C165

"Married?" Zhao Pingqing covered her mouth in surprise. He didn't know that when she heard about the arranged marriage, her heart sank and she asked, "I wonder which noble young master the empress dowager pointed out for my sister?"

Shen Xijun placed her hands behind her back and raised her small round chin as she said, "Guess!"

"Young Master Fu? Young Master Yu? Master Mo? " Zhao Pingqing talked about a few famous young talents in Jinling City, but they were all rejected by Shen Xijun.

The maid at the side chuckled, "Miss Zhao, have you forgotten which one our Zong Ji has always been interested in?"

"You talk too much." Shen Xijun lightly reprimanded him, but she could not conceal the smile in her eyes.

Zhao Pingqing clenched her hands in her sleeves. She was smiling like a flower and her eyes were like the crescent moons. "I know. It's Prince Rui!"

Shen Xijun could not hold back the joy in her heart as she smiled and nodded, "It's Prince Rui!" She wished she could tell the world that she was about to become Prince Rui's wife.

"Then, I must congratulate you, Big Sister Xi!" Zhao Pingqing carefully maintained the smile on her face. "When I think about it, only King Rui is worthy of you."

"Of course." Shen Xijun proudly raised her chin and said, "The few people you're talking about are all people who rely on their family's influence and are pretentious. How can they be compared with elder brother Yang?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Pingqing knows her wrongs." Zhao Pingqing smiled and saluted. "I wonder when the empress dowager set the wedding date?" And will... Why haven't I heard of it? "

"It's just been decided today. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to meet with the Ministry of Rites and the Venerate Heavens Sect before we can officially issue a decree to bestow marriage."

Zhao Pingqing nodded happily and held her hand. She said, "I am so happy for my sister when I see you get what you want."

"I know." Shen Xijun smiled and said, "Speaking of which, you should be around the age to get married. I'll have the empress dowager propose a good marriage for you next time. It's not good for the two of us to get married together."

Zhao Pingqing was surprised. She withdrew her hand with a bashful face, "Sister, don't make fun of me."

"What teasing, I'm speaking the truth." With that, Shen Xijun said with some curiosity, "Speaking of which, we've known each other for so long, but I've never heard you mention which family you were from. While there's no one else around, quickly tell me so that you can tell the empress dowager."

Zhao Pingqing blushed. "I don't have anyone I like. What can I say?"

Shen Xijun pursed her lips and smiled, "Girl, are you trying to act pretentious in front of me? I've never seen someone with such thin skin. Quickly tell me, who exactly is it?"

Zhao Pingqing stamped her feet and said, "I really don't have one. Sister, please don't be so hasty. We are going to the forest now. Come on."

Seeing that she didn't want to say anything, Shen Xijun couldn't be bothered to ask any further. It was just a whim, so she didn't really care about Zhao Pingqing.

Zhao Pingqing and her maid went back to the Hall of Obscure. Madam Zhao was waiting for her under the eaves, and when she saw her, she waved at her and said, "Why have you been gone so long?"

Along the way, we ran into Big Sister Shen. After chatting for a while, we went to enjoy the plum blossom. That's why we came back a bit late.

Madame Zhao asked in surprise, "Even the Precious Tree Sect's Ji has come?"

"Mm, she came to pay her respects to the empress dowager." Zhao Ping gathered his cloak and said, "Is mother going back?"

"Hmm. Lady Zheng is so tired. She has already rested." She went to hold Zhao Pingqing's hand. When she touched her fingertip, she was stunned. "Why is your hand so cold?"

"Just now, when I broke the Plum Blossom, it was frozen." Zhao Pingqing smiled and pointed to the plum blossoms held in the maid's arms. "I know mother likes plum blossoms, so I intentionally broke some of the rarer varieties for you to enjoy."

Madame Zhao smiled and pinched her dainty nose. "At least you're considerate. Alright, you can go back now."

Zhao Pingqing nodded obediently. She followed Madame Zhao out of Zhaoming Palace and got on the waiting carriage. When they got back to the Residence of Zhao, she refused to get off the carriage. "Mother, I suddenly remember something. I need to go somewhere else. I'll be back soon."

Madame Zhao knitted her delicate eyebrows. "Can't we go tomorrow? It's almost dark now, and it's snowing again."

"It's very important. Tomorrow will be too late. As soon as I finish, I'll come back immediately." Seeing her insistence, Madame Zhao did not say anything else. "Alright, let's go back quickly."

After watching Lady Zhao enter the red door, Zhao Pingqing said coldly, "To the King Rui's Palace."

The carriage stopped after an hour. The driver wiped the snow off his clothes and said through the curtain, "Miss, we have arrived at the Prince Rui's mansion."

Zhao Pingqing helped the maid out of the carriage. A gust of cold wind blew over the snow and hit her face through the umbrella that the maid held up. Zhao Pingqing helped the maid out of the carriage and a gust of cold wind rushed over the snow.

The maid was afraid that she would be cold so she said: "Miss, why don't you sit in the carriage for a while? I'll go knock on the door."

"No need. Let's go." Zhao Pingqing sighed. She walked to the front of the house while stepping on the snow that was half an inch thick. She pulled the button on the bronze ring, and a stooped figure holding a lamp walked out from the door. He asked Zhao Pingqing's identity and purpose, and then nodded, "Miss Zhao, please wait for a moment. I will go inside to report."

"Hold on." Zhao Pingqing called the guard and said while grinding her teeth, "I have something important to tell His Royal Highness. Please see me."

The gatekeeper raised his turbid eyes and looked at her for a moment before nodding. "This lowly one will follow Miss Zhao's words and communicate, but whether or not Your Highness is willing to see you is not something this lowly one can decide."

While Zhao Pingqing's feet were frozen, the guard finally came out. She lowered her eyes and said, "The king wants you to go in."

Zhao Pingqing was overjoyed. She thanked the doorman and quickly followed him inside. They arrived at the east study room of Nan Xuan.

The gatekeeper stopped under the eaves. "The prince is inside. Miss Zhao, please."

Zhao Pingqing nodded and took a deep breath. She pushed the door open and walked in. When she saw Dongfang Bing behind the table, she felt her breath stop. A hint of love appeared in her eyes.

That's right, just like Shen Xijun, she also loved Dongfang Yan. It was just that everyone knew Shen Xijun's love; however, she … She chose to hide it deep in her heart, not even knowing the people closest to him.

It was not that she didn't want to tell others, but she was clear that once this love was discovered by Shen Xijun, she would definitely destroy herself regardless of the person's future character. As for her … She didn't have the ability to fight back.