Chapter 725: General Li To Take Li Rui To Li ManorThe chambers were silent.
Eunuch Zhang didn't seem to realize the impact of his words. However, Zhao Zhang Wei looked completely stiff after what the former had said.
He looked at Eunuch Zhang stiffly and then whispered suddenly
"But I never…"
However, he didn't complete his words realizing how foolish his response sounded to his own ears.
Actually, he had never touched a single concubine in Xinhe Palace …except for her. However, Yi Huiqing didn't know this. Scratch that…except for him, no one knew this.
Zhao Zhang Wei suddenly sighed heavily.
A bitter smile graced his lips suddenly and he looked at the young Eunuch.
"I should not have scolded you."
His words shocked Eunuch Zhang as he wondered whether this was the prince's way of apologizing. Whatever it was, Eunuch Zhang found it overwhelming and immediately shook his head as he said
"Your Highness can do anything with this servant."
Zhao Zhang Wei no longer said anything. However, his heart was very heavy. His phoenix eyes were dim.
How could he scold anyone when all the mess was created by himself!
No one was to be blamed for his mistakes except for him.
.
.
.
The Imperial Palace's air was slightly tense. Xi Ying could feel it when he entered the Imperial Palace.
However, it was normal.
The Empress was executed just yesterday. It would take a few days for the whole Imperial City to gain its vigor, let alone the Imperial Palace.
A long time passed after Xi Ying sat on his seat in the Imperial Court, Zhao Zhuang Chen didn't enter. Xi Ying found this also very normal.
The prince would also take some time to accept the fact that he now was alone in the Imperial Palace and had to fight for himself.
Zhao Zhuang Chen, in the end, was inexperienced. He would have to revise his plans and if he still wanted the throne then his every step should be very careful because now there was no one to correct his mistakes.
However, one thing that Xi Ying didn't find normal was Zhao Zhang Wei's expressions. The prince looked somewhat lost and dispirited.
He frowned in confusion wondering what happened.
However, before he could try to find out, the Imperial Eunuch announced the arrival of the Emperor and hence everyone had to stand up from their seats to greet him including Xi Ying.
The Imperial Assembly finished quite early. There was not much to discuss. Actually there was…however it was something that couldn't be discussed now.
At least not for a few days.
And Xi Ying knew what it was.
The seat of the Empress was now vacant and hence soon the ministers would talk to Zhao Wang Lei regarding it. He wondered what will Zhao Wang Lei at that time. However, it would be better if this issue would busy him so much that he would not focus his attention on Li and Yi Clan.
"Prime Minister Xi"
Xi Ying nodded his head in acknowledgement when the Imperial Guard guarding the entrance of Xinhe Palace greeted him.
He was here to meet Zhao Zhang Wei or he should say to find out what exactly happened that made the prince look like this.
Amidst all this, Xi Ying never tried to think exactly when did he start to think so much about Zhao Zhang Wei. Because according to his usual behavior, he should have never found it his concern.
However, he contradicted himself by saying that he was looking out for Zhao Zhang Wei because the latter was related to Yi Huiqing and his wife cared a lot about Yi Huiqing.
Also, he had said himself that Yi Huiqing was his responsibility so he ought to look out for her husband.
Just at this moment, the Imperial Guard came back and informed Xi Ying that he could meet Zhao Zhang Wei.
Xi Ying went to the study room and was immediately permitted to go inside.
Zhao Zhang Wei seemed to be reading something or perhaps he had just put that book in front of him for a show.
Xi Ying concluded that it was the latter when he saw the deep frown on his forehead. He walked to the chair placed in front of Zhao Zhang Wei and sat on it as he said calmly
"Looking at Your Highness' face, this Lord can't help but wonder if this Lord disturbed Your Highness."
Zhao Zhang Wei immediately smoothed his frown and said politely
"No, Prime Minister Xi. Benwang was just thinking about something."
Xi Ying nodded his head.
Before Zhao Zhang Wei could ask him, what he was here for, Xi Ying asked him on his own
"How is Princess Consort Yi?"
Yi Huiqing's mention made Zhao Zhang Wei's face blank for a moment before he replied stiffly
"She is fine. She can walk outside for some time now."
Xi Ying who was noticing each and every expression on Zhao Zhang Wei's face was now sure that something was definitely wrong between him and Yi Huiqing.
However, he didn't know if he should ask Zhao Zhang Wei about this directly. He didn't wish to intrude in someone's personal life. Though he could do so by saying that he just wanted to make sure that Yi Huiqing was fine, he ought to believe that Zhao Zhang Wei would not lie to her.
After a few moments of contemplation, he sighed and decided to leave.
Zhao Zhang Wei saw him standing up and opened his mouth to speak. However, what was going on inside his mind never came on his tongue.
Instead of what he wanted to ask from Xi Ying, what he said was
"When shall the main plan start?"
Xi Ying was surprised at the question he had not expected from Zhao Zhang Wei's side at such a moment. It took him a moment to respond
"This Lord needs to make a few changes in the plan now. Before Qin Wenya was also included in the plan, however now since she is no more, This Lord needs to look at everything again."
Zhao Zhang Wei nodded his head with a solemn expression on his face. Though he had asked the question all of sudden, he thought that it would be nice if the plan started early. After everything would be fine, he would tell Yi Huiqing everything.
He would clear every misunderstanding between them.
She would forgive after that, right?
Xi Ying left Xinhe Palace.
When he reached Xi Manor, he was informed by his shadow guard that General Li was here to meet him. Xi Ying was surprised.
He felt slightly ridiculous and amused when a thought came to his mind.
Was the general here to thank him for his generosity to kill the woman who tried to kill his wife?
Xi Ying smiled in mockery as he shook his head.
When he stepped inside the living room, he found General Li sitting in front of Li Rui. Xi Ying smiled on seeing his wife. He signed her to sit with a frown on his forehead when he saw that she was trying to get up.
Li Rui didn't get up.
Xi Ying sat beside his wife and looked at General Li finally. General Li also looked at him calmly and nodded his head politely
"Prime Minister Xi"
"General Li"
Xi Ying also greeted the General politely thinking that now he would tell him what he was here for. However, contrary to his expectations, the General talked to Li Rui, and asked her about her health and then about Xi Ling.
However, he never mentioned what he was here for. But there was something unusual about him today. Xi Ying saw General Li glancing at him every few moments with a weird smile on his lips.
He didn't know why but he had some kind of premonition inside his heart.
As if the General would drop some sudden bomb on him.
Xi Ying's attention was diverted when Xi Ling entered the living room. The small bun seemed to have just woken up and ran towards his mother as soon as he saw her.
However, when he noticed that there was one more person inside the room except his mother and father, he immediately changed his route and walked to stand in front of General Li.
"Greetings, Grandfather. Xi Ling wishes Grandfather a good day."
The small bun greeted General Li very politely. When he finished, he even looked at his mother who smiled at him and nodded her head.
The small bun was instantly happy.
On the other hand, General Li who was noticing this interaction felt his heart going soft. Xi Ling reminded him so much of his daughter…his cheerful daughter who was the life of his Li Manor.
Unable to control himself, he picked Xi Ling and then made him sit on his lap.
The small bun who was looking at his mother was surprised at being picked up suddenly. The next moment, he frowned deeply. He didn't like to sit in anyone's lap except for his father and mother.
However, remembering that the man was his mother's father, Xi Ling decided to endure it.
How could General Li not see it! He merely chuckled and asked Xi Ling
"Xi Ling, Grandfather is here to bring you and your mother to Li Manor. Will Xi Ling go with his mother and Grandfather?"
And the Xi Manor went deathly silent after General Li's words.