His Rui

Chapter 450 – [Bonus Chapter] Zhao Zhang Wei Is Not Able To Sleep

When Xi Ying reached the Imperial Palace and entered the Imperial Court, it was Minister Xi who informed him that Zhao Zhang Wei won't be able to attend the Imperial Court for at least two days as he was unwell.

Xi Ying raised his eyebrows in surprise.

After that, he went to sit on his seat in the Imperial Court. The Imperial Assembly continued for only a shichen today.

Xi Ying's eyes narrowed when at the end of the Imperial Assembly, Zhao Wang Lei offered to him that if he wanted he could have Zhao Zhuang Chen help him in managing convoy matters as Zhao Zhang Wei was unwell.

Xi Ying's cold and indifferent black eyes went to look at the eager Zhao Zhuang Chen. He was silent for a moment before he smiled lazily and shook his head 

"No, Your Majesty. This minister can handle the matters until His Highness is unwell. When His Highness feels better, he can always come back and accompany this minister."

Xi Ying said politely.

Zhao Zhuang Chen's face didn't look too good after Xi Ying's refusal. Perhaps the first prince had not expected that Xi Ying would still refuse to let him accompany in managing convoy's matters.

Zhao Zhuang Chen felt that he had been humiliated by Xi Ying.

But this time, he surprisingly didn't blame Xi Ying for this humiliation of his. He thought that it was only because his sister Zhao Wenling told Xi Ying that those shadow guards sent to kill Li Rui and Xi Ying were actually sent by him and hence Xi Ying no longer wanted to have him around.

The other thing that was bothering him a lot was that when he went to tell his mother that even his father, Zhao Wang Lei was not in his favor honestly, she didn't believe him.

Zhao Zhuang Chen sighed in frustration. In fact, it was his mother who had come up with this plan. She had told him that if his father Emperor would give this offer to Xi Ying then he would not be able to refuse. However, it was clear that his mother never knew Xi Ying clearly.

The most important thing was that Zhao Zhuang Chen didn't see any effort from his father's side also. He never put any sort of pressure on Xi Ying so that Xi Ying could accept this offer. 

After the Imperial Court ended, Zhao Zhuang Chen again went to see his mother. 

Today he will try again to convince his mother and if she didn't get convinced, then he himself would have to find some way.

After the Imperial Assembly ended, Zhao Zhuang Chen was hence the first person to leave after the Emperor.

Xi Ying looked at the frustrated prince's back with a lazy expression.

His eyes then fell to General Li who was also about to leave the Imperial Court. Today Li Qing didn't come to the Imperial Court.

Xi Ying's eyes narrowed as he wondered what exactly was going on inside Li Qiang's mind.

If he didn't want to go against General Li, then why did he even meet the Empress after reading that letter.

With these thoughts inside his mind, Xi Ying went to the Xinhe Palace to visit Zhao Zhang Wei. He was very curious to know what happened to the prince suddenly when he looked so well yesterday.

Eunuch Zhang took him to Zhao Zhang Wei's chambers directly.

On his way, Eunuch Zhang was silent for a few moments before he looked at Xi Ying and said

"Prime Minister Xi, please forgive this servant for over speaking but can this servant say something?"

Xi Ying looked at the young Eunuch for a moment and then said coldly. 

"Speak."

"Can Prime Minister Xi advise His Highness to have some rest? His Highness doesn't rest at all. The whole day he spends inside the study room and if she sleeps then it would be for a shichen or two only. This servant is very worried about His Highness."

Eunuch Zhang could only say these words to Xi Ying because he couldn't think of anyone else who would really do so for his master.

He knew very well that no one really cared about his master in this Imperial Palace. In the past few weeks, he had seen Xi Ying visiting Xinhe Palace quite a lot and his master had also told him that Xi Ying should be allowed to visit him whenever he comes. That's why the young Eunuch concluded that his master and Xi Ying were close friends now.

Xi Ying looked at the young Eunuch and then smiled lightly.

He could see that Eunuch Zhang was really worried about Zhao Zhang Wei. Xi Ying could say that Zhao Zhang Wei was fortunate enough to have such a loyal servant by his side when he was living in the Imperial Palace and when he was not a favored prince. 

"Did you not advise this to your master?"

Xi Ying asked coldly as he continued to walk ahead.

Eunuch Zhang who was leading the way lowered his head and said

"This servant did actually and His Highness also tried to do so for this mere servant."

Eunuch Zhang suddenly raised his sleeve and wiped the corner of his eyes with it. 

"But His Highness always wakes up suddenly from his sleep as if he had seen some terrible nightmare."

Xi Ying's face didn't have any expression but he was listening to everything very carefully. After this, Eunuch Zhang didn't say anything and both of them soon reached Zhao Zhang Wei's chambers. 

"Prime Minister Xi can go inside."

Eunuch Zhang said as he opened the door and bowed his head in front of Xi Ying

Xi Ying stepped inside Zhao Zhang Wei's chambers. The door closed behind him and he walked further inside.

His eyes went towards the bed that was empty. He frowned and looked around the room. He soon found a figure sitting on a chair that was placed in a corner.

It was none other than Zhao Zhang Wei and he seemed to be deeply asleep as his head was placed on the table placed in front of him that had many books and scrolls also.

Xi Ying remembered Eunuch Zhang's words and thought that he should come later since Zhao Zhang Wei was asleep.

However, he had just turned around to leave when he heard Zhao Zhang Wei shout.

"Qingqing…"