Chapter 8 My Prince Invites You

The other three were all stunned.

Still... still like this?

Several second-class maids were also dumbfounded.

They wanted to be promoted to first-class maids, so how come they were relegated to third-class maids?

"Miss, that's not what I meant..."

"That's not what you mean?" Xie Zhuoning suddenly realized, "So you want to serve in the outer courtyard like Chuntao?"

“No, no, no!” Several maids turned pale and waved their hands quickly, not daring to say anything more.

So be a third-class maid. It’s better than working as a maid in the outer courtyard like Chuntao and cleaning toilets.

Seeing that no one objected, Xie Zhuoning raised his hand and said, "Okay, everyone get busy."

Xia Ju followed her into the house and asked curiously, "Did they make a mistake?"

Xie Zhuoning replied, "I didn't make any mistakes, but my heart wasn't with me."

"Then, hurry away?"

"No need," she shook her head, "If we send one batch away, another batch will arrive."

Instead of checking the background of new recruits one by one, it is better to keep these people. At least you will know which ones to be wary of and which ones to stay away from, and you will have a rough idea in your mind.

"By the way," she suddenly asked, "what time is it now?"

"Si time, three quarters."

Xie Zhuoning raised his lips and said, "It's time to leave the court now. Today's court session must have been very exciting, right?"

…

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, civil and military officials left in twos and threes after retiring from court, chatting.

Xiao Jinxuan stepped out, the white and gold embroidered python pattern on his robe swaying with his movements, lifelike as if it were alive, exuding a cool and noble aura.

"Seventeenth brother."

The one who spoke was Yong Wang Xiao Jinhong. He was past middle age, dressed in a purple dragon robe and a jade belt. As he walked, he carried the dignity and nobility of a royal child.

He raised his hand and patted Xiao Jinxuan on the shoulder, saying, "Congratulations!"

But this "congratulations" sounds weird no matter how you listen to it.

Today in the court, the matter of the Western Chu State's visit to Daye was discussed.

King Yong and his followers spoke eloquently and argued forcefully, hoping to take on the task of receiving the envoys from the State of Chu.

Emperor Zhaowen wanted to hand the matter over to the crown prince, but the crown prince did not attend the morning court.

Upon asking, I learned that the prince had left the city yesterday and went to Qianren Mountain to pick the lover's flower for the eldest daughter of the Xie family!

Emperor Zhaowen was so angry that he coughed up blood, so he simply appointed Xiao Jinxuan to be in charge of the matter.

Xiao Jinxuan's expression was calm, neither humble nor arrogant, "Fifth brother, you are joking. I am just eating your salary and sharing your worries. Why should I be happy?"

"Humph, that sounds very high-sounding. I don't believe that Brother Seventeen has no interest in that position!"

Prince Yong snorted coldly and left.

Ever since His Majesty fell ill, Prince Yong's behavior has become more and more reckless, and many times he even ignores the Crown Prince.

Xiao Jinxuan frowned, but he was thinking of Xie Zhuoning.

Why did she deliberately send the prince out of the capital yesterday?

Did he expect something like this to happen in the court today?

But the documents sent by the Western Chu State were only delivered to the palace yesterday afternoon...

Xiao Jinxuan's eyebrows furrowed deeply, "Is it just a coincidence?"

…

When he heard that Crown Prince Xiao Bicheng had just returned from Qianren Mountain, His Majesty immediately summoned him to the palace and gave him a two-hour lecture.

When some officials saw that the prince had neglected state affairs for a woman, they shook their heads and wondered whether the leader they were following was a wise one.

Within a few days, the news that the prince was unworthy of his position spread throughout the capital.

But soon another voice appeared -

"The prince is kindhearted and has reduced taxes and levies. Which of these is not for the country and the people?"

"It's obviously the eldest daughter of the Xie family who is taking advantage of the military achievements of the Marquis of Zhenyang to bully others. The prince admires the Marquis of Zhenyang, so he is more tolerant of the eldest daughter of the Xie family's unreasonable behavior!"

"Oh, this is just the beginning. I'm going to tell you some inside information. I heard that Miss Xie and her cousin had an affair and almost eloped..."

"It's so pitiful that the prince has to deal with such a woman who is so naive!"

In the corner of the teahouse.

A screen separated the figures, but it blocked the constant noisy discussions.

Xie Zhuoning took a sip of tea and laughed off the various rumors about her.

Xia Ju clenched her fists in anger, "Damn them!"

"Not really," Xie Zhuoning quickly held her down, "You can silence one person, but you can't silence everyone in the world. Are you going to kill everyone in the world?"

Anyway, this is not the first time that Xiao Bicheng has used her as a shield for him. Otherwise, how did she get all the bad reputation in her previous life?

The storms have all passed, and a few comments are of no harm to her.

However, the rumors about eloping do not seem like something Xiao Bichen would do.

Most of the rumors were probably spread from within the Xie family, who were trying to fish in troubled waters by mixing with the rumors.

It seems that I need to take some time to deal with all the mess at home.

As she was thinking, she heard a servant come over and report, "Miss, we found the acrobatic troupe you were looking for."

Xie Zhuoning stood up with a smile, "Let's go and watch the show!"

The variety show troupe was called the Hongxi Troupe. They had just arrived in the capital, and before they had time to set up a stage to perform, they were greeted by a distinguished guest. Every member of the troupe put in his best effort and showed off his best skills.

As white as new white cloth, words appear out of thin air.

All kinds of animals, speaking human language.

The sea of ​​flowers that appeared out of thin air is as beautiful as a fairyland...

Xie Zhuoning was delighted and clapped his hands with a smile, "Appreciation!"

She was very generous, giving out one hundred taels of gold. The jugglers were so stunned that they quickly knelt down to express their gratitude.

"Don't thank me so much," she raised her hand to stop him. "I didn't give you this gold for free."

"You will do one thing for me. Once you have done it, you will leave the capital immediately and will not be allowed to come back for three years. If you can do this, I will have someone give you another 100 taels of gold."

As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly and whispered a few words to a few people.

When they heard this, they immediately smiled and patted their chests to assure, "Don't worry, sir, we will definitely do a great job for you!"

That much gold is enough to buy their lives.

The result was just to let them do a small task, such a deal where pie in the sky fell, any hesitation for a second would be disrespectful to the one hundred taels of gold!

Xie Zhuoning fiddled with his nails lightly, with a slight smile on his face. "Xiao Bicheng, Xiao Bicheng, I have prepared a surprise for you too. You must like it!"

After watching the show, Xie Zhuoning took Xia Ju for a walk down the street.

The hustle and bustle of the city made her feel somewhat alive.

There happened to be a monk selling amulets on the street. "The amulets are blessed and can protect people from bloody disasters and bring peace to generations!"

Xie Zhuoning's eyes lit up and he immediately rushed over, "How did you sell it?"

The great monk said, "Each of these amulets has been blessed by ninety-nine and eighty-one eminent monks. Ten taels each, no bargaining!"

Xie Zhuoning immediately took out the money and said, "I want them all!"

The monk took the silver and left happily.

Xie Zhuoning counted them one by one, "This one is from grandma, this one is from dad, this one is from brother... this one is from Xia Ju."

Xia Ju was stunned when she didn't expect that she also had one. "Me, too?"

"Of course you do." Xie Zhuoning stuffed it directly into her hand and smiled, "Xia Ju, we must be fine in this life."

On the second floor of the restaurant on the street, Xiao Jinxuan was standing at the window and saw Xie Zhuoning placing the amulet solemnly on his chest.

The expression in his eyes changed, and he felt that his previous guess was wrong.

Why does Miss Xie look so stupid?

The big monk was obviously a charlatan. He sold those amulets for only one penny.

As for the prince's matter, was he really overthinking it?

Xie Zhuoning collected the remaining amulets and was about to leave when someone stopped him.

She happened to know that person, Xiao Jinxuan's personal bodyguard, Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao bowed to her and said, "My Lord would like to thank you, Miss."