Seeing Huang Ying looking at her with unconvinced eyes, the Lotus Sect Master chuckled, "What, my senior sister's words don't count anymore?"
Huang Ying was very helpless, "Senior Sister, this is not the East Sea."
The Lotus Sect Master put on a nonchalant air, "What, are you unhappy? You and Xiao Bei still have a long way to go. But as for me, when I come to this Wannian City, whether I'll return to Hetou Village with you again is another matter."
Chen Xiaobei heard this and thought, "What is all this nonsense? Don't you just want to sleep with your junior sister? You're making it sound like a farewell to life and death. I'll just yield, won't I?"
"Senior Sister, you are joking. If you want to be with Huang Ying, just say so. I'll leave, I'll leave, alright?"
Only then did the Lotus Sect Master nod with satisfaction, and patted Huang Ying on the shoulder, "See? Brother Xiao Bei is quite perceptive."
Huang Ying looked at Chen Xiaobei resentfully, then glared fiercely at the Lotus Sect Master, and finally stamped her foot in frustration.
After squeezing Chen Xiaobei out, the Lotus Sect Master was very proud. She then said to Huang Ying's maid, Cuckoo, "You go find Jasmine and rest too. I need to have a few words with my junior sister."
When everyone else had left, the Lotus Sect Master put away her smile and became serious.
"Huang Ying, your marriage is too hasty. I don't think you've seen clearly what kind of person Chen Xiaobei is."
Hearing this, Huang Ying was a little surprised, "Is something wrong, Senior Sister?"
"Of course, something is wrong. Did you see how Feng Xiaoyue looked at Chen Xiaobei? It was as if she wanted to pounce on him and devour him. I think the relationship between those two is unusual."
"Senior Sister, I think you're overthinking it. We are friends with Feng Xiaoyue. Besides, how could Feng Xiaoyue, the daughter of a high-ranking official, take a liking to Brother Xiaobei?"
"Oh, Junior Sister, you are too kind and too naive. Think about it, Cui Hongyu is already pregnant with Chen Xiaobei's child. If he brings Feng Xiaoyue home as well, with his original wife on one side and a new lover on the other, where will there be any room for a girl like you who always wields a spear and a stick?"
Hearing this, Huang Ying fell silent, twirling the hem of her clothes. "Senior Sister is right, I am just a girl who only knows how to wield a spear and a stick, but can't I learn to be gentle?"
Hearing her words, the Lotus Sect Master looked at her with a doting expression. "I have a way to keep Feng Xiaoyue in the capital and away from Chen Xiaobei."
"Oh, Senior Sister, what method do you have?" Huang Ying's eyes lit up with joy.
"You're so stupid. As long as her father's matter is not resolved, she will naturally stay in Wannian City and won't be able to leave."
"Chen Xiaobei can stay in Wannian City for a day or two, but he can't stay there forever, right? He'll have to go back to take care of Cui Hongyu, won't he?"
Hearing her words, Huang Ying looked worried, "Senior Sister, let's not go too far with this. After all, it is a child's filial piety to help their father clear his name."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Didn't he say that Old Fang Zheng would help him clear his name? Think about it, what if Fang Zheng can't speak up? What will happen then?"
Huang Ying suddenly stood up, "Senior Sister, this won't do. Murder deserves a life!"
"I won't kill him. I've already found out where he lives. I'll leave tonight and be back before dawn. Don't worry, I'll find him a good place to retire peacefully."
After speaking, the Lotus Sect Master looked solemnly at Huang Ying, "Remember what I said, don't let anything slip."
With that, the Lotus Sect Master opened the window and floated away, leaving Huang Ying in a daze. To be honest, what the Lotus Sect Master had said had indeed struck a chord in her heart.
Thinking back, Chen Xiaobei was indeed enthusiastic when he saw Feng Xiaoyue, too enthusiastic. It was completely different from how he treated Shen Ziyan and Liu Rumei.
At this thought, Huang Ying's worries resurfaced, and she fell into deep thought by the oil lamp.
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's palace, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was reading official documents. Zhou Quan rushed in, "Your Highness, the Minister of Rites, Zhu Ziming, requests an audience."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's eyebrows twitched, "It's so late. He must have something urgent. Let him in."
Soon, Zhu Ziming entered the reception hall with Zhou Quan.
Upon seeing Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, Zhu Ziming was about to bow when Xiao Jingyun stopped him.
"Alright, my loyal minister, just say what you have to say. There's no need for such formalities when you're here."
Hearing Xiao Jingyun's words, Zhu Ziming was not polite. He simply bowed slightly, clasped his fists, and said, "Your Highness, I have come regarding the matter of Prince Liu Xiangnan."
"The Prince is clearly being framed. Rumors are spreading throughout the city. I implore Your Highness to investigate the truth and clear the old Marquis's name."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, secretly pondering that his father truly had foresight. Indeed, there were many people in the court pleading for Liu Xiangnan.
However, thinking of his father's instructions, Xiao Jingyun could not readily agree. Thus, he vaguely replied, "My loyal minister, I have spoken to the Emperor about this matter many times, but for some reason, the Emperor just won't listen. I will discuss it with him in detail next time I see him. Alas!"
Hearing this, Zhu Ziming understood a little. The Crown Prince was already in charge of state affairs and could make some decisions himself without consulting the Emperor. However, Xiao Jingyun used the excuse of consulting the Emperor to push him away. This clearly showed that he did not intend to help Liu Xiangnan.
Thinking of this, Zhu Ziming could not help but feel a little disappointed. But he was also smart. Since he could not handle Liu Xiangnan, he could at least deal with Fang Zheng, right?
"Your Highness, there is another matter regarding the former Prime Minister, Fang Zheng. He has committed no wrongdoing and has long been retired at home. I do not know why the Emperor still banished him from the capital."
"I, your humble servant, dare to implore you to issue an edict to recall the former Prime Minister. This way, we can also consult him in a timely manner."
Xiao Jingyun understood that the main purpose of allowing Fang Zheng to return was for Liu Xiangnan. After all, the former Prime Minister had a lot of influence and had been working hard to rescue Liu Xiangnan. He might even be the spiritual leader of these people.
Xiao Jingyun hesitated for a moment. In his heart, letting Fang Zheng return was also in line with his wishes. However, his father's words also made sense.
Seeing the hesitation on Xiao Jingyun's face, Zhu Ziming knew that there was still hope. He immediately began to persuade him, "Your Highness, now that you are in charge of state affairs, you must achieve something. Otherwise, how can you win the submission of all civil and military officials, and how can you gain the trust of the people of the world?"
Hearing Zhu Ziming's words, Xiao Jingyun hesitated even more. From this perspective, what Zhu Ziming said was also correct. As a newly appointed official, he had to make some impact. In the current situation, letting Fang Zheng return seemed like a good choice.