novelaction Chapter 152 Doubts abound
Chapter 152 Doubts abound
When Yu Qingli returned to the side hall, Liu Manwu had already returned. It was said that she was sent back by the Crown Prince and Prince Yan. Seeing the smug look on Liu Manwu's face, Yu Qingli felt a bit of sympathy for her. She was so happy just because these royal family members were in a good mood and she even thought that they looked upon her with favor. This Liu Manwu was really naive.
The prince did not stay for long. Although he wanted to talk to Liu Jinghong alone, he was hindered by the fact that there were so many people in the palace and they were all gossipy. Moreover, he didn't know how many eyes were watching him every day. Even for Liu Jinghong's safety, he didn't dare to make any obvious moves.
Seeing Yu Qingli's dazed look, Liu Jinghong felt a little guilty, thinking that she was tired from searching for Liu Manwu. He couldn't help but step forward and said with concern: "Liuli, go to bed early today. Don't think about anything. Prepare well for tomorrow's program. We'll talk about everything after we leave the palace."
Yu Qingli raised her eyes, seeing the concern in Liu Jinghong's eyes, and nodded. She was right. She came here for revenge. How could she be so defeated just because of a single encounter? Besides, everything had just begun.
Even though she still felt heartbroken that the man she once loved so much had never cared about her, it also made her even more angry. Love turned into hate, and this hatred reached its extreme.
Yu Qingli returned to her room early, claiming to be unwell. Although she had changed her pipa, Liusu was still holding the broken pipa in her arms, feeling very sad. After all, it was her mother's relic.
Lying on the bed, Yu Qingli fell into a dream in a daze.
As the lights came on, the palace was brightly lit everywhere. The shining lanterns swayed in the autumn wind, making people's hearts feel confused.
In the Chaofeng Palace, flowers are in full bloom and lights are on everywhere. The magnificent palace shows its grandeur. A woman, wearing an elegant gold-thread peony pleated skirt, sits in the palace with a graceful posture. Fresh grapes are placed in the fruit plate next to her. The palace maid next to her carefully peels and removes the seeds, and respectfully places them on the small plate in front of the woman.
This is the current queen, Li Baiyin. Of course, she has another identity, that is, Murong Feng’s mother and Yu Qingli’s aunt.
At this time, Nanny Li was standing respectfully aside, with her head lowered and her eyes submissive, like a tamed old dog, who was only about to kneel down to lick her master's heels.
Queen Li reached out and picked up a grape, put it into her mouth, and instantly her face wrinkled. The maid next to her hurriedly came forward with an empty bowl to serve her, and Queen Li then spat out the grape.
A pair of beautiful eyes glared at her, and the maids quickly knelt on the ground. "What is this? It's sour and astringent. Is it for human consumption? I heard that this year's grapes are big and sweet. Are you trying to fool me?"
"I don't dare, I don't dare! I don't dare!"
The maids begged for mercy repeatedly, but Queen Li snorted coldly, "Don't dare! I think you dare to do it! What's the matter? Do you think I have no status in this harem now?"
Queen Li became angrier and angrier as she spoke. She reached out and knocked the fruit plate to the ground, and the grapes fell all over the floor.
Faced with the queen's anger, the poor little palace maids dared not breathe a word and waited for the storm to pass.
Still feeling unsatisfied, Empress Li looked at the smashed grapes on the ground and ordered the palace maids, "Eat! Eat these grapes for me!"
Who dared to disobey the Queen's command?! Wouldn't that be like throwing your life away? Several palace maids trembled as they stepped forward, frowning as they placed the grapes, skin and seeds included, into their mouths and ate them whole.
Compared to losing one's life, this small punishment is much better.
Nanny Li was too afraid to breathe, and she even hesitated whether to tell the Queen today about what had happened in the Prince's Eastern Palace. Looking at the Queen's expression, she wondered what had happened to her today.
"The eldest prince has arrived..."
The announcement from outside the palace made everyone feel a little relieved. The eldest prince had arrived, and they were saved.
Sure enough, not long after, Murong Feng entered the Chaofeng Palace with a warm smile on his face. Seeing the palace maids and eunuchs kneeling on the ground, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you so angry about, mother? Are you angry that your son didn't come to pay his respects today?"
Faced with that face as gentle as the spring breeze, Queen Li's anger subsided a lot, but she was still unwilling to speak.
Murong Feng waved his sleeves and shouted to the palace servants, "You ignorant servants, have you done anything to anger our mother again? Get out of here!"
The palace maids quickly retreated, and only Nanny Li remained standing in the hall. Nanny Li was the eldest prince's wet nurse, so her status was naturally slightly different.
Murong Feng had an excellent reputation in the palace. He never beat or scolded his servants at will. He was kind and had no airs. When His Majesty deposed him from the position of Crown Prince, everyone in the palace was shocked and found it a little unbelievable.
But this is your Majesty's decision, and even if you find it strange, you can't change anything.
After everyone had left, a hint of impatience flashed across Murong Feng's eyes, and then he smiled again, "What's wrong with Mother today?"
Empress Li's eyes were filled with resentment, and she snorted coldly, "It's all that bitch, Concubine Lin. Your Majesty was already on his way to this palace today, but she actually had the eunuchs stop him halfway, saying that her uncle had sent two pots of very rare cosmos flowers and invited Your Majesty to enjoy them together."
"It turns out to be such a trivial matter. Mother, there's no need to be angry about it. It would be a waste of time to hurt the Phoenix's body."
"A small matter?! How can this be a small matter?! Feng'er, you don't know, ever since your crown prince position was replaced by that Murong Cheng, this woman has been suppressing me in every way. I really don't know what she's so proud of. After all, she's just Murong Cheng's adoptive mother. She's been in the palace for so many years but has no children. What good is it even if she's showered with honors?"
Murong Feng's smile did not diminish. "Mother, what you said is absolutely right. Since you understand this principle, why should you get angry with such a person?"
"I just can't accept it!"
As Queen Li spoke, she clenched her fists and dug her slender fingertips into the flesh, but she seemed to feel no pain.
The words of persuasion were on the tip of her tongue, but she didn't know how to start. Aren't all the women in the harem like this? Even if she said it, it probably wouldn't be taken to heart. Why bother asking for trouble?
Empress Li suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, Feng'er, you came here today. Is there something going on?"
"It's not a big deal, but today a woman from outside the palace suddenly broke into my palace."
Queen Li raised her eyebrows, turned to look at Murong Feng, and waited for him to continue.
"With the Emperor's birthday banquet approaching, some dancers from outside the palace are staying in the side halls. This is understandable, but I don't know why this dancer ended up in the Son Minister's Hall. And judging by the way she left, she seemed very familiar with this palace."
"How could such a thing happen?!" Queen Li was shocked. Could it be that someone was monitoring Murong Feng?
Murong Feng was quite calm. "Don't panic, Queen Mother. Perhaps I am overthinking things, but what I care about is that this dancer was hired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
When Murong Feng said this, he carefully observed the Queen's expression. Seeing that she looked serious, it was obvious that she was very concerned about this matter.
"Your Highness, may I have a word?"
Nanny Li, who was serving beside her, suddenly spoke up. The Queen glanced at her and said, "Go ahead."
"Actually, I also encountered a strange woman outside the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace today. At first, I thought she was a palace maid from nowhere who didn't know the rules and wasn't wearing palace attire. While I was giving her a lesson, the Crown Prince and Prince Yan arrived. The woman seemed to know the Crown Prince and said she was from the Jinghong Music House and asked the Crown Prince to save her. As a result, not only the Crown Prince, but even Prince Yan came forward to save the woman and even gave me a lecture."
The Queen fell into deep thought. What did this mean? Was the Crown Prince beginning to worry about Feng'er? Or had their secret plans been discovered?
On second thought, that's not right. If the prince had discovered their plan, he would naturally not have concealed it so much and would have reported it directly to the emperor. Then there was only one possibility, that the prince originally wanted to plant a spy next to Feng'er.
"Feng'er, be careful these days. Don't mess with women you don't know."
She knew her own son best. Although he appeared elegant and gentle on the surface, he was just like his emperor father at heart: just as ruthless and merciless, and just as easily bored with the old and easily fooled.
"Don't worry, mother. I know I will never fall for anyone else's schemes."
"Speaking of which, I forgot to ask you about this for a while. Seeing that you are not young anymore, the Emperor discussed with me a while ago whether to arrange a marriage for you. This also relieved one of my worries."
Murong Feng's eyes were firm, "In fact, I already have a suitable candidate in mind."
Queen Li raised her eyes and said, "Oh, Feng'er, which daughter do you like?"
"It's the young lady of the Yu Mansion!"
"Which Miss Yu?"
"Yu Qingli!"
Empress Li was stunned and murmured, "My sister's daughter? My sister's life was quite unfortunate. She passed away without even seeing her daughter's marriage. Speaking of which, I haven't seen that child in many years. I don't know how she is doing."
"I did meet her two years ago. This time, I feel even more strongly that she is well-educated, polite, gentle and humble. Coupled with her intelligence and talent, she is truly a rare and wonderful woman."
"From Feng'er's tone, it seems he likes this woman very much?"
Murong Feng smiled and said, "Of course. Mother, don't you think that if a woman like this becomes my concubine, it will definitely be beneficial to my future?"
Seeing the calculation in Murong Feng's eyes, Queen Li was very satisfied. It seemed that her son did not lose heart because of a small setback. The current situation was not the final situation. As long as Murong Cheng had not ascended the throne, Murong Feng would have a chance!
Moreover, Yu Zhengsha's power in the court is indeed very strong. If you become his father-in-law and son-in-law, the benefits you will get are naturally obvious.