Chapter 280 Letting loose
After returning from Tianyin Temple, Fu Mingyi went to arrange the details, while Xiao Qing reviewed the situation alone in the Imperial Study.
Now that Nanhua is settled, and they have confirmed that the rats hiding in the shadows are them, how can they watch her sit comfortably on the imperial throne and enjoy the prosperity that comes with stability?
They're definitely going to cause some trouble.
Soon, Mingxiu will be returning to the palace.
This is their chance.
However, their plan may have been conservative, perhaps out of concern for her safety.
One bait like "Mingxiu" might not be tempting enough.
As the new year began, the weather in Nanhua gradually warmed up, and in just a few days, the Lantern Festival arrived, marking the most lively Lantern Festival in Nanhua in five years.
As the sun begins to set, all sorts of lanterns have been decorated in the streets and alleys of Nanhua.
There was no curfew that night, and many families prepared to take their children out for a stroll.
Xiao Qing was glaring at the Grand Tutor in the palace.
Mingxiu has returned to the palace and is serving alongside Ma Hong.
Ma Hong kept his eyes down, his nose focused on his heart, and his intuition told him that this "Mingxiu" was not quite real, but he also knew that the emperor and the Grand Tutor probably had some arrangements in mind.
Chu Lianzhou, on the other hand, had little contact with Mingxiu, so he hadn't discovered anything yet.
But now that she is in charge of internal affairs and is often by Xiao Qing's side, she feels that Mingxiu, as the emperor's close head maid, is not behaving properly in some ways, and she secretly has some thoughts of comparison.
"Grand Tutor, did you say before that I wouldn't be allowed to go out for the Lantern Festival?" She began to recount the details to Fu Mingyi.
"Last year, it was the Grand Tutor who took me to guess the lantern riddles, although we didn't win the lanterns in the end."
"Two years ago, the Grand Tutor also said that I am usually diligent and should go out for a walk during this lively season."
Xiao Qing walked back and forth.
"Going back another year, the Grand Tutor was also..."
Fu Mingyi remained unmoved.
"Your Majesty, times have changed."
With both external and internal troubles looming ahead, and although the plan has been finalized, Xiao Qing's safety is paramount, so it's best to avoid this kind of commotion.
Xiao Qing was unconvinced. "What's wrong with things now? How is it different from before? Nanhua is now as solid as an ironclad fortress, and the Lantern Festival didn't just start this year. The Grand Tutor has many concerns!"
No matter what, Fu Mingyi simply refused to allow Xiao Qing to leave the palace.
Xiao Qing and Fu Mingyi had been talking all morning and were hoarse, so they decided to strategically give up.
"Alright, alright, I'll go and celebrate the Lantern Festival with my younger brother, Prince Yan, and my elder brother, Prince Lang. Is that alright?"
Xiao Qing strode out, with Ma Hong and "Mingxiu" hurriedly following behind.
Fu Mingyi was helpless. The young emperor was still childlike at times and wouldn't let her go out to watch the excitement, so she decided not to spend the Lantern Festival with him.
The Prince of Lang's status is higher than his.
Fu Mingyi frowned. He still felt uneasy, but he knew that Xiao Qing's personality meant that not letting her leave the palace had already made her very unhappy. If he were to say that it wasn't safe for her to be near the Prince of Lang, she would probably explode.
Sometimes he didn't understand why Xiao Qing valued the Prince of Lang so much, whom he had only met once. He could tell that Xiao Qing's attitude towards the Prince of Lang was so sincere that it went a bit too far.
Fortunately, the stars are dim and we are in the palace, so there shouldn't be any major problems.
Having no other choice, he had to leave the palace and return home on his own.
We also need to contact the north again so we won't be disliked in the palace.
Xiao Qing turned and headed towards Xiao Yan's palace, looking annoyed. When she saw that Fu Mingyi hadn't followed, she gradually slowed down and her expression slowly calmed down.
She was naturally aware of Fu Mingyi's concerns, as well as the various plans that "Mingxiu" had made after returning to the palace. However, given the cunning and cautious nature of those people over the years, they might not necessarily make any moves in the palace again.
Five years later, with everything in Nanhua ready and with Murdan's assurance, it was the perfect time to reclaim the north. Only by quickly eliminating the hidden dangers could they take the initiative; they couldn't be fighting a war while also having to guard against these rats.
Once the northern lands are reclaimed...
Xiao Qing's half-closed eyes softened even more.
Her mission will then be complete.
Since Fu Mingyi had no interest in the dragon throne, she needed to focus on grooming the younger brother, Yan, as he was the rightful heir to the kingdom.
"Is the Prince of Lang well?"
Xiao Qing was lost in thought when he looked up and saw the Prince of Lang sitting upright in his wheelchair, dressed in a white fur coat.
Although the weather had warmed up a bit, Prince Lang was still wearing heavy clothes, yet his face was pale and his thin lips were bloodless.
Xiao Qing was momentarily dazed, as if she saw herself sitting on the hospital bed, so far away. At that time, her brother was by her bedside, gently comforting her, telling her stories, and telling her that everything would be alright and that it wouldn't hurt.
He should be vibrant and healthy, his smile making even the sunlight outside the window seem brighter.
She walked over quickly and unconsciously touched Xiao Lang's hand with the back of her hand; it was very cold.
Xiao Qing was unhappy.
She looked at the people behind him, "Why did you let Prince Lang come out here on such a cold day? And he's dressed so lightly!"
Seeing her serious expression, the servants accompanying Prince Lang were taken aback and hurriedly apologized.
The warmth of Xiao Qing's hand still lingered on the back of Lang Wang's hand. He couldn't quite describe his feelings, but he said, "I came out for a walk because it's Lantern Festival. It's not cold."
Xiao Qing waved away his attendants, walked behind him and pushed the wheelchair, her tone softening slightly.
"I was just about to go find my younger brother Yan and come with him to visit my elder brother Lang to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Since we've run into each other, why don't we go to my younger brother Yan's place together?"
First, they would eat a round and delicious glutinous rice ball together, then send her brother Lang back home, and then she would take action.
Xiao Lang frowned, the sound of the wheelchair smoothly gliding around him.
He could tell that the young emperor was being excessively kind to him.
Whether it's an act or not.
The young emperor's reputation for his actions seems to be quite good.
It's a pity it's the old man's bloodline.
Thinking of this, he felt his hand getting hot.
His time is running out.
He wanted to let loose a little.
He casually adjusted his cuffs, letting them brush against the back of his hand, and said in a low voice, "But all I want to do today is spend with Your Majesty."
Xiao Qing paused for a moment, vaguely sensing something.
Time stood still for a moment.
Xiao Qing laughed. She turned to face Prince Lang, bending down slightly to look at him: "Brother Prince Lang, do you only want to spend the Lantern Festival with me?"
The young emperor's gaze seemed sincere and ardent, yet also held a hint of inquiry.
Xiao Lang sneered inwardly.
I heard that the young emperor and the Grand Tutor argued for half the day today, with the emperor insisting on leaving the palace, but the Grand Tutor firmly refused.
Such a good opportunity will not come again after today.
Xiao Lang leaned forward slightly, nodded, and said in a low voice, "It has been many years since I have seen the grand spectacle of the Lantern Festival parade. Would you be willing to show me around this garden, Brother Qing?"
Xiao Qing blinked. "Of course, Brother Wang, I would be more than happy to."
She straightened up.
"Ma Hong, tell your brother Yan that I won't be spending the night with him. Have the kitchen send him some hawthorn-filled glutinous rice balls, and you can eat them with him on my behalf. Remind him that even though it's a festival, he shouldn't forget his studies."
Ma Hong knew this meant he wasn't allowed to come along, so he hesitated.
Mingxiu has absolutely no martial arts skills, and Prince Lang is unable to travel easily, so...
Xiao Qing urged, "Go." Her expression was resolute.
Ma Hong bowed and took his leave.
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