Qin Jue thought about how little Xi'er had only been born a few days ago, and he felt very conflicted about whether or not to go see her.
Every time I went there, I would see Xiao Liyan holding Xiao Xi'er. Sometimes she would tell Xiao Xi'er stories, and sometimes she would talk to Xiao Xi'er in everyday conversation.
Even he himself had been ignored by Xiao Liyan, and because of this, he hadn't gone to Futang Palace for about four days.
As expected, Xiao Liyan had someone call her to have lunch.
At the time, I didn't understand why I felt angry, flustered, and afraid when I sensed Xiao Liyan's coldness towards me.
I understand now, but...
"How could Xiao Xi'er's mother not like Xiao Xi'er?"
"Back then, your mother held you all day long and wouldn't let her father hold you at all."
"Really...really?"
Xiao Xi rubbed her red eyes and looked at Qin Jue in disbelief.
"When has Father ever lied to Little Xi'er?"
"Then...why did Mother leave us? Why did Mother go to another world to protect us instead of staying with me and protecting us?"
"Hmm... Little Xi'er, your mother had no choice but to leave. If she had a choice, she would definitely choose to stay by your side to protect you and watch you grow up, just like your father."
Xiao Xi lowered her head and looked dejected after hearing this.
"Okay, as long as I know that Mommy likes me and that Mommy hasn't abandoned me, I'm very happy."
Qin Jue stroked Xiao Xi'er, his eyes filled with heartache and guilt.
"Father, where is the luminous pearl?"
"Why don't you go find it yourself, Xiaoxi'er?"
Qin Jue put Xiao Xi'er down on the ground, and Xiao Xi'er began to search.
Meanwhile, the news that Xiao Xi'er was wearing bright yellow clothes spread outside the palace among the ministers.
The common people are all saying that this princess is really favored; she even gets to wear bright yellow clothes.
Some say that His Majesty truly dotes on the princess, even allowing her to wear bright yellow clothes.
Some were surprised and amazed by Xiao Xi'er's favor, while others felt that Qin Jue's actions were wrong.
His Majesty is so ignorant of etiquette, actually dressing the princess in bright yellow!
Isn't this princess completely lawless? She doesn't even respect the princes?!
Neither praise nor criticism reached Xiao Xi'er's ears, but it did reach Qin Jue's.
Qin Jue directly ordered Zou Heng to go to the streets and arrest those who said Xiao Xi'er was unruly, ambitious, and who insulted her.
Those who were arrested were initially dismissive, believing that Qin Jue wouldn't do anything to them.
But a few days later, the person was released, and everyone saw...
Those arrested by Zou Heng were detained for three days before being released. After their release, they repeatedly apologized and begged for their lives.
Someone was boldly asked a released person how they spent their time in prison.
He was shoved aside by people from the prison and ran away. Some people even pointed at and verbally abused the person who was questioning them.
Seeing that the released people refused to say anything, everyone silently shuddered, thinking that Qin Jue must have threatened them in some way.
Although there were no visible wounds on their bodies
Immediately, some people again condemned Qin Jue as a tyrant and a foolish ruler. They accused him of forcing a princess to wear yellow clothes, abusing his power, and recklessly arresting people who had arrested Xiao Xi'er.
Palace
The news that Xiaoxi was wearing bright yellow clothes also spread like wildfire.
Some palace servants, not believing it, inquired with the maids and eunuchs of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Having received affirmation, everyone felt sorry for Xiao Xi'er, whose head was about to be chopped off by Qin Jue.
Some people say that Qin Jue really spoils Xiao Xi'er to the core.
In the Cherry Blossom Garden, Xiao Liyun sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, embroidering a handkerchief. Upon hearing Liu Si's words, she put down the handkerchief she was embroidering.
"What did you say?"
"Your Majesty, people in the palace are saying that the princess wore bright yellow clothes, and that she will soon die."
As soon as Liu Si finished speaking, she saw Xiao Liyun smash the cup. She immediately wondered if she had said something out of line.
The cup that was thrown shattered right in front of Qin Jingke.
Qin Jingke saw that the glass was only a step away from him, and it shattered on the glass.
"Mother, I wonder who has made you angry?"
Why are you here?
This time, Xiao Liyun didn't seem as busy as usual when she saw Qin Jingke; instead, her tone was cold.
"Your Majesty, I've come to tell you that I visited my elder sister today, and she's much better now."
"Mother, I will protect my elder sister well from now on."
"You can't even protect yourself, how can you protect your sister?"
Xiao Liyun listened to Qin Jingke's words, glanced at him, and thought of a few days ago when she shamelessly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see Xiao Xi'er.
At that time, Xiao Xi'er was lying on the bed with her head wrapped in white bandages, her eyes closed, and her face completely pale.
Xiao Liyun was terrified at the time, fearing that Xiao Xi'er would leave because of it.
"Your son will strive to become stronger and then protect your sister."
"Remember what you said."
"Without the Empress, there would be no mother; without your sister, there would be no you."
When Qin Jingke heard Xiao Liyun's words again, although he had a thousand and one questions in his mind, he didn't ask them.
"Your subject understands."
In Qin Jingke's heart, Xiao Liyun's love for him was real. Qin Jingke lowered his head.
If I were in danger, my mother would definitely risk her life to save me.
But whenever her elder sister was involved, her mother would unconditionally side with her.
Although I love my older sister very much and would unconditionally stand by her side, it still hurts me deeply every time I hear my mother say those words.
Wu Fei also told me that his sister and her mother were our benefactors, but no matter what, he was also Mo Fei's child, wasn't he?
How wonderful it would be if Mother could stand by my side without hesitation, just like she did with my sister.
Qin Jingke did not reveal his true thoughts, but stood still.
"Keke, come to your mother."
"Mother Consort~"
Qin Jingke walked up to Xiao Liyun. Xiao Liyun picked him up, looked at the broken cup on the ground, and said slowly.
"You are my mother's child, of course she likes and loves you."
"But Keke, you must understand that your mother also loves... your sister very much."
Xiao Liyun paused briefly when she said "here," and then continued.
"You might think that your mother becomes irrational every time she encounters your sister, but no matter what, you and your sister hold equally important places in your mother's heart."
“You are by Mo Fei’s side every day, and the tombstone can take care of you at any time, but your sister cannot.”
"Your mother rarely saw your sister, and your sister's mother... is no longer with us..."
"Can you understand your mother?"
When Qin Jingke heard Xiao Liyun say, "You and your sister are equally important in Mother's heart," everything in his heart vanished.
Seeing the heartbroken look on Xiao Liyun's face, Qin Jingke hugged her neck.
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