flstandardbreds Chapter 166 His Background
Chapter 166 His Background
Xin Moyan gently stroked the ring, her heart heavy. It seemed it could never be returned to its rightful owner...
"Mo'er, tomorrow the envoys from various countries will come to the palace to present gifts. It will be a very lively occasion. You must come."
"Uncle Xie, will you show up?"
"Of course!"
Xie Cangming squinted slightly, stretched out his well-defined fingers and rubbed his temples, his tone revealing a hint of weariness.
"I am the Imperial Preceptor of Yuanqi. I must attend the National Assembly, and I also have to preside over the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven the day after tomorrow!"
Xin Moyan nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "Uncle Xie, do you usually tell fortunes for His Majesty and predict the fate of the nation for Yuan Qi?"
"Ah."
Xie Cangming seemed to suddenly realize something, his eyes snapped open, and he quickly asked, "Mo'er, what is your relationship with His Majesty?"
"Your Majesty? How is your relationship?"
"How good is it?"
"I think His Majesty is very approachable! Every time he speaks to me, he is always gentle and kind, not fierce at all."
A look of disbelief flashed in his eyes. "Mo'er, you actually said he's not fierce? He's actually very friendly?"
"Yes! Actually, I haven't had much contact with His Majesty, but he's been very kind to me these past few times when I've come to the palace, and he's even given me gifts from time to time!"
Xie Cangming's lips instantly pursed into a straight line. He then got up, walked to the fence, and looked up at the azure sky.
"Mo'er, His Majesty is a dragon among men."
“Uncle is right.” Xin Moyan completely agreed. She had carefully reviewed the entire process, realizing that while things seemed like everyone was working together in the Hall of Diligent Governance, in reality, the entire situation was under the emperor's control, possibly including her own…
Perhaps it was because her cousin, the emperor, was so wise, resourceful, and capable of employing talented people that the Yuan brothers had such a good relationship! Lou Shenghan and his brother also served him wholeheartedly and without any ulterior motives.
Xie Cangming turned around, gave her a meaningful look, and smiled, "Mo'er, Your Majesty is so young, handsome, and has such an extraordinary bearing. Have you ever thought about kicking out Xuan Yuan and becoming his empress?"
"Huh?" Xin Moyan thought she was hallucinating and looked at Xie Cangming blankly without saying a word.
"Mo'er, Emperor Yuan's strength is comparable to Xuan Yuan's!"
"..."
Xin Moyan's lips twitched slightly again. "Uncle, didn't you just say it was a preordained marriage? Why are you pointing the finger at His Majesty? Besides, discussing the monarch in private is punishable."
"Hehe~ Uncle asked casually. After all, His Majesty's conditions are indeed excellent. If Mo'er becomes the Empress, perhaps Uncle can also benefit from Mo'er's glory!"
She sighed and explained helplessly, "Uncle Xie, with your status and position, why would you need to benefit from my influence? Besides, His Majesty is still my cousin. You can't play matchmaker, and you can't mention it in front of outsiders in the future. If someone with ulterior motives hears it, my brother and I will definitely suffer."
"So what if he's a cousin? Marriage between cousins has been common since ancient times. Besides, your brother is a great general, which is actually more beneficial to Emperor Yuan's administration!"
"Thank you, Uncle Xie~" Xin Moyan frowned, seemingly not liking what he said.
"Alright, alright! If Mo'er doesn't want to hear it, I won't say it. I never expected... that Mo'er is so deeply in love with Xuan Yuan!"
"No way! Uncle is just talking nonsense." Xin Moyan denied his statement with great pride, her face full of insincerity.
Xie Cangming found himself increasingly fond of her, and said indulgently, "Then please take it as Uncle talking nonsense and calm down, Mo'er."
Hearing this comical tone, Xin Moyan was suddenly struck by a laugh and covered her mouth, giggling.
"Hehe~ You little rascal, you're making fun of your uncle."
As she smiled, she suddenly realized that she had been here for a long time and that her brother was probably already waiting for her at Yongning Palace. She quickly stood up, clapped her hands, and said, "Uncle Xie, I had a great time chatting with you today. My brother and I had agreed to go see our aunt. Let's meet again another day!"
After saying that, she prepared to go downstairs, but Xie Cangming stopped her with his hand.
“Mo’er, it’s rare for you to come to Feiying Palace. You’ve only been here for a short while and you want to leave? Your uncle doesn’t agree.”
"Uncle Xie, my aunt is waiting for me at Yongning Palace!"
"Hey~ You often visit the Empress Dowager in the palace, so this won't make a difference. Your uncle has prepared plenty of fresh fruits and delicacies in Feiying Hall. Listen to me, come with your uncle for a stroll in Feiying Hall!"
Xie Cangming didn't give her a chance to refuse. He took her wrist and led her down from Tian Shu Tower. He already knew about it when the two siblings entered the palace, so he specially ordered people to prepare a room full of delicious food and even went to the path to guard Mo'er himself!
Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, everyone was stunned to hear that the Imperial Preceptor had appeared and taken Xin Moyan away. The court affairs had already been discussed, and Lou Xiaobao was asleep, so Lou Shenghan did not linger and took his son out of the palace to return home. Xin Moling did not go to Yongning Palace with Yuan Huailie and his brother. She was planning to go to Feiying Palace to find her sister, but was stopped by Yuan Huaijun.
"Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?"
"Ah Ling, there's no need for such formalities between us in private."
"Your Majesty is no longer the Crown Prince cousin of yesteryear, but the ruler of a nation. Mo Ling should restrain himself and return to propriety, for there is a clear distinction between ruler and subject."
His brows furrowed suddenly, and he sighed helplessly, "I wish you would still call me cousin, so we wouldn't be so distant."
Upon hearing this, Xin Moling's slightly furious expression gradually softened. "Whether you are His Majesty or my cousin, to me you are still Lord Yuan Huai."
"Hehe~" A handsome smile curved his lips, and he slightly raised his phoenix eyes, revealing a hint of satisfaction.
"Ah Ling, you should know why I kept you here."
He pondered for a moment, his expression growing increasingly calm and composed. "Your Majesty wishes to inquire about... the matter of Prince Xuan delivering gifts to our door yesterday."
"Yes, not only you, but he also knows I'm watching him. But why is he being so blatant this time? What's his intention?"
He didn't rush to answer Yuan Huaijun's question, nor did he want to. Instead, he calmly met Emperor Yuan's inscrutable, probing gaze.
"Your Majesty, what exactly is going on between Yuan Huaixuan and the Yelan Kingdom? Especially in recent years, the Ye Emperor has become increasingly arrogant, and he frequently sends troops to raid the border. According to Qingque's report, Yelan seems to have spies in the capital."
"Ah Ling wants to know?"
Xin Moling leaned back in his chair unhurriedly, his handsome, moon-like brows unable to conceal the chilling and murderous intent. If he didn't thoroughly investigate Yuan Huaixuan's background, he would absolutely not agree to Yan'er liking that person, let alone... getting married!
“Your Majesty, I know that Prince Xuan is not close to the royal family, but he is very respectful to his aunt. However, I heard that when Consort Xuan was brought back to the palace by the late Emperor, she was already six months pregnant?”
"Hehe~ This is probably not something Ah Ling heard from, but something she investigated for a long time, right?"