sbdcsierra Chapter 1111 Follow the Rules
Chapter 1111 Follow the Rules
Hearing that the child was alright, Xiang Huayue felt much more at ease.
Holding Xiang Zheng's hand, his eyes held a thousand words, but when he opened his mouth, he only said:
“Don’t blame your father. He’s old and has been protected by His Majesty for too long since returning to the capital. He has forgotten how dangerous the court is. By the time he realized something was wrong, he was too powerless to change it.”
Xiang Zheng understood everything her aunt said.
She still remembers when her father returned from the battlefield; he was tall and imposing, seemingly able to stand tall and upright for a lifetime.
I suppose my father never imagined that he would one day become so old and his eyesight would fail him.
"People will eventually grow old. Ah Zheng, you are someone your aunt has watched grow up. Your aunt believes that you can support the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. No one can stand in your way."
Xiang Huayue stared intently at Xiang Zheng, as if entrusting the family's leadership and the entire household to her.
"My father is in his prime, and with His Majesty's protection, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion remains prosperous and thriving."
Xiang Huayue shook her head helplessly.
"His Majesty can protect the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for a time because of what happened back then and because of my mother, but he cannot protect the Duke of Dingguo's mansion forever."
Xiang Ke is not as capable as you; only you can uphold the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and only then can I rest assured.
Looking at Xiang Zheng's unmoved expression, Xiang Huayue knew in her heart how much her elder brother had mistreated Xiang Zheng over the years.
"I will make my point here today: both I and His Majesty support you in taking charge of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion."
Having said this, Xiang Huayue turned to Chunxiang and said:
"Go and bring me my longevity pendant."
Chunxiang quickly retrieved the longevity pendant.
Xiang Huayue broke the longevity pendant in half and handed one half to Xiang Zheng.
Xiang Zheng didn't accept it; instead, she knelt down directly.
“Aunt, this is the longevity pendant that His Majesty obtained for you from the Great Xiangguo Temple. A-Zheng dares not accept it.”
When Xiang Zheng saw her aunt break the longevity pendant, her first thought was how much filth her aunt had witnessed in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion last night.
He was so angry that he broke the jade pendant in two.
"Since it was given to me by His Majesty, I am now giving you half of it, so please accept it."
"Who in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion dares to disobey you? Bring him before me, and I'll have a good talk with him. Has he been living a life of luxury for too long and gone mad?"
Xiang Zheng then looked up and stared directly at her aunt. She saw that her aunt was speaking with a strong voice, and it seemed that she was still angry about what happened last night.
Everything else is fine.
Xiang Zheng then raised her hand and took the half of the longevity pendant from her aunt.
Only after taking it did I realize that the Longevity Pendant was originally in two separate pieces.
No wonder the jade pendant broke in the middle with just a little force from my aunt.
"You must return this jade pendant to me after you take over the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Otherwise, if His Majesty finds out, he will be angry with me again."
Just a second ago, Xiang Zheng was marveling at how exquisite the color and texture of the Longevity Pendant were.
Upon hearing this, she opened her mouth to ask a question.
It seems that the aunt hasn't discussed this matter with His Majesty yet.
Those who had just spoken with righteous indignation made her believe that this was also His Majesty's intention.
"You don't need to look at me like that. I don't believe His Majesty didn't mean it that way. It's just that His Majesty was truly unaware that half of the Longevity Pendant was given to you."
Xiang Zheng felt like she was holding a hot potato.
It's still the hottest kind.
Thinking back to how His Majesty spent almost every spare moment of the year at the Daxiangguo Temple in search of a longevity pendant.
With such sincerity, he finally obtained this longevity pendant.
The rest almost all cracked during the offering and carving process.
The only piece was perfect; His Majesty went to the Great Xiangguo Temple after the morning court session.
Xiang Zheng felt as if she was holding not just the Longevity Pendant in her hands, but also her aunt by her side.
Will my father be green with envy when I go back?
Xiang Zheng thought about many things. After she had figured everything out, she raised the jade pendant above her head and knelt solemnly before her aunt.
"A-Zheng thanks Aunt for the gift. Aunt, rest assured, A-Zheng will never let His Majesty and you down."
Hearing this, Xiang Huayue happily pulled Xiang Zheng up and had her sit by her bedside to talk to her.
Chunxiang watched from the side.
Throughout the entire Xia Dynasty, from ancient times to the present, there has only ever been one Duke who was personally supported by His Majesty and Empress Dowager.
At this moment, in a side hall of Cining Palace, Chun Chan was showing Xiang Sheng and Xiang Yu the room where they would be living for a long time to come.
"This place is very nice, thank you Aunt Chun Chan."
Xiang Sheng had met this aunt many times, each time when he was with the Empress Dowager.
He was an old servant of the Empress Dowager.
Every time he saw her and Xiang Yu, she smiled kindly, and Xiang Sheng grew to like this aunt.
“This place was originally where your mother lived. Miss Xiang Sheng, take another look and see if there’s anything else you’re not satisfied with so we can fix it up.”
Xiang Sheng had visited this place before.
The room has been furnished with many more things than before, which shows how much the Empress Dowager loves and cares for the siblings.
With the Empress Dowager's attention and protection, the siblings' days in the palace should not be difficult.
"The Empress Dowager ordered people to clean up the side hall next door as well. Once everything is ready, Young Master Xiang Yu will be able to have his own room."
Xiang Yu hadn't been to the palace much before because he was afraid of dogs.
At least he has no memory of ever entering the palace.
So when Xiang Yu saw such a beautiful palace, his eyes lit up.
When Xiang Yu heard that he would be living in a room by himself, his joy and curiosity changed, and he nervously tugged at Xiang Sheng's sleeve.
"Can't I live with my sister all the time? What if she's scared at night?"
Xiang Sheng already liked Xiang Yu's precocious nature, so he went along with what he was saying.
"Yes, Aunt Chunxiang, I'm scared at night when Yu'er isn't with me."
Xiang Yu finally got to see his sister stand on the same side as him and speak up for him.
Xiang Yu's eyes sparkled as he looked at Xiang Sheng.
"This matter is beyond my control. Perhaps Miss Xiangsheng could discuss it with the Princess later?"
That being said, Chun Chan had already figured out how to resolve this matter for Xiang Sheng and Xiang Yu.
However, she couldn't speak up for the two of them; these childish words were only effective if the children said them themselves.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you for reminding me, Aunt Chun Chan."
Xiang Yu pouted and tugged at her sister's sleeve, reluctant to let go.
Chun Chan realized that the two children had something to say, so he simply made an excuse to go out.
"This servant will go and see how the side hall is being prepared. Miss Xiang Sheng and Young Master Xiang Yu, please take your time to look around."
After Aunt Chun Chan left, Xiang Sheng pulled Xiang Yu in front of him and said to him solemnly, word by word:
“This is not home. The palace has its own rules. Since we are here, we must abide by them.”
Xiang Yu still didn't really want to sleep alone.
"But sister, the palace is so big. What if someone steals me away while I'm asleep, like they would a little brother?"