HLnovel Chapter 196 Is he your husband?
Chapter 196 Is he your husband?
Xiaohe burst out laughing again upon hearing this, "After the Emperor heard about it, he scolded both of them."
"First, he reprimanded Consort Xian for mistreating the concubines in the palace, and then he scolded Consort Qin for being unruly." After saying that, Xiao He paused for a moment, "However, although the Emperor reprimanded Consort Xian, he still allowed her to continue managing the harem."
Qin Jiu frowned slightly. "Where is the Empress Dowager?"
The affairs of the inner palace should now be managed by the Empress Dowager, so how did they suddenly fall to Consort Xian?
"I heard that the Empress Dowager is ill, and the imperial physician has advised her not to overexert herself."
"I see." Qin Jiuwei nodded; that made sense now.
In the entire harem today, in terms of rank and skill, only Consort Xian can manage the harem. However, she is too jealous and likes to harm other concubines.
In his past life, he entrusted it to her; in this life, Gao Xian really had no other choice.
"I wonder if the Empress Dowager is feeling any better," Xiaohe sighed softly. "Such a kind and benevolent person."
Upon hearing this, Qin Jiuwei almost burst out laughing.
Although she had received much protection from the Empress Dowager in her previous life, she didn't feel that these two words had anything to do with her.
No woman who can become the Empress Dowager of a country has an easy life.
The late emperor had an eldest son who was both scholarly and martial, and was skilled in all kinds of planning and strategy.
However, during one of his outings, he and his pregnant eldest princess both perished, and their bodies were never found.
No more princes were born in the palace after that, until the Empress Dowager, who was then Consort Jing, gave birth to Gao Xian.
Gao Xian became the only surviving prince and the undisputed next emperor.
However, the late emperor was not a man who was indifferent to women. Under such circumstances, she was able to keep the harem from having a child for so many years, which shows that she was very capable.
It's just that now that he's older, he can't fight anymore, and he doesn't need to fight anymore, so he's become kind and gentle.
Qin Jiuwei didn't actually know whether the eldest prince had died at the hands of the current Empress Dowager, nor did she have any evidence.
This happened more than 20 years ago.
But she always felt that there weren't that many surprises in this world.
Especially the royal family.
Qin Jiuwei took a sip of tea, suppressing these thoughts.
After setting down her teacup, she suddenly remembered, "How come news from the palace spread so quickly?"
“It hasn’t spread. I only heard it from Zizhu. He’s such a chatterbox.” Xiaohe smiled. “He’s always with the young master in and out of the palace. I only heard this from the palace maids and eunuchs.”
"Mm." Qin Jiuwei nodded slightly. "If you hear anything about the palace again in the future, be sure to tell me immediately."
Affairs within the palace are interconnected and have far-reaching consequences; it's uncertain whether they will be affected.
If you notice any signs of trouble, make plans early.
"Yes." Xiao He nodded.
As night fell, moonlight streamed into the room through the carved window lattice.
Inside, candlelight flickered, casting a warm orange glow in every corner.
Xie Jue sat on the brocade carpet, staring intently at the cat lying near the legs of the carved pearwood chair not far away.
He held a white pom-pom in his hand and waved it at the kitten, but the kitten didn't react at all. He slumped his shoulders slightly in disappointment.
Xiaobai liked this toy yesterday, but why isn't he reacting to it today?
Qin Jiuwei moved gracefully and silently to Xie Jue's side.
She crouched down, took out a small pom-pom made of colorful silk threads from her sleeve, and gently waved it in front of the cat.
The cat's previously languidly squinted eyes snapped open, a gleam flashing in their azure depths.
Its lazy posture instantly straightened, its ears perked up, and it tightly locked onto the colorful pom-pom.
Qin Jiuwei handed the pom-pom to Xie Jue and said softly, "Xiao Bai likes this. You can play with it with him."
Xie Jue took the fluff ball and began to carefully swing it back and forth in front of the cat.
The cat's head moved nimbly following the trajectory of the fur ball, its eyes never blinking.
It kept stretching out its furry little paws to grab the fluff ball, waving it in the air, making Xie Jue giggle.
Just then, Xie Yanli gently pushed open the door and saw the scene inside. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Qin Jiuwei was watching Xie Jue play with the cat with a gentle expression, her face serene and a faint smile on her lips.
It makes you want to smile too.
Xie Jue, standing beside her, also smiled, her clear, bright eyes crinkling into crescent moons.
Xie Yanli was captivated by the scene before him, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
This is his wife and children, this is his home.
But gradually, Xie Yanli's smile froze, and he could no longer smile.
He stood there without saying a word, but Qin Jiuwei eventually noticed him.
She smiled at him, her lips curving upwards, "My husband."
Xie Jue also looked up, saw Xie Yanli, and unconsciously imitated him.
"Husband... no!" Xie Jue's expression suddenly froze, a forced smile on his face. "Yes, it's Father."
Qin Jiuwei burst out laughing and reached out to pinch the soft flesh on his face.
"Is that your husband? Just call out to him."
"Hehe, I... I misspoke," Xie Jue said, blushing and embarrassed.
Qin Jiu smiled broadly, then turned to look at Xie Yanli beside her, only to find him lost in thought, his face devoid of any smile.
He stood there, his eyelids drooping, his eyelashes casting several shadows on his face.
His face was as white as jade, but his expression was extremely tired, as if he couldn't breathe.
What's going on? Qin Jiuwei was puzzled.