The wheels rolled on the solid bluestone bricks, and the sound was particularly distinct in the quiet palace. Wei Shuxuan felt as if there was no one in this palace. She looked out of the carriage and hardly saw a soul. But just then, she spotted some guards on patrol.
Looking at the vast expanse outside, Wei Shuxuan couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size of the palace. It had taken quite some time just to cross the outer perimeter.
This made her truly appreciate how enormous the palace was.
Finally, they arrived outside the main hall where the emperor handled official business. Xin Zizhao got off the carriage and said to Wei Shuxuan, who was still sitting inside, "You wait for me in the carriage. Don't wander around. If anything happens, I won't be responsible."
"Got it. Why are you so long - winded!" Wei Shuxuan couldn't help but complain to Xin Zizhao, who rarely said so many words.
"Didn't you used to dislike me for being so taciturn and cold?" Xin Zizhao gave her a sidelong glance.
"Because I know this kind of thing without you having to tell me," Wei Shuxuan raised her eyebrows. But seeing Xin Zizhao's somewhat gloomy face, she quickly changed her tune, "Alright, alright. Hurry over there. I'll wait for you obediently outside."
Hearing this, Xin Zizhao's expression softened a bit. He nodded and then followed Dan Linghai into the main hall.
Dan Xueyao knew that Wei Shuxuan was alone in the carriage, so she got out of her own carriage to keep Wei Shuxuan company.
"Brother Wei Luo, I know you're bored, so I came here especially to accompany you."
Wei Shuxuan, who was sitting in the carriage in a daze, saw Dan Xueyao come in from the outside. "Miss Dan, why are you here? Don't you need to accompany the prime minister?"
"No. I don't hold any official position. As long as Father accompanies the Fifth Prince to see the emperor, that's enough. I'll stay here with you."
"Thank you then, Miss Dan."
"Call me Xueyao, Brother Wei Luo."
Dan Xueyao looked at Wei Shuxuan expectantly, as if she really wanted Wei Shuxuan to call her by her name. Wei Shuxuan smiled. The girl in front of her seemed quite cute. "Okay then, Xueyao."
"Yeah!" Hearing her sweetheart call her name, Dan Xueyao was overjoyed.
Xin Zizhao strode ahead into the main hall. His handsome face showed no trace of fear. As always, he was cold - faced. He lifted his eyes and scanned the few officials in the hall, as well as the eunuchs and maids serving the emperor. The aura in his eyes made others dare not meet his gaze.
Sitting on the throne was a white - haired man. Although his face was lined with wrinkles, one could still tell that he had been extremely handsome in his youth. One could faintly see his features from Xin Zizhao's appearance.
Xin Zizhao stepped forward and respectfully knelt down before the emperor on the throne. "Father, Zizhao has come to pay his respects."
"Good, good. Zizhao, get up quickly. You must have had a hard journey, my son."
The emperor got up from his throne and helped Xin Zizhao up. Xin Zizhao stood up accordingly. "Thank you, Father."
"Father has arranged your residence for you. It's the Fenghe Palace in the east. The 29th of next month is your birthday and your coming - of - age ceremony. I've decided to hold it on that day."
"Yes, Father."
Xin Zizhao bowed and was then dismissed by the emperor to go and rest.
As he walked out of the main hall, Xin Zizhao couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Sure enough, he still didn't like this restrictive place. It was much more free outside.
When Xin Zizhao came out, he saw that the carriage was gone, but Wei Shuxuan was still waiting for him. However, Xin Zizhao thought it would be even better if that annoying woman wasn't there.
"Xin Zizhao, are you done?" Wei Shuxuan saw Xin Zizhao come out of the main hall and happily walked towards him.
"Yeah. Let's go."
But Dan Xueyao pulled at Wei Shuxuan's sleeve. "Brother Wei Luo, you can't just call the Fifth Prince by his name now. He's back in the palace. You need to pay attention to etiquette. You should call him Your Highness the Prince. Otherwise, if others in the palace catch you on this, it will be troublesome."
"Really?" Wei Shuxuan still looked reluctant. "But I feel it's so awkward to call him Your Highness the Prince."
Before Dan Xueyao could reply, Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan and said, "If you don't want to call me that, you don't have to in private. But this is the palace after all. In front of outsiders, you should. You don't want to get into trouble, do you?"
"…Alright, alright. I know. Let's go back and rest first. I just heard that your father has given you a palace to live in…"
However, on the way to the Fenghe Palace in the sedan chair, Wei Shuxuan noticed that the entire palace was filled with a strange atmosphere, which made people feel oppressed and uncomfortable.
The Fenghe Palace was a relatively magnificent one. There were gardens and landscapes built around it. To reach the palace, one had to cross a wooden bridge over the gurgling stream. There were all kinds of flowers, plants, and trees all around, and the air was very pleasant.
Xin Zizhao was quite satisfied with the Fenghe Palace. It looked comfortable. Wei Shuxuan trotted into the palace and plopped down in front of the table. "Xin Zizhao, the environment here is quite nice."
"It's okay."
Wei Shuxuan could tell that Xin Zizhao was indeed satisfied with this place. Otherwise, he would have just turned around and left. The environment was really comfortable, but… Wei Shuxuan glanced at the maids and eunuchs standing aside. Although they had their heads down, she could still see the fear on their faces at a glance.
"Is something wrong?" Xin Zizhao noticed that Wei Shuxuan seemed absent - minded.
"Nothing. I'll go back to my room first."
Walking in the corridor, Wei Shuxuan saw two maids hurrying towards her. They had been whispering to each other, but as soon as they saw her, they immediately separated, looking extremely uneasy.
What was wrong with these maids and eunuchs? They seemed to be afraid of something.
Thinking like this, Wei Shuxuan's imagination ran wild. Weren't there always rumors that places like the palace were the most haunted? Could it be that these maids and eunuchs had seen ghosts?
However, as much as she thought about it, it was still unrealistic.
Xin Zizhao had arranged a maid named Xiaoxiao to take care of Wei Shuxuan's daily life.
"Xiaoxiao, I have something I want to ask you. Can you answer me honestly?"
Xiaoxiao, who was called by name, trembled instantly!