Chapter 118 Exploration
Although the Grand Tutor seemed to have no curiosity whatsoever about the new world she described, he at least appeared to believe her.
They won't treat her like a monster and put her on the fire to roast.
With such a simple sense of satisfaction, Xiao Qing fell asleep as soon as her head hit the bed, feeling perfectly at ease.
As for Yingying's matter, the Grand Tutor must explain it clearly to me first thing tomorrow morning.
What should have been a lively festival until midnight, Xiao Qing slept soundly all night listening to the sound of the wind in the bamboo forest of the temple.
However, when Xiao Qing woke up the next day and was told that Fu Mingyi had already gone down the mountain, she slapped her head and regretted getting up late.
Fu Mingyi's influence was too strong. Xiao Qing felt that no matter how much she wanted to take the initiative, she would be unconsciously led astray.
Fu, didn't you say you were going to talk to me about Yingying today? Why did you leave so early?
Ma Hong said, "Before leaving, the Grand Tutor said he was going to see Lord Yu off and asked His Majesty to make the necessary preparations before returning to the palace. The Grand Tutor will enter the palace after seeing him off."
Seeing that his complexion was indeed getting better and better, and his back was straighter, Xiao Qing felt much more at ease.
So they returned to the palace and that was not mentioned.
Outside the city gate, Fu Mingyi and Yu Zaiting bowed to each other, their unspoken words conveyed in their gesture.
Fu Mingyi watched as he and his attendant Chang Yun rode away on their own swift horses, leaving him in awe.
Yu Zaiting isn't actually the best choice, but who knows, he might be a surprisingly good move in the future.
He turned around, slowly walked back to the carriage, and instructed Fu Shan, "Go to the palace."
The orange-red sunrise leaped onto his shoulders from the distant horizon behind him, signifying a temporary end to everything, and the beginning of something new.
Because Dan Ying and Liu Yi went to Xiao Yan's place, and Ying Ying was placed somewhere by Fu Mingyi, only Ma Hong and Ming Xiu were managing Xiao Qing's Chengde Palace. The two had worked together quite well during this period of time. Ming Xiu was in charge of the palace's internal affairs, while Ma Hong mainly arranged and accompanied Xiao Qing on his trips.
Mingxiu was relieved to see that Xiao Qing seemed to be in a good mood when she returned.
During this period, not only Xiao Qing had many insights, but Ming Xiu also had many feelings.
Xiao Qing was younger than her and in a much more difficult situation. If they were outside the palace, it should have been her, the older sister, taking care of her younger sister. However, Xiao Qing was mature, and in recent days, it was actually Xiao Qing who had shown more tolerance and protection towards her.
Mingxiu felt that although her dream of practicing medicine throughout the world was important, she also needed to grow up quickly in the current difficult situation in the palace in order to protect the young emperor and herself.
While Xiao Qing was sound asleep at Tianyin Temple, she tossed and turned in bed for a long time, lost in thought.
When she got up in the morning, after dressing herself neatly, she took care of all the internal affairs of Chengde Palace, and unconsciously exuded a special temperament from the inside out.
Xiao Qing circled Mingxiu twice, then asked curiously, "Mingxiu, did you eat something delicious last night?"
Mingxiu didn't quite understand, "It's just ordinary food..."
"So you slept very well?" Xiao Qing shook her finger, teasing her with a wronged look: "When I'm not here, Mingxiu can sleep even better than usual. This clearly shows that she doesn't care about me..." She blinked.
Seeing that she was still in the mood to joke, Mingxiu couldn't help but glare at her when no one was around and said, "Your Majesty always teases Mingxiu. What's wrong?"
Xiao Qing compared the descriptions and finally found a suitable adjective: "They say a girl changes a lot as she grows up, and I think Mingxiu has become even more beautiful overnight."
Mingxiu was speechless and decided it was best not to say anything.
As the two were talking, Ma Hong said from the doorway, "Your Majesty, Prince Yan has come to pay his respects."
Xiao Qing frowned.
Upon returning to the palace, Fu Mingyi had not yet been seen when Xiao Yan appeared.
To be honest, she didn't really want to see this Prince Yan, especially not alone with him.
She was about to refuse instinctively, but then a thought flashed through her mind: this child had always liked to show off in front of her. When Fu Mingyi first gave him Dan Ying, Liu Yi, and Xiao Xiao, he would come to her place almost every day, and he didn't hesitate to bring them all with him.
At that time, she was heartbroken and didn't want to see or think about anything, but Mingxiu was furious with him.
Is he here to show off again this time?
What could it be? Could it be related to Ying Ying?
Didn't Fu Mingyi once want to arrange for Ying Ying to be by Xiao Yan's side? Did he actually do that while she was at Tianyin Temple?
With that thought in mind, Xiao Qing said, "Let's meet in the front hall."
She then asked Ma Hong, "Is he alone?"
Ma Hong shook his head. "And then there's Attendant Liu."
Xiao Qing nodded and said nothing more.
Mingxiu helped her tidy up for a while before she slowly went to the front.
Xiao Yan respectfully rose to pay his respects, and indeed only Liu Yi accompanied him.
Xiao Qing nodded slightly to accept his greeting, then sat down in the main seat with an air of importance, and gestured for Xiao Yan to sit as well.
Xiao Yan's eyes followed her movements without blinking, and he secretly felt a sense of relief.
"It's been a few days. How have you been, Brother Yan?"
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing very well every day."
Xiao Qing inwardly pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "No wonder the children in this world are so precocious. If Xiao Yan, this little rascal, were in her world, he would be happily snuggling in his parents' arms. How many of them could speak so eloquently, be so sensible, and even so... cunning?"
Yes, Xiao Qing felt that this kid was quite cunning.
Mingxiu personally brought in the tea, and after setting it out, she stood next to Xiao Qing.
Seeing that Xiao Qing did not intend to speak, Xiao Yan said, "I heard that Your Majesty fainted due to overwork at Tianyin Temple. I was worried about you in the palace. Now that I see that Your Majesty is safe and sound, I am relieved."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It's nothing really, but the etiquette was so complicated that I fell asleep. Come to think of it, I haven't been moving around enough lately. Your Highness, please don't follow my example."
Xiao Yan smiled, this time with a hint of sincerity in his smile.
He hadn't come simply to pay his respects. He was still shaken by what he'd witnessed at the Martial Soul Tomb and couldn't shake the feeling of unease, so he'd come early to investigate.
Now he was certain: this was still the harmless little emperor, not the eerie, murderous one from the Martial Soul Tomb.
Little Emperor.
Just as he was about to say something, Ma Hong reported again: "Your Majesty, Your Highness Yan, the Grand Tutor has arrived."
Xiao Qing was a little disappointed that she hadn't gotten any information about Ying Ying yet, but then she thought that asking Fu Mingyi would be the same, so she let Ma Hong let Fu Mingyi in.
Upon seeing Fu Mingyi, Xiao Yan happily stood up and said, "Grand Tutor." He then tried to go to greet him.
Fu Mingyi first bowed to Xiao Qing, then bowed to Xiao Yan and asked, "How has Your Highness Yan been these days?"
Xiao Yan made no attempt to hide his feelings. "Very well, I just miss the Grand Tutor. I do my homework every day, would the Grand Tutor like to see it?"
Xiao Qing glanced to the side, too lazy to look.
Fu Mingyi said, "I will come to check on His Highness Yan's studies later. But right now, I have some matters to discuss with Your Majesty."
Xiao Qing should have told Xiao Yan to go back first, but he acted as if he hadn't heard her and looked away.
Fu Mingyi was helpless, but Xiao Yan said, "In that case, I will first organize my studies and wait for the Grand Tutor to arrive." He bowed to Fu Mingyi in the manner of a teacher and student, then bid farewell to Xiao Qing before leaving.
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