Transmigrated into a cunning princess, she sets her sights on a celibate royal uncle.

"Father, don't worry. If Imperial Censor Xiao refuses to resign, we'll just give him a hand!"

Xie Qingshan seemed to have planned this for a long time, and he took the initiative to bring it up as soon as Xie Jiayun opened his mouth.

Xie Jiayun raised his eyelids and looked at his seemingly refined and cultured second son: "Oh? What are your plans?"

Xie Qingshan leaned closer and whispered something in Xie Jiayun's ear.

Xie Jiayun was taken aback at first, then thought the plan was feasible, but he was also somewhat worried.

"Xiao Bailu is known for his stubbornness. We must be careful in this matter and avoid giving anyone any leverage against us!"

"I understand!" Xie Qingshan replied, bowed, and left.

The eldest son, Xie Qingyun, watched as his father's expression changed from anger to stoicism. Curious, he leaned forward and asked, "Father, what did my second brother say to you?"

Xie Jiayun glared at him irritably, noticing that he was still carrying a birdcage with a brightly colored thrush trapped inside.

She was instantly furious and kicked him in the leg: "All you do all day is admire flowers and walk birds, what else do you know?"

Xie Qingyun screamed in pain and roared in grievance after being kicked by Xie Jiayun.

“Father, if I hadn’t been shot in one eye and hadn’t been stripped of my status as the Xie family’s heir, would I be the way I am today?”

Xie Jiayun ultimately felt guilty towards his eldest son, so he softened his tone and waved his hand weakly.

"Forget it, you can leave now. There's nothing for you to do here!"

Xie Qingyun knew in her heart that now her father would no longer consult her on matters big or small in the Xie family; he would only consult her second and third sons.

The future head of the Xie family will likely choose one of these two.

But in the end, he is the eldest son of the Xie family, so why should he lose everything just because he lost one eye?

Huo Jingxuan, it's all Huo Jingxuan's fault, he won't let this go!

Thinking this, Xie Qingyun angrily flung his sleeves and left.

Xie Qinglin was the youngest, born to Xie Jiayun's second wife after the death of his first wife.

He was only twenty-five years old at the time, making him Xie Jiayun's son in his old age.

He and Yan Zijin took the imperial examination in the same year. Yan Zijin won first place, while he came in third.

Back when Jiang Zun was still alive, he had mentioned in conversation that he intended to marry his most beloved fifth princess to him.

However, Xie Jiayun politely declined, as marrying the princess would mean the end of his official career.

The Xie family had finally produced such a talented individual who excelled in both literature and martial arts; he certainly didn't want to ruin his future!

The marriage alliance with the Yang family was based on a variety of considerations.

But more importantly, his youngest son actually fell in love with Yang Xuerou at first sight at Jidi Tower.

He insisted on marrying her, and even as her father, there was nothing he could do!

Whether Yang Xuerou was intentionally seducing him or not, the marriage was entirely beneficial, which is why he reluctantly agreed.

As the weather grew increasingly hot and humid, and with no news arriving from Chen County, Jiang Xi couldn't help but feel restless.

"Princess, these servants have brewed you chrysanthemum tea, it's cooling and refreshing!"

Huo Jingxuan released Jin Ling and Yu Yao, who had previously served Jiang Xi in Cangwu Palace, and reassigned them to Jiang Xi's side.

At this moment, Jiang Xi was enjoying the cool air in the pavilion of Shenyuan Garden when Jinling came over and brewed her a pot of chrysanthemum tea.

Jiang Xi was about to drink from her cup when Lu Ye came in from outside, covered in sweat.

He was clearly very anxious, and he quickly knelt down in front of Jiang Xi: "Princess, Imperial Censor Xiao is ill!"

"What?" Jiang Xi almost dropped the teacup in her hand.

She sent Lu Ye to find Imperial Censor Xiao today in the hope that Imperial Censor Xiao could hold on for another year and not resign so soon!

"He said he was invited by a colleague to a banquet at Jidilou yesterday, and after returning home he suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, and a persistent high fever!"

Lu Ye explained the situation.

Jiang Xi looked puzzled: "Although Imperial Censor Xiao is quite old, I have never heard of him having any health problems."

The last time I saw him in the Taiji Hall, he looked very energetic and didn't seem like a frail person at all.

Lu Ye shook his head: "It's hard to say. After all, I'm getting old, and illness can strike like a landslide!"

"I feel there's definitely something fishy about this. No, I need to go next door and call my master so he can come with me to have Censor Xiao take a look!"

With that, Jiang Xi got up to leave.

At this moment, Huo Jingxuan, dressed in a black silk robe with embroidered edges, slowly walked into the garden with Shang Que.

"Master!"

Jiang Xi hurriedly went to greet him, her gaze passing over Huo Jingxuan and landing directly on Shang Que, who was standing beside him in a moon-white robe, looking as ethereal as a fairy.

"I know everything!"

Shang Que was all smiles and approachable, a stark contrast to Huo Jingxuan beside him, who had a stern, icy expression.

"Would Master be willing to accompany Ah Xi to the Xiao residence?" Jiang Xi tugged at Shang Que's sleeve.

Shang Que clearly felt a block of ice beside him pause for a moment, and a chill emanated from his body.

"My senior brother brought me here so that I could go with you to see Imperial Censor Xiao."

Fearing being mistakenly harmed, Shang Que hurriedly explained that Huo Jingxuan had sent him.

As she spoke, she glanced at Huo Jingxuan, then turned to Jiang Xi and said, "Actually, don't let my senior brother's stern face fool you; he's always been exceptionally concerned about your affairs!"

"Enough!" Huo Jingxuan disdained anyone pleading on his behalf: "Shut up!"

Jiang Xi released Shang Que's sleeve and secretly glanced at Huo Jingxuan's expression.

Seeing that his attitude towards her was as cold as ever, she guessed that the reason he asked Shang Que to accompany her to the Xiao residence was probably because he felt that there was something fishy about Imperial Censor Xiao's matter.

A man like him, who beheads people as easily as chopping radishes and cabbages, would never allow himself to be sentimental.

Besides, she had deceived him. It was already merciful that he didn't kill her. How could he still have lingering feelings for her?

Thinking this, Jiang Xi had no choice but to turn her gaze away from Huo Jingxuan's face.

Turning to look at Shang Que, he said urgently, "Master, let's go quickly!"

Huo Jingxuan never expected that Jiang Xi would dare to ignore him, never saying a word to him from beginning to end, and never even calling him "Royal Uncle".

"Wait!"

Just as Jiang Xi was about to leave, pulling on Shang Que's sleeve, Huo Jingxuan called out to them in a deep voice.

Jiang Xi paused, turned to look at Huo Jingxuan; "Is there anything else, Imperial Uncle?"

Huo Jingxuan strode forward, passing between her and Shang Que: "I will go with you!"

Without waiting for Jiang Xi's reaction, he walked ahead on his own.

Huo Jingxuan is also going to Imperial Censor Xiao's residence? But Imperial Censor Xiao has impeached him quite often; if he sees him there, won't he jump up and yell at him?

Jiang Xi looked at Shang Que incredulously. Shang Que shrugged and spread his hands, indicating that if he wanted to go, there was nothing he could do.

The thought of Imperial Censor Xiao, seriously ill in bed, jumping up and cursing Huo Jingxuan sent a chill down Jiang Xi's spine, and she took a step to catch up with him.

"Royal Uncle, wait for me!"