Jiaochu

Two days later, Huo Xuan came to visit again and said that the emperor sent someone to urge her again yesterday. Now there are ministers in the court who have criticized Ye Lingxi, the princess of Dahui, saying that she is putting on airs and is arrogant and rude. Don't take the Eastern Zhou Dynasty seriously.

The official came every day to persuade Su Shi to get on the road as soon as possible. He would say one thing in the morning and another in the afternoon. He would find various reasons to put pressure on Su Shi, but Su Shi would resolve them all.

After discussing with Su Shi, Ye Lingxi decided to set off, leaving the two Long Shadow Guards behind to continue to inquire about Yan Fei. She originally wanted to leave Bai Hu behind to recuperate, but Bai Hu insisted on going with her, saying that it was his duty, and was completely determined. It's useless for anyone to persuade her.

After the carriages and horses were on the road again, after four or five days of journey, they arrived at the capital of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in the morning.

The person who came to greet the Marquis of Anqing at the city gate was Su Shi. As a courtesy officer, he greeted him and handed over documents. After some noise, the vast team entered the city.

After entering the city, Ye Lingxi asked two Longying guards to send Bai Hu to the post house to rest first, and asked Xiao Anzi to go with him so that he could be taken care of. Huo Xuan sent two more guards to see him there.

After the carriage walked on the street for a while, Ye Lingxi felt that it was very quiet outside. She opened the curtain and looked at the scene outside. She saw people kneeling on the ground along the street, not daring to raise their heads. Everyone had a look of fear on their faces. For fear of offending the powerful, the shops on both sides were closed for business. No customer dared to look outside. The whole street was so quiet that only the sound of wheels and horses' hooves could be heard.

Huo Xuan came over and said, "This is the rule here. It's boring to kneel and bow all the time." After saying that, he winked at her. Ye Lingxi put down the curtain and said, "Some rules are quite boring. "Yes." Huo Xuan said with a smile, "There are some people in this world who are full and have nothing to do. Today they are thinking about plotting this, and tomorrow they are thinking about plotting that. It's really boring."

The Marquis of Anqing called Huo Xuan over and asked him how things were going. He sighed and said, "Dad, this little princess has too high a vision to look down on her son." He looked around again and quietly said He asked, "Dad, have you found out about the assassin?" He then asked, "Could it be that you arranged it?" An Qinghou's face darkened, and he said meaningfully, "Do you think the Wang family girl appeared at the dock? Is it a coincidence?" Huo Xuan looked slightly surprised and wanted to ask more questions, but Marquis Anqing stopped talking.

When they were approaching the gate of the palace, Huo Xuan came over to remind Ye Lingxi. She opened the curtain and looked forward. A tall tower came into view. There seemed to be a figure standing above the tower. Against the light, she couldn't see clearly. When the carriage passed through the palace gate, there were already people waiting here. Sitting on the sedan chair, her graceful figure was hidden behind the lavender gauze curtain, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, which was very grand.

Ye Lingxi heard people outside saluting, calling her Lady Zi Fei. She opened the curtain and glanced outside, whispering a few words to Aunt Qiu, who nodded.

"No gift." The voice coming from the gauze curtain was soft and undisciplined, like a mysterious and enchanting thorny rose.

Aunt Qiu brought He He and the bell to the ceremony. She gently opened the gauze curtain with one hand, and a fragrance floated out. Huo Xuan raised her head and looked inside. She glanced at that stunningly beautiful face and almost fell into those charming eyes. inside.

"The princess has come all the way, and I have prepared a small gift for her."

A palace maid came forward with a gift in hand, handed it to Aunt Qiu and stepped back, Ye Lingxi thanked her.

"The emperor is still waiting for the princess, so I won't disturb you." The soft and undisciplined voice ordered, "Go back." A group of palace maids and eunuchs gathered around the Luan sedan and returned.

After seeing off the Purple Concubine, the group headed towards the Jinluan Palace.

Ye Lingxi was wondering what the meager gift from the Purple Concubine was when Huo Xuan came over and said, "That was the Purple Concubine just now. She is the emperor's favorite concubine. I heard that the emperor brought it back when he went hunting. It's been six or seven years now." He added, "Our emperor likes the new and hates the old, but he has a deep affection for the Purple Concubine and has never been left out." After hearing the first four words, she looked serious and said, Aunt Qiu had told her before that Emperor Zhou, who was still the prince at the time, was a humble gentleman with good conduct. Could it be that once he became emperor, he became greedy and obsessed with beauty, or was it a mistake?
"Princess Huayang has arrived~~~" Princess Huayang was the title given to her by Ye Lanchen before Ye Lingxi left.

All the civil and military officials in the hall were waiting eagerly. The people sitting on the dragon throne immediately became energetic. They stared at the door of the hall with bright eyes. When they saw Ye Lingxi coming in wearing a veil, they suddenly looked unhappy. Su Shi handed over his credentials. At that time, no one came to pick him up, and the atmosphere was awkward. Huo Xuan went over to take the credentials and presented them. Emperor Zhou glanced at them without reading them.

"Why doesn't the princess show up? Maybe it's because she is ugly and unsightly. I heard that the princess is beautiful, but that's all."

Hearing the frivolous and disdainful voice of the other party, Ye Lingxi calmly replied: "What can be seen by sight are shapes and colors, and what can be heard by hearing are names and sounds."

Emperor Zhou said impatiently: "Princess, just say what you want to say. There is no need to talk to me here. I have also prepared a banquet. If the princess doesn't want to go, just go back and rest first."

Ye Lingxi thanked her and said she wanted to visit her eldest sister first. Huo Xuan took the initiative to ask Ying to lead the way for Ye Lingxi. Emperor Zhou agreed and waved his hand to let all the civil and military officials disperse, ending in a hasty manner.

Huo Xuan asked someone to send Su Shi back to the posthouse to rest, and Su Shi left the palace first. He and Ye Lingxi had agreed before that when they arrived in the capital, she would go to her eldest sister to inquire about the truth, and he would go to Qiu Yu to inquire about the situation.

On the way, Ye Lingxi asked how many empresses there were in the palace. Huo Xuan said there were too many people and he couldn't remember them. He picked out a few favored ones and talked about them. The first one was Empress Zi Fei, and then Li Fei. The empress is his second sister, and then there is the empress Yafei, who is Wang Yanran’s eldest sister. Hearing this, Ye Lingxi's expression changed slightly. On the boat, the other party said that her eldest sister was married, not that she had entered the palace.

The last one is Li Meiren, whom Emperor Zhou just brought into the palace this year. She is still fresh and ready to respond to all requests from Li Meiren.

"The emperor dislikes dull beauties the most. The emperor had a headache just hearing what the princess said." Huo Xuan said.

Ye Lingxi said: "I heard that when the emperor was still the prince, he had both political integrity and talent, and loved the people like a son."

Huo Xuan smiled and said, "People change."

When they arrived at the door of a magnificent palace, there was already a palace maid waiting at the door to greet them. Huo Xuan did not want to go in and said goodbye first. Ye Lingxi took Aunt Qiu, Hehe and Lingdang and went in with the palace maid.

After entering the hall, I saw the person sitting in front of me. Aunt Qiu looked excited, her eyes were red, and her voice was choked and trembling with excitement when she saluted.

Even though more than ten years have passed, that bright and charming face seems to have never aged and is very well maintained. Aunt Qiu recognized it at a glance.