The Eastern Palace
When Luo Lingyi saw Lumei present the pearl hairpin before her, she paused for a moment. How long had it been since she last saw this hairpin?
After the last incident, the two had completely fallen out. It would be a lie to say she wasn't angry, but upon learning that she had been deliberately difficult by a嬷嬷 at Jue Lai Temple, she had already severely punished that嬷嬷.
Regardless of what transpired between her and Yu Liuniang, it was not for a mere嬷嬷 to point fingers at her.
"What has happened?" Luo Lingyi asked.
Ever since her falling out with Yu Mingyue, she had stopped having Lumei inform her of anything related to her. Now that she was suddenly contacting her, something major must have occurred.
"This servant does not know, it seems to be related to Xie Hanlin," Lumei replied.
Luo Lingyi was silent for a moment, she could almost guess the outcome. She had proposed cooperation with them long ago, but unfortunately, both of them had refused her.
Even if Xie Jiayan had no ill intentions, he would always be a thorn in the Sage's heart, and would not end well.
As expected, the letter was exactly as she had guessed.
"Is Yu Liuniang seeking a favor from Your Highness?" Lumei asked.
"See for yourself!"
Lumei took the letter and quickly read it, then asked, "What does Your Highness intend?"
Lumei still hoped that her mistress and Yu Liuniang could reconcile. There were many sycophants in the palace, but few who offered genuine affection. Moreover, there were those with ulterior motives. Her Highness could easily evade open attacks but not hidden arrows, and one misstep could lead to her downfall.
"We have known each other for many years, and I know she has always been forthright. I never expected her to be so candid, not hiding her predicament or her intentions." Was she not afraid that she would hand this letter to the Sage?
However, her guess was correct. Not only would she not do that, but she would also help her push the Crown Prince to the throne. No one hated her hypocritical uncle more than she did.
Murdering his mother, killing his brother, imprisoning his legal wife, forcing his own sister to her death, and now not even sparing his own son. He was the greatest evil in this world.
"Yu Liuniang trusts Your Highness."
After all, she had helped Your Highness in her difficult times; such sincerity was rare.
Luo Lingyi smiled, "One can only hope!"
With that, she threw the letter into the brazier. The fire immediately engulfed the paper, and it quickly turned to ash.
Yangzhou
Xie Jiayan had traveled almost without rest, but the fatigue of his body could not compare to the weariness of his heart. Hurting her heart was more painful than hurting himself.
Liaokong brought in a bowl of meat congee. Upon seeing Xie Jiayan, who had removed his bamboo hat, he was stunned. "Young Master?"
Xie Jiayan was drawn by his peculiar tone. He put down the letter on the desk and looked up, "What is it?"
"The hair at your temples... it's white, white." Liaokong rarely lost his composure like this, his hand holding the tray unsteady.
Young Master was only twenty-one years old, how could he have white hair?
Xie Jiayan was also momentarily stunned. White hair?
He had no bronze mirror in his room and could not see what he looked like. However, what did it matter?
A bitter smile curved Xie Jiayan's lips. "So what if it's white? Why the fuss?" People always grew old and their hair turned white.
Liaokong had endured much hardship in his eighteen years, but he did not know the meaning of tears. For some reason, his eyes felt stinging and sore at this moment.
Heaven was so unfair, bestowing such a difficult fate upon his Young Master, causing his hair to whiten prematurely.
"Young Master has been traveling continuously. Please have some congee first."
"You haven't rested for several days either. Go and rest. Don't mind me," Xie Jiayan said gently.
Liaokong wanted to say that he wasn't tired, and that his suffering was nothing compared to the Young Master's heartache, but he still nodded and withdrew.
Xie Jiayan actually had little appetite, but with the war in the southeast in a stalemate, he had to adjust his state as quickly as possible. This trip back and forth had taken him more than ten days, and there was a pile of military intelligence on his desk.
In a few days, it would be the New Year's Day. The soldiers would surely be filled with homesickness and wish to reunite with their families. However, this could also be used to boost morale and greatly dampen the barbarians' fighting spirit.
If this move was played well, perhaps the war in the southeast could end earlier.