His Rui

Xi Ying was going to Xinhe Palace with Zhao Zhang Wei. He was surprised to see that today Eunuch Wang didn't come to tell him that Zhao Wang Lei has called him in his study room.

He had expected this to happen. After all, Zhao Wang Lei has some questions regarding his actions or it didn't settle well with him, he would call him to his study room.

Perhaps this time, his actions set well with him.

After all, he wanted to provoke one of the princes so that he could use that one for his selfish purpose. However, what he didn't know was that Zhao Zhuang Chen who should have helped him in these circumstances would no longer help him.

Xi Ying came out of his thoughts when he noticed something or rather he should say, someone.

Zhao Zhang Wei who had been walking beside him also stopped amidst his steps. Both of them looked at the woman walking towards them with her old maidservant.

The woman was obviously old and it could be seen from her face but the aura around her was also telling that she was no ordinary woman.

Xi Ying didn't recognize the woman. He had never seen her before.

It was only when Zhao Zhang Wei suddenly bowed his head a little and said

"The Imperial Grandson greets Her Majesty."

Her Majesty…the title was used for an Empress or an Empress Dowager. Xi Ying's eyes flickered and he also bowed his head and greeted the woman politely.

"This minister greets Her Majesty."

On the other hand, Xin Jian silently observed both the men. Her eyes stayed longer on Xi Ying and they were sharp. The sharpness in them however decreased to some extent when they moved to Zhao Zhang Wei.

"En…"

She just said this word as an acknowledgment of their greeting. The old Momo who was standing behind her mistress felt that this response was a little awkward. However, the two men didn't show it that way even a little bit. They straightened their bodies and their lips had a polite smile as they waited for the Empress Dowager to pass them.

According to the prestige of the ranks, only then they would be able to leave.

However, Empress Dowager didn't move even a bit. Xi Ying noticed that she was looking at him. He didn't hesitate to meet that probing gaze and smiled even more politely in response.

They looked at each other like this for a long time until Empress Dowager smiled suddenly. A smile that was meaningful but didn't have any humor as she spoke

"Aijia has heard a lot about Prime Minister Xi. Before Aijia has been unable to believe this but now it seems that everything was not that wrong."

Xi Ying raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Empress Dowager lived in isolation …everyone says this. But it seems that while living in this so-called isolation, she still kept the whole information about everything.

He merely smiled and bowed his head again respectfully in response to Empress Dowager's words but didn't say anything.

What could he even say? Almost the whole Xin called him the heartless minister. Xi Ying knew this.

He didn't know what all kind of thing she has heard about him and neither he was curious to know.

What made him more curious was why she used that decree signed by the Previous Emperor to save Li Clan during the Mid Autumn Banquet Celebration.

And why she suddenly came out of her so-called isolation!

After finishing her words, Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Zhang Wei. Her face was devoid of any emotion but her eyes were not as sharp as she was looking at Xi Ying.

"Aijia hopes that the life has not been much hard on you in the Imperial Palace."

Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes flashed with confusion. The confusion however turned into surprise when he heard the Empress Dowager's next words.

"Aijia has been disheartened to hear the news of Noble Consort Shu's death. Aijia still wishes for her to stay alive even if that had required Aijia life in exchange."

Noble Consort Shu…how did Empress Dowager know her?

Zhao Zhang Wei, as well as Xi Ying, had the same question inside their mind. According to what they know, Empress Dowager had gone to live in isolation after the previous Emperor died and she never came out.

She never met anyone from the Imperial Palace. It was only her maidservant who stayed there with her. Even when the Emperor went there to meet her, she refused to see him.

Everyone thought that the previous Emperor's death left a deep shadow inside the Empress Dowager's heart. After all, their relationship was very harmonious.

Xin Jian obviously saw the confusion and surprise of the two men, however, she didn't say anything else about this matter.

She stepped forward to leave and according to the Palace customs, Zhao Zhang Wei and Xi Ying bowed their head again.

However, just when she was in front of Xi Ying, she stopped suddenly and said in a very low voice.

"Although Prime Minister Xi is very intelligent, he should be careful in what he is trying to do. One needs to do just one single mistake or go careless for a second to lose a battle like this."

Xi Ying's body stiffened completely and he raised his head abruptly to look into Empress Dowager's eyes.

Even Zhao Zhang Wei who had heard Empress Dowager's words looked confused but a little wary as he looked at Empress Dowager.

The old man however again smiled meaningfully and then left from there.

"What does she know?"

Xi Ying who was looking at the Empress Dowager's back heard Zhao Zhang Wei asking.

His eyes were sharper and he was silent for a few moments. He knew that Zhao Zhang Wei too didn't need an answer.

It was very clear what Empress Dowager was talking about and it was not a good thing.

A moment later, he finally spoke but very coldly.

"She knows more than she should know."