Amidst Xu Xin's overwhelming jealousy and hatred, Chu Qing was taken out of the palace by Wei Ying just like that.
At this moment, Chu Qing had suppressed the previous hostility and regained her composure.
"Is it really okay for you to take me out like this?" She couldn't help but worry about him.
She hadn't expected that Wei Ying would simply take her out without a second thought. If those with ill intentions were to spin a story, they would surely say that he didn't put the emperor and the empress dowager in his eyes.
Hearing this, Wei Ying glanced at Chu Qing and then said casually, "You're the Princess of Ning, and I'm the Prince of Ning. The Great Yan can only be stable with me. So... you don't need to worry about anything. Even if... I'm not around, your status will protect you."
Although his tone sounded a bit arrogant, after careful consideration, Chu Qing realized that what he said was indeed the truth.
Chu Qing was just about to say that she understood, but before she could speak, her stomach growled.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and she let out a few awkward laughs in an attempt to cover it up.
As a martial artist, Wei Ying naturally heard the sound too. He chuckled softly and said, "Hungry? I'll take you somewhere."
...
Inside the palace, after Chu Qing and Wei Ying left, everyone was shocked, but no one dared to say much.
Only one person inappropriately spoke up, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, the Prince of Ning is being too arrogant!" The speaker was Xu Han, the Minister of Revenue.
Hearing this, the emperor let out a hearty laugh. "Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday. Let's not say anything to spoil the mood. Xu Han, I see that your daughter looks a bit tired. Why don't you take her back first?"
Seeing that the emperor had spoken, Xu Han knew that the emperor was giving him a way out. So he bowed and said, "I thank Your Majesty for your concern."
After saying that, he also bid farewell to the empress dowager. Then Xu Han took Xu Xin away.
After he left, the emperor then said, "Everyone, please enjoy your meal."
After the emperor finished speaking, everyone slowly recovered from their previous unease.
"You're really good-tempered," the empress dowager said coldly, giving the emperor a sidelong glance in a voice that only they could hear.
The emperor still didn't stop smiling and slowly replied, "Uncle has always been like this. Mother, don't think too much about it."
"If he didn't pay so little attention to state affairs, he might even be able to become a regent! He didn't even leave any face and just took that woman away!" Just thinking about the scene earlier made the empress dowager grind her teeth in anger.
Only then did the emperor put away his smile. He looked up at the empress dowager and said, "Mother, he had already controlled his temper and didn't get angry on the spot. You should know that when the Prince of Ning gets angry, it's not something we can calm down."
"You're such a useless emperor!" The empress dowager gave the emperor a cold look. Her words were as sharp as knives.
The emperor lowered his eyes, hiding the fleeting gloom. "Mother, let's have our meal."
The empress dowager snorted coldly and finally stopped talking.
...
Wei Ying led Chu Qing through the bustling market. They walked for quite a while until they stopped in front of a small food stall.
"You brought me here to eat this?" Chu Qing was a bit surprised.
She had originally thought that Wei Ying would take her to a restaurant for a big meal. She didn't expect it to be a small food stall...
She wasn't going to be picky, but since she had never eaten at such a small food stall before, she thought Wei Ying wouldn't come to such a place either.
"Don't underestimate this place," Wei Ying said. He could see that although Chu Qing was surprised, there was no hint of disgust on her face, which warmed his heart.
"I often come here alone. Sometimes I eat a bowl of plain noodles and pair it with the shop's special marinated meat. I can't think of anything more pleasant than this," Wei Ying said as he found a place to sit down.
Seeing this, Chu Qing sat down beside him.
Although it was a small food stall, it was very clean.
"Uncle Cheng, two bowls of plain noodles and half a catty of marinated meat. Also, bring a plate of chili peppers!" Wei Ying said with a smile to a middle-aged man.
The man called Uncle Cheng was happy to see Wei Ying. After answering, he joked, "Young Master Wei, it's really rare that you've brought a beautiful girl with you today!"
"This is my wife," Wei Ying said with a smile that reached his eyes.
"Ah! You're already married! You should bring your wife here more often to support an old man like me in the future!"
"Definitely."
"Okay, you two talk first. I'll go cook the noodles for you!"
"Sure～"
...
When Chu Qing heard Wei Ying introduce her as his wife, her heart skipped a few beats.
"Do you... really come here often?" Chu Qing lowered her head and asked softly.
Wei Ying nodded. "Yes, especially after coming back from the battlefield. Eating a bowl of noodles here makes me feel that I'm still alive."
Hearing his last words, Chu Qing felt a slight pang in her heart.
It was a life-and-death situation on the battlefield. Even after coming back, he could only feel... warmth at this small food stall that he often visited.
At this moment, Chu Qing truly felt the loneliness beneath Wei Ying's so-called great achievements.
"The noodles are here!" Uncle Cheng walked over with two bowls of fragrant noodles.
The aroma of the noodles filled the air, and Chu Qing's stomach growled again very appropriately.
Not caring about being shy, Chu Qing's chopsticks were already eager to move.
The milky white soup and the light yellow noodles were mixed together. The fresh and green vegetables were scattered on the noodles. Just looking at them made one's mouth water. Since the soup was made from pig bones, the noodles were not only chewy but also delicious.
The marinated meat and chili peppers were brought up later. The sliced beef dipped in the freshly ground chili peppers was tender and the chili peppers were spicy.
Chu Qing didn't even care to talk. She just buried her head and ate.
Seeing this, Wei Ying couldn't help but smile helplessly.
Uncle Cheng, who was waiting beside them, saw that Chu Qing was enjoying her meal. There was full of kindness in his eyes like an elder looking at her.
"Take your time to eat," Uncle Cheng said with a smile to the two of them.
Wei Ying nodded with a smile. Since Chu Qing's mouth was full, she could only smile in response.
...
When the two of them returned to the mansion after eating, Xu Xin had already been back for a long time.
Chu Qing raised her eyebrows and slightly lifted her chin. "Aren't you going to go and see her? Leaving her alone in the palace like that, she might cry herself to death."
Wei Ying frowned and replied, "No."
"Aren't you afraid of angering her and having her say something to the Minister of Revenue? Oh right, the Minister of Revenue was there today too."
"No need. I'm about to close the net. You won't have to see her soon," Wei Ying said with a cold look in his eyes.
Chu Qing was stunned for a moment but quickly understood.
Right, if he still needed the Xu family, he wouldn't have humiliated them so much in front of so many people today.
People like the Minister of Revenue must already be full of hatred for Wei Ying and her by now.
But after hearing that she wouldn't have to see Xu Xin soon, did it mean that Wei Ying was going to divorce her?
Well, just thinking about it was really pleasant!
This guy Wei Ying seemed a bit heartless?
But! As long as he wasn't like that towards her, she was extremely happy!