bullyxtreme Chapter 168 Xu Aiqing, from now on we are all family
Chapter 168 Xu Aiqing, from now on we are all family
The autumn sun at dawn shines through the towering vermilion walls of the imperial city, casting interplay of light and shadow on the bluestone palace path.
Xu Longxiang was not wearing his python robe today, but instead wore a simpler black casual outfit. The brocade fabric gleamed with a dark luster in the morning light, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with simple cloud patterns in silver thread.
Sikong Xuan followed three steps behind him, dressed in a gray robe, holding a whisk, with a solemn expression.
Twenty Northern Border Guards remained outside the palace gates, while only the two of them, holding the pass tokens bestowed by Qin Mu the day before, slowly stepped into the palace gates under the guidance of the Imperial Guards.
On both sides of the palace road, the imperial guards stood solemnly like a forest.
Clad in black armor and red robes, with swords and spears gleaming in the sunlight, an aura of grim determination swept over them.
Xu Longxiang walked steadily, his eyes fixed straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to the heavy security around him.
His gaze remained fixed on the direction of Huaqing Palace, deep within the imperial palace complex.
The intelligence that Mo Ya brought back last night was now echoing repeatedly in his mind:
"Qin Mu has no immortal beings by his side... The telekinesis on Qinglan Mountain must be an illusion... He was panicked last night, and if it weren't for Miss Jiang taking the blow, I might have been killed on the spot..."
Each time he thought about it, the light in Xu Longxiang's eyes grew brighter.
The heartache and despair I felt last night when I saw Qingxue shield Qin Mu from the knife have now been replaced by another emotion.
That must have been Qingxue's expedient measure, a last resort to gain Qin Mu's trust.
As long as Qin Mu isn't as powerful as the legends say, as long as that so-called "Land Immortal" doesn't exist...
Then there is still hope.
Xu Longxiang's fingers clenched slightly inside his sleeve, his palms seemingly still retaining the cold touch of the hilt of the Po Jun sword from the previous night.
Huaqing Palace is located on the east side of the inner palace. Compared to the tranquility of Yuxiu Palace, it is more magnificent.
The vermilion palace gates are heavy and thick, with gleaming copper nails. Two majestic stone lions stand in front of the gate, and the eaves are upturned. The hanging copper bells make a crisp tinkling sound in the morning breeze.
Xu Longxiang stopped in front of the palace gate.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress all his emotions, and his face returned to a calm and expressionless state.
Then, he raised his hand and gently knocked on the copper ring on the palace gate.
"Thump, thump".
The knocking echoed clearly through the palace in the early morning.
A moment later, the palace gates creaked open from the inside.
The maid who opened the door was about thirty years old and had a pretty face. When she saw Xu Longxiang, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she immediately bowed.
"This servant greets Prince Xu."
Xu Longxiang nodded slightly: "This young master has come to pay his respects to Consort Hua. Please announce my arrival."
The palace maid hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Young Master, please wait a moment while I inform Her Highness."
She turned and strode quickly into the palace.
Xu Longxiang stood outside the palace gate, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard of Huaqing Palace.
Several tall ginkgo trees stand in the courtyard. It is autumn now, and the trees are full of golden leaves. The fallen leaves, like butterflies, slowly drift down in the morning light and cover the bluestone ground.
The scenery was beautiful, yet it exuded an indescribable sense of loneliness.
A moment later, the palace maid returned with a respectful smile on her face:
"Your Highness, Her Majesty requests your presence. However..."
She paused, then lowered her voice, "His Majesty is inside too."
Xu Longxiang's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
Qin Mu is here too?
So early?
But he quickly regained his composure and nodded: "Understood."
Then, he stepped into the palace gate.
Sikong Xuan followed behind him, and the two of them, led by palace maids, passed through the courtyard and headed towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall of Huaqing Palace, the morning light streamed in through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The interior of the hall is luxurious yet elegant, with rosewood furniture gleaming with a warm luster, antique shelves displaying several pieces of porcelain from previous dynasties, and ancient landscape paintings hanging on the walls, revealing traces of meticulous arrangement everywhere.
Xu Fenghua sat upright on a rosewood armchair on the left side of the main hall.
Today she wore a simple lotus-colored palace dress, without any elaborate headdress. Her long hair was tied into a dignified Lingyun bun, with only a jade hairpin inserted. Her earrings were also simple pearls.
Even though she was dressed simply, her upright posture and the innate dignity between her brows still gave her an aura that could not be ignored.
Her face was slightly paler than yesterday, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she had not slept well last night.
But those amber eyes remained clear and sharp, calmly watching Xu Longxiang enter the hall, a complex emotion flashing in them.
And sitting in the main seat was Qin Mu.
He was not wearing a formal dragon robe today, but only a moon-white wide-sleeved casual dress, with flowing cloud patterns embroidered in silver thread on the collar and cuffs, which were faintly visible in the morning light.
His long hair was loosely tied up with an ebony hairpin, with a few stray strands falling across his forehead, adding to his lazy and casual air.
He rested his chin on one hand, leaning back in the rosewood chair, while casually toying with a warm, white jade thumb ring in the other hand, his posture relaxed.
Seeing Xu Longxiang walk in, Qin Mu raised his eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips:
"Minister Xu has arrived."
His voice was very gentle, so gentle it was almost casual.
Xu Longxiang paused slightly at the palace entrance, then strode into the hall, stopping ten paces away from Qin Mu. He then knelt and bowed.
"Your subject Xu Longxiang greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
His movements were precise, his voice steady, and he showed no emotion whatsoever.
Qin Mu smiled and raised his hand in a gesture of support:
"Rise. My dear minister, there's no need for such formalities. There are no outsiders here, so please make yourself at home."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xu Longxiang straightened up, then turned to Xu Fenghua and bowed in the same manner.
"Your subject pays respects to Consort Hua."
His gaze lingered on Xu Fenghua's face for a moment.
The siblings looked at each other.
At that moment, a thousand words were left unsaid.
Xu Fenghua looked at her younger brother, at the deliberately maintained calm in his eyes, at the tense lines of his jaw, and a sharp pain welled up in her heart.
She could imagine the torment Xu Longxiang had endured last night, his feelings when he learned that Qingxue had shielded Qin Mu from a knife, and the hatred and resolve surging within him now.
But she couldn't say anything.
He could only nod slightly, his voice calm and even.
"No need for formalities, please have a seat."
Xu Longxiang sat down on the embroidered stool brought by the palace maid, his posture upright, his hands placed on his knees, his eyes lowered, fixed on the edge of the carpet at Qin Mu's feet.
Sikong Xuan stood three steps behind him, with his hands at his sides, like a silent shadow.
A brief silence fell over the hall.
The only sounds were the rustling of ginkgo leaves in the wind outside the window and the faint sound of palace servants sweeping the courtyard in the distance.
Qin Mu toyed with the white jade thumb ring in his hand, his gaze sweeping over Xu Longxiang, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"You've arrived early today, my dear minister."
He spoke slowly, his tone relaxed as if in casual conversation, "Is there something important?"
Xu Longxiang raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting Qin Mu's:
"Your Majesty, I came to the capital to attend the ceremony. Now that the ceremony is over, it is time for me to return to the northern border. I have come to bid farewell to Your Majesty and Consort Hua."
He spoke slowly, carefully considering each word, expressing his intention to leave while remaining respectful.
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes:
"Oh? You're leaving already? Won't you stay a few more days? The autumn scenery in the capital is just right; you might as well take a look around some more."
His tone was casual, as if it were just a polite attempt to persuade him to stay.
Xu Longxiang forced a perfectly timed wry smile onto his face:
"Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated. However, the war on the northern border is not yet over. Although the Western Liang has retreated, the Northern Barbarians are still eyeing us covetously. As the general of the northern border, I cannot leave for too long."
Qin Mu stared at him quietly for a long time.
His gaze was as deep as an abyss, as if it could see through all his thoughts.
Xu Longxiang forced himself to meet Qin Mu's gaze, his eyes calm and expressionless, only the fist clenched quietly in his sleeve betrayed his inner tension.
After a long while, Qin Mu slowly nodded:
"My dear minister, your heart is with the border, and you are loyal to the emperor and love your country. I am very pleased."
He paused, then added:
"Since that's the case, I won't insist you stay. The safety of the northern border truly depends on your presence."
Xu Longxiang felt a slight sense of relief and was about to express his gratitude.
Qin Mu then changed the subject:
"However, before you depart, is there anything you wish to leave undone? Or... someone you wish to see?"
That's a very meaningful question.
Xu Longxiang remained calm and answered in a steady voice:
"I am already content to have witnessed Your Majesty's grand wedding ceremony and to have seen my sister safe and well during my trip to the capital. I have no other requests."
He spoke very sincerely, perfectly portraying the image of a "loyal minister and filial son".
Qin Mu smiled.
"My dear minister, you are quite content," he said slowly. "However, I feel that since you've come all this way, there are some people you should see. After all..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Xu Fenghua almost imperceptibly, a meaningful smile playing at the corners of his lips:
"From now on, we're all family."