The afternoon sun shone into the room, and Zhu Xuxing read the official documents intently. As he read, he put aside his pen and ink, dismissed the internal prisoner with his eyes, and fell into deep thought alone.
Unexpectedly, Wei Li came to the door to ask for an audience, which was very untimely.
Zhu Xuxing's face darkened slightly, as if he had already guessed why he came.
The Royal Guards are all-pervasive and know everything.
Wei Li was dressed in official uniform and neatly behaved: "Greetings to Your Highness, I'm here to cause trouble again today."
Zhu Xuxing said nothing and just stared at him.
Wei Li met his complicated gaze and simply said, "Your Highness seems not very happy. It seems that His Highness already knows who the fish that slipped through the net is. In that case, please bear with me and give up."
Although he was not in the palace, he was always paying attention to what was going on here. When Xu Zhihuaicai "reported himself to his family," he came to get him.
"You dare to take someone in my palace."
Zhu Xingxing is not angry but has authority.
Wei Li smiled and said: "Your Highness, if I know, you can't pretend that you don't know."
"I know better than you who she is."
"Your Highness is protecting her right now. People are not convinced. Why don't you hand her over to me first? After the investigation is clear, I will send Miss Xu back properly. By then everyone will believe that Miss Xu is a reliable person."
Zhu Xuxing asked him back: "How many of the people that your Qingyi Marquis has checked can still come back alive?"
Wei Li was confident: "I serve the court wholeheartedly and never kill innocent people."
Zhu Xuxing's tone was serious and his attitude was firm: "You can't take this person away. If you want to check, check here."
Wei Li had followed him for many years and knew his temperament, so he simply stopped insisting: "Okay, I will ask him clearly in front of His Highness."
Xu Zhihuai took risks and was worried. When she heard that His Highness called her to go back, she felt even more uneasy.
By coincidence, there was another person in the study at this time, and it was Wei Li who she least wanted to see.
His eyes were gloomy and his expression was serious.
Xu Zhihuai's heart suddenly pounded, and he pretended to be calm and saluted.
Zhu Xuxing didn't want to scare her, so he said gently: "This is the Marquis of Qingyi. He has a few questions to ask you. Just answer him seriously. Don't be afraid."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xu Zhihuai lowered his eyes slightly and put on a docile and well-behaved look.
"Greetings to the Marquis."
Wei Li looked directly at her, with a dark look in his eyes: "Miss Xu, who are you, Wu Yuan?"
"Sir, Sir Wu is my uncle."
"Where are your parents?"
"They...are all gone."
"When did you die?"
"Don't be presumptuous."
Wei Li asked rudely, making Zhu Xuxing frown and displease.
Xu Zhihuai took a slow breath: "Four years ago."
"How did you die?"
"Our family took a boat trip to visit relatives. Unfortunately, something happened on the way. My parents were swept away by the wind and waves."
Xu Zhihuai's tone was sad and his eyes filled with tears.
Wei Li said coldly: "That means there is no evidence to prove it."
"My maid Jinhua can testify that she has been with me since she was a child... It's just that our master and servant got separated, and I can't find her now..."
Xu Zhihuai's tears came quickly and his breathing became rapid.
Wei Li said mercilessly: "Young lady, are you asking me to find a maid for you? You have so much authority."
"Don't make it difficult for her."
Zhu Xuxing frowned again and ordered: "If you want to ask, just ask carefully."
Wei Li bowed to him and said, "Your Highness, I have always been straightforward."
In fact, he didn't care about those sad things about Chen Guzi and Rotten Sesame. Today he was just going through the motions in front of the prince.
Wei Li was aggressive. After some cross-examination, Xu Zhihuai gave an accurate answer. Because she had already memorized these words so well that she would never reveal any flaws.
The real Xu Zhihuai's family background is pure and clean. Three generations of his ancestors were scholars and can withstand investigation. And it's been three years... She has been Xu Zhihuai for more than three years, and she never dares to relax.
Seeing that the play was almost over, Xu Zhihuai was about to cry.
Zhu Xiuxing, who was opposite him, looked even more distressed.
Wei Li sneered.
It seemed that this woman was still of some use, so he put away his murderous intention: "Your Highness, I have almost finished asking you questions. I need to check carefully in the follow-up. I also hope that what Miss Xu said today is the truth."
Zhu Xuxing said in a determined tone: "You are worrying too much. She is a pure and kind person."
Wei Li smiled again: "Okay, how can a beautiful woman shed tears without the pity of a person who cherishes flowers. I will leave first, so as not to disturb His Highness's good mood." After saying this, he stood up, bowed, and left in a hurry.
Xu Zhihuai's eyes were filled with tears, and he was suspicious in his heart: Did he let her go just like that? However, she was more concerned about His Highness the Crown Prince's reaction.
Zhu Xuxing had already stood up and came to Xu Zhihuai, gently patting her shoulders to comfort her.
Xu Zhihuai raised his eyes timidly and saw the prince looking at him tenderly, his tears flowing even more fiercely because he was sad and innocent.
Zhu Xuxing felt even more distressed and sighed softly: "You are not helpless. I will take care of you from now on."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
For Xu Zhihuai, this warm embrace is not solid enough.
She acted without authorization and took the initiative to tell the truth, which gave Wei Li one less reason to manipulate her.
He has always held grudges.
In the next few days, the world was peaceful.
Zhu Xuxing treated her as tenderly as before, and the Queen and the Empress no longer sent anyone to deliver Bizi Soup. Obviously, they knew how pure the Prince's affection for her was.
When I got up in the morning, it drizzled outside the window, moistening things silently.
Xu Zhihuai guarded the silence of the room, concentrating on being in a daze. Today, Zhu Xuxing left the palace and went to Prince Yue's Mansion. She was left alone to eat lunch. Just when Jing'an was about to set the table, she heard someone from outside: "Aunt Jade is here."
Xu Zhihuai came to his senses and stood up to salute.
Aunt Jade changed her previous contemptuous expression and came to invite her with a smile.
"Girl, the food is served so early. It's really good for your appetite. Don't be impatient yet, just follow me."
Xu Zhihuai pretended to be flattered.
Aunt Jade smiled softly and said, "Your Majesty wants to reward the girl. Girl, go and thank her."
If you don’t get paid for your merits, how can you get rewards? Do you want Aunt Jade to come and invite you in person? Even if she sends someone randomly, she has to be obedient.
It seems that this is not a good move.
After a moment of hesitation, Xu Zhihuai smiled softly: "Thank you, Auntie, please take me on this trip."
"Okay, stop saying the polite words and don't waste your time."
The palace of Baoyuan is graceful and luxurious.
Xu Zhihuai lowered his eyes and saluted, with a well-behaved look on his face. Before he could see his true appearance, he heard a familiar voice saying: "Your Majesty, please just leave it to me."
Wei Li's voice struck her ears and heart like a lightning bolt.
"I haven't spoken yet, so you are in a hurry."
Wei Li smiled and said nothing, standing quietly and waiting.
The Empress looked at Xu Zhihuai's stiff figure, then at Wei Li who was relaxed and at ease, and said in a calm tone: "You have been following the prince for many years, so you should share the prince's worries. She can be left to you, but don't use those methods on her. Speak well."
Wei Li immediately responded: "Don't worry, I will not hurt her life."
Xu Zhihuai was shocked.
While His Highness is not in the palace, the Queen Mother is handing her over to Wei Li, and he has full authority to deal with her...
