"Mother?!"
Xiao Zhao looked at the queen in disbelief, and was so shocked that he even forgot to cover his cheeks.
The queen looked at her hands in horror.
She really wanted to slap Xiao Zhao just now to stop him from continuing and to prevent the emperor from blaming her.
But she was afraid that it would disappoint Zhao'er, so she was always conflicted.
She hadn't made a move yet, so who had caused the accident so quickly?
Facing Xiao Zhao's eyes filled with shock, the Queen pursed her lips and said, "Don't talk nonsense!"
Xiao Zhao felt very uncomfortable after being beaten.
But then he thought again, over the years, the Queen had always taught him that a little impatience would ruin a big plan, and perhaps there was a reason for beating him, so he simply made a big deal out of this matter.
After all, so many people saw that when Qu Li played the nine-hole flute just now, it did attract a lot of birds.
As long as the emperor feels wary and suspicious of the seventh brother, this slap will not be in vain!
"Father, whether this son of yours is talking nonsense or not, you can ask any palace maid in the Imperial Garden and you will know the answer!"
Kangdi looked puzzled.
Xiao Xian's eyes were cold and icy. "Brother, even if Li'er really did attract birds, so what? How can you prove that the snake that appeared in Mother's palace was Li'er's doing?"
Emperor Kang looked at Xiao Xian deeply again.
Xiao Xian clasped his hands together, as if he had suffered a great injustice, and choked out a sob, "Father, if Li'er really had such a talent, she would have known that Changle had left the palace. After all, according to my eldest brother, Li'er can communicate with birds through music! In my opinion, Li'er is just an expert in playing the flute, which is why she attracted the birds. Controlling beasts through music is sheer nonsense!"
"Seventh Brother, you are making excuses!" Xiao Zhao was a little exasperated and retorted harshly.
Xiao Xian scoffed coldly: "Could it be that my eldest brother just fabricated something out of thin air?"
"you--"
"Alright!" Emperor Kang said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Why are you arguing in front of so many palace servants? Aren't you ashamed?"
"I don't want to argue with my eldest brother. If my eldest brother forces this hat on Li'er's head, I won't be able to explain it even if I have ten mouths!" Xiao Xian explained.
"You all go back! I want to be alone and quiet."
Xiao Zhao wanted to say something else, but was stopped by the Queen. In the end, he could only swallow his words back reluctantly.
However, the royal hunt will be coming soon, and then he will definitely expose the fact that Qu Li can control beasts through music!
"Your son will take his leave!" Xiao Zhao helped the queen leave.
The queen looked at the slap mark on his face again, her eyes full of confusion.
Xiao Xian frowned, his eyes fixed on the empress's receding figure, and said to Emperor Kang, "Father, I will not disturb you any longer!"
"Where is Qu Li?" asked Emperor Kang.
Xiao Xian's heart trembled. He was thinking about how to find an excuse when he heard Qu Li's voice as clear as a mountain spring.
"Qu Li pays homage to the Emperor!"
The moment he saw Qu Li, a hint of shock flashed across Xiao Xian's eyes.
How did she leave Laiyi Hall?
Also, when Xiao Zhao was beaten just now, he clearly felt the fluctuations in the air. Could it be related to her?
Qu Li glanced at him calmly, then said to Emperor Kang, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother just had a nightmare and had a seizure. Would you like to go and see her?"
"this……"
Emperor Kang hesitated for a moment and said to Eunuch Fu, "Go to the Cining Palace."
Qu Li and Xiao Xian followed behind Emperor Kang, and Xiao Xian looked at Qu Li with increasingly gentle eyes.
When they arrived at the Cining Palace, they heard Changle's aggrieved voice before they even entered.
"Empress Dowager, Mother always says she wants to find me a husband, but I don't want to get married at all!"
"Why wouldn't a woman get married?" Kangdi walked in.
Changle pursed her lips, her face tense, and bowed reluctantly: "Changle greets the emperor, may the emperor be well!"
Kangdi shook his head helplessly, "Looking at your bitter face, my good mood is gone!"
Changle felt even more aggrieved, her eyes red. "Changle is still young and doesn't want to get married at all! Whether it's the emperor or mother, they're forcing Changle to meet someone! If they keep forcing me, I'll just cut my hair off and go to Jingyue Temple to become a nun!"
"Nonsense! How can you say such nonsense?" Kangdi's face was full of anger.
The air in the Cining Palace seemed to have been completely sucked out, and Changle's nose felt sore: "Your Majesty, Changle is just talking! I feel a little aggrieved."
Emperor Kang sighed, "I'll take some time to talk to my sister. You're the Princess of a County, and you're so beautiful. There must be many people seeking to marry you!"
The grievance on Changle's face disappeared instantly, and he kowtowed with a smile to express his gratitude.
"Mother, Qu Li just said that you had a convulsion and a nightmare?" Kangdi walked forward and sat down beside the bed.
The Empress Dowager nodded: "Maybe I'm getting old. I dreamed of the late emperor again! The late emperor was about to fall from his horse. Alas..."
"Mother, please don't let your imagination run wild. You will live a long life!"
"Yes, yes, yes, I am still waiting for the birth of the great grandson of the emperor!"
Hearing this, Qu Li frowned, while Xiao Xian raised the corners of his mouth in a happy arc.
Emperor Kangdi stayed with the Queen Mother for a while, ate a few snacks, and then left.
"Eunuch Fu."
Eunuch Fu bowed and asked, "What are your instructions, Your Majesty?"
"Do you think what the eldest prince just said is true?"
Eunuch Fu frowned deeply, thought for a moment, and then said, "The eldest prince hasn't done anything wrong in these years!"
Kangdi's eyes were deep, hiding emotions that were hard to guess.
"However, I have heard that people who can control beasts with music are rare. Princess Chen is indeed a wonderful person. She is skilled in medicine and her flute playing is also very superb. But being superb does not necessarily mean that one can control beasts!"
"Let's go!" Kangdi was silent for a moment, then walked towards Laiyi Hall.
Eunuch Fu fell back a few steps, looking at the bright yellow figure, and a huge sense of uneasiness surged in his heart for no reason.
In the Cining Palace, Xiao Xian pulled Qu Li to the back garden.
Qu Li impatiently pulled his hand away and said, "If you have something to say, just say it nicely. Don't touch me."
Xiao Xian's gaze became hot and sharp, as if he wanted to tear her apart and eat her.
"When Father opened the door of the wooden house just now, I looked inside, but I didn't see you, nor did I see the painting."
Qu Li's porcelain-white face remained calm, "I hid it well."
Hidden in space, ordinary people can't find it at all!
"Did you draw that picture?"
Qu Li gave him a look as if he was an idiot, "Did you draw this?"
"I'm just curious about how you did it. Could you please not be so cold and impatient to me?"
The voice was tinged with a hint of grievance, which made Qu Li stunned.
"Also, the beating Xiao Zhao received just now wasn't caused by the Queen, was it you? But how did you do it? And how did you leave Laiyi Palace?"
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