In fact, if we look at it carefully, Cui Lujin doesn't necessarily love Xiao Yanzhou that much.
She had met the emperor's cousin more than once, even more so when she was a child.
At that time, the two of them didn't get along well with each other. Later, when they grew up, Xiao Yanzhou's temperament changed drastically. Even when the two of them spoke, it was just simple greetings.
But everyone said she would be the queen.
Even her father and aunt hinted at her in this way.
After hearing this so many times, Cui Lujin really felt that she should be the queen.
Since she is a queen... she should love the emperor.
Thinking about it like this, Cui Lujin felt that she really fell in love with him.
He has appearance, power and talent that no man in the capital can match, and he has the highest status in the world.
Only such a person is worthy of marrying her, Cui's daughter.
In the past few years, Cui Lujin has regarded Xiao Yanzhou as her husband, even if the other party has no such intention at all. But in Cui Luyi's view, this is just a matter of time.
But Xie Hengwu appeared.
Even when she was not in the palace, she often heard people talking about Xie Hengwu.
Cui Lujin was dismissive at first, but later became suspicious. Until last night, she heard with her own ears that her cousin, who was thousands of miles away, called Xie's maiden name affectionately, took the initiative to hold her hand, and saw the two sleeping in each other's arms this morning.
It turns out that Xiao Yanzhou is good at getting close to people, but not to her.
It was the coldest morning in winter. Cui Lujin was walking on the palace road, letting the knife-like cold wind blow on her face, but she couldn't feel the cold at all.
Her heart was burned by an unknown fire.
On the surface, Cui Lujin seems to be independent from the world and doesn't care about anything, but in fact she cares about everything.
She didn't allow anyone to take away what was rightfully hers.
Even if the other party may not be able to get there at all.
Cui Lujin took a deep breath, her eyes darkened.
She must... get rid of Xie Hengwu.
--
After Zhao Quan sent Cui Lujin away, he went to the side hall tremblingly, hoping to bring things to the side hall. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yanzhou, who was supposed to be in the side hall, had already appeared in the side hall waiting for him.
With dark hair and snowy clothes, his dark eyes were deep, and Zhao Quan knelt down as soon as his legs went weak.
"Did you let her in?"
Xiao Yanzhou said slowly, with a cold murderous intent hidden in his plain tone.
Zhao Quan's voice trembled: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I failed to keep an eye on Lady Cui. I..."
"Gu said that no one can come in without Gu's permission."
Xiao Yanzhou said in a deep voice, each word hitting Zhao Quan's heart. The latter opened his mouth to beg for mercy, but his throat was choked.
Xiao Yanzhou stepped forward at some point, clasped Zhao Quan's neck with his palms, and lifted him up forcefully.
"Not to mention her."
Xiao Yanzhou finished the second half of the sentence in a mute voice, and Zhao Quan watched helplessly in the dimness, as the eyes of the emperor in front of him gradually turned red.
"You don't need disobedient people around you."
The hand on his throat tightened more and more, and the feeling of suffocation surged up like a tide. Zhao Quan's face turned purple from holding back, and he thought sadly that he was really confused for a moment, and he was afraid that he would have to confess here.
"His Majesty?"
A soft voice sounded like water, cutting through the thick murderous intent.
Xiao Yanzhou suddenly relaxed his grip, and Zhao Quan was thrown to the ground. He covered his throat and coughed suddenly, with a look of happiness in his eyes that he had survived the disaster. .
Xie Hengwu's sleep was not comfortable this time, and he woke up when he heard some noise. There was no one in the bedroom, and the only light was out again. She had no choice but to lie down in the dark and walk out barefoot.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the side hall, he saw Xiao Yanzhou holding Zhao Quan in his arms. Poor Zhao Quan was lifted up by Xiao Yanzhou like a little chicken, as if he would faint in the next moment.
Xiao Yanzhou glanced at Zhao Quan on the ground, then raised his eyes to look at Xie Hengwu. His eyes first fell on her feet without shoes and socks, and he frowned slightly.
"How did you come."
Although he deliberately restrained himself, this question still had a serious air of blood.
"I didn't see your majesty, so I went out to look for him." Xie Hengwu also realized that something was wrong and worried, "What happened to Eunuch Zhao to make your majesty so angry?"
Zhao Quan coughed and replied in a hoarse voice: "Reply to the young master... cough cough, it's all... the slave was obsessed for a moment and offended His Majesty."
Zhao Quan was Xiao Yanzhou's confidant, and he was still in Zichen Palace early in the morning. What could he do to make Xiao Yanzhou so angry?
Xie Hengwu's eyes turned and landed on the food box beside him.
The dim candlelight on the table is illuminating the auspicious phoenix pattern on the food box.
Xie Hengwu understood.
"Your Majesty, the first day has not passed yet, it would be unlucky to see blood."
Xiao Yanzhou said coldly: "I don't believe in ghosts and gods."
Xie Hengwu was helpless: "Even if Your Majesty doesn't believe it, there's no guarantee that the people below him won't believe it. Besides, Eunuch Zhao knows Your Majesty best. If Your Majesty disposes of him, you won't be able to find anyone you like for a while, right?"
Xiao Yanzhou's eyes darkened: "Are you begging for mercy on his behalf?"
"No, what I mean is that even if Your Majesty wants to deal with him, he should wait until the end of the first day."
As he spoke, Xie Hengwu stepped forward, took Xiao Yanzhou's arm and whispered coquettishly: "My body and feet are cold. Your Majesty, please take me back."
Xiao Yanzhou was silenced by this sudden act of coquettishness.
"You know it's cold now?"
He was sarcastic, but his body sincerely picked up the person and held him tightly in his arms.
His eyes fell on Zhao Quan, who was huddled on the ground again: "Get out of here."
Zhao Quan was startled, suspecting that he had heard wrongly, but he quickly realized what he was saying, thanked him profusely, and left regardless of his embarrassment.
Xie Hengwu's eyes moved slightly, and he saw that his arms were naturally wrapped around Xiao Yanzhou's neck. He thought to himself that he really looked like a demon concubine in this way.
But Nanliang originally asked her to be the demon concubine.
Thinking about it this way, she felt inexplicably calmer.
Xiao Yanzhou did not leave, but held her in his arms and sat down on the couch in the side hall. He carefully looked at her inch by inch, as if he wanted to cut her open, and finally buried his head in her neck and smelled her.
Xie Hengwu was made uncomfortable by him.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
She pushed him gently.
Xiao Yanzhou then raised his head and stared at her slowly: "Ms. Cui stayed at Shou'an Palace last night."
Apart from Queen Mother Cui, the only person who could stay in Shou'an Palace was Cui Lujin.
Xie Hengwu immediately understood why Xiao Yanzhou had murderous intentions for Zhao Quan.
If they were just people from Shou'an Palace, Zhao Quan would not let them in. But it's different if it's Cui Luyi.
"Of course Eunuch Zhao was wrong, but by killing him, wouldn't your Majesty also be in line with other people's wishes?"
Xie Hengwu rested his head on his shoulder and spoke directly into Xiao Yanzhou's ear: "Eunuch Zhao is your majesty's confidant. Once he is executed, others will not know the reason and will only think that your majesty is ruthless. Your majesty, what do you think? , who will benefit the most from your separation from the people around you?"
Xiao Yanzhou lowered his eyes and looked at her deeply: "You talk too much."
"I know this. Your Majesty must understand this simple truth." Xie Hengwu deliberately softened his voice and said sweetly, "Since Your Majesty understands it, why does it matter if I talk more?"
Xiao Yanzhou lowered his long eyebrows, and his tone seemed to be loosened: "... I will never change my decision."
She chuckled inwardly.
Xiao Yanzhou really has a lot of face. Someone needs to support him and save his face, so that he can change his tune.
Come to think of it, people have always been afraid of him and always agreed with his decisions, which made it even more difficult for him to listen to his advice.
"Only you and I know about this matter, Zhao Quanzhi. I believe that Eunuch Zhao is very strict and will not tell anyone about it."
"Even if the news leaks out, others will only think that Your Majesty is being generous. No matter what,..."
Xie Hengwu hooked his neck, breathed softly into his ear, and said with a sweet smile: "Your Majesty, you might as well say that I blew a lot of pillow wind, which confused Your Majesty."
Just as Empress Dowager Cui was returning to the palace, Xiao Yanzhou summoned her with such great fanfare every three days and never allowed her to pay her respects. Didn't he just want to use her as a shield against the Empress Dowager and the previous dynasty?
Queen Mother Cui happened to want to take advantage of her, and Xie Hengwu didn't mind taking the title of the so-called "Demon Concubine".
With the cooperation of Xiao Yanzhou on her left and right, and the teachings she received in Nanliang, she was extremely comfortable in doing this.
Xiao Yanzhou pursed his lips, and the residual heat in his ears seemed to seep into his heart, igniting an unwarranted heat.
Xie Hengwu didn't laugh for long when his mouth was suddenly covered.
She was a little dazed and looked at Xiao Yanzhou with blinking eyes.
The latter coughed and said coldly: "Don't do this again."
Xie Hengwu looked at him for a while with his watery eyes, then rolled his eyes for a moment.
Xiao Yanzhou suddenly retracted his hand as if he had been burned by something, and his eyes seemed to tremble.
Just now he put his hand on his lips, and seeing his fierce look, it was hard for Xie Hengwu not to have bad thoughts.
The snake-like smallness quickly passed through the palm, leaving only a little warmth and moisture.
The dim candlelight and the cover of his dark hair prevented the red tip of Xiao Yanzhou's ears from being too noticeable.
He felt that he might have indulged her a little too much.
Only one month has passed, and I have become so courageous.
When Xiao Yanzhou saw her slightly proud eyes, he became more convinced.
With a dull face, he moved his hand on her waist down and patted her buttocks twice.
Then Xie Hengwu's smiling face froze and quickly turned blank.
She was stunned for a few seconds, and her cheeks turned red, like a ripe peach.
"you you……"
Xie Hengwu was angry and ashamed. All kinds of words came to his lips, but only two words came out.
She has never been spanked in all her life!
He...how could he do this!
Seeing her embarrassment, Xiao Yanzhou felt that he had made a comeback.
His phoenix eyes were slightly lowered, with a wicked smile in his dark eyes: "Ah Heng has sharp teeth, why can't he speak now?"
Xie Hengwu raised his eyelids and glanced at him, then suddenly broke out of his arms and ran away.
Xiao Yanzhou had a smile in his eyes and watched her leave leisurely, like a predator deliberately teasing its prey.
In a moment, Xie Hengwu was pulled into his arms by an irresistible force. Before she could struggle, she was already carried on her shoulders.
Xiao Yanzhou put a hand between her waist and hip, full of threats: "Are you still running?"
At this time, the world was turned upside down, and she fell into a rather passive situation.
Xie Hengwu was silent for a while, then resigned with great frustration: "...I don't dare."
--
It was around the time when lunch was about to arrive that Xie Hengwu came out of Zichen Palace.
She secretly rubbed her sore arms.
Xiao Yanzhou read the excerpts all morning, and she stayed with him to polish his ink all morning. In fact, her legs were also sore, and she was thinking of letting Li Luo massage them after she returned to the palace.
Xie Hengwu walked outside and saw Zhao Quan standing uneasily outside the door. When he saw her coming out, he hurried to meet her, looking like he wanted to say something but didn't dare.
Xie Hengwu gave him a reassuring smile.
"Eunuch Zhao, don't worry, your Majesty will not blame you."
Zhao Quan's lips trembled, as if in disbelief. After a long time, he suddenly knelt down and bowed down. Xie Hengwu was so frightened that he quickly went to help him.
"My little master's life-saving grace will be unforgettable!"
If he had just wanted to please Xie Hengwu before, now he actually felt a sense of loyalty.
He thought he could only delay it for three days at most. He had already thought about how to take care of his affairs after three days, but he never thought that he would not have to die.
No one has ever been able to change Xiao Yanzhou's decision.
Zhao Quan looked at Xie Hengwu eagerly, making her feel uncomfortable.
"Okay, Your Majesty was just impulsive and didn't really want to kill you. If you want to thank him, you'd better go and thank Your Majesty for your forgiveness." Xie Hengwu said softly, bending down to help him up, "I'll first Now that I’m back, I’ll have to trouble Eunuch Zhao even more in the future.”
Zhao Quan hurriedly agreed and sent Xie Hengwu to the sedan chair very attentively.
