Ji Lingxue waved her hand, "I understand. You should send a message to Ruge so that he won't worry about me."
She accidentally entered the secret prison today and released Xiao Yimo. Although Xiao Yichen did not blame her openly, he might have been testing her intentionally. She had to perform well no matter what.
At that time, she just wanted to leave the palace as soon as possible, but she didn't expect Xiao Yimo to have complicated thoughts and frame her.
As soon as An Ge left, Ji Lingxue stood in front of the window again, staring at the moon in a daze.
Yiyun and Linglan stood in front of the gate of Chenhua Palace, looking at the palace without lights, wondering whether Ji Lingxue was inside.
Linglan, who was carrying a food box, reminded: "Master..."
Yiyun waved his hand and said, "Let's go back." Then he turned and left.
Ji Lingxue pricked up her ears to listen to the motives outside and sighed softly.
Xiao Yichen did not return to Chenhua Palace that night. Ji Lingxue lay on the table and watched the east window being illuminated by the sun. She slowly moved her numb arms. At this time, there was a knock on the door and the eunuch's voice sounded: "Queen, are you up?"
Queen? Why did she find the title ironic
Ji Lingxue responded: "Come in!"
The eunuch pushed the door open and entered. After bowing to Ji Lingxue, he said, "The emperor has ordered that the queen come to the imperial study." He paused and continued, "I have brought a maid to dress her up. The queen does not need to worry about her appearance."
Only then did Ji Lingxue realize that she was still wearing the dirty palace maid's uniform, which smelled a bit after a night.
"Thank you!" Ji Lingxue smiled and turned around and walked behind the screen.
A quarter of an hour later, when Ji Lingxue came out from behind the screen again, she was wearing luxurious palace clothes. Although it was not the queen's court dress, it showed her dignity.
The eunuchs were also stunned for a moment after seeing Ji Lingxue's new clothes. It was true that clothes make the man. They didn't expect that the queen was three points more beautiful than Concubine Yun after simple makeup.
Led by the eunuch, Ji Lingxue walked into the imperial study. Yesterday, she was called away by the guards in the middle of chatting with Xiao Yichen. It seemed that something troublesome had happened since she did not return home all night.
Xiao Yichen sat back in his chair, pinching his temples with his fingers, looking exhausted. He raised his eyelids when he heard footsteps and said, "There's bird's nest porridge on the table."
Ji Lingxue tilted her head. The jade cup was placed on the table beside her. Ji Lingxue sat down and started eating, not forgetting to ask, "Have you eaten yet?"
After waiting for a while without hearing a reply, Ji Lingxue turned to look at Xiao Yichen, who was sitting behind the desk and staring at her in the same way. Ever since Ji Lingxue faked her death and escaped, there seemed to be a gap between them, and even simple condolences were distant. I wonder if it was because Xiao Yichen was the emperor at the moment.
Xiao Yichen curled the corner of his mouth and said, "I didn't expect that you still care about me?" His tone seemed a little surprised.
Ji Lingxue curled her lips, "You misunderstood me."
Xiao Yichen raised his eyebrows, as if he was listening attentively.
Ji Lingxue said, "I faked my death and fled because of the situation, and also because I had my own things to do. If I hadn't chosen to fake my death at that time, and stayed by your side, you would probably still be the Prince Chen now, with three or five beautiful wives at home, all given by your brother the Emperor or the ministers who flatter you. For your own status, you would marry into the royal family as the fastest and most reliable, while I would face public jealousy and the charge of murdering my own sister, and continue to compete for favors with various concubines in the mansion."
Xiao Yichen was stunned. Half of his current achievements were due to Ji Lingxue and half were out of selfishness. Ji Lingxue was not wrong. He had already planned for the throne, ever since Xiao Yimo was wary of him and since he discovered the gold mine on the border.
Ji Lingxue said: "Xiao Yichen, I said that we have different views on love and are not on the same path. Sooner or later, I will get tired of all the competition for favor and leave you. If you love me but cannot give me all your love, I don't care even if you are the queen."
Xiao Yichen was depressed, "Is this the truth behind why you left me and stayed with Yuchi Ruge?"
Ji Lingxue nodded.
Xiao Yichen asked: "Do you like Yuchi Ruge?"
He saw more than once that Yuchi Ruge looked at Ji Lingxue with a bright look in her eyes, and he knew that it was love. They were so close every day, so it was not surprising that they fell in love over time. This could explain the real purpose of Ji Lingxue faking her death and leaving Beijing to save Yuchi Ruge.
Ji Lingxue rolled her eyes at Xiao Yichen. The emperor had such a big imagination that she was speechless. By the way, why were they discussing who she liked or not? Did Xiao Yimo run away? Shouldn't Xiao Yichen be so angry and depressed that he wanted to curse
Xiao Yichen said: "I suddenly want to eat thousand-layer puff pastry."
Ji Lingxue: Your Majesty, why are you telling me this? If you are hungry, the imperial kitchen will naturally prepare it for you.
After drinking the last mouthful of porridge, Ji Lingxue stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will go and make it for you." Ji Lingxue was about to roll up her sleeves, but was shocked to find that she was wearing a complicated palace dress, which made it inconvenient to cook.
"I have asked the imperial kitchen to prepare it, and Eunuch Gao will deliver it." Xiao Yichen waved his hand.
Ji Lingxue said, "Oh, that's nothing. I'll leave first." She pulled her long skirt and frowned, looking depressed. She really wanted to change the skirt immediately. She was so tired.
Xiao Yichen said: "I have ordered people to invite Princess Ruge and Princess Zhixue to the palace. Don't you want to stay?"
Ji Lingxue paused and looked up at Xiao Yichen, waiting for his next words.
Xiao Yichen said: "Princess Linglong came back to the capital to see me yesterday. She said she liked a man and asked me to grant her a marriage..."
Ji Lingxue tilted her head and thought for a moment before asking, "Who is Princess Linglong?" She was thinking about marrying into the Yan Empire at that time. The royal family did not have a princess or princess of the right age, so she could only choose one from among the court officials and ladies. She did not expect that Princess Linglong would appear so soon.
I remember that the two famous generals who helped the founding emperor of Dong Qi to conquer the country were both granted titles and their fiefs were located on the outermost border of Dong Qi.
Xiao Yichen explained, "Princess Linglong, the daughter of Marquis Minyun."
Ji Lingxue nodded and asked the question she had been wanting to ask, "Have you found Xiao Yimo?" Even if the palace gates were closed, it would be easy for a master to leave the palace.
Seeing Ji Lingxue's eagerness to know the answer, Xiao Yichen nodded, "Guess where we found Xiao Yimo?"
Ji Lingxue: "At the palace gate?"
There are only a few ways out of the palace, either through the palace wall or the palace gate.
Xiao Yichen shook his head.
Ji Lingxue guessed again: "Cold Palace?"
The cold palace is usually deserted and is the easiest to be ignored and hide people. What's more, the former imperial concubine is still in the cold palace. Although she doesn't seem to be in a very good mental state, Xiao Yimo is worried about her and it is reasonable for him to go and see her.
Xiao Yichen shook his head again.
Ji Lingxue continued to guess: "Is it in the secret passage?"
There is nothing wrong with the reasoning that Xiao Yimo, who was desperate, returned to the secret passage known only to emperors of past dynasties to hide for a while.
Xiao Yichen's mouth twitched, "Can't you change your way of thinking?"
"Ah?" Ji Lingxue opened her mouth. There was something wrong with her thinking pattern. That was why she had guessed so many things just now, but none of them were correct
Xiao Yichen directly announced the answer, "In the imperial kitchen."
Ji Lingxue exclaimed, "How hungry is Xiao Yimo? Why did he run to the imperial kitchen?"
Xiao Yichen chuckled, "I don't know how hungry he is."
Ji Lingxue: “…”
Soon, the eunuch reported: "Your Majesty, the Second Prince of Dayan, Princess Zhixue wishes to see you."
Ji Lingxue stood up and looked out the door. Seeing her expectant look, Xiao Yichen felt depressed and uncomfortable.
After Ruge and the fake Zhixue bowed and greeted each other, they looked up at Ji Lingxue. As soon as their eyes met, they immediately looked away. As long as he was sure that Ji Lingxue was okay, he would feel relieved.
Xiao Yichen said, "Ruge, Princess Linglong came to pay her respects to me yesterday. She seemed to be quite fond of you. I also think that Princess Linglong is a good match for you and is a good candidate for marriage. What do you think?"
Ruge looked dazed for a moment. When he heard what Xiao Yichen said, he didn't know whether he had heard it or not. He nodded and said, "This prince has no intention to make any proposal. Your Majesty, please do as you see fit."
For him, it doesn't matter who he marries since the person he marries is not the one he loves.
Ji Lingxue didn't expect that Ruge didn't even ask what Princess Linglong looked like, and directly agreed to such a marriage. This reminded her of her marriage with Xiao Yichen. Can such a marriage based on interests really last long
At night, Ji Lingxue sat on the threshold of Chenhua Palace and looked up at the starry sky. Xiao Yichen walked towards her in the night, his white clothes as white as snow, which was particularly eye-catching even in the dark. He wore the white dragon robe originally to mourn for Ji Lingxue, but now it has become his preference.
Xiao Yichen stopped beside Ji Lingxue, took off his cloak and put it on Ji Lingxue, "It's getting darker and the dew is heavier, don't stand by the door and get blown by the wind."
Ji Lingxue suddenly grabbed Xiao Yichen's hand and looked at him with confused eyes, "You said... Princess Linglong married to Dayan, will she be happy?"
Xiao Yichen lowered his eyes and looked at Ji Lingxue, "That depends on her ability. Why, are you sad?" Because Ruge is going to marry another woman
Ji Lingxue sighed, "I've thought about introducing a date to Ruge before. He's quiet, but a nice guy. I didn't expect that he would end up marrying Princess Linglong..."
Xiao Yichen said: "Ruyi is also a good person, with a straightforward personality, and is a good match for him."
Ji Lingxue blinked and confirmed: "Who is Ruyi?"
Xiao Yichen smiled and said, "Princess Linglong's nickname is Ruyi."
Ruyi, this name seemed familiar and fragments of it flashed through Ji Lingxue's mind, "It turns out to be you!" The happy expression of the woman in the blue dress gradually magnified in Ji Lingxue's mind.
"Turns out it's her!" Ji Lingxue said suddenly.
Xiao Yichen raised his eyebrows, "Have you discussed this with Rushi?"
Ji Lingxue nodded, "The other day, Ruge and I went shopping and bought some flowers. I asked Ruge to hold them for me, but when I turned around, all the flowers in Ruge's hand were gone. They were all taken away by the girl in blue named Ruyi."
When she talked about this, she gritted her teeth. She almost had a quarrel with the other party that day. If Ruge hadn't been there, Miss Ruyi would have turned into a lion.
Xiao Yichen said calmly, "It's quite interesting to hear you say that."
(End of this chapter)