Consort Xiao Xian felt eyeless.
Although Xiao’er grew up in the countryside, he was taught the same things he should have been taught. After a few encounters, she also knew that her nephew had inherited her brother-in-law’s strengths, both tactful and tender.
But she never expected that her nephew would be a wife slave.
Song Wan Yue added, “If he really does make this throne, I don’t want to marry him.”
Chu Yunxiao still nodded in agreement, his head nodding halfway before he reacted to what Song Wangyue had said, his handsome eyes fiercely widening.
“No, you can’t not marry me! I won’t be able to live without you.”
Xiao Xianfei covered her eyes.
The prince also turned his head.
He did not want to admit that the man in front of him was his own cousin, the real son of his valiant and martial Uncle Qinwang.
“Well, you two should stop acting in front of my eyes.”
Concubine Xiao Xian had a serious look, she had already done a lot for Xiao’er to ascend to the emperor’s throne and would not give up persuasion easily.
“Making Xiao’er the throne was not on my impulse, it has been since the day I entered the palace, I am not greedy for power and I do not want to bury myself in this palace, but if I want to get out of the palace, this is the only way. Xiao’er, for the sake of my aunt who has been trapped in this palace for many years, just say yes.”
Chu Yunxiao also straightened his expression and got up and knelt down towards Consort Xiao Xianxiao.
“Xiao’er thanks Aunt Mother for her dedication all these years, without you, Xiao’er does not know when he would have been able to vindicate Consort Mother and Father. Xiao’er also knows that aunt mother has worked hard all these years, if you are willing, when Yue’er and I are married, we will take you to live in the Qinwang Mansion for a long time.”
“As for the throne, Xiao’er will never agree to it. I was not acting just now, I will never marry Yue’er in my life, I will follow her wherever she goes and do whatever she wants to do. To me, titles and power are not as important as she is.”
“Besides, I have grown up in the countryside for more than ten years, and although I am not completely like a village man in the countryside, I have limited insight, so if I were to sit on the imperial throne, it would delay the development of the Great Qing Kingdom, and my cousin is the most suitable, he has the teachings of his uncle and the influence of his childhood.”
“Besides, I don’t like to be constrained. Even I have no intention of staying long in the Qin Wang Mansion, I promised Yue’er that I would accompany her on her travels around the world, and I ask my aunt to make it possible.”
After saying this, he bowed Avray.
Consort Xiao Xian hastily reached out to help.
“What are you doing? You don’t want to be on the throne if you don’t want to, auntie won’t force you, get up.”
“Xiao’er thanks his aunt.”
Consort Xiao Xian gave a start, reacting with hindsight to what she had said, and the words of contrition immediately reached her lips, but she swallowed them back.
Xiao’er and Yue’er were so determined, it was useless even if she tried to persuade them.
She cherished her nephew and would not ignore his wishes.
But ……
The outstretched hand withdrew.
“It’s fine if you don’t want the throne, but you must promise me one condition.”
Looking at her more serious expression, a bad premonition rose in Chu Yunxiao’s heart and he said stiffly, “Auntie, please speak.”
“You must join the court to assist the Crown Prince until the day he is truly able to handle the affairs of state.”
Chu Yunxiao wanted to refuse.
What he had just said was not a lie; he was used to being uninhibited, thinking that after he was married he would go to the countryside with Yue’er and live a life of husband and wife and idleness.
But he also knew that this was his aunt’s good intention.
It was not that she wanted to force him, but that she wanted him to truly hold up the Qin Wang House and not disgrace his father and mother.
“The day when the Crown Prince can truly handle the affairs of state is …… what Aunt Mother said?”
“After his big wedding.”
Chu Yunxiao breathed a sigh of relief, the Crown Prince was nine years old this year, and it was still only six years since he had married at fifteen, six years after that he would be able to accompany Yue’er on her travels around the world.
At this moment, Chu Yunxiao did not know that he had thought too simply, since Consort Xiao Xianfei wanted him to hold up the Qin Wang House, she would naturally not let him quit the court so early.
“Good, I shall do so.”
Concubine Xiao Xianfei let out a breath of relief without a trace, at that moment just now, she was really afraid that Xiao’er would refuse.
……
A new rumor came out in the capital an hour later that the rumor about the late emperor wanting King Qin to inherit the throne was false, and was spread by the descendants of the family killed by King Qin during the palace turmoil, in order to drive a wedge between the crown prince and Chu Yunxiao, then centrifuge them, and finally turn against them.
The rumour spread quickly, spreading throughout the capital in half an hour, completely drowning out the earlier rumours.
……
A few days later, Master Chu took Song San and his party to escort the Song family into the city.
“Song San, you escort the people there.”
Leaving this behind, Master Chu galloped his horse towards the Qin Wang Mansion.
For more than ten years, she had quietly made a trip to King Qin’s residence every year, but never as openly as this time.
It was her home, a record of all her happiness, and how many times she had returned there in her dreams, laughing happily and running carefree.
There were always two gentle voices in her ears instructing her, too
“Slow down, you’re not well enough to run so fast.”
Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face.
She didn’t bother to wipe them away, but kept on whip-hauling the horse.
Closer, closer.
She saw the stone lions still standing majestically and proudly in front of the gate, and then the majestic gate with the words “Qinwangfu” shining in the sunlight on the plaque above.
Everything was the same as before, nothing had changed at all.
But the King and the Princess were never to return.
Master Chu stopped his horse and quietly looked at what was happening in front of him.
Hu Yong came out of the gate and froze for a moment when he saw her sitting on her horse, then stepped forward, “Miss, who are you looking for?”
Master Chu looked to him.
The drapery shifted.
Hu Yong’s heart suddenly stirred and his eyes snapped open, “You, you are Chu, Miss Chu?”
“General Hu?”
“It’s me.”
Hu Yong was overjoyed, he did not expect that after so many years, Miss Chu would still remember him.
His voice shook a little with excitement, “When did you, when did you come?”
“Just arrived.”
In reply, Master Chu dismounted, hitched the reins casually on his horse’s back and walked towards the inside.
Forgetting what he was going to do, Hu Yong hurriedly followed.
“It’s not quite back to its former state inside, but it’s cleared out by half a dozen percent, and Miss Chu’s side of the courtyard has been restored ……”
Master Chu paused in his steps.
Her courtyard had been decorated by the king at the time, and then personally decorated for her again after the king consort had passed over, so many years had passed that it had long since fallen into disrepair, and even if it was restored it would not be the original look.
Hu Yong was so preoccupied with talking that he didn’t see her stop in her tracks and almost bumped into her, but fortunately he was a martial arts practitioner who had been practising for years and was so responsive that he was able to stop for a moment.
Only after Master Chu continued to walk inside did he rush to follow her again.
Butler Gu was busy inside.
If he hadn’t finished cleaning up, he would have wanted to stay here.
As soon as he looked up and saw Master Chu coming, he hurriedly put down the work he was doing and came over quickly, “Miss, you’re here.”