The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 519 - 486: If You Don’t Want Others to Worry, Take Care of Yourself

Chapter 519: Chapter 486: If You Don’t Want Others to Worry, Take Care of Yourself

The extinction case this time didn’t actually require much effort from Zhao Xi; resolving it so quickly was thanks to Qiu Shuyue’s proactive confession.

However, a few people had agreed beforehand that this matter should not be disclosed to others.

In front of Emperor Guangxi, Zhao Xi naturally wouldn’t reveal it. When the Emperor asked what reward he wanted, Zhao Xi didn’t hesitate and said directly, "The war between Great Chu and West Yue is still ongoing. All my efforts are currently focused on the mechanical beast, and I have no time to attend to my mother. If Father has free time, please visit her more often for me."

Emperor Guangxi asked, "Is that all you’re asking for?"

"Yes." Zhao Xi nodded.

"Alright, I promise you." Emperor Guangxi replied straightforwardly.

"Thank you, Father." Zhao Xi expressed his gratitude.

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhao Xi didn’t immediately return to his sleeping quarters but took a walk on a trail in the Imperial Garden.

Walking to a stone bridge, he heard a few palace maids picking locust flowers and whispering, "Hey, did you hear? The girl from the Xue Family has entered the palace again."

"How could I not have heard? Early this morning, everyone was talking about it. Many are guessing who she’s actually here for."

"Is that even a guess? Surely she’s here for the Imperial Concubine. The palace is without a leader nowadays, and the Imperial Concubine is at her prime. The Emperor has let her manage the harem. It’s clear who the future successor will be. The girl from the Xue Family is just a concubine. During a time like this, coming to the palace more often to get familiar might please the Imperial Concubine, and she might directly change her mind and petition for her to become the main wife."

"Don’t speak recklessly. What if she’s actually here to see Consort Qing?"

"Pfft—everyone knows Consort Qing and the Imperial Concubine live together in Xianfu Palace. Visiting Consort Qing is just a nice-sounding reason. In reality, she’s ambitious and is trying to meet the Imperial Concubine."

"Hehe... Maybe she’s here to see His Highness. After all, he just achieved a feat, and many people want to curry favor but have no opportunity."

"Anyway, this girl from the Xue Family is no good. She hasn’t even stepped in the door yet and is already trying to take over the main wife’s position. Hmph, who knows what trouble she might stir up in the future!"

A deep male voice suddenly came from behind, "Even if she stirs up trouble, she’s doing it within the Prince’s territory. Do you have an opinion?"

Hearing this, the faces of the little palace maids turned pale.

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn’t noticed someone approaching.

Now seeing clearly who it was, the little palace maids were terrified, shivering, dropping their baskets, and immediately kneeling down, repeatedly kowtowing, "Your Highness, Your Highness, forgive us, we didn’t know you were here..."

Zhao Xi looked at them indifferently, "The last person to speak wantonly in the palace was Deng Cairen."

She was originally Zhaoyi but was demoted to Talented Lady for spreading false information in front of the Emperor and died on the night she was sent to the Cold Palace.

This matter had always been idle talk among the palace workers.

What His Highness said was clearly a reminder to them — dare to gossip again and they might end up like Deng Cairen or even worse.

The few of them were panicked and disoriented, repeatedly kowtowing until their foreheads were bruised, crying and begging for forgiveness.

Zhao Xi withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

He planned to visit Xianfu Palace but halfway there he encountered Xue Yinhuan.

She was carrying a tray with a plate of snacks and a pot of wine.

Perhaps she hadn’t expected Zhao Xi to appear suddenly, as she seemed momentarily stunned before bowing, "Your Highness."

Zhao Xi asked her, "Where are you going?"

"I..."

Before entering the palace, her aunt repeatedly stressed that she should make some snacks herself and bring along her homemade wine.

Xue Yinhuan thought her aunt was craving and wanted to taste her culinary skills.

But upon arriving at Xianfu Palace, her aunt instructed her to deliver the goods to Yutang Palace, saying His Highness had achieved a feat and, as his intended concubine, she should express something.

So actually, she was compelled to deliver the food.

"For me?" Seeing her not answer, Zhao Xi asked.

"Yes." Since they had already met, Xue Yinhuan didn’t intend to explain further.

Not far ahead was a pavilion, Zhao Xi gestured, "Deliver it there."

Xue Yinhuan blankly said "Oh," turned around, and headed towards the pavilion.

Zhao Xi leisurely followed behind, and by the time he arrived, Xue Yinhuan had already poured him a cup of wine.

Zhao Xi sat down and saw her standing nearby, so he motioned, "Sit as well."

Xue Yinhuan sat down as instructed, her hands clasped under the stone table, her head slightly bowed, silent.

Zhao Xi picked up a pastry and took a bite. It wasn’t made by the imperial chefs, somewhat distinctive. He asked, "Did you make it?"

Xue Yinhuan nodded, "It’s a specialty pastry from Jiangnan. Aunt wanted to eat it, so I made a little."

Zhao Xi understood, lifted the wine cup to his nose and sniffed, "It seems this wine is also made by you."

Xue Yinhuan blushed, "My skills are not good. His Highness can try it casually. If it’s not to your taste, don’t force it."

Zhao Xi took two more bites, his tone casual, "Why suddenly think of sending me wine and pastries?"

At such a time, once she admits she did it out of obligation, it would be disheartening. Xue Yinhuan took a deep breath and looked up at him, "Congratulations to His Highness for successfully solving the case."

Zhao Xi’s action of eating the pastry paused, "Didn’t you just say you made it because Consort Qing wanted to eat it?"

"..." Xue Yinhuan said, "Mainly it was made for His Highness, as for Aunt, I just made more for her."

Zhao Xi no longer dwelled on the pastry issue, "I’ve been busy recently, haven’t visited the Minister’s Mansion for some time. I wonder if Minister Xue is still well?"

"Grandfather’s health has always been robust," Xue Yinhuan said. "Before I came, he even asked me to convey his regards to His Highness."

Zhao Xi finished a piece of pastry, carefully using a cloth to wipe his clean fingers, not forgetting to ask, "And you?"

Not knowing if he doesn’t like sweets or doesn’t like her skills, Xue Yinhuan felt inexplicably lost seeing Zhao Xi’s lack of appetite.

"I’m quite well." She lowered her eyelashes, "Thank you for Your Highness’s concern."

Zhao Xi said, "To avoid others worrying too much, take good care of yourself."

"I know."

Zhao Xi got up to leave, took a few steps out of the pavilion, then thought of something and looked back at her, "You have good skills, it’s just that I just had a meal, not much appetite."

In the end, it’s still about the lack of appetite.

Xue Yinhuan tidied up the things on the table, "Please take care, Your Highness."

Afterward, she carried the tray back to Xianfu Palace to see Consort Qing.

Consort Qing saw her return almost as she had left, a look of surprise on her face, "Didn’t you see him, or didn’t His Highness like it?"

"Perhaps he didn’t like it." Xue Yinhuan set down the tray and sat down, "Aunt, I told you not to send it, yet you insisted, now I’m quite embarrassed!"

Consort Qing said, "I was thinking he hadn’t visited the Minister’s Mansion for a long time, afraid he might forget you."

Xue Yinhuan sighed, "I’m just a concubine, not yet married, how could I have such face to make him remember?"

Consort Qing pursed her lips, "If he forgets you, wouldn’t your father be in vain..."

"Aunt, be careful with your words!" Xue Yinhuan interrupted her in a low voice, "Marriage is a matter between him and me, if you have to involve my father, making him feel we’re repaying kindness with interest, he’ll only resent me more. I, your niece, have to work hard to make a living under him in the future!"

Consort Qing was amused by her, "You’ve always been stubborn, not easily giving in. I was initially worried that you might have clashed with him, but now it seems I worried too much. It’s good that you understand."

"How could I not?" Xue Yinhuan said, "I understand the principle of an egg hitting a stone. Getting angry with him would only make myself unhappy. Since I can’t resist marrying him, why not comply and live more comfortably?"

Hearing this, Consort Qing sighed, "I repeatedly told your father in the past to find you a husband early, not to send you to the palace, yet in the end, you ended up bound to the Eldest Prince. It seems everything is fate."

Xue Yinhuan also felt her fate was interesting. When she first entered the palace, she was repeatedly misunderstood as deliberately approaching the Eldest Prince, wanting to offer herself. During those days, there were many rumors in the palace.

Before long, she indeed got involved with him.

Became his unwed concubine, truly solidifying previous claims of "deliberately approaching" the Eldest Prince.

Even the Eldest Prince thought so, who outside would still listen to her explanation?

But it’s no matter. She knew what really happened, that’s enough. With so many people outside, each with their own mouth and opinion, she’s not a saint, how could she possibly make everyone have no opinion of her?

Consort Qing asked about the situation at the Minister’s Mansion, Xue Yinhuan said it’s quite well, her grandfather is still healthy.

Consort Qing then asked about the situation with Mrs. Xie during this period, if she was behaving.

Xue Yinhuan nodded, "Since my matter with His Highness was settled, she hasn’t found trouble with me again."

Consort Qing frowned and said, "When your grandmother passed away, everyone advised your grandfather to remarry, but he refused. Without an elder to manage the household, it gave Mrs. Xie the opportunity. She’s ruled the house these years, it’s been hard on you."

Xue Yinhuan smiled, "It’s all in the past. As long as Ah Yin is well, I’m not worried about facing some grievances."

Xue Yan, Xue Yinhuan’s younger brother from the same mother, was only thirteen.