Chapter 98

Chief Eunuch flustered went to pick up, sharp-eyed Mu Yuanzhi immediately saw that both of these wedding handkerchiefs were clean.

One of them was placed on the bridal bed by the matchmaker, which she naturally recognized; the other, needless to say, was Pei Yunxi's.

But why was Pei Yunxi's also clean? She didn't understand.

At that moment, a large hand reached out and also helped to pick up.

"Oh no need to trouble yourself, I, your servant, can pick it up myself—" the Chief Eunuch's words trailed off mid-sentence, because the one helping him pick up was Xiao Yichen!

Only saw Xiao Yichen pick up the handkerchief belonging to Pei Yunxi, slowly place it into the box, and his originally still black eyes, when they turned toward Mu Yuanzhi, became blazing hot.

He did it on purpose, as if afraid she wouldn't see clearly!

What does he mean by this?!

Mu Yuanzhi looked away in disgust, not wanting to meet Xiao Yichen's gaze.

He must be sick!

Either his body is ill or his mind is ill!

In short, he's sick!

Mu Yuanzhi silently cursed him repeatedly in her heart.

The Chief Eunuch only concerned himself with the handkerchief matter, not noticing the strange atmosphere; he embarrassingly glanced at Mu Yuanzhi, then accompanied with a smile: "Your servant is in a hurry to handle affairs for the Father Emperor, bumped into the Princess, please forgive me, Princess."

Mu Yuanzhi casually curled the corner of her mouth and smiled: "It's fine, Eunuch, go attend to your duties."

The Chief Eunuch also nodded to Xiao Yichen before leaving.

As soon as he left, Xiao Yichen stepped forward: "Yuanzhi."

Mu Yuanzhi retreated several steps in succession, very wary.

Having learned from two experiences, she must stay as far away from him as possible!

The heat in his eyes did not diminish, also mixed with a few strands of emotion that Mu Yuanzhi could not read, he was about to speak when the returning Chief Eunuch interrupted: "Look at my memory, this time I came to find Prime Minister Xiao for you! The Father Emperor urgently wants to see you."

"Since the Father Emperor wants to see Prime Minister Xiao, I'll come back later." Mu Yuanzhi took the opportunity to stride away, not wanting to stay in the same space as Xiao Yichen.

"Princess, take your time." The Chief Eunuch turned back, guided Xiao Yichen, and suddenly discovered he was actually staring at Mu Yuanzhi's back, without reacting.

This...

The Chief Eunuch's heart jolted, and he quickly called out: "Prime Minister Xiao!"

Xiao Yichen then came to his senses, saying: "Thank you for the trouble, Eunuch, for guiding the way."

The Chief Eunuch let out a barely perceptible sigh, saying: "The Father Emperor is very angry today; Prime Minister, you had better not provoke his wrath later."

He has made it this clear, hoping that Prime Minister Xiao will understand.

Xiao Yichen grunted in his throat, "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch."

He entered Xuanshi Hall; the palace attendants inside had already been dismissed; the Emperor seemed to have been waiting a little impatiently, and upon seeing him, his expression was not good.

Xiao Yichen performed the ceremonial bow and greeting; the Emperor, without letting him speak, asked: "I have heard that Minister Xiao is injured—is this true?"

"Just a minor injury; thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yichen did not mention the incident of Gu Rongjin sneaking into the Princess's residence last night, because the culprit hadn't been caught; speaking of it would be inappropriate and would make the Emperor think him useless.

"Yesterday was the auspicious day of your wedding with Xi'er; why were you injured? Why didn't you call an imperial physician?" the Emperor narrowed his eyes, his gaze full of inquiry.

Xiao Yichen had already prepared his excuse, saying: "I drank too much and accidentally fell; it's not something honorable, so I did not disturb the imperial physician."

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, gave a noncommittal "oh", and said: "So this is your excuse for neglecting Xi'er?"

The tone was neither light nor heavy, yet it struck his nerves hard; he hurriedly lowered his head: "I am at fault."

"You are indeed guilty." The Emperor descended from the jade steps: "I have pardoned your great crime, because you are Xi'er's Prince Consort, also a senior official of the court, my left and right hand."

The memorial in his hand fell onto Xiao Yichen's shoulder; this memorial seemed to weigh a thousand jin, pressing so hard that Xiao Yichen could barely breathe.

He knew the Emperor was referring to his previous collusion with the Crown Prince to deceive and abduct Mu Yuanzhi.

"I, your servant, have received your grace, Your Majesty, and am overwhelmed with gratitude." Xiao Yichen's forehead broke out in cold sweat.

The Emperor snorted coldly: "Since you know the favor, Minister, do not be foolish again; Xi'er is now your sister-in-law, also the consort of the Pingnan Wang's heir; do not harbor designs on her!"

He certainly could see Xiao Yichen's thoughts; he had always turned a blind eye, but now that Xi'er had entered the Xiao Family, he could not let her suffer injustice.

Xiao Yichen: "The Pingnan Wangfu will soon cease to exist."

The Emperor instead gave a light chuckle: "In that case, Minister, have you already found solid evidence? Don't try to fool me again with a jade hairpin, making the Pingnan Wang run for nothing."

As he went on, the Emperor intensified his tone.

Xiao Yichen clasped his hands: "I will surely devote my liver and brains to the cause!"

"What a splendid devotion of liver and brains." The Emperor set aside the memorial in his hand and promised: "If you can smoothly assist me in weakening all the vassal kings, I will surely reward you handsomely."

"I thank Your Majesty's great grace." Xiao Yichen thought to himself that he did not want rewards; he only needed one person.

As long as when the time comes to discuss merits and rewards, he brings it up again, the Emperor will be pleased and certainly agree.

Once the Pingnan Wangfu and Gu Rongjin disappear, Yuanzhi will return to his side.

Xiao Yichen exited Xuanshi Hall in high spirits, but his smile hadn't lasted long before being ruined by someone coming toward him.

"Good morning, Prime Minister Xiao."

Gu Rongjin swaggered into the palace just like that, and even gave him a bright smile.

"Gu Rongjin, how dare you openly appear here?!" Xiao Yichen's face turned extremely grim.

"Why not? As the heir, appearing here naturally is to have an audience with the Emperor; isn't that strange?" Gu Rongjin chuckled, clicking his tongue: "As for Prime Minister Xiao, still able to jump around lively—looks like the beating he took has already healed, how wonderful!"

"You!" Xiao Yichen's face was icy: "Seize him! Take down Gu Rongjin!"

He shouted the order.

"Come? What people? Who dares to move the heir?" Gu Rongjin looked at the guards coming from all directions, pointed to Xuanshi Hall, and said: "The heir is about to go in to render great service; I advise you not to be ungrateful, otherwise later the Emperor will settle accounts, and one or two of you will end up imprisoned in the Imperial Court of Justice."

"Great service?" Xiao Yichen snorted coldly: "Fine, I'd like to see what great service the heir intends to render."

"Watch closely, don't blink." Gu Rongjin strode forward and pushed open the doors of Xuanshi Hall; no one stopped him.

Xiao Yichen really was standing here waiting; about one double-hour later, Gu Rongjin came out from inside, smiling at him with a radiant complexion: "Prime Minister Xiao really is waiting here? Aren't you in a hurry to go home and see your lovely lady? I, the prince, can't wait to go back and fetch my wife to bring her home."

"The Emperor promised to let Yanzhi return to Pingnan Wangfu?" Xiao Yichen couldn't believe it—what on earth did Gu Rongjin do?!