As Xunyang was mentioned, Zhou Huaijin's face sank and he let out a look of sharpness.
His father did not even care about his own daughter just for the sake of his own benefits, but he was the King who had the strongest power above all.
So what? He was not going to let Xunyang get sent away.
It was impossible for Xunyang to be sent to the North Qi Land. He was going to make sure that the imperial order was not going to work out at all!
That was just one moment of emotion, but Zhou Huaijin did not give Gu Chaoyan the pressure. Instead, he said calmly, "I have already arranged it. I will get someone to take Xunyang away on New Year's Eve after the banquet, and I will place her at the safest place. As for how the King will talk with the North Qi Land, it is up to him."
Gu Chaoyan nodded. That was the most straightforward method at the moment.
***
In the following two days…
It was very peaceful in the capital as snow kept falling down. It was bustling too, because that was the only imperial banquet that took place each year. After that, the New Year's preparation should start very soon. Then spring will be around the corner.
The Eunuch asked the imperial servants to get the King well dressed. The clothes were much grander than those in the past, and more than five people were taking care of him.
The King was in a good mood too. What he was concerned about had been settled and it was a time of peace. He had always expected that the day could be much more peaceful as he was getting older.
After what happened the other day, he had not seen the Queen, but… as long as Jiang Shuang was still the Queen, then that would be good.
As long as he was able to see Jiang Shuang on important occasions, he would be pleased as well. He was already used to having Jiang Shuang next to him.
He was not going to see her every day, but it was already enough if she could be seen every now and then.
Seeing that he was almost dressed, the King frowned and looked outside the window. He did not see anyone from the Weiyang Palace coming to the court.
That was strange. Normally, the Weiyang Palace would come to Qianqing Palace first so that they could go to the location together. So why was she not here yet?
"De Fu, go and check what is happening at the Weiyang Palace. Why is the Queen not here yet? We can't be late for the banquet," the King said with displeasure.
De Fu was startled. He found the question strange so a strange expression arose on his face.
No one had informed the Weiyang Palace about the banquet, because De Fu thought that the King was waiting for Honored Princess Jing to arrive. Yet he was waiting for the woman from the Weiyang Palace instead.
De Fu answered and hurried to the Weiyang Palace. De Fu was thinking about what to do on the way there.
He had thought that when the Phoenix Girl was found, the Weiyang Palace would collapse, but the King was thinking about her all the time.
De Fu showed a better attitude as he spoke to Aunt Nan about the banquet, but Aunt Nan said helplessly, "Chief De Fu, we have just arranged someone to tell them that the Queen is not doing well, and she won't be able to attend the banquet. But now you are already here…"
Then she passed De Fu a money packet.
De Fu took it and sighed. "That is a pity."
Aunt Nan answered briefly, then De Fu returned.
"The Queen is not doing well, and she won't be able to attend the banquet, what do you plan to do?"