The System Make Me Near With The Emperor
Chapter 33

Shi XuanRan's character in the novel "The Immortal Emperor" can be called second-male-lead. He is told as the childhood friend of the protagonist.

Shi XuanRan's past wasn't a good thing. His father was a Northern man who fell in love with his Southern mother. Then at the age of 4, Shi XuanRan lost his father because people finally knew that he was from the North. The incident left Shi XuanRan's mother depressed and then suicidal, leaving Shi XuanRan alone.

After becoming an orphan, Shi XuanRan's life went bad. He was homeless until he was 8 years old. He competes with other homeless people for food and shelter, so he often fights with other homeless people.

At the age of 9, it just so happened that Prime Minister Shi met him and then adopted Shi XuanRan and made him the eldest son of the Shi family.

Huang Long and Shi XuanRan met at the time the two were in the Royal Academy. In the academy, Shi XuanRan was Huang Long's only friend. They were close friends until Huang Long was sent to the military.

Now, the Royal Counselor, Shi XuanRan stood before Xie Hongyi.

"Greetings Royal Counselor, have you also come to enjoy the scenery?"

Shi XuanRan gave a smile, yet it did not reach his eyes. He lightly answered. "Greetings Consort Xie. I just happened to pass by."

Xie Hongyi also smiled. All he knew, Shi XuanRan was not a talkative person, nor did he intend to continue talking to her. "In that case, I'll leave. The air is getting colder and I intend to stay in my room."

Shi XuanRan was not offended by Xie Hongyi wanting to leave after he came. Still smiling, Shi XuanRan let her go. "All right."

Then Xie Hongyi turned around and stepped away from there. Shi XuanRan looked at Xie Hongyi's back that looked not far away then said in a loud voice. "Consort Xie, wait. I have one question for you."

Xie Hongyi turned back to face Shi XuanRan who was walking towards him. "What does the Advisor want to ask?"

Shi XuanRan arrived before Xie Hongyi and stood a few steps away from the woman. "At the time of the banquet, everyone in the hall was poisoned. I wonder because you are the only one who is wrong. So why did that happen?" Shi XuanRan asked probing.

Xie Hongyi became wary of Shi XuanRan. He did not know the intent of Shi XuanRan's question and what purpose he was asking it. "Ah, it's because I have a low alcohol tolerance, so I don't drink that wine. Does this answer the Counselor's question?"

Shi XuanRan's eyes narrowed slightly and his expression showed disbelief, but then he quickly smiled and omitted the look. "Oh, it turns out that way. Then I won't bother you anymore." After speaking, Shi XuanRan finally left.

Of course Xie Hongyi clearly saw the look of disbelief from Shi XuanRan's face. There was something strange at the moment when Xie Hongyi came face to face with him, as if he was about to drown in Shi XuanRan's words. But, Xie Hongyi had already experienced two lives, so he quickly knew what was wrong. "The weirdo." He murmured in his heart.

When Xie Hongyi walked towards his residence, he asked Ling'er who was walking beside him. "Ling'er, what kind of person do you think the Royal Counselor is?"

Feeling astonished by Xie Hongyi's question, "I don't know because it's the first time we've met. However I heard that the Royal Counselor is the person His Imperial Majesty trusts the most. By the time His Majesty ascended the throne, he had directly appointed someone from the Shi family as the Royal Adviser. He then helped His Majesty in his government. The Royal Adviser was a person who did not say much, he also rarely went outside the Palace. That's all I know. Madam, why are you asking this? Didn't you have been living in the palace for a year and must have known about him?"

Hearing this question, Xie Hongyi fell silent. This one servant besides having a quiet nature, he also turned out to like to research. "You know, I rarely hang out with people in the palace. So I have very little information." Xie Hongyi really treated Ling'er as his friend, he was not angry when Ling'er asked him such a thing. Perhaps if it was someone else who became Ling'er's master, the servant might be punished with a whip.

The two then continued their journey. At the moment when it should turn towards the residence, Xie Hongyi seemed to have recalled something as he suddenly stopped walking. Ling'er wasn't a careless person, so she wasn't too surprised by Xie Hongyi stopping abruptly. "Mrs, why did you stop?" Ling'er asked.

"I just remember something. You go first and prepare warm water for me to take a shower. I'll be right back." After he finished speaking, he went in the opposite direction.

"Mrs, don't you want company?"

Ling'er then went to prepare warm water for Xie Hongyi.

Xie Hongyi's footsteps moved towards a building that looked desolate. He then opened the door of the building. Inside the building, there was a bed occupied by a person, a small table, and a seat.

Xie Hongyi recalled that there was a man he had saved from the black market. The system told him not to leave the man. So it is likely that he is one of the important figures in the story. But, why isn't there a plot of a man being kidnapped onto the black market? Oh, Xie Hongyi realized that he had not read the whole story.

The person in the bed was aware of Xie Hongyi's presence and opened his eyes. Seeing him come to his senses, Xie Hongyi then sat in front of the bed. "How are you doing?"

The man lying on the bed answered. "I'm doing fine. Again, thank you for helping me."

Xie Hongyi's hand shook his hand, meaning that he didn't care much. "It is the duty of everyone to help each other. By the way, what's your name?"

The man was a little silent and did not answer his question. Xie Hongyi thought that he had an embarrassing name, so he did not want to mention it. "It's okay if you don't answer."

Suddenly the man made a sound. "My name is Xiao Zhang." Xiao Zhang carefully observed Xie Hongyi's reaction. He thought after the woman found out his name, he would be surprised. But what he did did not happen. Xie Hongyi was still acting relaxed as if he did not know what was wrong. The woman then spoke. "Alright Xiao Zhang, are you willing to tell me what happened to you? Why were you kidnapped?"

Of course Xiao Zhang would not tell him the truth. This is enemy territory. He will not be careless in providing information. He also thought Xie Hongyi had no idea regarding the Xiao clan. "I am just a village boy. At that time I was picking medicinal plants in the forest. Suddenly a group of people came and they kidnapped me on the black market." Xiao Zhang explained.

"really? Why do I not believe it a little?"

Xiao Zhang's heart skipped a beat. He did not say anything to answer Xie Hongyi. Seeing this, Xie Hongyi could not help but laugh. "Haha, don't be surprised like that. Take it easy I believe what you're saying."

Xiao Zhang was a little annoyed, yet he could not vent his emotions to the person who had helped him. He can only say. "So you were just kidding me?"

Xie Hongyi finally stopped laughing. Then he answered Xiao Zhang's question casually. "Of course."

Xiao Zhang did not understand Xie Hongyi. This was the first time he had encountered a woman with such a nature, unlike the other noble ladies who were spoiled and liked to bully people.

***

After speaking briefly with Xiao Zhang, Xie Hongyi finally left the building. On the way, he was suddenly stopped by a eunuch. It seemed like the eunuch was from the Flower Palace. "Concubine Xie, His Imperial Majesty ordered you to come to the Flower Palace."

What did Huang Long call him for? Xie Hongyi's forehead frowned slightly. "Can I refuse?"

The eunuch's face turned flat. "No."

Xie Hongyi pouted a little. "alright. Please show me the way."

Xie Hongyi then followed the eunuchs steps towards the Flower Palace. Along the way, he asked the destination eunuch Huang Long ordered his to meet him, but the eunuch was unwilling to say anything. Long-time Xie Hongyi was annoyed and no longer asked him.

"What a loyal slave!"