Yi Yuan eyed Yun Xi suspiciously.
He always felt there was a deeper meaning behind Yun Xi's words.
"Xiaoxi,"
Staring at Yun Xi thoughtfully, Yi Yuan asked directly,
"Have you found out something important?"
Uh...
Yun Xi faltered and was about to speak when Yi Yuan preempted her,
"Don't hide anything from me."
"No matter what it is or what the consequences of knowing it might be, don't hide it from me."
The words on the tip of her tongue were silently swallowed back.
Yun Xi silently locked eyes with Yi Yuan for a moment. Finally, she leaned close to his ear and whispered what she had inadvertently learned in the Cold Palace and her suspicions.
Yi Yuan should be the one who had the most contact with Concubine Qing, Emperor Zhaohuan, and the old prince. Now that it was clear that the person having an affair with Concubine Qing was Emperor Yi Qu of Zhaohuan, not the old prince Yi Fu, it wouldn't hurt to tell Yi Yuan about this. On the contrary, based on Yi Yuan's understanding of the three of them, perhaps more useful information could be inferred.
So Yun Xi saw Yi Yuan's eyes widen in shock for the first time.
There was obvious nervousness in Yi Yuan's usually calm voice as he asked Yun Xi,
"Have you told anyone else about this?"
"No,"
Yun Xi immediately shook her head,
"I haven't even told my parents. Although Lingyan and Saixing went with me, this was just what the old nanny was thinking. Only I could hear it, so they don't know either."
Scanning the surroundings, Yi Yuan's face returned to its usual calm and expressionless state.
"Good. You mustn't let a single bit of this slip out. You're right not to say anything. Secrets like this that bring no benefits but only trouble should be kept from others. It's a way to protect them."
Walking back to the wooden chair and sitting down, Yi Yuan, who had been eager to catch the culprit just now, was suddenly not in such a hurry.
Anyway, the day for transporting goods from Shuozhou wasn't in the next few days. It was more important to sort things out than to rush blindly to catch someone.
He told everyone to guard outside, then pulled Yun Xi over to sit down. After a long moment of silent thought, he said,
"I've been by His Majesty's side for so many years. They say the emperor's heart is unpredictable, but I think I still understand His Majesty's general character to some extent."
"Although he can be cold - blooded and ruthless at times, I don't think His Majesty would cooperate with a hostile country and harm his own people in such a despicable way just to ascend the throne."
"If he had really done so, under the rule of a king who regarded human lives as worthless, Dayin today would surely not be thriving as it is. The Holy Master and Zongzheng Fengyi wouldn't have to go through so many twists and turns to ask for your hand in marriage. They could just threaten His Majesty with what happened back then."
That was true.
The uneasiness in Yun Xi's heart subsided a little. She then said,
"What about his relationship with Concubine Qing? The records about Concubine Qing in the palace were obviously deliberately erased by His Majesty. Only he could have done this. He clearly knew Concubine Qing's identity."
"Xiaoxi,"
Yi Yuan's eyes grew darker,
"We've taken some things for granted."
"Just because His Majesty knew Concubine Qing was from Yingguo, does it mean she would definitely tell him about secretly creating the plague? There's no direct causal relationship between these two things."
Yun Xi quite agreed with this.
"You're right,"
Looking at Yi Yuan with a half - smile, Yun Xi's almond eyes were a bit cold,
"Just like I've made our engagement public with you, but you still never told me that Yi Zhen has feelings for you. Until... I found out by myself."
Yi Yuan: ...
No, there was no necessary connection between these two things either!
He couldn't figure out how Yun Xi had linked the matter of Emperor Zhaohuan and Concubine Qing to the two of them.
Coughing uncomfortably, Yi Yuan looked a bit embarrassed. He leaned closer and tugged at Yun Xi's sleeve flatteringly, saying,
"This is different for me. My matter is just too absurd. It would be really embarrassing to talk about it."
"Is the matter between His Majesty and Concubine Qing any less absurd?"
Yun Xi gave him an annoyed look,
"Concubine Qing is His Majesty's nominal mother. They..."
"Okay, okay,"
Yi Yuan quickly interrupted Yun Xi,
"You mustn't say such things. It was my fault about Yi Zhen. Didn't I say I'd unconditionally agree to any one of your requests? Please forgive me, dear Xiaoxi."
"We're talking about His Majesty's matter. It concerns the Jiangshan and the people of Dayin. Let's not mention Yi Zhen for now."
Yun Xi had just suddenly remembered and mentioned it casually. She didn't mean to make things difficult for Yi Yuan.
Seeing Yi Yuan acting cute and pleading in front of her, nothing like the cold, fierce, and ruthless person he was rumored to be outside, she couldn't help but want to laugh.
Pointing at Yi Yuan's forehead with her delicate finger, Yun Xi said,
"Alright, I was just saying it casually. Look how anxious you are."
"However, seriously, even if His Majesty might not have been involved in the plague, it doesn't mean he was completely unaware."
"Then there's the Shen family. Shen Zhou has already confirmed that they've had contacts with Zongzheng Fengyi. They were probably involved in the plague back then. I don't know if His Majesty has noticed this, but it's a fact that he's always been extremely lenient towards the Shen family. Last time when the embezzlement was discovered, His Majesty didn't pursue it deeply either."
"The reason is probably that Consort Shen and Yi Zhen look very much like the late Concubine Qing. He loves them because of his affection for Concubine Qing."
With a gradually serious expression, Yun Xi said,
"I'm afraid that for the matter in Shuozhou this time, His Majesty might still spare the old fox Shen Zhai behind the scenes even if he severely punishes the Shen family publicly, just because of Consort Shen and Yi Zhen."
"After all, he's old and won't be able to cause much trouble. But according to the information hidden in the drawings sent by Shen Zhou before, it was all his scheme that led to the death of Prince Chi Xuan on the border. Then we won't be able to avenge my brother."
Killing intent flashed in his phoenix eyes. Yi Yuan always hated when it came to Yi Zhuo.
"I understand,"
Yi Yuan's knuckles tightened involuntarily,
"So you didn't want me to report this to His Majesty because you're afraid he'll protect Shen Zhai again."
"Don't worry. I know what to do."
Looking up at Yun Xi, Yi Yuan said,
"Then I'll go find Xie Huaiyue first and discuss how to deploy our men."
"You must be careful these days. We still haven't found a solution for that stupid mind - reading Gu. The Holy Master has disappeared since the apprenticeship ceremony at Hunyuan. I always feel something is about to happen. You must be on your guard."
Yun Xi gave a faint smile and obediently agreed with a hint of coquetry.
The two whispered to each other for a while before reluctantly parting.
Not long after Yi Yuan left, a maid came to report,
"Little Fairy Lianyi is here."
Yun Xi was a bit surprised and quickly told someone to invite Lianyi in.
Lianyi had grown much taller and had become more mature. Every move of hers already had the grace of a great celestial master.
But the moment she saw Yun Xi, she seemed no different from the kind and clingy little Lianyi from before. As soon as she entered the door, she gave a sweet smile and rushed towards Yun Xi, gesturing,
[Elder Sister Xi, Lianyi misses you.]
[How's Yaofeng recently? I haven't had a good time playing with him for ages...]
Her little hands were gesturing so fast, showing that she had been bored in the palace.
Yun Xi let her "talk" for a while and patiently answered all her questions before asking,
"Lianyi, how's Senior Brother in the palace? Did you come here today because of something?"