Chapter 1454: 711

Avenue was bustling with people coming and going, but it didn’t obstruct the line of sight between the two of them.

Their eyes met, and both of their expressions seemed to pause slightly.

Generally speaking, when strangers’ eyes meet, a sense of embarrassment would involuntarily rise from within, as if getting caught in the act of peeping, even if it were just by chance. One would subconsciously want to look away.

But at that moment, neither of them looked away, just blatantly staring at each other.

It wasn’t surprising that the Emperor had such confidence–after all, he was the Son of Heaven. He could openly look at whomever he wanted, and it was the person being looked at who should immediately bow down, feel the aura of his imperial majesty, and decisively move their gaze away.

Xiao Hen moved his gaze away, not out of guilt or embarrassment; his expression was very calm, like a waveless ice lake.

The Emperor continued to watch Xiao Hen intently.

Zhang Dequan caught the Emperor’s expression and thought to himself that something bad might happen, forgetting that the Emperor and Xuanyuan Empress had their serendipitous encounter right at the entrance of Lingbo Academy.

Xuanyuan Empress was fond of cuju, and Lingbo Academy had the largest cuju field in Shengdu. Xuanyuan Empress came here almost every other day.

The Emperor, while studying at Lingbo Academy, was once hit unconscious by a polo ball kicked by Xuanyuan Empress as he passed by the field.

Lying on the ground, upon opening his eyes, he saw Xuanyuan Empress coming over to check on his injury.

Afterward, the Emperor told Zhang Dequan’s godfather–the former chief steward of the Imperial Household–that he had seen a fairy.

Zhang Dequan couldn’t fathom the Emperor’s thoughts, except he was certain about one thing: the Emperor had deep feelings for Xuanyuan Empress.

During the years when Xuanyuan Empress was sent to the Cold Palace, not a day went by without the Emperor asking for updates about the Cold Palace.

Xuanyuan Empress had numerous opportunities to walk out of the Cold Palace, but she chose not to.

It was less that the Emperor confined Xuanyuan Empress to the Cold Palace and more that Xuanyuan Empress simply didn’t wish to see the Emperor again.

“These eyes do somewhat resemble the ones of Xuanyuan Empress back then. Could it be that His Majesty has taken a liking to her and intends to bring her into the Imperial Harem?” Having muttered this to himself, Zhang Dequan was startled by his own speculation.

“Uncle! Uncle!”

The Little Princess, dissatisfied with the Emperor’s distraction, got up to tug at the Emperor’s sleeve which hung down from the carriage window.

Unfortunately, her effort was in vain.

The Emperor withdrew his gaze and said to her, “For your first day, to have made friends, it seems you like it here very much.”

“Yes, I like it!” The Little Princess nodded her head, sweetly affirming.

This was the first time the Little Princess had shown such great interest in going to school. The Emperor was quite pleased. Sending her here indeed was the right choice. “Then, will you come to school tomorrow?”

The Little Princess quickly said, “I will! I will!”

I won’t just come by myself, I’ll also bring a bird to compete with my friends!

The Emperor then said, “Tomorrow, I won’t have time to send you.”

The Little Princess snorted, “I can go by myself!”

Was she truly fond of this place?

This morning, someone had clung to his leg, crying incessantly, begging him not to ‘torture’ her by sending her so far away to school.

The Emperor said, “Get in the carriage, we’re going back to the palace.”

“I’ll go say goodbye to them!” The Little Princess panted as she ran over and politely said to Xiao Hen and his group, “Goodbye, Jingkong. Sister Jingkong, goodbye!”

Little Jingkong waved her hand, “Goodbye.”

The Little Princess and Zhang Dequan, clutching his book bag, returned to the carriage.

Having made friends of her own age for the first time, the Little Princess was particularly intrigued. Even as the carriage wheels began to turn, she couldn’t help but lean out the window, sticking her little head out and waving at Little Jingkong, “See you tomorrow, Jingkong!”

Little Jingkong also waved back to her own little playmate, “See you tomorrow, Xiaoxue!”

As the carriage approached from behind, drawing closer to Xiao Hen and Little Jingkong, the pure friendship between the two young ones was greatly elevated in their farewell.

The Emperor got a closer look at Xiao Hen.

But Xiao Hen didn’t look at the Emperor again.

As the carriage moved away, the Little Princess still lay by the window, waving at her little friends.

And the Emperor’s gaze remained fixed in the direction of Lingbo Academy.

Zhang Dequan felt uneasy. The Emperor couldn’t seriously be interested, could he? Have some decency, Your Majesty, that’s your niece’s classmate’s sister.

Zhang Dequan plucked up his courage and asked, “Your, Your Majesty, didn’t the Ministry of Rites come by a few days ago to enquire if the selection of ladies into the court was still not to be arranged this year?”

“Hmm,” The Emperor responded deeply.

Zhang Dequan silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Such a curt reply, he likely hadn’t entertained the thought.