Chapter 87 Tit for Tat
Xiao Qing was ill for five days. Fu Mingyi visited her twice during that time, once with Xiao Yan and once alone.
With just a few words, it was as if an invisible wall separated the two of them. Xiao Qing didn't reach out to push, and Fu Mingyi just watched.
Those around Xiao Qing sensed something was amiss, but no one knew what was going on, and they became increasingly cautious in their movements.
It must be said that, because of the Grand Tutor's return, the palace seems to have become much more orderly.
Finally, Fu Mingyi entered the palace again and, together with Wang Xiang and Duke Anguo, discussed the ceremony of Xiao Yan recognizing his ancestors and returning to the imperial clan, and invited Xiao Qing to participate.
Although it was called a suggestion, Xiao Qing knew in her heart that it should actually be called a reminder.
She silently closed her eyes, then nodded and said, "Of course."
There were only four words, and then there was no more talk.
Fu Mingyi glanced at Xiao Qing's pale and lifeless face, lowered his eyes slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, please make preparations as soon as possible. The ceremony is scheduled for the second day of the eighth month. Your Majesty must take care of your health."
After the three left, Wang Xiang actually circled back.
Xiao Qing was about to go to sleep when she heard Ma Hong's report and hesitated for a few seconds.
Fu Mingyi's statement, "Make preparations early," is probably an ultimatum.
These people will soon be from a completely different world to her, so what difference does it make whether she pays attention to them or not?
So she doesn't really want to see him.
However, Ma Hong added, "The Prime Minister looks anxious, as if he has something difficult to decide."
Xiao Qing remained silent for a long while before finally nodding slightly.
Mingxiu felt sorry for her while she was ill, because her refusal to take medicine was giving her a headache. At this moment, when Ma Hong went out, she couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, please take some herbal medicine."
Xiao Qing waved her hand again, straightening her clothes slightly as she said, "It's just a cold, no need for medicine, it'll get better on its own." She casually rolled up her sleeves, her eyes lowered, making Mingxiu's heart sink even further.
Your Majesty is wrong, extremely wrong.
Wang Xiang strode in.
Xiao Qing looked at him, "Does the Prime Minister have something important to discuss?"
Wang Xiang frowned. "With the Grand Tutor and the Duke of Anguo present, I could not say much. But seeing Your Majesty's discomfort, my heart aches. May I ask Your Majesty, could the ceremony of Prince Yan's inclusion in the Imperial Genealogy be postponed? No matter how important this matter is, it cannot be more important than Your Majesty's health."
Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment.
Upon hearing these words for the first time, a warm feeling seemed to flow through her heart.
Wang Xiangneng thought this way, but the Grand Tutor didn't mention it at all, maintaining a completely official attitude, and hasn't shown any intimacy or offered any explanation to her so far.
But then she thought about it again and realized that Wang Xiang said this because she was the "emperor," not because she was Xiao Qing.
And so that trace of warmth gradually faded away.
She shook her head and said gently, "Thank you for your concern, Prime Minister. Since it was decided by everyone, it is naturally not appropriate to change it. Besides, there are still a few days until the second day of the eighth month, so I will not delay the ceremony."
Wang Xiang pleaded repeatedly, but seeing Xiao Qing's resolute attitude, he sighed and said seemingly unintentionally, "Your Majesty and the Grand Tutor are indeed of one mind, teacher and student. I just privately inquired about this with the Grand Tutor, and he also..."
Xiao Qing lost interest in listening to what followed.
After Wang Xiang left, Xiao Qing leaned lazily against the bed, not lying down or closing her eyes for a long time.
Mingxiu finally couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Xiao Qing suddenly looked at her, "Mingxiu, I will protect you."
Mingxiu was stunned, but Xiao Qing had already lay down and turned to her side.
As evening approached and Xiao Qing felt thirsty, she got up to get some water.
She reached to the side and touched something furry.
She woke up with a start and got up. By the moonlight, she looked closely and realized it was Xiao Xiao.
Seeing the little ones, she realized it had been a long time since she had played with them.
Since learning that the Grand Tutor was about to return, she sent the kittens to Yingying's place again. Recently, she also knew that she was not in a good state, so she had not seen Yingying.
Aside from Mei Shu, whose situation is still unknown, she has three attendants by her side, as well as Ming Xiu. Ying Ying is an inner attendant, and although he is closer to her than the palace attendants outside, he has been busy lately and cannot be summoned, so he naturally cannot see her.
She thought for a moment, then, without disturbing Xiao Xiao who was fast asleep, she quietly got up, put on her clothes, and went outside.
There was a blurry shadow at the doorway, which appeared even more indistinct under the moonlight.
She gently pushed open the door, stepped over the threshold, and as she looked down, she met the gaze of Ying Ying, who was sitting beside her with her eyes open and looking up.
Xiao Qing looked into his eyes for a while, and for some reason, she felt that those indescribable emotions such as irritability, frustration, competitiveness, and disappointment were gradually dissolving as if they were being immersed in a deep pool.
She sat down calmly.
Where is Mingxiu?
"Chief Steward Ming has been working too hard lately. This servant will stand guard at the gate for him for a quarter of an hour."
Xiao Qing adjusted the coat draped over her shoulders and silently looked ahead.
Yingying got up, went inside to get another piece of clothing, and carefully draped it over her knees.
"It's getting chilly at night, and His Majesty refuses to drink his medicine. We can't let him get any colder."
Xiao Qing felt a warmth in her heart and whispered, "Thank you."
Ying Ying smiled and said, "Your Majesty is the first emperor to say thank you."
Xiao Qing smiled. "How do you know other emperors wouldn't say thank you?"
Ying Ying raised an eyebrow, turned her face away, and did not answer.
"Chief Steward Ming said that His Majesty has a cold, but this servant thinks that His Majesty has a heart ailment."
Xiao Qing was a little annoyed, so she suppressed her smile and said irritably, "You're not a royal physician."
"Then why does Your Majesty refuse to take the medicine?"
Whether I take my medicine or not is my business.
"If you're sick but don't want to take medicine, it means you don't want to get better. Only when you have something on your mind will you not want to get better even when you're sick."
Xiao Qing stood up. "This is none of your business."
Ying Ying also stood up. "Your Majesty, running away will not solve any problems."
His eyes were dark, yet very bright, as bright as stars in the sky, as bright as clear pearls.
Xiao Qing's heart stirred. "You are different from them."
Ying Ying did not dodge, "This servant entered the palace for Your Majesty's sake. This servant only wants to be by Your Majesty's side and do anything for Your Majesty."
He paused, then continued, "If anyone displeases Your Majesty, this servant is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens, even if..."
Xiao Qing quickly turned around. "No one has displeased me." She stepped over the threshold, took a step, and then stopped.
"Is it because I had General Zhao save you?"
Ying Ying maintained his previous posture. "Your Majesty deserves my utmost service." He narrowed his eyes and slightly lowered his chin.
Xiao Qing paused for a moment, then returned to bed without a word, lay down, closed her eyes, and completely forgot about being thirsty.
It took Yingying quite a while to sit down again, her heart finally calming down a little.
A moment later, he suddenly looked to his left and saw Ma Hong standing there with his arms crossed, looking at him with a half-smile, and he didn't know how long he had been looking at him.
He thought for a moment, then stood up and walked towards Ma Hong.
Ma Hong patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "If you want to serve His Majesty, you'll be here soon."
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