Chapter 354: Sacrificing the Pawn to Save the Chariot (3)

Ruyi secretly took a deep breath, followed Qingfeng back to the inner chamber, and then whispered: "Mistress, Shen Yao has been found."

Qingfeng had just sat down and immediately stood up, asking anxiously: "Where?"

"She hid in Hui County, eighty miles from the suburbs. However, when she was found, she was really very ill."

Qingfeng knitted her brows. She had no interest in Shen Yao's health at all. The only thing she wanted to know was: "Did you find out who instigated her?"

"At first she didn't admit it, but later..." Ruyi paused for a while, secretly looked at Qingfeng's expression, and seeing her expressionless, continued: "She finally said it, but the next day she died."

"Who is it?" Qingfeng naturally knew that many things happened after the word "later." She chose to keep Ruyi by her side instead of Fuling because she valued Ruyi's unscrupulousness and eagerness for quick success.

Ruyi lowered her voice even more and whispered in Qingfeng's ear: "It is... the Empress."

It really was her! Qingfeng had guessed it long ago, but hearing Ruyi say it out loud, the hatred in her chest surged like a tide. Qingfeng's chest suddenly felt stuffy, almost to the point of vomiting. Qingfeng covered her chest with one hand, her face turning pale. Ruyi hurriedly stepped forward to support Qingfeng, asking anxiously: "Mistress? What's wrong with you? Should I invite an imperial physician to take a look?"

Qingfeng reached out, stroked the warm jade that had been changed to a waist ornament and hung on her waist, and took a few deep breaths. The stuffy feeling in her heart dissipated, and Qingfeng shook her head: "It's nothing."

Xin Yuening, a life for a life, she wouldn't let it go like this.

Inside the Imperial Study, Yan Hongtian sat at the desk, looking at the memorial in his hand. His face, which was usually devoid of joy or anger, suddenly turned cold and dark. The killing intent in his eyes was so heavy that even Gao Jin, who was guarding outside the Imperial Study, could feel it. Gao Jin raised his head slightly to look inside and saw Prime Minister Lou still standing in the Imperial Study, and the worry in his heart faded a little.

"The Xin family is clearly sacrificing the pawn to save the chariot. For the time being, we can't catch any handle on them."

Before Lou Xiyan's voice fell, Yan Hongtian waved his hand in a fit of rage, and the memorials and books on the desk were swept to the ground with a clatter. Gao Jin couldn't help but tremble. The Emperor hadn't been this angry for many years.

Lou Xiyan smiled bitterly. Su Ren had gone home with Su Ling to attend the family sacrifice, and Dan Yulan had suddenly run to Qizhou to investigate a case, leaving only him to face Yan Hongtian's anger. It had to be said that Xin Sui was indeed an old fox. Cutting off his "two arms" could be considered escaping a disaster. Watching the memorial being crushed by Yan Hongtian, Lou Xiyan sighed and said: "Actually, this military grain case was still very fruitful. Without the financial support of the Lin family, important positions such as the Vice Minister of Revenue and the Director of the Ministry of War were dismissed and investigated because of this military grain case. The Xin family suffered heavy losses, their power in the court was reduced, and they shouldn't dare to act rashly again."

As a monarch, he should also know what is called knowing when to stop. The Xin family had been prosperous for a hundred years. Being able to balance and contain them and slowly reduce them was the best method. One should have considerations in whatever position one is in. Sometimes the throne is also a shackle, and one cannot do whatever one wants.

Prime Minister Lou stopped talking. The study was so quiet that Gao Jin could only hear his own heartbeat. But it was only for a moment before the memorial, which had been pinched out of shape, was thrown by the Emperor in front of the Prime Minister.

"Xiyan, you know that what I want is not just this result."

Yan Hongtian was full of irritable aura, but his voice was surprisingly cold. Lou Xiyan frowned almost imperceptibly, squatted down to pick up the memorial at his feet, and inadvertently saw a beautifully mounted painting scroll rolling to the side among the scattered memorials and books. On the painting paper, there were only a few ink-colored handprints and footprints, small, but looking full of vitality.

Lou Xiyan sighed in his heart and didn't try to persuade him anymore. If that child hadn't died, this result would have reached their previous expectations, but now, this result was indeed not enough to soothe Yan Hongtian's pain.

The night of midsummer was the most sultry. Even though the windows and doors were all open, there was not a trace of coolness. Qingfeng sat by the window, holding a fan and fanning it on and off. The slight breeze not only failed to take away any heat, but instead made her feel stuffy, as if she couldn't breathe. She didn't know if it was because of the irritation in her heart or if this year was particularly hot. Qingfeng was so hot she couldn't sleep.

There was a sudden sound outside the door. Qingfeng raised her eyes and saw the door being pushed open rudely. A dark shadow walked in staggeringly. The little eunuch on night duty greeted him: "All get out of here!" A violent reprimand scared the little eunuch into retreating immediately.

Yan Hongtian's footsteps were unsteady, but he didn't let anyone support him, and he was still holding a pot of wine in his hand. Qingfeng remembered that the last time he got drunk was when the Western Empress Dowager was sent to guard the mausoleum. Why was it this time? Qingfeng was no longer the ignorant woman she used to be. Although she didn't know everything about the court, she had always been paying attention. The military grain case, which had been perfectly concluded, wasn't he supposed to be happy? Why was he so drunk?

While Qingfeng was pondering, Yan Hongtian had already walked into the room, sat down on a chair in the flower hall, and was still pouring wine. Qingfeng walked out, and from far away, she could smell a strong smell of wine.

Seeing Qingfeng standing by the screen, Yan Hongtian's misty eyes narrowed, and he shook the wine pot in his hand, saying: "Come here."

This time Yan Hongtian seemed to be drunker than last time. His usually deep and unfathomable eyes were a bit misty at the moment. Qingfeng thought for a while and walked over. As soon as she got close, her waist tightened, and Yan Hongtian pulled her into his arms, his face leaning against her chest, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

The smell of wine on him was really suffocating. Qingfeng struggled a bit, but couldn't break free. She was wondering whether to call someone for help when Yan Hongtian suddenly buried his head in her chest. It was too hot this year, and it was midsummer. Qingfeng was only wearing a thin undershirt. The hot air from Yan Hongtian's breathing sprayed on her skin, and Qingfeng's body suddenly stiffened. The breathing on her chest was a bit strange. Yan Hongtian seemed to be saying something. Qingfeng lowered her head and barely heard his voice.

"I am the Emperor... I am the Emperor... I cannot do whatever I want..."

Qingfeng thought she had misheard. Yan Hongtian muttered to himself, repeating these words over and over. Qingfeng didn't understand what he wanted to say, but the hand around her waist tightened. Qingfeng couldn't breathe, pushed Yan Hongtian's shoulder hard, and said anxiously: "You are drunk, go to sleep early."

Yan Hongtian still closed his eyes, but let go of the hand around Qingfeng's waist, raised the wine pot he was holding, and continued to drink.

Qingfeng frowned, reached out to take the wine pot and put it aside, and carried him toward the inner chamber. Yan Hongtian might really be drunk, letting her pull him along. The two staggered to the bed. Qingfeng really had no strength to move him, so she pushed him onto the bed, and he fell down directly.

Looking at Yan Hongtian, who was lying across the bed and dead drunk, Qingfeng was a bit helpless. She had no strength to move him, so she grabbed a pillow to cushion him, and moved his arms and legs hanging off the edge of the bed onto the bed. When she lifted Yan Hongtian's arm, the clear tooth marks on his thumb web were very glaring.

Qingfeng's hand paused, and she slowly squatted down, leaning against the edge of the bed. This was the first time she had looked at Yan Hongtian like this. He seemed to have lost some weight, the contours of his cheeks and chin were sharper, and the faint dark blue marks under his eyes were even more obvious against the night. Qingfeng stared at him, thinking that the person who was already dead drunk had suddenly moved again. Qingfeng was also startled and quickly took a step back. Fortunately, Yan Hongtian didn't wake up, muttering something in his mouth.

Qingfeng let out a sigh of relief, and was curious about what Yan Hongtian would say after getting drunk. Biting her lip gently, Qingfeng leaned down and put her ear close—

"I... will not let Zhi'er die in vain..."

Yan Hongtian's vague and low voice brushed past her ears. Qingfeng's mind went blank for a moment, and she gripped Yan Hongtian's hand tightly. Staring at Yan Hongtian, who had fallen asleep, for a long time, Qingfeng asked in a low voice: "Really?"

The voice was so light that Qingfeng could barely hear it herself, and naturally there would be no answer. Qingfeng remembered what Yan Hongtian had muttered in the flower hall just now, and her expression immediately turned cold. He said he couldn't do whatever he wanted, didn't he? But what she wanted was for Xin Yuening to die! Could he do it?

Fuling would bring Prince Han to pay respects to the Mistress every three to five days, talking about things that happened in the Yonghua Palace these days. The Mistress always listened quietly, occasionally looking at Prince Han, but never held him. On this day, Fuling brought Prince Han to pay respects again. After talking for less than a cup of tea, Fuling felt that Qingfeng seemed absent-minded, her hand always pressed on her chest, and her face didn't look very good.

Fuling asked with concern: "Mistress, what's wrong with you?"

"A little uncomfortable." It had been like this for these days, especially when she got up in the morning, it was particularly uncomfortable.

Fuling gently placed Yan Han on the bed, walked to Qingfeng's side, knelt halfway, and said: "This servant will take your pulse."

"Okay." Qingfeng stretched out her hand. Fuling placed her hand on the slender wrist. After a moment, her expression changed slightly, and there were even faint tears in her eyes as she looked at Qingfeng: "Mistress... you..."

"What's wrong?" Qingfeng was very puzzled.

Fuling smiled: "Congratulations, Mistress, you are pregnant, it's been more than three months." Heaven finally didn't treat the Mistress badly, and so quickly sent the Mistress a new hope.

"Impossible!" Qingfeng retracted her hand in horror, staring at Fuling as if she had said something incredible.

Fuling was startled by Qingfeng's reaction. After thinking about it, she said softly: "How about this servant invites an imperial physician to take a look for you."

"Don't, don't go." Qingfeng hurriedly stepped forward, grabbing Fuling's hand, not letting her call anyone.

She was also a person who had been pregnant. She had felt that her body was not right for the past two months, which was why she hadn't invited an imperial physician. Why would this happen? She clearly took the pills Yue Sheng left behind every time after. Recalling the expression and tone when Yue Sheng gave her the pills that day, she could now be sure that Yue Sheng had lied to her. She had been pregnant for more than three months. According to the time, she conceived on the day she healed her face and had a wild night with Yan Hongtian.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 355 =====