Noble Lady

Then came the news about Xue Huai and Luo Luo.

Luoluo had been staying at Duke Chen's mansion for the past few days, protected by Du Jingyuan and with Chen Lizhu's help in covering up, so she hadn't been discovered. Chen Mingxuan also turned a blind eye to the matter.

Xue Huai also lived with Mr. Lu in the residence of Tong Liang, the Minister of Personnel, and the people in Tong's residence also kept it highly confidential.

It was also because His Majesty only ordered the siege of the Marquis' Mansion and did not give any other instructions, so whether they were in the mansion or not did not attract too much attention.

But even so, Xue Chenyu still instructed Uncle Fu and Mother He to cover up the matter appropriately.

In response, Uncle Fu solemnly promised, "Don't worry, Miss, Uncle Fu won't give others the opportunity to focus their attention on me."

Mother He, Mother Hou, and Mother Qiu also expressed their willingness to assist.

then.

On the third day of the siege of the Marquis' Mansion, under the leadership of Uncle Fu, the Marquis' Mansion began to repair the pool in the backyard.

Shengjing is different from the capital of the previous dynasty. Shengjing is in the south and there is no freezing in winter. After a winter, the pool becomes extremely dirty after spring.

"Since the staff are all idle, why not get everyone busy and clean up every corner of the mansion?"

These are Uncle Fu’s original words.

Xue Chenyu also agreed.

Mrs. Xue has been pretending to be sick and has not appeared in public for several days.

Only once or twice did Xue Chenyu deliberately mention that Madam Xue had finally eaten something and drunk some soup, which made people realize that Madam Xue was slowly getting better.

But she never showed up, and some people became panicked and unsure.

at last.

On the fifth night after the Marquis' Mansion was sealed, a person... no, a group of uninvited guests broke into Qingyuan.

At that time, Xue Chenyu was about to fall asleep on the chaise longue, but Madam Xue suddenly woke her up and asked her to go back to her room next door.

Xue Chenyu: “Hmm?”

But Mrs. Xue's expression was very serious, and she didn't seem to be joking at all. So she didn't pursue the matter. She put on her clothes and went back to the next room obediently.

Yuzhu and Xiahe went back to the house with her.

As a result, they had just returned to the house, blown out the candles and gone to bed, and less than an incense stick's time later, they heard a sound entering the yard.

Xia He was a martial maid, and her senses were more acute. As soon as she heard the strange footsteps, she became alert.

Xue Chenyu also vaguely heard the noise and was about to get up.

"Shh." Xia He had tiptoed to her bedside without her knowing when, and pressed her shoulders.

Xue Chenyu realized that the person who came should be no ordinary person, so she hugged the quilt and did not make any movement.

Until I heard something entering Mrs. Xue's room.

……

At this time, next door.

Two figures entered the house and saw Mother He waiting at the door.

Mrs. Xue was not surprised at all. She sat quietly at the round table outside. Her light grey dress was meticulously dressed and her hair was neatly combed. She sat there in such a dignified manner.

There was only one lamp on in the room. Although it was dim, it was still much brighter than the darkness outside.

So anyone coming in from outside could see her at a glance.

"Wanqing?" The visitor looked her up and down in surprise, finally fixing his gaze on her unmade-up, slightly pale face. "Are you, okay?"

Madam Xue said "hmm" calmly, then stood up and saluted, "Your Majesty, your majesty."

The other party...that is, our Majesty, hurriedly wanted to step forward to help her, but when he met Madam Xue's gaze, he silently withdrew his hand.

"No need to be so polite, just stand up." It was not difficult to hear a hint of loss in his words.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Madam Xue then thanked him and stood up.

His Majesty took off his hood and sat down.

The person following behind him was no one else but the eunuch Wang, who was a big hit with His Majesty.

Mrs. Xue was accompanied by Mother He and was standing aside.

Seeing that His Majesty had been silent for a long time, he took the initiative to ask, "I wonder what orders Your Majesty has for you to come so late at night?"

His Majesty gave a bitter smile, "Wanqing, there's no need for you and me to talk like this. We..."

"Your Majesty, please respect yourself." Madam Xue interrupted him. "If you have no other instructions, please return to the palace as soon as possible. It is not safe outside."

"Wanqing... Madam Xue." The words were on the tip of his tongue, but His Majesty changed his tone and said, "I came here just to test your opinion."

Hearing his change of address, Madam Xue's frown relaxed slightly. She asked in confusion, "I wonder what your majesty is trying to find out?"

"Xue Heyan won't die that easily, right?"

"...Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean." Madam Xue said without changing her expression.

His Majesty pondered for a moment and said, "Before Cai Jinxue arrived in Beijing, Lu Shuwen secretly met with you and Xue Heyan and handed Xue Heyan a suicide note written in Cai Jinxue's blood."

"After that, I asked him to accompany Prince Cheng to the northern border to provide disaster relief."

"Even before he went to the North, he knew something was amiss. He's a veteran with thirty years of experience on the battlefield. It's impossible for him to be completely unprepared!"

Madam Xue slowly raised her eyes, "So, what does Your Majesty mean?"

At this point, His Majesty became increasingly agitated, his eyes reddening. "Tell me, do you have any news about Xue Heyan? Is he still alive?"

Madam Xue met his gaze and said calmly, "Your Majesty, do you mistake me and my husband for some kind of celestial being capable of foretelling the future?"

Your Majesty felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

Madam Xue said, "Even if he knew some information before leaving for the Northern Territory, it would only be fragments. What use could it have made? Could it have prevented others from deliberately targeting and framing him again and again?"

"Forgive my disrespect, Your Majesty. No one in this world wishes he were still alive more than I do. But so far, I have no proof that he is still alive, so I dare not deceive you, let alone speak nonsense."

At this point, Madam Xue couldn't help but sigh softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your protection of the Marquis of Wu'an's residence these past few days. I, your humble servant, thank you for your kindness on behalf of the children and the innocent people."

"But Your Majesty, if one day the situation becomes irrelevant and fate becomes unavoidable, please let someone know so that I can help those who are not involved to find a way out as soon as possible to avoid implicating innocent people."

After saying this, she knelt down and bowed reverently and solemnly.

Mrs. Xue's words were undoubtedly telling him that she had made up her mind. If the situation became irreversible, she would give up everything and would never live alone.

His Majesty's heart stagnated, and he couldn't help but feel an indescribable sadness in his heart, "You, you don't believe me?"

Madam Xue said without looking away, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Life is full of difficulties. As the saying goes, eight out of nine things are not as you wish. Although the emperor is high above, known as the Supreme Ruler, there are still things that are beyond human control."

She paused, a smile forming on her lips, "I simply don't want to embarrass Your Majesty."

The scenes of the present and the past overlap inexplicably.

"The engagement is now over. Your Majesty, please let it go. ... Your Majesty, please understand that I simply do not wish to embarrass you."

His Majesty's face grew paler and paler, and upon leaving the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion, he vomited a mouthful of blood.