Tang Jiaojiao stayed in the Empress’s Lizheng Hall for just a quarter of an hour before coming out.
After walking a few steps, she saw the ceremonial canopy and jade carriage approaching shakily.
Tang Jiaojiao snorted coldly in her heart, lowered her head, and stepped aside.
When the palanquin reached her, it unsurprisingly stopped.
"Tang Family?" The tone was gentle.
Tang Jiaojiao saluted.
"Just ca out from the Empress?"
"Yes," Tang Jiaojiao replied.
A laugh ca from the jade carriage: "You’ve only left the palace for a few days, and the Empress was already talking about you to . Today, she finally couldn’t resist and summoned you into the palace. It’s rare to see her like soone so much!"
Tang Jiaojiao sneered internally.
The Empress must be out of her mind to like her!
"When you have no other engagents, co into the palace more often to keep the Empress company, or stay a few days at the palace if you wish." The tone was amiable, yet the gaze falling on her head was as insidious as a spider’s thread and snake’s saliva—light, but nauseatingly unavoidable.
Tang Jiaojiao suppressed her discomfort, stopping herself from shivering, and forced a slight smile, saying, "My mother is pregnant, and I need to stay by her side. I’m afraid I cannot accompany the Empress and relieve her boredom!"
Silence fell abruptly in the jade carriage.
The gaze on her head instantly beca as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Tang Jiaojiao grit her teeth and stood upright, cold sweat gradually forming in her palms.
At this mont, a eunuch ca running over, reporting to the emperor: "Your Majesty, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Xue Shaojian awaits outside Liangyi Palace!"
The emperor finally withdrew his gaze.
"Go," he said lightly, leaving those words as the jade carriage gradually moved away.
Tang Jiaojiao raised her head, slightly frowning.
That’s it?
...
Outside the palace gates, there were two carriages waiting.
One belonged to the Duke Yan Mansion, and the other also to the Duke Yan Mansion.
As soon as Tang Jiaojiao stepped out of the palace gates, soone agilely jumped out of one of the carriages to et her: "Sister!"
"Why are you here?" Tang Jiaojiao wasn’t pleased to see her younger sister.
"I was outside and heard you were summoned into the palace, so I rushed over!" Tang Xiaobai said.
She had just arrived and saw Tang Jiaojiao coming out.
It seed like she hadn’t stayed long in the palace either.
Tang Xiaobai looked her sister up and down, "Sister, are you alright?"
"What could happen to ?" Tang Jiaojiao glared at her, "In situations like this, go ho first. If we’re both away, who will manage the household? What if our mother gets alard?"
Tang Xiaobai was taken aback: "Mother doesn’t know yet?"
"I sent a ssage to grandmother without alarming mother," Tang Jiaojiao replied.
Tang Xiaobai clicked her tongue and imdiately gave her a thumbs up when she caught Tang Jiaojiao’s glare again: "You’re really sothing, sister!"
Her elder sister was indeed suited to be a family head, so considerate at such a young age.
Tang Jiaojiao snorted lightly, sent soone to report back ho, and then pulled Tang Xiaobai into the carriage to return to the mansion.
"What did the Empress want with you?" Tang Xiaobai asked.
"Nothing much," Miss Tang sneered with so mockery, "made sit in Lizheng Hall for a quarter of an hour."
"You just sat there for a quarter of an hour? Without speaking?" Tang Xiaobai asked in surprise.
"Not even served tea," Tang Jiaojiao scoffed, "An Empress should have better manners!" She cast a glance at Tang Xiaobai, "Don’t you learn such pettiness!"
"Why would I learn from her?" Tang Xiaobai muttered, continuing to ask, "And then? She let you go after a quarter of an hour?"
"I left, but—"
"Jiaojiao cousin?" A clear, gentle voice suddenly sounded from outside the carriage.
"It’s Fourth Cousin!" Tang Xiaobai lifted the carriage curtain and indeed saw Gu Yuan riding alongside them, wearing an official’s attire in shades of green and blue, his forehead slightly furrowed, looking sowhat serious.
Seeing Tang Xiaobai, he paused for a mont: "Isn’t this your sister’s carriage?"
"Sister is here too!" Tang Xiaobai said.
Gu Yuan’s expression slightly tensed: "Did Jiaojiao cousin just co out of the palace?"
Tang Xiaobai nodded.
Gu Yuan pondered for a mont and said, "I have a few words I’d like to say to Jiaojiao cousin alone."
Tang Xiaobai turned to look at Tang Jiaojiao, who remained silent in the carriage.
Tang Jiaojiao nodded.
...
Tang Xiaobai watched from a distance.
At the footbridge by the water, the young girl’s radiant face was like maple leaves in autumn, vibrant and striking.
Beside her, the young man’s attire in green and blue was refined yet gentle.
From their looks, they matched quite well, Tang Xiaobai thought sowhat idly.
Rushing over in official attire, it must be because he heard about Big Sister being summoned to the palace.
Avoiding her to talk alone, hmm... mostly to discuss inappropriate topics for children!
Poor Li Xingyuan, just left for a few days, now facing fierce competition.
But looking at Tang Jiaojiao’s expression, rare in its seriousness, she’s probably refusing.
After all, Gu Yuan was her own cousin; unlike others, it’s always better to be clear...
"Second Miss Tang—"
Suddenly, soone called from behind.
Turning back, she saw a gentleman as graceful as jade.
Tang Xiaobai slightly bowed in ceremony: "Minister Xue."
It was Xue Shaojian.
Xue Shaojian was also dressed in official attire, seemingly passing by.
Since he returned to the capital from inspecting Liangzhou, he has joined the Ministry of Rites, rising three ranks in less than two years, now serving as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
The Ministry of Rites is responsible for foreign affairs and guests.
Xue Shaojian walking in official attire reminded her of Murong Shun.
Could he be headed to find Murong Shun?
She glanced suggestively in the direction of the Four-direction Hall, which hosted foreign guests.
Xue Shaojian greeted her with a smile and gentle voice: "The wind is picking up; it’s best for Second Miss to return to the mansion early."
Tang Xiaobai was startled.
She suddenly felt an unfriendly gaze fall on her. Looking up to find it.
On the opposite bank, an ostentatious carriage was passing slowly, and as she looked over, the curtain embroidered with curled chrysanthemum petals suddenly dropped.
"Minister Xue—"
On the other end, Gu Yuan called out.
Tang Jiaojiao, frowning and displeased, quickly ca over.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they each went their way.
Once in the carriage, Tang Jiaojiao imdiately asked, "What did Xue Tenth Son say to you?"
"He said the wind is picking up and I should return to the mansion early," Tang Xiaobai repeated honestly.
She wasn’t familiar with Xue Shaojian enough to discern whether the remark was re courtesy or had deeper aning.
However, upon hearing the words, Tang Jiaojiao furrowed her brows more deeply, thoughtful.
"Is there anything wrong with what he said?" Tang Xiaobai asked.
"Xue Tenth Son recently went to the palace to see the emperor," Tang Jiaojiao recounted her encounter with the emperor.
Tang Xiaobai inhaled sharply: "Lucky you didn’t agree!"
Agree to what? Tang Jiaojiao didn’t understand.
But she still said proudly, "It’s obvious I wouldn’t agree to it!"
Tang Xiaobai looked at her knowingly and said, "If you agreed to accompany the Empress today, maybe tomorrow the palace would have sent soone to have a marriage alliance talk."
Tang Jiaojiao laughed: "Your Majesty wouldn’t want to make moves against the Northwest anyti soon, for fear of our Tang Family becoming too powerful. So, targeting a marriage alliance with the Turks would be very careful. It’s said they spread rumors to see if you’d panic and submit under pressure."
Co to think of it, rembering Xue Shaojian she saw earlier, Tang Xiaobai continued, "I heard the Crown Prince say today—"
"Today? You heard the Crown Prince say?" Tang Jiaojiao examined her sternly.
Tang Xiaobai pretended not to hear anything, her face flushed: "I heard him say that His Majesty is taking the opinions of the Ministry of Rites very seriously for this decision. Xue Tenth Son went to the palace, so he must have so important information to share."
Tang Xiaobai wondered if Xue Shaojian’s words had so hidden aning.
The answer ca quickly.
Next, the Empress from the Lizheng Hall summoned the second daughter of the Duke Mansion.
Unlike Tang Jiaojiao, who only sat for a quarter of an hour, as soon as Empress Yuan saw Tang Xiaobai, she asked, "Why did the Crown Prince speak highly of you in Taixing?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)