Outside Chuxiu Pavilion, dozens of internal rumors and Gong E stood there. Feng Ah Jian and Yun Ah Jian shouted inward through the gate, their voices were hoarse, and the gate did not move at all, and they saw the queen mother arrive. Hurry up and kneel to greet you.

Xiao Zhou asked Eunuch Feng: "Doesn't the princess still let others in?"

Feng Ah Jian said: "Yes." Only Fang Cha was inside, and everyone else rushed out. ”

Xiao Zhou lifted the skirt lightly and moved forward elegantly. He personally shouted: "Hu Zhu." Let the aromatic tea open the door. I have something to say to you. ”

Earlier, Feng Ah Jian and Yun Ah Jian shouted and broke their throats. Princess Qingle ignored it, and when she heard the voice of the queen mother, she responded with a crying voice: "Queen mother, the son has said that it is better to die than to go to the Southern Han Dynasty!"

Zhou Xuan heard it and thought, "This princess has finally exploded." But if you want to break out, you should break out sooner. The Snow Pig Prince is almost in Jinling, you will 'go to the Southern Han Dynasty and would rather die', you are the princess of the Tang Kingdom. It's not a small jasper. How did such a big battle end?"

Xiao Zhouhou said: "Zhu'er, you let Fangcha open the door first, and if you have something to say." ”

"No!" Princess Qingle let it go: "Don't blame the queen mother for being rude. Don't push your sons again. Otherwise, the retainers will die with their will!"

I heard Fang Cha screaming: "Princess, don't do it!"

Xiao Zhou asked urgently: "Fangcha." What's wrong with the princess?"

Fang Cha said: "Niangniang, Her Royal Highness the princess wants to drink poison!"

"Ahh Xiao Zhouhou was shocked: "Where did the poison come from in the palace?"

The princess cried, "It's poison anyway. The queen mother forced her son again. And the sons drank to quench their thirst. No. and drank and died. ”

Xiao Zhouhou still knows this wayward daughter very well. This so-called poison is most likely fake. But this situation really can't force her anymore. Otherwise, she would really be stupid when she initiated her temperament, turned around and smiled bitterly at Zhou Xuan, and asked in a low voice: "Nephew Xuan." What do you think?"

Zhou Xuan said: "Auntie will go back to the palace first. Don't be in a hurry, the nephew will definitely persuade the princess to change her mind. ”

Xiao Zhou said: "I really can't rest assured. Hu Zhu didn't even open the door, what's the matter with dragging it on like this!"

Zhou Xuan said: "It's easy to ask the princess to open the door-"

Xiao Zhouhou's eyes lit up and asked, "What can I do about my nephew?" It's okay to forcibly break the door, I know Huzhu's temperament, and I can't do it. ”

It's too warm. It's so warm! Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "Is the nephew such a barbarian person?" How could you force the door! The princess had to open the door voluntarily. However, after the nephew opened the door, the aunt went back to the palace first. How about leaving the matter here to the minister's nephew to take full control?"

Xiao Zhou Hou took a deep look at Zhou Xuan. Nodding his head, "That's right." I trust Xuan's nephew. ”

Zhou Xuan walked to the gate and said loudly: "Your Royal Highness the Princess." It's me, a foolish brother. Open the door. ”

Xiao Zhou said in his heart: "If you call the door Huzhu like this, it would be strange if you would open the door for you." ”

Really. Princess Qingle said angrily: "What are you doing here, don't open it!" The crying stopped.

Zhou Xuan said: "Princess, you are not a child either. Marriage is a big deal. Even if you want to repent of your marriage, you have to discuss it carefully, think about how to send that prince of the Southern Han Dynasty, what can you solve by locking yourself in the embroidery pavilion!"

Princess Qingle was silent for a while. Asked: "Do you, Cousin Xuan, have a way to repent of your marriage?" Well. You have a way, I heard Eunuch Feng say that your current wife, Imperial Physician Qin, repented of her cousin's marriage to you. ”

Zhou Xuan was embarrassed.

Xiao Zhouhou approached quickly and said in Zhou Xuan's ear: "Nephew Xuan, it's not okay to regret marriage." ”

After a small week, the lip fat is fragrant, and the exhalation is like an orchid. Leaning so close to speak really made Zhou Xuan blush, and he didn't dare to move his head. For fear of accidentally touching Xiao Zhou, he replied in a low voice: "Aunt don't worry." The nephew understood. "Half a step forward. Stay away from Xiao Zhouhou, and raise her voice: "The princess opened the door first." I'll discuss it with you to see if there's any good way, and there must be a way. There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain, right? Closing the door won't solve the problem. ”

After a few moments, the door opened, and Gong E Fangcha walked out. Bow to Xiao Zhou first. Then he said to Zhou: "Your Highness invites the county prince to come in."

Xiao Zhou later saw that Zhou Xuan deceived the door in a few words. There's a way. I don't know how Zhou Xuan lied later. It is not okay for Nanhan not to go, and said: "Huzhu, I'll go back to the palace first." If you have something, just tell your cousin Xuan. Chao Zhou Xuan nodded. Gorgeous palace skirts, paragraphs and gone.

The group of people in Jingxu Palace, Gong'e and Gong'e stood in front of Chu Xiu Pavilion like geese, and Zhou Xuan waved his hand and said, "It's all gone." It is useless to gather here to go to the ministry, and the wind and clouds are eunuchs. Take them away. The princess has me to comfort her. ”

Feng Ah Jian and Yun Ah Jian retreated with people.

Zhou Xuan followed Fangcha into Chuxiu Pavilion. Come to Princess Qingle's bedroom. I saw Princess Qingle reclining on a bamboo couch, with her back to the door, her hair combed into a bunch, tied with a purple ribbon hanging on her shoulders, and she did not make a palace bun or decorate hairpins. The Biluo gauze palace skirt is light and delicate, and the back of the neck is greasy white. Heard Zhou Xuan come in. Nor do you get up. Just like that, the beautiful buttocks are slightly upturned and lying on the side - U Bo 0

Zhou Xuan saw that there was a tea cup in the small case in front of the bed, and the tea soup was light brown. Presumably, this is the "dove" that Princess Qingle used to quench her thirst. Said: "I have stood in the scorching sun for a long time, and my throat is smoky with thirst—" and he took the teacup and was about to drink it.

Fangcha said "ah": "Jungong, this is the teacup of Her Royal Highness the Princess." This tea is poisonous. ”

Zhou Xuan sniffed it and knew that it was mint tea, and smiled secretly in his heart. said: "It's okay, I have an ancestral antidote pill, just drink it to quench my thirst." In one gulp, he drank all the mint water in the teacup and smacked his tongue. Full of surprise.

Princess Qingle couldn't lie down. He turned abruptly and sat up. The green silk is slightly messy. There were tears on his face, and his eyes were staring at Zhou Xuan wide. One hand is crossed on the waist, the other hand is propped up on the bamboo couch, and the legs are together and leaned to one side. The body twisted like that. There is a special kind of charm. He sighed angrily, "Is Cousin Xuan here to see my jokes?"

Zhou Xuan put down the teacup and said strangely: "I'm here to see what kind of joke you have!" I was entrusted by my aunt to comfort the princess. ”

Princess Qingle snorted heavily, and after a while, asked, "Cousin Xuan, is there really a way for me not to marry into the Southern Han Dynasty?"

Zhou Xuan did not answer. But he touched his stomach and said: "I got up early in the morning to play drums and balls, and then went to the Qinhuai River to see the house, but I haven't eaten yet." I'm so hungry, what food does the princess have here to satisfy her hunger?"

Princess Qingle said quietly: "I've been hungry for a day." There's something for you to eat!"

Zhou Xuan's nose twitched. He said, "Hungry polar people have very smart noses, and I seem to smell the smell of scallion pancakes—"

Gong E Fangcha heard the sound of "ah", and her eyes couldn't help but glance somewhere. He quickly withdrew his gaze.

Zhou Xuan smiled slightly, strode to a delicate mahogany cabinet by the north window under the gaze of Princess Qingle and Fang Chadi, opened the cabinet door and held out a round porcelain plate, and said happily: "Haha, there are scallion pancakes and toad cakes." Very good, very good, Jinling snacks I love these two things the most. "Pick up a piece of scallion pancake, stuff it in your mouth, and chew it beautifully.

Fang Cha's eyes widened and said, "Jun Gong, there is only so little left, if you eat Her Royal Highness the Princess, you won't have to eat it." ”

Princess Qingle wanted to laugh and cry. grabbed the small case and smashed the teacup on the ground and smashed it at Zhou Xuan: "You die!"

Zhou Xuan's eyes are fast. grabbed the tea cup, which was practiced when I was a child and played with girls to lose sandbags. Place the tea cup in a mahogany cabinet along with the porcelain plate. "The princess doesn't want to listen to my idea?"

"Don't listen, don't listen. You get me out!" Princess Qingle covered her face with her hands and screamed.

Zhou Xuan said: "Fangcha." You go out for a while. I have important matters to discuss with the princess. ”

Fangcha hesitated, looking at Princess Qingle.

Princess Qingle said: "Fangcha don't pay attention to him. Fangcha is here to stay. Let him go. ”

Zhou Xuanban raised his face and said: "Fangcha, it was the queen mother who asked me to persuade the princess." I'm tantamount to a chincha. You dare to disobey my orders, if the princess has three longs and two shorts, can you bear the responsibility?"

Fangcha panicked and said to Princess Qingle: "Your Highness, Fangcha is waiting outside the door of the dormitory, and Your Highness will call Fangcha if you have something." "I went out with a smoke, and I also covered the door of the dormitory from the outside, anyway, it was not the first time that the prince and the princess were alone together.

Princess Qingle suddenly withdrew her hand covering her face. rushed to Zhou Xuan barefoot and glared at Zhou Xuan. Hate said: "You found out, right?" I'm eating bread, I'm eating cake, and from now on I swear not to eat anything. Until starvation. So, you're satisfied, aren't you?"

Zhou Xuan looked at Princess Qingle beautifully. I definitely haven't slept much all night. The eye circles are a little blue, like haggard makeup in the future, quite touching, sighing. said: "Your Royal Highness the Princess, how can I Zhou Xuan have such a bad heart. Who is willing to let such a beautiful princess marry so far away!"

As soon as she said this, Princess Qingle's shoulders suddenly collapsed, and she looked extremely delicate. Tears in my eyes. Whimpered: "Cousin Xuan, if you have a way, you can help me, I really don't want to marry that prince of the Southern Han Dynasty, as soon as I think of sleeping with a white and fat man, I want to vomit——"

Princess Qingle really said "uh-uh" twice, which was very similar to the pregnancy reaction of the early stage of pregnancy.

Zhou Xuan said: "Don't cry yet, princess, crying makes me feel upset, how can I still think of a way!"

Princess Qingle has a great talent for acting. Immediately put away tears: "I don't cry, what can I do if Cousin Xuan says quickly?"

Zhou Xuan said: "You sit down first-" Seeing Princess Qingle obediently sitting back on the bamboo couch, he continued: "Don't worry. The real wedding will not be officially held until the Southern Han Xing Palace. The princess has a long time to live freely. ”

Princess Qingle frowned and said, "There are still so many of them." As soon as the Mid-Autumn Festival is over, it will depart, and it will take the sea route to Xingwangfu quickly, and it is said that it will not take a month. ”

Zhou Xuan said: "It's only June 27 today, it's still early. ”

Princess Qingle raised her eyebrows: "Cousin Xuan." Do you have a way to do it? Don't lie to me, or I won't spare you!"

Zhou Xuan said: "To be honest, there is no way for the time being, if you are not a princess, it will be easy to do, what elopement, fraud death, there are many ways." But you're a princess, it makes me nerve-wracking_Don't cry, don't cry, I'm not trying to figure it out!"

Princess Qingle cried: "The queen mother said yesterday that she would not let you be the wedding envoy. You're relaxed, aren't you? You want to stabilize me first. Then let me go to Nanhan, right? You know how to deceive!"

Zhou Xuan spread his hands: "Niangniang has taken back yesterday's will, and I am still a wedding envoy." We are grasshoppers on a rope. ”

Princess Qingle was stunned for a moment. pouted and said, "Even if Cousin Xuan is the wedding envoy, it can't be done." I'm not going anyway. ”

Zhou Xuan frowned. said: "Princess, think for yourself. The prince of the Southern Han Dynasty is about to land, and in a hurry I can figure out what to do, and now I need to wait and see what happens. Wait until Prince Liu arrives in Jinling to see his character. Maybe the princess will fall in love with the prince at first sight—"

"You talk nonsense!" Princess Qingle jumped up and rushed in front of Zhou Xuan again. Crisp chest heaving. The angry posture is extremely sultry. "I will never marry a snow pig. I will never marry!"

Zhou Xuan saw that the waves on Princess Qingle's chest were too turbulent. It's a bit overwhelming. He took a step back and said, "Well, don't worry. Wait until Prince Liu comes, if you really hate it. Then don't marry, I promise to find a way for you. ”

Princess Qingle said angrily: "Don't look at it. I just hate it—" Speaking of which. Following Zhou Xuandi's gaze, he looked down at his crisp chest, the summer clothes of the court women of the Tang Kingdom have been in the style of the Tang Dynasty, and the breasts are exposed a lot, and the nephrite jade is warm and fragrant, white and greasy and dazzling.

Princess Qingle was very clear about her beauty, and she was a little proud in her heart, her tone turned soft, and she said with affection: "Cousin Xuan." Or I'll marry you. That way you're going to really think of a way for me, right? There's always something good about doing things. ”

Zhou Xuan sweated, and quickly picked up a fan and fanned it. Said: "Isn't this a deal, how can this work?" Marriage has to be happy with each other. How can I take advantage of others!" And he said modestly, "Princess." Actually, I'm not that good. I'm just—"

"What a love affair!" Princess Qingle interrupted Zhou Xuan's words and said, "I'm about to marry the annoying snow pig, why do I want to be happy." Just so-so and don't go to the Southern Han Dynasty. Cousin Xuan is better than Snow Pig, the lesser of two evils. ”

"Ah, I'm a 'harm'!" Zhou Xuan's eyes widened, and his heart was very hurt.

Princess Qingle knew that she had said the wrong thing again, so she hurriedly said, "I'm sorry." Sorry. Cousin Xuan, I didn't mean that. Cousin Xuan is much stronger than Prince Snow Pig. I don't hate Cousin Xuan at all, it's okay, right?"

Zhou Xuan grinned and said, "I am a horse candidate, very good and powerful, princess, you said that Your Majesty and Niangniang will promise you to marry me?" How can the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty send it?"

Princess Qingle's slender neck was raised: "That's Cousin Xuan's matter, if you want to marry me, you have to find a way." ”

This attitude. Zhou Xuan was unhappy, and said lightly: "I Zhou Xuan can't afford such a big beauty as the princess, and I can't think of a way." ”

Princess Qingle was stunned, feeling good, and the snow-white shell teeth bit her petal-like lips. Tears welled up in his big eyes. waved his hand at Zhou Xuan and scolded: "You are going to die!" You die! After talking about it for so long, it turns out that you are playing tricks on me!"

Zhou Xuan grabbed Princess Qingle's wrist. "I just really want to help the princess," he said. and unselfish, if you show your mouth. Let Your Majesty and Niangniang know what you want to marry me, then you will definitely marry the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty. And I can't be a wedding messenger. I can't help you if I want to. ”

Princess Qingle calmed down, withdrew her hand, stroked the wrist that was scratched by Zhou Xuan, glanced at Zhou Xuan with big eyes, and asked, "So Cousin Xuan will help me secretly." How can I help?"

Zhou Xuan said: "Only take one step at a time to see one step." Let's wait for the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty to come. See who it is? Nanhan may still have to go, otherwise Your Majesty and Niangniang will not be able to pass this pass - don't be angry, let me finish speaking, I promise you. If you don't want to stay in Nanhan. I will definitely bring you back, and we will go back to Jinling together, and we will definitely find a sufficient reason when the time comes. ”

Princess Qingle was suspicious: "When I get to the Southern Han Dynasty, you still have to take me back?"

Zhou Xuan said: "That's my business, if you believe me, just do it, and don't believe me." Then you figure it out yourself, I'm gone. ”

"Don't go, don't go." Princess Qingle hurriedly grabbed Zhou Xuandi's sleeve and saw Zhou Xuan standing. before letting go. After a while, Fang said, "Cousin Xuan, thank you." ”

Zhou Xuan laughed: "Thank you, it's also a blessing to be able to look at the princess a few more times." Isn't it okay to marry into the Southern Han Dynasty? This is the selfishness of a foolish brother!"

Princess Qingle was laughed at by Zhou Xuan. glanced at Zhou Xuan coquettishly. "That's good." I listened to my cousin, and I lived quietly during this time. If you want to send me to Nanhan, I'll go, if - I won't say it, Cousin Xuan knows what I will do. ”

Zhou Xuanxin said: "I understand. If I don't bring you back, you'd rather die, right? It's terrible. What kind of thing is this, sending her thousands of miles and bringing her back, why not solve the Snow Pig Prince now? It's going to have to be figured out. He nodded, "I understand." Rest assured, princess. Come with me to see my mother now. lest thy queen mother be anxious about thee. ”

Princess Qingle said obediently: "Okay, Cousin Xuan, wait a minute, I'll make up - Fang Cha -

Fang Cha was listening outside, and hurriedly pushed the door in: "What does Your Highness command?"

Princess Qingle said: "Quickly pass on the cloud eunuch to dress up for me, and I will go to see the queen mother." ”

Fang Cha trotted away. Not for a while. led Yun Ajian and two other palace ladies to arrive.

Yun Ah Jian gave gifts to Princess Qingle and Zhou Xuan respectively. Then I asked the princess to move to the makeup room to dress up.

Zhou Xuan said: "Princess." I'll be waiting for you outside the Chuxiu Pavilion. With that, he walked out.

Feng Ah Jian and a few palace ladies were waiting outside for news. Meet Zhou Xuan. Hurriedly greeted him and asked, "County Prince, how is Her Royal Highness the Princess?" The mother asked me to inquire. ”

Zhou Xuan smiled: "The princess has changed her mind and is dressing up." Come with me to the Queen Mother later. ”

Feng Ah Jian also glanced at Zhou Xuan deeply like Xiao Zhouhou, and said, "That's good, from yesterday afternoon to now." Jingxu Palace was not at peace. ”

Zhou Xuan asked: "The princess married the Southern Han Dynasty." Is Eunuch Feng going with you too?"

Feng Ah Jian sighed slightly: "That's nature. There are nearly 200 eunuchs, internal legends, and palace ladies in Jingxu Palace. Most of them are going to go to the Southern Han Land with the marriage, and the sewing needle is to give birth in late August. I'm afraid I won't be able to see Xiao Zhiruo. ”

Zhou Xuan smiled: "Eunuch Feng doesn't have to be sad. Xiao Zhiruo is indispensable to you, a stepmother, to love her. ”

Feng Ah Jian smiled and said nothing more.

Zhou Xuan waited for half an hour before he saw Princess Qingle wearing a gorgeous Shu brocade long skirt with a flowing skirt. Stacked treasure bun, golden step shake, jade hairpin. Bao Chai Hua Tian. Picturesque. He smiled closely, and his voice was like a yellow warbler: "Let Cousin Xuan wait for a long time, Hu Zhu will follow Cousin Xuan to ask the queen mother for guilt." ”

Two canopyed, wallless carriages drove over, Zhou Xuan and Princess Qingle each took one, and the rest of the eunuchs, Neichuan, and Gong'e followed on foot. Go to the Lin De Hall of Daxing Palace.

Xiao Zhou later saw Princess Qingle coming in makeup, smiling and smiling, and couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised. But he was full of doubts and asked Zhou Xuan and Princess Qingle to sit down. asked Princess Qingle a few words.

Princess Qingle first pleaded guilty to her mother. I beg your pardon. Then answer the queen's questions gracefully and decently. This royal princess is pretending to be elegant, and it is really both physical and spiritual.

Xiao Zhouhou didn't understand what method Zhou Xuan used to make Princess Qingle so well-behaved and obedient. Then he said, "Zhu'er must be hungry." Let the imperial dining room send a bowl of white fungus lotus seeds. Then he ordered the eunuch to take the princess to the side hall.

Princess Qingle said: "Queen Mother." Let Cousin Xuan go with him. Cousin Xuan hasn't eaten either. ”

Xiao Zhouhou saw that her daughter cared about Zhou Xuan so much, and her smile was a little stiff. said: "You go first, I still have something to ask your cousin Xuan." ”

After Princess Qingle left. Xiao Zhouhou asked the inner rumors and Gong'e around him to retreat outside the hall, and there were only two people in the huge land Linde Palace, Xiao Zhouhou and Zhou Xuan.

Xiao Zhou did not speak. Zhou Xuan didn't dare to open his mouth, and watched the light spots on the glazed tiles in the afternoon slowly move on the ground paved with Quyang stone.

"Nephew Xuan-" Xiao Zhou was silent for a long time, and finally spoke: "How did you persuade the princess to change her mind?"

Zhou Xuan said: "Back to my aunt's words." Chen's nephew said that there were benefits and harms, and persuaded the princess for a long time. In the end, he used a delaying tactic, saying that when the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty came, let the princess take a look. Maybe the princess will like the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty—"

"Nephew Xuan," Xiao Zhouhou interrupted Zhou Xuandi, "Tell the truth to my aunt." My aunt won't offend you. ”

Zhou Xuan knew that Xiao Zhouhou was not so easy to deceive. I couldn't hide it, so I immediately told the truth and told everything I had done before. only hid the princess's words that she said she would marry him.

Xiao Zhouhou shook his head and smiled helplessly: "Nephew Xuan really plans to send Hu Zhu to the Southern Han and bring her back?"

Zhou Xuan said: "Sea navigation. The princess and the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty will have a chance to get along and get across. If the princess really dislikes the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty, the nephew really wants to bring the princess back. Otherwise, it would be too unfair to the princess. An unhappy marriage is bitter for a lifetime. ”

Xiao Zhouhou nodded silently, was distracted for a while, and suddenly asked, "Does Nephew Xuan like Huzhu?"

Zhou Xuan knew that Xiao Zhou would ask such a question in the future. He replied: "The nephew has only family affection for the princess. Willing to love her like a brother. ”

Xiao Zhouhou smiled slightly and said: "I hope that Nephew Xuan will remember what he said just now, you must know that marrying with the Southern Han Dynasty is a national event, if the princess goes to the Southern Han Dynasty and comes back, then why go?"

Zhou Xuan said: "Then simply don't go." Let the prince of the Southern Han Dynasty return to his Xingwang Mansion by the same route. ”

Xiao Zhouhou smiled and said, "Is Nephew Xuan so childish when he speaks!" Tang Guo's current situation is the clearest. Doesn't my aunt cherish Huzhu? This is also helpless, the border is surrounded by strong enemies, and my aunt often has nightmares, dreaming that Zhao Guangyi raised troops to Jinling and took me and His Majesty captive——"

Zhou Xuanxin said: "This is all a real thing that happened in the history of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Guangyi was also raped - and now. All those real tragedies became a nightmare. My aunt was lucky. said: "The nephew understands that the nephew will not let the Tang Kingdom fall into a predicament." The ministers and nephews will find a way to bring the princess back, and they will not let the Southern Han Dynasty and the Tang Kingdom become hostile. ”

Xiao Zhouhou nodded approvingly: "That's the best." Xuan's nephew has worked hard. Let's go drink a bowl of lotus seeds. ”

Princess Qingle walked over, and the two eunuchs in the imperial dining room held two bowls of white fungus lotus seeds on wooden plates, and Princess Qingle said, "Queen Mother." Erchen has eaten it. These two bowls belong to the queen mother and cousin Xuan. ”

Xiao Zhouhou smiled and took a bowl of lotus seeds, and motioned for Zhou Xuan to eat it too.

Eat. Princess Qingle said: "Queen Mother." Tomorrow, let Cousin Xuan continue to paint portraits of his sons, right?"

Xiao Zhou glanced at Zhou Xuan. said: "Just paint three portraits of formal wear, the kind of dress from yesterday - since Zhu'er likes it, then paint it, and you can't paint it anywhere else." ”

Xiao Zhou Hou means that the miniskirt is just a painting, and the naked must not be painted.

Xiao Zhou later said: "In the future, I will paint in the study of Calyx Xianghui Building, and my nephew will come every morning, and I will paint a portrait of the princess from morning to noon." ”

Xiao Zhouhou is afraid that this pair of cousins and sisters will be lonely and widowed, naked, dry firewood, and I will do something, and it will be out of control. So precaution comes first.

Zhou Xuan's old face was slightly red, but he only said yes.