Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Emperor Zhaoming stopped talking, looked at a secret memorial that had just been handed to him, then raised his head to glance outside the palace gate at Chu Jian, who was standing with his Green Dragon Crescent Blade in his hand.

He leaned back gently on the backrest of the throne, let out a long sigh, and looked tired:

"Old Tao sent Zhaoqing back to Shoukang Palace to help her see if there was anything wrong.

"I'll be quiet for a moment.

"Tao Han, please stay here.

"Also, call Xie Changqing over. Ask him when I wake up."

As he spoke, he rubbed his temples and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Daiyu hesitated.

If we talk about intimacy and thoughtfulness, it must be Tao Xingjian who could serve Emperor Zhaoming so that he could completely relax and rest.

But the emperor ordered Tao Xingjian to send him...

Yes, do you want to refuse?

Tao Xingjian didn't care about that. He just bowed and accepted the order. The whisk in his hand seemed to accidentally hit Daiyu's arm.

Daiyu understood what was happening, bowed her head and said goodbye, and left the hall with Tao Jian.

Seeing that she came out well and without any sign of grievance on her face, Chu Qian breathed a sigh of relief and greeted Tao Jian with a sincere smile:

"Thank you for your hard work running back and forth these days!"

Tao Xingjian also smiled and nodded and greeted him: "Our Zhaoqing is nosy. Are you tired too?"

The two people showed goodwill to each other, and then smiled at each other knowingly.

One treated the other party as a close aide of the emperor and tried to make friends with him on behalf of his master; the other treated the other party as an important person employed by the empress dowager and tried to be polite on behalf of his niece.

Since they were both protecting the same person, their relationship became three times closer.

When Chu Qian received the look from Tao Xingjian, he immediately stepped back two steps and let the two of them talk in private in a low voice.

"At the Jia Mansion, I know you are anxious.

"But since your majesty has spoken, you are not allowed to interfere - besides, your majesty means well.

"The brothers and sisters of the Jia family will be raised safely by your side.

"After half a month, once your confinement is lifted, you can take them out and return them to their parents. You will have repaid the favors of the Jia family.

“…Don’t let anyone go out to get information, and don’t make friends with those women in the harem.

"This Daming Palace is full of evil. I put my sincerity in this place, but what I got in return was never sincerity, but only knives!"

Tao Xingjian kept muttering and giving instructions bit by bit, without even paying attention to the taboos, for he was afraid that Daiyu would help others but put herself in trouble.

Daiyu agreed in a gentle voice: "Yes, uncle, rest assured, I will listen to you."

Tao Xingjian was relieved. He then whispered to her about the Tiewangshan Palace: "...The emperor is too proud to tell others that he was assassinated.

"The Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and Jia all made up the excuse that something unexpected happened during hunting.

"The palace has even found a scapegoat..."

Daiyu was surprised: "So, the imperial concubine's affairs after her death..."

"They will say that it was because her family was convicted and she was in a trance that the accident happened." Tao Xingjian whispered, "She will be buried as a concubine.

"Your Majesty, for the sake of Princess Yimin, does not intend to treat the deceased harshly."

Daiyu was silent.

Just because the emperor doesn't treat her harshly doesn't mean the supreme leader doesn't care.

——The old man holds a grudge, is cruel, and has many tricks.

Tao Xingjian glanced at Daiyu, and after a long while, he couldn't help but quietly revealed the truth: "Your grandmother..."

Daiyu was startled and stopped: "She?"

"Master Zhitong sent in a message.

"Yesterday, the second son of the Jia family came out for a visit, and your grandmother happened to be awake.

"I couldn't find the second young master for a while, and I thought he was captured. He refused to listen to anyone's explanation and vomited blood in a hurry..."

Tao Xingjian watched Daiyu swaying slightly, motioned to Xiaohong to help her up, hardened his heart, and continued in a low voice:

“Although the Second Young Master comforted her after returning, she was already in a state of decline.

"His Majesty wants you to be confined immediately, and it is also to protect you..."

Shoukang Palace was right in front of her, but Daiyu felt as if her legs weighed more than a thousand pounds and her vision was blackening from time to time.

Tao Xingjian wanted to say more, but looking at her expression, he knew that she still could not pass that test. He sighed, waved and called two strong palace maids to come, and carried the weak-legged Daiyu directly into the palace.

After being placed on the couch, Daiyu finally calmed down a little. She pinched Tao Xingjian's sleeve with tears in her eyes and said, "Uncle, you are very busy right now. I am sorry to have caused you trouble."

"Nonsense!" Tao Xingjian glared at her, but he didn't move a muscle. He let her pull him, trying to comfort her, "What can I be busy with?

"Your Majesty is exhausted from this trip, and needs to rest before he can govern.

"I follow him all the time, so I'll take a good rest.

"You have to take care of yourself too - when the confinement is lifted tomorrow, you don't know how many things will come your way!"

Daiyu forced a smile and agreed.

Tao Xingjian stood up, looked around the room, pointed out a few places that were not in line with the rules and asked them to be changed.

When he saw one or two palace maids and eunuchs with improper expressions, he immediately ordered them to return to the Imperial Household Department.

After everything was settled, he came back to say goodbye to Daiyu. Seeing that she was still drowsy and unwilling to sleep, he could only whisper:

"Since Your Majesty does not intend to embarrass the elderly, children, women and children of each family, then you will certainly show the proper gestures and extend the proper grace.

“It’s just that the Supreme is upset, so he has to let it out.

"Don't worry, I'll go and find out later. If there's anything wrong, I'll definitely have someone come and tell you.

"OK?"

Daiyu was grateful in her heart but could not express it directly, so she could only pull Tao Xingjian's sleeve and sob.

"Ah, ah, I'm just afraid that you'll cry because of overthinking..." Tao Xingjian was in a panic. He raised his hand to grab the handkerchief from Xiaohong and threw it to Daiyu, then stood up and ran away, "I have to go."

After quickly walking out of Shoukang Palace, Tao Xingjian subconsciously wiped the sweat from his forehead before he let out a breath.

Then he sighed.

Chu Qian, who was following closely behind, took a half step forward and said, "Master Tao, take care."

Tao Xingjian was startled and asked: "How come you walk without making any sound?"

"Yes. I am a martial artist, and my master doesn't allow me to make any noise." Chu Qian explained seriously, and then asked carefully, "The princess is in a bad mood, what can I do?"

"Nothing can be done." Tao Xingjian sighed and shook his head. He glanced behind him and whispered, "The old lady of the Jia family will probably be here today."

Chu Qian was startled, thought for a moment, and then leaned forward and said, "Then I will guard the gates of Shoukang Palace tightly and not let those gossipers in!"

Tao Xingjian was excited and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes! This is right!"

After thinking for a while, he continued, "Although the princess didn't ask just now, I know she must be worried about it.

“You can find a chance to tell her later that although Princess Yimin was asked to copy scriptures and pray for blessings for three years, it was a good thing.

“The mourning period for her biological father was also three years.

“Rather than mourning in the capital and being gossiped about by incomprehensible people, it is better to hide away in the Tiewang Mountain Palace, where there is peace and quiet.

“Besides, there is the Queen Mother.

"Just tell her to take good care of herself."