Xi Ying turned around immediately after hearing Zhao Zhang Wei's shout. He had heard it right. He concluded when he saw Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes those were full of panic.
He had heard the panic and desperation in his shout too.
'Qingqing…'
The name seemed to belong to some woman.
Xi Ying murmured the name as his deep black eyes noticed Zhao Zhang Wei's each expression.
The Imperial Prince that looked so panicked a few moments ago now looked relieved as he looked around the room. Perhaps he seemed to realize that what had seen just a few moments ago was merely some nightmare.
Zhao Zhang Wei leaned against the headrest of the chair. His face had a kind of an exhausted expression making Xi Ying wonder if the prince got the dreams like these often.
'His Highness doesn't sleep well…'
Xi Ying remembered Eunuch Zhang's words and his guess confirmed to more extent.
At the same time, he suddenly seemed to remember Yi Huiqing's name.
Slowly, Xi Ying's eyes narrowed a little. He had actually some doubts that Zhao Zhang Wei felt something for Yi Huiqing. However, he was never sure. After all, if Zhao Zhang Wei really liked Yi Huiqing then why did he never visit her in her difficult times.
But at this moment, seeing Zhao Zhang Wei's fearful and then relieved face as if he had escaped some disastrous event, Xi Ying was forced to question his conclusions again.
"Greetings to Your Highness."
Xi Ying said lazily a moment later as he started to walk towards Zhao Zhang Wei's chair.
Zhao Zhang Wei was obviously left startled when he heard Xi Ying voice so suddenly. It was natural for him to feel surprised.
Till this moment, he had been thinking that he was the only person inside the room.
Though it should have been easier for him to sense Xi Ying's presence as he was a very capable martial artist, however, he was so involved in his plethora of emotions that he never concentrated on his other senses.
"What are you doing here?"
The question came out in a rather cold voice.
Xi Ying, however, didn't seem to mind it. Perhaps because he knew the reason behind the prince's aloof behavior.
A person like him(Xi Ying) too would not like it if someone else other than his wife would see him in his weak moments.
So without any expression on his face, he walked towards the couch that was placed just a few steps away from Zhao Zhang Wei and made himself comfortable there.
On the other hand, Zhao Zhang Wei who was waiting for Xi Ying to answer him with a cold face looked at his actions speechlessly.
In his eyes, Xi Ying had always been an arrogant man. So by now, after hearing his cold and rude question, he should have already left.
However, he didn't and it only irritated Zhao Zhang Wei.
Because at this moment, he wanted nothing but to be left alone, His mind was not fully ready to talk anything to Xi Ying for now, and from what he knew he needed a very conscious mind to talk with the intelligent Prime Minister.
Xi Ying looked at Zhao Zhang Wei's irritated expression and smiled lazily before he said
"Just a few moments ago before Your Highness woke up from his sleep."
Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes went colder and his fists were clenched inside his sleeves. Xi Ying was secretly observing Zhao Zhang Wei's each and every expression.
Xi Ying decided to go smoothly after this.
"This Lord however had not known that Your Highness did not know about this Lord's arrival."
Zhao Zhang Wei sighed after hearing Xi Ying's words. His anger lessened to great extent.
After all, he remembered very well that it was only him who had asked Eunuch Zhang to allow Xi Ying to meet him without any kind of permission.
So Xi Ying was not at fault.
The last meeting inside Zhao Zhang Wei's study room with Xi Ying changed many things between them. Both the men could perhaps not notice but after that day, both of them were slowly starting to trust each other with everything.
Xi Ying was right. Zhao Zhang Wei came to know of this when he pondered over his words after Xi Ying left that day.
His mother was one of the reasons, he was fighting this battle. In fact, he had never wanted the throne. The only thing he had wanted to do was to kill Zhao Zhang Wei and avenge his mother's death that had always been a very deep wound inside his heart.
However, now he was fighting for the throne also.
The throne that he wanted to protect Yi Huiqing and her clan. And he would never be able to get it if he let his emotions control his mind and heart.
Xi Ying said a very right thing in a very few words.
Zhao Zhang Wei actually regarded him highly for showing him this mirror before he had done any mistakes. Hence, he asked Eunuch Zhang to allow Xi Ying to meet him without any permission. He wanted Xi Ying to feel the respect he deserved in Xinhe Palace because that was the only thing he could give to Xi Ying for now.
However, he still had not expected that the young Eunuch would not even check that he was sleeping before sending Xi Ying inside the room.
"Your Highness is looking exhausted."
Zhao Zhang Wei came out of his trance when he heard Xi Ying's words. His lips twitched slightly when he saw Xi Ying's lazy expression.
Did he not know already that he had collapsed because of exhaustion and hence didn't attend Imperial Court? So what was the point in asking this question?
He wondered what Xi Ying was trying to get at by this question and soon he got his answer.
"Is it because of nightmares, Your Highness?"
Zhao Zhang Wei's face again went cold and emotionless after Xi Ying completed his question.
"Benwang thinks that Prime Minister Xi should not concern himself with Benwang's personal matters."
Xi Ying smiled lazily again not minding Zhao Zhang Wei's coldness. He didn't know why but he could see the past him in Zhao Zhang Wei.
His smile however didn't have any amusement as he replied to Zhao Zhang Wei's words.
"This Lord also doesn't have any interest in Your Highness' matters. However, if it concerns Princess Consort Yi then this Lord would have to interfere in Your Highness' matters whether personal or any other.. Because Princess Consort Yi is this Lord's responsibility."
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