and the spring imperial examinations scheduled for March next year, students from all over the country are gradually converging on Beijing.
There were significantly more people at Tianxing Tower than before.
Every day, many people are deep in thought and contemplation in the Challenge Building.
More people are copying books and reading in the library.
Every afternoon, after the court officials left their offices and the library closed, the entertainment room on the west side would become the liveliest place of the day.
The top two private rooms, Tianzi and Dizi, total twenty rooms, are fully booked every day.
Room No. 2, Dizi, has been sealed off and not open to the public since the last incident.
Due to the large number of people these past few days, room number two has been forced to open as well, although thick curtains have been installed inside.
Xie Yunyu passed by room number two and saw that the door was open and two men were sitting inside.
Without even looking closely to see who it was, he turned around and went up to the third floor, entering room number nine of the "Heaven" section.
When Xiao Ling entered, he saw Xie Yunyu already sitting inside.
Upon seeing her, Xiao Ling's heart, which had been restless for a month, finally calmed down.
I couldn't help but wonder, could this person really be my inner demon?
I miss her constantly when I can't see her, but now that I can see her from a distance at the door, I feel inexplicably at peace.
So he stepped inside.
Xie Yunyu turned around when she heard the sound.
Xiao Ling was dressed in a simple, moon-white robe as usual, which looked quite natural and suited his temperament.
Qingfeng, being very perceptive, closed the door from the outside.
Xiao Ling walked over, sat down, and asked, "I heard from Yongning that you went to a banquet?"
"Was the Crown Prince and Wei Ningyan your doing?"
Xie Yunyu immediately became furious upon hearing this: "I haven't even asked you yet, who gave you the right to have Princess Yongning send me an invitation on your own?"
Xiao Ling noticed that she seemed angry again.
Seemingly puzzled, she always seemed unhappy whenever I saw her.
Last time you wrongly accused me of targeting her shop, what's the reason this time?
So he sighed and slowly explained, "I thought that Xue Jiuniang is a good friend of mine, and your presence at the banquet would definitely help her."
I asked you twice whether you would attend the banquet, but you didn't answer.
I wasn't sure what you meant, so I mentioned it to the Crown Prince, and he made the arrangements.
Upon hearing that the topic had turned to the Crown Prince, Xie Yunyu changed the subject:
"So, having Princess Yongning take care of me was also the Crown Prince's idea?"
Xiao Ling nodded innocently.
Xie Yunyu was so angry that she didn't know where to vent it.
He complained, "The Crown Princess stared at me for an hour at the banquet and almost ate me alive. I suffered this undeserved misfortune."
"And you even held a banquet at your house without sending anyone to inform us beforehand."
"The Crown Prince has already told Yongning that he sent you to elevate the Grand Tutor."
Zheng Luoqiong will probably find out soon.
"So what if the banquet is at my house?" Xiao Ling asked, puzzled.
Xie Yunyu said angrily, "What else is wrong?"
Fortunately, you weren't at home; Your Majesty had imprisoned you in the Eastern Palace.
"If you were home, and someone noticed anything amiss when we met, Wei Ningyan wouldn't be dealing with Qin Yingying that day; she'd be dealing with me."
Xiao Ling frowned upon hearing this: "Wei Ningyan is dealing with Qin Yingying?"
"In order to break off the engagement with the eldest prince and eliminate my rival, I can easily get you."
Wei Ningyan wanted to kill two birds with one stone: to ruin Qin Yingying's reputation and to get the eldest prince and Xue Jiu together.
They actually used the kind of drug that street prostitutes use to seduce people. They would wave it around in front of people, and they would unconsciously follow them.
"If I hadn't been with Wei Ningyan, Qin Yingying would probably be finished."
Xiao Ling then realized that there were so many twists and turns in the process.
"You saved Qin Yingying?"
"Um."
"So, were the Crown Prince and Wei Ningyan also your doing?" Xiao Ling pressed.
"Um."
Xiao Ling laughed and said, "It seems you have enough ability to handle the complex situation of the royal family."
She's perfect for marrying me.
"Once you marry me, Wei Ningyan, the First Prince, and even the Crown Princess won't dare to mess with you."
Xie Yunyu rolled her eyes and said, "No, I'm afraid of trouble."
The royal family has complex relationships, so one must be vigilant at all times, or one could be plotted against.
I don't like it at all, so I'd rather not.
Seeing her remain stammering, Xiao Ling continued to gently persuade her:
"Don't be afraid. Actually, my father is fine, it's just that my mother is a bit difficult to deal with."
"As long as my mother approves of you, none of those people in the palace will be foolish enough to provoke you."
Xie Yunyu listened and let out a long sigh:
"Winning over your mother is the hardest thing in the world."
The eldest princess doesn't favor me; even if I perform exceptionally well, I'm afraid I won't catch her eye.
After saying that, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and sighed softly:
"The person who likes you will like you even if you do nothing."
No matter how well you do, someone who doesn't like you won't like you.
I don't want to do something that's thankless and exhausting.
Xiao Ling asked in bewilderment, "How can you be so sure that my mother won't like you?"
"Your Highness, do you know what the main conflict between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law has been throughout history?"
Xiao Ling thought for a moment and said, "Household chores?"
"No, the main conflict is the son's struggle for power."
This man used to belong to his mother; in her heart, her son was the most important person.
After the young couple gets married, the mother will feel that the child she raised with great effort has been taken away by her daughter-in-law.
They would then be extremely critical of their daughters-in-law, setting rules and making things difficult for them.
I don't want to live like this.
Xiao Ling nodded, understanding Xie Yunyu's concerns.
But then I thought about my mother's situation, and realized that it was indeed a possibility.
But after thinking about it, he said, "What you said makes sense."
However, this situation only exists when the mother has nothing to do all day long, is confined to the inner quarters, and only cares about fighting within the household.
If my mother ever encounters this situation, I'll ask my uncle to find her something to do.
With her hands and feet tied, she naturally can't take care of you.
Xie Yunyu felt that what Xiao Ling said seemed to be a solution to the problem.
“But this is not a long-term solution.” Xie Yunyu shook her head.
Xiao Ling thought for a moment and then said, "I've already said that after we get married, we can live on the mountain and only go back occasionally."
Living apart like this will reduce many conflicts.
Besides, there's my imperial grandmother; my mother can't cause any trouble.
Although Xiao Ling has been actively working to solve the problem, Xie Yunyu just finds it too troublesome and refuses to budge.
Xiao Ling wasn't discouraged. At least the two of them could chat to this extent now, which could be considered progress.
Good things take time, so there's no need to rush.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Xiao Ling changed the subject.
"Did your second brother say again that you shouldn't associate with me?"
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