The atmosphere inside the carriage seemed to freeze for a moment, becoming eerily quiet.
Zheng Pianran and Yin Yuyao's gazes were like two hidden threads, silently falling on Zhao Cheyu.
There was curiosity and speculation in their eyes, but they tried their best to hide it, afraid that others would notice.
And Zhao Cheyu? He seemed to be in another world, looking completely calm and composed.
The teacup he held in his hands looked exceptionally delicate between his slender fingers.
His graceful and composed movements as he sipped his tea revealed a detachment from his surroundings, as if all the noise and commotion around him were irrelevant to him, and he was simply immersed in this small world filled with the aroma of tea.
Zheng Pianran knew very well that Chen Xiao was His Majesty, and His Majesty's private affairs were like a forbidden area of the royal family. How could he possibly pry into them at will? That would be a grave taboo, and the slightest carelessness could bring him utter destruction.
Thinking of this, he felt as if he had been burned, and quickly shifted his gaze from Zhao Cheyu to Yin Yuyao.
His gaze held a hint of warning and a hint of helplessness, as if conveying to Yin Yuyao not to act rashly.
Yin Yuyao was already as curious as a kitten about the matter between Chen Xiao and Xu Ruyu. The matter was like an unsolvable mystery in her heart, constantly teasing her curiosity.
But when she met Zheng Pianran's gaze, she instantly understood.
She pressed her lower lip tightly together, her lips turning slightly pale, and swallowed back the question that was already on the tip of her tongue.
The words felt like a hot iron stuck in her throat, making her feel extremely uncomfortable, but she decided not to mention it again to avoid causing unnecessary trouble for herself and everyone else.
The carriage grew increasingly quiet, so quiet it was almost suffocating, and a suffocating atmosphere enveloped everyone.
Only the slightest sound when Zhao Cheyu occasionally puts down his teacup, like a ripple on a calm lake, briefly breaks the suffocating silence.
After a long, seemingly endless period of time, Zhao Cheyu finally spoke, breaking the leaden silence.
His voice was low and hoarse, as if he was deliberately suppressing something, and he said in a casual tone, "Your Majesty, isn't Consort Yu coming along?"
The moment he uttered those words, anyone with eyes could see that he was asking a question he already knew the answer to; his intentions were as clear as day.
Chen Xiao simply hummed in agreement, paused briefly, and then slowly said, "He's a new official, and the Ministry of Personnel is piled high with affairs, big and small. He's incredibly busy, so how could he have time to be with us? He's just here to deliver a cloak to me."
As Chen Xiao spoke, a hint of tenderness unconsciously appeared in his eyes, an expression that only appeared when Xu Ruyu was mentioned.
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, Zhao Cheyu understood that her heart was now filled with Xu Ruyu alone, and there was no room for anyone else.
His lips twitched slightly, even carrying a hint of a smile, as he teased Chen Xiao, "Your Majesty is so deeply in love with Consort Yu, no wonder Consort Yu is so devoted to Your Majesty as well."
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow and replied with a half-smile, "You want an official position too?"
There was a hint of scrutiny and a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Zhao Cheyu did not respond, but remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.
Chen Xiao pondered for a moment, as if he had made a major decision, and said, "Very well, the position of Director of Water Conservancy is currently vacant. You can take up the post after we return from Xunyang."
The position of Water Conservancy Supervisor was indeed Zhao Cheyu's dream job.
He paused for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, and tentatively asked, "What about the Noble Consort?"
Chen Xiao feigned confusion, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "What's wrong? Do you want to be like Ru Yu?"
The affectionate address in that tone was like an invisible knife, piercing Zhao Cheyu's heart.
Zhao Cheyu pursed his lips and remained silent, lowering his head as if making a difficult decision.
Seeing this, Chen Xiao sighed and, no longer being tactful, said directly, "He is the person I want to keep."
These words struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
Now everyone understood Chen Xiao's meaning: Zhao Cheyu could only choose between the two completely different options of the Director of Water Conservancy and the Imperial Concubine.
Zheng Pianran and Yin Yuyao couldn't help but feel curious upon seeing this.
Zhao Cheyu seems to be deeply in love with Chen Xiao. Will he choose the promising future, or will he ignore everything and continue to entangle himself with Chen Xiao in the harem?
They were like two bystanders, quietly waiting for the end of this good show.
Chen Xiao wasn't particularly curious. Although she had lost her previous memories, through her time with Zhao Cheyu and observing his every word and action, she already knew his thoughts.
She knew that Zhao Cheyu wouldn't be the kind of person who would easily give up his promising future for a fleeting, unattainable love.
Moreover, she had heard Zhao Siyuan mention that Zhao Cheyu was originally going to work at the Directorate of Waterways before entering the palace.
Now, this is simply putting everything back in its original place.
As expected, after a long silence, Zhao Cheyu chose the position of Assistant Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau.
He relinquished his position as a Noble Consort.
This means that he gave up on Chen Xiao.
Seeing this, Zheng Pianran and Yin Yuyao, the two onlookers, couldn't help but sigh.
Faced with this seemingly unwavering love, the road ahead is ultimately more attractive!
As Yin Yuyao watched this scene, she inexplicably thought of that person, the one who had once left an unforgettable mark on her heart, but now only left behind a coldness.
She didn't want to think about what happened between Chen Xiao and Xu Ruyu anymore; to her, it was like a story from another world.
Silence fell once again inside the carriage, a silence even heavier than before, as if everyone was being suppressed by an invisible force.
Seeing the silent atmosphere, Zheng Pianran pondered for a long time before finally deciding to tell Chen Xiao her story.
He bowed deeply to Xiao Shen, his expression solemn, and then slowly said, "Your Majesty, I have made a decision about yesterday's matter. I wish to return home and live as the son of the Prefect of Xunyang."
His tone was firm, and his eyes revealed a hint of determination, as if he had made up his mind to leave this place of intrigue and conflict in the palace.
Chen Xiao didn't show much surprise. He just looked at Chen Xiao's calm yet resolute expression and slowly uttered two words: "No."
Upon hearing this, three surprised and astonished gazes immediately fell upon her.
Zheng Pianran, Zhao Cheyu, and Yin Yuyao were all taken aback by Chen Xiao's sudden answer.
Chen Xiao calmly took a sip of tea, her posture elegant and composed, as if she were enjoying this moment of tranquility.
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