diymy Chapter 484 Taking Xu Fenghua to the Northern Border, Xu Longxiang's expression must be very in
Chapter 484 Taking Xu Fenghua to the Northern Border, Xu Longxiang's expression must be very in
Jiang Zhaoyue began to think about who to take with her.
First of all, there's no need to ask her; she's definitely going.
Jiang Zhaoyue's hand unconsciously rested on Qin Mu's arm, her fingertips gently caressing the moon-white sleeve, like a cat rubbing against its master's feet.
Then, Yunluan will probably be taken away by His Majesty as well.
That woman was like a shadow, never leaving His Majesty's side.
Jiang Zhaoyue thought about it again, and Xu Fenghua's face appeared in her mind.
His Majesty probably wants to take her along, right?
After all, they were heading to the northern border, which was Xu Longxiang's territory.
If Xu Fenghua were to go as well, Xu Longxiang's expression upon seeing his sister standing beside His Majesty would certainly be quite interesting.
That reaction might just be what His Majesty wants.
Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes flickered, and she decided to add Xu Fenghua as well.
She thought of Empress Zhao Qingxue of Liyang again, but the other party had already returned to the Liyang Dynasty and could not come back for the time being, so she could leave it out.
Who else...?
Jiang Zhaoyue's gaze fell on the bronze mirror, which reflected the scene in the side hall.
Han Xin'er was helping Yun Suxin to her feet, her movements gentle and careful.
Her eyes flickered.
Since Your Majesty admires this young lady so much, why not bring her along as well?
There's also the Moon Goddess Yun Suxin, who just declared her submission. It's perfect to keep her by my side, firstly to prevent her from slipping out of my control, and secondly to see if her allegiance is genuine.
That should be about right.
Any more than that would not align with His Majesty's original intention of traveling the world with a sword.
Who travels the world with a large, extended group of people?
Five, just right.
She made up her mind, raised her head, looked at Qin Mu, and had a faint smile on her lips.
"Your Majesty, after some thought, I've decided that I will definitely go. Yunluan will likely accompany you as well. I'd also like to add one more person—Xu Fenghua."
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"Oh? Why?"
Jiang Zhaoyue pursed her lips, her gaze falling on the sky outside the window, illuminated by the morning light.
"We're going to the northern border, Xu Longxiang's territory. If Consort Hua goes too, Xu Longxiang's expression will be quite amusing when he sees her standing next to His Majesty."
She paused, her voice even softer. "I think that reaction might be what Your Majesty wanted."
Qin Mu smiled but didn't say anything, tapping his fingers lightly twice on the armrest.
Seeing that he did not object, Jiang Zhaoyue continued:
"And Han Xin'er. Since Your Majesty admires her so much, why not bring her along as well, so she can broaden her horizons?"
Qin Mu's fingers paused slightly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"continue."
Jiang Zhaoyue was delighted and spoke a few minutes faster than before.
"And then there's the Moon Goddess, Yun Suxin. She just declared her submission, so keeping her by my side serves two purposes: first, to prevent her from slipping out of my control, and second, to see if her allegiance is genuine."
She paused, then added, "Sister Zhao Qingxue has already returned to Liyang and won't be able to come back, so she won't be added."
Qin Mu leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her face, the smile still lingering on his lips.
"That's all?"
Jiang Zhaoyue nodded, her voice soft yet firm.
"I think five is just right. Any more than that would not be in line with Your Majesty's original intention of traveling the world with a sword."
Qin Mu looked at her, smiled, and said:
"Okay. I'll do as you say."
Jiang Zhaoyue's heart skipped a beat.
Her face was slightly flushed, making her look exceptionally beautiful in the morning light.
She lowered her head, her voice filled with barely suppressed joy and flattery.
"Your Majesty... what virtue or ability do I possess to deserve this..."
Qin Mu reached out and gently pinched her cheek, the movement was very light and carried a hint of doting.
"If I say you can, then you can."
Jiang Zhaoyue's face turned even redder, so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
She bit her lip, buried her face in Qin Mu's chest, and spoke in a muffled voice.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."
Qin Mu's fingers gently stroked her hair, his voice soft and tinged with a smile.
"Go and make the arrangements. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
Jiang Zhaoyue nodded, lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes full of smiles.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it immediately."
She turned around, her steps light and quick, her skirt trailing on the ground with a soft rustling sound, like a cloud being blown by the wind.
Qin Mu leaned back in his chair, watching her departing figure, the smile on his lips deepening.
........
Jiang Zhaoyue walked out of the palace gate and headed towards Huaqing Palace along the corridor.
Morning light filtered through the gaps in the eaves, spreading a layer of pale golden light on the ground. Her shadow was cast on the vermilion pillars, sometimes long, sometimes short.
She walked slowly but steadily, her skirt trailing on the ground with a soft rustling sound, like a cloud being blown by the wind.
She was already planning what to say when she saw Xu Fenghua later.
That woman was unlike anyone else; she was deep-thinking and shrewd. If you said the wrong thing, she would see through your disguise.
The gates of Huaqing Palace were half-open, and the dim candlelight mingled with the morning light, casting a hazy glow on the threshold.
Two palace maids stood guard at the door and bowed slightly when they saw Jiang Zhaoyue approaching.
"Consort Xue"
Jiang Zhaoyue nodded, her voice soft.
"Is Consort Hua here?"
The palace maid stepped aside, head bowed. "Yes, Your Highness. Please come in."
Jiang Zhaoyue stepped over the threshold and entered the hall.
The interior of the hall was elegantly furnished. The rosewood tables and chairs gleamed with a warm luster, and several pieces of porcelain from previous dynasties were displayed on the antique shelves. In the corner, a celadon incense burner burned sandalwood incense, with wisps of smoke rising and the atmosphere was serene.
Xu Fenghua sat on a rosewood couch by the window, holding a book in her hands, her gaze fixed on the pages, but she did not turn the pages.
She wore a lotus-colored palace dress, her long hair was tied into a cloud-like bun, and a jade hairpin was inserted in her hair, the tassel on the head of the hairpin swaying gently by her cheek.
Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her head and saw Jiang Zhaoyue standing in the center of the hall, a faint smile on her lips.
"Sister Xuefei is here? Please have a seat."
Jiang Zhaoyue walked to the opposite side of her, sat down on the embroidered stool, placed her hands on her knees, and straightened her back.
Her gaze lingered on Xu Fenghua's face for a moment before quickly shifting away.
"Sister Huafei, I've come today to tell you something."
Xu Fenghua put down the book in her hand, leaned back on the soft pillow, and looked at Jiang Zhaoyue's face with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"What is it?"
Jiang Zhaoyue pursed her lips, her voice very soft.
"His Majesty is going out of the palace tomorrow. I have asked His Majesty for permission to invite my sister to go with him."
Xu Fenghua's eyes flickered slightly, like a candle flame being blown away by the wind for a moment.
Her fingers curled slightly inside her sleeve, but her expression remained unchanged.
"Leaving the palace? Where to?"
Jiang Zhaoyue raised her head, met her gaze, and spoke in a steady voice.
"The North".
Xu Fenghua's heart skipped a beat, her pupils contracted slightly, and her lips parted slightly.
Her hand unconsciously covered her lower abdomen, then quickly moved away.
"The North..." she repeated the two words softly, her voice carrying an indescribable complexity.
Jiang Zhaoyue looked at her, her gaze calm as still water. "Don't you want to go, sister?"
Xu Fenghua lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting two fan-shaped shadows on her eyelids.
Her heart was churning with turmoil, but on the surface she remained calm.
north.
That was her home, the place where she grew up, and the place where her younger brother, Xu Longxiang, lived.
Why did Qin Mu go to the Northern Border?
Why take her along? Was it a test? A warning?
Or... she dared not think about it.
Xu Fenghua raised her head, a slight smile appearing on her lips, a smile that was just right, neither too deep nor too shallow.
"Why wouldn't I want to go? You're joking, little sister. I'm just... a little surprised."
Her voice was very steady, so steady that even she herself was a little surprised.
Jiang Zhaoyue looked at her, her gaze lingering on her face for a moment, as if trying to determine the truthfulness of her words.
"If you find this difficult, I will speak to His Majesty and ask him to find someone else."
Xu Fenghua's fingers clenched tightly in her sleeve, her eyes flickering slightly.
She couldn't refuse. What would Qin Mu think if she did?
He would think she was guilty, that she was afraid to see Xu Longxiang, and that she was still secretly contacting the Northern Border.
She had to go, and she had to go calmly and casually.
Xu Fenghua smiled and said:
"No problem. I was just thinking of going out for a walk. I'm getting sick from being cooped up in this palace all day."
Jiang Zhaoyue looked at her, nodded, and the smile on her lips deepened.
"That's good. His Majesty will depart early tomorrow morning, so please prepare, sister."
Xu Fenghua nodded, her voice soft. "Okay. Thank you for informing me, sister."
Jiang Zhaoyue stood up and straightened her clothes. "Then I won't disturb you any longer, sister. Please get some rest."
She turned around and walked towards the palace entrance.
"Sister Xuefei." Xu Fenghua's voice came from behind.
Jiang Zhaoyue stopped but didn't turn around. "Is there anything else, sister?"
Xu Fenghua was silent for a moment, her voice very soft, as if she were talking to herself.
"Who are the people on this trip?"
Jiang Zhaoyue turned around and looked at her, her gaze calm as still water.
Jiang Zhaoyue looked at Xu Fenghua's probing eyes and a slow smile appeared on her lips.
She didn't say anything, just smiled softly, as if she were talking about something very ordinary.
You'll find out then.
After speaking, she turned around and walked towards the palace entrance. Her steps were unhurried, her skirt trailing on the ground with a soft rustling sound, until she disappeared into the morning light outside the door.
Xu Fenghua sat on the soft couch, gazing at the empty palace gate and the golden morning light pouring in from outside, her expression complex.
Through her meeting with Jiang Zhaoyue today, she has made up her mind.
Jiang Zhaoyue has changed.
They became unfamiliar, indifferent, and terrifying.
She was no longer the girl who quietly read books in the Listening Snow Pavilion in the Northern Territory, whose eyes curved into crescent moons when she smiled.
She was no longer the pawn she had sent to the deep palace, alone and helpless, relying solely on her to relay messages.
She had completely surrendered herself to Qin Mu and willingly become his woman.
Xu Fenghua didn't know why this had happened, what methods Qin Mu had used, or what Jiang Zhaoyue had experienced in the deep palace.
But she knew she had to inform Xu Longxiang about this, otherwise the consequences would be very dangerous.
If Xu Longxiang continues to trust Jiang Zhaoyue and regards her as his most reliable eyes and ears in the deep palace, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Every message she conveyed might have been something Qin Mu wanted her to convey, and every word she uttered might have been something Qin Mu taught her to say.
Xu Fenghua closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The breath she inhaled, carrying with it the cold, stagnant air of the hall, chilled her to the bone.
She opened her eyes, and the turbulent waves in them were gradually calming down, as if an invisible hand had pressed down on the surface of the water.
She had to find a way to get the message out, and she had to let Xu Longxiang know before Qin Mu set off.
Jiang Zhaoyue is no longer trustworthy; she has completely sided with Qin Mu.
Her hand covered her lower abdomen, her palm pressed against the thin fabric, feeling the flat, warm skin.
There, a life is being conceived.
She had to be more careful, more cautious, and even more careful not to reveal any flaws.
At this moment, Jiang Zhaoyue had already returned to the side hall.