CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 375 ENTERING THE PALACE

Song Xian had never seen Miss Xie dressed up so meticulously.

In her past life, when she attempted to assassinate Ji Yuan, her face was stained with blood. Upon her rebirth, she was bedridden due to injuries. After recovering and returning to Chen Family Village, she concealed her face.

Thus, this was the first time he saw her true appearance. Although he usually paid little attention to appearance, the person before him was someone he admired.

Her every expression tugged at him, and in this moment, her brightness made him lose his senses.

The girl’s outer garment was a cloak, and beneath it was a straight-collared, front-closing lotus-colored robe, which hung naturally without being tied, revealing a slender neck and a collar embroidered with lace. Her waist was tightly bound with an exquisitely knotted sash.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, exposing her long neck. The peach-pink collar made her skin appear extraordinarily fair. Her dress was made of well-fitting brocade, further accentuating her figure.

Song Xian was first stunned and then immediately frowned, wishing someone would help her change into another dress and cover her face again, hiding these beauties from outsiders.

This was the popular style among the ladies in the Capital. During the poetry gathering hosted by Xie Liangchen, Miss Xu and a few others wore similar dresses. In her past life at the Su Family, she also dressed like this often. Thus, when the palace nanny brought these clothes to Xie Liangchen, she didn’t think much of it.

However, seeing Song Xian’s gaze, she felt a bit uncertain. Earlier, it seemed he had a hint of a smile on his face, but that smile gradually froze. Could it be that these clothes were not as attractive as her usual wear?

As Xie Liangchen walked past Song Xian, she heard him ask the nanny, "It’s cold today, take good care of the Commandery Princess." Didn’t they realize these clothes were too thin?

The nanny immediately replied, "The cloak bestowed by the palace is made of silver fox fur, extremely warm. Mr. Song can rest assured."

They had carefully selected this outfit, initially thinking Princess Jia’an had an ordinary appearance and could only rely on clothes to enhance her looks. They hadn’t expected that the Commandery Princess had been concealing her face all this time. Now, dressed like this, her features and posture matched the clothes perfectly, making it hard for anyone to look away.

The nanny was unsure what else General Song was dissatisfied with. After pondering for a moment, she said, "Once we’re in the carriage, we’ll place several more warmers."

Having said that, the nanny looked up, only to find that Mr. Song’s face remained somber, his eyes deep, making it unclear what he was contemplating. This young Military Governor was indeed hard to serve.

Old Mrs. Chen looked at Xie Liangchen with satisfaction. Her granddaughter had often disguised her face. While others aimed to enhance their looks, her granddaughter had painted her face dark and yellow. Today, she finally let her skin breathe.

Mrs. Gao had been smiling so widely she could barely contain it. Who would have thought Miss Chen looked so beautiful when dressed up? None of the daughters from the wealthy and influential families who had been invited before could compare to Miss Chen.

Xie Shao Yuan had long noticed that his daughter’s brows and eyes resembled the Commandery Princess. Now, looking through Liangchen, he seemed to see the youthful appearance of the Commandery Princess.

Thinking of this, Xie Shao Yuan’s eyes turned slightly red, and he covered it with a smile, "Let’s eat, we must arrive at the palace gate on time."

After the meal, Xie Liangchen boarded the carriage.

Xie Shao Yuan and Song Xian followed alongside the carriage.

Song Xian said, "The Emperor didn’t summon me for an audience, so I’ll wait outside the palace for you and Liangchen."

Xie Shao Yuan nodded.

When the carriage reached the palace gate, Xie Liangchen was assisted out by the nanny. The eunuch waiting at the gate quickly stepped forward to greet Xie Shao Yuan and Xie Liangchen. As his gaze fell on Princess Jia’an’s face, he couldn’t help but be taken aback; this Princess Jia’an seemed different from what they had been told.

But the eunuch quickly regained his senses and respectfully ushered the two forward.

Song Xian watched Xie Liangchen’s silhouette gradually fade into the distance and took a deep breath.

Just then, Cheng Yanzhao arrived, "Have they gone in?"

Song Xian nodded.

Cheng Yanzhao gave Chang An a reproachful look. If it hadn’t been for Chang An delaying him with official documents, he would have been just in time to see them off. Being cooped up at home these days had been tough; here was his excuse to get out, yet he was still a step too late.

"No worries," Cheng Yanzhao said, "It’s just a visit to the palace to give thanks, nothing will go wrong."

After a brief silence, Cheng Yanzhao heard Song Xian’s deep voice say, "It’s best if nothing does."

Those words carried a hint of menace.

Cheng Yanzhao hoped the Emperor wouldn’t suddenly decide to eliminate the descendants of Prince Guangyang, else Song Xian would not stand idly by.

Just then, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War came out of the office and, seeing Song Xian, hurried over, "General Song, what brings you here? I’ve some matters to discuss with you."

Song Xian greeted the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, "Sorry to trouble you, sir. I have urgent matters today, I’ll definitely seek counsel at the government office later."

Urgent matters? The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War could only bid him farewell, and after getting into his sedan chair, he lifted the curtain to glance back. Song Xian was still standing there.

Could it be Song Jiedu was waiting for an imperial summon? Surely the ’urgent matters’ Song Xian mentioned wasn’t just standing outside the palace gate?

...

"Your Majesty, Princess Jia’an is arriving soon."

Empress Xu nodded at the female official’s report and turned to Miss Xu beside her, "This is Princess Jia’an’s first time entering the palace; go meet her."

Miss Xu complied, stood up, and led the way out. Just as she stepped out, she heard the female official’s voice behind her, "Your Majesty, the nanny said Princess Jia’an’s appearance is somewhat different from the previous reports."

Miss Xu did not continue listening. She had seen Xie Liangchen in person and already knew what Xie Liangchen looked like.

A sound of footsteps approached, and Miss Xu looked ahead, "Liangchen..."

Miss Xu was about to greet her with a familiar smile, but her expression froze, turning from surprise to shock as she saw Xie Liangchen’s face.

This was Xie Liangchen? The Princess Jia’an who grew up in the village?

It wasn’t until Xie Liangchen approached her and greeted her that Miss Xu managed to recover, stammering, "You... you look..."

Xie Liangchen said, "Miss Xu, the Empress is still waiting."

Miss Xu took a deep breath, "Right, we shouldn’t keep Her Majesty waiting; let’s go over now."

As she watched Xie Liangchen being shown into the main hall ahead of her, Miss Xu couldn’t help but grasp her handkerchief tightly. She had visited the Xie Family but seemed to have learned nothing.

Xie Liangchen was led by the palace attendants into the inner hall to greet Empress Xu.

"Rise, Princess Jia’an!"

When Xie Liangchen raised her head, Empress Xu understood why the palace attendants and Miss Xu were surprised. This face wasn’t plain at all; it was bright and captivating.

Empress Xu smiled and said, "Come closer and let me have a good look at you."

Xie Liangchen sat down beside Empress Xu.

Empress Xu examined Xie Liangchen closely, "I’ve never met your mother, but seeing you, I feel a sense of familiarity, as if we’ve known each other for a long time."