Chapter 48: Wanting You, Will You Give?

Cheng Xi was stunned. An imperial edict from the Empress Dowager?

Ever since the incident with Prince Jing last time, she had not seen the Empress Dowager again.

Why would the Empress Dowager send her an imperial edict?

Thinking of this, she turned her head to look at Yan Shengyu, only to see surprise on her face as well; she also turned to look at her, and their gazes collided.

"I went to pay my respects to my aunt yesterday and didn't hear her mention you. How is it that there is an imperial edict for you today?"

Seeing this, Cheng Xi knew that Yan Shengyu truly did not know, so she said with a smile, "I will know once I go and see."

"I'll go with you." Yan Shengyu immediately followed, saying as they walked, "I haven't come to find you recently because I've been entering the palace often. Prince Jing was just found and brought back, and he doesn't understand many things, so she asked me to look after him. Otherwise, I would have come to find you long ago."

Hearing this, Cheng Xi asked, "Is the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor really that rigid? I heard that after she brought Prince Jing back, she poured all her heart into him and still doesn't pay much attention to the Emperor."

Yan Shengyu sighed upon hearing this, "The Emperor was incited by Li Taifei for many years; even though Li Taifei is dead, the knot in their hearts cannot be untied in a short while."

Judging by the tone, Yan Shengyu was more inclined toward the Empress Dowager between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

Cheng Xi nodded slightly, "The Regent took the Emperor to Qinghe Academy for treatment. Is he better now that he has returned?"

Yan Shengyu shook her head, "I don't know about that. I am not very close to His Majesty either. Because of the Empress Dowager, His Majesty is also somewhat repulsed by the Yan Family."

Cheng Xi understood. No wonder Yan Yu took orders from the Empress Dowager; it was because the Yan Family could no longer rely on the path of the Emperor.

Yan Shengyu whispered her complaints to Cheng Xi, "I really don't know what to say. I always feel that it's not good for my brother to be the Pavilion Master of the Demon Suppression Pavilion, but the family supports it, and my brother himself is willing. Now that the Demon Suppression Pavilion and the Tongtian Division are at odds, I haven't had a single day of peace in my heart."

As they spoke, the two reached the front courtyard. Yan Shengyu recognized the person who had come to deliver the edict. The two exchanged a few words, and Yan Shengyu said to Cheng Xi, "This is Grand Steward Zhao Chang, who is by the Empress Dowager's side."

"This old servant pays respects to Eldest Miss Cheng."

"Steward Zhao, I wonder what imperial edict the Empress Dowager has?" Cheng Xi had no intention of making small talk with Zhao Chang; she only wanted to know what the Empress Dowager was planning.

Zhao Chang did not mind Cheng Xi's coldness; after all, this person was someone with real ability, and besides, she was only slightly cold, not looking down on him.

"The Empress Dowager wants to hold a Polo Match and would like to invite Eldest Miss Cheng into the palace to enjoy it together," Zhao Chang said with a smile.

"I am not very good at playing polo. I am afraid I will have to disappoint the Empress Dowager."

Before Cheng Xi could finish her polite refusal, she heard Zhao Chang say with a smile, "There are many people who play polo, but the Empress Dowager doesn't really keep the others in mind. She specifically instructed this old servant to invite Eldest Miss Cheng into the palace; even just sitting and watching would be fine."

Cheng Xi frowned slightly; it was difficult to refuse now. While she hesitated, she heard Yan Shengyu say to Zhao Chang, "Why does my aunt insist on Cheng Xi going? There are plenty of people in Jindu who can play polo. I will find a few more to go into the palace later."

Zhao Chang looked at Yan Shengyu and said with a smile, "Eldest Miss, this old servant does not dare to act on his own authority regarding this matter."

Yan Shengyu wanted to say something more, but Cheng Xi stopped her and looked at Zhao Chang, saying, "I will arrive on time tomorrow. Steward Zhao may return to report the order."

Zhao Chang was overjoyed, "Then this old servant will await Eldest Miss Cheng."

After Zhao Chang left, Yan Shengyu looked at Cheng Xi and said worriedly, "If you don't want to go, I will go and tell my aunt."

Cheng Xi smiled, "There is nothing that prevents me from going; I am just too lazy to move."

"Then I will accompany you tomorrow. I will come to pick you up tomorrow morning," Yan Shengyu added.

Cheng Xi did not refuse this time, "Alright, then I will trouble you."

"What kind of trouble is this?" Yan Shengyu was in a bad mood because of this matter and did not want to stay any longer. She also wanted to go back to scout for information, so she took her leave of Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi saw her out, and before she left, she had Mulan take a canister of the tea she drank to give to her.

This canister of tea was different from the ones given to Li Zhi'an and Jiang Boyu; it was more suitable for women to drink.

Before Yan Shengyu had even returned to the Dingguo Gongfu, the news that the Empress Dowager was holding a Polo Match tomorrow had already spread. Ever since the Demon Suppression Pavilion was established, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Little Emperor had become even more tense.

Now that the Empress Dowager wanted to hold a Polo Match, many people were weighing whether or not to participate.

The Little Emperor had not yet personally taken charge of the government, so naturally, there was nothing to fear, but the Regent stood behind the Little Emperor, and the Regent's son, Li Zhi'an, controlled the Tongtian Division; they dared not offend them easily.

Before they could decide what to do, the Empress Dowager's imperial edict was passed on to many noble families. Now there was no choice; they had to go whether they wanted to or not.

"Eldest Miss, to participate in the polo match, should this servant go buy a polo mallet?" Jinxiang stepped forward to ask.

Cheng Xi shook her head, "The palace should provide them; we shall see when the time comes. Since I already said I am not very good at it, perhaps I won't go on the field."

The sky was growing late, dusk was gathering, and the gate of the Du Mansion was knocked upon.

Zhao Kang soon came in to report, "Eldest Miss, Chief of Tongtian Li Zhi'an is here."

Cheng Xi heard the footsteps and looked up. Li Zhi'an was wearing a black casual robe today, embroidered with gold-threaded rolled-edge floral patterns. He was tall and straight, restrained and elegant.

Cheng Xi did not stand up; she tilted her head slightly to look at him and smiled, "Why have you come?"

Li Zhi'an placed the item in his hand in front of her, "I heard you are participating in tomorrow's polo gala."

Cheng Xi's eyes fell on the polo mallet on the table. The shaft was made of wood, the handle was made of rattan, covered with cowhide, and the shaft was painted with beautiful colors and carved with exquisite patterns.

"It's very beautiful," Cheng Xi praised.

"As long as you like it."

Cheng Xi was amused when she heard this, "Li Zhi'an, did you know that Yan Yu came to find me?"

Li Zhi'an sat down opposite Cheng Xi, and hearing her slightly teasing laughter, he nodded solemnly, "Yes."

Cheng Xi raised her eyebrows slightly and stared at him, "So, you came just to deliver the polo mallet?"

Li Zhi'an shook his head, "The Talisman you drew is very interesting. Why not go to the Tongtian Division and catch demons with me?"

Hearing this, Cheng Xi's expression turned somewhat cold, "Catch demons at the Tongtian Division? No interest."

"What are you interested in? Power? Status? Gold and silver? Whatever you want, you can have."

"Anything?" Cheng Xi stared at Li Zhi'an's sharp-featured, handsome face, "You, will you give it?"

After Cheng Xi finished speaking, she looked at Li Zhi'an and saw that his expression did not change, nor did he gasp; it seemed as if she had said something perfectly ordinary.

"Are you serious?" Li Zhi'an met Cheng Xi's gaze and spoke word by word.

Cheng Xi was, of course, not serious; she just wanted to tease him. But at this moment, hearing him say this, for some reason, she wanted to continue teasing him, so she nodded solemnly, "Such a matter is naturally serious."