Hailin was very serious, and then she thought to herself, "Recently, she seems to be really jealous. Could it be because she's pregnant? I've heard that pregnant women are all moody, and it seems that's true."
Seeing her gloomy face and depressed expression, Ye Lingfeng couldn't help but burst into a joyful laugh.
"It seems even Ling'er can fall for it sometimes. Where did you get those flowers? I'm punishing you. Who in this world dares to cover my eyes except you? Don't do something like this again."
Hai Ling was covered in sweat. She hadn't expected Ye to be so cunning. She felt sorry for herself for falling for his trick. Thinking about it, her cheeks flushed slightly. She reached out and grabbed Ye Lingfeng's neck, shouting, "Don't laugh! Don't laugh! If you laugh again, I'll pinch you!"
"Okay, stop laughing, stop laughing," Ye Lingfeng stopped laughing and asked Hai Ling with concern why she had left the palace. If there was nothing wrong, she probably wouldn't have left the palace.
"His Majesty has forgotten about the incident where Prince Zhaoyang ordered his maid to commit murder. Today is the day of Princess Zhaoyang's execution, so I went out of the palace to take a look."
Upon hearing Hailing's suggestion to go to the Meridian Gate to watch the execution, Ye Lingfeng's face darkened, and he strongly disapproved: "Ling'er, you're pregnant. How can you go to see that bloody scene? Don't upset our son."
"I didn't watch it. I just watched it once in the teahouse, and then I returned to the palace."
Hearing her say that, Ye Lingfeng finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had never been interested in the matter of the Princess Zhaoyang being beheaded. It was only right to pay for murder with one's life. Moreover, Xi Yan had simply asked for her own death. Her purpose in killing people was to frame Ling'er, so no one would feel sorry for her even if she died several times.
"However, I know one thing."
Hai Ling's pretty face turned serious. Ye Lingfeng knew from her expression that it must be something important, so he looked at Hai Ling and waited for her to continue. Hai Ling then spoke.
"It turns out that Princess Zhaoyang, west Yan, is not the daughter of the west family. She was brought into the Xi family by Madam Xi and raised there. When west Yan committed this crime, none of the west family members came out and left her to fend for herself."
As Ye Lingfeng listened to Hai Ling's story, he couldn't figure out how it had anything to do with him. This only showed that the Xi family was cold and heartless, and it had nothing to do with them.
Hai Ling could tell from Ye Lingfeng's expression that he hadn't thought much of it. Moreover, she felt a little reluctant to remind Ye of what she was supposed to say, but she would still speak up if necessary.
"Your Majesty has forgotten that the west family wanted Xi Yan to enter the palace and marry Your Majesty. Since she is not a member of the Xi family, why did the Empress Dowager agree to let her marry Ye? If it were before, I wouldn't have cared, but since I became a mother, I have a feeling that parents want to leave the best for their sons. The Empress Dowager is Ye's mother, so why would she agree to let Xi Yan marry Ye? There is also Xi Yuan in the Xi family. Xi Yuan is still a member of the Xi family and is not much different from Xi Yan. If anyone should enter the palace, shouldn't it be Xi Yuan? Why is it west Yan?"
After west Yan was beheaded, and seeing the actions of the west family and the Empress Dowager, she had a feeling that west Yan was just a pawn that had been used. Now that the pawn was no longer useful, it was discarded and no one cared about it anymore.
I don't know if what she's thinking is right or wrong.
As Hai Ling finished speaking, Ye Lingfeng clenched his fist and tightened his grip on Hai Ling's waist without realizing it. There were some things he had thought about, but he was too afraid to know them, afraid that the final outcome would be unbearable for him.
Now that Hailin has revealed all this, his doubts have deepened. What exactly is hidden behind this?
"Someone come here."
Ye Lingfeng called out towards the door, and Shizhu and Shiju entered, bowing their heads respectfully in preparation for his orders.
"Immediately send someone to monitor the movements in Cixi Palace, and report to me immediately if there is any movement."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shizhu and Shiju withdrew. Although they found it strange that the Emperor had ordered them to send people to monitor Cixi Palace, they did as their master commanded.
In the study, Ye Lingfeng held Hai Ling tightly, burying his face in her neck, remaining motionless and quietly waiting.
Seeing him like this, Hailing reached out and gently patted his back, speaking softly, "Ye, maybe things aren't as bad as we think. We've been overthinking it. Also, I'll always be by your side, along with our child."
She reached out and took Ye Lingfeng's hand, placing it on her stomach. The baby inside her moved at just the right moment, and Ye Lingfeng felt that blood connection, a warm current flowing through his heart.
Yes, he has Ling'er and his son, so everything is still beautiful. Thinking this way, he stopped being sad and instead thought of something else.
"Ling'er, I am preparing to go south to Songzhou to put the construction of the canal on the agenda. It is already autumn. If we do not proceed now, winter will come and another year will have passed. Next spring, the harvest in the south will not be high, which will affect the tax revenue for the whole year."
That's one reason. Secondly, if he stays in the palace, some things will remain unseen. So when he leaves, he believes some things will come to light. He must find out what his mother is hiding behind the scenes.
"Okay, okay."
Upon hearing that Ye Lingfeng was going on a southern tour, Hai Ling clapped her hands in agreement, as she could go with him.
Ye Lingfeng's eyes fell on Hai Ling's belly: "But I'm worried about you. I don't feel at ease leaving you in the palace. If I take you with me, with your belly so big, it will be just as worrying."
"I'll be careful, don't worry. A couple of days ago, I had a sudden inspiration and drew up some blueprints to convert the two-wheeled carriage into a four-wheeled carriage. That way, the carriage will travel on the road as smoothly as if it were flat ground, without any bumps, and naturally it won't affect my son."
Hailin laughed. She had drawn this kind of drawing a couple of days ago out of boredom, and she didn't expect to use it so soon. It was really great.
Seeing her excitement, Ye Lingfeng knew she was bored in the palace. Since she had a way to convert the two-wheeled carriage into a four-wheeled one, let's put this matter on the agenda.
"Very well, then I will order people to prepare."
"Alright, but there's one more thing. I'm planning to marry Xi Liang off to the Southern Dynasty before our southern tour. What do you think?"
Now, Hailing dared not act on her own anymore, and discussed everything with Ye, hoping that Ye wouldn't try that trick on her again.
"You handle this matter. Besides preparing for the southern tour, I also need to draw the field maps of the south more accurately. In addition, I need to select a few officials who are proficient in water conservancy to take with me. Let them take over this matter. We will go and inspect it, and then leave them in the local area to continue the work of opening canals and reinforcing river dams."
"Okay, let's split up."
After Hai Ling finished speaking, the two of them laughed. It was already getting late, so Ye Lingfeng stopped reviewing the memorials and got up to pick up Hai Ling and walk outside.
Just then, Shi Zhu pushed open the door and came in to report.
"Your Majesty, I have already sent people to keep an eye on what is happening at Cixi Palace."
"Alright, be careful and don't alert anyone." If his mother finds out, she'll probably blame him again. He'll have to investigate what's going on behind the scenes. After all, his mother is his mother. If nothing is wrong and it's just his suspicion, how will he face her then?
"Yes, I understand."
Shi Zhu withdrew, and Ye Lingfeng carried Hai Ling away from the study and returned to Liuyue Palace.
In the days that followed, Hailing was busy with Xiliang's wedding preparations and modifying the two-wheeled carriage, and the days passed very quickly.
The emperor's envoy to Nanling Kingdom has returned. The emperor of Nanling Kingdom warmly welcomes Princess Qinyang's marriage to Prince Zhan, Ruan Xiyin. He is pleased that the two countries are at peace and has also given a warm welcome to the ministers of Beilu. Since the emperor of Nanling Kingdom has expressed his welcome to Princess Qinyang's marriage to Prince Zhan's mansion, everything is in order. Everything in Prince Cang's mansion is ready, and the dowry is very generous. As for the court, it does not have much silver, but it has provided a symbolic amount to maintain the dignity of a royal princess.
The empress selected two civil officials and two military generals from the court, along with dozens of guards, to escort the princess to the Southern Ling Kingdom.