Meeting the Emperor
"There's something I've been forgetting to ask you."
"What?"
"You and Jiang Bo, didn't you agree to pretend to have amnesia to trick me?"
When Li Qingwu heard this, he was holding her hand gently and using it to get off the carriage.
In front of them was the huge gate of the capital city.
The patrolling guards wore long swords on their waists and were chatting and laughing lazily, casting a critical look at the passers-by.
Li Qingwu's smile was hidden under the veil, and her voice was very soft, but it was just enough for Qiu Che to hear: "That's not the case."
"Maybe it's just because I was unconscious for too long, which made him think that I really had amnesia."
"When did you wake up then?"
Qiu Che wore a veil like her, took her hand, turned around and walked towards the city gate together.
Li Qingwu was wearing a pair of white magnolia shoes bought on the way back - this kind of shoes was also quite popular when the custom of foot binding was not popular.
Later, due to the prevalence of foot binding, embroidered shoes were rarely seen on the market, and they became an indispensable style for women with three-inch golden lotus feet.
Now, because of the promulgation of the new law, foot binding is expressly prohibited. Although there is only a decree in black and yellow paper, the impact it brings has quietly penetrated into the lives of ordinary people.
The most obvious change is that cloud-head shoes and white magnolia shoes have once again become the most popular styles among the people.
Li Qingwu was used to wearing embroidered shoes that were shackles everywhere, and now wearing this kind of shoes is still fresh.
But she often forgets that her feet are healed and she doesn't need to take such small steps anymore.
In order to correct her habit, Qiu Che has been holding her hand these days when walking together. When he sees that her steps are slower, he pulls her hand.
Once, Li Qingwu walked slowly and was pulled by her and staggered.
It wasn't a big deal, but it made her a little angry for no reason, so she complained: "Can't Aning be gentler?"
Qiu Che humbly asked: "What is gentleness?"
Seeing that she was serious, Li Qingwu felt embarrassed: "For example, pinching fingers or something..."
The more she spoke, the lower her voice became, and her ears were red as blood.
But as soon as she finished speaking, Qiu Che gently pinched her fingertips.
It felt numb and itchy.
It didn't seem like a reminder.
It felt like flirting.
Later, although Li Qingwu's habit had almost changed, neither of them mentioned letting go.
And now, in public, facing the gazes of passers-by, although Li Qingwu blushed with shame, she did not let go of Qiu Che's hand.
She thought for a moment and said sincerely, "... I was awake for only a short while, and I saw you when I got up and went out."
Qiu Che smiled softly and said, "So you decided to pretend to have amnesia at that time?"
"No," Li Qingwu said, "I heard you say that you don't need to go back for the time being, so..."
The eldest princess's amnesia may not have any impact on the situation in the court, but it can easily become a handle for others to criticize Qiu Che.
Li Qingwu didn't want to be her weakness, so he didn't allow himself to become Qiu Che's handle... Even if it was a fake amnesia, he couldn't let others know.
She had planned that she would confess to Qiu Che that she didn't have amnesia the night before returning to the capital.
During this period... just treat it as a beautiful dream she gave herself in a place outside the world.
But it seems that the effect of this "amnesia" is much better than she imagined. So much
so that it has been almost ten days since that accidental kiss, and she still doesn't dare to ask Qiu Che: What do you mean?
You said you don't like me, but you are willing to kiss me.
But if she said she liked him, Qiu Che's previous avoidance of her gaze and his euphemistic rejection of her were all telling her not to ask for too much.
It was good enough now.
Even if Qiu Che was just in a momentary mood and wanted to try it out with her because she was too interesting when she lost her memory... that was good too.
The rest - Li Qingwu advised himself again in his heart not to think too much.
Qiu Che chuckled, and the laughter was a little ambiguous.
Li Qingwu didn't know what this meant, because the two had already walked to the city gate.
The patrolling city guards had a frivolous attitude: "It's broad daylight, why are you wearing a veil? Take off your hat and show me your pass."
When they said this, several patrol guards were smiling, looking at each other, and their eyes looking at Li Qingwu were all obscure and lustful.
- You can't see her face, but just looking at her temperament and figure, you can tell that this young lady is a stunning beauty.
Qiu Che escaped because she wrapped herself in a chest wrap again, restored her "manly" appearance and manners, and was not short in stature.
Even with a veil, this unpleasant sight was extremely penetrating.
Qiu Che remained calm, tightened her hand holding Li Qingwu's, and moved her body to block the obscene and tacit gazes of several people.
Her eyes were cold, but her voice sounded gentle and non-threatening: "There is no document."
The patrolling city guard frowned: "Why did you come to the capital without a pass? Could it be some escaped court criminal..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw the "man" in blue clothes and thin stature took out something from his sleeve, flashed it in front of their eyes, and said steadily: "Do you recognize what this is?"
It was the imperial gold medal.
They had been able to pass through all the way with this.
It was all thanks to the emperor's decision to not take back the gold medal after the last investigation of the case in order to show his reliance on her.
When she fell off the cliff, the gold medal was still in her sleeve. It must be said that it was a gift from the emperor, and it was quite durable and not damaged at all.
It didn't have much use, but it allowed Qiu Che to enter and leave the inner court without hindrance.
Several people were working in the capital, so they naturally recognized the gold medal. They were all shocked and serious when they saw it.
One of them even blurted out: "How did you get the gold medal given by the emperor?"
Qiu Che paused.
She lifted a corner of her veil, revealing half of her face, with a gentle look and a slow voice: "Is it enough that I am the Minister of the Dali Temple and the only prince consort of Daxia now?"
The patrolling city guard was shocked: "Lord Qiu?! How is it possible-" Has
n't Lord Qiu, who was a fourth-rank official at a young age, been missing for almost two months?
He is not dead!
Thinking of this, the patrol guard could not help but look at the woman who was protected by her behind him. He was shocked to find that the other person had the temperament of an immortal. If she was said to be the Princess, it would be reasonable.
He wanted to say something else, but the leader of the patrol guards behind him stopped him.
He took a step back, hiding his shocked expression, and bowed respectfully, saying: "Welcome the Princess and Master Qiu back to the capital."
The people behind him reacted, and seeing that the leader had spoken, they also hurriedly said in unison: "Welcome the Princess and Master back to the capital!"
They were sweating profusely, fearing that Qiu Che would take those few offensive glances seriously and complain to His Majesty - he was His Majesty's favorite, and if His Majesty knew that they dared to covet the princess, he would probably kill them directly.
Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to care.
But the commotion at the city gate attracted many people's attention, and the long queues of people looked over curiously, wondering what happened and why they suddenly stopped here.
When the sound of several people bowing and saluting came out, the sound of people's discussion quieted down, and suddenly became louder like a tide.
"So it's the princess and her husband...wait, who and who?"
"Didn't they say they fell off a cliff and died? How come they suddenly came back..."
"We ordinary people must not know a lot about those big shots, that's normal..."
"Lord Qiu is a good official. A few years ago, my grandfather had ten acres of land robbed by those dog officials. He got angry and fell ill, and he never got the land back as it was sold by those dog officials. He remembered it all. Just a few months ago, the court compensated my family with a huge sum of money. My parents were very sad when they heard that they were in trouble...ah, it's good to be alive, it's good to be alive."
"I would rather know, is the girl next to her the legendary most beautiful princess? Why is she wearing a hat? I can't see what she looks like..."
"Who cares if she is beautiful or not...haven't you heard that she is the child of a Nanyi woman..."
"What era is this? It's not allowed to punish blood relatives."
"No way! I heard from my second aunt's uncle in Jinzhou that it seems that there will be another war over there. Once there is a war, won't they recruit soldiers again? My son will have to serve in the army again... Those damned southern barbarians can also use poisonous snakes. If they are bitten, even gods can't save them!"
They all thought that others couldn't hear these whispers, but Qiu Che had amazing hearing ability and had already heard them all from a distance.
Most of the people were discussing like watching a play. There were also a small number of people who didn't care about adults or not. After waiting for a long time, they became impatient.
When Qiu Che led Li Qingwu and stepped steadily into the capital, he heard a few sporadic words from behind:
"Are you still going? I'm in a hurry to buy goods for my family's shop!"
"Yes, yes, it's all blocked. How long will it take? Are you going?!"
A bunch of fools!
The patrolling city guards sent the two away with a smile on their faces, then straightened up, glared at everyone, and scolded: "What are you arguing about!"
The city gate suddenly became quiet.
Occasionally, a few people looked dissatisfied, but they just looked at each other and dared not say anything.
The patrolling guard waved his hand in annoyance, not wanting to say more: "Everyone line up! Come one by one!"
Walking on the streets of the capital, Qiu Che seemed to be thinking about something and did not speak for a long time.
Li Qingwu asked softly: "You want to... use this method to let people know that we are back, right?"
Qiu Che came back to his senses: "Yeah, almost."
"Then should we go back home now, or..."
Qiu Che thought for a while: "Go back home first."
There was a lot of noise at the city gate just now, and it was inevitable that the people in the city would notice it. It would be too conspicuous to go and find other people to meet up at this time. It is better to go back home and wait quietly for the emperor to summon.
Li Qingwu nodded.
"Don't you want to ask me what I'm thinking?"
Li Qingwu didn't want to ask, but she followed suit: "What were you thinking just now?"
"I was thinking, is Nanyi really going to go to war with Daxia?" Qiu Che whispered, "They have been making frequent small moves recently... Daxia has not yet adjusted to recuperation, and if a war breaks out, we will be the only ones to suffer."
Every time Qiu Che talks to Li Qingwu now, she will automatically return to her original voice. The low but clear female voice always makes Li Qingwu feel moved. "
Isn't there an agreement that neither country can commit the same offense again within a decade?"
She didn't practice martial arts, so naturally she didn't hear the few sporadic discussions mixed in with the arguments.
"It's just a piece of paper," Qiu Che smiled, "For the barbarians, it's something they can tear up at any time if they want to."
In the previous life, the Nanyi people were also the party that took the initiative to tear up the agreement, but that war took place seven years after this point in time.
Qiu Che's rebirth, whether intentional or unintentional, has changed the trajectory of too many things.
But what's more interesting is that most of the things that happened in the previous life have not changed much in this life, except that time has moved forward a lot.
Li Qingwu listened and thought deeply.
Although her mother is from Nanyi, she has no sense of belonging to Nanyi at all. In her eyes, she is a real Daxia person.
And Nanyi, whether in rumors or in Jiang Bo's description, she can't have any good impression of her.
"Will this have any impact on you?"
Qiu Che was stunned for a moment: "... Not really."
She is a civil servant. If nothing unexpected happens, even if there is a war, the fire of Nanyi will not burn her.
I'm afraid of this accident. What
surprised her even more was Li Qingwu's attitude.
"You... just want to ask this?"
Li Qingwu paused.
Under the veil, Qiu Che couldn't see her expression, but subconsciously felt that she seemed to be hiding something.
Although she was smiling, the words she said were perfunctory: "If you really have to march and fight, I can't do anything, let alone stop anything. Of course, I can only care about you."
This reason is quite reasonable.
Qiu Che did not pursue the matter any further.
Inside the princess's mansion, they had already heard about their return. Yu Yan and Fu Ling were originally planning to meet them at the city gate, but Yu Ming stopped them.
"We can't let people know that we already knew that the master and the others were fine." These were Yu Ming's original words.
Otherwise, if it gets out, someone with ulterior motives will make a fuss about it and turn it into a conspiracy theory.
After much persuasion, they finally agreed to change the meeting place from the city gate to the main gate of the princess's mansion.
They estimated that the time was almost up, and they all waited at the door, anxiously waiting for the knock on the door.
"Just then," a servant who was sent to the city gate to buy things came running back and knocked on the door breathlessly.
Seeing through the crack in the door that it was not Qiu Che and the other person, several people hid instantly, leaving Yu Ming. He straightened his clothes and pretended to walk to the door. He opened the door, saw his appearance, and pretended to be dissatisfied: "Why are you in such a hurry? Don't you have any manners?"
The servant stood up and said intermittently: "The princess... and the prince consort are back!"
"Back?" Yu Ming was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't react, "You... what nonsense are you talking about?"
"No nonsense! No nonsense!" The servant raised his hand excitedly and pointed outside, "They are already on the way back to the mansion! I heard the patrolling guards calling them with my own ears! It was His Highness and the prince consort! There is no mistake!"
After Qiu Che's deliberate training, Yu Ming already had a talent for acting. Hearing this, her expression changed, from shock to ecstasy, and the transition was so natural and smooth.
She raised her voice and called out: "Yu Yan! Yu Yanââ"
Yu Yan couldn't wait any longer. Upon hearing the voice, she appeared beside her in a flash: "Sister."
"The Master and the Madam are back!" Yu Ming said, "Go and tell Madam Wang - what are you standing there for! Hurry!"
Yu Yan stood there motionless, as if she was stupid.
Yu Ming said, "Forget it. I can't count on you. I'll go find someone to tell them. You wait here!"
After that, she ran away holding up her skirt.
Soon, Fuling and Fufeng also appeared one after another, pretending to have just heard the news.
Yu Ming calculated the time and hurried back quickly. Not long after, Wang was also helped out with a look of surprise on her face.
In the midst of everyone's expectation, the two figures finally appeared in everyone's sight.
When they were about to reach the door, they both took off their veils at the same time.
They were two familiar faces who had not seen each other for two months.
Fuling was the first to cry out involuntarily. She could no longer pretend to be reserved and threw herself on him, crying, "Your Highness!"
"I thought I would never see you again, wuwuwu..."
Yuyan also couldn't help crying - but unfortunately she didn't dare to throw herself on her master, she could only stand and cry with her lips curled.
Li Qingwu reached out to catch Fuling and smiled helplessly, "Aren't I back?"
Because they had to catch Fuling, their clasped hands naturally separated.
Qiu Che's eyes swept over Fuling's hands that were tightly hugging her. Before Li Qingwu could feel it, he said casually, "Why are you all waiting here?" Wang
's eyes were filled with tears. She stepped forward and held their hands, saying, "You guys, since you're fine, why didn't you send us a message? I've been waiting for so long... I'm glad you're fine, I'm glad you're fine."
Of course, they sent a message.
But there were several maids and servants present, and there was no guarantee that there might be spies from other forces among them.
Wang Shi didn't have any bad intentions. She said this because Yu Ming had told her in advance that she wanted to tell her spy.
Qiu Che explained, "I was also injured... I got better a few days ago, and I rushed back. It's our fault that made mother worried."
After a few pleasantries, the others dismissed the maids and servants on the pretext that Wang Shi wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with them.
No one objected, and they all bowed and left with a look of relief on their faces.
ââThe two masters returned safely, which meant that the princess's mansion could continue to stay and didn't have to spend a lot of effort to find a new home. It
was also great news for the servants.
In a corner that no one noticed, the servant who reported the news also disappeared from their sight with a smile of relief and emotion.
Qiu Che glanced at the servant who flashed by and frowned slightly: "Yu Yan."
Yu Yan was still crying with snot and tears, and she didn't dare to wipe it on other places, for fear of being disliked by the master, so she secretly wiped it on the hem of her windbreaker.
Hearing this, she uttered an "ah" and sobbed: "What's wrong, master?"
"Who is that?"
"It's Anan, the servant in charge of the kitchen in the backyard. He just came to report the news. He has been here since the mansion was founded, and he is one of the oldest servants." Housekeeper Yuming has been in charge for a long time, and he remembers people better than Yuyan.
She answered first, and then whispered, "Master, is there something wrong with him?"
Qiu Che did not comment, and said, "Yuyan, keep an eye on him."
Yuyan immediately sniffed, and took the opportunity to stay away from Fufeng quietly: "Yes."
Fufeng watched Li Qingwu and Fuling hug each other in silence, and in fact, he was relieved in his heart - it was his poor protection that put the two masters in such a dangerous situation. During
the period when there was no news, he even thought about dying to apologize.
But if he died, Fuling...his biological sister, would no longer have a relative.
In the end, he couldn't do it.
Fortunately, they are all still alive.
When he came back to his senses from his sigh, he found that the hem of his clothes was wet, as if someone had splashed water on his clothes.
He raised his eyes in confusion, and Yu Yan, who was beside him just now, was standing far away, with only some messy tear marks on her face.
Fu Feng: "..."
No need to think, it was Yu Yan who did it.
Both of them planned to wash up and change clothes before talking about other things.
Wang accompanied them, but she just listened to them talking all the way and couldn't say anything.
Because Wang was next to them, the two of them couldn't hold hands anymore. They could face other people calmly, but they were a little uncomfortable facing Qiu Che's biological mother, who was also one of the few people who knew Qiu Che's true gender.
Coincidentally, they didn't dare to show their intimate posture.
"Do you suspect that the servant named Anan has a problem?"
"We are not slow." Qiu Che said, "There is only one way from the city gate back to the princess's mansion. He could have passed me without making any noise and ran back to report the news... Unless he deliberately avoided my perception range, it would be impossible." Since
it is "deliberately", there must be a problem.
"You probably didn't see that if he ran back, his steps would be a little shaky, but he didn't, and his breathing was even."
Li Qingwu: "Who could it be?"
Qiu Che asked back: "Who do you think it is?"
Their calm attitude, as if they were just strolling and chatting, if there was really someone secretly monitoring them, it would not be seen that they were discussing the identity of the spy.
"I can't think of it," Li Qingwu said sincerely, "Too many people."
"For example?"
"Father... Your Majesty?" Li Qingwu was silent for a moment, "Prime Minister Wu? The Crown Prince? Or, someone from your father's side, it's also possible."
Qiu Che nodded, then shook his head: "Your Majesty is unlikely. If he wants to plant spies, he can send a Jinyiwei to monitor. There's no need to go through so much trouble." "The
Crown Prince and my father are even more unlikely. The Crown Prince doesn't have the brains, nor does he have the ability to plant people in my house," Qiu Che said lightly, "As for my father... Ha." Just
one short word, full of sarcasm.
The Crown Prince didn't have the ability to plant spies, so her stupid, bad, stupid, bad father was even less likely.
"Is that Prime Minister Wu?"
Qiu Che thought for a while and said, "Maybe, maybe not."
Li Qingwu reacted: "You don't plan to expose him?"
Qiu Che looked at her with appreciation, but saw that her face turned red again and her breathing paused.
Afraid that Wang would notice something strange, she quickly turned her head and looked forward, saying, "You have to let the long line go in order to catch the big fish."
Li Qingwu nodded in agreement again, "Instead of arresting him and sending more spies in, it's better to just use him. Anyway, his every move is under our eyes now."
The two looked at each other in tacit understanding.
The topic ended here.
Unexpectedly, Wang, who had been listening all the way, couldn't help but smiled and said, "You two, you really look like a couple."
If she hadn't known that she gave birth to a daughter, she would have wanted to match the two together.
But after these words came out, both of them fell into a strange silence.
No one objected, but the atmosphere suddenly became a little subtle.
Qiu Che calmly changed the subject and said, "Mother, let's go wash up first, you go to the study and wait for a while."
Wang Shi responded with a smile, and she didn't suspect anything.
When the two of them finished washing up and changed their clothes, Yu Ming was already waiting in the study with Wang Shi.
When she saw her, Yu Ming's first sentence was: "Master, Yu Yan secretly followed to see, An Nan was very cautious and didn't reveal any flaws. He just sent a letter - you guessed it right, he really has a problem."
"Who is the letter for?"
"The beginning of the letter is..." Yu Ming paused, "Your Highness."
Qiu Che subconsciously glanced at Li Qingwu beside him, and realized that it couldn't be for Li Qingwu, so he frowned: "Which Your Highness?"
"Yu Yan saw that the carrier pigeon flew to the Prince's Mansion."
In this case, it could be no one else except the Prince.
Qiu Che narrowed his eyes slightly.
She just said that it couldn't be the Prince, and now she was slapped in the face?
But before she could say anything else, there was another sound of footsteps outside the door.
Fuling said nervously, "Your Highness, Prince Consort, someone is coming from the palace."
"His Majesty wants you to come to the palace immediately to see the Emperor."