nycdaug Chapter 98 Years in the Palace 6
Chapter 98 Years in the Palace 6
Two days later, Chu Chun returned to the mansion and reported the situation to Liu Baiyi.
"Oh? You were so badly injured that you're only leaving now?"
“This servant originally wanted to keep His Highness Prince Qi for a day or two longer, but he left as soon as he was able to walk. This servant could not stop him, so I hurried back to report to Your Majesty.”
"Forget it, don't worry about him. As long as he doesn't die, that's fine. Let him go wherever he wants. We've done our best. By the way, did he ask any questions?"
"His Highness didn't ask anything else, except whether it was me who saved him. I answered yes, and he didn't say anything else."
"Yes, you did a good job. We're going back to the palace tomorrow. We've already spent enough time visiting our family."
"Won't Your Highness stay a few more days? His Majesty has already granted Your Highness's permission."
"The issues that needed to be resolved have already been resolved, and the rest are not here, so there's no point in leaving them here."
Liu Xingxing took a bite of the cloyingly sweet chestnut cake on the table. She had heard that Liu Baiyi used to love this the most, but she couldn't eat a single bite.
As expected, she still prefers desserts that aren't too sweet; she simply can't stomach these kinds of pastries that are so cloying they make her feel nauseous after just one bite.
"When will you inform your wife and the other party?"
"It's easy to talk to your parents. Just tell them when we have dinner tonight. Come and try this chestnut cake in early spring."
Chu Chun was immediately filled with fear: "Your Highness, this is unacceptable! This servant cannot afford to enjoy the food reserved exclusively for Your Highness!"
"It's alright. You've been traveling for a long time, and there's still more than an hour before lunch. I'm sure you didn't eat anything before rushing back. Just consider this a reward from me. Have something to tide you over."
After all, meals here are served at regular times. It wouldn't be a bad idea if Liu Xingxing gave her a special meal, but I'm afraid the girl would be even more panicked.
After Liu Xingxing said this, Chu Chun gratefully accepted the plate of pastries, glanced at Liu Baiyi a few more times, and began to eat them little by little.
"How is it? Is it delicious? Sit down and eat slowly."
Liu Xingxing then poured her another cup of tea, just in case she choked on it.
Who knew that Chu Chun's eyes immediately reddened upon hearing this: "Your Majesty used to love eating chestnut cakes, especially the chestnut cakes from Ruyi Workshop. That's just my taste. And now that you are willing to share chestnut cakes with me, I am truly blessed."
As she was talking, she was about to kneel down again, so Liu Xingxing quickly stepped forward to help her up.
It's just a few pieces of pastry, there's no need to be so moved, is there?
Chu Chun sobbed, "Forgive my indiscretion, but Your Highness has changed completely since marrying...marrying His Majesty. You're not like yourself anymore. But recently, Your Highness seems to have changed back. I just realized it must have been that damn bug that harmed you. It's so good, so good. The you who was still a young lady is back. Waaah..."
Although Liu Baiyi was a bit spoiled in the past, she wouldn't use human life as a pretext or take pleasure in torturing people.
The Mother-Child Gu can actually change a person's personality? That's quite a few side effects.
"After we return to the palace, don't make a fuss about this matter. Just continue as before. After all, this was a secret operation. It's just an ordinary visit home. Just pretend nothing happened, understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand the implications."
Chu Chun's earnest promise, coupled with the lingering tear stains on her face, made her look somewhat comical.
Liu Xingxing patted her with relief: "Alright, hurry up and eat, don't go hungry."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty!"
……
Main Hall of the Imperial Palace
Jing Yizhi, who had left in a hurry, was kneeling in the center of the main hall, reporting his recent achievements to the people above him.
"Excellent! Feng Gong and the other rebels have all been eliminated. Ayi, you've done a good job this time. What reward would you like?"
"Your Majesty, I have faced death on my journey out of the palace. I was saved by a single person, and I am now begging Your Majesty to grant me this person!"
Jing Yanzhi was somewhat surprised: "Oh? Judging from your tone, you seem to be someone from the palace? Tell me, who are you?"
"This person's name is Chuchun."
"Early spring?"
Cao Sheng whispered a reminder from the side: "Your Majesty, it is a maidservant of the Imperial Concubine."
Jing Yanzhi frowned immediately, looking troubled: "The person beside Yi'er? This..."
Why did Liu Baiyi's maid manage to save him by such a coincidence?
According to Jing Yi, he was rescued outside the city. So why would Liu Baiyi's maid be in the city?
"Since she is the Consort's person, we should still ask her about it. After all, Chu Chun has served her for quite a while."
Although Cao Sheng spoke softly, the hall was spacious and they were not far apart, so Jing Yizhi could naturally hear him. Jing Yanzhi didn't hide anything and spoke directly.
"Then, Your Majesty, would you allow me to see the Imperial Concubine and see if I can persuade her to give me the Spring Festival?"
As he said this, Jing Yizhi's face remained expressionless, as if he were asking for a toy, not at all like someone treating their savior.
Jing Yanzhi stood with his hands behind his back, but instead looked down at him a few more times. After a moment of silence, he smiled gently and said, "This is the first time I've seen you so persistent about someone. Do as you please. Besides that, is there anything else you want? With your current achievements, such a small thing is not worth ticking off."
"I heard that a batch of blood agate has been newly supplied from the northern frontier this year, which is very rare. I would like to ask for a piece to play with."
Jing Yanzhi laughed heartily: "Ha, you certainly know how to pick things! Granted! Cao Sheng, go to the treasury immediately and pick out the best item to send to A Yi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jing Yizhi kowtowed and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Jing Yanzhi then came over to help him up: "Get up, get up. I haven't seen A-Yi for quite some time. You're not allowed to run away again today. Play a couple more games of chess with me."
Jing Yizhi's face then showed a hint of farewell: "Is Your Majesty going to make things difficult for me again? You know perfectly well that I have never been good at chess..."
"Hey, isn't this all in anticipation of your reward? So play this game with your brother. It's been a long time since you've played chess with me. Let me see if your skills have improved."
"Your subject...then I shall respectfully comply."
……
Not long after Liu Xingxing and Chu Chun returned to the palace, they hadn't even had a chance to sit down when news came that Prince Qi wanted to visit the Imperial Concubine. Liu Xingxing and Chu Chun stared at each other for a long time before they came to their senses. Chu Chun had repeatedly assured them that she hadn't revealed any information, so why did Jing Yizhi want to visit?
What is he here for?
And it was a very formal notification.
"I know, you can go now."
After dismissing the palace servants who came to report, Liu Xingxing collapsed onto the chaise lounge, utterly exhausted. One trouble after another kept coming. Couldn't she just rest and recuperate properly? She had lost so much blood and was feeling weak!
"Never mind, we're not coming until tomorrow anyway, let's get some rest first, these days are getting tiring..."
Ran goose ...
"Your Majesty is here!"
Liu Xingxing, on her deathbed, was startled awake. She hurriedly got up, straightened her clothes, and forced a professional fake smile before going out to greet people.
Jing Yan walked like the wind from outside the palace to Liu Baiyi's side, took her hand and showered her with concern: "Yi'er, you're finally back! I've missed you so much. How were you? Were you happy to see Lord Liu and the others when you left the palace? Why do you look so unwell, Yi'er? Did something happen?"
Jing Yanzhi kept asking questions, and didn't even have a chance to ask Liu Baiyi to bow.
"Your Majesty's concern is appreciated. I am fine; perhaps I am just a little tired from the journey. I am very happy to see my parents this time. I had just sat down when Your Majesty rushed over. You truly miss me." Liu Baiyi smiled sweetly.
Liu Xingxing cursed inwardly, "What a perfect act! She clearly has no feelings for me, yet she pretends to be a lover who can't live without me for even a day. At least try to hide the indifference in her eyes. She looks at me with such affection, even when she looks at a dog, how can she be so heartless?"
Jing Yanzhi gently embraced Liu Baiyi, his smile not reaching his eyes, yet his tone was incredibly gentle as he said, "Of course I want to see Yi'er every day. As soon as I heard that Yi'er was back, I quickly put aside my official duties to come and find you. Does Yi'er not like that?"
"I love it, I love it so much! Your Majesty is my favorite!"
Liu Bai leaned against him, her back teeth clenched, and she kept rolling her eyes, knowing that he was too tall to see anything anyway.
Hearing this, Jing Yanzhi, who knew nothing, chuckled silently. His gaze slowly turned cold as he looked into the distance, but the curve of his lips remained unchanged.
He had heard these words countless times and was no longer moved by them.
But today, her words were even more affected than usual, yet he was surprisingly less disgusted. Perhaps he had become numb to it because he had heard it so many times.
No one noticed the other's subtle actions, and from a distance, it was still the envy of many.