Go—Bring her to the Ganlu Palace (2)

Who knew, a few days later, the news came out that Zhao Yanzhou had been transferred to the East Palace. At first, she thought that Xiao Yu was looking at her and did not want to let her only relatives be transferred too far, and knowing that Zhao Yanzhou was indeed talented, he specifically allowed him to work for the Crown Prince’s family.

But for several days, Zhao Yanzhou kept excusing himself on the basis that he was sick. She was worried and went to visit in person. Only then did she know that her talented and bright cousin had become a eunuch!

She felt extremely guilty and wanted to question Xiao Yu in person, but he endured the pain that came from a wound not yet healed to stop her and only said that everything was of his own accord.

He never said that all this was done by Xiao Yu, but she knew in her heart that apart from Xiao Yu’s persecution, there was nothing else that could make a young and vigorous man suffer this kind of catastrophe!

In the past two years, she did not dare to mention this matter, and kept a distance from him at all times for fear of causing him another disaster. Fortunately, Xiao Yu gave him the last iota of face and did not tell others about his castration. He still allowed him to serve in the residences of the Crown Prince as an ordinary person.

Now, as long as she thought of this incident, the hatred in her heart would increase even more!

Zhao Yanzhou looked at her reddish eyes, and his indifferent, pale face finally fluctuated. He sighed lightly and said, “A’Ning, people will always change. Brother is feeling fine now. As long as I live, as long as I keep A’Ning safe, everything will be fine.”

Chu Ning looked at him, her eyes full of tears and pity. “But Brother should have a bright future… Brother, do you hate him?”

Zhao Yanzhou’s youthful but melancholy eyes flashed.

At the beginning, Xiao Yu forced him to make a choice, either to be a eunuch, or to leave Changan and never see her again. But she was his sister, and the only daughter of his aunt and uncle. When his uncle passed away, he swore in his heart that he would protect A’Ning. How could he stay away from her at this time?

It was a choice he made without any hesitation—even as a scorned, lowly eunuch, he would stay.

How could he not hate it? But he hated Xiao Yu’s sinister viciousness more, and hated himself, soft-spoken and powerless, even more than that.

He could only do his best to stay by her side and do everything she wanted.

“A’Ning, I just want you to be at peace.”

Chu Ning turned her face away, facing the folding screen next to her, trying to keep her tears at bay for a long time.

After a long while, she suddenly took a deep breath, resumed her previous tone, and asked, “How is everything going?”

Zhao Yanzhou moved his fingers hanging at his side, swallowed the bitterness in his heart, and replied in a deep voice, “Recently, I watched Xu Shidu’s daily movements and guessed that the prince might have the intention of secretly communicating with several generals near Huazhou.”

He reported a few names and asked, “Should the Queen Mother’s people know about this matter?”

He had told Chu Ning the clues he had seen before, but he would never do anything behind the scenes that would harm the interests of the prince. Now that he knew the true face of the prince, his actions would be a little different.

Chu Ning thought for a while, then shook her head and said, “There is no need to take risks.”

If Xiao Yu found out, Zhao Yanzhou would pay for it. She had other ways to do this.

Zhao Yanzhou brought up another thing, “A few days ago, Xu Shidu also deliberately paid attention to a few girls in the courtier’s family who were not yet eligible.”

As soon as these words came out, Chu Ning raised her eyebrows, “Does he want to take a concubine, or—?”

‘He’ naturally referred to Xiao Yu.

Zhao Yanzhou shook his head, “I don’t know if this is the meaning of the prince.”

“I see.” Chu Ning smiled but felt that this was somewhat in line with Xiao Yu’s actions.

The two talked about some trivial affairs in the East Palace, and it was not until half an hour later that Zhao Yanzhou retired.

At this time, it was nearly Youshi*, and the sunset on the horizon gradually sank. The golden-red rays of light touched the earth, strong and brilliant.

Chu Ning was in a very good mood today, especially because she had talked to Zhao Yanzhou, and she felt more at ease. After standing under the eaves and watching the sunset for a while, she went back to the house and ordered dinner.

The dinner was a hot hoto with a few side dishes. When Cui He personally delivered it, she whispered in her ear, “Ma’am, a chariot stopped in the Wude Hall.”

Chu Ning’s hand with chopsticks in it stopped in midair for a while, then she recovered her original state and pulled Cui He to sit on the other side to eat with her.

After the master and servant were full, as usual, they walked around the East Palace in the twilight to digest their food and did not return to the palace until the night was already dark. Then there was another session bathing and grooming, joking and joking, without the slightest hint of impatience.

…

In the Ganlu Hall, Xiao Kezhi had been sitting cross-legged on the couch since he came back. First, he was concentrating on reading today’s memorials, and now he was annotating them with a pen.

In the early winter, before the fire ditches had been dug, there was only a small charcoal basin in the house, which occasionally made a crackling sound.

The warm candlelight cast on the pen in his hand, leaving a slender shadow between the pages that swayed with the movement of writing, making him seem completely focused.

But Liu Kang, who was beside him, frequently lowered his head and wiped his forehead, as if he was anxiously waiting for something.

In the past half an hour, the Emperor’s eyes had drifted out to the door four times!

He knew what the Emperor was waiting for, but the door had been open all day and there was still no movement. In the evening, he was anxious, and privately arranged for someone to send a pair of chariots there. It was such a clear hint, but the other side of the East Palace still did not respond correctly.

He was so anxious right now that he even thought about whether to make someone go to the East Palace.

But the East Palace was no better than the Taiji Palace. There were many eyes and ears there, and if one was not careful, they would be discovered by others.

While hesitating, Xiao Kezhi, who had kept his head lowered, seemed to have noticed something was wrong with him. He frowned at him and said, “What’s the matter? You’re not paying attention.”

Liu Kang opened his mouth and didn’t know how to reply. There were hurried footsteps outside the hall. Then, the little servant standing by the door heard something and hurriedly approached to say a few words to him.

Liu Kang’s eyes lit up immediately, and he cupped his hands and said, “Everyone in the Hall of Wude—someone is here.”

Xiao Kezhi’s expression loosened, and he put down the pen in his hand and wanted to get up and go over. But after only taking two steps, he suddenly stopped, returned to his seat, and continued to write with his pen.

“Go, bring her to the Temple of Nectar.”