CH 31

Ch 31 He is honorable person

When Xie Chaoling returned, Xie Chaoyuan had returned from those old Wangyes. He stood silently watching Xie Chaoling approach. All the servants lowered their heads behind him and did not dare to make a sound.

“Where did Lin Lang go just now?” Xie Chaoyuan asked, with no emotional ups and downs in his eyes.

Xie Chaoling glanced at Wang Rang, who was behind him with his head down, and said with a smile, “Didn’t I tell Wang Gong Gong, I went to the toilet with no delay.”

Xie Chaoyuan looked at him, fell silent for a while, then handed a hand picked winter flower branch to him, and his voice calmed: “Let’s go elsewhere to stroll.”

Xie Chaoling was a little surprised, he’s not angry?

There was also a small waterfall in this residence. In the depths of the forest, there was a viewing platform beside the waterfall. They climbed up the steps, but this place has already been taken by someone. It was a young gentleman who was seven or eight years old, lying on his stomach. Reaching out from the fence to reach the water falling from the waterfall, he had a great time playing alone.

Which family’s child is this, and he actually came here alone?

Just as Xie Chaoling had a thought, the child turned back to look at them when he heard footsteps.

“Sixth Uncle!” Xiao Langjun called Xie Chaoyuan with a smile, and jumped over.

Xie Chaoyuan curled his lips slightly: “Who brought you here?”

“I came here by myself, and mixed in with the others.” The child said proudly.

Xie Chaoling was even more surprised, Sixth Uncle? His father doesn’t seem to have such a big grandson, does he?

Emperor Qianming had only two grandsons, both were the sons of the second eldest, Xie Chaorong. His son was born of a maidservant in his house, the eldest was only five years old, it is said that he was a sick child. Xie Chaorong had never brought him out, and the youngest was still breastfeeding, so where did this one come from?

As if seeing Xie Chaoling’s suspicion, Xie Chaoyuan explained to him with a smile that was not a smile: “He is Princess Leping.”

Xie Chaoling choked.

Princess Leping? The previous crown prince’s daughter? Isn’t that a girl? This young gentleman in front of him is clearly a Langjun…

When Xie Chaoling looked at the child, the other party was also looking at him. The child’s eyes were dark and lovely, with a shrewd vigor, and he looked a bit like the former crown prince. Xie Chaoling was even more suspicious.

The child opened his mouth first: “Royal Uncle specifically told you about my identity, you are definitely not an ordinary person.” 

Xie Chaoyuan smiled and said, “You are clever, he is my consort.”

Xie Chaoling: “Sixth Aunt.”

Xie Chaoling: “…”.

They sat down at the stone table. Xie Chaoyuan ordered some refreshments and tea, and talked with the child.

Princess Leping was named Xie Huiyan, and his biological mother was Liangdi of the former Eastern Palace. After the death of the former crown prince and his wife being buried with him, they left a baby who was only two or three years old. Later, he was sent to another palace in the northern suburbs by Emperor Qianming. It has been five years. He was the only child of the former crown prince, because he was female, no one cared about her, and he lived a peaceful life in the other palace.

“Back then, Liangdi had given birth to a boy. He was not in good health when he was born and it was not certain whether he could be raised. The former crown prince may have had a premonition that something would happen to him, and since he was not the first son anyway, he simply claimed that he gave birth to a daughter. He even lied to His Majesty to save his life.”

Xie Chaoling said without a word: “This can’t be hidden long, let alone His Majesty even proposed marriage to him now.” 

The child said by himself: “Ah , that, Royal Grandpa bestowed me a marriage proposal. I’m here today to see my little husband at King Xiao’s mansion. If he’s not good-looking, I won’t marry.”

Xie Chaoling was drinking tea when he heard this sentence almost choked.

Xie Chaoyuan laughed outright, but the child didn’t take it seriously, dipped his fingers in some tea, and wrote on the table: “My name is actually Xie Huizhen, this zhen was given to me by my father. He had me remember the name myself. There was no need to tell the others, he was afraid I wouldn’t be able to change this name on my jade certificate in the future.”

Xie Chaoling sighed for a moment when he heard the words, the good emperor’s grandson was raised as a girl, this child must have had a very difficult time these years growing up. It was really rare to turn out like this today.

Xie Huizhen didn’t stay with them for too long, and after eating two pieces of snacks, he got up and ran away.

There were only the two of them left on the balcony, and Xie Chaoyuan took the initiative to answer Xie Chaoling’s unfinished questions: “I also lived in the other palace for many years, and there were still some people in it, so I would go over occasionally to have a look. I got to know that kid then. He lived a much better life in the other palace than I did. His Majesty didn’t treat him badly whether it was food or clothing, he just didn’t have freedom, so I taught him how to get out of the dog hole to play in the capital. “

Xie Chaoling thought in his heart that the big and the young both shared the same vile habits.

“He is the son of the former crown prince. Didn’t King Huai and King Xing go to see him? Do those two know that he is actually a man?” Xie Chaoling asked.

Xie Chaoyuan didn’t take it seriously: “Old Four killed the former crown prince. He must have had a guilty conscience so he wouldn’t dare to visit him; Old Four didn’t even come to the birthday banquet hosted by the Xiao family today. As for Old Three, he has been to the palace several times since he returned to the capital but the boy said that his third uncle was too deep-minded and serious, and he had nothing to say to him, let alone tell him his own secret.”

Xie Chaoling didn’t ask any more questions, he didn’t know how much longer this matter could be hidden. If people knew that the former crown prince still had a son, many people would become active again. What’s even more absurd was that his father also appointed the child to the eldest grandson of the Xiao family. When this matter arises in the future, tsk…

“If the Xiao family can marry a male wife, so can this king.” Xie Chaoyuan said suddenly.

Xie Chaoling glanced at him: “The Xiao family wants to marry Princess Leping, not a male wife. It’s hard to say what will happen in the future. Your Highness, please don’t follow along blindly causing a ruckus.”

“It depends on the man.” Xie Chaoyuan insisted.

Xie Chaoling simply didn’t say anything, Xie Chaoyuan is a lunatic, but he is an honorable person, there was absolutely no reason for the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace to be a man.

Xie Chaoyuan’s expression became lighter, and he got up and said, “Let’s go, the birthday banquet is about to start.”

Xie Chaoling hurriedly followed, thinking to himself that this person has been holding back his anger since just now. He didn’t want to have a bad fit outside, so he was going to go back and calculate this debt then?

On the way to the main courtyard of the residence, servants that Xie Chaoyuan had sent out to scout for news came back to report, saying that something happened to the womenfolk in the backyard, and Princess Shurou had sent someone to the palace to report to His Majesty. 

Hearing Shurou’s name, Xie Chaoling’s eyes moved. Xie Chaoyuan glanced at him calmly, and asked, “What happened?”

“Her Highness said the bracelet on Xun Wangfei’s hand was something stolen from the East Palace warehouse. Xun Wangfei naturally refused to admit it and the two sides have already started to quarrel.”

Xie Chaoyuan raised his eyebrows.

Half an hour ago, in the reception pavillion where the females gathered, the wives and ladies of various prefectures chatted about fashionable clothes, jewelry, rouge and so on. Xun Wanfei wore a gold bracelet inlaid with red sapphires in the shape of a phoenix dancing to the nine heavens, which was very eye-catching. Madam Lin (her original surname) used to being praised by others, she proudly stretched out her wrist to let everyone take a look. After that, Princess Shurou suddenly stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and asked her sharply where the bracelet came from, and the situation erupted.

“Her Royal Highness said that the bracelet was a dowry gift of the Empress Dowager’s back then. It was unique and was only reserved for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It has always been stored in the East Palace warehouse and will be given to the Crown Prince Consort in the future. It was stolen a few days ago so how could it appear in the hands of Xun Wangfei now and she demanded an explanation. Xun Wangfei said that she bought it from outside, so Her Royal Highness sent someone to go to the palace to report to His Majesty.”

“Third sister might be too disrespectful to the master letting such a thing happen at someone else’s birthday banquet.” Xie Chaoyuan said, but there was gloating in his tone. He knew that this matter would not end. Xie Chaoling stole from the East Palace warehouse himself, there are more than one or two fish to catch.

Xie Chaoling’s expression was calm, as if he knew this beforehand, and asked Xie Chaoyuan: “Will this birthday banquet continue?” 

Xie Chaoyuan asked him: “What does Lin Lang think?”

Xie Chaoling: “If the birthday banquet is His Majesty’s intention, if the Xiao family does not bite the bullet and go on, I’m afraid His Majesty won’t be happy.”

“Let’s ignore those matters, I’ll take you to eat.”

The incident in the backyard had spread to the front, and Xie Chaorong went to confront Shurou in desperation, and the rest of the people were talking about it. There was a lot of discussion.

Xie Chaoyuan didn’t get together with those Wang Yes’ anymore, he led Xie Chaoling to occupy a table, forced him to sit down, and asked him to eat with him.

“Your Highness, isn’t this not good?” Xie Chaoling reminded Xie Chaoyuan in a low voice. This person was really outrageous, he ostentatiously took up an entire table at someone’s birthday banquet, and even dragged him, a guard, to sit with him, for fear that others would not know he was an *sshole and the inappropriate relationship between the two of them.

“You just sit and eat, don’t worry about other people.”

Xie Chaoyuan personally helped him pick the food, picking what Xie Chaoling likes, and placed it on the plate in front of him.

People around have noticed their unruly behavior, but the person who did it was Xie Chaoyuan, it seems that everyone has become accustomed to it, at most they just sighed in their hearts. Ke Wang’s character was unimpressive, so soon they didn’t focus on them.

Xie Chaoling could only forget it, he was also hungry, and he would feel awkward if he really went to eat elsewhere with the people who came with him from the house.

So he picked up the chopsticks and enjoyed Xie Chaoyuan’s attentive service with peace of mind.

In the reception pavilion in the backyard, Xie Chaorong rushed in with his servants from the palace regardless of people’s obstruction, and cursed at Shurou.

“It’s just a broken gold bracelet, how can the East Palace have it, but not my palace? Who are you looking down on? Today, everyone came to drink happily at the old official’s birthday banquet in King Xiao’s mansion. I don’t understand why you mentioned it here. Who are you trying to embarrass? Shurou, what are your intentions?”

Shurou lowered her face and reminded him: “Second brother be careful, that bracelet belongs to the Empress Dowager, it is not a broken gold bracelet. Father ordered a thorough investigation before regarding the thief. Now that the bracelet appeared in Second sister-in-law’s hand, it must be investigated clearly. If it is really a misunderstanding, I will apologize to second sister-in-law.”

Xie Chaorong spat harshly: “Why didn’t you check it out before? The one guarding and stealing is the dog in the East Palace, and old man Zhong Liang was the one who got in the way. You should ask Old Third and Old Four, what does it have to do with this King and Wangfei? Zhong Liang, that old man, died for no apparent reason, who knows if he had some shameful affair with Old Third and Old Four, and after the incident, he was murdered to silence him. What are you trying to mess with here?”

As soon as Xie Chaorong’s words came out, the expressions of the people around him changed. It was already impossible for people to stop him from breaking into the reception pavillion of the womenfolk so carelessly. However blurting out these crazy nonsense about the secrest of the court, the womenfolk backed away, lest they hearing something they shouldn’t hear and get into trouble.

But Shurou was unmoved: “I don’t know what second brother is talking about. In short, I have asked someone to report to father. What will happen next, let father decide.”

“You—— !” 

After being humiliated, Madam Lin got up, she didn’t dare to trouble Shurou, her eyes turned around in the reception pavillion, and it fell on Zhao sister-in-law who was lowering her head in the corner. Thinking of something, her expression suddenly changed. As soon as it changed, she strode over and raised her hand to slap Zhao’s face.

“You b*tch, tell me! Is it you! Did you hurt me on purpose?!”

Madam Zhao was stunned for a moment, and muttered, “Wangfei Niang Niang, what are you talking about? I didn’t…”

“You what? I bought that bracelet from your shop!”

“No, I don’t have that kind of bracelet in my shop.” Madam Zhao subconsciously denied it.

“How dare you say that, you did it on purpose! You shameless sl*t, how many people do you want to kill from my Lin family?!”

Being slapped by Madam Lin again, Madam Zhao’s eyes were full of tears, and she covered her face and lowered her head, weeping loudly, not daring to refute any more.

This Xiuniang of the Zhao family was the older sister of Zhao Wanniang, married to the Lin family, but her husband was useless, and she committed himself to her father-in-law by accident. This kind of family scandal should not be publicized, even though there has been rumors outside. However, Madam Lin had such a pungent and impatient personality. The bracelet in her hand was bought from a jewelry shop by a subordinate to please her. The shop was Zhao Xiuniang’s dowry. She didn’t like it at first, but the bracelet was too luxurious and delicate, that’s when she came up with the idea of ​​showing it off. Now she couldn’t help but think more. She had always thought that this shameless sister-in-law was not pleasing to the eye, and had targeted her a few times, so she suspected that Zhao Xiuniang deliberately harmed her.

Although the people nearby hid away, they all felt strange when they saw this scene.

From this point of view, the dirty rumors of the Lin family seem to be true.

Madam Lin wanted to beat someone, but Xie Chaorong’s forehead bulged with veins, and he yelled, “Enough!”

This Zhao Xiuniang was his own cousin. What does Madam Lin mean by saying this? Doesn’t it mean that she is pushing the matter of stealing from the East Palace warehouse to the Zhao family? What kind of brain does she have? !

In the front yard, the subordinates reported the news in the backyard in a low voice, saying that His Majesty had sent someone over to call Shurou, Xie Chaorong, and Madam Lin into the palace. Xie Chaoling put down the empty soup bowl, and said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, if the Lin’s daughter and Zhao’s daughter continue to quarrel, all the scandals of the Lin family will be exposed, and the reputation of both families will be ruined. Your Majesty will definitely not agree to the Empress Dowager again to have you marry the Zhao family’s daughter.”

Xie Chaoyuan smiled at him: “Does the king have to thank the person who made all these things happen?”

He didn’t care, he said earlier that he would rather kill chickens to make an example of it, so there was less trouble, but since things have turned out like this, he can only let it go.

Xie Chaoling thanked him so much that he would be relieved, and gave Xie Chaoyuan a piece of food with chopsticks: “His Royal Highness, let’s eat.”