Xie Yan neither affirmed nor denied.
However, what Xie Lingqiao mentioned about helping him did pique his interest. He had originally planned to start with the young prince and was still wondering which candidate to target. Who would have thought that this excellent candidate would just happen to come to him.
He twirled his folding fan around his slender fingertips and gave Xie Lingqiao a smile. "I agree to this deal."
Before Xie Lingqiao could be overjoyed, he then said, "But now is not the time to kill the young prince. If you really want to help me, do as I say."
He stared intently at Xie Lingqiao, as if weighing whether she was truly sincere.
Xie Lingqiao was taken aback but didn't refuse. She only said, "As long as the result makes Xie Guang suffer, the process doesn't matter."
"Even if you're threatened?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Xie Lingqiao let out a cold laugh. "Since I've decided to cooperate with you, I've already considered this. At worst, he'll kill me. But I'm a princess after all. If he makes a move against me, he'll be handing you the evidence. In any case, this deal is worth it."
As long as she could strike at Xie Guang, Xie Lingqiao didn't care what happened.
A more sincere smile appeared on Xie Yan's face. "Good. With this determination from my second sister, I'm relieved."
The next day.
The sky in the capital was hazy, as if brewing a heavy snowfall. But after waiting and waiting, there was still no sign of snow. Only the cold wind made people shiver.
Fu Zhen stood under the corridor, teasing a parrot. This parrot was just sent by Chen Tingfeng, who said it was for her to relieve boredom. Without worrying about the parrot freezing to death in the cold winter, he directly hung the cage under the corridor.
She teased the bird and saw it shiver. "Huh? Is it cold?"
The parrot was smart and imitated her twice. "Cold, cold!"
Fu Zhen was amused and turned to ask Biyu to take the birdcage inside.
Chen Tingfeng sent the parrot early in the morning and then went out. What was worse, he had to act mysteriously and look profound. "There'll be a good show soon."
Before Fu Zhen could ask, he leisurely stood up and slipped away.
He was simply keeping her in suspense.
She looked at the sky, snorted, and murmured softly, "I hope it's really a good show. Otherwise..."
While Fu Zhen was still wondering what this good show was, the palace was in an uproar.
Although the emperor was muddle - headed, he doted on Xie Lingqiao. Today, Xie Lingqiao rarely coaxed him to accompany her to enjoy the plum blossoms. The emperor was old and liked it when girls coquettishly pleaded with him, so he half - heartedly agreed.
Who would have thought that just as they arrived at the imperial garden and hadn't seen many plum blossoms, they suddenly bumped into Concubine Li.
She was in the plum grove with the young prince, doing who - knew - what. Her movements seemed rather furtive. She only had a personal maid with her and didn't bring any other maids or eunuchs.
Xie Lingqiao's eyes flashed. Seemingly casually, she said, "Father, look. Concubine Li is playing with the young prince in the plum grove. What a coincidence. Why don't we invite her to join us?"
Only then did the emperor notice several figures in the distance.
He squinted his eyes and suddenly felt suspicious. "Concubine Li? It's so cold. What is she doing in the plum grove with the prince?"
As they were talking, the two of them walked towards Concubine Li.
Xie Lingqiao slipped and accidentally stepped on a fallen plum branch, making a "crack" sound.
Concubine Li in front trembled and immediately turned around. When she saw who was coming, her face changed drastically and she almost instantly showed a panicked expression. But after all, she had been in the palace for many years. She secretly thought it was bad but immediately changed her expression into a surprised look with tears in her eyes. "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
The young prince still looked confused. He was spoiled and only knew how to be arrogant. Usually, because Concubine Li was not much in favor, he didn't have a deep impression of the emperor. At this moment, he was just reluctantly pulled by Concubine Li to kneel and pay respects.
The old emperor stared at them for a few seconds and then said vaguely, "Get up."
"Why did you think of bringing the prince here today? You usually dote on the prince the most. How could you bear to bring him out in this freezing cold?"
This question made Concubine Li break out in a cold sweat.
She steadied her nerves, pinched her throat, and pretended to cry. She coquettishly said, "Your Majesty hasn't come to see your servant for a long time. Your servant misses Your Majesty so much. This plum grove was the place where Your Majesty and your servant fell in love. Your servant was so sad that she had to come here to recall the past and ease the pain of lovesickness."
When she said this, the old emperor remembered the first time he met Concubine Li.
At that time, he was in his prime, and Concubine Li was charming. With a charming smile over her shoulder in the plum grove, she had directly captured his heart.
His expression softened a bit. "It's my fault. I'll come to see you tonight."
Concubine Li gritted her silver teeth and didn't dare to show the slightest bit of resistance. Her cheeks flushed slightly, showing a look of joy. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The young prince was being held by her hand and didn't dare to be too presumptuous at this moment. He just hid behind her and sized up the old emperor.
The emperor shifted his gaze to him and asked gently, "My son, do you miss your father?"
The young prince was a bit dazed. He knew that the person in front of him was his father, but he also remembered that he had another father who treated him very well, a thousand times better than this person.
Thinking like this, he just couldn't bring himself to say the word "father".
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
Concubine Li's back was almost soaked with cold sweat. She quickly pulled the young prince over and pretended to coax him affectionately. "My son, are you too happy to speak? Didn't you always cry to see your father in the palace? Well, your father is here now. Quickly call him father."
Although the young prince was young, he was taught by Concubine Li to be very obedient. Now that she said so, he obediently called out, "Father."
But there was still a lack of intimacy.
The old emperor was old. The older princes were all eyeing the throne under his butt, and he didn't feel any family warmth. He was at an age when he liked children, especially his own youngest son.
But now, hearing his cold attitude, there was inevitably disappointment in his eyes. The back that had been deliberately bent slowly straightened up, and he insincerely praised, "Good boy."
At this time, Xie Lingqiao took his arm and smiled sweetly. "It seems that Father has been going to the harem less often recently, which has hurt the young prince's feelings. Father should quickly reward the young prince with something to coax him and get closer to him."
This was the look that the old emperor liked the most. His cold face gradually warmed up. He showed a doting smile. "After all, girls are more considerate. Alright, later I'll ask someone to send you some small trinkets. You should teach the prince well."
The second half of the sentence was addressed to Concubine Li.
Concubine Li gritted her teeth. Even though she knew that the old emperor was blaming her, she didn't dare to say much. She just lowered her head and obediently agreed.
The young prince was young and didn't understand many things. But children were the most sensitive to people's kindness and evil. Now, listening from the side, he almost instantly sensed the hidden malice of Xie Lingqiao, and his eyes instantly turned sinister.
He had a violent and unrestrained temper. If he didn't like someone, he would show it immediately. He stared at Xie Lingqiao fiercely, as if he had a deep - seated hatred for her.