Chapter 342: Opening up the old stories
Concubine Rou comforted herself in this way, but she was still a little more alert in her heart.
She began to hesitate whether to tell Xiao Yanci about the past between her and Gu Qishan.
But how could she bring up such a thing? She was really at a loss for words.
On this day, Emperor Defeng arrived at Xiyan Palace, and Concubine Rou was in high spirits to welcome him.
Emperor Defeng was much older than Concubine Rou. He always treated her with great kindness and generosity, and she was quite respected in the palace.
The two of them dined together, and the atmosphere was the same as usual.
Emperor Defeng rinsed his mouth with tea and began to chat casually, "Has Concubine Rou received any letters from Diannan recently? How are the King of Diannan and the Crown Prince doing?"
Concubine Rou looked normal, but her mind was inexplicably tense.
"I just received a letter a few days ago. My father and brother are both in good health."
"The King of Southern Yunnan is still strong and healthy at old age. I really envy him."
Changing the subject, he asked, "By the way, I heard that the General Zhenxi's ancestral home is in southern Yunnan. I wonder if my beloved concubine has known him before?"
Concubine Rou's heart almost instantly rose to her feet, and all the strings in her body were tense.
Without a moment's hesitation, she spoke in a relaxed tone and with a smile.
"Originally, I really didn't remember him, but a few days ago, Han Yi came back from Xiping and told me that the General Zhenxi's grandfather had served as a military advisor under my father. Only then did I remember him. It turns out we met when we were young, but I had completely forgotten."
Emperor Defeng stroked his beard and laughed, "General Zhenxi is such a young talent, yet Concubine Rou has no memory of him at all. Your memory is even worse than that of an old man like me."
Concubine Rou glared at Emperor Defeng. "He's a stranger. I grew up in seclusion, how could I possibly have met him? Besides, I've always hated swordplay and fighting since I was little. Even if I saw it, I'd stay away from it. How could I possibly remember him?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Defeng reached out and pointed at her, "You really don't look like a daughter of a military family at all."
Concubine Rou gave him a charming smile, "I am lucky to be able to enter the palace to serve the emperor. I am much better off than the average daughter of a general."
This made Emperor Defeng laugh out loud, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more harmonious.
After respectfully bidding farewell to Emperor Defeng, the smile on Concubine Rou's face slowly faded, and her expression became a little solemn.
"Jinse, ask Hanyi to invite Aci into the palace. I want to see him."
Before, she was just hoping for luck.
In such a matter of life and death, she would rather be overthinking it than taking chances, otherwise, in the end, they would probably be greeted by a catastrophic disaster.
Although Ye Hanyi didn't understand why, she still obeyed and invited Xiao Yanci into the palace.
Ye Hanyi thought that his aunt wanted to have some private conversation with his cousin, and was about to avoid her, but was stopped by his aunt.
"Han Yi, please stay with us. I have something important to say. This matter may concern our life and death. You must listen carefully."
Concubine Rou's attitude was more serious than ever before, and the two of them couldn't help but feel a chill in their spirits.
Jinse was guarding outside the door herself, and Concubine Rou then spoke slowly.
"What I want to tell you is an old story..."
She fell into memories, and spoke of her past with a melancholy tone.
She and Gu Qishan were childhood sweethearts, and they thought they could see each other's future at first sight. Unexpectedly, fate took a turn that they could not have anticipated.
"To protect the safety of my family, I was ordered to enter the palace, thus ending all possibilities with that person. I left for the capital, and we never met again. This past has always been buried deep in my heart."
Xiao Yanci was very surprised. It was the first time he heard his mother mention this.
He had never heard a word of it before.
It's impossible for my mother to bring up the past for no reason.
Could it be...
Ye Hanyi had guessed this long ago, and the answer immediately came to her mind. "Aunt, that man is the General Zhenxi, right?"
Concubine Rou nodded slightly.
When Xiao Yanci heard this, his guess was confirmed.
He had never thought about it before, until just now, when he had this association in his mind.
No wonder Feng Youcai mentioned that, it turned out to have such an intention.
Now it seems that this matter has been brought to the attention of the emperor, and he has become suspicious.
With the emperor's suspicion, it would be extremely difficult to repair the situation.
Not only will the emperor doubt his mother's loyalty, but he will also develop resentment towards him and the Ye family in southern Yunnan, and the general Zhenxi will be taken advantage of to seize power.
This plan killed four birds with one stone, which was extremely cruel. Xiao Yanci was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.
Ye Hanyi also thought of this, and her face turned ugly.
"Aunt, are you overthinking this?"
She didn't want to see things develop into the worst case scenario.
Concubine Rou said slowly, "The Emperor dined with me today and hinted at my past with Gu Qishan. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I would have been exposed right then and there. He wouldn't bring this up for no reason; it must be a test."
Xiao Yanci also nodded, his expression solemn.
"I agree with Mother's guess. This matter must have reached Father's ears."
Ye Hanyi was a little anxious, "Then, what should we do now?"
She didn't know Emperor Defeng very well, and didn't know what he would do, so she was at a loss for a moment.
Xiao Yanci looked at Concubine Rou, "Mother, in your opinion, what is the emperor's attitude towards this matter? How much trust does he have in you?"
Concubine Rou smiled wryly. "Your father never shows his emotions, so it's hard for me to fathom his thoughts. But from what I know about him, he'll probably send someone to investigate further. Before that, he won't act rashly."
This coincided with what Xiao Yanci had thought.
"Mother, how many people know about your relationship with General Zhenxi?"
"Jinse is the only one in the palace who knows about this. She is Mother's confidant and would never betray her. Initially, he and I simply had feelings for each other, and there was no matchmaker involved. Apart from your grandfather and uncle, no one else would know about this. Once I enter the palace, your grandfather and uncle will keep this a secret and won't leak a single word."
Xiao Yanci felt a little relieved after hearing this.
Ye Hanyi added, "General Zhenxi is very tight-lipped. He was very secretive about this matter. I asked him a few more questions, but he kept silent."
These words made Concubine Rou and Xiao Yanci look at her.
Ye Hanyi then said that he had already guessed about this matter before and had tried to inquire about it indirectly.
Concubine Rou was suddenly frightened and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Even you have noticed the clues, so the emperor must be..."
Ye Hanyi said hurriedly, "I can tell it's because Auntie is not on guard against me, so her expression inevitably reveals something. You have been on guard in front of the Emperor, so there must be no loopholes. Cousin, did you not notice anything at all?"
Xiao Yanci nodded truthfully, "I didn't notice anything at all. Even in Xiping, when I was with General Zhenxi for a long time, I never suspected anything. He was very measured in his actions and never said a word that went against the rules."
After hearing this, Concubine Rou relaxed a little.
But she secretly warned herself in her heart that she must be more careful in the future and must not make any mistakes.
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