Xu Ruyu knew what Xu Ruyan had come to say, and he replied calmly, "I know."
Undeterred, Xu Ruyan continued, "Consort Zhao's mother! Brother, don't you have anything else to say?"
Xu Ruyu looked at her younger brother as if he were an idiot, propped her chin on her hand, and asked, "So?"
It was Zhao Cheyu's mother who came, not Zhao Cheyu himself. Besides, even if Zhao Cheyu had come, he wouldn't have done anything impolite.
Not to mention that Zhao Cheyu was only fifteen years old and had not yet reached adulthood.
Xu Ruyan thought about it and remembered this point. It wasn't Zhao Cheyu himself who came. Besides, he was five years younger than them, and his elder brother was a gentle and refined person, unlike him who was so reckless.
Xu Ruyan scratched his head sheepishly and explained, "Actually, I have some questions that I don't understand and would like to ask my brother for advice."
"Okay, come here." Xu Ruyu had long since figured out his brother's every word and action. Faced with these words, he showed no emotional fluctuation and did not expose anything, giving his brother a way out.
So Xu Ruyu began to teach Xu Ruyan seriously.
Other things can be left untaught. Xu Ruyan is simply naive, not stupid. He will definitely do an excellent job in his position at the Dali Temple.
Therefore, Xu Ruyu was teaching Xu Ruyan how to conduct herself in society, how to conceal her true thoughts, not to trust others too much, and not to reveal her weaknesses.
Listening to Xu Ruyu start talking fluently again, Xu Ruyan felt extremely annoyed, wondering why she had ended up in this situation again because of her momentary foolishness.
It's so bitter!
---
Chen Xiao knew nothing of the hardships in the Prime Minister's mansion, but she had already endured her own hardships.
After chatting with Yin Yuyao and Xixi, she had lunch together. Then, after letting Yin Yuyao go back to rest, she began the arduous task of revising memorials with Xixi's company.
Three hours had passed since they finished lunch, and she was still reviewing memorials...
As Chen Xiao rapidly flipped through the memorials, he muttered to himself, "Didn't I tell them not to submit these pointless memorials? Why are they still using the same old 'Your Majesty, the weather is so nice today!' 'Your Majesty, have you eaten?' 'Your Majesty, how are you?' and similar phrases?!"
Xi Xi lounged comfortably to the side, calmly sipping her tea, admiring her host's diligent work, and then casually responded to her host's complaints:
"That's because nothing major has happened in the Night Dynasty! Isn't that great? It proves the efforts of Chu Qiaoling and Chu Yanxi, as well as the prosperity of the Night Dynasty. All of this is inseparable from my efforts. If I hadn't recognized your potential, you wouldn't be in such a comfortable state."
Chen Xiao struggled to tear his gaze away from the memorial, looked at Xi Xi who was being annoying again, and retorted, "...If I remember correctly, this mission participant was automatically bound to you, right? Hmph, always trying to pat yourself on the back!"
Seeing that her host was no longer so 'irritable', Xi Xi said leisurely, "Yes, yes, but the memorials don't contain any important matters. Isn't that good? You certainly don't want them all to be about practical matters, right? Just think of yourself as an elementary school teacher grading homework and be more tolerant of elementary school students!"
You know what, Xixi's method actually works a little.
Following Xi Xi's method, Chen Xiao calmed down and began to peacefully revise the memorials.
After reading through another book of memorials inquiring about the emperor's well-being, she finally found one that was useful—it was from Zhao Siyuan, the Minister of Works. Coincidentally, it concerned the water conservancy project in Xunyang.
After reading Zhao Siyuan's description, Chen Xiao learned that the Prefect of Xunyang had been bedridden for more than half a month with a rare illness, and the prefectural physician was still studying it.
Chen Xiao quickly called Xi Xi over to look together, and saw Xi Xi quickly glance at it before meeting her gaze.
When they looked at each other, they both saw a fleeting look of joy in each other's eyes.
Chen Xiao was the first to react, muttering to herself, "How could I feel happy when someone is sick?! How awful!!!"
Xi Xi isn't human, so naturally she doesn't have these concepts, but she also knows it's impolite. So she checked and confirmed that the Prefect of Xunyang was alright before she dared to express her joy. "Don't worry, he's fine."
Upon hearing Xi Xi's words, Chen Xiao felt relieved and said, "It's like a pillow being handed to someone who's sleepy!"
Xi Xi remained noncommittal, but quickly found a reason for Chen Xiao: "The Xunyang water conservancy matter is extremely complicated, and the Xunyang prefect is also unwell. As an emperor who cares for his subjects and people, you must take some action. Although going there in person would be a bit too grand, we can use Zheng Pianran as an excuse to demonstrate the emperor's favor!"
Although that was what Chen Xiao thought, she was still a little embarrassed when Xi Xi said it so directly. After hearing the second half of Xi Xi's sentence, she paused for a moment before weakly asking, "Who is Zheng Pianran again?"
Xi Xi: "......"
Xi Xi replied with a speechless expression, "Zheng Pianran is the only son of Zheng Hanying, the Prefect of Xunyang, and is Your Majesty's concubine, Consort Chen. You even had dinner together at Zhaoyang Palace last time, have you already forgotten?"
"Cough cough cough, I haven't forgotten, I just couldn't remember for a moment. Consort Chen, I remember her." Chen Xiao thought for a long time but still couldn't recall Zheng Pianran's face, but he still stubbornly insisted.
Xi Xi, with an expression that seemed to understand her perfectly, didn't expose her. Instead, she said, "Such a big matter, shouldn't we discuss it with Xu Qian and the others? After all, you're going to be working for them."
"What labor service? That sounds awful! I'm just training him! Alright, alright, let me go and tell him, I need to leave the palace!" Chen Xiao saw that it was almost Shenshi (3-5 PM) and got a little anxious, so he hurriedly walked out.
Xi Xi followed behind, watching her hurried figure, and deliberately said, "What? Going to the toilet? Can't you be a little more refined!"
The result was a nonchalant retort from Chen Xiao: "I could be even less elegant. I'd kick you three meters away right in front of Xu Qian. Let's see if you still have any dignity then."
"Oh dear, Your Majesty, I was wrong, I was wrong, please have mercy on me~" Xi Xi said as usual, seeing that no one was around.
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw two people outside the hall staring at her in disbelief. They were none other than Yun An, the judge, and Shen Yi, the chief steward, whom Xi Xi knew best.
After being saved by Xi Xi yesterday, Chief Steward Shen wanted to come and express his gratitude, but thinking that His Majesty was busy, he did not want to disturb him. So he waited until now. Accompanied by Judge Yun, he had just walked outside the palace and was about to report when he saw His Majesty bringing Xi Xi out.
She didn't connect Xixi with her savior, because the person who saved her yesterday was a boy, while Xixi was clearly a cute little girl.
Yun Sipan did not know Xixi's identity. In the past, when she followed Chu Yanxi, she had only seen the appearance of that boy and had never seen a child like this before.
So the two of them were just dumbfounded by what Xi Xi said; in reality, they didn't recognize anything.
The two regained their composure and greeted Chen Xiao, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
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