Ping Zhao Lu

Chapter 120 Thoughtful

Zhuang Yan held the Queen's palace order in his hand and hurried towards the palace like a gust of wind.

When he stepped into the spacious and solemn palace corridor, he couldn't help but secretly groan in his heart.

Not far ahead, a familiar figure came into view. It was none other than Shang Jiu.

Although Zhuang Yan was filled with dissatisfaction at the moment, the habits he had developed over many years of official career allowed him to quickly control his emotions, and his face did not show any abnormality at all.

He hurried forward, bowed respectfully to Shang Jiu, and greeted him honestly: "Sir, I didn't expect to meet you here. Are you going to Fengluan Palace?"

Shang Jiu glanced at him expressionlessly and replied calmly, "I'm going to see the emperor."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and subconsciously blurted out: "Shouldn't we go to the Golden Palace to see the emperor..."

Shang Jiu looked at him as if he were a fool, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he said with a barely perceptible sarcasm: "The emperor is resting in Fengluan Palace."

"Ah?" Zhuang Yan's eyes widened upon hearing this, his face full of surprise.

Of course he knew that the emperor doted on the queen, but he never expected that at this time, the emperor would still stay in the queen's bedroom.

For a moment, Zhuang Yan stood there, looking a little at a loss.

Shang Jiu seemed to see through his thoughts and said comfortingly, "The Emperor will certainly not say anything to you about coming to visit the Queen this time."

Zhuang Yan was stunned at first, then he chuckled twice and said with forced calmness: "Of course I have never worried about this..." However, when he said the last few words, his voice became smaller and smaller, and he was obviously lacking in confidence.

When Shang Jiu saw this, a smile flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual cold expression.

He gave Zhuang Yan another deep look before turning back and walking towards Fengluan Palace. Zhuang Yan was left standing there, watching Shang Jiu's receding figure, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, he frowned slightly, as if he suddenly remembered something extremely important. An anxious look instantly appeared on his face, and his pace unconsciously quickened a lot, and he hurried forward to catch up.

After catching up with the person in front, he asked with concern, "By the way! Have you found out about the pharmacy?"

Shang Jiu, who was walking in front, didn't pause when he heard this. He just turned his head to glance at the person who was chasing him, and then responded while walking slowly, "I have found out everything. I was planning to report this to His Majesty."

After hearing this answer, Zhuang Yan's heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down a little, and he relaxed completely.

It was worth it that he threatened Li Yaocheng.

After calming down a bit, Zhuang Yan continued, "Have you heard anything about what happened at East Lake last night, sir?"

Shang Jiu responded softly, indicating that he did know about this matter. After all, he was the one who personally interrogated the assassin who had been kept alive last night.

But at this moment, his eyes, which were originally as calm as water, suddenly became deep, and a barely perceptible trace of worry flashed across his eyes, but soon returned to normal.

*

Xu Zhouye was wrapped tightly in his blanket, showing no sign of getting up. His head was buried deep in the soft pillow, as if he was trying to block out the entire world.

Chu Yunxiao, who was lying beside him, looked helpless.

This morning, he was tormented by his queen in various ways and it was almost impossible for him to calm down.

Chu Yunxiao looked at Xu Zhouye's peaceful sleeping face, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

The person was lying right in front of him, so close, but he couldn't touch him easily.

This feeling made Chu Yunxiao a little irritated. He couldn't help but take a deep breath, trying to calm his inner fluctuations.

At this moment, Su Ming's low voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Shang Tingwei and Zhuang Shaoqing are outside asking to see you." Although the voice was soft, it was still clearly heard by the people in the house.

Chu Yunxiao frowned slightly and his gaze fell on Xu Zhouye, who still had his eyes closed and seemed unresponsive.

After a moment's silence, he responded softly, "Okay, I understand. Let them wait in the side hall first." After that, he carefully pulled his arm out from under Xu Zhouye's head.

After receiving the emperor's order, Su Ming replied "Yes" and then withdrew respectfully.

Chu Yunxiao slowly sat up straight, turned his head to look at the person beside him who had turned his back and continued to pretend to sleep, and couldn't help but sigh. He lowered his voice and said gently, "Zhuang Yan is here too. Doesn't the Queen want to get up and see him?"

Unexpectedly, Xu Zhouye just turned over impatiently, turned his back to Chu Yunxiao, muttered "yes", and then there was no other movement.

Seeing this, Chu Yunxiao couldn't help but frown and felt a little disappointed.

"Are you still angry?" Chu Yunxiao leaned forward slightly and looked at the person in front of him with concern.

Xu Zhouye pursed his lips tightly and said nothing.

Chu Yunxiao couldn't help but sigh softly. Thinking back to what happened last night, his heart was filled with regret and self-blame.

It was indeed a momentary impulse that blinded him with anger, and he actually took his anger out on his beloved queen.

Thinking about it now, I really regret it!

So he said sincerely: "I am wrong. If the Queen is angry, just beat and scold me. I will not complain."

Xu Zhouye moved slightly and huddled into the warm quilt, muttering softly, "I dare not."

Seeing this scene, Chu Yunxiao was at a loss for a moment.

He didn't know how to calm the queen down. His mind was full of thoughts and his eyes were fixed on the huddled figure under the quilt.

At this time, Xu Zhouye quietly reminded, "Your Majesty, please get up quickly. Don't keep Lord Shang waiting. Business is more important."

Hearing this, Chu Yunxiao was shocked.

Even at this moment, his queen was still thinking about him wholeheartedly. This deep affection made Chu Yunxiao's inner self-blame even stronger.

Seeing that Chu Yunxiao still did not move, Xu Zhouye hesitated for a moment, then finally sat up slowly and said softly: "Since Your Majesty is unwilling to leave, why don't I accompany Your Majesty." After that, he gently lifted the quilt and prepared to get out of bed.

Seeing this, Chu Yunxiao reached out and stopped him from getting out of bed. "Let Young Master Zhuang come to the main hall to see you. I'm sure you both have a lot to discuss. I'll go see Shang Jiu myself."

As he said this, he was about to get off the bed.

At this moment, Xu Zhouye was quick-witted and grabbed the emperor's strong and powerful arm tightly.

Chu Yunxiao was stunned by the sudden pull, then turned around and looked at the person behind him with a puzzled look.

Xu Zhouye lowered his head, as if he had done something wrong. He cleared his throat a little awkwardly, and then said in a very low voice: "There is a mark on the left side of your Majesty's neck. It's better to wipe it with some ointment." After saying that, as if afraid of causing any trouble, he quickly lowered his head even lower.

When Chu Yunxiao heard this, his originally uneasy heart instantly dissipated like smoke without a trace.

The corners of his lips involuntarily curled up slightly, and then he raised his hand and gently stroked the shallow teeth mark on the side of his neck with a bit of playfulness and nostalgia.

His movements were gentle and slow, as if he was savoring the tenderness and intimacy of the moment not long ago. Finally, he slowly said, "Just consider it a small punishment from the Queen." There was no trace of blame in his words, but rather a hint of doting.

At this moment in the side hall.

Zhuang Yan sat quietly on the carved sandalwood chair, his body slightly leaning forward, his left hand lazily resting on his chin, his eyes lifeless, as if he had lost focus, staring blankly at the clear blue sky outside the window.

Shang Jiu, who was sitting not far from him, was quietly turning his gaze to Zhuang Yan.

Seeing the other person's absent-minded look, Shang Jiu couldn't help but lower his eyes slightly, trying to hide the faint smile that inadvertently appeared at the corner of his mouth. After a brief pause, he coughed lightly and slowly reminded him, "How long are you going to be in a daze like this?"

Zhuang Yan, lost in thought, was startled by the sudden voice. He jolted back to his senses in an instant. Bewildered, he turned around, his eyes fixed on Shang Jiu, and asked in astonishment, "Ah? What? Is the Emperor here?"

Shang Jiu shook his head helplessly and replied, "Not yet. But seeing your state, I'm worried that if the emperor really comes later, you may not be able to react in time. That's why I gave you a reminder, hoping to sober you up a little."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan's face suddenly showed a trace of embarrassment. He muttered to himself, "...I really thank you!" However, he still politely replied, "Thank you for your concern, sir."

At this moment, a sharp and high-pitched shout from the eunuchs came from outside the door: "The Emperor has arrived——"

In an instant, the originally casual atmosphere suddenly became serious.

Shang Jiu and Zhuang Yan jumped up from their seats almost at the same time, bowed quickly and in unison towards the door, and respectfully welcomed the arrival of His Majesty the Emperor.

Chu Yunxiao was dressed in a white dragon robe with gold weaving. He walked leisurely from a distance with a calm and composed expression. His eyes casually swept over the two people in front of him, and then he walked straight to the main seat and sat down steadily.

After everyone was seated firmly, he raised his hand slightly and said calmly, "No need to be polite. Please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Shang Jiu and Zhuang Yan responded in unison. Then, as if they had practiced this countless times, they straightened up in perfect unison and returned to their original seats.

At this moment, Chu Yunxiao's gaze slowly shifted to Zhuang Yan, and he said softly, "The Queen is in the main hall. If Zhuang Shaoqing needs to see her, you can go now."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan quickly stood up, clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "Yes, I will take my leave now."

Just as he was about to step out and leave, as if he had sensed something, he couldn't help but glance in the direction of Shang Jiu with the corner of his eye.

At that moment, Shang Jiu's gaze happened to meet his.

Zhuang Yan's heart trembled and he quickly looked away.

Suddenly, a strange feeling arose in my heart, which was hard to explain.