Tang Zhuo Zhuo observed her complexion and nibbled on her lip in satisfaction as she spoke, “This is the reason why I have come today to offer you this good news; His Highness has decided to recall the Zhong family’s esteemed son to remain in the capital so that while he may have lost his position so suddenly, he will still have his loved ones by his side.
“This should provide Liangdi much relief and assurance.”
Having said this, Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s eyebrows rose upward. Her tone was light and it was easy for anyone to decipher her mood at the moment.
Zhong Yu was a straightforward and good-natured person. Huo Qiu had originally planned to demote him and Wang Yi to the remote border regions but those plans could not keep up with the ever changing situation. With so many events coming up at this time such as the preparations for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, there was a lack of available generals who were well-recognized.
It was better to have more people than less.
While it was Huo Qiu who made this decision, the person who wanted to seem like a good person in order to provoke Zhong Yuxi was Tang Zhuo Zhuo.
Hadn’t she begged her to intercede on her behalf while also aiming to drag her into dangerous waters? She, the unflattering Crown Princess who had always been domineering, should at least fulfill the wish of this comparatively more pleasing and beautiful lady.
Sure enough, the smile that Zhong Yuxi had strained to keep on her face quickly faded as she turned pale white. She could only hear her heartbeat pounding thunderously and feel an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.
“Your Highness is saying…… this concubine’s elder brother has been dismissed from his position?”
Zhong Yuxi had asked this question with great difficulty and yet Tang Zhuo Zhuo pursed her lips in a smile; it stung her eyes painfully.
“Though he may have been dismissed, it doesn’t disregard the possibility of his reinstatement. Liangdi should speak well with His Highness- even pillow talk can be useful in some way.”
Her last words were murmured and the smile on her face was as bright as the sun outside. It was only at this time that Zhong Yuxi suddenly reacted.
She had come to make a mockery of her!
This realization pierced her heart to bleeding, leaving her pained and angry.
To engage in pillow talk. His Highness….. He had yet to even draw close to her, so what pillow talk was there to be had?
Tang Zhuo Zhuo saw that her goal was met and did not want to linger around too long. Her jet-black eyebrows rose high and with her usual air of arrogance said, “His Highness told me that those close to Liangdi are all very obedient individuals. Be sure, then, to conduct this Yuxi Palace well so that even a fly cannot enter- only, do avoid breaking propriety.”
This was just a noble family’s way of keeping an orderly household as usual; which family’s concubine had servants who would dare to obstruct the main wife’s attendant at the door?
Not to mention that in this high-ranking family, regardless of a person’s rank prior to entering the family, even a person like Zhong Liangdi was only a concubine at the end of the day, and a concubine should abide by the rules.
There was clarity within Zhong Yuxi’s thoughts and yet, it was because of this that she felt the lump in her throat more prominently.
Was His Highness saying that she treated her people poorly and infringed on the rules?
No wonder…. The order for residential confinement was decided on so resolutely.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo took a good look at her and was about to step out of the hall doors when the eye-catching bedclothes caught her attention once more and her eyes darkened. “As to the bedclothes Liangdi is sewing, it would be best to refrain from sending it to His Highness.”
With these words, not only was An Xia stunned, but even the wily old fox, Zhang Desheng, was left dumb.
This was, at minimum, something Zhong Liangdi put her heart into for His Highness- it was not something any person should have a say in. Yet this person just had to be a frank and straightforward person.
Zhong Yuxi had just lifted her eyes when she heard Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s next, piercing words. “There are similar articles of bedclothes still hung within my palace and His Highness has yet to so much as touch them. I have been quite puzzled by its origins and now I know it was Liangdi’s embroidery work.”
Those words were akin to thin needles piercing every vital and vulnerable part* of Zhong Yuxi and leaving her bleeding. She clenched her teeth hard enough to splinter her silver tooth in her effort to keep herself from choking Tang Zhuo Zhuo in public.
T/L/N: 五脏六腑- refers to the most important organs of the body, the ‘five entrails and six organs’
Her reasoning still remained and Zhang Desheng was watching her from the side. If she caused conflict with Tang Zhuo Zhuo in this moment, then she may very well be the one to take on the blame.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo was only being arrogant because of her status as the Crown Princess. His Highness had suffered from her cold veneer at her side, would he remain doting towards her for long?
When Tang Zhuo Zhuo passed by her, a single phrase still made its way into her ears.
“Could Your Highness truly be planning to forget Wang Yi?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s pupils shrank and immediately, a look of disgust saturated the look in her eyes. Yet within Zhong Yuxi’s eyes, this reaction brought a sense of satisfaction.
Surely not forget. Tang Zhuo Zhuo could never possibly forget Wang Yi; this was the biggest advantage she could rely on!
This matter, of course, will naturally make its way to Huo Qiu through Zhang Desheng without missing a single word.
*
The man sat boldly atop the chair made of agarwood with eyes cast downwards and sword-like brows furrowed. Every gesture of his emitted a heavy aura and his whole body was shadowed in darkness.
“She said this?” Huo Qiu could imagine her small face with that finicky personality and unwillingness to suffer losses. His lips unconsciously lifted at the corners as laughter filled the depths of his eyes.
When Zhang Desheng saw this, he replied with a smile, “Her Highness also told Zhong Liangdi not to bother with sending you the sewn bedclothes, saying you have not worn them even once.”
Huo Qiu smiled deeply, the relief undulating within his chest as he stroked the enormous jade ring on his thumb. “That personality that refuses to suffer hardships.”
The fact that she has been behaving recklessly at his side without regard for his status, was the best he could hope for.
T/L/N: As in the fact that she is willing to show this side to him instead of having no reaction whatsoever, is an improvement and possibly a sign of her willingness to trust him.
“Hahaha, the Crown Princess’ temperament, doesn’t Your Highness already know of it?”
The man’s warm voice was heard from behind the bookshelf before the shadow of the person’s tall figure revealed itself before Huo Qiu’s eyes.
Huo Qiu rose from his seat with a rare smile on his face and even his voice held a certain degree of gentleness. “Hanjiang, I had predicted that you would return around this time.”
“The matters within Jiangbei have been taken care of and in fearing that things around Your Highness may go awry, I rushed to return.”
The visitor was illuminated with the candle’s faint light and revealed a part of his charming face.
It was the arrival of the impressive Liu Hanjiang.
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