Chapter 155 Xi Qingtong Knows Xiao Ji's Return
Shen Yushan was not at all surprised by Xue Chen's arrival. He was too lazy to argue with Xue Chen and just bowed and said, "Since the Princess Zhenguo has returned to the capital, I naturally have to pay her a visit."
Xue Chen was stunned by his indifferent look and wanted to leave, but then he remembered something and walked towards him for the first time.
"you……"
Xue Chen walked around Shen Yushan and looked him up and down. Although they were both in their fifties or sixties, there was still some difference between fifty and sixty. When he found that Shen Yushan was indeed younger and more handsome than himself, Xue Chen's gums started to itch again.
His eyes fell on Shen Yushan's jade-white, silver-patterned hem, which was noticeably different from his usual style. Then, looking at the jade crown on his head, he looked incredibly elegant and refined. He couldn't help but sarcastically remark, "He's still dressing up at his age. He's really... an old vegetable in new clothes."
Xue Chen didn't believe that Shen Yushan and the princess had no affair, but why didn't he notice it before?
In response to these sarcastic remarks, Shen Yushan just looked at Xue Chen silently. He himself was wearing a purple robe and a golden crown, so who was better than who?
However, he had no intention of playing witty games with Xue Chen. He still had the same expression and said in a friendly manner, "My Lord, please don't embarrass me. Don't keep the princess waiting..."
After saying that, Shen Yushan started walking away. As the white-robed and purple-robed men brushed past each other, a faint voice came from the wind: "Maybe we'll work together in the future..."
Xue Chen was stunned, and when he came to his senses, Shen Yushan had already walked into the princess's mansion with his hands behind his back.
He just stood there for two breaths. After figuring out the meaning of this sentence, his heart beat faster. My God, is Shen Yushan so straightforward?
If both the civil and military officials have ulterior motives, how can the emperor still sit securely on the chair?
Xiao Yuancheng felt a surge of palpitations in his heart at this moment. He covered his heart and asked, "Who went to visit my aunt?"
Bai De'an bowed and said, "Princess Anyang went there yesterday. The spies in the palace said that almost all the nobles in the capital have sent their visiting cards. Today... Marquis Zhenbei went there."
All of this was within Xiao Yuancheng's expectations. However, when he heard about the Marquis of Zhenbei, he couldn't help but be surprised. "After so many years, could it be that the Marquis of Zhenbei still misses my aunt? Is he really so devoted?"
Who in the Lord's family didn't know about the dispute between Xue Chen and Xiao Yuluan back then?
"It should be true. The Marquis of Zhenbei has never married and has no children."
This sentence dispelled Xiao Yuancheng's vigilance. Even if the two of them were still together regardless of their reputation, it would not pose any threat to him. They were not able to have children at their age.
"Well, he's been recuperating in the capital for many years. He's just holding a sinecure. Let's just go and reminisce about the past..."
Xiao Yuancheng put the matter aside and changed the subject, "There will be a court meeting tomorrow, so I guess there will be more trouble."
Although someone has been asked to draft the edict, the seal has not yet been affixed.
However, the situation during the court meeting was not exactly what Xiao Yuancheng had expected. The kings and their subordinates were against it, but there were also many who supported it. The Marquis of Zhenbei rarely went to court to speak for the deposed prince, which was within Xiao Yuancheng's expectations, but what about the Shangshu Ling?
Looking at the person in the front row of court officials, bowing, Xiao Yuancheng secretly wondered, this Shangshu Ling couldn't be related to his aunt? He remembered that this Shangshu Ling was a subordinate of the late emperor, so this must be... seeing what he meant.
Yes, he must have seen that I also intended to ask the deposed prince to return to the court. In the past two years, this Shangshu Ling was quite good at guessing my intentions. He never said anything that shouldn't be said. This was very good. It was worth it for me to promote him to the position of Shangshu Ling.
The other kings thought the same thing, thinking that Shen Yushan was just flattering the emperor.
The imperial edict had already been drafted, and in fact it was almost ready a long time ago. The court meeting was just a formality. Once the imperial seal was affixed, the Minister of Rites would receive the order to welcome Prince Zhao back to the palace.
That afternoon, the Ministry of Rites prepared its customary procession and marched out of the Imperial City. Six horses pulled a red-lacquered, gold-studded ceremonial carriage, followed by guards wielding golden melons and jade axes. The Minister of Rites, dressed in a crimson robe and a jade belt, rode in front, followed by two teams of officials in crimson formal attire.
As the procession passed through Suzaku Avenue, the people made way for it. The sounds of ritual music were incessant, and even the Song residence, which was not located on Suzaku Avenue, could faintly hear them.
Xi Qingtong had just returned from Shanshan's place this morning. She was so exhausted that she couldn't even eat after washing up. When she heard the music, she couldn't help but ask, "What's going on outside? Any good news?"
Jinzhu put down a plate of snacks and whispered, "I'll go out and ask around."
After all, the Song family had a good reputation in the past. Although their house was not on Zhuque Street, it was not far away. Jinzhu quickly walked to Zhuque Street, where there were still groups of people chatting.
She found three women who were eating sunflower seeds and approached them pretending to be curious: "Ladies, what happened just now that caused such a commotion?"
The woman in green spat out melon seed shells and said, "Oh, little girl, you don't know yet! The deposed crown prince is about to be welcomed back and given the title of Prince Zhao."
The fat woman next to him lowered her voice and said, "I guessed it long ago. This is a biological father and son, and they were born to the Queen. If His Majesty calms down, won't it be better?"
Jinzhu's heart sank to the bottom. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "Really? Really? Is he really the deposed crown prince? But...but wasn't he deposed not long ago?"
"How could this be fake? There's an imperial edict posted at the city gate."
The third woman saw Jinzhu's face turn pale and wondered if this family had previously had a dispute with the deposed crown prince. She spat out the melon seed shells and gloated, "So what? A person's luck is unpredictable. A dragon swimming in shallow water is not a fish. Dragons have claws and can crawl back."
These words made Jinzhu feel cold all over. She didn't even bother to say thank you and ran back.
Xi Qingtong was originally drinking tea leisurely, but when he heard what Jinzhu said, the teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a "bang", and broken porcelain pieces flew everywhere.
"Madam..." Jinzhu called out cautiously, but Xi Qingtong grabbed her wrist.
"What did you say? Say it again!" Xi Qingtong dug his nails deep into Jinzhu's flesh.
The sponsor couldn't help but cry out in pain, but Xi Qingtong didn't care at all. She just kept asking, "What did you just say?"
"This servant said that the deposed Crown Prince was given the title of Prince Zhao, and the Ministry of Rites just went out of the city to welcome him!"
This time, Xi Qingtong heard it clearly. She stood up suddenly, then sat down again. Her lips trembled so much that she couldn't speak. The only words in her mind were that Xiao Ji was named Prince Zhao.
How could that be?
After an unknown amount of time, or perhaps two, an uncontrollable question rang out in the Song residence.
"Didn't he just get deposed?! How can he be restored?!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
