Chapter 73 (1/2)

In front of the door of the spacious Prime Minister’s manor, one big azure color chariot was parking, more than ten Imperial bodyguards were guarding in between the chariot. They were tall with well built statures with strict and threatening eyes, one would know that they were the experts with only one look.

There were also a group of people who were standing outside of the Prime Minister’s manor, Lou Xi Yan and Lou Mu Hai were standing in front, Lou Xi Wu and Xue Xian Xin were standing beside them. Comparing to Xue Xian Xin’s overjoyed appearance at the turn of the event, Lou Xi Wu seemed to be lacking with any interest, even with some impatience.

One 50 some years old momo walked to the side of the chariot, lightly lifted open the hanging covering veil on the chariot, a pair of well maintained hands extended out from the inside, old momo hurriedly supported with her hands, the respectful person who was inside, came out.

The West Empress Dowager came down from the chariot gracefully and calmly, the ornaments on her body were still lacking as before, but the magnificent dark purple chang pao set off the noble threatening atmosphere.

Following behind the West Empress Dowager was Princess Chao Yun, a touch of light yellow cheong sam made her look even more gentle and beautiful. Two intelligent palace maids were lending their arms to support her left and right hands, perhaps, she did not want to let people look at her thin and pallid look. She was wearing a muslin hat to block the line sight of all of the people.

Looking at the wind seemed to be able to float up the clear shadow, Lou Xi Yan’s brows wrinkled, it was not even half a month, how could she completely torment herself like this?!

Through the muslin covering, Yan Ru Xuan was also seeking that gentle man who made her to follow him for so many years. The Imperial mother told her today that Yan gege entered the Imperial palace for her last night, and he requested that she would recuperate at the Prime Minister’s manor. She simply did not dare to believe her own ears, she thought that he already did not want her, as it turned out, he was still concerned about her.

“The Empress Dowager, long live, long live, long live. May the Princess has a thousand good fortune and peace.” The unavoidable respect to salute, but the Lou family was a flourishing family after all, the West Empress Dowager hurriedly lifted her hand at the gate of the manor, smilingly said: “No need to stand on the ceremony outside of the Imperial palace.”

Looking towards Lou Mu Hai, the West Empress Dowager delicately laughed and said: “General Lou, have not seen you for many years, you are still the same strong and healthy as before.”

Lou Mu Hai laughed candidly and heartily, with a clear sound, he answered: “The Empress Dowager is over praising, time does not spare anybody, Lao Chen (this old official) is more and more inferior than before.”

For the past many years like this, she was already used to the sound volume of Lou Mu Hai, the West Empress Dowager did not mind at all, lowly sighed and said: “Now is the world of the young people, Xi Yan is capable like this, it is really the pillar of the country, you should also believe in the good fortune.”

Sweeping over one glance at the calm Lou Xi Yan who was standing beside him, Lou Mu Hai secretly forced a smile, in this life of his, perhaps he did not have any opportunity to enjoy this good fortune.

From the beginning that she was a concubine, she did not have any opportunity to see the Empress Dowager all along, once the Empress Dowager got down from the chariot, Xue Xian Xin hurriedly welcomed right away. Taking the West Empress Dowager’s other hand, she extremely ingratiated herself, Lou Xi Wu unbearably turned around to roll her eyes, no bone was just no bone!

The West Empress Dowager took advantage to pad Xue Xian Xin’s hand, smilingly said: “Xian Xin ah, this days, Xuan-er will disturb you at the manor, please take care of her properly even more.”

The Empress Dowager unexpectedly remembered her name! Xue Xian Xin was very joyful, repeatedly answered to say: “How can the Empress Dowager say that, the Princess can recuperate at the Prime Minister’s manor is naturally our family’s good fortune. I will surely take care of the Princess properly, and raise her until she is plump.”

“Then, it is good.”

Lou Xi Wu was bored to death and lowered her head to wait for this boring dialog to pass hurriedly, who would have thought that the West Empress Dowager suddenly walked in front of her, she lifted up her chin, smilingly said: “This is Xi Wu, right, it has been quite a while that you have not entered the Imperial palace to visit Aijia. Aijia almost did not recognize you, you already grew up as a young lady, really full of life.”

Feeling awkward and retreating one step, Lou Xi Wu embarrassedly answered: “Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s praise.” She never liked the West Empress Dowager in the past, even though she was always smiling with her narrow eyes.

Yan Ru Xuan’s thin and weak health made people to be anxious, he always treated her as another younger sister, she turned into this appearance, Lou Xi Yan’s heart was very guilty, with a low voice, he said; “Cui Xin courtyard has already been tidied up properly, that place is quiet, secluded and tranquil, very suitable to recuperate. Princess is tired from the journey, just rest inside the courtyard, ok.”

The West Empress Dowager recovered herself, smilingly answered: “Aijia as a visitor speaks patronizingly or Xi Yan is considerate to other people’s needs.”

Cui Xin courtyard was located at the most distant part of the Prime Minister’s manor, the environment was indeed elegant and cozy, but nevertheless, it was not the place that the West Empress Dowager had in mind. At the time when she passed through Zhai Xing pavilion during the walk, the West Empress Dowager suddenly stopped her footsteps, quietly said: “Zhai Xing pavilion! This name is really good.”

Finished speaking and no matter who was behind her, she just entered the inside of the court.

Lou Xi Yan’s expression slightly flashed out, he also walked slowly to go in.

Looking at the inside of the courtyard afterwards, the West Empress Dowager happily smiled and said: “This courtyard is really not bad, there is a lake up front, and still can look at the new lotus pond.” The most important thing was it was next to Lou Xi Yan’s Lan Yue building, this was a so called closer proximity and easier access, Xuan-er should live here in this place.

Walking to Yan Ru Xuan’s side, the West Empress Dowager asked in a soft voice: “Xuan-er, there is the lotus that you love the most, live in this courtyard, ok?”

Yan Ru Xuan slightly raised her head, looked at the small building not too far away, that was exactly Lou Xi Yan’s Lan Yue building. Thinking that she could live with him so close, Yan Ru Xuan’s heart was very delighted, but she still answered with some reservation: “The Imperial mother can make the arrangement.”

Nodding satisfyingly, the West Empress Dowager laughed towards Lou Xi Yan and said: “Xi Yan, just do not go to Cui Xin courtyard, let Xuan-er live here, ok.”

Hearing the West Empress Dowager’s words, Lou Xi Yan’s complexion was the same, contrary to what one might expect, Lou Xi Wu mumbled on the side: “Someone already lives in this courtyard.”

Even if Qing Ling was hateful but comparing to Yan Ru Xuan, this person who pretended to be a noble and virtuous woman, she looked a little pleasing to the eyes.

“Xi Wu.” Xue Xian Xin firmly stared at Lou Xi Wu one glance, this young girl did not really understand any rule! If she provoked an anger from the Empress Dowager, she would take any responsibility!

“Is that really?” The West Empress Dowager slightly knitted her eyebrows, smilingly said: “So it turns out there is already someone who lives in there, Aijia is actually not considerate.” She did not need or want to know who was living inside, she already decided that Xuan-er would live in this courtyard now!

Xue Xian Xin hurriedly ingratiated herself and said: “The Empress Dowager does not need to say it like that, the Princess likes this place so make that person to move out, ok, the Princess is certainly more important.” Qing Ling, that terrible girl, this would finally destroy her authority!

“What does Xi Yan think?” The West Empress Dowager threw out the question to Lou Xi Yan, she wanted to see until what extend he could defend Qing Ling.

Lou Xi Yan was silent for a moment, the West Empress Dowager was not anxious either, she looked at the lovely lotus pond that was not too far away to wait for his answer.

At this time, the door at Lan Yue’s building suddenly opened, everyone looked at the direction one by one, just to see a girl who was wearing a plain clothing with a sleepy face, walking out. She was dressing neatly, nothing inappropriate at all, but her long hair was still flowing down on her back, her eyes were half opened, all of the people saw a lazy appearance. As long as one was not blind, one could see that she just woke up recently, additionally, she surely looked like she did not have a good sleep last night…… When Zhuo Qing was on the bed with Lou Xi Yan, listening to his sudden rapid and sudden slow breathing sounds, his body was stiff and motionless continuously. She did not know how long she was sleeping either, she was hearing somewhat disturbance sounds from outside in a daze. She did not expect that once she walked outside the door, a group of people were staring at her ceremoniously.

Being stared by those people like this, she could not walk over there either nor could she go back, Zhuo Qing could only wave her hand lightly and ignore all the expressions of surprise or resentful or contempt or longing, she greeted as usual: “Good morning everyone ah.”

Lou Xi Yan broke into laughter, it was almost wushi (between 11 am-1 pm), it was still early! Her waking up and coming out was really in time. Lightly waving towards her, Lou Xi Yan raised his voice to say: “Ling-er, come over.”

Xiao Lian could feel that from the moment the woman whom Lou Xi Yan called ‘Ling-er’ came out of the Prime Minister’s room, the Princess’ body was trembling violently, in between the muslin covering, she could see clearly that the Princess was biting her lower lips tightly, her complexion was as white as a paper.