However, Wuyou ignored him and went straight to Xiao Yunjing. She paid her respects and asked, "Your Majesty, did you summon this servant for sothing?"
Xiao Yunjing pointed to Liu Desheng, who was standing beside him, his eyes welling up with joyous tears. "He was the one who carried you out of the Snow Maiden Clan years ago."
"Ah? Liu Desheng?" Wuyou exclaid in surprise.
Looking at Wuyou and her face that so resembled the Saintess, Liu Desheng beca emotional and imdiately knelt before her. "This servant greets Miss! So Miss was right before my eyes all along, and this old servant was unaware. Please forgive , Miss!"
Wuyou helped Liu Desheng up and turned to Xiao Yunjing. "Your Majesty, may this servant borrow Liu Desheng for a while?"
Xiao Yunjing nodded.
Wuyou took Liu Desheng to the Imperial Garden to ask about her parents.
Xiao Yunjing watched the joyful Wuyou and sighed inwardly. They had been so busy these days and had forgotten about this matter. Today, they finally fulfilled this wish for Li'er.
Xiao Yunjing ate sothing casually and went to play with the three little ones for a while before heading to the royal study.
I'll have to go to the Happiness and Longevity Palace by noon. Who knows what trouble Mother is stirring up this ti?
「In Fengqi Palace」
Gu Qingli stood before Wuqing, looking down at her. "Wuqing, you're keeping from leaving because you're afraid I'll go to my parents and tell them the truth, aren't you?"
Gu Qingli was truly out of options; Wuqing wouldn't yield to persuasion or pressure. Why is Wuqing so submissive to that outsider? Why is she so indifferent to ? I was the one who saved her back then! The more Gu Qingli thought about it, the angrier she beca.
Wuqing shook her head, her expression unchanged. "Your Majesty the Empress is overthinking things."
"Then why won't you let leave?"
"This servant does not know. This servant is rely following the Emperor's orders."
"A fine excuse, 'following the Emperor's orders'!"
SLAP!
As she spoke, Gu Qingli slapped Wuqing across the face. "You ungrateful wretch! You are my servant! How dare you obey that dog Emperor's orders?"
Wuqing remained standing there, expressionless, without uttering a word. No matter how Gu Qingli insulted or struck her, she acted as if she heard nothing, completely indifferent.
Gu Qingli is right (about why she's confined). It's true, it wasn't Miss (Wuyou) who saved back then; Gu Qingli did. But I just can't bring myself to like her. So, I'll endure her abuse. I only feel guilt towards Gu Qingli; I've already repaid the debt of her saving my life. When the Secret Sect sent to assassinate her, I risked everything, betrayed them, and even killed my comrades to save her. Later, if Master hadn't dismantled the Secret Sect, a traitor like would have been killed long ago. So, I've repaid Gu Qingli for saving my life, and I owe my life to Master for saving . My life belongs to Miss and Master.
Wuqing's attitude enraged Gu Qingli. She frantically picked up objects and threw them at Wuqing, who simply raised a hand to catch each one and set it down.
No way! These are all Miss's favorite things. They mustn't be broken.
Gu Qingli threw one item, and Wuqing caught it; she threw another, and Wuqing caught that too.
This continued until Gu Qingli, exhausted, collapsed to the floor, glaring furiously at Wuqing.
Wuqing quietly tidied up the items, returned them to their original places, and then resud her position at the palace gate.
She stood there like an immovable door guardian.
「In the Happiness and Longevity Palace」
Xiao Yuling had prepared a table laden with delicious food, waiting for Xiao Yunjing.
Xiao Yuxian chatted with Xiao Yuling. The words she had prepared the previous night wouldn't co out, so she could only talk about various happenings in the Capital City over the years.
From ti to ti, she would also ntion her maternal family, but she studiously avoided any ntion of the Mu Residence.
anwhile, Mu Wan'er stood at the palace gate, eagerly craning her neck in anticipation of Xiao Yunjing's arrival.
As noon approached, Xiao Yunjing finally put down the morials in his hand and headed to the Happiness and Longevity Palace with another eunuch, Yang Shi.
At the gate of the Happiness and Longevity Palace, Mu Wan'er saw the tall figure gradually approaching from a distance.
She clutched her wildly beating heart. I've imagined what the Emperor looked like, but I never expected him to be such an extraordinarily charismatic man!
Mu Wan'er was so infatuated that a blush spread from her face all the way to her neck.
The palace maids beside her were hardly any better. Every ti they saw the Emperor, their hearts would pound. Unfortunately, the Emperor had never once glanced their way.
When Xiao Yunjing approached, all the palace maids and Mu Wan'er imdiately knelt to greet him.
"This servant respectfully greets Your Majesty!" the palace maids chorused.
"This subject, Mu Wan'er, respectfully greets Your Majesty!"
Xiao Yunjing didn't even look at them. As usual, he entered the Happiness and Longevity Palace, rely waving his hand at them.
Mu Wan'er quickly got up and followed him.
Xiao Yuling, who was waiting inside, was inford of Xiao Yunjing's arrival and ca out to greet him with Xiao Yuxian.
"Mother, why did you co out?" Xiao Yunjing frowned, stepped forward, bowed to Xiao Yuling, and glanced at Xiao Yuxian beside her.
"This subject greets Your Majesty," Xiao Yuxian quickly curtsied.
"Aunt, please dispense with the formalities," Xiao Yunjing said indifferently. This Xiao Yuxian looks a little older than I rember. I never had much interaction with her in my past life or this one, and now Mother has brought her directly into the palace.
"Co, Wan'er, co and greet your cousin, the Emperor." Seeing her son's lack of reaction, Xiao Yuling imdiately called to Mu Wan'er, who was standing behind him.
Mu Wan'er obediently approached Xiao Yunjing, curtsied gracefully, and said shyly, "Wan'er greets Cousin!"
Xiao Yunjing rely gave her a cursory glance, not even extending a hand, and said flatly, "Rise. No need for such ceremony. Let's eat."
I'm just here to eat. I have too much to do; I don't have ti for this mother and daughter. One look at Mu Wan'er and I know what Mother is planning. It seems I'll have to make it clear to her: in this lifeti, I will marry no one but Li'er. She keeps creating these situations for , and I'm too tired to deal with them.
"Let's eat, let's eat." Seeing her son showed no interest in Mu Wan'er, Xiao Yuling imdiately pulled Mu Wan'er up, and they walked into the dining hall.
The rule was 'no talking during als, no conversation in bed.' Xiao Yunjing didn't utter a single word throughout the al. After finishing and wiping his mouth, he bid farewell to Xiao Yuling and the other two and departed.
"This rotten brat!" Xiao Yuling slamd her chopsticks heavily on the table, cursing angrily.
"Don't be angry. His Majesty is occupied with countless state affairs. It was already a blessing that he could dine with us," Xiao Yuxian imdiately rose to help soothe Xiao Yuling, also giving Mu Wan'er a pointed look.
It seems the Emperor really dislikes us mother and daughter. He didn't even glance at Wan'er, let alone speak to her. Xiao Yuxian felt a pang of disappointnt. But I've endured plenty of cold shoulders, so it's not too upsetting. The one we need to hold onto is Xiao Yuling.
Mu Wan'er also rose and approached Xiao Yuling to comfort her. "Aunt, Wan'er will stay with you."
Soothed by their comforting words, Xiao Yuling felt much better. She patted Mu Wan'er's hand. "Wan'er, you're so sensible. Alright, stay in the palace and keep this tireso old woman company."
Mu Wan'er linked her arm through Xiao Yuling's. "Aunt, you're not old or tireso at all! Wan'er likes you the most!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)