After the court session ended, Li Xuan left Taiji Palace. Zheng Guanyin had just been conferred the title of Empress. From then on, she was in charge of the three palaces and six courtyards. She couldn't help but be busy. Once the court session ended, she immediately began working on the matters of the harem.
At this moment.
In the courtyard on the other side of the Emperor's bedroom.
The autumn sun shone down, and the ground was covered with fallen leaves. It added some coolness to the courtyard that had been hot and dry all summer, making it exceptionally comfortable.
Zhangsun Wugou sat in front of the door every day, watching his daughter, Li Lizhi, play with the palace maids. She held the biscuits and other snacks Li Xuan had given her, her face filled with joy as she danced.
This was perhaps her only hope in this world.
"Princess consort, the royal palace is holding a coronation ceremony today. Are you really not going to take a look?”
Xiaoxiu had followed him over from Prince Qin's Mansion and could be considered one of Zhangsun Wugou's most trusted people.
Li Xuan was considered merciful as he didn't replace her. All Zhangsun Wugou could do was chat with the palace maids.
"Let people laugh?"
A hint of self-mockery appeared on Zhangsun Wugou's tired face. He smiled bitterly and said,""Little Xiu, have you heard any news about the King of Qin?”
"No!"
The palace maid Xiao Xiu sat down slowly on a stool and shook her head in disappointment."I just heard that His Majesty killed Lord Fang and Lord Du's family a few days ago. He said that Lord Fang and Lord Du had an affair with the King of Qin. In that case…the King of Qin must still be alive…"
"Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui are the most trusted right-hand men of the King of Qin. I'm afraid that His Majesty has already set up a trap for them to slip into and fall into His Majesty's trap.”
As Zhangsun Wugou spoke, a hint of guilt appeared in his eyes."Such a scheming person, I should have dissuaded Second Brother that day and told him not to send troops to the Black Tortoise Sect. Otherwise…King Qin's Mansion would not have ended up like this.”
"Empress, it's all in the past."
Xiao Xiu recalled the scene of the extermination of King Qin's Residence that day. She was still terrified. The swaddled boy and the old butler were not spared.
The struggle for the throne was actually so terrifying.
"Xiao Xiu, do you think I'll still see Second Brother?”Zhangsun Wugou suddenly raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know!"
Xiao Xiu pouted and shook her head.”
"What do you think of His Majesty?" Zhangsun Wugou asked again.
Xiao Xiu propped her head on her hand and looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle. She thought for a long time and said,"Empress, do you want to hear the truth?"
"Of course it's the truth." Zhangsun Wugou was a little surprised.
"Then…Xiao Xiu said that you can't blame Xiao Xiu.”
"It's fine. Go ahead."
"Your Majesty, do you actually know where the King of Qin is? She also knew what the King of Qin wanted to do. A few days ago, after Fang Xuanling and his wife were beheaded, His Majesty ordered people to send their heads to the Eastern Capital. However, His Majesty did not kill them. Did the Empress still think that His Majesty was really that kind of ruthless Emperor?”
The palace maid's words made Zhangsun Wugou frown."But there are so many people in Prince Qin's Mansion. How can you explain this?”
"If Hou Junji hadn't killed so many people in the Qi King's estate, would His Majesty have done this?”
As soon as Little Xiu finished speaking, Zhangsun Wugou felt as if something was stuck in his throat, unable to make a sound for a long time.
" Your Highness, this servant knows that you have a good relationship with the King of Qin. However, my mother has told me since I was young that the lives of the people in the royal family are not their own. Be it men or women, they are all bound by the powerful. Therefore, my mother asked me to serve the King of Qin and Your Highness well after entering the palace because she feels that the people in the royal family are the most pitiful, regardless of whether they are in glory or in dire straits..."
Little Xiu acted like a great philosopher, which made Zhangsun Wugou particularly surprised."Where is your mother now?"
"The year I entered Prince Qin's mansion as a maid, she…she became a nun.”Little Xiu's eyes inadvertently glistened with tears.
Upon seeing this, Zhangsun Wugou slowly pulled him into his embrace and patted his back.""Your mother is right. How can the people of the royal family have any freedom? If I die, the only thing I can't let go of is Lizhi. But if I don't die…His Majesty will never forgive me.”
"Niangniang, you…you really don't want to marry His Majesty as a concubine?”
The innocent Xiao Xiu couldn't figure it out. She frowned and said,"I know that the niangniang is afraid of apologizing, but why does this servant feel that the niangniang also likes His Majesty?”
"Nonsense!"
Zhangsun Wugou was so frightened that his face sank. He looked around before lowering his voice and pretending to be angry."I've been following second brother since I was young. We've been husband and wife for ten years now. Why…"
"Niangniang, ever since His Majesty came last time, the smile on your face has increased a lot.”
As soon as Little Xiu finished speaking, Li Lizhi, who was five or six years old, rushed over with her little feet and burrowed into Zhangsun Wugou's arms."Mother, mother, why hasn't Imperial Uncle come to see us yet? Lizhi misses Uncle Huang."
“……”
"Don't you miss Father?" Zhangsun Wugou was stunned.”
"Yes!"
Li Lizhi's voice was childish as she blinked her big eyes and said,"But I feel that Imperial Uncle is the same as Father, and Father is not by my side now…Mother, can you take me to Imperial Uncle? Mother…"
Lizhi, don't mess around."
Zhangsun Wugou was shocked and quickly grabbed hold of her. Li Lizhi suddenly struggled with all her might." Mother, I want to see Imperial Uncle. I don't care. Mother…Sob, sob, sob. Father isn't here, and you won't let me see Imperial Uncle…"
Lizhi, don't cry!"
In an instant, Zhangsun Wugou was at a loss. He took a deep breath and looked at the palace maid."Xiao Xiu, take Lizhi out for a walk. His Majesty might be busy with government affairs. Don't disturb him.”
"Yes!"
Xiao Xiu nodded and held Li Lizhi's hand.""Princess, shall we go find His Majesty?”
"Good!"
Li Lizhi staggered and followed the palace maid out.
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