Ping Zhao Lu

Xu Zhouye finally rested in the Golden Palace.

When he woke up the next day, the emperor was no longer by his side.

Thinking of the two of them's passionate love last night, which lasted until midnight, and Chu Yunxiao was still able to get up so early to attend court, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but secretly marvel in his heart that the emperor's energy was truly extraordinary.

Thinking of this, those memories that made him blush and his heart beat faster involuntarily flooded into his mind, like waves, one after another, making him a little unable to cope.

Xu Zhouye subconsciously raised his arms and placed them across his face, as if this could block out all the embarrassing scenes.

However, the more he tried to forget, the clearer the memories became, causing his breathing to become somewhat rapid. After a long while, he finally calmed down and slowly sat up from the couch.

Seeing this, the palace servants who were waiting on the side hurried forward and skillfully helped him tidy up his clothes.

In a short while, Xu Zhouye was fully dressed. Then, surrounded by palace attendants, he walked out of the Golden Throne Hall and boarded the sedan chair back to Fengluan Palace.

The sedan chair was extremely gorgeously decorated, with exquisite curtains hanging around it, fluttering gently in the breeze.

The eunuchs carrying the sedan chair walked at a steady pace, with barely a hint of bumps. On either side of the sedan chair were two rows of well-trained attendants, each standing tall and solemn, following closely behind.

Walking along the broad palace road, wherever they passed, no matter they were busy palace servants or beautiful concubines, they all knelt down and saluted when they saw the queen's sedan chair, not even daring to raise their heads.

Not until the sedan chair gradually moved away and disappeared from their sight did they dare to stand up cautiously and continue with their respective tasks.

Xu Zhouye supported his head with his right hand and closed his eyes to rest.

At this time, the palace servants who were originally marching in an orderly manner seemed to have noticed something and stopped one after another.

"Your servant greets the Queen!" A gentle voice came, breaking the brief silence.

Hearing the sound, Xu Zhouye's long, ink-black eyelashes trembled slightly for a few times, and then he slowly opened his eyes, with a barely perceptible trace of tiredness and indifference in his eyes.

He lowered his head slightly, looking down from above.

Luo Siyan and the palace servants behind him knelt down and saluted.

Xu Zhouye's expression remained calm, as if everything before him couldn't cause him too much emotional fluctuation. "Get up."

After getting permission, Luo Siyan stood up calmly, bowed slightly, and stepped aside to make a wide path for the queen's procession.

With an order, the guard of honor moved forward again.

When the phoenix chariot that Xu Zhouye was riding passed by Luo Siyan, his eyes inadvertently glanced in his direction.

Although it was only a brief moment, he could still clearly feel that Luo Siyan had changed significantly compared to the past.

The person who was always timid and submissive is gone, replaced by confidence and composure.

Especially after this birthday party, Luo Siyan began to emerge and attracted a lot of attention.

However, he was able to strike a balance, not appearing too ostentatious or eye-catching. This just-right performance made Xu Zhouye pay more attention to him.

When he noticed that the ceremonial guard was gradually moving away and disappearing from his sight, Luo Siyan, who had been slightly bowed, slowly straightened up.

He raised his head, and his eyes, as clear and blue as lake water, were now flashing with an imperceptible and elusive smile.

*

Xu Zhouye returned to Fengluan Palace. As soon as he stepped into the palace gate, he saw Qinghe and Su Ming coming towards him with worried looks on their faces.

He just waved his hand and decisively dismissed the other palace servants around him. Suddenly, only the three of them were left in the entire palace.

Xu Zhouye walked steadily towards the couch and slowly sat down. Qinghe and Su Ming saw him and hurriedly followed.

Qing He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Last night, for some unknown reason, the Queen Mother sent someone to return the Phoenix Seal to Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhouye frowned and asked, "Did you ever tell me the reason?"

Qinghe and Su Ming looked at each other, then shook their heads together.

Xu Zhouye lowered his eyes slightly, lost in thought. After a moment, he muttered thoughtfully, "The Queen Mother doesn't care much about the affairs of the harem, but she's extremely concerned about the affairs of the previous dynasty."

When Qinghe and Su Ming heard this, their faces suddenly changed, revealing shock. Su Ming was even more anxious, and hurriedly warned, "Your Highness, please don't say such words casually. Please think twice!"

Xu Zhouye certainly understood what he was worried about, but he waved his hand nonchalantly and said soothingly, "It's okay, it's okay. The Queen Mother has been thinking about this for a long time. I know it."

As she spoke, she leisurely picked up the exquisite teacup beside her, took a sip, and then slowly began, "When the virtuous concubine was still in power, she had a firm grip on all matters in this vast harem. The empress dowager was also very happy to see this happen. After all, with such a useful pawn willingly handling all those complicated and trivial matters for her, she could naturally relax and be at ease. This way, she no longer had to worry about such troublesome matters, freeing up more energy and attention to deal with the various matters of the previous dynasty."

Hearing this, Qinghe and Su Ming couldn't help but look at each other. After a brief look, the two seemed to have a telepathic connection and nodded in agreement at the same time.

Xu Zhouye's lips curled up slightly, a faint smile forming before he resumed his story. "This Queen Mother doesn't care much about my life or death. What she truly desires is to gradually weaken the Duke's Mansion and the Marquis of Dongping's Mansion, which I rely on. If there's a chance to completely eliminate me, that would be the icing on the cake for her, a truly wonderful thing."

After saying this, he gently put down the teacup in his hand, adjusted his sitting posture slightly, and continued, "So, this time Wei Fu was plotting to destroy my innocent reputation, and it was definitely the Queen Mother who was behind it, fanning the flames and supporting her."

"It's a pity that the maid didn't give Wei Fu away!" Qinghe couldn't help but speak up for her master, her words filled with indignation.

Su Ming, who was standing aside, heard this and nodded in agreement.

Xu Zhouye smiled calmly and asked, "Do you think I'll let her be safe and sound?"

Su Ming, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke up: "As far as the current situation is concerned, Miss Wei is simply making her last desperate struggle."

Hearing this, Qinghe couldn't help but look at him with a puzzled look on his face.

Seeing Qinghe's reaction, Su Ming smiled softly and then slowly began to explain, "Her husband has done something terrible, and it's now a city-wide uproar, known to everyone. Naturally, her situation back home is difficult. If the noble ladies of Zhaojing City were to encounter her in the future, they would undoubtedly use her husband's scandal as gossip and make fun of it. And with her usual arrogant and domineering personality, how could she possibly tolerate such rumors?"

Xu Zhouye, who was standing by, listened to Su Ming's analysis, nodded repeatedly in agreement, and continued, "That's true. Furthermore, the death of her maid at the birthday banquet was a blow to her. At this time, if she were to be given some more shocking news..."

Having said this, Xu Zhouye deliberately paused, a meaningful smile on his face, and then continued: "The second daughter of the Wei family, Wei Rong, is very intelligent and talented. She is an eighth-rank dressmaker in the Clothing Department of the Shangfu Bureau, which is really a bit of a waste of her talent. It just so happens that the seventh-rank dressmaker position is vacant right now, so why not let her take the position."

Hearing this, Qing He suddenly understood. A glint of enlightenment flashed in her eyes, and she quickly responded, "If this happens, Miss Wei will definitely be furious and devastated. After all, the person she has always disliked the most is her own sister Wei Rong."

Xu Zhouye raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a half-smile, but quickly shook his head and said, "Just doing this is far from enough."

This was not enough to kill her completely.

Seeing that her good brother is about to return.

If I could make her infamous and ruined at this critical moment, not only would she lose the favor of the entire Wei family, but she would also lose the love and support of all her relatives...

This will undoubtedly be the heaviest and most fatal blow to her.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhouye's eyes grew even colder. "Since she's so keen on ruining other people's reputations, this time I'll just... give her a taste of her own medicine!"

……

"Your Highness, the carriage is ready and we can set off at any time." The eunuch stood respectfully by the side and reported softly. This voice just interrupted Xu Zhouye's thoughts that were surging like the tide.

Xu Zhouye was slightly startled, and slowly came back to his senses from his deep thoughts. A subtle emotion flashed across his clear and bright eyes, and then he nodded gently and replied, "Okay."

Then he walked towards the door.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked gently at Qinghe, who had been silently accompanying him. He said slowly, "This time when we return home, you and Su Ming will stay in the palace. I can go back alone."

Qing He heard this and showed a look of worry. She quickly stepped forward and advised, "Your Highness, the journey is long. It would be better if you let me accompany you so that I can take care of you."

However, Xu Zhouye smiled and shook his head, saying comfortingly, "Don't worry, I can take care of myself. You can stay in the palace and help me with some matters."

Seeing this, Qing He knew that he could not change His Highness's decision, so he could only bow respectfully and gently advise, "Then take care, Your Highness, and be careful about everything."