Chapter 138 Bad News
There is a place in Chengde Palace that is Xiao Qing's private training ground.
Xiao Qing would practice the kung fu that Mr. Wu taught her here every time.
Of course, things like disguise techniques and mental cultivation methods are excluded.
She initially thought that if Mr. Wu taught her the mental techniques and she persisted in practicing, she might become a martial arts master like those in novels. However, Mr. Wu quickly shattered her illusions.
The martial arts techniques that Master Wu taught her weren't as miraculous as she'd heard. They were mostly about breathing techniques and willpower training. While these things would certainly have an effect with long-term practice, they wouldn't turn her into a formidable master. They simply helped her improve her agility and self-control by complementing her movement techniques.
As for her desire to become a martial arts master...
Mr. Wu did not answer her.
Xiao Qing thought that it was probably because he was too old, or... he didn't have the extraordinary bone structure or talent for martial arts.
Thinking about it that way, she felt much more at ease.
If everyone could become a peerless master, then masters would become worthless.
What's the point of talking about the loneliness of a master?
She mastered the few things Mr. Wu taught her and felt very capable.
These are all such practical things.
It's much more practical than what that fox, Fu Mingyi, taught.
While Xiao Qing was practicing her footwork, Ma Hong arrived.
"Ying Ziye has entered the palace."
Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow.
She hadn't seen Qiao Bai since he took her home.
However, only a few days passed in between.
Why is he here?
However, Xiao Qing was still very happy that her friends came to visit her.
"Did they say anything?" Xiao Qing asked Ma Hong as she walked out.
Ma Hong smiled and said, "I didn't say."
Xiao Qing slapped her head, realizing she had also made a mistake.
Ying Ziye rarely came to the palace on his own initiative, even though she gave him a waist token to enter and exit Nanhua Palace.
At the time, Ying Ziye said that this was not something he could possess given his status and rank, so he simply kept it safe and generally did not use it.
Since you used it today, it must be something particularly important?
As Xiao Qing was thinking, she saw Ying Ziye standing there with a serious expression.
Has something really happened?
"Midnight".
Ying Ziye strode over, respectfully addressing His Majesty and offering his greetings.
Xiao Qing helped him up and asked, "What happened?"
Ying Ziye frowned, but didn't avoid Ma Hong, and quickly said, "Qiao Bai's mother has passed away."
Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment.
"When did this happen? What happened?"
"It must have happened yesterday. After I took Qiao Bai back to the tavern that day, it was completely ransacked. His mother must have been frightened, which worsened her condition. I left some money for Qiao Bai to find a doctor and buy some medicine for his mother. But when I went there today, the tavern was still in the same state. He was kneeling in front of his mother's bed, lost in thought. His mother..."
Xiao Qing thought of the day Qiao Bai stood stubbornly in the alley, clearly afraid but still trying to reason with people; he thought of how Qiao Bai insisted on knowing why he was laughing in the carriage; he thought of how Qiao Bai almost collapsed in that moment in the mountains; he thought of how Qiao Bai finally chose to believe him and then remained silent and calm...
“We shouldn’t be bothering His Majesty with something like this, but Qiao Bai’s condition is just… Ziye couldn’t persuade him, and I heard that the neighbors have all tried to persuade him as well, but to no avail…”
Ma Hong frowned, not quite agreeing with Ying Ziye's behavior.
Although Qiao Bai had contact with them, the contact at that time did not indicate how close their relationship was.
How could I possibly bring such a thing up to His Majesty?
These are clearly unrelated people, yet they're dealing with completely unrelated matters.
However, he secretly glanced at Xiao Qing and already knew that their emperor would not ignore this matter.
"Where is Mingxiu?" Xiao Qing asked Ma Hong.
"In the rear hall."
Xiao Qing quickly found Mingxiu and asked her about the situation of sending people to deliver things to Qiao Bai's tavern in the past few days.
Mingxiu said, "I was just about to tell His Majesty about this. A few days ago, I was selecting items for that Young Master Qiao. Considering his lifestyle, I mainly chose seasonal ingredients and the like. However, yesterday, I had someone disguise themselves and send the items over, but Young Master Qiao refused to accept them. The people from the palace only returned this morning, and I was just waiting for His Majesty to return to report to him about Young Master Qiao..."
Xiao Qing nodded. "Ziye already told me. Get ready, we're going out of the palace."
Just then, Fu Mingyi arrived again.
"Is His Majesty leaving the palace?"
Xiao Qing suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Today isn't the day they leave the palace. Fu Mingyi is blocking their way here; he probably isn't here to see them off, is he?
"Grand Tutor, I wish to take Mingxiu out of the palace."
"Your Majesty should know that today is not a day for leaving the palace."
Xiao Qing nodded, "The matter is sudden, and I must go out. I ask the Grand Tutor to make an exception."
If you become an emperor, you'll have a lot of eyes watching you.
She needs Fu Mingyi's permission to leave the palace?!
Really...
Fu Mingyi glanced at her, and at Ying Ziye, Ma Hong, Mingxiu, and the others beside her, knowing that she had to go out.
In the end, Fu Mingyi let them go.
Moreover, he probably had many things to do, so he didn't say he wanted to come along, nor did he bring his little tail Xiao Yan to follow them.
Xiao Qing kept reminiscing on her way to Qiao Bai's tavern.
Ying Ziye and Mingxiu were both in the carriage, but neither of them spoke.
Finally, Mingxiu hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, you don't need to go in for a while. This servant and Ying Ziye can go in."
Ying Ziye remained silent, but as they approached the tavern, he began to regret his decision.
He was so flustered this morning, how could he possibly come to His Majesty about something like this?
But Xiao Qing shook her head, "I'll go in with you."
“But Your Majesty…” Mingxiu still wanted to stop Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing waved her hand and said, "You are not familiar with the situation, so I'm afraid you can't advise him."
Mingxiu naturally understood this principle.
However, Qiao Bai's mother's passing is considered a tragic event. According to Ying Ziye's words, Qiao Bai is probably obsessed. He hasn't made any arrangements for such a big event and has been with the body of the deceased since yesterday.
How could His Majesty be allowed to enter in such an occasion?
If you offend any evil spirits...
Mingxiu glanced at Xiao Qing's left wrist without realizing it.
There is a string of bells that do not ring; they were made by Abbot Jueyin of Tianyin Temple.
Her gaze was so obvious that Xiao Qing quickly understood her concerns.
She reached out and patted Mingxiu's hand, comforting her, "It's okay, don't worry."
Ying Ziye pretended not to see it.
But Ma Hong, who was driving the carriage outside, had just parked it and was lifting the curtain to invite Xiao Qing to get out. He happened to witness this scene, and his expression subtly changed.
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