20. Chapter 20 Missing
Fortunately, there was ointment in the carriage. Pei Xiuhan took out a bottle and carefully applied it on Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao couldn't help but secretly glanced at him. He looked serious, and even the way he frowned looked very handsome.
Xiaoxiao felt warm and sweet in her heart. Although she was in pain, the corners of her lips lifted unconsciously. Seeing that there was not much ointment left in the porcelain bottle, Xiaoxiao felt like she was being scratched by a kitten. She whispered to him, "Brother, can you give me the bottle?"
The porcelain bottle was milky white and looked very beautiful. Thinking that the little girl liked such exquisite little things, Pei Xiu Han didn't think much about it. After helping her apply the medicine, he gave her the porcelain bottle.
Xiaoxiao put it in her arms contentedly, and couldn't help but smile.
The news of Princess Anhui being whipped as punishment spread throughout the capital. People who had never paid attention to Xiaoxiao began to inquire about her. Not only the ladies, but even the court officials began to pay attention to her. After all, the Regent had always been selfless and had no weaknesses at all. Sometimes the officials couldn't even find an opportunity to bribe him.
At this moment, in order to stand up for a little girl, he actually asked the eldest princess to beat Princess Anhui. It can be seen that in his heart, even the royal family members are not as important as this little girl.
Almost every day, someone would ask the people in the palace for information, but naturally they got nothing. Some people even asked the Duke of Zhenguo, but the Duke of Zhenguo did not mention Xiaoxiao's life experience, but only said that she saved Pei Xiuhan's life and was the benefactor of the Prince of Yan's Palace.
After hearing this, everyone began to understand why Pei Xiuhan was so protective of her. After Pei Jing heard about this, he quickly called the Duke of Zhenguo to the palace. After all, he was the king of a country. The Duke of Zhenguo did not hide anything and told him Xiaoxiao's life story.
Pei Jing then realized that she was not his father's illegitimate daughter. Thinking of how pitiful this little girl was, he had secretly envied her. Pei Jing felt uncomfortable and asked someone to send Xiaoxiao a lot of medicine, including some good scar removal medicine, to ensure that after the wound scabs over, there would be no scar left.
Xiaoxiao had no idea Pei Jing had ever been angry with her. Seeing him send so many wound medicines, she was quite touched. She just thought that Brother Pei's little cousin was such a good person! It would be fine if he just wrote calligraphy for her, but he also spent so much money to buy her medicine.
Xiaoxiao also asked Pei Xiu Han to help thank his little cousin. Pei Xiu Han looked a little strange after hearing this. Knowing that the little girl was very timid, he did not tell her Pei Jing's true identity.
Some noble ladies became more concerned about Xiaoxiao and tried various ways to find out about her. When Xiaoxiao recovered from her injuries and went to the clan school to attend classes, some of them went to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion to visit. After going there many times, they got to know Xiaoxiao, including Zheng Danyun.
These noble ladies treated Xiaoxiao very warmly, but Xiaoxiao was not quite used to it. She was always a little reserved when facing them. She still preferred to play with Mu Wen and Zhong Miao.
Seeing that the little girl was so timid, the ladies did not act hastily. They wanted to make friends with Xiaoxiao and naturally did not want to leave a bad impression on her.
While Xiaoxiao was attending class seriously, Pei Xiuhan was even busier. He had been investigating the person behind Li Qing, and had made some progress in the past few days. He handed over all the evidence he had collected to the Dali Temple. That night, the guards sealed off the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the Prime Minister and his three sons were all thrown into prison.
Such a big prime minister's mansion collapsed just like that. Not only court officials, but even the people were talking about it.
Even though the evidence was right in front of them, there were still some old ministers who believed that Pei Xiuhan was intentionally using his assassination to get rid of disobedient officials. The court became much quieter for a while, but a few of the more stubborn old ministers submitted memorials to the emperor every day.
As soon as they saw Pei Jing, they cursed Pei Xiuhan, saying that he had the intention of treason and that this was too excessive and must be guarded against. Every time Pei Jing heard this, he couldn't help but roll his eyes. If the emperor's uncle really wanted the throne, he would not let him be this damn emperor.
Others don’t understand, but he doesn’t understand too?
He was five years old when his father was murdered and had memories of it. However, he was still young and his father was afraid that he would not be able to govern the country after ascending the throne and that the Great Zhou would face chaos, so he did not pass the throne to him at all. The name on the imperial edict was always written as the emperor's uncle.
Because the emperor's uncle refused to be emperor, he went against his father's will and supported him to ascend the throne. If he had known that being an emperor was so tiring, he would never have been so easy to coax.
At the beginning, some ministers said that Pei Xiuhan was greedy for power and that he was controlling the government, and that he deserved to be put to death. Pei Jing was so angry that he cried, and tried his best to explain the whole story, but no one believed him at all. The ministers even asked him to produce the late emperor's will.
Pei Xiuhan had burned the imperial edict long ago, so he naturally couldn't produce it. In fact, even if he produced it, the ministers would probably think that the imperial edict was forged by Pei Xiuhan, and that he was coerced by Pei Xiuhan to speak well of him.
Pei Jing had learned his lesson in recent years and was too lazy to waste his breath. When they cursed the emperor's uncle, he would just nod and agree with them from time to time. After they finished cursing, he would naturally go back home obediently.
This time, Li Ge Lao and others had no intention of giving up easily. Perhaps the Prime Minister's downfall had frightened them, making them particularly difficult to deal with.
Pei Jing was so annoyed that when they came back, he was furious. He suddenly slammed the table and shouted, "The Regent is so utterly corrupt. It's truly abhorrent. Come, arrest the Regent and execute him later."
The ministers were shocked and frightened. Lord Li hurriedly calmed him down and told him to take it slow. After all, the Regent held great power, and if he confronted him head-on, the Emperor would definitely be the one to suffer.
Seeing him so impulsive, the ministers did not dare to add fuel to the fire and all retreated. Finally, the matter of the prime minister being beheaded was finally settled.
Pei Jing was also very tired.
While he was going through a lot, Xiaoxiao was extremely happy. Seeing that the little girl even liked a small porcelain vase, Pei Xiuhan would bring her some small toys from time to time when he returned from leaving the house.
He was also very concerned about her studies. When he learned that she was having difficulty learning the guzheng, he hired an additional famous teacher. Although he was busy, Xiaoxiao lived an extremely fulfilling life.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the first heavy snow of the year fell. The snow fell heavily and after one night, the whole capital was covered with white snow.
The maids took a long time to clean the yard.
Many noble ladies were looking forward to the arrival of the 29th. The 29th was a palace banquet. Not only ministers had to attend, but also noble ladies could participate. They dressed up early, hoping to see the Regent. Even if they couldn't talk to him, it would not be a loss to establish a good relationship with Xiaoxiao. They had imagined it perfectly, but unexpectedly, the Regent did not show up again, and Xiaoxiao did not attend.
Pei Xiuhan didn't like noise and was often absent in previous years. This year, he didn't even show up. Seeing that he didn't show up, several ministers complained, but Pei Jing was very happy. Since his uncle was not around, he could still drink some wine secretly.
At this time, Xiaoxiao was in Wuya Hall.
In the past, every time the Chinese New Year was approaching, grandma would prepare delicious food for them. Xiaoxiao loved the Chinese New Year the most, but this year she was particularly resistant to the arrival of the New Year. Not only was her brother far away on the battlefield, but on the fourth day of the New Year, Brother Pei would leave Beijing.
Every day that passes feels like one less day. Ever since the clan school started its holiday yesterday, Xiaoxiao has been clinging to him. Yesterday alone, she saw him, and today she went to see him again with questions. Unlike before, even if she hadn't seen him for seven or eight days, she rarely bothered him.
Pei Xiu Han naturally didn't know that the little girl wanted to see him more often. He just thought she was too studious and gave her some guidance.
It was the same on New Year's Eve. Pei Xiu Han did not go out the whole day. Xiao Xiao helped Lian Qiao to paste the couplets, and then went to Wuya Hall, sticking to Pei Xiu Han like a little tail.
After asking the question, she did not leave. She took a book from his bookshelf and sat beside him to read. She did not read deeply, but stared at the book in a daze, looking very lonely.
She was born with fair and tender skin, and her facial features were very delicate. Now she was dressed in silk and satin, and looked more like a jade girl under the seat of Guanyin Bodhisattva than many noble ladies in the capital. Her lonely expression was particularly pitiful.
Pei Xiuhan saw it and put down his book. "Are you missing home?"
His eyes and brows were cold, and because he was too lazy to speak, his expression always seemed unfathomable. Only when he asked this question did he have a hint of worldly air.
Xiaoxiao really missed home. At this time of year in previous years, she would be busy in the kitchen with her grandmother, preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, while her brother would help light the fire. Their home was small, but warm. This year, she only had her brother Pei by her side, and he would soon be leaving.
Xiaoxiao's eyes grew dimmer, and her usually bright pupils now held an indescribable loneliness.
Pei Xiuhan leaned on the couch, while the little girl sat at the desk in front of the window. The two were a little far away. Pei Xiuhan dropped the book in his hand and said lightly, "Come closer."
Xiaoxiao didn't react and looked dazed.
Pei Xiuhan leaned back, and the vast sunset glow poured through the window lattice, shining on his cold profile. One of his legs was slightly bent, and the other was stretched out, with a slightly lazy expression. His strong body and long legs seemed inexplicably attractive.
Xiaoxiao didn't know why, but she didn't dare to look him in the eye. The next moment, she heard him lazily say, "Come here. How can I coax you from such a distance?"
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