A life of ups and downs is pure joy

In Qingyin Pavilion, after Xiao Bowen and his wife learned that Xiao Yi was kept in the palace, they paced back and forth anxiously, and Liu Ji was wiping her tears beside them.

"Master, what on earth did Yi'er do to provoke the Holy Saint's wrath?"

Liu Ji asked in confusion.

"Fan'er has already gone to inquire about it, so don't cry anymore."

Xiao Bowen didn't know the reason, so he could only comfort his weak wife.

"I can't calm down. Yi'er has always been favored by His Majesty and is especially valued. Why is he not allowed to come back now?"

Liu Ji said crying.

"Qing'er is still in the palace. She won't let anything happen to our Yi'er. I'm just curious about what could have happened that made His Majesty keep Yi'er."

Seeing such calmness, Xiao Bowen was afraid that something had happened in the previous dynasty, which made him uneasy.

"Master, elder sister, the eldest princess is here."

Liu Rong said outside.

"Why is she here so late?"

Xiao Bowen frowned and said.

"She has been coming to my yard since she was little. I think it might be about Yi'er. Let's call her in first."

Liu Ji wiped her tears and then spoke.

Tao Baiwan came in wearing plain clothes and bowed to the two of them.

"Dad, Mother, it's all my fault for being careless. I only found out so late that my husband hasn't come back yet."

Tao Baiwan said very sensibly.

Liu Ji knew that her eldest son had not even been to the Iris Pavilion on his wedding night, and she felt a little guilty about it. She glanced at Xiao Bowen who was sitting next to her without saying anything, and then said.

"Good boy, I don't blame you. What brings you here so late?"

"Mother, I heard that it was my uncle who ordered someone to keep my husband. I think something must have happened. My uncle has always doted on Wanwan. I'm going to the palace to see what happened."

Tao Baiwan picked up a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his eyes.

"It's so late, and it's not appropriate for you to go to the palace in your current status."

Liu Ji said with a worried look on her face.

"It's okay, mother. I'm worried about my husband right now, so I came here specifically to ask for your permission."

Tao Baiwan raised his head and looked at the couple sitting there sincerely.

"This... Master, how do you say this?"

Liu Ji really wanted her to go and save her eldest son, so she looked at Xiao Bowen eagerly.

General Xiao looked at his new daughter-in-law standing below and nodded, "Go ahead and find out the reason first."

After Tao Baiwan left, Liu Rong came in again.

"Eldest sister, a few hours ago, Huan'er hurriedly took Hongqi out. I guess she was looking for someone."

Liu Rong said.

Xiao Bowen nodded and said, "It's hard for this child. You should go back to the yard and rest early."

After Liu Rong retreated, Liu Ji looked at Xiao Bowen and said tentatively.

"Master, I think Wanwan is also a well-behaved child."

"That's just nonsense. How can you have two wives?"

After Xiao Bowen finished speaking, he shook his sleeves and pushed the door to go to the study. Liu Ji looked at her husband's back and could only sigh.

If it weren't for the suppression of imperial power, Xiao Bowen, with his old-fashioned and rule-abiding personality, would never allow such a thing as having a concubine to happen in the Xiao family. On the other hand, the Yu Lin family still kept it a secret from Lin Mutang in Luofeng and Lin Ancai in Tianmen, so he naturally had more concerns in his heart.

Tao Baiwan's maid gave the token bestowed by the emperor to the guard at the palace gate, and then the carriage carried Tao Baiwan into the palace.

Xiao Yi straightened his back and continued to kneel in the Imperial Library, where only a faint candlelight flickered. During the day, the emperor was furious with him. It was unforgivable that a minister dared to treat his most beloved princess with such contempt. So he made a harsh threat to Xiao Yi, saying that if he did not treat Princess Minghui well, he would dismiss him from his official position and would not allow him to serve the prince in the future.

Tao Baiwan knelt and cried in the main hall of the Imperial Noble Consort's bedroom. The old emperor was wearing an outer robe, and Imperial Noble Consort Xian was forced to stand up and accompany him.

"Uncle, please stop being angry with Brother Yi."

Tao Baiwan cried out in grievance.

"Look at you, what kind of husband did you choose? I personally appointed you as the First Princess of Dasheng, a noble princess, but you became his concubine. That's fine, but if your wet nurse hadn't come, I wouldn't know how I would have to live such a miserable life. How can I explain this to your late mother?"

The old emperor looked at the face in the hall that was exactly the same as the person in his mind, and felt both distressed and angry.

"Uncle, I just like Brother Yi, and marrying him is my lifelong wish."

Tao Baiwan looked at the emperor with tears in her eyes and cried.

"I'm so angry." The old emperor said, covering his heart, and Imperial Noble Consort Xian came forward and gently supported him.

"Your Majesty, let the children handle their own affairs. I see that Lord Xiao has been kneeling for quite some time. He must have realized that he was wrong. Let Minghui go."

Imperial Noble Consort Xian glanced at the girl in the palace, then spoke softly to the old emperor.

"Go, go, take that brat back and teach him a lesson today."

The old emperor waved to Tao Baiwan and signaled Eunuch Chen to take her to the Imperial Library to pick up the person.

Tao Baiwan walked out of Consort Xian's palace crying, then her expression changed in an instant. She wiped her tears with a smile on her face. Eunuch Chen glanced at her and continued to lead her towards the Imperial Library.

Eunuch Chen pushed open the door of the Imperial Library. Tao Baiwan glanced at him, nodded, then stepped over the threshold and walked in.

"Brother Yi."

Tao Baiwan saw Xiao Yi kneeling in the hall and ran over with small steps.

"How did you come?"

When Xiao Yi heard Tao Baiwan's voice, he didn't turn around, but just asked coldly.

"Brother Yi, it's all my fault. I didn't expect the nanny to be so nosy and come to my uncle...Brother Yi."

Tao Baiwan squatted beside Xiao Yi, pulled his arm and said pitifully.

"You go back, I'm fine."

Xiao Yi glanced at her and found that Tao Baiwan's eyes were red and swollen, and it was obvious that she had been crying for a long time.

"Brother Yi, let's go back together. I've already begged my uncle. Let's not kneel. The floor is so hard."

Tao Baiwan squatted beside Xiao Yi, took his arm and said coquettishly.

Eunuch Chen also came in and delivered the order.

"Master Xiao, go back."

Xiao Yi stood up despite the numbness in his arm and nodded to Eunuch Chen. Tao Baiwan reached out and helped Xiao Yi out of the Imperial Library.

"That's really interesting, haha."

Eunuch Chen sighed as he watched the two people's backs getting farther and farther away.

In the carriage, Tao Baiwan kept looking at Xiao Yi who was silent.

"Brother Yi, I know you blame me, but she was my wet nurse who raised me since I was a child. She wasn't like my biological mother, but she was like an elder. Whatever she did was my fault. Brother Yi, if you're angry, just tell Wanwan, don't ignore me."

After Tao Baiwan finished speaking, he lowered his eyes and looked at Xiao Yi with sadness and grievance.

"I don't blame you, I really did wrong you."

Xiao Yi looked at the girl who grew up with him and who risked her life to shield him from danger. He always felt that he owed her something. However, the person he loved was not her, so he could not marry her no matter what. He could only think about how to make up for this debt in the future.

"No, Wanwan doesn't feel wronged at all. As long as she can stay with Brother Yi for the rest of her life, Wanwan will be satisfied. Really, even if it's Changping, it doesn't matter. I can give in to her for Brother Yi and not have any conflicts with her."

Tao Baiwan hugged Xiao Yi, raised her head and looked at him eagerly, then continued, "Brother Yi, as long as I can be your wife, Wanwan has nothing else to ask for."

Xiao Yi looked at Tao Baiwan's aggrieved and pitiful appearance, and felt a little sorry for her. He patted her head and nodded.

"Then you must get along well with Huan'er in the future."

"I promise you, Brother Yi."

When the carriage arrived at the gate of the Xiao Mansion, Lin Qinghuan and Ning Sijue, who had returned from the East Palace, also arrived at the gate. They got off the carriage and looked at each other.

Lin Qinghuan looked at Tao Baiwan affectionately holding Xiao Yi's arm, and felt mixed emotions. She had been running around all night and looking for people, but it was all in vain.

Xiao Yi frowned as he watched Ning Sijue helping Lin Qinghuan get out of the carriage.

Ning Sijue looked at Xiao Yi who was being held by Tao Baiwan, then looked at Lin Qinghuan who had a cold face beside him, and felt distressed.

"Huan'er, he seems to be fine. You've been busy all night. It's cool now, so go back and rest early."

Ning Sijue waited until Lin Qinghuan had gained her footing, then let go of her and spoke softly.

"Ajue, I've made you suffer all night. I'll thank you another day."

Lin Qinghuan smiled at Ning Sijue, then nodded to Hong Qi, indicating that she should send the Sixth Prince back to the palace. Ning Sijue glanced at Xiao Yi and the triumphant Tao Baiwan, then returned to the carriage.

Chu Xia supported Lin Qinghuan and stood at the door. Xiao Yi let go of Tao Baiwan's hand and walked to Lin Qinghuan's side.

"Where have you been so late?"

Xiao Yi glanced at the carriage disappearing in the distance, then turned back to look at Lin Qinghuan and asked.

"Sister Changping, was that the Sixth Prince's brother just now?"

Tao Baiwan also walked over and asked as if nothing had happened.

"Chuxia, go back."

Lin Qinghuan didn't want to explain anything. She called the maid and turned around to go back home.

"Huan'er."

Xiao Yi reached out and grabbed Lin Qinghuan's arm and called out.

"Since my husband is alright, then go back and rest. I'm tired too."

Lin Qinghuan felt very uncomfortable, so she pushed Xiao Yi's hand away and walked into the house without looking back. Chuxia gave Xiao Yi a reproachful look and chased after him.

"Brother Yi..."