Chapter 198 Being used again
After getting off the carriage, Zhuang Xianhui raised her eyes and looked around, she saw the Di Sheng Palace, shining like a jade palace and a dragon soaring into the blue sky.
The carved eaves and embroidered doors are as majestic as the fairy mountains and pavilions; the red pillars and carved rafters are like wild geese chasing the river in the mist and clouds.
Zhuang Xianhui was feeling a little uneasy, but she walked gracefully, wearing graceful silk, and bowed slowly.
"Greetings to Uncle Huang."
Gu Mengzhen waved his sleeves and An Lan smiled.
"Hui'er, come and sit next to me."
Zhuang Xianhui stood up and walked away as she was told.
"Yes."
Seeing her sit down, Gu Mengzhen did not rush to ask questions, but showed concern first.
"It's almost time for dinner. Have you eaten yet?"
Zhuang Xianhui landed on the dragon throne and lowered her eyes to show respect.
"In reply to the Emperor's words, I have just changed my clothes and entered the palace. I dare not be negligent, so I haven't had time to eat yet."
Gu Mengzhen was careful and meticulous, and gently untied her hair that was accidentally caught by the beads of her hairpin.
"I guessed it, and waited for you to enter the palace before ordering the meal to be served."
"The Imperial Kitchen has prepared many delicacies according to your taste. You haven't dined with me for a long time."
As he said this, he gave instructions to Xiao Fuzi who was standing beside him.
"Pass the meal around."
Xiao Fuzi left immediately.
"Yes."
Soon, the table was full of delicious food. Gu Mengzhen, as usual, only left Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Shenzi to serve the dishes.
Zhuang was polite and courteous. She waited until Gu Mengzhen started eating before she started eating. Her every move was respectful and elegant.
Looking at her well-behaved appearance, Gu Mengzhen felt both relieved and worried.
"Don't be so polite, just enjoy your meal."
"Just speaking of this point, Wei'er and you are not as good as Rui'er. He accompanies me in dining and is always informal."
Zhuang Xianhui raised her eyes slightly and smiled back.
"My second brother doesn't go to school in the palace, so he is naturally more casual about etiquette. My eldest brother and I have studied hard for many years and are already used to it."
"I am a nephew of a humble talent, and I am not as diligent and intelligent as my elder brother. I hope that my uncle will not mind my slow pace."
Gu Mengzhen sighed deeply and felt emotional.
"There are indeed too many rules in the palace."
"I have specially allowed you to enter the palace and go to school with the princes and princesses. This is out of good intentions."
"Now it seems that Rui'er is right."
"He refused to attend the palace school, nor the aristocratic houses, choosing only to have fun with the people. As a result, he developed a free and uninhibited personality, seemingly rude, but actually at ease."
"That's what I meant. I want to give you the best and let you grow up without worries."
Zhuang Xianhui listened carefully and responded.
"I, your Highness, have good intentions. I understand and am always grateful."
"My second elder brother insisted on attending a private school. He was so willful that he was reprimanded by our father many times."
"My father did not look down on folk learning. He often said that there was no distinction between high and low schools, and that there were thousands of talented people among the people."
"He didn't allow his second brother to be willful. Firstly, he blamed him for betraying the kindness of the emperor's uncle; secondly, he was worried that the folk schools would not teach the rules of the palace. His second brother was already lazy about etiquette, and once he abandoned the rules, he became even more reckless."
The topic was just right, and Gu Mengzhen brought up the main point intentionally or unintentionally.
"My dear brother, you are too harsh in disciplining you. I cannot bear to see it. I feel so distressed when I see it."
"I often suggest that he learn more from the bronze minister Xu Aiqing. Xu Aiqing's discipline of Yuan'er is loose and free, and he hardly says anything harsh."
Zhuang Xianhui had already understood what he meant, and just as he wished, she started talking about business as if it were a casual conversation.
"When I mention Sister Yuan, I feel angry."
"Uncle Huang, you don't know that Sister Yuan has gone too far recently."
Gu Mengzhen asked with pretended curiosity.
"Did she bully you?"
Zhuang Xianhui pursed her lips to show her displeasure.
"you do not say."
She described the whole thing with exaggeration, and then became angry.
"Uncle Huang, listen to this. She is going too far."
"Originally, I had tolerated all these things out of sisterly love. But a few days ago, she prepared something that could arouse my feelings, and took the opportunity to go to Roujing Pavilion when I was not at home. I forgot to bring the item, so I went back to the mansion to get it, but she caught me red-handed. I was so angry that I almost fainted."
"Fortunately, I met His Royal Highness Prince Chen. He heard my nephew's complaints and took the initiative to invite him into his mansion for a chat."
Having said this, she raised a clueless smile, feeling smug.
"His Royal Highness Prince Chen is very kind. He said that he would find a way to help me, my nephew, to vent my anger. As long as I steal the jade pendant that Lord Xu carries with him, I can leave the rest to him."
"I have been waiting for several days. I don't know whether he has succeeded. Tomorrow morning, I plan to pay him a visit and ask."
After hearing these words, Gu Mengzhen dropped his pretentious guard and was no longer suspicious.
"I see."
"I knew it. You, kid, will definitely be taken advantage of again."
Zhuang Xianhui's eyes were as clear as a spring.
"It's not exploitation. His Royal Highness Prince Chen is indignant about my nephew's affairs. He is truly righteous."
"Besides, he is my nephew's cousin. How could he use me?"
"Uncle Huang is really worrying too much."
Gu Mengzhen relaxed his brows and looked at her with a hint of love and affection.
"You are still young, kind and gentle, so you don't understand these things."
"I'll explain it to you in detail, but I'm sure you won't understand. In short, you've been deceived again."
"Do you know that the Xu and Leng clans were all silent under the command of Yin Sitai because of the plot of the Prince of Chen?"
Zhuang Xianhui jumped up suddenly and dropped her chopsticks to the ground.
"what?!"
"How could this be?"
"No wonder Sister Yuan didn't come to see me for so many days. I thought she was just angry, but I didn't expect..."
"Uncle Emperor, please be clear. That jade pendant is a family heirloom of the Xu family. It is definitely not an illegal item. Why are you punishing me?"
"I just want to vent my anger and make Sister Yuan give in occasionally. I have no intention of targeting the Xu and Leng clans..."
Before she could finish her words, she started crying anxiously.
"Why is the King doing this?"
"What should I do?"
Gu Mengzhen hurried to comfort him.
"I have my own way to save you. Hui'er, don't worry. Just sit down and enjoy your meal. Okay?"
"From now on, if the prince of Chen tries to deceive you with his clever words again, you must not believe them easily. You must discuss everything with your family first. Do you understand?"
Zhuang Xianhui nodded with tears in her eyes.
"understood."
After saying this, he knelt down.
"If anything happens to them, I ask that they be punished with the same crime. Please grant my wish, uncle!"
Gu Mengzhen frowned slightly and reprimanded softly.
"No fooling around."
"If I can't protect them, I will just lose a few counselors. Without you, how can I live the rest of my life?"
As he spoke, he helped his niece up, quickly regained his smile, and personally added chopsticks and picked up food for her, showing great care.
"Try this, it's made by the new chef."
Zhuang Xianhui pretended to have no appetite and cried bitterly out of guilt.
"Sister Yuan has been in such a big trouble, I really don't know what to do. How do you plan to save her, uncle?"
There was nothing he could do with his niece, so Gu Mengzhen had to tell her the whole plan. Then, after coaxing her for a long time, she finally had her meal.
In line with his plan, Zhuang Xianhui slightly changed her strategy and still gave Tao Muzhan the opportunity to be a hero and save the beauty. She cleverly used the power of Feng Zhengtai to save the Xu and Leng clans.