Zi'an was summoned into the palace by the Empress Dowager, and he roughly knew what was going on.
Murong Jie was also in the mansion. She asked, "If the Queen Mother asks, should we tell the truth?"
Murong Jie thought for a moment and said, "You make your own decision."
Zi'an also found it difficult to make a decision. The Empress Dowager must know about this matter, at least in part. If he told her, it would be embarrassing for her.
Murong Jie raised his head and looked at her, saying calmly, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Zi'an looked at him with a warm smile on his face, "Okay, I understand."
Murong Jie loved Zhuangzhuang in his heart, and he did not influence her decision because the person summoned by the Queen Mother was not him.
He knew that she would tell it eventually, and he actually hoped that she would tell it, because if the Queen Mother knew about this, then she would owe Zhuangzhuang an explanation.
Zi'an arrived at Shou'an Palace. The Queen Mother dismissed her attendants, stared at her and asked, "Princess, you asked for your scar to see the Emperor. You know what happened, don't you?"
Zian nodded, "I know."
"What happened? Can you tell me?" The Queen Mother asked with a changed expression.
Zi'an raised his head and looked at the slightly nervous expression of the empress dowager. "Empress Dowager, the princess knows what happened back then. She knows that it was the emperor who ordered Xiao Xiao not to marry Zhuangzhuang. Han Qingqiu just followed his orders to seduce Xiao Xiao."
The Queen Mother's face suddenly turned pale. She slowly lowered her hands, but held the armrests of the chair tightly, and the emotions in her eyes became complicated.
Zi'an looked at her and really couldn't tell what she was thinking.
After a long while, the Queen Mother sighed softly, "It is indeed so!"
Zi'an was slightly stunned. She didn't know
The Empress Dowager held out her hand and asked her to sit down. She said, "I have actually guessed a little bit, but I have never dared to ask the Emperor."
"The Empress Dowager didn't know this whole time?" Zi'an asked.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were gray. "It's a stretch to say I don't know. The Marquis personally came to the palace to ask me to grant a marriage between Xiao Xiao and Han Qingqiu. I scolded him and drove him out. However, the Emperor came to me personally and asked me to issue an order. I was shocked and asked him what he meant. The Emperor told me that Xiao Xiao wanted to use Zhuangzhuang and that the Xiao family had the intention of rebellion. He asked me to issue an order saying that the Marquis despised Han Qingqiu's low birth and that if I granted a marriage, Han Qingqiu's status would be raised. I finally agreed."
"The Empress Dowager believes it?" Zi'an raised his voice.
The Queen Mother said: "I believed it at the time, but after this incident, I thought about it again and again.
I thought it was impossible. I knew Lord Xiao very well. He was loyal to the court and the royal family. How could he have the intention of rebellion? Later, Xiao Xiao went to war and made many military achievements. After that, he never came back except to report to the capital. I knew that he was heartbroken. But what can I do? I can't pursue this matter. After all, the emperor is my son! "
She suddenly raised her head and said, "Come on, summon Marquis Jingguo to the palace!"
Zi'an was startled, "What does the Queen Mother want to do?"
The Empress Dowager looked sad. "I want to know what the Emperor said to the Xiao family back then. I suddenly remembered something."
"What's the matter?" Zi'an asked.
The Queen Mother's eyes actually turned red at that moment. She looked at Zi'an and said, "Back then, Xiao Xiao went to war and made great achievements. The second time he went to war, he led the army. Before he went to war, he knelt in front of me and asked me for a favor."
"What did you ask for?" Zi'an couldn't help but be curious.
The Queen Mother was silent for a long time before she whispered, "He said that if he died on the battlefield, his body should not be buried in the general's tomb, but buried in Tangshan instead!"
"Tangshan? Is it the Tangshan outside the capital?"
"Yes, Zhuangzhuang used to like to go to Tangshan for summer vacation. The late emperor granted Zhuangzhuang a manor in Tangshan. When Xiao Xiao went to war, Zhuangzhuang was also in Tangshan. At that time, I couldn't figure out why, and then I gradually forgot about it. Now I suddenly think of it, my God, these two children..." The empress dowager's voice choked slightly. She really loved Zhuangzhuang. If it were someone else, it might not make her so sad and guilty.
Zi'an didn't speak for a long time.
The Queen Mother said nothing more.
When Marquis Jingguo entered the palace, it was already getting dark.
The Queen Mother looked at the white-haired Marquis Jingguo and asked, "My Lord, how are you feeling lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. I am still in good health!" Jingguo Hou said in a voice as loud as a bell. Indeed, Zi'an saw that his face was ruddy and his movements were graceful, so he knew that he was in good health.
"That's good. Your Majesty is in good health, which is a blessing for our Great Zhou!"
"The Empress Dowager's good health is a blessing for our Great Zhou," said the Marquis.
The Queen Mother smiled. "Okay, I know that the Marquis is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. Tell me, what happened before Xiao Xiao married Han Qingqiu? What did the emperor say to your Xiao family? Did he threaten you?"
The Marquis had experienced many ups and downs, so he remained calm when hearing the Empress Dowager's sharp question. He said respectfully, "Empress Dowager, there is no such thing. It was Xiao Xiao, the rebellious son, who was so foolish that he secretly had an affair with the princess's maid and hurt the princess. As a result, the Xiao family had no chance to marry the virtuous princess, the emperor's daughter."
The Queen Mother sighed softly, "My Lord, there is no need to say anything just to save face. I just want to know the truth."
"This is the truth. There is no need for the Queen Mother to delve into it. Eleven years have passed and everything is over. The Emperor is wise. During his reign, he has benefited the people and is deeply loved by the people. He is a rare and wise ruler in history." The Marquis said in a sonorous and powerful voice.
Zi'an knew that the Marquis would not say anything. He was a man of strong will and a far-sighted general. He understood deeply that for the sake of the country and the Xiao family, all of this should be buried.
Seeing that he was determined not to speak, the Queen Mother said, "Forget it. I know you. If you don't want to speak, I'm afraid I can't force you to speak. I just want to ask you one question. If Xiao Xiao and the princess are still in love, are you willing to accept the princess as your disciple?"
The Marquis was silent for a moment, then he slowly said: "My grandson is incompetent and unworthy of the princess!"
Zi'an's expression darkened. It seemed that the Xiao family was really scared.
The Queen Mother sighed deeply, "Go!"
Before the Marquis left, he glanced at Zi'an and said, "Princess, everything is the best arrangement. You don't have to worry about it."
These words were obviously telling Zi'an not to meddle in other people's business.
Zi'an remained silent. She knew what a big family had on its shoulders. That was the lives of the entire family. He could not afford to be soft-hearted.
After the Marquis left the palace, he solemnly ordered the people around him, "Go and check immediately to see if the princess has entered the palace today!"
"Yes!" The guard took the order and left.
The Marquis returned to the mansion, and the guards returned soon after. "My Lord, the princess did enter the palace today and met the emperor."
The Marquis had a solemn expression and thought for a long time. He raised his head and said slowly, "Ask the Madam to go to the Princess's residence and have a few words with the Princess."
(End of this chapter)