Rebirth of the High Family's Beloved

Yang Zhao took the military token tremblingly and listened to Emperor Tianqing continue: "Although the southern part of Fujian is desolate, with the temperament of the Hua family's son, it can be regarded as a training. When this military token is handed over to him in the future, it will surely play a greater role."

Yang Zhao was puzzled. "Since this military token is to be given to General Hua, why did you ask me to give it to Young Marquis Xie?"

"The Hua family is now a thorn in the eyes of those people. They will not be happy until they are eliminated. I will deal with the Hua family before them, so that the Hua family can continue to survive. If I hand over the military token to the Hua family at this time, it will not help them, but will only bring disaster."

"A Yin is young and full of vigor, and he has a lot of plans in mind. I like this kid very much, and I feel relieved to give the military talisman to him."

Yang Zhao nodded vigorously, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely live up to your trust."

Seeing Yang Zhao's sorrowful expression, Emperor Tianqing patted Yang Zhao's hand and said, "Don't look like that. I'm not dead yet. I'm just afraid of fainting again, so I can only tell you something in advance. I still hope that I can hold on for a few more days and give the Crown Prince more time."

After leaving Mingyi Palace, Shen Zhaoyan walked towards Chaofeng Palace. As soon as he entered, he saw Xiao Ling sitting at the top drinking tea, but did not see Xiao Yizhen.

"Mother, where is Yizhen? Didn't she come to see you?"

Xiao Ling put down the tea bowl and looked at Shen Zhaoyan who strode in. A smile immediately spread across his brows. "He just went to the kitchen and said that he had learned a new delicious snack in recent days and wanted to make it for me to try."

Shen Zhaoyan nodded and sat down below Xiao Ling.

Seeing Shen Zhaoyan's serious expression, Xiao Ling knew that he had something to say, so he raised his hand to dismiss the palace maid beside him.

For a moment, the mother and son were the only ones left in the huge Chaofeng Palace.

Xiao Ling took the initiative to ask: "I just went to see your father. How is your father's health?"

Shen Zhaoyan said, "Father seems to be in good spirits. I don't know if it's because I'm far away, but he looks a little unwell. Mother, didn't you visit Father these past two days?"

Xiao Ling sighed, "I'd like to go and see, but Mingyi Palace won't let me in. But it's okay, I didn't get to see the one in Jinqiu Palace either."

As he spoke, Xiao Ling turned his eyes and saw the gauze wrapped under Shen Zhaoyan's collar. Thinking of Shen Zhaoyan's injury on the wedding day, he asked with concern: "How is the wound on your neck?"

"It's okay, just a minor injury."

Xiao Ling's face suddenly darkened, "It's just a minor injury. I asked the imperial physician, it will take more than a month to heal. You too, knew that Hua Ci Shu was coming with such force, you used your wedding and yourself as bait, but you didn't take more precautions. Fortunately, it's only a flesh wound. If it was deeper, your life would be in danger."

Shen Zhaoyan smiled lightly: "Mother, you are exaggerating. It's not as serious as you say. I'm fine."

"It looks like everything is fine now, but why do you have to use such a method that hurts others and yourself at the same time? Why can't anyone get away with it?"

Shen Zhaoyan shook his head. "Hua Cishu is such a shrewd person. Even if I had a real injury, let alone a fake one, I would have been lucky to have lured him in. If he hadn't been investigating the cause of Hua Cijing's death for the past two years, we wouldn't have had a chance to lure him in."

Xiao Ling rolled his eyes. "Come to think of it, Hua Cijing has been dead for two years, and there are still people chasing after him."

Hearing his mother's disgusted tone when she mentioned the Hua family, Shen Zhaoyan knew that the Hua family was always a thorn in his mother's heart. He said softly: "Don't worry, mother, even if they keep investigating, they won't find anything."

Shen Zhaoyan's words seemed to give Xiao Ling a reassurance. She was naturally confident in her son's work, but this time, although they had planned for a long time, they were ultimately unable to uproot the Hua family.

She leaned on the backrest of the chaise longue, and said with a worried look, "But Hua Cishu is now only exiled. Although that old man Hua Yingchou has been demoted to a commoner, it only takes a word from His Majesty to reinstate him. As long as the people of the Hua family are alive, they are still a big concern for us."

"I know that my mother was exiled, but the journey is so long that there is no guarantee that there will be no accidents. As long as Hua Cishu dies, Hua Yingliao will not be able to support herself."

Xiao Ling nodded in satisfaction. She felt relieved that her son had a plan in mind.

Suddenly she remembered the unintentional difficulty on Xiao Yizhen's face when she asked her how she had been spending the past few days in the palace, so she asked Shen Zhaoyan.

"How have you been getting along with Yizhen these days? She seems unhappy to me."

Shen Zhaoyan's expression froze for a moment, "Did she say anything to you?"

"No, she didn't say anything."

Although Xiao Yizhen didn't say anything to Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling was an experienced person and could tell at a glance why Xiao Yizhen was bitter.

Newly married couples should be in love with each other. What could create a rift in their hearts? It's nothing more than other women.

Thinking of the girl from the Yan family that Shen Zhaoyan had taken in a while ago, Xiao Ling was furious, but she didn't dare to intervene directly and could only advise him tactfully.

"Yan'er, Yizhen is not only your cousin now, but also your legal wife. Even if you married her for the help of the Xiangfu, you should treat her well. She is the best match for you. Don't hurt Yizhen's heart for that girl from the Yan family in your yard. It's not worth it."

He understood what Xiao Ling said. What's more, he had feelings for Xiao Yizhen. Although these feelings were insignificant compared to his imperial ambitions, he hoped that when he ruled the world in the future, she would be the one who could stand by his side.

"I understand, mother. I will go back and comfort her."

The two chatted for a few more insignificant words and found that Xiao Yizhen had not returned yet.

"Yizhen has been gone for so long, why hasn't she come back yet? Someone, go to the kitchenette and take a look."

Before a palace maid came in, Shen Zhaoyan stood up and said, "I'll go find her. It's been a while since I entered the palace. We'll go back after we find her and come to visit our mother next time."

Xiao Ling nodded, "Go ahead."

Shen Zhaoyan turned and walked out. As soon as he reached the door, he turned around and saw Xiao Yizhen standing outside the door with tea and snacks.

The plate of colorful snacks held by Xiao Yizhen looked very appetizing, but the snacks, which were supposed to be freshly cooked, were already cold.

He didn't know how long Xiao Yizhen had been standing here, or how much of what he and the Queen Mother had said she had heard, but looking at Xiao Yizhen's pale face, he held her shoulders soothingly.

"Let's talk when we get back."

Xiao Yizhen slowly raised her head and looked directly into Shen Zhaoyan's eyes. Her calm expression revealed unconcealable disappointment and self-mockery.

With a "bang", Xiao Yizhen threw the plate and the snacks to the ground, then left without looking back. The snacks that had taken more than an hour to prepare carefully scattered on the ground and rolled away.

Xiao Ling, who was sitting in the hall, also heard the sound and leaned over to ask, "What happened?"

Shen Zhaoyan concealed the surprise on his face and watched Xiao Yizhen leave. His eyes gradually darkened. "It's okay, mother. Yizhen accidentally knocked over the snacks she prepared for you. It's getting late, so we'll go back first."

After saying that, Shen Zhaoyan chased in the direction Xiao Yizhen left.