NFBE Chapter 144 You Should Be the Monarch of Da Shun
Chapter 144 You Should Be the Monarch of Da Shun
After meeting Gensheng once, the little guy liked to come and find Xue Lan from time to time and play in the yard.
In order not to frighten the child, and also to avoid giving away the secret in front of acquaintances, Xue Lan cast a spell on the little guy that was only effective against him.
In this young man's eyes, the beautiful woman next door had a pair of beautiful, gentle eyes, as clear and bright as a large water vat filled with water in his own home.
In addition, when Xue Lan was casting a spell on Gensheng, she discovered that the child's mind was much clearer than that of ordinary children, and he could easily calm down and do things.
He's a natural talent for weapon crafting.
However, Xue Lan had no plans to take on any apprentices yet; she simply kept the child by her side and taught him some simple things every day.
Gensheng clearly liked what Xue Lan taught him, and he would come over as soon as he finished eating and stay for the whole day.
The child's grandfather came to inquire. The old man was a carpenter who had taken on a young, strong man as an apprentice. He and his apprentice went out to work during the day, leaving the child, Gensheng, at home. He was always a little worried about him.
Now that he sees Xue Lan is willing to look after the child and even teach him some skills, he is naturally overjoyed.
The old man noticed the plush cat in Xue Tong's hand by chance. The next day, when he came to call Gensheng home for dinner, he secretly slipped Xue Tong a small wooden cat. The little cat was well-behaved, lying on the ground, with its cute little head poking up and one paw pointing upwards. On its paw tip, a lifelike wooden butterfly was carved.
Holding the wooden cat figurine in her hand, Xue Tong exclaimed in amazement: "Is this the wisdom of the ancient working people?"
The little girl held the wooden carving high, overjoyed, her eyes sparkling.
She turned to look at Xue Lan: "Isn't this gift too expensive? Shouldn't we give him something in return...?"
Xue Lan interrupted her with a smile: "Since it's a gift, it can't be measured in money. Let's discuss it after Aunt He and the others return, and invite them over for New Year's Eve dinner."
Xue Tong thought it made sense, nodded obediently, and put the wood carving into her own space.
"By the way, when are you going to draw me a picture of a white wolf? I need to commission an embroidery for it!" Xue Tong said.
"After the New Year. Yu Niang and Aunt He have been busy with the painting 'Hundred Battles at Luoxia Mountain' and probably won't have time to paint it. I'll paint one for you after Qingming Festival next year."
Xue Tong was a little disappointed, but she still agreed.
The Qingluan Pavilion, the imperial palace of the Great Shun Dynasty.
This is the palace where the eldest princess lived before she got married. It has been kept after she got married. At this moment, Xie Lingchao, dressed in dark purple clothes, is watching the palace maids in the courtyard tending to pots of flowers and plants.
The flowers and plants were all delicate and fragile, with a few sword-like leaves, emerald green in color, and a slender stem growing in the middle, with a small flower bud at the very top.
The palace servants treated these delicate flowers with utmost care, as if they were serving noble ladies of high birth.
"Ruyue." Xie Lingchao called softly, and Ruyue behind him immediately replied, "Your Highness!"
Xie Lingchao glanced at the flowers and plants in the hands of the palace maids: "Bring one of these to look at!"
Ruyue immediately went to the palace servants and returned shortly afterward with a basin of food.
"Your Highness."
Ruyue held the flowerpot up to Xie Lingchao. The elegant and noble princess slowly raised her hand, her bright red fingernail touching a leaf.
"It truly lives up to its name as a Blood Orchid," Xie Lingchao murmured, stroking the dark red patterns on the leaves. Her eyes were deep and unfathomable, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
Just then, a palace maid walked in hurriedly and bowed to Xie Lingchao.
"Your Highness, Eunuch Lai Shun has come to deliver a message, saying that His Majesty summons you."
Xie Lingchao withdrew his hand from the blood orchid and gave her a look, signaling her to return the item. He then walked out of the courtyard and, sure enough, saw the white-haired eunuch Laishun outside.
When Eunuch Lai Shun saw Xie Lingchao come out, his face scrunched up like a chrysanthemum: "Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you at Wansheng Palace."
"Understood!" Xie Lingchao nodded slowly, and without taking a sedan chair, walked slowly towards Wansheng Palace. Eunuch Laishun followed respectfully behind her.
When the two arrived at Wansheng Palace, it was noon. An octagonal rosewood table had already been set up in the main hall, surrounded by four exquisitely crafted chairs.
Various exquisite dishes were laid out on the table, and a young eunuch was testing each dish for poison with a silver needle.
Xie Xiao watched his movements from beside him, a hint of curiosity on his face.
Upon seeing Xie Lingchao enter, the young man's pale face revealed a gentle smile: "Royal sister has arrived!"
Xie Lingchao was not reserved and sat down directly opposite Xie Xiao, then glanced briefly at the dishes on the table.
They were all meat dishes, each one looking oily and glistening. Although they looked and smelled delicious, they weren't...
She looked up at Xie Xiao across from her.
This is not something a patient should eat.
The young emperor seemed to have discerned something from his sister's expression, and smiled as he beckoned to a young palace maid beside him.
The palace maid carried a food box, placed it on the table, and opened it. Inside was a bowl of congee and several dishes of vegetarian food.
"Royal Sister!" After the palace maid placed the dishes on the table, Xie Xiao slowly took a bite, a smile in his eyes.
"I'll eat this."
The young man then picked up the chopsticks on the table and placed a piece of stewed pork knuckle, which had been cooked until tender, on Xie Lingchao's plate.
"I remember my elder sister loved this the most!"
Xie Lingchao looked up at him, at his younger brother's pale, sickly face, his withered wrists, and his thin body.
The woman slowly raised her hand and pressed it against Xie Xiao's wrist.
"Your Majesty is now the Emperor."
Xie Xiao hadn't done this for decades!
The emperor remained silent, a dark cloud gathering in his eyes. The surrounding palace servants trembled with fear. Xie Lingchao, however, was unafraid. She looked at the young man before her. With a wave of her dark purple sleeve, she declared, "All of you, get out!"
Without hesitation, the surrounding palace maids all left under the princess's expulsion, including Eunuch Lai Shun.
The main hall doors slammed shut, and the sunlight outside shone on the fine paper covering the windows, leaving bright, dim yellow patches on the ground.
Xie Xiao chuckled softly and pointed to the soft couch behind the screen on the right: "The ruler is on there."
Xie Lingchao was practically furious at his nonchalant attitude. The woman's fingernails dug into her palms, which finally stopped her from hitting Xie Xiao.
"What do you intend to do today?" The woman's voice was icy, seemingly devoid of any emotion.
“You can simply keep me in Qingluan Pavilion watching over those flowers until your plan is complete. You don’t need to bring out this table and put these four stools here to force me!”
This rosewood table was used for family banquets when Emperor Yuande was alive.
Xie Xiao remained unmoved, appearing completely calm and collected.
"Xie Lingchao, do you remember him?" the young man asked slowly.
"Tiaotiao and I prefer light, vegetarian dishes, but you and Father prefer these..."
The young man glanced at the dishes on the table.
“My father said that no one in this world resembles you more than…”
"Nonsense!" Xie Lingchao sternly interrupted Xie Xiao, the beauty holding the jade pendant, her fingertips trembling.
But the young man on the other side continued speaking.
No one could stop him. Xie Xiao's voice was firm and resounding: "Royal sister...you are the one who should be the ruler of this Great Shun!"