in2ebook Chapter 354 Royal Secrets (1)
Chapter 354 Royal Secrets (1)
Concubine Yu was shocked when she heard this. If that were the case, the whole incident could be linked to the assassination in Weichang. However, judging from what Murong Shiling said, was this matter related to the Empress Dowager?
She only felt her heart pounding, as if she had discovered some terrible secret. Her intuition told her that she must tell Yu Qingli the news as soon as possible!
Seeing her stunned, Murong Shiling reminded her, "How about this? Yu'er, if you were the eldest son in that story, what would you do? Continue the investigation, or pretend you don't know?"
"Of course we have to continue investigating!" Concubine Yu blurted out, but then she vaguely felt something was wrong. Thinking of her own situation, she had reason to suspect that the mother in this story might also be someone's masterpiece.
But the words had already been said and there was no room for change. She could only make the best of it. However, she couldn't help but get nervous. It was already late autumn, but she broke out in cold sweats. Even the lapels of her clothes were wet, sticking to her body and making her feel very uncomfortable.
However, Murong Shiling was obviously very satisfied with Concubine Yu's answer. He agreed, "I think so too. Since there are suspicions, we must investigate thoroughly. The innocent will be cleared. If the mother is not someone else pretending to be her, she will be cleared of all charges."
Concubine Yu nodded vaguely, but she didn't know if her suggestion was right. She just continued, "Actually, the eldest son can also test it himself. Since she is his mother, there are some things that only they know. Find something like this to ask, and you will naturally know her true identity."
Murong Shiling glanced at Concubine Yu thoughtfully, "Yu'er, what you said makes sense. Well, I'm tired today, and I still have government affairs to attend to. Yu'er, you can go back first."
"Yes! Then Yu'er will take her leave."
Concubine Yu left with the tray. Murong Shiling looked at her from behind, his eyes darkening. He called out in a low voice, "Defu, send someone to follow Concubine Yu and see where she goes and what she does."
Although Eunuch Fu was a little confused, he knew that he could not disobey his master's orders, so he immediately lowered his head and said, "Yes! I understand!"
After Concubine Yu returned to her bedroom, she dismissed her attendants. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. It seemed that she had really accidentally learned a huge secret, and now she was not sure why the emperor told her this secret. Could it be that he really asked for her opinion because he trusted her?
It can't be like this!
After spending some time together, Concubine Yu had come to understand this man named Murong Shiling a little. He was very cautious and suspicious in his actions. Moreover, Yu Qingli had repeatedly warned her not to underestimate Murong Shiling and not to let her guard down, otherwise, her death would not be far away.
So, was this really a test? What should she do now? Should she tell Yu Qingli about this? And how should she spread the news?
Concubine Yu suddenly thought of someone, the palace maid who had delivered a message for her before. From the tone of her voice, it seemed that she was arranged by Yu Qingli to be by her side. However, she had not seen her in the past few days.
Yes! If she was someone arranged by Yu Qingli, I should be able to tell her the matter without worrying about it, and then she can tell Yu Qingli.
Concubine Yu was delighted, but soon hesitated. What if the person who spoke was lying to her?
Concubine Yu felt like she was going crazy. She had to keep such a dangerous secret but couldn't say anything or do anything. She had no friends in the palace and had nothing to talk about with the concubines. She was extremely anxious and didn't know what to do.
"The Crown Princess has arrived..."
After hearing the report outside the palace, Concubine Yu's eyes suddenly lit up. How could she have forgotten this person? I heard that the Crown Princess was able to enter the palace thanks to Yu Qingli's help. In this case, it should be much easier for her to pass on the message.
"Please come quickly!"
A moment later, Crown Princess Liu Caiyi appeared in Concubine Yu's sight, which made Concubine Yu a little excited, but she couldn't show it in front of the servants.
Liu Caiyi politely bowed, "Your Highness, I apologize for my impolite visit. I wonder if I have disturbed you."
"What nonsense! I'm so happy that you can come and see me. I don't have anyone to talk to in this palace, and I don't have much to do on weekdays. I'm just feeling bored."
Liu Caiyi smiled, but her expression was somewhat dejected. "Your Majesty is right. Even though the harem is rich and glorious, it still lacks a bit of freedom!"
"What's wrong? From the looks of it, did you have an argument with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
Liu Caiyi shook her head without explaining the reason. She only ordered the palace maids to bring the thing over. It was a small square box, and no one knew what was inside.
"Your Highness, how about opening it and taking a look?"
Liu Caiyi suggested this, and Concubine Yu was curious, so she reached out to open the box. A string of exquisitely crafted bracelets appeared in front of her, which amazed her.
Even though she had seen many fine things in the palace, the bracelet before her truly dazzled Concubine Yu. The blood-red coral was ground into tiny beads, with a crystal pendant in the middle as a backdrop, and a small luminous pearl hung at the joint, which looked delicate and beautiful.
"This chain..."
"This is specially given to Her Majesty. I hope She likes it!"
"This may not be too expensive!"
"I think this is a perfect gift for Your Majesty. Your Majesty has fair skin, and this red coral bracelet is a perfect match. Besides, it's just a small thing, Your Majesty doesn't need to take it to heart."
After Liu Caiyi said this, Concubine Yu was even more reluctant to accept it casually. Although they were of similar age and she was Liu Caiyi's concubine in terms of seniority, she had another idea in mind. Perhaps, she could spread the news in this way.
"In that case, I have to thank you. Let me put it this way. I happen to have something here that His Majesty gave me a while ago. I always felt it was not suitable for me to wear. Now that I see you here, I think it suits you very well. It is my small token of appreciation."
As Concubine Yu spoke, she ordered her servants to bring the glass stone that His Majesty had sent earlier and personally handed it to Liu Caiyi. Liu Caiyi was about to refuse, but Concubine Yu pulled her hand over. When she handed her the brocade box, she wrote two words on her palm and shook her hand firmly, "Don't refuse it. It's just a small gift. You must accept it!"
Liu Caiyi was confused, but she saw that Concubine Yu's eyes seemed to have a thousand words to say. She was startled and thought that something was wrong. Just now, Concubine Yu wrote the word "Qingli" on her hand, and she seemed to have something to say.
Liu Caiyi glanced at Imperial Concubine Yu thoughtfully, then lowered her brows. "In that case, I won't be polite. Your Majesty, don't worry. I will keep this item safe and will never give it to anyone else."
After hearing what Liu Caiyi said, Concubine Yu finally felt relieved. It seemed that she understood her hint.
Liu Caiyi sat with Concubine Yu for a while before getting up and leaving.
After the Crown Princess returned to the Eastern Palace, she felt uneasy for a while. She understood what Concubine Yu meant, but she didn't know whether she should help her.
It was true that she and Concubine Yu met through Yu Qingli, but strictly speaking, Yu Qingli and she were actually enemies. Moreover, she heard that the situation in the court had become increasingly tense in recent days, with the Prince's Party and the First Prince's Party confronting each other. At this time, Concubine Yu wanted to see Yu Qingli, and so secretly, which always felt a little wrong.
When Liu Caiyi thought about this, she secretly made a decision to tell the prince about this matter first. She had no one else to rely on in the palace, so she naturally had to obey the prince in everything.
It was not until evening that the prince came back from outside. He frowned slightly and looked a little tired. His face, which usually had no expression, became even more stiff.
"Your Highness..."
Liu Caiyi ordered everyone in the palace to leave and spend time alone with the prince. Fortunately, Murong Cheng didn't like anyone disturbing them on weekdays, so it didn't feel abrupt.
After everyone left, Liu Caiyi spoke worriedly, "Your Highness, there is something I dare not decide on, so I would like to hear your opinion."
Murong Cheng was a little surprised to hear Liu Caiyi speak first. They had just had an argument this morning, and Liu Caiyi even refused to speak to him because of it. He was thinking about how to apologize, but he didn't expect Liu Caiyi to speak first.
Is this a compromise with himself? Although he felt that his tone this morning was indeed a bit harsh.
Murong Cheng reached out and touched Liu Caiyi's shoulder. "If you have something to say, just tell me. But you should also know my principles. If it is dangerous to you, I will never allow it."
Liu Caiyi nodded slightly, and thinking about what happened in the morning, she felt a little emotional and embarrassed. Suddenly, it seemed like she was the one who took the initiative to apologize. However, since the two of them loved each other, there was no need to distinguish these things so clearly, right?
"Your Highness, I want to tell you something else. I hope Your Highness will listen carefully."
Murong Cheng was a little curious. He stretched out his hand to embrace Liu Caiyi and stroked her long hair. "Okay, tell me!"
Liu Caiyi then told Murong Cheng everything that happened in Concubine Yu's palace today. After listening to it, the traces between Murong Cheng's brows became even more profound.
"From what you said, Imperial Concubine Yu has some secret matters to discuss with the Emperor's sister-in-law, but for some reason she can't meet with her directly."
"I'm afraid that's the case. I'm worried that what they're discussing might be detrimental to Your Highness, so I'm wondering if I should inform Yu Qingli of this news."
Murong Cheng thought for a moment and praised, "You did the right thing. However, the Empress's sister-in-law has done us a favor. Although there are people in the court who support my eldest brother, this should have nothing to do with the Empress's sister-in-law. Otherwise, she would not have taken such a big risk to help us. Besides, I don't think this matter is as simple as you think."