CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 374 OUTSTANDING

Mentioning that Xie Liangchen might see the Emperor tomorrow made the atmosphere in the room slightly heavy.

Song Xian spoke first: "I have placed a eunuch by Du Zheng’s side as a spy. Although his rank is not high, he can send me some information. I instructed him to keep an eye on the palace situation."

Song Xian is indeed young, and was previously busy with matters in the North. Only after his rebirth did he quicken his pace, but it still requires time to plant spies near the Emperor.

"It won’t be a big problem," Xie Liangchen comforted her father and Song Xian, "It’s my first time entering the palace; if I make mistakes, I will inevitably attract criticism."

Xie Shao Yuan looked at his daughter: "Be more cautious once you enter the palace."

Xie Liangchen stood up: "I am going to learn etiquette from the palace nurses to avoid errors."

Entering the palace required bathing and changing clothes, and attendants from the palace came to serve. Her makeup was bound to be ruined, but this was no longer the main danger. Being discovered deceiving the Emperor would indeed provide leverage.

Song Xian did not leave and stayed in the room speaking with Xie Shao Yuan.

Xie Shao Yuan said, "Prince Guangyang still has some men back then; normally Liu Ji interacts with them. This time, we reclaimed the Eight States, and some people want to return there to register."

After the peace of the Dai State, people like Liu Ji left Xie Shao Yuan’s side, leaving Song Xian thinking that Xie Shao Yuan had other arrangements.

Xie Shao Yuan continued: "Hopefully, they can help in the future." The men of Prince Guangyang were scattered everywhere, and now being able to gather in the Eight States at least brought some solace.

Song Xian ate before leaving the residence, which had officially become the Xie Mansion, General Zhongwu Xie Shao Yuan’s residence.

Song Xian looked at the brand-new plaque.

Standing not far away, Chang An and Chang Yue were talking in low voices.

Chang Yue said, "The marriage has been granted, but the master still seems not very satisfied."

Chang An couldn’t help but laugh: "Need to have the lady as a wife to feel at ease."

Chang Yue asserted his brother’s authority: "You should advise often; I see the master always tries to speak to the young lady whenever he comes; Old Master Xie seems gentle on the surface, but who knows if he will lose patience someday."

They had to marry the young lady, and yet couldn’t allow the father and daughter to spend more time together meanwhile.

Chang An coughed lightly: "Understood." What could he advise?

"What are you talking about?" Song Xian walked over and reached out to take the reins from Chang An.

Chang Yue remained calm: "I was talking to Chang An, saying that those of us staying by the young lady’s side should return to the Song Family soon, right?"

Chang An’s eyes showed slight surprise, not expecting his brother to be like this, advising the master beforehand, now indirectly congratulating the master.

"Yes," Song Xian flashed a smile in his eyes, "Soon, just wait a bit longer."

Chang Yue responded.

Chang An refused to be outdone: "The gatehouse has prepared the carriage, tomorrow at Maozhong you will dine; if the master comes tomorrow, you can accompany Old Master Xie for some sparring early in the Mao hour."

As Chang An left with Song Xian, Chang Yue shook his head, indeed, servants follow their masters; his brother was becoming more like the master.

...

When the imperial edict reached the Xie Family, the matter about Prince Guangyang was settled.

Upon hearing the news, Yang Wu pursed his cracked lips tightly, filled with resentment: "Princess Jia’an?"

Chun Shan said, "Xie Liangchen’s father, Xie Shao Yuan, was granted the title of General Zhongwu."

Yang Wu could no longer hold back: "Why? Why is Xie Shao Yuan ranked higher than Father?"

Chun Shan persuaded, "Miss, don’t overthink it. After all, Xie Shao Yuan is Prince Guangyang’s son-in-law. The scriptures you wrote have been sent to the palace; the Empress has accepted them. Soon, perhaps you can leave here, and when we do, don’t confront Xie Liangchen right away, endure for now, and seek chances to rise again in the future."

Yang Wu clenched her fists tightly, having grown haggard from writing scriptures day and night, but wherever hope existed, she would seize it.

Except for waiting for news from the Empress, what other method did she have? Her life was now in someone else’s hands.

Yang Wu asked, "Did she go to the palace? Did she meet the Empress?"

"Princess Jia’an is going into the palace to express gratitude tomorrow," Chun Shan replied.

Yang Wu touched her own face.

Chun Shan immediately understood Yang Wu’s implication: "Princess Jia’an is not you; rest assured." At least her looks were not as good as Fifth Miss.

...

At dawn, Xie Liangchen got up and washed.

People sent from the palace waited nearby.

When Princess Jia’an was dressed and sat in front of the bronze mirror, the nurses’ eyes showed surprise.

A ray of morning light fell on the girl’s cheek through the window lattice, her fair skin, brows like distant mountains, eyes bright and clear. Seeing them, she slightly smiled, her lips untinted yet with a natural blush: "What hairstyle should be done? Please assist me."

The nurses couldn’t help but wipe their eyes with their sleeves; Princess Jia’an seemed like a different person overnight.

Understanding their thoughts, Xie Liangchen said: "I often roamed outside and naturally needed to cover up; entering the palace to meet the Empress naturally shouldn’t be like this, right nurses?"

"Right," the nurses hurriedly said, "The Commandery Princess is correct; it’s us old folks with dim eyes who didn’t notice." They had thought Princess Jia’an grew up in a village and was naturally not comparable to noble ladies; they never imagined her true appearance to be like this.

Xie Liangchen urged again: "Time is running late, I must accompany my grandmother for breakfast."

The nurses dared not delay and quickly came forward to comb Xie Liangchen’s hair.

"Don’t wear too many hair ornaments," Xie Liangchen said, "I am not used to them."

"Yes."

The nurse responded, but somehow, seeing Princess Jia’an like this made her hesitant, that skin so delicate it seemed fragile.

It took quite a while of busy preparation, but finally the makeup was done.

Xie Liangchen stood up and walked outside, followed by the nurses, who seemed not yet fully recovered.

The nurse muttered: "I even reported to the Empress saying..." saying Princess Jia’an’s looks were ordinary; when the Empress sees her, she might think they hadn’t reported truthfully.

Xie Liangchen made her way to Old Mrs. Chen’s courtyard, just stepping on the corridor when she saw Chen Zigeng and Hei Dan running toward her.

"Sister."

Chen Zigeng was fine, but Hei Dan stood dazed, looking Xie Liangchen up and down.

Hei Dan finally spoke: "Sister, you look beautiful today, more beautiful than anyone."

Xie Liangchen smiled and said: "Is the meal prepared? Let’s go, find Grandma."

The three siblings continued on, entering Old Mrs. Chen’s courtyard, where Xie Liangchen saw a tall figure standing.

Song Xian also happened to look up, and the moment their eyes met, the light in Song Xian’s eyes froze instantly.