The emperor had long heard that Wu Xiyu had become more and more favored by the prince recently. He had talked to the prince three times. Xiao Ce meant that she was just a woman. Doting more or less would not affect the big things.
After meeting the saint for the first time, Xiao Ce ignored Wu Xiyu for two days and went to other gardens in the East Palace to walk around, but soon returned to his old ways.
After meeting the saint for the second time, Xiao Ce ignored Wu Xiyu for a day, and then asked Wu Xiyu to serve him the next day, inseparable.
After meeting the saint for the third time, Xiao Ce didn't even want to show off, and still showed great favor to Wu Xiyu.
This disappointed the emperor.
In the past, the prince would not be dazzled by beauty, but now it is just the opposite. It seems that he can't live without Wu Xiyu. This is why he decided to punish the Wu family severely. He hopes that the prince can restrain himself.
However, during a big festival like the Mid-Autumn Festival, the prince still took Wu Xiyu with him. During this period, he took great care of Wu Xiyu, which made the emperor not only dissatisfied with Wu Xiyu, but also with Concubine Wu.
At the flower-appreciation banquet, Wu Xiyu overshadowed He Liangdi, which attracted the attention of many of Gaoming's wives. Everyone felt that although Wu Xiyu was not the princess, she was more favored than the princess.
Only Wu Xiyu herself knew that Xiao Ce's love for her was only superficial, and it was for everyone to see.
At first she was complacent, but it was not until later that she realized that the only one who was actually sleeping with her was Qin Zhao. Although she didn't want to believe this fact, she finally saw her situation clearly.
She was just doing it in the name of being favored, especially after she used Li Chenghui's help to spread rumors that Qin Zhao and Yu's cousin were no longer connected, and Xiao Ce alienated Qin Zhao, all this was just for the emperor to see.
Xiao Ce pushed her to the most conspicuous position, so the emperor would be dissatisfied with her and the Wu family, so the second uncle and his family were exiled, and her father was demoted.
The Wu family suffered this calamity all thanks to Qin Zhao.
No one knew that she was smiling, but there was bone-gnawing hatred in her heart.
She not only hates Qin Zhao, but also hates Xiao Ce. She obviously doesn't like her, but she still pretends to be deeply affectionate for her.
This is the man she would rather be a concubine than insist on marrying, but all she gets is calculation.
If it were Cousin Yu, he would definitely not do such a cruel thing to her. Cousin Yu only has her in his heart and only loves her. Why did she abandon Cousin Yu and choose Xiao Ce in the first place?
At the flower-appreciation banquet, Wu Xiyu felt uncomfortable when she saw the admiring looks in everyone's eyes. Later, she excused herself because she felt unwell and wanted to leave early.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Ce immediately left He Liangdi and accompanied Wu Xiyu to leave the banquet venue.
Of course, this matter was noticed by the emperor, but Wu Xiyu himself felt powerless.
After returning to the East Palace, Wu Xiyu saw that Xiao Ce was still by her side and thought that the prince's drama was very good.
"I would like to hold a small party in the East Palace. After all, it is the Mid-Autumn Festival and the other sisters cannot go home for reunion. If we can have a lively and lively event tonight, the sisters will definitely be very happy. What do you think, Your Highness?" Wu Xiyu said beautifully.
He looked at Xiao Ce with bright eyes.
She had already made this plan and wanted to take action tonight. If it could come true, even with Xiao Ce protecting him, Qin Zhao would never want to stay in the East Palace again.
"You are not feeling well, why don't you take a good rest?" Xiao Ce looked indifferent, not impatient with Wu Xiyu, and of course he would not be as affectionate towards Wu Xiyu as outsiders said.
"I'm not feeling unwell, but I'm homesick during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Don't you, Your Highness, dote on me on weekdays? Why don't Your Highness agree to such a small request from me?" Wu Xiyu's beautiful eyes quickly condensed with tears,
He met Xiao Ce's eyes with resentment.
Xiao Ce saw Wu Xiyu crying, and after pondering for a moment, he agreed to Wu Xiyu's request.
"I didn't make any preparations in advance. I was afraid that there would be some omissions in holding a temporary party." In fact, Xiao Ce had other questions in his mind, why Wu Xiyu suddenly wanted to hold a Mid-Autumn Festival party in the East Palace.
"There are not so many things to pay attention to in the East Palace. Just prepare some fruit snacks and gather together at dinner to celebrate the festival. Don't worry, Your Highness, I will handle this matter well and live up to Your Highness's expectations. Your Highness, please go and do your work first.
I’m going to get ready now, I believe half a day will be enough to get ready.” Wu Xiyu swept away her previous decadence, and her tears disappeared in an instant.
After Xiao Ce left Wangqiu Pavilion, he frowned slightly and vaguely felt that Wu Xiyu looked a little strange today.
He turned to look at Qiu Shui, who was standing aside.
Qiu Shui has performed well recently, and his work has won his heart. In his opinion, Qiu Shui has become more and more calm and sophisticated, and is on par with Nian Su, which is beyond his expectation.
Of course, he did not forget that Qiu Shui was sent here by Concubine Wu.
"Qiushui, do you think Wu Liangyuan just wants to hold a party tonight?" Xiao Ce asked quietly.
Qiu Shui carefully recalled some of the subtle changes in Wu Xiyu recently, and she boldly replied: "I feel that Wu Liangyuan has had some small changes recently. At first, Wu Liangyuan was very happy when she came to see His Highness. Recently, Wu Liangyuan rarely smiled and seemed to have something on her mind. Today
He suddenly said that he wanted to hold a party in the East Palace. This was also very sudden, and I thought it was unusual."
"Really?" Xiao Ce was a little surprised.
He rarely pays attention to Wu Xiyu's emotions. After all, he has no good impression of the Wu family, so naturally he doesn't know the detailed changes in Wu Xiyu's emotions.
Could it be that Wu Xiyu discovered his true intention?
If this is the case, Wu Xiyu gathered everyone in the East Palace tonight to plot something, or someone, for example - Qin Zhao?
Just thinking of Qin Zhao's name made Xiao Ce's heart soften...
When Qin Zhao heard that Wu Xiyu was going to gather everyone in the East Palace and hold a small Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet, her first reaction was—Wu Xiyu had so many things going on.
"It's her business to hold a Mid-Autumn Festival party, and I don't necessarily have to support her. Baoyu, go ahead and refuse." After Qin Zhao finished speaking, he planned to take a nap.
Although Baoyu had doubts, she went to tell Ziyuan about Qin Zhao's decision not to attend the party.
Wu Xiyu did not expect Wu Xiyu to visit him in person soon, and said to Qin Zhao sincerely: "Sister must attend, and all the other sisters will attend. If I am the only one who does not attend this Mid-Autumn Festival gathering, I am afraid that His Highness will blame me."
"You can blame me if you want. I might as well take a rest early for attending such a boring party." Qin Zhao said and yawned: "I want to take a nap. Sister, if you have nothing else to do, please do so."
Wu Xiyu shook her head and said: "If my sister does not attend the party, it will be my sister's dereliction of duty. There are two Liangdi sisters in the East Palace. According to Sister Qin's noble status, there is no reason not to participate. I must complete the errands assigned by His Highness.
If my sister doesn’t participate, I won’t leave until my sister agrees.”
