Chapter 846: The Usefulness of Xiao Baobao

"Xun Chengjun... has some meaning."
Yin Ji whispered, and unexpectedly had the idea of keeping someone in the palace to serve Xie Yun. With such a perceptive person around, Xie Yun would probably have an easier time. However, it was best not to do so, as the other party had a special identity. If they were kept in the palace, it might give rise to misunderstandings.
Not appropriate, not appropriate.
He shook his head and abandoned the idea, turning his head to glance at Yuchun, "You keep a close eye over there too. I also really want to know what her permanent solution is."
Yuchun quickly responded and followed Yin Ji forward, but Yin Ji stopped again after a few steps.
He almost ran into him, but luckily he managed to stop his feet in the end. He looked up with some fear and saw a person standing not far ahead, it was Xiao Baobao.
She was obviously waiting here for Yin Ji on purpose, but she was also somewhat fearful, so she stood far away and looked over here with both trepidation and anticipation, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
The Yin Ji's face was indifferent: "I believe I have said it before, I don't want to see any of you."
Xiao Bao Bao's eyes immediately turned red upon hearing these words. She now clearly understood how much Yin Ji despised her. Ever since Xiao Madam was captured, rumors spread both inside and outside the palace that the Xiao family had treacherous intentions and colluded with rebels. The palace servants were certain that she would not have a good ending, even though she still held the position of Xiao Consort. She continued to face disdain and cold treatment, and could barely even have a warm meal.
Even the two honorable and well-behaved noblewomen in Changqiu Hall dare to ridicule her in front of her now.
After more than a month, she finally experienced what kind of days Yin Ji had in the Xiao family. Thinking back to her self-righteousness in the past, she felt ashamed in her heart and couldn't even lift her head in front of Yin Ji.
But she had to come.
"Your Majesty, I... there's something I want to ask."
Summoning up her courage, she approached him, but didn't dare to look up, "They all say that my father is hiding in the capital and was involved in this rebellion. That's not true, right?"
She finally lifted her head at this moment, with trembling eyes filled with expectations. However, when she met Yin Ji's gaze, it was as if she had been burned and she lowered her head again.
Yin Ji's eyes were like glaciers, devoid of any warmth: "It's true, your whole family is now locked up in the Qingming Court's maximum security prison, facing certain death."
Xiao Baobao trembled all over and widened her eyes: "D-Death, certain death?"
Her face turned pale, and she subconsciously reached out to grab Yin Ji's hand. Yin Ji didn't dodge, but his gaze was like a sharp dagger that made her shrink back: "I'm sorry... but last time, wasn't it exile? Why is it a death penalty this time? Ji Ge Ge... I mean, Your Majesty, can you spare their lives? Can they be sent to Dian Nan again? They are already very old and won't live much longer..."
She pleaded desperately, but Yin Ji was only irritated.
"Xiao Baobao, the least qualified to beg for forgiveness from us is your Xiao family."
Yin Shi's words clearly appeared in his mind. Indeed, he was incompetent in the past, but if the Xiao family hadn't tried to frame him, things wouldn't have come to this.
Unforgivable.
He lifted his foot and left, but Xiao Baobao grabbed his sleeve: "That's not true... you didn't throw me in prison, which proves that you still have some feelings for the Xiao family, right?"
When Yu Chun saw the dark clouds swirling in Yin Ji's eyes, he knew that he had reached the edge of anger, so he quickly pulled Xiao Bao Bao away.
Yin Ji flicked his sleeve and sneered, "Don't be delusional, I haven't harmed you because someone wants you. Your Xiao family has caused widespread disaster in Da Zhou, endangering the common people. Consider this as your atonement for the Xiao family's sins."
Xiao Baobao couldn't understand this sentence at all. Is someone interested in her?
Who wants her? What do they want her to do?
She couldn't make head or tail of it, but Yin Ji couldn't be bothered to explain any further. He walked away, and she wanted to chase after him but was firmly held back by Yu Chun. "Empress Xiao, it would be best for you to settle down. The Xiao family has committed treason with substantial evidence, and it is only natural for them to be executed. It's already quite fortunate that you can still live in the Zhao Yang Palace with luxuries. If you cause any more trouble and anger the emperor, you might end up implicating yourself."
Xiao Baobao stiffened in place after being spoken to in this manner. She now understood how to read people's expressions, and fear filled her eyes. "Yuchun, please plead with the emperor for me, please..."
“Xiao concubine, please don't make it difficult for me,” Yuchun shook off her hand, “Respect yourself. I'm leaving.”
He quickly chased after Yin Ji, and when he reached his side, he looked back and saw Xiao Bao Bao still standing in place. Although he couldn't see her expression clearly, he had a feeling that it wouldn't be easy to convince this Xiao concubine.
Obviously, Yin Ji also thought so: "Let Yilide come to the capital as soon as possible to propose to me. I still need to have a grand wedding, don't let her cause trouble for me."
Yu Chun quickly agreed and saw that Yin Ji's tone softened when he mentioned the wedding. He quickly caught onto this topic and chatted for a few more sentences. When they returned to the Qianyuan Palace, Yin Ji had completely forgotten about Xiao Baobao and his mind was full of thoughts about the wedding.
When he was able to enter the gate of the palace and heard the faint voices from the inner hall, his face darkened.
"Why hasn't she left yet?"
Yuchun had no way of knowing, so she said vaguely, "She should be leaving soon, right?"
Yin Ji stood at the doorway and glanced in. Xiuxiu was still clinging onto Xie Yun's chest, in the exact same position when he left... She had been hugging Xie Yun for so long!
"Where's Xue Jing?"
"Here I am."
Xue Jing came in from outside, he has been following Cai Tianxi outside the door, both for catching up and waiting for someone, but until now he hasn't seen Xiuxiu come out.
The two of them seem to have endless things to say, ever since she went in, their voices haven't stopped, he just came over to take a look, lively and energetic, without any intention of calming down.
Yin Ji ignored these and said, "Hurry up and take her away."
Xue Jing's eyes flickered for a moment, then he turned his head pretending not to hear.
Yin Ji asked, "...Are you defying me?"
Xue Jing sighed and said, "Your Majesty, aren't you making things difficult for me? It's simple for me to go in, but what if my aunt drives me out again? Why not just issue a decree directly? My aunt wouldn't openly defy the decree."
Yin Ji glanced at him with a frustrated expression on his face. Does imperial power exist to oppress the person sleeping next to you?
"We have never heard of such a rotten idea."
"Then, what do you suggest?"
Xue Jing looked up and waited eagerly for him to give an idea.
Yin Ji remained silent. If he had a solution, why would he bother Xue Jing?
"Forget it. I have been holding her for a long time during this journey, longer than Xiu Xiu. I won't dwell on it with her."
He calmed himself down, waved to Xue Jing, listened to the recent events happening in the capital, and waited for the people inside to finish talking, but unexpectedly, it was already dark when he finished waiting.
"Why are there so many words from Xiu Xiu?"
"...Aunt also said a lot."
"Yin Ji glanced at Xue Jing. Xue Jing didn't dare to meet his gaze, but he refused to back down. Yin Ji was about to say something when footsteps sounded from the inner hall. He instantly put Xue Jing out of his mind and considered his remarks finished."
He lifted his foot to enter, but before his foot could touch the ground, he heard Dou Ankang's voice from outside: "Sister Xie? Are you back?"
Yin Ji: "..."
He has a rather bad premonition.