Of course Zhang Jixiang didn't dare to tell the truth. He knelt down on the ground, not daring to look at Xiao Ce, let alone tell the truth: "I'm just afraid that one day I will be rejected by the emperor. I'm overthinking this."
"You haven't done anything wrong, how could I dislike you? Get up and don't think nonsense. If you still can't figure it out, go down and rest today." Xiao Ce said and waved his hand, indicating that Zhang Jixiang could leave.
Zhang Jixiang was grateful to his master for not asking any more questions, and walked away with slumped shoulders.
Qiu Shui looked at Zhang Jixiang's back and felt confused as to what had happened to Zhang Jixiang.
She knew that Zhang Jixiang went to Zhongcui Palace to express his goodwill to Concubine Xian, but why did Zhang Jixiang cry when he came back? Did something happen in Zhongcui Palace that made Zhang Jixiang worried?
"Do you know what happened to Jixiang?" Xiao Ce's voice awakened Qiu Shui's thoughts.
Qiu Shui shook his head and said, "I only know that Jixiang went out for a trip. As for where he went, who he met, or who influenced his mood, I don't know."
Xiao Ce pinched his eyebrows and said, "Be careful and pay more attention to him. If anything goes wrong, tell me as soon as possible."
"Yes, I understand. Is Your Majesty tired? Why don't you rest for a while before reviewing the papers?" Qiu Shui saw that his master was a little tired and asked hurriedly.
Xiao Ce looked at the pile of memorials in front of him: "There are many more, I'll be busy first."
Qiu Shui stopped talking nonsense and was busy studying ink. He also found time to pour tea and water.
When it was time to eat, she took some time and went to see Zhang Jixiang.
Zhang Jixiang was still in a state of wandering mind, and when he saw her coming, he showed no expression.
Qiu Shui found a seat and sat down: "The emperor is very concerned about you and asked you what happened."
"The emperor asked you to come?" Zhang Jixiang looked at Qiushui.
Qiu Shui told the truth: "I'm just curious about why you are so rude. Didn't you go to Zhongcui Palace to curry favor with Concubine Xian? Concubine Xian must treat you like an honored guest."
That being the case, why did Zhang Jixiang lose his mind?
Of course Zhang Jixiang would not tell the truth to Qiu Shui. He looked coldly: "This is what's on my mind. Why should I tell you, an outsider? If you have nothing else to do, you can leave. I see you are upset."
Seeing Zhang Jixiang's expulsion order, Qiu Shui also knew that this trip was in vain. She stood up and said: "No matter what happens, you must understand that our master is the emperor, and we should put the emperor first in everything."
She left these words and left.
Zhang Jixiang looked at Qiu Shui's back and sighed heavily.
Even Qiu Shui knows that the emperor comes first in everything, so how could he not know?
The request Liuli made was tantamount to asking him to betray the emperor. This was what made him angry.
In order to repay Concubine Xian's kindness, he could indeed find a way to reconcile the Emperor and Concubine Xian, but he could not use dirty tricks on the Emperor, otherwise he would not be able to live up to the Emperor's trust in him for so many years.
When he returned to Xiao Ce, Zhang Jixiang had returned to normal.
Xiao Ce didn't ask any more questions, which made Zhang Jixiang even more sure of one thing. The only person he wanted to be loyal to was the Long Live Lord, not the concubines in the harem.
Liuli thought that Zhang Jixiang would come to pay her respects to the Concubine Xian soon. However, after waiting for a long time, Zhang Jixiang still did not come to Zhongcui Palace. She remembered that Zhang Jixiang looked angry when he left last time. Was it because Zhang Jixiang was angry?
, will you never come to Zhongcui Palace again?
But she felt that the proposal was not a big loss to Zhang Jixiang. It was just the beauty of adulthood, so why be angry?
Maybe she could talk to Zhang Jixiang again and test Zhang Jixiang's thoughts.
It's just that she can't go looking for Zhang Jixiang rashly. After all, it is the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart, and there are many pairs of eyes staring at it.
On this day, Liuli finally took a chance and accompanied Wu Xirou to the Yangxin Palace.
It was still under her persuasion that Wu Xirou stewed the tonic soup and sent it to the Nourishing Heart Palace.
When Wu Xirou went to the Yangxin Hall, Xiao Ce was busy.
She was not in a hurry and signaled to everyone that there was no need to say anything, so she waited outside until Xiao Ce finished his work before entering.
"This is the soup stewed by my concubine. Your Majesty, please drink it while it's hot. No matter how busy you are, you must take care of your health..." Wu Xirou brought the soup to Xiao Ce as she spoke.
Looking at the steaming soup, Xiao Ce remembered that whenever he didn't eat on time in the past few days, Zhang Jixiang would use the note left by Qin Zhao to remind him of his meal.
"Your Majesty, don't just watch and drink." Wu Xirou reminded when Xiao Ce didn't speak.
Xiao Ce followed the instructions and took two sips before asking: "When did you come?"
"I just came here not long ago. I saw that the emperor was busy, so I waited outside so as not to disturb the emperor's business." Wu Xirou answered truthfully.
"Next time you come, just come in. As Zhao Zhao said, things are never finished." Xiao Ce unconsciously mentioned Qin Zhao.
Wu Xirou was also helpless, because Xiao Ce always remembered Qin Zhao in his heart, even at this time.
She knows that Xiao Ce treats her special, but this specialness has nothing to do with love between men and women. Even if Xiao Ce cares about her, is it just like friendship?
Her heart was dripping with blood, but she pretended not to care on her face: "Sister Qin's words always make sense. Has the Emperor visited Jinyang Palace recently? If Sister Qin doesn't take the initiative, the Emperor should take the initiative, otherwise there will be a stalemate like this.
If you go down, it will be the emperor who will suffer in the future. If the emperor has any need for help from me, I will be happy to help."
Xiao Ce was silent for a moment after listening: "I don't know how to please Zhao Zhao..."
"So the emperor wants to deal with it coldly?" Wu Xirou interrupted Xiao Ce.
It's no wonder that Qin Zhao doesn't want to talk to Xiao Ce. If it were her, she wouldn't be able to reconcile with Xiao Ce easily.
"I don't know what to do." Xiao Ce said the truth.
When he went to Jinyang Palace, Qin Zhao was unwilling to see him or talk to him. There was no problem at all in asking him to handle the memorial, but if he was asked to please Qin Zhao, he had no way of doing it.
"Let's do this. I will accompany the emperor to Jinyang Palace again. No matter what Sister Qin says, the emperor just agrees." Wu Xirou quickly made a decision.
Xiao Ce stood up silently: "Xianfei, thank you for helping me."
If he can reconcile with Qin Zhao, Wu Xirou will have a share of the credit.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to help the emperor. Your Majesty, please don't rush to express your thanks." Wu Xirou said hurriedly. She was still afraid that Xiao Ce would be happy now and be disappointed later.
In this way, Xiao Ce took Wu Xirou and went to Jinyang Palace.
Liuli deliberately fell behind and took the opportunity to wink at Zhang Jixiang.
Zhang Jixiang did not look at Liuli, but Qiu Shui saw Liuli winking at Zhang Jixiang and became suspicious.
Yes, when Zhang Jixiang lost his composure that day, he happened to come back from Zhongcui Palace. Could it be that something happened between Liuli and Zhang Jixiang?
She was confused, but she remained calm and decided to wait and see.
