Xuan Pei's eyes became hot and tears almost fell, but he knew that he could not cry. He was now an adult, so he could not be as ignorant as he was in his previous life and make Jiang Ruan worry. He clenched his teeth and forced his tears back. The people in the palace were cold and the people were gone. There was only one person in the world who could tell you: I will fight for what you want. This was such a difficult sentence to say.
'He' naturally referred to Xuan Li. Both mother and son were well aware of this. Xuan Pei raised his eyebrows and beamed with joy, "How would he dare to find trouble with me? He was originally a cowardly tortoise, and now he can't wait to close himself off. At this critical juncture, he will not make any mistakes. Even if I spit on him now, he will say that he is a brother and will not punish me. "
Jiang Ruan smiled, "Alright, now I want to ask you, where is the imperial edict, and who is the person you placed by the Emperor's side?"
There were two imperial edicts, one with Xuan Pei's name and the other with Xiao Shao's. If Xiao Shao really did not accept the edict, he would let Xuan Pei ascend to the throne to ensure that nothing went wrong. But Xuan Pei's imperial edict would not appear unless it was absolutely necessary.
"This is a long story," Jiang Ruan interrupted him, "If you really want to know the reason, go find Xiao Shao yourself. If he agrees, I will tell you." Xiao Shao's past was not a light topic. Jiang Ruan felt that it was somewhat inappropriate to tell Xiao Shao like this. If Xiao Shao was willing, then they could talk.
"Pei 'er," Jiang Ruan withdrew her thoughts and looked at the youth in front of her, "Do you want to be the Emperor?"
Xiao Shao hesitated. Jiang Ruan was so insistent, and he had always followed her wishes, so he did not say more. He only gave a few more instructions to Tian Zhu. Jiang Ruan smiled and stood in front of Xiao Shao. Xiao Shao also had to go out today. The matters in the Brocade Guard were more complicated, and he also had to analyze the secret deployment of the southern border. Early in the morning, he had to go to the Tianji Battalion. Jiang Ruan looked at him and took the initiative to help him tidy up the wrinkles on his sleeves.
Jiang Ruan, "..."
Now the Emperor wanted to repeat the same trick, but he did not expect that this time, everything would be different. Xuan Pei had already grown into someone who could contend with Xuan Li, and Xiao Shao didn't want this position at all.
"I see …" Jiang Ruan murmured. At this point, she finally understood all of the Emperor's plans. The Emperor was indeed not as incompetent as he appeared on the surface, or perhaps the incompetence on the surface was just an act. Perhaps he had already discovered that Xuan Li had poisoned him earlier, and now he was just beating him at his own game.
"I'm going to the palace." Jiang Ruan smiled, "Leave the account book on the table. I'll continue watching it later. "
"Cough, cough," Jiang Ruan abruptly regained her composure. She felt somewhat angry that she had been momentarily dazzled by Xiao Shao's beauty. Regarding Xiao Shao's sudden action, she did not know what to say. After a long while, he glared at Xiao Shao and took a step back. "There's someone here."
"In this world, if you want something, then take it. If you can't get it, then fight for it. But Pei 'er, "Jiang Ruan looked at him," the things that you want, I will fight for you. "
"Mu Xirou?" Jiang Ruan was a little surprised. Mu Xirou was a famous cold beauty in the palace. Jiang Ruan had also suspected Mu Xirou's identity. A beautiful woman who was excessively cold and could still obtain the Emperor's favor, she must have some tricks up her sleeve. How could she be that simple? But later, when she saw that Mu Xirou did not do anything and did not participate in the muddy waters of the inner palace at all, she was relieved. She only thought that it was a woman who originally did not want to enter the palace but had no choice but to stubbornly hold on to her own perseverance.
Xiao Shao actually had the time to take a walk with her in his busy schedule. Jiang Ruan naturally agreed and smiled, "Okay."
Lu Zhu stuck out her tongue and giggled, not responding to his words. Jiang Ruan, on the other hand, carefully looked at Housekeeper Lin. Sure enough, Housekeeper Lin looked much younger today. Although this change was not much, it still gave people a feeling of brightening. Jiang Ruan knew of Housekeeper Lin's past and thought that Housekeeper Lin's charm at that time must have made people sigh. However, all beauties in the world were white bones, and their appearance was nothing more than ripples. Since Housekeeper Lin was able to give up the appearance that everyone chased after, he was obviously a man of great wisdom and was worthy of encouragement.
Xuan Pei's face fell when he heard this, "Ask him everything. Mother, you can't be insisting on following those three obediences and four virtues, right? It's just a mere Jinying Wang, I don't want to know his secrets. I naturally have my ways to know. "He stubbornly said.
"Then …" Xuan Pei still wanted to ask.
However, what Xuan Pei said was also true. Xuan Li was a cautious person. It was precisely because he did not obtain the throne in a just and honorable manner that he had to pay more attention to what outsiders said. Therefore, he would not let anyone leave behind any evidence. At this time, he had to assume the posture of a wise ruler. Even if he really wanted to do something, he absolutely did not dare to do it in the open and cause too much of a commotion.
As soon as they entered the southern courtyard, Xuan Pei was still practicing calligraphy. When he saw Jiang Ruan come over, he was a little surprised at first, but then he was overjoyed. He immediately threw away the brush in his hand and greeted her, "Mu … Wangfei. "
For Xuan Pei to be able to obtain news of the imperial edict so easily, it must have been because someone close to the Emperor had pointed it out. Originally, Jiang Ruan had thought that Xuan Pei had roped in Eunuch Li, but now Eunuch Li was dead. If it really was Eunuch Li, then the secret had most likely been discovered by Xuan Li's people. However, Xuan Li's people did not make any moves. Without a doubt, Xuan Pei's people were not Eunuch Li at all. Who could it be?
When Jiang Ruan and the others arrived at the palace, they first went to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful to sit with Empress Dowager Yi De. Empress Dowager Yi De looked as vigorous and decisive as ever, but she could no longer conceal the vicissitudes of life between her brows. The woman who had once dominated the rebellion of the previous dynasty's eight princes had finally shown signs of old age under the ravages of time. Now that the Emperor was seriously ill, Empress Dowager Yi De had to forget the fact that she was a mother. The first thing she had to do was to appease the court officials and tidy up the inner palace. The huge waves of the struggle for the throne were hidden under the calm surface. Empress Dowager Yi De could not possibly not know that it was difficult to maintain the overall situation under such circumstances.
But why? Naturally, it was because of Xiao Shao.
Xiao Shao naturally would not stop her. After a moment of silence, he said, "The capital is not peaceful. Let Jin One and Jin Two follow you." The details of the people of the Southern Xinjiang were not yet clear. Perhaps they had some tricks up their sleeves. However, Jiang Ruan shook her head and rejected his suggestion, "There's no need. Brocade One and Brocade Two still have their own missions to complete. Today, I will only be entering the palace and will not stay for long. With Tian Zhu by my side, nothing will happen. Moreover, the people of the Southern Xinjiang can't wait to hide, so why would they expose their identities? Don't worry, I will be back soon. "
"Pei 'er, it is not your name on the imperial edict, but Xuan Li does not know about it, right?" Jiang Ruan asked lightly.
Lu Zhu's string of words made Steward Lin choke. He paused for a moment before saying, "Smelly girl, what nonsense are you talking about! I have already told you, this old man used to be a distinguished and elegant handsome man. Many young ladies and young wives had their hearts set on this old man. What rouge? This old man is also a man, why would I need that? It's because I was born beautiful! "
Imperial Mother, I will fight for the things you want for you as well. Xuan Pei thought to himself. He heard Jiang Ruan's voice again, "Then Pei 'er, can you tell me, where did you hide the imperial edict?"
Jiang Ruan was suddenly startled and asked, "Who is the name on the other imperial edict?" Speaking up to this point, she was actually shocked and guessed who that person was. It was as if at this moment, all her previous doubts had flowed into a river and formed a complete plan. And Xuan Pei did not disappoint and said the answer, "Jinying Wang, Xiao Shao."
Jiang Ruan did not have much affection for Empress Dowager Yi De. When she had first approached her, she had only wanted to use Empress Dowager Yi De to raise her own status. But now the situation was different. Empress Dowager Yi De was Xiao Shao's biological grandmother. Even if she had done something in the past, it seemed that she had not forced Xiao Shao to do anything. And Jiang Ruan had also clearly seen Empress Dowager Yi De's attitude. She would not let Xiao Shao sit on the Emperor's throne.
Her thoughtful gaze fell on Housekeeper Lin, and he could not help but feel a layer of goosebumps. He only felt that he did not know what Jiang Ruan was thinking, and he could not help but feel a little guilty. He quickly said a few words and went out to prepare a horse for Jiang Ruan.
Xiao Shao was slightly startled. Although Jiang Ruan was very close to him now, she had never bothered about trifling matters other than trying to figure out people's minds. He was somewhat flattered that she had taken the initiative so early in the morning.
Xuan Pei's speech now unconsciously carried a bit of a bandit's aura, and he did not know where he had learned it from. Jiang Ruan's gaze unconsciously drifted to Ming Yue, who was standing to the side. Although Ming Yue was the person Xiao Shao had arranged for Xuan Pei, Ming Yue used to be an Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Embroidered Uniform Guard originally had to crawl through piles of dead people. This Ming Yue stayed with Xuan Pei every day, inevitably leading him astray. Xuan Pei's current image on the outside was that of a noble and refined young man of the royal family, but why did he speak like a bandit? Jiang Ruan had some doubts in her heart as to why Xiao Shao had sent Ming Yue over.
"Okay." Jiang Ruan nodded. Xuan Pei was stunned again and raised his head to look at Jiang Ruan. He thought that Jiang Ruan would be angry or have some other expression, but he had never expected her to be so calm. Because in their previous lives in the palace, Jiang Ruan and he had experienced too many painful things, and the source of everything was just because of human desire. Now, he wanted to be the Emperor because he wanted to become stronger. Perhaps only then would he be able to protect the people he wanted to protect, and only then would he be able to completely take Jiang Ruan under his wing. But in the eyes of outsiders, he was only doing this for his own ambitions and selfish desires. How Jiang Ruan would view him, Xuan Pei did not dare to think.
Although he had already expected this possibility, when these words came out of Jiang Ruan's mouth, Xuan Pei could not help but feel excited. He suppressed the excitement in his heart and looked at Jiang Ruan doubtfully and asked, "But Imperial Mother, why did Imperial Father appoint Jinying Wang as the Crown Prince?" When he saw the imperial edict, the shock in his heart was simply indescribable. But no matter how he investigated, he could not find the reason. It was as if all the reasons had been erased and disappeared completely, leaving not even the slightest possibility. Xuan Pei said, "Imperial Mother, could it be …. He is also Imperial Father's son? "
Xuan Pei looked at Jiang Ruan and suddenly thought of something, "Imperial Mother, did something happen for you to come looking for me today?"
He did not say anything more and turned to walk out. Lian Qiao smiled and said, "Son-in-law and Young Madam's relationship is really good. What's that saying, only a pair of mandarin ducks are envied, not immortals. I see that the books sold in the bookstore are not necessarily such a match made in heaven. "
"It's just that it depends on your plans. Your arrangements in the court have always been tight, and they have always been offensive. But these days, they have slowed down. After all, it can't be that Xuan Li made you change your mind. I know that you are a child with ideas. Once you have decided on something in your heart, you will continue to do it. I think that in this life, from the beginning, your goal has been that position. " Jiang Ruan paused before continuing, "And a few days ago, Xuan Li's subordinates killed Eunuch Li. No matter how I think about it, it was because of the imperial edict. But if the imperial edict was to appoint you as the Crown Prince, why would you be so restless? "
Xuan Pei was startled and looked at Jiang Ruan, somewhat at a loss. With just one look, he knew that he could no longer hide the news he wanted to hide. He said unhappily, "How did Imperial Mother know?"
Just as he was thinking, housekeeper Lin walked in with a pile of account books in his hand. Seeing that Jiang Ruan and the others were about to leave, he was startled and asked, "Is Young Madam leaving the fu?"
Jiang Ruan and Empress Dowager Yi De spoke for a while before they arrived at Xuan Pei's palace. Now, the entire court knew that Jiang Ruan and Xuan Pei had deep feelings for each other. How could a half-grown brother and sister have any feelings for each other? Everyone could only see that Jiang Ruan was representing Jinying Wang fu and standing on Xuan Pei's side. Today, when she entered the palace to go to Nan Yuan, there were bound to be many eyes watching her in the dark. Jiang Ruan knew that this was exactly what she wanted to achieve.
After thinking about it, it seemed that this was the only thing that matched her conjecture. The Xuan family's empire could not be seized by outsiders, and the Emperor had appointed Xiao Shao. It could only be said that Xiao Shao was also of royal blood. But how did Xiao Shao become the Emperor's illegitimate child? Could it be that Jinying Wang Fei and the Emperor … Xuan Pei was thinking a little too far. Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruan patted his head. She had probably guessed what Xuan Pei was thinking. She was both angry and amused as she said, "It's not what you think, don't let your imagination run wild."
…
Xuan Pei looked at Jiang Ruan's gaze. In his previous life, Jiang Ruan had always looked at him tenderly. Her gaze was unhesitatingly protective and loving. Now, the woman in front of him had been reborn in this life and was no longer as weak as before. She treated others warmly and coldly, but only when facing him, was she as gentle as ever. Even though at this moment, this gentleness still contained a bit of sternness, Xuan Pei knew that he could not lie to Jiang Ruan.
There were many eyes and ears in the palace. To say these words in such a dignified and dignified manner was really too daring. But Jiang Ruan was not worried. This was because Xuan Pei was no longer the stupid and ignorant Xuan Pei of his previous life. The defense of this Nan Yuan could be said to be watertight. After Jiang Ruan finished speaking, she stared closely at Xuan Pei's eyes.
The Tian Zhu people, who were already very perceptive, turned their heads away at the same time and seemed to be snickering. Jiang Ruan was helpless, but Xiao Shao touched her head and said, "Come back early. I have nothing to do today, so I came back early. We can go out for a walk."
But Jiang Ruan only casually replied with a 'yes' and did not even say a word of denial. Xuan Pei looked at her in confusion and said, "Imperial Mother, aren't you angry?"
Housekeeper Lin complied, but Lu Zhu looked at Housekeeper Lin in a daze, as if thinking about something. After a moment, she suddenly clapped her hands and laughed, "I was just wondering why you looked different today. Housekeeper Lin seems to be much younger, even the wrinkles on your face are lighter, and you seem to be whiter? Did Housekeeper Lin put on rouge? " As Lu Zhu spoke, she wanted to pinch Housekeeper Lin's face, "Which shop did you buy this rouge from? It's so good. Oh, by the way, could it be that Housekeeper Lin has taken a fancy to some older sister? Is that why you dressed up like this? Hey, if you like her, how about I speak on your behalf? "
"You …" He paused and did not say anything. Jiang Ruan herself was not short, but in front of Xiao Shao, she seemed exceptionally petite. She raised her head and had to slightly tiptoe to reach Xiao Shao's collar. Xiao Shao lowered his eyes to look at her. She appeared to be extremely serious, so Xiao Shao's expression gradually softened, and his gaze overflowed with a gentleness that even he himself was not aware of.
"It's Mu Xirou." Xuan Pei said, "The imperial edict is with her. Imperial Father trusts her and hid the imperial edict by her side so that it would not arouse suspicion. "
Now, Xuan Pei was saying that Mu Xirou was his person?
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly. Everyone in Xuan Pei's palace hall was on their side, but it was really somewhat of an eyesore. Xuan Pei waved his hand to let everyone leave. Jiang Ruan also let Lian Qiao and the others stand guard outside the door, while she sat down with Xuan Pei.
No wonder, no wonder in her previous life, Xuan Li also wanted to poison people. At that time, Xuan Li clearly had no one in the court who could block his position, but the Emperor still did not reveal any intention of making him the Crown Prince. The reason was none other than Xiao Shao. And Xuan Li had sensed the Emperor's intentions and knew that the Emperor had no intention of making him the Crown Prince. However, he did not know the reason, so he slaughtered his own brothers, and then before the Emperor could announce the imperial edict, he mercilessly killed them. This move was clean, and the ascension to the throne was a matter of course. There was not the slightest bit of bad rumors.
For example, at this moment, Jiang Ruan was somewhat dazed as she looked at Xiao Shao, who was very close to her. She did not see that the youth's eyes seemed to flash with craftiness. Immediately after, Xiao Shao lowered his head and lightly pecked the corner of her mouth.
The next morning, Jiang Ruan woke up very early. Seeing her like this, Xiao Shao asked in puzzlement, "Why don't you sleep more?"
Xuan Pei was slightly startled, then he immediately lowered his head and clenched his teeth, "Imperial Mother … I … want to be the Emperor."
Xuan Pei was somewhat happy. He had also not seen Jiang Ruan for a long time. Now that he saw Jiang Ruan, he was naturally very happy and asked without thinking, "Imperial Mother, why didn't you come to see me? Recently, the palace has been very lively, and every day there is something interesting to watch. I thought that Imperial Mother would definitely take the opportunity to see me, but in the end, after waiting for so long, there was no one. On the other hand, that Jinying Wang would occasionally enter the palace uninvited. My Nan Yuan is not a place where people can casually step into! "Towards the end, there was already a hint of anger in her tone, obviously extremely dissatisfied with Xiao Shao. Xuan Pei and Xiao Shao were really a pair of enemies. Jiang Ruan also did not know why Xuan Pei would be so picky towards Xiao Shao, but she only thought that he had the temperament of a child, so she smiled and said, "Rashly entering the palace will only bring you trouble. After His Majesty's serious illness, presumably you are not living well. He did not find trouble with you, right?"
"You don't have to worry," Jiang Ruan stroked his head, "Xiao Shao has no intention of becoming the Emperor. This position still belongs to you. I will help you, and Jinying Wang fu will also stand behind you. "This was a promise.
Xuan Pei was silent for a while before he said, "Imperial Mother, I am sorry, I did not deliberately hide it from you, but … but I do not know what to do." His heart was somewhat complicated. Xiao Shao was the Emperor, and Jiang Ruan was bound to be the Empress. This was naturally also very good, but Xuan Pei's heart gave birth to a trace of unwillingness. He could not say why, but the thing that he had worked so hard for for so long, in the end, had to be handed over to someone else? And he, who had sworn to protect Jiang Ruan, could only watch Jiang Ruan be protected by someone else in the end? Moreover, Xuan Pei did not trust Xiao Shao at all. If Xiao Shao held power, what would happen if he did not treat Jiang Ruan well? All kinds of thoughts intertwined in Xuan Pei's heart, and only then did Jiang Ruan see the clues.
Lu Zhu also smiled, but as she smiled, she became somewhat perplexed. Thinking about the matter between herself and Jin Er, she felt a headache. Jin Er had already explained the matter to her, and he had also apologized to her. The anger in Lu Zhu's heart had long dissipated. She was not an unreasonable person. For Lu Zhu, Jiang Ruan would always be the first, and she had absolute loyalty to her master. Therefore, since Jin Er was doing this for the entire Jinying Wang fu, and also for Jiang Ruan, she naturally had no complaints. Lu Zhu was broad-minded and had never been entangled in this matter. It was just that Jin Er … her gaze was somewhat gloomy. It was as if she could not get over the hurdle in her heart, as if there was always a barrier between them, and she was unwilling to say it out loud.
However, what he did not expect was that the Emperor did not want to appoint any of his sons as the future heir apparent. His gaze had always been on Xiao Shao. Therefore, after Xuan Li ascended the throne, Xiao Shao returned to the palace, and the prepared ministers took out the Imperial Edict. Xiao Shao removed the traitor, proved his identity, and unified the country.
"That's right, but Imperial Mother was only half right." Xuan Pei said in a low voice, "Imperial Father's Imperial Edict did indeed clearly state that I would be appointed as the Crown Prince, but …" Xuan Pei clenched his teeth, "He issued two Imperial Edicts."
Jiang Ruan tidied herself up, and as soon as she raised her head, she saw Xiao Shao's gaze fixated on her. This youth's eyes were naturally good, and they were extremely deep and bright. His gaze was like ice, and his countenance was usually very indifferent. However, when he looked at someone carefully, he felt that he was so beautiful that it made people dizzy. It was as if all the romance in the world was reflected in his eyes, which were as gentle as the autumn waters. Beauty bewitched people. Even though this person was the person who slept by her side, there were times when Jiang Ruan would become absent-minded. She often thought that there was probably nothing in this world that Xiao Shao could not do, as long as he was willing to use a honey trap.
"Make a trip to the palace to see Pei 'er." Jiang Ruan said, "These few days, he must not have had an easy time. There are some things that I still need to discuss with him."
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