Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 152 Don't Speak What You Shouldn't Say
“My brother and father have never been on good terms and don’t trust each other much. Now that father is caught in the crossfire of public opinion, I’m afraid my brother also has doubts. It’s in line with his nature that he hasn’t spoken up to plead for father,” Xie Jiu said in a low voice.

Zhao Xingjin's gaze swept across her face. "You didn't even tell him about your affairs?"

"I told him." Xie Jiu nodded, but then added, "However, he didn't mention that it was related to my father, he only mentioned Wu Que."

He paused, then added an explanation.

“My brother is a bit impulsive. If he finds out about these things, he might be furious. If he acts impulsively, it could ruin our plans.”

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Xingjin's expression seemed to relax slightly.

He then said, "I thought you two siblings had a deep bond. You must have wanted to complain to your brother when you saw him that day."

"Even if we are siblings with deep affection, we are no longer young and don't have to think about anything anymore. Besides, my brother is a son of the Xie family, unlike me, who is a married daughter. Although my brother loves me, I can't help but keep some thoughts to myself." Xie Jiu's tone was filled with sadness.

After listening, Zhao Xingjin nodded slightly.

"It's good that you know what you're doing. If you say something you shouldn't, you'll only get yourself into trouble."

Sensing the warning in his words, Xie Jiu obediently nodded, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand."

"Hmm." Zhao Xingjin responded, then added, "You don't need to worry too much about what the Empress Dowager said to you today. Just do what you need to do from now on. With me here, nothing will happen."

Xie Jiu smiled and said, "Is Your Majesty trying to comfort me? Actually, the Empress Dowager didn't say anything unpleasant. She was just thinking of Your Majesty's best interests. Your Majesty is still young, and you only have one son, the Fourth Prince, which is indeed too few. You should travel more to other places to help the royal family have more children. Once the Empress Dowager has a grandson, she will naturally stop focusing on these matters."

"Are you trying to push me away?" Zhao Xingjin turned to look at her.

"No." Xie Jiu suddenly reached out and gently pulled Zhao Xingjin, then lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "I was thinking that since Your Majesty has more children, the Empress Dowager will no longer have to worry, and she will probably allow me to spend more time with Your Majesty. This is for the long term."

Zhao Xingjin almost laughed at these words.

We need to consider the long term.

"Alright, you're right." Zhao Xingjin took the initiative and held her hand. "The dishes we developed today are mostly good. Let's prepare the state banquet accordingly. You've put in a lot of effort these past few days."

Zhao Xingjin still expressed his approval of Xie Jiu's competence.

However, he was unaware that Xie Jiu had prepared more than just these.

We should always maintain a sense of surprise, shouldn't we?

Therefore, Xie Jiu simply nodded in agreement and did not say anything more.

The two wandered around and eventually reached a fork in the road.

"Your Majesty still has state affairs to attend to, so I will not disturb you any longer and will take my leave now." Xie Jiu bowed.

I don't plan to invite anyone to Ninghua Palace for a short visit.

Zhao Xingjin did indeed have other matters to attend to, so he didn't say much. "Okay, go ahead. I'll come see you when I have time."

As they were talking, they saw two small figures coming from a distance.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that they were Princess Wenxi and Princess Lingyi.

The two girls are chatting and laughing right now.

"Aunt Chunrong's pastries are delicious, and Aunt Qingfang can make milk tea. It tastes so good with the pastries. They can also play shuttlecock. I'll take you to see Consort Xie, and we can play together in Ninghua Palace!" Princess Wenxi's face was full of joy.

Princess Lingyi, in a playful mood, exclaimed, "Really? But I don't know how to play shuttlecock!"

“I’ll teach you!” Princess Wenxi patted her chest. “It’s very easy to learn.”

With this assurance, Princess Lingyi smiled and nodded in agreement.

As the two sisters approached, they noticed Zhao Xingjin and Xie Jiu and quickly bowed to them.

"Where are you going? You seem so happy." Zhao Xingjin patted his two daughters' heads.

Princess Lingyi, bold as ever, immediately replied loudly, "I'm going to Ninghua Palace! My second sister said she'll take me to see Consort Xie for snacks and milk tea, and she'll even teach me how to play shuttlecock!" "Is that so?" Zhao Xingjin smiled, glancing to the side, "Wenxi has been going to Ninghua Palace quite often lately?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Wenxi immediately became somewhat reserved.

He hurriedly replied, "Your subject did not intend to disturb Consort Xie; I had made an appointment with Consort Xie beforehand."

She was afraid that Zhao Xingjin would misunderstand her as being too immature. Xie Jiu was grieving the loss of her mother, and yet she still went to Ninghua Palace to cause trouble for people.

This tension and fear naturally did not escape Zhao Xingjin's notice.

Seeing Princess Wenxi's reserved and cautious demeanor and Princess Lingyi's lively and carefree nature, Zhao Xingjin's heart sank a little.

It's obvious that a child's condition is different whether or not their mother is there to take care of them.

Children who have someone to rely on are generally more cheerful and outgoing, and they don't have as many worries or concerns.

Suddenly, Zhao Xingjin heard Yang Zhian's words from before.

Why not allow Xie Jiu and Princess Wenxi to have a mother-daughter relationship?

Thinking of this, his gaze fell on Xie Jiu, who happened to be smiling and looking over at him, saying gently.

"Your Majesty is unaware that I have been depressed every day during this period. If it weren't for the princess's laughter and conversation by my side, I would have found it even harder to get over my grief. Indeed, I had made an appointment with the princess to meet this afternoon."

Her voice brought Zhao Xingjin back to his senses, and he turned his gaze away before nodding.

"In that case, you may go. I will not interfere in your affairs."

"Yes." Xie Jiu bowed. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will naturally take good care of the two princesses."

As she said this, Wenxi and Lingyi both bowed to Zhao Xingjin.

After watching Zhao Xingjin leave, Xie Jiu took the two children back to Ninghua Palace.

"Jieyu, what are Princess Lingyi's snacks?" Chunrong asked hesitantly.

It's normal for her to be wary of the Empress's daughter.

I'm afraid the other party will cause some trouble, like saying Xie Jiu poisoned Princess Lingyi or something.

Xie Jiu understood Chunrong's meaning and said, "There's no need to serve them on separate plates. Just bring all the snacks over and let them eat by themselves. Also, put all the drinks in one pot and let them pour them themselves. Remember to do it in front of the servants around Princess Lingyi, and it would be best if she could check it herself."

"Yes, I understand." Chunrong nodded.

This is the way to distance oneself from the situation. If Princess Lingyi has a problem, it will definitely have nothing to do with Ninghua Palace, since Princess Wenxi, who was with her, has no problem.

Meanwhile, the two little girls were enjoying their snacks, both of them happy.

While eating, Princess Lingyi suddenly asked, "Since you like Consort Xie so much, why don't you move in with her? My mother, my elder sister, and I live together. Running around every day is so tiring!"

Princess Wenxi was stunned by this question.

Holding the pastries in his hand, he hesitated for a moment before stammering out a sentence.

"Lady Xie is not my mother, I cannot live with her."

"Then let her be your mother, since she doesn't have any children anyway!" Princess Lingyi's thinking was very simple.

However, these words startled the wet nurse who was serving her, who quickly handed her milk tea.

"Princess, please have some tea and snacks so you don't choke. You can talk to the Second Prince about it later."

As he spoke, he glanced at Chunrong not far away out of the corner of his eye, as if afraid that Chunrong might have overheard him.

However, Chunrong didn't seem to notice the commotion and simply walked out with the empty plate.