readytorunbook Chapter 194 Ignoring the Emperor
Chapter 194 Ignoring the Emperor
Inside Feixue Palace, Chu Qingyin sat on her bedchamber, her mind in turmoil.
She knew, of course, that being tied to Lu Zhiheng was a dangerous gamble.
But once it has begun, there is no turning back.
Seeing her solemn expression, Xianglan asked softly, "Your Highness, you and Lord Lu..."
Chu Qingyin raised her hand: "Don't ask any more questions, just do your own thing."
She was willing to believe Xianglan, but if she betrayed her, she would not let her off easily!
"Yes, this servant knows her mistake."
Xianglan hurriedly knelt on the ground; what had happened tonight was truly beyond her capacity to accept.
She had no idea that her mistress had any connection with that Grand Secretary.
Although she was left to keep watch nearby and couldn't hear their conversation clearly, she could vaguely make out that they were talking about the Empress's illness.
Wasn't Her Majesty the one who disliked Lord Lu the most? How could this be...?
"Xianglan".
"This servant is here." She knelt on the ground, bowing, and sensed that her mistress seemed to be different.
Chu Qingyin lowered her eyes and slowly looked at her, "I don't want to hear a third person mention what happened today with Lord Lu."
The candlelight flickered inside the hall, and all was silent.
"This servant understands. Even if this servant had the greatest courage in the world, I would not dare to reveal the slightest bit of this matter!"
Xianglan spoke hurriedly, her forehead pressed against the ground, her voice filled with fear and determination.
Chu Qingyin stared at her for a long time before slowly saying, "Get up."
Her tone was calm and composed, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
Xianglan stood up, head bowed, barely daring to breathe.
Chu Qingyin sighed softly, looking at the girl who had grown up with the original owner of this body, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
The person she spent every day with suddenly changed his personality, and after entering the palace, she was deeply favored by the emperor. Everyone said that she was possessed by the spirit of the former imperial concubine. This young girl must have had doubts in her heart.
Now that things have come to this, further concealment would only make things worse.
"I know you have doubts in your heart about why my temperament has changed so much and is so different from your young lady."
She was referring to your young lady, not to me, your young lady.
Upon hearing this, Xianglan's face turned deathly pale.
She looked up at the slender, beautiful figure beside the bed and suddenly felt that the person in front of her was terrifyingly unfamiliar.
"Your Majesty...you..."
A tear fell, and the young girl's voice trembled as if she were looking through her to someone else.
"The rumors circulating outside aren't unfounded. Your daughter already..."
Chu Qingyin's eyes flickered as she looked at the maid who had served her for so long, but she ultimately didn't utter those two words.
"Don't worry, I did take your girl's body after all, I will avenge her."
Xianglan's lips trembled, but she didn't know what to say.
For many years, she had been by the eldest daughter's side day and night. After the eldest daughter fell into the water, her personality changed drastically, and she naturally had some doubts in her heart.
No wonder.
No wonder the girl who was usually terrified of cats suddenly started liking them.
No wonder the young lady, who was clearly deeply in love with that young master Lin before, suddenly stopped loving him.
It turns out it was because of her girl...
He's long gone...
But she was just a young girl, and there was very little she could do. Even if she noticed something, it would be of no use.
She was filled with grief, and a faint sob was escaping her throat.
Chu Qingyin didn't interrupt her, but remained silent, giving her some time to process the fact.
After a long while, Xianglan wiped away her tears and knelt down again with a thud: "Your Majesty, my life was given to me by the eldest young lady. If you can avenge her, I will do anything for you, even risk my life!"
"Get up," Chu Qingyin said softly.
She never expected Xianglan to react this way upon hearing such a shocking story.
However, this also proves that this girl is indeed capable of handling important tasks.
Xianglan hesitated for a moment, but still mustered her courage and asked, "Your Majesty, what exactly is Lord Lu's purpose? As the Grand Secretary, he holds a high position and wields great power. Why would he get involved in this palace intrigue?"
Chu Qingyin gazed at the dark night outside the window, her voice sounding somewhat ethereal.
"There are some things you don't need to know too much about. Just do your own thing, keep your mouth shut, and don't give anyone a handle to use against you."
Xianglan pursed her lips, quickly regaining her composure, and replied, "Yes."
She knew that the Empress's actions must have a deeper meaning, so she didn't ask any more questions.
As long as it can avenge her eldest daughter, what does it matter if it's like asking a tiger for its skin?
Chu Qingyin rubbed her temples, feeling a bit annoyed as she recalled what Lu Zhiheng had said earlier that day.
"Xianglan, go and find out tomorrow what kind of reaction the sorceress's incident caused in the palace, especially the attitudes of the other concubines."
Chu Qingyin always felt that her death in her previous life might not have been caused by Empress Wang alone.
In her past life, she was the only one favored by the emperor, and with the support of the Duke's mansion and her brother who was a great general, there were countless people she hated in the palace. Empress Wang might not take action herself.
But one thing is certain: Empress Wang's involvement must be involved.
The matter of the sorceress has caused quite a stir, which may lead to some clues hidden in the shadows.
"Yes, ma'am."
Xianglan agreed and thoughtfully poured Chu Qingyin a cup of tea. Her eyes were red, but she had calmed down.
Chu Qingyin took the teacup, took a small sip, and the warm tea flowed down her throat, but it failed to dispel the gloom in her heart.
"If there's no movement, go and add fuel to the fire."
She stared at the teacup in her hand, her eyes narrowing: "Now that things have come to this, it's not good to let Lord Lu's plans fail."
Xianglan responded with a "yes," then bowed and withdrew.
As night deepened, Chu Qingyin gazed at the shadowy branches outside the window, feeling as if those branches were the claws of a demon, ready to reach into the window at any moment in the silent night, seize her throat, and drag her into an abyss of no return.
If she still can't get Empress Wang to confess this time, what should she do?
Well, let's just take it one step at a time.
**
The next day, Xianglan took a stroll around the palace early in the morning before returning.
Perhaps because Pei Yuanling had ordered that no one should discuss the matter, no rumors or gossip spread in the palace.
Upon learning this result, Chu Qingyin was not surprised.
She gently stroked the little snowball in her arms and murmured, "His Majesty still cherishes old feelings after all."
Xianglan, standing by with a grave expression, asked, "Your Highness, what should we do now?"
"Go and summon Kang Luhai," Chu Qingyin said. "I have something to instruct you on."
"Yes."
Before long, Kang Luhai hurriedly arrived inside the hall.
Chu Qingyin simply gave the instructions.
Although Kang Luhai had some doubts, he didn't ask any more questions and accepted the order to leave.
A few days later, the Empress's health did not improve; in fact, it worsened.
Pei Yuanling was preoccupied with matters of the previous dynasty and had not visited the inner palace for many days.
The rumors of a haunted side hall in the Cold Palace spread like wildfire, frightening several palace maids in just a few days. The truth could not be hidden forever.
Rumors are circulating that the late Consort Gui died unjustly and her restless spirit is causing unrest in the palace.
Chu Qingyin remained indifferent to these rumors, content to stay in Feixue Palace, playing with cats and admiring flowers.
That day, as usual, she was playing with the cat in the flower-filled courtyard.
Suddenly, a glimpse of a dark-colored hem came into view out of the corner of my eye.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she did not get up. She simply fed the cat in her arms without making a sound.
Just as a large, well-defined hand rested on his shoulder, a deep voice rang out from behind him: "Yinyin seems to be living a carefree life. How could she bear to ignore me all this time?"