She had previously inquired with Xixi and learned that Chaoyuan was the one who spent the most time with the emperor among the five eunuchs.
Moreover, these five eunuchs each had different strengths, but without exception, they were all martial artists with formidable fighting skills.
Chao Yuan may appear slender, but he is actually the most skilled martial artist among them.
Ye Qi is slightly inferior to Chao Yuan, but Ye Qi excels at interpersonal relationships.
So when they went to Xunyang this time, Chen Xiao planned to bring Chao Yuan and Ye Qi along.
Chen Xiao thought of the five eunuchs left behind by Chu Yanxi. They looked young, but they were all very capable. He wondered where Chu Yanxi had found them.
Xi Xi was happily eating her snacks, completely unaware of her host's thoughts. Chen Xiao looked at Chao Yuan, then at Xi Xi, and fell into deep thought as he observed the two people's contrasting appearances.
---
At the same time, the steward rushed to the main courtyard. He stood outside Xu Qian's study, knocked on the door, and said, "My lord, His Majesty has arrived and is sitting in the front hall."
Xu Qian and Zhao Siyuan had just finished their conversation, and Zhao Siyuan was about to exchange pleasantries before taking her leave when she unexpectedly heard this news.
She was somewhat surprised; Xi Xi's daughter had arrived?
Xu Qian thought Chen Xiao had something important to say, and subconsciously asked, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly come?"
Upon hearing this, the steward rubbed his ears in disbelief, making sure he hadn't misheard, before saying in a flustered voice, "Sir, isn't what you said somewhat inappropriate...?"
Xu Qian was stunned for a moment before realizing that the housekeeper had acted up again.
The steward was loyal, honest, and capable—good in every way. However, he was always lost in his own thoughts. Xu Qian always felt that it was a waste of his talents for him to be the steward of the Prime Minister's residence; he should have been a scholar. With his vast inner world, he could have published a book in no time.
Despite his slightly fearful tone, Xu Qian guessed that he was already full of suspicions and probably thought that Chen Xiao had come to question him.
Xu Qian shook his head, unsure whether to say the steward was loyal to him or didn't trust him.
When Zhao Siyuan heard that Chen Xiao had arrived, she, who originally did not want to stay at the Prime Minister's residence for a meal, now had some other ideas.
She remembered that in the past, Xixi would bring Chenxiao to her house for a short visit, and then she and Xixi would go for a stroll in the street, leaving the two children at home. As a result, the two children got along very well.
Thinking of her son, who is now Chen Xiao's concubine, I think his rank is something like Consort or Noble Consort... Anyway, it's not very high.
Moreover, I heard that the two children are extremely unfamiliar with each other. Her son has not only not served the emperor since entering the palace, but he has only seen Chen Xiao once, and someone else took him there.
Because of this, Zhao Siyuan even doubted herself, wondering if she had misunderstood the relationship between the two children. Why were they so close when they were young, but now they were so distant, as if they didn't know each other at all.
Therefore, Zhao Siyuan decided to be a little shameless.
She smiled and said to Xu Qian, "His Majesty has arrived? It has been a long time since I have seen His Majesty. Prime Minister, would you mind if I stayed for a meal at your residence? Of course, I need to go back to my residence first to take care of some matters. After you have finished talking, please remember to send someone to inform me."
Although she spoke in a questioning tone for the first half, she made arrangements for herself in the second half as if she was certain that Xu Qian would agree.
Then, without waiting for Xu Qian's reply, he leisurely left.
She was absolutely certain that Xu Qian had no reason not to agree.
After all, he had personally witnessed how good the relationship was between Zhao Siyuan and Yan Xi. After Yan Xi got together with Chen Xiao, he often heard that Yan Xi would bring Chen Xiao to Zhao Siyuan's residence for a gathering.
So he silently watched Zhao Siyuan leave.
The steward looked at the door that had suddenly opened, watched the Minister of Works leave, and then saw his master sitting there forlornly, staring blankly at the Minister's back.
He immediately conjured up countless versions of the story in his mind.
Xu Qian felt a strong gaze fixed on him. He glanced at the butler's expression and remained silent for a moment. He held back, pretended to ignore it, and left the study.
---
In the west courtyard, in Xu Ruyu's study.
Xu Ruyu also received the news that "His Majesty has arrived," and immediately stopped his long speech to Xu Ruyan, put down his work, stood up, and straightened his clothes.
Before Xu Ruyan could even react, she saw her brother's smooth and efficient manner and gave a speechless twitch of her lips.
Why didn't he discover this before?
Looking at her brother's worthless appearance, Xu Ruyan appeared obedient on the surface, but secretly despised Xu Ruyu in her heart.
Just as he watched his brother carefully tidy up his clothes, he heard someone outside the study announce, "Princess Yuanyin and Lord Qi have also arrived."
Upon hearing the first few words, Xu Ruyan stood up abruptly and began to scrutinize herself, fixing her hair in a manner that surpassed even Xu Ruyu's.
As for the last few words, they were both ignored.
Unable to suppress her desire to see Yuan Yin, Xu Ruyan quickly tidied herself up to make sure her face was perfect, and left without caring about her brother.
Xu Ruyu: "......"
He tidied up the books and scrolls on the table, put Xu Ruyan's chair back in its original place, and left the study after making sure everything was in order.
---
lobby.
Chen Xiao sat and rested for a while out of boredom before realizing that the princess's residence was nearby. She needed to inform Yuan Yin about her trip to Xunyang, so she sent Chao Yuan to invite Yuan Yin.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Yin arrived before Xu Qian did.
She didn't know that Chen Xiao had something to say, and thought they were going to have a meal together, so she brought Qi Yanyun along.
She only found out after the two met. However, Chen Xiao didn't mind and even introduced Xi Xi to Qi Yanyun, saying, "This is my sister. I found her, so don't worry about her."
Xi Xi looked up from her snacks, glared at Chen Xiao, then smiled sweetly at Yuan Yin and Qi Yanyun. Handsome guys and beautiful girls, who wouldn't love them!
Chen Xiao rolled her eyes at her rather ungracefully before pulling Yuan Yin down to sit and starting to chat with her.
Qi Yanyun consciously sat away from the two of them, ignoring their conversation.
Chen Xiao leaned on Yuan Yin's shoulder, feeling quite comfortable, before saying, "I'm setting off for Xunyang tomorrow, taking Yin Yuyao with me. You've met her before; she has friends in Xunyang. The prefect of Xunyang is bedridden, and the water conservancy matter is urgent, so I think it's best to go there myself. I should be back in the capital in a month at most."
Yuan Yin nodded, not taking the matter to heart. After all, it was common for the retired emperor to travel incognito.
She was simply surprised by Chen Xiao's natural and affectionate gesture.
Chen Xiao had shown her affection before, but only when he was emotionally volatile. It was nothing like today, where he immediately leaned on her so sweetly the moment they met.
Yuan Yin thought Chen Xiao had remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Xiao, have you regained your memories?"
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