Ouchi Taming the Cat, starting with the Ten Tiger Forms!

Chapter 634: Invitation Outside the Palace

"What does this bitch want to do?"

Li Xuan was on the roof, sensing the movement inside, and couldn't help but curse in his heart.

She didn't have any good feelings towards this woman.

Although Li Xuan knew about the agreement between Emperor Yongyuan and Empress Wu, there had always been rumors in the palace that Empress Wu disliked Jingyang Palace.

Empress Wu had no intention of controlling these rumors, which caused Jingyang Palace to suffer a lot because of these rumors.

Li Xuan didn't care whether it was Empress Wu's intention or not, but they did suffer because of her.

Now that Jingyang Palace had turned over, Princess Ankang had the opportunity to pay homage alone during the New Year, but was suddenly stopped by Empress Wu.

Li Xuan wanted to see what this woman wanted to do.

If anything goes wrong, Li Xuan will "fall" directly from the roof to let her experience what a sudden cat falling from the sky means!

In this tense atmosphere, Empress Wu waved to Princess Ankang and spoke again:

"Ankang, please come forward and let me take a closer look."

This sudden situation made Emperor Yongyuan unable to help but glance at Empress Wu, wondering what she was going to do.

But Emperor Yongyuan did not say anything to stop him, but just watched quietly.

They had an agreement that Empress Wu would not take action against Princess Ankang.

Empress Wu has kept her promise for so many years, there is no reason for her to go back on her word now.

When Princess Ankang heard what Empress Wu said, she looked at Empress Wu who was sitting next to Emperor Yongyuan, then nodded, walked slowly forward and stopped three steps away from them.

Empress Wu held her chin with one of her jade hands, leaned forward a little while sitting, and murmured:
"Um……"

This distance was enough for Empress Wu to see Princess Ankang clearly.

Princess Ankang lowered her head and stood obediently.

After all, the person in front of her was the Queen of Daxing, and she couldn't be disrespectful.

But at this moment, Empress Wu suddenly said:
"She really looks like her."

As soon as these words were spoken, Princess Ankang raised her head and looked at Empress Wu, with the coldness in her eyes not concealed.

She was already very restrained. If it weren't for Concubine Xiao's education of Princess Ankang over the years, don't expect Princess Ankang to be so calm.

It was just that Empress Wu mentioned Concubine Xiao first, and even Princess Ankang couldn't help but have a hint of coldness in her eyes.

"Queen!"

Emperor Yongyuan called her in a stern tone.

"Just take a look, why are you in such a hurry?"

Empress Wu rolled her eyes, then withdrew her gaze from Princess Ankang and closed her eyes to rest in boredom.

Princess Ankang, who was originally a little angry, was also stunned. She looked at Empress Wu, then at Emperor Yongyuan, and the confusion in her eyes was very obvious.

Not to mention Princess Ankang, even Li Xuan on the roof did not expect Empress Wu to have such an attitude towards Emperor Yongyuan.

He thought that no matter how much the two people didn't get along, they would act respectful and treat each other as equals.

But how do you look now...

Emperor Yongyuan rarely showed a strange expression and did not maintain his fatherly dignity in front of Princess Ankang.

"Ankang, why don't you pay homage and pay respects?"

After Emperor Yongyuan urged her, Princess Ankang finally remembered this. She recited the blessing she had prepared long ago, then bowed to the emperor and empress, completing her New Year's worship.

Princess Ankang was about to leave when she heard Emperor Yongyuan say:

"Ankang, I hope you can come with me on the southern tour. What do you think?"

Princess Ankang did not hesitate and immediately replied: "I will follow your father's instructions."

"Okay, then you should get ready. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will notify you of the date of departure."

"Yes." Princess Ankang nodded.

"Okay, if there is nothing else, please leave." Emperor Yongyuan almost urged Princess Ankang to leave.

Princess Ankang didn't think much about it. After bowing to the two of them, she left the Taiji Palace.

"Is that the end of it?"

Li Xuan on the roof was a little confused.

He had thought that Empress Wu would continue to make things difficult for Princess Ankang, but apart from calling Princess Ankang to her side just now and mentioning Concubine Xiao, she seemed to have said nothing else.

"So easy to deal with?"

Li Xuanzheng felt confused, and then he heard the conversation in Taiji Palace.

"Queen, just pretend that she doesn't exist."

Emperor Yongyuan's voice sounded, and although there was no fluctuation, he was obviously dissatisfied with Empress Wu's mention of Concubine Xiao in front of Princess Ankang.

"How can I pretend that a living person does not exist?"

"If Your Majesty doesn't trust me, how dare you let her and Yan Zhao participate in the southern tour together?"

"I'm not afraid..."

Empress Wu's lazy tone was full of teasing.

"If Yan Zhao was like you, he wouldn't be where he is today."

After saying this, Emperor Yongyuan stood up and left from the side hall.

"Li Weishan, don't run if you have the ability!"

When Empress Wu slammed the table, she no longer had the dignity of a queen.

But by this time Emperor Yongyuan had already disappeared.

Li Xuan was on the roof and could clearly sense that Emperor Yongyuan's pace had quickened a bit.

"Ok?"

"What's going on with the emperor and the queen?"

Li Xuan was confused.

He found that the relationship between Emperor Yongyuan and Empress Wu was not as tense as he had imagined, and was even somewhat casual.

It was very natural for Empress Wu to call Emperor Yongyuan by his name just now, and it was obviously not the first time she did so.

"It turns out that Emperor Yongyuan's name is Li Weishan. This name is quite ordinary and does not sound very imperial."

Li Xuan silently complained about Emperor Yongyuan's mediocre name.

"But they just said that Princess Yan Zhao would also join the southern tour?"

"Is the Wu family going to get together with Emperor Yongyuan?"

Li Xuan's eyes turned, and he was a little surprised.

He originally thought that the Wu family would sit on the sidelines and watch the fight between the two tigers, and then reap the benefits, but he did not expect that they would end the fight early and even stand on the side of Emperor Yongyuan.

"What benefits did Emperor Yongyuan promise them?"

"It can't be because of our family, right?"

If Princess Yan Zhao really ascends the throne as empress, I'm afraid that few of her brothers and sisters will have a good ending. Even Emperor Yongyuan has to be lucky enough to abdicate and have a decent ending.

Otherwise, the Daxing royal family might start a new round of bloody storm.

Li Xuan looked at the Taiji Palace Square where the crowd had already begun to disperse, and then looked at the sun which had already risen high.

The new year has begun and there is no time to waste any more.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er have already met up and are waiting for him downstairs.

Li Xuan sneaked down from the roof, then met up with the two girls, and then followed the crowd back and left the place.

Li Xuan lay in Princess Ankang's arms, his head over her shoulder, looking back to see the Taiji Palace Square where the guests had dispersed after a night of joy, and a sense of loss arose in his heart.

The word "end" always makes people feel bored.

"Axuan, what's wrong?"

Princess Ankang saw that Li Xuan was too quiet and well-behaved, so she couldn't help but ask.

Li Xuan didn't say anything, but just gently rested his chin on Princess Ankang's shoulder, enjoying the feeling of being hugged by her.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er smiled at each other without saying much.

Princess Ankang patted Li Xuan gently and held him like she was coaxing a child.

Li Xuan seemed calm, but he knew that greater challenges would be waiting for them in the new year.

Although it was unclear why Emperor Yongyuan suddenly became anxious, Li Xuan knew there must be a reason.

“I hope we can get through it safely.”

……

When the three little ones returned to Jingyang Palace, the eunuchs in flowery clothes who were guarding the palace presented a letter to Princess Ankang, saying that someone had delivered it not long ago.

"Your Highness, whose letter is this?"

The three children returned to their room to rest. Yu'er made the bed for Princess Ankang and turned around to ask, "After a banquet that lasted all night, it is inevitable to feel a little tired."

Although there are refreshing teas, everyone will come back to catch up on some sleep after the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Because there are many things to do on the first day of the new year.

Princess Ankang's other brothers and sisters will gather with their mother's family members today, and there will be many activities for them to participate in in the next few days.

But Princess Ankang is a lonely person, and no one will visit her in the palace. After the New Year's Eve dinner, she will have free time.

Princess Ankang rarely received letters from the outside world, so she opened it and read it for a while, but she couldn't help frowning.

"It's a letter from General Ningyuan's Mansion."

"They said that a few people who followed my mother wanted to see me outside the palace."

When Li Xuan heard this, he immediately climbed onto the table and stretched his head to read the contents of the letter.

Princess Ankang also considerately spread the letter out on the table for him.

Li Xuan saw Chai Rongrong and General Ningyuan at the banquet last night.

They wanted to come forward and talk to Princess Ankang, but they didn't find the opportunity. When the four dukes arrived, everyone else was asked to leave.

Now it seems that Chai Rongrong did not give up, but took advantage of the breakup just now to deliver the letter in some unknown way.

After all, with their status, they can't move around the harem freely.

"What do these former subordinates of Concubine Xiao want to do?"

"Do you think Ankang can be attached?"

"Then how did they climb up?"

Although Li Xuan was disdainful in his heart, he was also curious about what Chai Rongrong wanted to do.

Even though these people do not hold high positions, the more they move around in the capital, the more sophisticated their information needs to be. Otherwise, if they accidentally offend others, they will not be able to stay in the capital.

Especially since these people still have the mark of Concubine Xiao on their bodies, yet they are still able to stay in the capital, it can be seen that they still have some means.

"Ah Xuan, do you want to meet them?"

Princess Ankang asked Li Xuan for his opinion.

"You decide, meow."

Li Xuan threw the question back to Princess Ankang.

Princess Ankang thought about it, finally sighed and said:

"After all, they are related to my mother. Let's see what they are up to."

Li Xuan nodded silently, approving Princess Ankang's decision.

Anyway, with him protecting them, these people can't cause any trouble.

However, Princess Yanzhao's sudden return made Li Xuan feel a sense of urgency.

No other higher-level masters gave Li Xuan such a feeling.

Ultimately, it was because Princess Yanzhao was too young.

Her growth potential is enough to make everyone feel threatened.

Li Xuan looked at Princess Ankang and Yu'er, and thought to himself:
"It seems that we still need to improve our combat power!"

……

The next day.

The three little ones left the palace for the banquet.

General Ning Yuan has already chosen the location, which is a restaurant not far from the West Market.

They booked a private room there and waited for Princess Ankang to arrive.

The three little ones did not bring any other guards except a team of eunuchs in flowery clothes.

The leader of the team of eunuchs in flowery clothes was still Xu Lang, who was driving the car himself.

Xu Lang now takes charge of almost all tasks related to Jingyang Palace, and is therefore valued more by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

When they arrived at the agreed restaurant, the three little ones went straight to the private room. Only Xu Lang followed them to guard, while the other eunuchs in flowery clothes protected them in secret.

The business of this restaurant is average. Although it is a restaurant, there are not many customers and it looks a bit deserted.

When I arrived at the door of the private room, before I could knock, the door was opened from the inside.

The person who opened the door was Chai Rongrong, who had been waiting there for a long time. When she saw Princess Ankang, she immediately greeted her respectfully.

"Your Highness, please come in quickly."

Compared to the last time they met, Chai Rongrong's attitude today was much more flattering.

Li Xuan was held in Princess Ankang's arms, and he couldn't help muttering in his heart:

"Are you here to ask for favors?"

Princess Ankang was invited to sit in the main seat and found that in addition to General Ningyuan and his wife, there was also a shabby middle-aged man present.

Although this man's clothes were a little torn, his hair and beard were neatly groomed and not too shabby.

General Ningyuan and the middle-aged man stood up to greet Princess Ankang. They only dared to sit down one by one after Princess Ankang asked them to sit down.

As soon as they sat down, Chai Rongrong introduced Princess Ankang:
"Your Highness, let me introduce you."

"This is my husband, General Ningyuan Qiao Wanyun."

Qiao Wanyun immediately bowed to Princess Ankang:
"I have met Her Highness the Princess."

"General Qiao." Princess Ankang nodded.

"This is the Grand Master of the Imperial Court, Ren Chunsheng."

Chai Rongrong continued to introduce the middle-aged man next to Princess Ankang.

"Grand Priest of the Taichang Temple?"

Li Xuan couldn't help but wonder what kind of official position this was.

He did know about the Taichang Temple, which was located in the southern court of the imperial city and was mainly responsible for rituals and music.

For example, yesterday's New Year's sacrifice was also under their jurisdiction, but the title of Taizhu sounded a bit unfamiliar.

Princess Ankang had a normal expression on her face, not showing favoritism, and nodded to Ren Chunsheng:

"Ren Taizhu."

Ren Chunsheng seemed quite excited when Princess Ankang called him like that.

Princess Ankang glanced at the private room. The room was indeed not big, and the wine and food prepared were only average.

But considering their awkward position as former subordinates of Concubine Xiao, this might be their limit.

"Are there only three of you today?"

Princess Ankang saw in the letter that other former subordinates of Concubine Xiao wanted to see her, but she didn't expect that there was only one more person, Ren Chunsheng.

"Your Highness, there are not many people who once followed Concubine Xiao who are still in the capital."

"Besides the three of us, there are only a handful of others."

"But they are too embarrassed to come to see Her Royal Highness, so the three of us are the only ones who are shameless enough to ask to see Her Royal Highness today."

After hearing Chai Rongrong's answer, Princess Ankang did not dwell on this question any more, but asked directly:

"So what do you want to talk to me about?"

"Well... Your Highness, why don't we talk while we eat?" Chai Rongrong suggested with difficulty.

Princess Ankang smiled slightly, but showed no intention of picking up her chopsticks.

The three of them couldn't help but feel a little pressured. They didn't expect that the weak Princess Ankang also had such a strong side.

While General Ningyuan and his wife were hesitating, Ren Chunsheng said directly:

"Your Highness, we will not hide it from you. We are here to see you today because we have something to ask for."

Seeing that Ren Chunsheng had already spoken, Chai Rongrong anxiously poked her husband with her elbow.

Qiao Wanyun had no choice but to continue: "Your Highness, it is actually like this."

"I got news from the army that someone in the government is looking for trouble with Taiqing Temple."

"This Taoist temple is located in Jinchengfang and has had a good reputation for many years."

"The most important thing is that Taiqing Temple has a history with Concubine Xiao. We are afraid that someone saw that Your Highness was in power, so they took this action. Please investigate carefully."

The three kids all frowned when they heard this.

Princess Ankang couldn't help but turn her head to look at Yu'er behind her. She saw that Yu'er had the same confused look as herself. It seemed that they had no impression of Taiqing Temple.

"Taiqing Temple?"

"I think I've heard it somewhere."

Li Xuan had some impression, but he couldn't remember it for a moment.

(End of this chapter)