Ink Burns

Chapter 292 Not Revealed (BLUE)

[The title is just the author's mischievous humor, hehe]

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Xu Quyan's mind: for example, he might as well reveal his identity. If Shui Guang was not afraid, he could treat her however he wanted in the future. Her brother-in-law was his trusted advisor, and it was perfectly reasonable for the two sides to be so close.

But what if Shui Guang is afraid of his identity?
No, the water light might not be afraid, but rather avoid it.

Time has passed, and now Shuiguang has seen through the cramped and boring nature of the palace. She is tired of the unchanging days and even more disgusted by the layers of meaning in people's conversations. She even finds the radishes and cabbages in the imperial kitchen blander than those outside.

She would definitely laugh heartily, and then walk away without looking back.

Xu Quyan was filled with regret: if he had openly revealed his identity when she attempted to become an imperial concubine from the beginning, perhaps his current situation would not be so difficult.

Countless thoughts battled in his mind, but Xu Quyan made a decision in a short time.

He casually glanced back at Wu Min, who was three meters away.

Immediately afterward, Wu Min strode over with a bow, lowered his head, and said in a hurried voice, "Your Majesty, you have a meeting with the Cabinet at 5 PM to discuss matters concerning the Northern Frontier. Perhaps this servant should send you away?"

Xu Quyan seemed to have regained his senses. Hearing the joyful and jubilant footsteps getting closer, he desperately wanted to stay. However, he raised his hand and asked Wu Min to drape a fox fur brocade cloak over him. He then raised his chin and nodded to Xue Xiao and Shan Yue, saying, "In a hundred days, it will be the New Year. At that time, we can put aside all the troubles of the court and find a secluded hilltop to light a bonfire, roast lamb, and relax."

The couple, Shan Yue and his wife, got up. Xu Quyan asked Shan Yue to stay and entertain the guests, while Xue Xiao saw them off.

The outer hall's corridor is shaped like the Chinese character "口" (mouth). Xu Quyan and his party walked outwards from the end of the "口" shape, while Shui Guang, who could rattle off a recipe with every word, walked inwards from the beginning of the "口" shape.

In the middle of the character “口” is the most famous old locust tree in Xue Nanfu.

The old locust tree had lost all its branches and leaves, and its bare branches resembled a large and imposing cluster of blooming bud flowers, its thick trunk alone blocking the view between the entrance and the exit.

The light from the water could only penetrate the gaps in the branches and the low eaves, vaguely revealing a long, white shadow flitting between the red-lacquered pillars. The shadow was slender, its face obscured by the tree branches, and only the long, white shadow could be seen moving swiftly and fast, as if a ghost were chasing it.

Shui Guang took another closer look.

Isn't it because there's a ghost chasing after you?
Her unscrupulous brother-in-law followed closely behind, keeping the distance between him and the person in front firmly within three fists.

Shuiguang sniffed and grumbled as she turned the corner of the corridor, just in time to see Qiutao carefully wiping a set of glazed teaware before turning her gaze intently to a beautiful, lustrous mahogany box.

Shui Guang watched curiously until Qiu Tao was far away, then jumped two steps to hug her sister's arm, buried her head in her hands like an otter washing its face, and after she was covered in her sister's scent, Shui Guang finally had time to ask about the person: "Who is it? Dressed like a big rat, with all that white fur—it makes my nose itch."

After this meeting, Shan Yue had a very good impression of Emperor Yongping: gentle, understanding, intelligent, and tolerant.

Therefore, when her younger sister called the current emperor a white-haired rat, Shan Yue poked Shui Guang's forehead and gently scolded her: "Be careful with your words and actions—when the emperor goes on an incognito visit, all the utensils he uses should be carefully collected and offered on the altar."

Shui Guang ate peanuts, the peanut skins sticking to his mouth, so he smashed them to make them a little better: "The emperor is here? What's the emperor doing here? Eating melon seeds and peanuts?"

Shan Yue wanted to laugh, but reason told her not to, as laughing would only encourage Shui Guang's silly chatter: "I just said to be careful with your words—"

"I know I know."

Shui Guang clicked her tongue: "I didn't even dare to take a bath in the palace, for fear of being discovered as a maid. I had to speak in hushed tones! Besides eating, who else could I talk to? Oh, I could talk to my master, oh, and Xiao Fang, oh, Xiao Qiuyin isn't one to talk nonsense, oh, Wu Min is annoying but she doesn't harm anyone—" Just a moment ago, she was so miserable that no one spoke to her, but now, she had almost filled a table with people.

Shanyue:.
Shui Guang exclaimed, "Don't worry, your sister is very smart. How can she talk the same way at home as she does at work?"

The water glistened.

Even without showering, my sister's face smells sweet.

Shan Yue's lips curled up high, revealing her teeth in a smile, making her almost catch a cold.

When Xue Xiao escorted Emperor Yongping back, he saw the two sisters snuggling together. One had her throat smeared with lard and was trying to act cute in a high-pitched voice, while the other had her mind clouded by lard and only believed that her younger sister was the purest, kindest, and most obedient person in the world.

"Sister, I want to sleep next to you." Shui Guang cried out, "The other day the Temple of Heaven caught fire, I was so scared."

A cloud of black mist suddenly rose from the back of Xue Xiao's head: Where does he sleep then?
Are you scared to death?!
The other day, a dog was swinging on a pillar in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!

Shan Yue gently stroked her sister's head, saying with a smile, "Okay, since it's getting cold, I'll take out the wool blankets I've been storing. They're light and warm. I'll also heat the house up and throw two sweet potatoes into the ashes. They'll be fragrant and sweet."

The black mist at the back of Xue Xiao's head was almost solidifying: What wool blankets? What sweet potatoes? He'd slept with so many people—on the bed, in the carriage, on the artificial hill, by the lake, in the trees—why had he never gotten a single wool?!
Shuiguang cheered, "Yay—"

Returning to the earlier point, regarding Xiao Fang, Shan Yue had a question: "Is that Xiao Fang the eunuch Fang who discovered the imperial edict of succession with you? I've never heard of such a person before the Emperor."

Shui Guang smiled and said, "Xiao Fang is a good guy! He's kind, gentle, and smart. His family life is also miserable; his father didn't love him, and his mother didn't care for him. He finally had a foster mother, but she passed away just as she raised him. Fortunately, his two older brothers treated him well, but who knew that his eldest brother would also die young—"

Shui Guang shook his head: "He now holds a high position of power and is the number one supervisor of Linde Hall. In a way, he is also a pitiful wretch."

The more Xue Xiao listened, the more familiar the name sounded.

He was unloved by his father and mother, had a foster mother, and his elder brother died young. He appeared to be doing well, but in reality, he was pitiful.
Emperor Yongping?
Xue Xiao suddenly recalled the wistful look on Emperor Yongping's face when he spoke of the "two sisters, whose fates were full of twists and turns"—he was all too familiar with that look: his first feeling towards Shan Yue was pity, and why pity? It was because of love.

Xue Xiao suddenly turned his head to look in the direction where Emperor Yongping had left, took a step back, and Jifeng stepped forward to obey orders.

"Investigate that eunuch Fang from Linde Hall—his background, resume, and portrait—"

It's not unusual for a new person to suddenly appear in the palace.

Isn't the shimmering water also something that appears out of thin air?

Multiple people can appear out of thin air, often accompanied by unspeakable secrets.

Jifeng responded softly, "Yes," and turned to leave.

Xue Xiao called him back: "After investigating this matter thoroughly, you must not reveal a single word to Madam."

joke.

Anyone who dares to touch Shui Guang will be slashed by Shan Yue Mei of Shantang Street with a knife. Even a white-haired rat is not to be feared.