latelenovela Chapter 310 Xia Chenghao, you again
Chapter 310 Xia Chenghao, you again
Along the way, Cen Jiexiao speculated about the Queen's reason for summoning her to the palace, and the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She remembered that the last time she saw the Queen, she seemed unhappy. Could it be that something unpleasant was going on this time? She couldn't help but feel nervous, and her palms were sweating.
Arriving at Fengyi Palace, Empress He Yunshu was as dignified and elegant as ever, dressed in a gorgeous phoenix robe and a glittering golden phoenix crown. She was regal and graceful, her demeanor radiating with grace and elegance. However, a subtle hint of worry seemed to linger between her delicate brows, as if something was weighing on her mind. Seeing Cen Jiexiao, she smiled softly and said gently, "Miss Cen, how have you been lately?"
Cen Jiexiao quickly bowed politely and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine."
Although she said this, she was secretly wondering what the Queen was up to. She tried to remain calm and not let her nervousness show.
He Yunshu smiled, motioned for Cen Jiexiao to sit down on the chair next to him, and then ordered someone to bring a cup of fragrant tea. Cen Jiexiao took the teacup and took a sip. A light fragrance filled her mouth, which made her nervous mood relax a little.
He Yunshu put down the teacup in his hand, his eyes fell on Cen Jiexiao, and he slowly said, "I came here today to ask you for a favor."
He Yunshu's delicate fingers lifted a gilded booklet. It looked quite heavy, and the cover, adorned with auspicious cloud patterns, looked exceptionally delicate. She handed it to Cen Jiexiao and said gently, "Miss Cen, this is the guest list for the Emperor's birthday ceremony. Take a look."
Cen Jiexiao took the list with both hands, her heart filled with confusion. Why was she being shown the guest list for the emperor's birthday? Confused, she flipped through it, and what came into view were rows of neatly written characters, recording the names of envoys and nobles from various countries. She casually glanced at it, but her gaze suddenly stopped, her pupils suddenly dilated, as if she had witnessed something incredible, and her breathing stopped for a moment.
The first name on the list was written in a flamboyant handwriting - Xia Chenghao!
"He... why is he here?" Cen Jiexiao's voice trembled, and many images flashed through her mind. She remembered the thrilling scene of being held hostage by him in the woods, the gentle gesture of him sneaking into her room in the middle of the night to visit her, the domineering kiss he gave her when they left and returned to Xixiang, and the meaningful words he said before leaving, "Sister, wait for me."
"How could he...how could he appear here?" Cen Jiexiao asked again in disbelief, her heart beating like a drum and her mind full of thoughts.
"What...what is he doing in Da Zhou?" Cen Jiexiao tightly grasped the roster, her fingertips turning slightly white, and her heart was filled with uneasiness.
"He...he is not here to take revenge on me, right?" All kinds of terrible thoughts emerged in Cen Jiexiao's mind, and her heart was in her throat.
"Will he...will he be detrimental to the Great Zhou?" Cen Jiexiao began to worry about the safety of the country, and a patriotic heart arose spontaneously.
"He... he's here, what should I do?" Cen Jiexiao felt at a loss, not knowing how to face this man who once made her heart beat but now made her feel scared.
"Will he...will he still remember me?" Deep in Cen Jiexiao's heart, there was actually a hint of expectation.
"Will he...will he still call me sister like before?" The corners of Cen Jiexiao's mouth rose slightly unconsciously, but she quickly regained her composure.
"He... could it be that he has forgotten me?" A faint sense of loss welled up in Cen Jiexiao's heart.
"He...what is his purpose in coming here this time?" Cen Jiexiao was puzzled and her mind was full of questions.
"Will he...will he bring danger?" Cen Jiexiao's heart was filled with worry and anxiety.
"Will he...will he..." Various possibilities kept flashing through Cen Jiexiao's mind, making her feel confused.
"He..." Cen Jiexiao wanted to continue asking, but was interrupted by He Yunshu.
He Yunshu sighed, with a hint of helplessness in her tone: "The Xixiang tribe and the Great Zhou have always been in constant war and friction. Although the two countries have just signed a peace treaty, Crown Prince Xia Chenghao came as an envoy, saying that it was for the sake of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It's just..." She paused, and there was a bit more worry in her tone.
"Just what?" Cen Jiexiao asked anxiously.
"But I'm afraid Prince Xixiang's visit this time is not just to celebrate the birthday." He Yunshu finally expressed his concerns, his eyes full of vigilance.
"Xixiang's spies are also spread throughout the Great Zhou. We are afraid that the Xixiang people will stab us in the back at a critical moment." He Yunshu added, his tone full of worry.
Cen Jiexiao's heart sank, as if she had fallen into an icy abyss. She also thought of He Yunshu's worries. Yes, Xia Chenghao, the heir to the throne of the Xixiang clan, was of such noble status. How could he easily come all this way to celebrate the birthday of the empress of the sworn enemy, the Great Zhou? There must be something else going on, a hidden secret.
"What does the Queen mean..." Cen Jiexiao asked tentatively, her voice low and with a hint of doubt.
He Yunshu did not answer directly, but asked instead: "Miss Cen, do you still remember the friction between the Xixiang tribe and the Beidi tribe a few days ago?" Her tone was tentative, as if guiding Cen Jiexiao to think for herself.
"Of course I remember," Cen Jiexiao answered without hesitation. The incident even made the headlines of the "Women's Youth Daily," so how could she not remember? The Xixiang and Beidi, two covetous neighbors, were constantly at odds with each other, and war was a common knowledge.
"According to reliable sources..." He Yunshu's voice was low and solemn, with a hint of chill.
"The Northern Di have secretly colluded with Empress Dowager Li, intending to harm the emperor after the birthday ceremony." She paused, as if considering her next words.
"It is said that the Northern Di have made contact with Li Yusheng's Zhenxi Army."
"Li Yusheng's Zhenxi Army?" Cen Jiexiao was shocked. Li Yusheng was the nephew of Empress Dowager Li and was in charge of the most elite Zhenxi Army of the Great Zhou. If he really colluded with the Beidi, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"And Xia Chenghao's purpose for coming here is unclear, which is indeed suspicious," He Yunshu added, her tone filled with worry. The friction between Xixiang and Beidi, coupled with Xia Chenghao's sudden visit, these two things combined, forced her to be vigilant.
Cen Jiexiao gasped, feeling a chill run from her feet to her head. Empress Dowager Li had colluded with foreign enemies! This news was too shocking for her to process. She tried to remain calm, but she found her heart beating faster and faster. If this was true, then Chai Zhen's situation was even more precarious. With internal and external troubles, and enemies at his command, how should the emperor respond?