Chapter 204 Escorting Me Back to the Capital
Although Shaoling had countless speculations and doubts, he chose to be silent at the moment.
He needed to wait for Huiyin to make a decision first. Although they had no other choices, he did not intend to displease his imperial aunt, who was pushy and unreasonable, by speaking before her.
Even if they refused to escort Zongyuan back to the capital, Zhuang would surely do him this favor.
By the time Zongyuan went back and complained to their father, Shaoling and Huiyin would be blamed and suffer great losses.
Other people might not know what happened to their father, but Shaoling was clear about that.
Their father was not sick but poisoned.
Fortunately, Dr. Huang's ancestor once cured a similar disease, and his experience just came in handy.
Since the detoxification, their father had lived for nearly another ten years.
It was still too early to take the throne.
As expected, Huiyin nodded in agreement. She frowned and pressed her lips, showing a look of compassion.
"Look at you, poor boy! Why didn't you send a letter to me earlier? I could have sent people to get you back."
Born in the royal family, Huiyin was a good actress who could say something nice anytime.
But in fact, none of her words were sincere.
Zongyuan roasted her silently, yet with a grateful expression on his face.
"Thank you for your kindness."
Huiyin sighed. "I'll send a group of people to escort you back to the capital."
Zongyuan turned to Shaoling and asked timidly, "What about Brother?"
Shaoling understood that Zongyuan was unwilling to go with only Huiyin's people, for fear of getting into danger again.
However, Huiyin was displeased. She glared at Zongyuan and spoke in an unkind tone.
"Zongyuan! What do you mean by this? I've already agreed to send people to escort you back. How come you turn to your brother?"
Although Zongyuan did not worry that Huiyin would hurt him in General Su's residence, it was necessary for him to save her face.
He had a bitter smile on his face. "Auntie, you don't know how powerful those assassins are. I'm afraid they would hurt you if you send so many people to me, and by then I'll be to blame."
"If Brother sends some people, then everyone's safety will be guaranteed."
Shaoling snickered silently. In his view, his brother had a real talent for ruling a country. Why did he compete with Zongyuan before?
He agreed at once, "Okay. I have enough people with me, so I can send more people to escort you back."
After saying that, he stood up directly. "Auntie, Zongyuan, do you have anything else to say? If not, I want to spend more time with my betrothed."
Both Zongyuan and Huiyin frowned.
When did Shaoling and Yi become so close? What the hell was he up to?
Never before had he paid attention to women. Did he want to use General Su's power to get to the position that he coveted?
Thinking of it, Zongyuan and Huiyin revealed an unfriendly look.
If Shaoling joined forces with General Su, he would easily ascend to the throne.
What was most incredible, it was the emperor who brought Shaoling and Yi together.
Was the emperor senile? Why did he create such a risk? Was he going to die?
Under their stares, Shaoling felt somewhat disgusted. What was the point of intriguing every day?
Could an emperor obtain true happiness?
Every day, their father lay listlessly on the couch, facing a constant flow of documents into the palace. What a tiring life!
In his previous life, Xiyuan died from overwork in his early thirties. Anyway, Shaoling did not want such a life.
At this moment, he longed to see Yi's innocent face, which could ease his nerve and help him unwind.
Neither Huiyin nor Zongyuan spoke. Shaoling nodded and walked straight to the door. "It seems that you don't need me for anything. Zongyuan, send me a message before you leave, and I'll dispatch people over at once."
After saying that, he stepped over the threshold and went to the yard, where he saw Zhuang and Yi eating and laughing on the stone stools.
Shaoling liked the way they got along with each other, and he thought that they were a real family.
Since he was born, he had never felt the love from his parents.
To win his father's favor, his mother made him sick by dressing him in wet clothes, so that his father would come for a visit.
Over time, his father considered him sickly and hopeless and gave him less and less attention.
When he grew up a little, he studied with an eminent teacher. To make him stand out before his father, his mother woke him up at three o'clock and asked him to recite articles every day.
As both of his parents became disappointed with him, the pressure on him reduced. Gradually, he regained his freedom.
But one year, an idea occurred to him when his father's birthday was coming and his mother required him to rack his brain for a striking gift.
If he could become the emperor, would he no longer have to please anyone?
But looking at Zhuang and Yi, Shaoling felt that he was still too naive.
He wanted to please these two people, hoping that they would reveal such genuine smiles before him.
Zhuang noticed Shaoling as soon as he went out and hurriedly said something to Yi.
Immediately, Yi turned around and gave Shaoling a big smile.
Under his gaze, she gathered up her skirts and ran happily over. Then, she took his arm and pulled him to the stone table. "Here we go! Dad has taken out the western wine that His Majesty gave. Come and try some."
Her way of walking was a little different from those graceful ladies in the capital.
But in Shaoling's eyes, she was very lovely.
He did not refuse and followed her to the table.
Looking at the delicious fruit, wine, and pastries on the table, he raised his brows involuntarily. "You really know how to enjoy life."