Chapter 101 Draft
Xie Wuyou knew they rented a dilapidated courtyard. Did that mean it sounded better to get married from a dilapidated courtyard?
"This teahouse is a place where I can stay temporarily because of a good friend's kindness."
Xie Wuyou's voice was flat, "Besides, go back? Go back to live under the same roof as the person who almost ruined my life? Mother," she looked up and stared directly at Wang Shi, "Are you willing to kick him out?"
Upon hearing this, Wang fell silent, her eyes darting around, and she awkwardly shut her mouth.
Knowing that the teahouse was free, he had other ideas.
"Then...then how about this," she leaned forward, a fawning smile spreading across her face, "Mom will move in! Mom will come and live with you! I'll see you off at your wedding! It's not right for a daughter to get married without any family to support her! It'll save you from being all alone..."
She spoke more and more fluently, as if she could already see herself living in this clean house and no longer having to smell the musty odor of the dilapidated yard.
This teahouse is a hundred times better than that awful place!
Move here?
Today it's her, Wang Shi, but tomorrow it might be her useless father, Xie Chengzong.
The day after tomorrow… will even Xie Wulu, that beastly younger brother who almost sold her to Zhou Quan as a plaything, squeeze in?!
Having been Wang's daughter for over a decade, she knew all too well what kind of person this woman was at heart!
Greedy, cowardly, and short-sighted!
She probably dreams of clinging to him and crawling into the gilded cage of the Yongning Marquis's mansion to enjoy a life of luxury!
No! Absolutely not!
At such an important time, she wouldn't allow anyone to cause trouble.
As Xie Sangning said, she is someone who is going to start a new life, and these old people and old life should be left in the past.
“Mother, to be honest, whenever I see you now,” she paused, her gaze sweeping over Madam Wang’s face, “I think of Xie Wulu’s face, and how he schemed against me, his own sister! My heart feels heavy, like I’ve swallowed a fly! Please give me some peace and quiet for a couple of days, and we’ll talk about it again in a few days!”
Hearing this, Wang had no choice but to give up.
After Wang left, Xie Wuyou looked at the twenty taels of silver on the table and sneered.
——
In the palace, the Empress was apologizing, and Pei Yan looked terrible.
The imperial concubine selection was to begin in three days, and the thought of having to bring the Xie family's adopted daughter, who had an affair with his son, into his harem made him feel unlucky.
If Xie Sangning knew what he was thinking, she would be so disgusted that she would feel like vomiting acid.
What, he's the only one who can have his eye on his ex's daughter, but won't allow anyone else to let him take over his son's former ex?
But to be honest, Xie Sangning was really looking forward to Pei Yan's reaction after seeing Xie Nu'er.
Recently, Xie Nu'er has been looking more and more like her mother.
Now, Empress Xiao Fengyi has removed the phoenix robe that symbolizes supreme honor, and is dressed only in plain white, kneeling on the ground like a prisoner.
His forehead struck the ground with a dull thud, over and over again.
Her lips were cracked and bleeding, and her voice was hoarse: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong... Your Majesty, I deserve to die... I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness..."
Empress Xiao Fengyi had been repeating this sentence all afternoon.
But every time Xiao Fengyi made a mistake, the Emperor punished her in this way.
This is something unknown to outsiders.
The Imperial Study was empty; even Desheng had been kicked out far away.
This is Xiao Fengyi, the empress who is infinitely glamorous in public, but in private, she is nothing more than a dog that the emperor can kick aside at any time and humiliate at will!
dignity?
It stopped the moment she stepped into this deep palace!
She truly didn't want to be empress, but no one could save her.
Sometimes, she would even think, what if Lin Ruyue were sitting in this position…
Would Pei Yan treat her like that too?
Yes! Of course!
That's just how Pei Yan is! He's consumed by desire for what he can't have; but he discards what he has like worn-out shoes!
Isn't Xie Sangning a living example? For her sake, he could disregard propriety and hold a talent show, threaten her, and do those despicable things!
Everyone says that Xiao Fengyi is second only to the emperor, above all others, and is the matriarch of the entire world.
Is it the complete loss of dignity, or the sorrow of being imprisoned in the deep palace for a lifetime?
She really didn't want to be empress.
But no one could save her.
It is unknown how much time passed, until Xiao Fengyi was about to faint, when Pei Yan mercifully ordered someone to secretly send her back to the palace.
After returning to the palace, Xiao Fengyi lay down with the help of her nanny. Her eyes were lifeless, and for some reason, she thought of Lin Ruyue again.
"She must have already been reincarnated... Perhaps death was a relief for her..."
The old woman carefully tucked the blanket around her, her heart aching as she looked at her mistress, tears streaming down her face. "Your Highness... please take care of yourself... bear with it... just bear with it a little longer... wait for the First Prince or the Third Prince... there will be a day when things get better..."
“We’ve finally made it through…” Xiao Fengyi’s chapped lips moved slightly, and a glimmer of light finally ignited in her empty eyes, like a dying person grasping at their last straw. “Yes… I still have my son… I can’t fall… For my son… I have to… hold on…”
——
Three days later, the day of the draft arrived.
The young women lined up in order, and there was complete silence.
Xie Nu'er stood at the back, her palms sweaty, and she secretly wiped them with a handkerchief.
Her makeup today was personally done by Xie Sangning's nanny. Her eyebrows and eyes were deliberately lightly painted, which weakened her own splendid color, but perfectly outlined her gentle and sorrowful features that were similar to Lin Ruyue.
A disdainful sneer came from the side.
Cai Xin, the second daughter of the Minister of War, glanced at her sideways: "What's the big deal? Do you really think you can be selected? A lowly adopted daughter like you dares to dream of imperial favor? Give me a break, you're already being too kind by standing here."
Xie Nuer raised her eyes, her face showing no anger, but her voice was gentle: "Sister Cai is right. But Nuer thinks that whether or not we are selected, being able to meet the Emperor is already a great blessing. His Majesty's imperial might is awe-inspiring, and we are naturally nervous."
"Isn't Sister Cai... nervous?"
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes clear and innocent.
Cai Xin's mocking smile froze on her face instantly!
Those words, though seemingly innocuous, were like a dagger stabbing into her heart, making her uneasy!
Not nervous? Does that mean Cai Xin has no respect for the Emperor?
She looked around frantically, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she glared at Xie Nuer and squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "Sharp-tongued!"
He then turned his head away dejectedly, not daring to say another word.
After an incense stick had burned, the sound of drums and music grew louder as it approached.
"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"
The young women all bowed down.
As she bowed, Xie Nuer subconsciously tilted her head slightly, a very subtle movement that suggested her fragility under the weight of the jewels on her head.
Pei Yan, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, walked to the main seat with a gloomy expression.
He glanced listlessly at the kneeling women below, his eyes searching for merchandise.
However, when his gaze swept over the woman with her head slightly tilted and her profile gentle, his pupils suddenly contracted!
That posture of bowing... that slight tilt of the head as if bearing an unbearable burden...
picture!
They look so alike!
In an instant, Lin Ruyue appeared in his mind.
Lin Ruyue had a persistent headache, and when she performed the ceremony, the heavy headdress would cause her to involuntarily tilt her head slightly.
At the opportune moment, Xie Nuer quietly raised her head, as if she had accidentally met the Emperor's gaze. Her eyes became flustered like a rabbit's, but she could not hide the admiration and love in them.
This was a fatal blow to Pei Yan.
Xie Nu'er has Lin Ruyue's demeanor and movements, but she possesses a love that Lin Ruyue lacks...
The figure deep in his memory, the one he longed for but could not have, the one who tossed and turned in his sleep, strangely overlapped with the meek and obedient young lady before him!
The Empress stood beside him, following his gaze. When she saw Xie Nu'er's face and that familiar posture, she froze...
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