Chapter 48 What a Surprise

he Crown Prince looked at the man who had come out with a mixture of helplessness and reproach in his expression, scolding him: “When you were young and didn’t know any better, burning down Hongxiu Lo...Chapter 48: Unexpected indeed

When Yun Qianyue heard this, her eyes narrowed suddenly. The old emperor was carrying purple grass This was also the reason why Ye Qingran didn't let her get close to him, right Did he want to use the purple grass to kill her or for something else Her thoughts raced in an instant and she suddenly smiled! Purple grass, it had such a deep connection with her.

"Little girl, I asked you to take my pulse, why are you smiling" The old emperor looked at Yun Qianyue without any reason.

"Nothing. Of course, I'm happy that Uncle Aunt Empress trusts in my medical skills!" Yun Qianyue took a step towards the old emperor.

Ye Qingran grabbed Yun Qianyue's hand and looked at her with displeasure, "Little girl."

Yun Qianyue was forced to stop walking and asked Ye Qingran in confusion, "What are you doing"

Ye Qingran's expression changed slightly for a moment. His lips trembled as he whispered, "Didn't you hear what I just said I told you not to get close to Uncle Emperor. Why do you still go over there"

"I heard it! I'll be careful. Don’t worry!" Yun Qianyue also whispered back.

Ye Qingran frowned.

Yun Qianyue shook off his hand but couldn't, so she suddenly smiled and said, "Ye Qingran, what are you doing You're pulling me so that you can take Uncle Emperor's pulse"

"That’s right. I don’t trust in your medical skills. I can give Uncle Emperor a pulse." Ye Qingran immediately replied.

"Little Devil King, I’m clear about your medical skills. I want to test Moon’s skills. Let her go," the old emperor glanced at Ye Qingran and his old eyes flashed with something as he frowned.

Ye Qingran looked at the old emperor then Yun Qianyue. Seeing no color in her eyes, he helplessly let go of her hand and muttered, "What medical skills can she have She only saved Empress Aunt because she had lost most of her martial arts abilities. Uncle Emperor, you’re too flattering to her."

"Moon always surprises me. I want to flatter her even if I don’t want to," the old emperor laughed loudly.

Ye Qingran didn't say anything else.

Yun Qianyue smiled and took a step towards the old emperor, soon reaching one foot in front of him and extending her hand out, "Uncle Emperor, give me your hand!"

The old emperor handed his hand to Yun Qianyue as instructed.

Although the old emperor's hands were well taken care of with daily delicacies, he was still old and had long been exhausting himself mentally. The vast empire and schemes had drained all his energy. Even his hands appeared aged and dry. Like an old tree, even its branches and leaves exuded a sense of decay.

Looking at the old man in front of her and the hand he offered, Yun Qianyue sighed inwardly. She naturally placed her hand on his wrist to feel his pulse carefully.

The hundred or so people were silent, everyone’s eyes fixed on the old emperor and Yun Qianyue.

After a long time, Yun Qianyue put down her hand and smiled brightly at the old emperor, "Uncle Emperor's pulse is very good. You’ll surely live for a hundred years!"

The old emperor was taken aback, looking at Yun Qianyue’s beaming face and suddenly lost in thought before bursting out laughing, "This little girl!"

Empress had already sensed something unusual and pulled Yun Qianyue to her side. She said to the old emperor, "Your Majesty, now Moon has taken your pulse for you, it’s getting late. Can we start the banquet The sooner the banquet ends, the sooner young masters and mistresses can admire the moon by themselves! Wasting time with us in this imperial palace is also boring."

"Alright, as Empress says!" The old emperor seemed very happy and stood up. He smiled to everyone, "There’s no outsider today, those from the four great noble families are also part of the royal family. Today can be considered a family banquet in the Hundred Flower Garden. All follow me to the Hundred Flower Garden!"

"Proceed to the Hundred Flower Garden!" Wulan shouted.

The old emperor took the lead and walked towards the Hundred Flower Garden. Yun Qianyue supported Empress and followed behind, then came Mingfei and the rest of the concubines. Behind them were Night Tianqiong, Night Tianyu, and the young masters and mistresses from the four great noble families. A large group marched on.

Night Qingran and Rong Feng walked at the back of the crowd. Night Qingran was puzzled and turned to whisper to Rong Feng, "Do you also know that Uncle Emperor is carrying purple grass"

"Mm-hmm!" Rong Feng nodded.

"Doesn’t it mean that the purple grass on Uncle Emperor isn't targeting Little Girl" Ye Qingran asked. He had been staring at Yun Qianyue and the old emperor’s movements when she took the pulse, his heart nearly jumping out of his throat. But nothing happened which left him wondering.

"It's uncertain, but we should be more cautious today!" Rong Feng said.

Ye Qingran nodded.

The group arrived at the Hundred Flowers Garden. Prince Xiaoqin, Prince Deqin, Cloud King, and other elder princes were already waiting there by the entrance. After some pleasantries, the old emperor led everyone into the Hundred Flowers Garden.

Like on the day it was opened for Qiqiao Festival, the Hundred Flowers Garden remained as beautiful as ever. Although it was autumn, flowers still bloomed vibrantly. The air was filled with floral fragrance. In a pavilion that could accommodate several hundred people in the center of the lake, banquets were already set up.

The old emperor took his seat first, followed by others according to their status. The Empress sat at the left side of the old emperor, Mingfei on his right. Dowager Consort Qin sat beside Mingfei with Qin Yu Ning accompanying her. Other concubines were seated behind the old emperor, then came Prince Xiaoqin, Prince Deqin, and Cloud King next to him. After them were Crown Prince Ye Tianqing and other imperial princes, followed by Ye Qingran, Leng Shaozhuo, Rong Feng, and others. Lastly were common-born sons and daughters from various households.

From afar, it looked like a sea of splendid robes.

The Empress originally wanted to have Yun Qianmo sit beside her, but Ye Qingran stepped forward to snatch Yun Qianmo back from the Empress with a grin. He said to the Empress, "Your Excellency, this little girl is usually not refined. She's rough and uncouth when she eats, which might affect Emperor Uncle's appetite if she sits next to you. Besides, all those seated here are royal women. This little girl doesn't count. She should be at our level. Let her sit over there with us!"

The Empress was stunned for a moment and was about to nod in agreement when the old emperor said, "Little Devil King, I don’t need you to tell me what this little girl is like! You just want to pull her into mischief with you."

"Emperor Uncle knows me well indeed! I really feel at ease with this little girl. Otherwise, wouldn't the banquet be boring" Ye Qingran nodded with a laugh and admitted without hesitation, then took Yun Qianmo over to his table.

"This Little Devil King is just like a bandit snatching people away," the old emperor didn’t try to stop them but merely scolded him. Then he said to the Empress, "Tianqing is under your care now, and Miss Qin of Chancellor’s Mansion is pregnant with my grandchild. She will become your daughter-in-law although they haven’t been officially married yet. I have already discussed their wedding date with Chancellor Qin; it’ll be in half a month. Why don’t you let her sit next to you You may be aunt and niece, but how could you possibly be as close as mother- and daughter-in-law"

"The Emperor is right! Miss Qin is gentle and graceful—your servant likes her very much too. In the future, she might even be more attached to me than Moonie who makes my head ache," the Empress nodded with a laugh.

"This…" Qin Yu Ning looked at the old emperor and Dowager Consort Qin, seeking advice from the latter.

"It’s an honor! Go over there!" Dowager Consort Qin patted Qin Yu Ning's shoulder and said to the old emperor with a smile, "This child is smart indeed, but she’s too proper! Once she enters the palace, I hope you will guide her more."

"Dowager Consort is being modest. We’re all family," the Empress smiled and waved at Qin Yu Ning, "Miss Qin, come over here!"

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Qin Yu Ning walked over to the Empress in a dignified manner, bowed before Emperor and Empress, then sat down beside her properly.

"She’s worthy of being called ‘queen mother’ as Prince Jing once said! Look at this posture—she sits even more gracefully than I have for the past twenty-odd years as Empress. Your Majesty, don’t you think so" The Empress held Qin Yu Ning's hand and asked the old emperor with a smile.

The old emperor burst out laughing upon hearing that, "Miss Qin does have the bearing of a queen mother!" He added, "Our royal women should certainly possess such bearing."

Qin Yu Ning lowered her head with a pale face, "Your Excellency is too kind!"

"In half a month, you will call me ‘mother’!" The Empress said with a smile. "Tianqing has long passed the trial marriage age and should have gotten married long ago! After his wedding, I would have considered my responsibility fulfilled in raising him to adulthood."

Qin Yu Ning lowered her head and dared not respond.

"Indeed! You’ve done well these years!" The old emperor looked down at Tianqing with a smile and nodded.

The Empress smiled faintly, no longer speaking.

The old emperor laughed as he called everyone to order, gradually setting the banquet into its proper atmosphere.

Yun Qianmo sat beside Ye Qingran. While eating absentmindedly, she thought about what schemes the old emperor might be up to today. She didn’t believe there weren’t any plots behind such a feast.

"What are you thinking" Ye Qingran asked Yun Qianmo in a low voice with his head tilted aside.

Yun Qianmo looked up. Cold Shaohua was sitting opposite her and also staring at her, so she suddenly remembered the jokes he had told and said to Ye Qingran with a smile while tilting her head aside, "I’m thinking about Cold Shaohua."

Ye Qingran’s eyes widened instantly, "Little girl, you’re saying that you are…" He pointed at Cold Shaohua in disbelief. "You’re thinking of him"

Cold Shaohua was also stunned.

"Yes, the jokes he told me a few days ago were very funny," Yun Qianmo said.

Cold Shaozhu's face turned red, and Ye Qingran heaved a huge sigh of relief. He shot a glance at Yun Qianyue, "I thought you had abandoned that weak beauty and developed feelings for someone else."

"A dog’s mouth can’t speak elegant words!" Yun Qianyue glared at Ye Qingran. "You have filthy thoughts every day."

"Little girl, turning the tables on me; it was obvious you didn't clarify things and led me astray," Ye Qingran picked up his cup of wine and took a sip as if it had no taste before setting down his cup again with a mumble. "Without this weak beauty around, even an event that should be lively becomes rather dull."

Yun Qianyue didn’t comment; indeed, the atmosphere was dull.

"Little girl, it looks like the Emperor Uncle’s target today isn’t you," Ye Qingran suddenly said in a low voice.

The corner of Yun Qianyue's eye twitched. She glanced at the elderly emperor, empress dowager, Qin Yuning and others seated above her before she smiled without speaking. She noticed that the elderly emperor wasn't targeting her today. If it were any other day, his words would be like swords piercing into her flesh, but he seemed to ignore her now.

Halfway through the banquet, Qin Yuning suddenly clutched her stomach and let out a cry of pain.

The sudden cry startled everyone. All eyes turned towards Qin Yuning as she grimaced in agony with a pale face while clutching her stomach tightly. Beads of sweat rolled down from her forehead; she seemed to be suffering immensely.

"Ah, Miss Qin is bleeding!" The empress dowager jumped up in alarm.

The palace concubines also noticed this and cried out together.

Night Tianqin rushed over immediately, supporting Qin Yuning as he anxiously asked, "What happened"

"I… I’m so painful…" Qin Yuning leaned into Night Tianqin’s arms, her entire body leaning on him to support herself. Her voice was faint and weak.

"Physician! Hurry up and call for a physician!" The elderly emperor suddenly shouted.

"Moon Sister, please come over quickly and check on Yuning! What is happening" Night Tianqin held Qin Yuning in his arms without minding the bloodstains from her skirt dirtying his brocade robe. He looked towards Yun Qianyue’s direction and urged him anxiously.

Yun Qianyue and Ye Qingran were seated several tables away from the elderly emperor and the others. She clearly saw Night Tianqin's anxious expression, Qin Yuning's suffering, as well as the elderly emperor’s dark face. The empress dowager and palace concubines’ alarmed eyes. In that moment, she understood; it turned out that the elderly emperor’s target today was Qin Yuning.

Truly unexpected! Unexpected!

"Moon Sister, please come over quickly to save Yuning!" Night Tianqin saw Yun Qianyue staring at him without moving and called out again with pleading eyes.

"That’s right, Moon girl, you should hurry over. Your medical skills are better than those of physicians! Please take a look immediately for Miss Qin. What happened to turn the banquet like this" At that moment, even the elderly emperor urged Yun Qianyue.

"Alright!" Yun Qianyue stood up and walked towards Night Tianqin.

"Mei Feng’s medical skills are also excellent! Give a check-up to the little girl!" Ye Qingran pulled Mei Feng from beside him and followed Yun Qianyue towards Night Tianqin.

Night Tianqin looked gratefully at Yun Qianyue. At this moment, he was no longer the calm and profound-thinking crown prince who had sat for over twenty years. He wasn’t even Night Tianqin who lived freely despite his mansion being confiscated and his title stripped from him. Now, he was just a man, with a woman in his arms that others believed to be his beloved.

"I was so anxious I forgot about this. No need for physicians; there are several skilled ones here. Moon girl, Qingran boy, Mei Feng prince, you must properly examine Miss Qin and ensure the safety of my imperial grandson," said the elderly emperor solemnly.

Yun Qianyue didn’t look at the elderly emperor as if she hadn't heard him.

Ye Qingran and Mei Feng seemed not to have heard the elderly emperor either; no one responded.

Approaching Night Tianqin, Yun Qianyue reached out to pull Qin Yuning’s wrist. Qin Yuning endured her pain with clenched teeth as she looked at her; there was no longer any hidden hatred or jealousy in her eyes when she saw Yun Qianyue. Instead, they were filled with suffering, and her body kept shivering uncontrollably in Night Tianqin's arms. She could be seen to really be in pain.

"Moon Sister, how is it Can we save the child" Night Tianqin saw Yun Qianyue not speaking for a long time and said anxiously.

Yun Qianyue looked at Night Tianqin and released her hand. She shook her head, "She probably ate something she shouldn’t have eaten. Her life can be saved, but it’s certain that the child will miscarry."

Night Tianqin's face changed as he grabbed Yun Qianyue’s wrist firmly, "Moon Sister, you managed to save my mother’s child despite her severe condition. Yuning simply ate something; why can’t she save the child I know you dislike Yuning but... but this is my child in her belly; please help me."

"It’s not that I won’t help you, it’s just that I really cannot. Her situation differs from auntie’s. With so much blood lost and the fetus already dispersed by whatever she shouldn't have eaten inside her body, even if I were a supreme deity, there's nothing I can do," Yun Qianyue looked at Night Tianqin earnestly and said, "Although I dislike Miss Qin, that doesn’t mean I won’t help when someone is in peril.

Night Tianqiong was intimidated by the serious look in Yun Qianyue's eyes and couldn't help but tighten his grip on her hand, pleading, "Really... there's no way What did she eat that made it so severe..."

"This needs to be investigated; I don't know right now either!" Yun Qianyue shook her head. "If you don’t trust my diagnosis, have Ye Qingran and Rong Feng take a look. Their medical skills are better than mine. Maybe they can figure out what Miss Qin ate."

Night Tianqiong suddenly let go of his hand and looked at Night Qingran. He opened his mouth but didn’t make any sound.

"Let me see!" Although Night Qingran wasn't there to take Miss Qin Yuning's pulse, it was because he couldn’t rest easy knowing Yun Qianyue would be in a chaotic situation like this, so he pulled Rong Feng along. Now, upon meeting Night Tianqiong’s gaze, he extended his hand to check Qin Yuning’s pulse.

Night Qingran paused briefly on Miss Qin's pulse before withdrawing his hand and turned back to Rong Feng behind him: "I can’t figure out what she ate either; you take a look!"

Rong Feng nodded, as instructed, stepped forward, and took Qin Yuning’s pulse.

Night Tianqiong stared intently at Rong Feng.

Rong Feng paused briefly on Miss Qin's pulse before withdrawing his hand. He said to Night Tianqiong: "It seems like two incompatible foods in her body have caused the miscarriage." Then he pursed his lips and added, "Miss Qin can be saved, but there’s no way to save the baby."

Night Tianqiong's face turned ashen. He seemed to lose all vitality at once and shouted angrily towards Miss Qin Yuning in his arms: "What did you eat"

Qin Yuning was in so much pain that she couldn’t speak; it looked like she was about to faint.

"Let’s investigate this slowly. Quickly take her away from here and go to the nearest palace. Although we can't save the baby, we must do everything possible to save Miss Qin." Yun Qianyue advised Night Tianqiong calmly. She could understand his feelings now, even though he didn’t love Miss Qin Yuning, this child was his. Moreover, for him, this child had an extraordinary significance; it was the bond supporting him from the Grand Minister's mansion and the best card to turn the tables. Now that it’s gone, there are no chips left.

Hearing such a calm voice, Night Tianqiong couldn’t help but look at Yun Qianyue. Soon after, he quickly walked towards the entrance of the Hundred Flower Garden with Qin Yuning in his arms and soon left the garden.

"Ran小子 (a term of endearment), you follow closely behind, prescribe medicine for Miss Qin; although we can't save her baby, make sure to do everything possible to save her life," the old emperor ordered Night Qingran.

Night Qingran nodded and glanced at Yun Qianyue. Yun Qianyue nodded in response, so he hurriedly followed after Qin Yuning,

“Tianyu, you and Yue Er (a term of endearment), and Prince Rong Shi should quickly check the food on the banquet table to see what Miss Qin ate! Is it possible that someone deliberately harmed my imperial grandson If we find out who did this, I will not forgive them.” The old emperor instructed Night Tianyu, Yun Qianyue, and Rong Feng.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

“Yes, Emperor!”

Night Tianyu and Rong Feng answered in unison. Yun Qianyue remained silent.

"Emperor, is there a need to investigate this My elder sister the Empress was seated next to Miss Qin; she’s also pregnant. Why did only Miss Qin suffer from food poisoning that caused miscarriage while my elder sister didn’t" Ming Fei spoke up in a loud voice, audible throughout the Hundred Flower Garden.

"Little Ming, what do you mean Do you wish for my palace to suffer the same fate as Miss Qin’s What intentions do you have" The Empress glared at Ming Fei. "Originally, I intended for Yue Er to sit beside me; it was Your Majesty's order that had Miss Qin sit next to me instead. Shouldn’t you be asking Your Majesty about this matter"

"In any case, there is something fishy going on! Miss Qin and my elder sister the Empress were served at the same table, yet only one miscarried while the other remains fine. This simply doesn't add up." Ming Fei glanced at the old emperor before addressing the Empress.

"I also wish to know what happened! Therefore, please have Your Majesty thoroughly investigate this matter," the Empress said coldly.

"Both of you should stop speaking!" The old emperor waved his hand at them. "Perhaps Miss Qin ate something that my elder sister didn’t eat, which is why she’s fine. That's simple. There may be other factors; no one can make a definitive conclusion until we have investigated everything clearly."

Ming Fei fell silent. The Empress scoffed but said nothing.

"All three of you should quickly investigate this matter," the old emperor urged Night Tianyu, Yun Qianyue, and Rong Feng.

Night Tianyu looked at Rong Feng and Yun Qianyue before reluctantly stepping forward. As he was ignorant in medical matters, all he could do was check for any abnormalities around where Miss Qin sat. Meanwhile, Rong Feng and Yun Qianyue moved to inspect the Empress’s table.

Yun Qianyue ordered someone to get a new pair of chopsticks and reached out to pick up some food.

"Yue Er, you can't eat it! If any of this is poisonous, wouldn’t that harm yourself" The Empress immediately intervened.

"It’s fine. Auntie needn’t worry; I’m not pregnant!" Yun Qianyue shook her head with a smile.

"This must also be harmful to the body, right What if..." The empress took a step forward and grabbed Cloud Qianyue's hand to prevent her from moving.

"Elder Sister Empress, you truly care about Miss Qianyue. It seems that in your heart, this niece is not as important as your daughter-in-law. You weren't so worried when Miss Qin was here just now." Mingfei said softly.

"Mingmei! You are really different from before!" The empress looked at Mingfei coldly for a moment and then spoke.

Mingfei's body trembled slightly as she smiled, saying, "Elder Sister Empress, what is that you're saying I'm still the same as before. It's just because Elder Sister has a pregnancy which made me change my perception."

"Is that so Then I hope it’s true!" The empress's smile was somewhat cool as she turned back and firmly looked at Cloud Qianyue, "Moon兒, you are not allowed to eat this! Miss Qin’s child is already gone. I don’t want you to risk your life by trying the poison out yourself after finding the problem."

"Aunt..." Cloud Qianyue was helpless.

Rong Feng gave a faint smile, reached out and took Cloud Qianyue's chopsticks, then said gently, "Let me do this. I am a man, so there will be no problem."

"Then you take care of it," Cloud Qianyue didn’t argue.

The empress looked at Rong Feng gratefully and released Cloud Qianyue's hand.

Old Emperor did not speak, but his old eyes seemed deep, heavy, and stern as he watched Rong Feng.

Rong Feng tasted every dish on the plate. After a cup of tea, he put down his chopsticks and shook his head at Old Emperor, "Your Majesty, there is nothing unusual about the food."

"Oh" The old emperor raised an eyebrow, "Then what exactly happened here"

“We should probably ask Miss Qin what she ate today!” Rong Feng said. “It might not have been at this banquet.”

The old emperor nodded and looked at Ye Tianyu, "Tianyu, did you find anything out"

"Your Majesty, I haven’t found anything," Ye Tianyu shook his head.

The old emperor swept a glance over everyone with his old eyes before waving his hand. “Empress, it seems that you are tired today. You can return to the palace now! Mingfei and I will go see Miss Qin! Tianyu stay here and continue investigating this matter. The rest of you may leave.”

"We respectfully bid farewell to His Majesty!" Everyone immediately knelt down to bid farewell.

The old emperor left first, followed by Mingfei who glanced at the empress before joining him. Wen Lai led his attendants out in a grand procession.

Seeing that Old Emperor had left, the empress turned and looked at Cloud Qianyue, "Moon兒, do you want to stay at Yonghua Palace or return home to admire the moon"

"Let’s go back home to admire the moon," said Cloud Qianyue.

“Alright. Anyway, there are many rumors in the palace!” The empress nodded and was supported by Aunt Guan as they left through the garden gate.

Cloud Qianyue turned back and waved to Rong Feng before stepping out of the gate.

Rong Feng nodded and followed Cloud Qianyue. Cold Sha Zhuo wanted to follow, but Prince Xian pulled him back; he looked at Prince Xian with a look of warning, and reluctantly stopped.

The two quickly left through the garden gate towards outside of the palace. Along the way, they didn’t speak and no one obstructed them until they reached the gate.

It was still early in the day; the sun was high. Outside the gate waited Cloud Qianyue’s carriage. Ling Lian and Yi Xue saw Cloud Qianyue and Rong Feng coming out together, heaved a sigh of relief, and immediately pulled up the curtain.

The two got into the carriage one after another, sat down stably, and then the carriage left the palace gate.

"How did you know that Old Emperor was carrying purple grass" Cloud Qianyue looked at Rong Feng in puzzlement. She didn’t sense it throughout the time but the blood of Qin Yuning had a faint purple color which she couldn't mistake. It must be purple grass without doubt.

"The emperor’s handkerchief! You might not have noticed, but he once took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his face, then immediately put it back and changed another one. That particular handkerchief looked slightly purple when the sunlight shone on it," Rong Feng said.

"Just like that" Cloud Qianyue raised an eyebrow.

"Well, that's not all! Not only did I see it, but Ye Qingran also saw it!" Rong Feng said.

"I didn't notice back then. It seems my sensitivity is decreasing!" Yun Qianyue rubbed her forehead with a hand and felt somewhat depressed.

"You were always worried about the Empress's safety, fearing that anything bad would happen to her. Our minds have been focused on you all along; from when the Emperor appeared, we've been paying attention to any movements around us, so we could notice things first." Rong Feng explained.

"Yes, Auntie worked so hard for a child, and I naturally feared that something would happen to her today, which is why I paid more attention to her," Yun Qianyue sighed. "Unfortunately, I never imagined the old emperor's scheme was intended for Qin Yujing."

"Later on, His Majesty gave the handkerchief to the Eunuch Wen, who used it to wipe Qin Miss's chopsticks and plates, thus poisoning her with purple grass venom. Although the poison is weak and not fatal, it's enough to abort her pregnancy," Rong Feng explained.

Yun Qianyue sneered coldly, "What a clever plan! Silently solving the problem of Qin Yujing."

"Indeed, that’s royal blood. His Majesty doesn't hold back when dealing with it," Rong Feng said.

"In his eyes, all that matters is the empire and state. Ye Tianqin isn’t to his liking, so the child in Qin Yujing's womb undoubtedly serves as a safeguard for him. He naturally won't allow it." Yun Qianyue sneered coldly: "Royal family indeed has no regard for kinship. That’s his own grandson he’s doing this to; is he still human More like a devil."

Rong Feng sighed, "Absolute power overrules everything, which isn't surprising either."

Yun Qianyue's face turned cold, "With Qin Yujing losing her child now, Chancellor Qin might not support Ye Tianqin anymore. But who knows It’s uncertain whether the plan to control others by using the emperor can succeed."

Rong Feng pondered, "Yue Moon, are you saying that Chancellor Qin has… thoughts of rebellion"

"Who knows!" Yun Qianyue leaned lazily against the carriage wall with a darkened face. "By now, the chancellor’s mansion must have received news."

"Yes, they probably did," Rong Feng nodded.

Yun Qianyue suddenly smiled, "This time, the world is even more chaotic; I wonder if the wedding on the 15th will still go ahead"

"Qin Miss needs to recuperate, so likely her wedding date will be postponed!" Rong Feng said.

Yun Qianyue fell silent. She wasn’t overly interested in whether Qin Yujing had a child or not, or if she lived or died. But for Ye Tianqin, she felt he was truly pitiful; his father's schemes were just pushing him to an impassable situation. This man who has been the crown prince since childhood will ultimately come to understand that his fate is to serve others.

The carriage returned to Yun Manor and stopped at the entrance.

Yun Qianyue and Rong Feng got off the carriage and headed for the residence. As they walked into the courtyard, a carriage stopped in front of Yun Manor's main gate; with the curtain lifted, a familiar voice rang out, "Senior Sister Yun! Prince Fei!"

Yun Qianyue was startled and turned around, Rong Feng did likewise. A young man sat inside the carriage, lifting the curtain to look at them as they entered the residence; he looked very delicate with a familiar-looking facial feature that reminded her of someone she knew quite well. She recalled that Rong Xi had been promoted by Rong Jing to become the Grand Steward of the Honored Prince's Manor! It had only been several months since their last meeting, but this young man seemed taller and more mature.

"Senior Sister Yun remembers me! That’s great!" Rong Xi smiled at Yun Qianyue before quickly stating his purpose. "Grandpa heard that the banquet in the palace was over and sent me to invite Prince Fei to visit Honored Prince's Manor."

"Old王爺找我？"容楓詢問。

“嗯！”容昔立即點頭。

“The old Lord of Rong Manor is looking for me” Rong Feng asked.

"Yes!" Rong Xi immediately nodded.

Rong Feng looked at Yun Qianyue, who nodded to him. He then turned and walked towards Rong Xi's carriage. Soon he arrived in front of it and got onto the carriage. Rong Xi bid farewell to Yun Qianyue, and the carriage left from the entrance of Yun Manor.

Yun Qianyue thought that they were still family despite splitting off into different households; she continued towards Moonlight Pavilion. As soon as she returned to the front door of her pavilion, she noticed something was amiss in her room's aura. Her watery eyes narrowed slightly but proceeded inward nonchalantly.

Ling Lian and Yi Xue followed Yun Qianyue and immediately became cautious upon detecting an unusual aura in the room.

Yun Qianyue stopped at the door, pushed it open with her hand, and looked inside. There she saw...

———

Seeing that this empire is on the brink of collapse... I seem to be gearing up for more killings again… (⊙_⊙)rished plant in my palace!" The Empress burst out of her room, looking at Night Tianyi with a stern expression. "You’ll regret it!"Night Tianyi withdrew his hand and turned around slowly without any e...