Ci Jinzhi

Chapter 428 Don’t be unhappy

King Xiu and the third prince were eight years apart and had almost never gotten along. He had always had the impression that his younger brother was just a little baby.

Today, the third brother still has a face that has not lost its childishness, but he has become a legitimate prince and a presence that no one can ignore.

King Xiu thought of his second brother, Chen Yi, shining brightly.

The third brother Chen You has few disasters and is blessed by God.

 Only him, named "Ping", the ordinary "Ping".

He should have recognized it long ago instead of waiting until today to pay homage to the new queen.

Empress Zhou was also observing King Xiu without any trace at this time. Seeing that although he was paying attention to his son, his expression was still calm, so she curled her lips.

Being in the harem and raising a prince, it is obviously a lie to say that she does not care about being a queen or her son becoming a prince. But she doesn't want to be the one who wants to kill everyone. As long as King Xiu can be his prince peacefully, he will have no less dignity in the future.

To be honest, because Emperor Xingyuan had a cold attitude towards the harem, the concubines had no chance to compete for favor. The advantage of this is that the palaces do not have to fight to the death for their crimes, and the concubines have not developed a hard-hearted heart.

 After the congratulations were over, King Xiu and others left with courtesy, and the third prince looked back at Queen Zhou.

 Empress Zhou nodded towards her son, telling him to pay attention to his words and deeds.

 The third prince hurriedly turned around and left in a polite manner.

 There were some regulations in the next few days, and after the throne had been vacant for nearly twenty years, the harem finally welcomed a new owner.

 Emperor Xingyuan did not mention the matter of establishing a crown prince, but continued to be busy with the annual Winter Solstice Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony.

 Winter Solstice Sacrifice to Heaven is a very important ceremony of the year, and various arrangements must be started in advance. The day before the memorial ceremony, Emperor Xingyuan would leave the palace and move into the Zhai Palace.

On the day of offering sacrifices to heaven, Emperor Xingyuan would put on sacrificial clothes and go to the altar at the moment of Yinzheng.

Emperor Xingyuan lost several pounds after being so busy, and he would have to deal with some political affairs until the end of the year.

Seeing that the New Year's Eve palace banquet was approaching, the Queen Mother ordered people to invite Emperor Xingyuan to Cining Palace.

 “The queen called her son, what’s the matter?”

"In a little while, the New Year's Eve banquet will be held." The Queen Mother raised her eyelids and said, "The Ai family just wanted to ask, is that girl still not coming this year?"

Perhaps she was frightened that day when something happened in the palace. The Queen Mother has been in such a miserable state these days that she doesn't even care much about appointing a successor.

Emperor Xingyuan was worried about his mother's health and often asked the imperial doctor to check her pulse, but to no avail. Now when I heard the Queen Mother ask about Xin You, I felt a little happy.

 Has the queen regained her energy?

“The Ai family has never seen a little girl with such a stubborn temper. Emperor, you just let her live like this without fame or status?”

“My son has been busy right now. Let’s talk about her properly when he comes back.”

“Don’t talk about coming back. She has to attend this year’s New Year’s Eve family dinner. There are queens in the palace. If she doesn’t follow any rules, what good will it do in the future?”

Emperor Xingyuan heard that the Queen Mother wanted to ease the relationship, but she couldn't hide her face.

  She left in the first year and did not come back in the second year. In the third year, there was a new queen in the palace, and there was just a step for Ayou to get down.

Emperor Xingyuan thought that this year was indeed an opportunity, and Ayou couldn't afford not to attend the New Year's Eve banquet every year.

 “The son will say to her.”

The Queen Mother was then satisfied: "The Emperor should go and have a rest. He is very tired and thin these days."

　　"Mother, please have a good rest. My son, I see that you have been a little lackluster recently."

The Queen Mother's eyes flickered and she did not admit it: "No way, Ai Jia is in high spirits."

When Emperor Xingyuan left Cining Palace, he thought that something was indeed wrong with his mother.

You should know that the Queen Mother usually has a headache and a fever, and she would like to beat gongs and drums to let him know.

 Perhaps you have something on your mind?

Emperor Xingyuan paused when this thought crossed his mind, then returned to normal and returned to Qianqing Palace.

 “It is said that Marquis Changle came to the palace to pay an audience.”

Emperor Xingyuan closed his eyes and rested his mind, tapping the armrest of the throne with his fingers.

 Without waiting too long, He Qingxiao arrived. “I would like to congratulate Qingxiao for meeting Your Majesty.”

Emperor Xingyuan opened his eyes, stared at the kneeling young man below him for a moment, and said in a gentle tone, "Get down."

 He Qingxiao stood up.

Emperor Xingyuan chatted for a few words and then turned to the topic: "On the day of the accident in the palace, the Queen Mother was fortunately saved by Ayou. It turned out that the Queen Mother had some misunderstandings about Ayou, and after this incident, she also saw that Ayou was getting better. I thought, this year The New Year’s Eve family dinner is an opportunity for them and their grandchildren to get along harmoniously from now on.”

He Qingxiao listened silently.

Emperor Xingyuan coughed: "I know Ayou can listen to your words. Qingxiao, please go and persuade her for me."

Ever since he was registered as the successor, Emperor Xingyuan felt a little guilty when facing Xin You and didn't think he would listen to him.

 But since He Qingxiao is here, I don’t have to worry.

Emperor Xingyuan felt a little uncomfortable thinking like this.

This is what makes girls extroverted, right?

 “Qingxiao?”

He Qingxiao lowered her eyes and cupped her hands: "Yes."

After leaving the palace, He Qingxiao went to see Xin You.

 The two of them walked slowly along the river outside the Hanlin Academy. The river was frozen and smooth as a mirror.

"He Qingxiao." After walking for a while, Xin You stopped, the corners of his lips slightly curved, "Why did you suddenly become a saw-beaked gourd?"

She saw the tenseness of the people around her for a moment, and made a guess: "Is it related to this? I want you to come to me to talk about something?"

 A cold wind blows, chilling your bones.

“I hope you can go to the New Year’s Eve palace banquet and let me persuade you.” He Qingxiao opened her mouth and felt that the words she spat out were frozen into ice.

 He knew this day would come.

 He could not protect her or support her, but instead became a shackle that imprisoned her.

Now it’s just a banquet, what will it be in the future?

 This is the reason why he did not dare to show his feelings before. But they live under the emperor's sight, and their passion and sincerity cannot be hidden after all.

Xin You lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then raised his eyes and smiled: "It's just a palace banquet, just go. He Qingxiao, don't be unhappy."

 She turned her head and pointed to the river: "Let's go play on the ice."

The capital is severely cold in winter, and whenever the river freezes over, playing in the ice becomes a favorite pastime for people.

He Qingxiao had never played before. Xin You traveled mostly in the south before coming to Beijing and rarely had such opportunities.

 The two of them were a little clumsy at first. Even if they had practiced martial arts, they almost fell down.

Xin You stretched out his hands to hold He Qingxiao's hand and slid far away on the ice, letting out a relaxed laugh.

He Qingxiao also temporarily let go of his heaviness and smiled slightly as he looked at the girl with a dimple-like smile.

After playing for a while, Xin You stopped and said, "I'll go into the palace and say something back. He Qingxiao, don't be unhappy."

 She said the same thing a second time, both to the person she liked and to herself.

He Qingxiao held Xin You’s hand and returned to the shore. Before leaving, he raised his hand and touched Xinyou's hair: "I am happy every moment with Ayou."

 Happier than ever.

Xin You curled her lips and smiled, straightened her hair and clothes, and walked towards the palace.

 “Ayou.”

 Someone called her on the road.

Xinyou turned around and saw King Xiu walking towards her.

"His Royal Highness King Xiu." Xinyou knelt down and looked at King Xiu again, his expression slightly condensed.