Chapter 294: Another Hidden Story (2)

Qingfeng chose to trust her, and because of this, Qingfeng was even more puzzled. She asked in a low voice, "Since you don't count on this child to escape your current predicament, why risk keeping it?" She had made such a big scene to let everyone know she was pregnant, all to use this child as a life-saving talisman. Since Zhen Zhen was also pregnant, why didn't she say so then? If someone wanted to kill her now, it would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

"I want... to bear a child for him, not to vie for power or profit, just a child for the two of us, to continue our bloodline." As she spoke, Zhen Zhen gently stroked her high, protruding belly. The trace of a warm smile on the corner of her mouth seemed incomparably stinging to Qingfeng. Continuing the bloodline? Qingfeng gave a disdainful, light snort: "Witchcraft is nonsense to begin with. He didn't even investigate before casting you into the Cold Palace, and afterwards, he didn't even ask about you. Is such a person worth bearing children for?" That day in the main hall, she only felt her heart turn cold!

Compared to Qingfeng's sharp words, Zhen Zhen only smiled faintly. "Qingfeng, you don't understand this inner palace, you don't understand him, and you don't understand love." So she too had once hated him and resented her, but after staying in this cold, lonely inner palace for so many days, she had thought a lot, and slowly, she seemed to understand a little.

What did she mean by that? Qingfeng didn't understand for a moment, and the person before her suddenly lowered her body, kneeling in front of her.

"Qingfeng, please do not tell anyone about today's matter. Zhen Zhen begs you!"

Qingfeng was slightly startled and took a step back. This proud woman was actually kneeling heavily on the ground to beg her?

"Mistress!" Wu'er was already sobbing uncontrollably, feeling heartbroken, aggrieved, and resentful for her mistress, yet she was helpless.

Quietly watching the woman on the ground who looked so humble yet so noble, Qingfeng raised her hand and slowly stroked her own lower abdomen. In the end, she neither said she agreed nor disagreed, and turned to leave the Cold Palace in silent acquiescence.

After leaving the Cold Palace, Qingfeng remained silent the whole way. The moon seemed covered by mist and clouds, and the palace path, shaded by green trees, was pitch black. Fuling carefully supported her, not daring to make a sound. For her, having entered the palace ten years ago, tonight's events were shocking; her mistress, who had been in the palace for only half a year, probably hadn't recovered yet.

"Fuling." A slightly heavy voice suddenly rang out. Fuling gave a soft response, but there was no movement for a long time. It was truly too dark to see anything, and Fuling naturally had no way of knowing Qingfeng's expression.

"We have been played for fools all along." The increasingly low voice sounded without much intimidation, but Fuling's heart sank, only because the hand she was holding while supporting her was being gripped until it hurt. Fuling could only remain silent, not knowing how to answer.

Xin, Yue, Ning! You are already the mother of the nation, and your son is the Crown Prince; what more do you want? Do you really like fighting this much? Qingfeng gritted her teeth in secret. She was determined to protect Zhen Zhen's child. Even if she couldn't defeat Xin Yuening in the end, she would leave her a huge problem!

Qingfeng knew deep down that the road ahead was just like this dim, lightless palace path. She didn't know what lay ahead, nor what else was waiting for her. Like Zhen Zhen, she had no choice but to keep walking.

Zhengyang Palace

Xiao Yu carried the freshly brewed Red Artemisia Tea, followed by two Gongnu carrying several exquisite tea snacks. It was early autumn, and fearing the tea in her hands would go cold, the three walked hurriedly toward the Imperial Study.

"It's so late, and you're still sending tea in?"

Xiao Yu was slightly stunned. Her feet faltered and she looked back to see Qingfeng walking slowly from the palace gate. Her face carried a faint smile, but Xiao Yu didn't feel a shred of warmth; the cold, congealed air around her was colder than the early autumn night wind.

Why was she here? Qingfeng had never taken the initiative to come to Zhengyang Palace to find the Emperor, let alone come in person in the middle of the night. Xiao Yu couldn't guess Qingfeng's intentions. She lowered her gaze, bowed slightly, and saluted: "Greetings, Consort Qing."

"Rise." Qingfeng's gaze swept over the trays in their hands; besides a pot of good tea, there was plenty of food. Xiao Yu explained in a low voice: "The celebration is approaching, and there are many affairs. The Emperor has been resting after the third watch these days, so tea and pastries are needed."

Qingfeng looked up. The study was brightly lit, and the doors were wide open. Yan Hongtian sat upright behind the desk, and stacks of bright yellow memorials occupied half of it. He held a brush in his hand, writing something on the memorials from time to time. From beginning to end, his brows were furrowed. Although he sat in a high position with a straight posture, his whole body exuded exhaustion. Even so, his majesty remained intimidating.

Staring at the man not far away, Qingfeng seemed to wake up all at once. Many things had happened tonight. Zhen Zhen made her suspicious and shocked. Before she had decided what to do, her feet seemed to have their own agenda in walking here. In fact, her coming here was useless. Much of what Zhen Zhen said might not be credible, but one thing was right: she didn't understand Yan Hongtian, not at all.

Qingfeng's expression flickered. Xiao Yu observed her secretly. She didn't want to speak, but if the tea in her hands wasn't delivered soon, it would go cold. After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Yu asked softly: "Does the mistress need this servant to announce..."

"No need, don't disturb the Emperor in handling state affairs." Qingfeng withdrew her gaze and waved her hand slightly. Leaving behind this sentence, as suddenly as she had arrived, she turned and left. Before Xiao Yu could react, Qingfeng had already exited Zhengyang Palace.

Xiao Yu carried the hot tea and placed it gently on the small table beside the desk. Her eyes swept over the desk, where dozens of memorials were still piled up. It seemed the Emperor wouldn't be able to rest by the third watch tonight. Placing the tea snacks within Yan Hongtian's reach, Xiao Yu stepped back twice but didn't leave. When Yan Hongtian paused to drink tea, Xiao Yu said softly: "Your Majesty, Consort Qing was just here. Seeing you were handling state affairs, she left."

Yan Hongtian held the teacup, his eyes still fixed on the memorials. He didn't even lift his eyelids as he replied: "Withdraw. You don't need to serve here."

"Yes."

Coming out of the study, Xiao Yu dismissed the Gongnu beside her and walked back slowly. Reaching the long stone steps connecting the Imperial Study and the Sleeping Quarters, Xiao Yu sat down, rested her chin on her hands, and stared blankly at the moon, which was mostly covered by clouds.

Xiao Yu was the Emperor's close Female Official; even sitting on the stone steps late at night, no one dared to say anything to her. The night-watch soldiers only dared to glance at her secretly as they passed by before hurrying away.

"Does Attendant Xiao have the leisure to admire the moon so late?"

Xiao Yu knew who it was without looking up; only he would speak to her in such a teasing tone within Zhengyang Palace. With the celebration approaching, Ming Jian often appeared in the palace. Someone who usually wouldn't show his face for ten days or half a month could now be seen loitering before her eyes every day. Xiao Yu slanted a glance at him and continued to look up at the sky, not wanting to bother with him.

Thinking he would leave after finding himself unwelcome, she didn't expect Ming Jian to sit down beside her. "What are you thinking about so intently?"

"Thinking about some things that seem very clear but are actually quite absurd." Her cold voice carried a touch of disdain and resentment. Ming Jian was startled and laughed: "What matter has annoyed the always magnanimous Attendant Xiao?"

Xiao Yu ignored him, her beautiful brows slightly knitted. Seeing her appearance, she seemed to have something on her mind. Ming Jian asked seriously: "Are you really that troubled?"

Xiao Yu shook her head. "I was just thinking, who is the next Consort Qing."

Qingfeng? He knew Qingfeng had been here tonight and left shortly after. What could she have said to Xiao Yu to make Xiao Yu, who never cared for the inner palace concubines, worry for her? Ming Jian asked tentatively with a smile: "Consort Qing has quite the charm, even you are concerned about her."

First it was Consort Shu, then Consort Hui; the next should be this Consort Qing, right? Xiao Yu sighed in a low voice: "Are all beauties destined for a short life?" Then what was her own fate? When she reached the age, she only had two paths. If the Emperor took a fancy to her and kept her by his side, bestowing a title like Noble Lady or Beauty, she would grow old and die in the palace. If she were luckier, the Emperor would arrange a marriage for her. At her age and status, being a primary wife was impossible; a concubine, perhaps. In fact, the biggest difference between the two paths was just the size of the cage that imprisoned her. She hated this feeling.

The lingering sorrow in Xiao Yu's bright eyes made Ming Jian's heart ripple. He raised his hand toward her shoulder but hesitated to let it fall. A report suddenly sounded from behind: "Commander, General Su requests an audience with the Emperor late at night."

Ming Jian hurriedly withdrew his hand. It was past the third watch; for General Su to enter the palace in person late at night, it must be a major matter. Ming Jian didn't dare to delay and immediately stood up to reply: "Lead the General to the side hall of the Imperial Study to wait."

"Yes." The guard took the order and trotted away. Ming Jian thought of Xiao Yu behind him and wanted to turn back to tell her, but discovered Xiao Yu had already stood up and left. Ming Jian sighed low and turned to head straight for the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, General Su requests an audience."

The hand holding the brush paused. He looked up toward the outside of the room; the night was deep. Yan Hongtian asked in a low voice: "What time is it?"

"Past the Xu hour."

"Summon him." With Su Ling requesting an audience late at night, Yan Hongtian vaguely felt this matter should be related to the Golden Case.

Before long, Su Ling, dressed in dark green casual clothes, walked over with a booklet in his hand. Before he could salute, Yan Hongtian waved his hand to signal he need not be overly formal. "What matter is so urgent?"

"It is indeed very tricky." Su Ling didn't say much and handed over the booklet in his hand.

Flipping through the not-so-thin booklet, after reading only a few pages, Yan Hongtian's black eyes narrowed slightly. He read in a low voice: "Colluding with rebels, stealing from the national treasury, intending to rebel. Indeed tricky; every charge is a capital crime."

Su Ling could feel Yan Hongtian's anger. He said in a deep voice: "When Su Ren caught the rebels, he had already interrogated them once. At the time, they said they colluded with the Minister of Revenue who opened the treasury that year, and even signed and pressed their fingerprints. Who knew that upon returning to the Ministry of Justice, they would insist it was instigated by the Prime Minister and his son."

*Slap! * With a sound, the booklet was thrown onto the desk. The corners of Yan Hongtian's mouth curled up, forming a faint, elusive smile. "I didn't expect that not only did you help me retrieve the Golden, but you also brought back such an interesting matter."

Although Yan Hongtian said it was interesting, the few people present didn't feel it was interesting at all. In those slightly narrowed black eyes, killing intent was fully revealed. Fortunately, it was only for an instant before returning to calm. "Gao Jin, summon Dan Yulan to the palace."

"Yes."

Picking up the booklet again to flip through it, after finishing the last page, Yan Hongtian suddenly said: "The matter of rebellion is of great importance and cannot be treated as child's play. When Minister Dan arrives in a moment, you all discuss it. Tomorrow, first take those 'intending to rebel' into custody."

"Tomorrow?" Tomorrow was the day Lou Xiyan was getting married?! Su Ling frowned: "Does this matter not need to be discussed with the Prime Minister?"

Yan Hongtian leaned comfortably against the cushion behind him and laughed: "General Su underestimates the Prime Minister. He has always been a master of strategy. Just wait and watch the good show tomorrow."

This matter clearly had something fishy about it. The Emperor doing this was, firstly, to catch them off guard and leave the mastermind behind this matter flustered, and secondly, he probably didn't want the Prime Minister to get married so comfortably and happily. Su Ling wasn't worried for Lou Xiyan, but on a day like tomorrow, if he led men to break in and issue an imperial decree to make arrests, he didn't know how that woman Qing Mo would argue with him. Or maybe not; she rarely argued, she liked to take action. Thinking of those two troublesome women of the Qing Family, Su Ling's head throbbed.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the Qingfeng Palace was already bustling. All the rare treasures usually bestowed by the Emperor were brought out, packed one by one into exquisite wooden boxes, wrapped, and set aside.

"Fuling, are the congratulatory gifts all prepared?"

"Don't skimp on the congratulatory gifts!"

"What time is it now? You all be quick, don't delay."

Watching Qingfeng, who had been busy here and there since early morning, Fuling hurriedly stepped forward to support her, helped her to a wooden chair to sit down, and laughed: "It's only the Chen hour, Mistress, don't worry, everything is prepared."

Qingfeng knew Fuling handled things thoroughly, but today was a special day. She was happy but also a little nervous; her eldest sister was finally getting married. Pointing to two full-green jade carvings in the shape of Ruyi, she then took out a gold-stamped token from her sleeve and handed it to Fuling. Qingfeng said: "Ruyi has a good meaning; hand this over to her along with that."

(End of chapter)