After Chen Xiao gestured for them to dispense with formalities, he noticed that Xi Xi was still feeling awkward.
She originally thought Xixi wouldn't say anything, but unexpectedly, Xixi was so embarrassed that she forgot that she had changed her appearance and thought that she was still the boy.
After trying her best to control her facial expression, Xi Xi coughed awkwardly before looking at Steward Shen and asking in a serious and dignified manner, "How are you feeling today?"
Chief Steward Shen was somewhat surprised. How could this unfamiliar child know about her situation and care about these things? Judging from her seemingly good relationship with His Majesty, could she be the child of some important official? After His Majesty finished talking with the important official, he took the child with him and told her about these things.
But that's clearly unreasonable, isn't it?
Yun Sipan was also puzzled by the scene before her, but after seeing His Majesty's 'bitter smile while holding his forehead' expression, she gradually guessed what was going on.
She exchanged a glance with Steward Shen, who had also realized what was happening. Steward Shen asked hesitantly, "Sir?"
Oh dear, it was only after this title that Xi Xi realized that she had clearly changed her identity, and neither of them had recognized her. Why did she reveal her true identity?
But it was too late now. When Chief Steward Shen and Judge Yun saw the regret on her face, they knew that she was indeed the young man from yesterday, only that she had changed her appearance. However, he was a deity, capable of bringing the dead back to life, so it wasn't surprising that he could also change his appearance.
The two of them had already prepared all the reasons for Xixi, ignoring her expression, and respectfully thanked her, saying, "Thank you, sir, for saving my (Steward Shen's) life." Finally, they even prepared to kneel down and give a grand salute.
This was the first time Xi Xi had been treated with such respect, and she finally understood how Chen Xiao felt.
She and Chen Xiao reacted quickly, each helping one of them up. She mimicked Chen Xiao's tone and said, "You don't need to do this. I only helped you because of Chu Yanxi. If you want to thank someone, thank her! You still need to take good care of your body in the future, and of course, you should too."
Xi Xi first helped them up, then explained and showed concern to Steward Shen, and finally asked Judge Yun a question. Seeing that the two had listened to her, she withdrew her hand.
Chen Xiao stood by and watched the spectacle with his hands folded.
From a distance where neither of them could see, Xi Xi secretly glared at Chen Xiao, who then chimed in, "That's right, you've only just recovered from your illness, don't kneel down so easily. Take better care of your health, and you could train more of your own people to share the burden."
If an ordinary monarch had uttered these words, they would have immediately knelt down and kowtowed, pleading for mercy and expressing their loyalty. But since Chen Xiao said it, they felt no fear whatsoever.
Because they knew what kind of person the Emperor Emeritus was, and they also knew what kind of person Chen Xiao was.
They simply nodded and said in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty, we understand."
Chen Xiao thought that she would be setting off for Xunyang the next day, and felt that the two of them had come at the perfect time. She said to Chief Steward Shen, "I will be leaving the palace for a while tomorrow, so I will leave all the affairs of the palace to Chief Steward Shen."
Chief Eunuch Shen paid no heed to Chen Xiao's words "too much trouble" and quickly replied, "It is my duty, Your Majesty. Rest assured, I will manage the affairs of the palace properly."
Chen Xiao then said to Judge Yun, "I know that you have a good relationship with Steward Shen and want to thoroughly investigate the matter of Steward Shen's poisoning. However, I have already sent Chao Ci to investigate. The person who poisoned you should not be let off lightly. You can contact her if you need anything, and she will pass the information to me."
After explaining things to the two of them, Chen Xiao took Xi Xi into the carriage and left the palace for the Prime Minister's residence.
The palace carriage was far more comfortable than Xu Qian's. Chen Xiao unconsciously narrowed his eyes and sighed, "No wonder so many people are fighting tooth and nail to stand at the pinnacle of power. The life of extravagance and debauchery is just too comfortable..."
Xi Xi echoed the praise, "Indeed, but it's not just about standing at the pinnacle of power. Ordinary people in the Night Dynasty live very comfortably and freely. If it were me, I would rather be an ordinary person than an emperor."
Chen Xiao almost fell asleep comfortably. Hearing what Xi Xi said, it made a lot of sense. With great power comes great responsibility, and the higher the position, the more things one has to care about.
She drowsily thought for a moment, then mumbled, "I'm not one yet, but you've put me in this position, so I have to make it!"
Chen Xiao fell asleep shortly after she finished speaking, and Xi Xi was also affected, falling into 'sleep' as well.
---
Half an hour later, Chao Yuan's voice rang out, "Master, we have arrived at the Prime Minister's residence." Upon hearing the voice, Xi Xi 'woke up' and gave Chen Xiao a push.
Chen Xiao slowly opened his eyes, pondered life in a daze for a while, and then fully woke up.
Watching Xixi jump down from the carriage, Chen Xiao smiled. She was such a child. Then he got off the carriage with great elegance.
Upon seeing the distinctive carriage, the steward of the Prime Minister's residence hurried forward and was about to bow and say, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
After gesturing for him to dispense with formalities, Chen Xiao looked around the Prime Minister's residence. It was smaller than Qi Yuan's house, but it was quiet and sparsely populated.
Chen Xiao and the other two followed the steward into the mansion. The steward, trailing behind Chen Xiao, said, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is in his study, discussing matters with the Minister of Works. Would Your Majesty like to go directly to the study? Or..."
"I'll just wait here, you go ahead and do your thing!" Chen Xiao replied casually. Since Xu Qian was chatting with the Minister of Works, she would sit here for a while and take a break. She had no interest in inquiring about Xu Qian.
The steward, however, was unaware of the relationship between His Majesty and the Prime Minister, though he knew of the 'edict of self-reproach'. Seeing His Majesty's serious (?) demeanor, he felt uneasy, wondering anxiously: Was His Majesty's sudden visit to punish the Prime Minister again?
Even though he was making wild guesses in his heart, he still showed respect for the emperor on the surface.
He first led Chen Xiao and the others to the hall, invited Chen Xiao to sit in the main seat, and then instructed the servants to serve Chen Xiao tea and snacks. Finally, after expressing his apologies to Chen Xiao, he left the hall and went to his study to report the matter.
Chen Xiao felt like a leader on an inspection tour. After being forced to accept an inexplicable apology, she originally wanted to say something, but seeing the housekeeper's calm yet slightly flustered back, she shut her mouth and silently turned her gaze to the snacks.
Unlike Chen Xiao, Xi Xi wasn't listening to what the butler was saying at all. Her eyes had been drawn to the snacks long ago, and now she had no regard for her image and was devouring them.
In stark contrast, Chao Yuan sat upright, not even glancing at the tea and snacks, perfectly embodying the image of a "cold and heartless person."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
