ebookland Chapter 317 Create a problem
Chapter 317 Create a problem
Upon hearing this, Empress Li said loudly, "Your Majesty, this matter was proposed by Concubine Lin, and I was also deceived by her..."
"Shut up!" Concubine Lin was also furious. "Sister Queen, I never thought that after being sisters for so many years, you would frame me like this today."
The Queen snorted coldly, "I am only telling the truth. How did I frame you?"
"Tell me the truth, then why didn't you tell us that you had someone notify us early this morning to go to Chaofeng Palace to discuss the matter of Imperial Concubine Yu? Why didn't you tell us that several Taoists came over as soon as we mentioned the gossip about Imperial Concubine Yu? It's obvious that you set up this Dragon Gate Formation, and I'm afraid we are just your pawns!"
Concubine Lin usually speaks softly, but today she was furious and even sounded a bit cold and tough. Concubine Lin's words made Empress Li stunned for a moment, and she even forgot to refute.
Murong Shiling, who was standing aside, couldn't help but feel a headache as he watched the verbal battle between the two women. He had never been involved in the affairs of the harem. Concubine Lin and Queen Li had been feuding with each other for many years, but he had never heard of their open and secret struggles, so he just turned a blind eye and pretended not to know.
The harem, like the previous dynasty, always emphasizes the balance of power. But now, Queen Li is actually starting to plan to dominate alone, which makes Murong Shiling unhappy.
First he planned to get rid of Concubine Yu, and then put the blame on Concubine Lin. What a good plan and method!
However, the Queen might not have underestimated him. Could such a petty trick really deceive his eyes? He was already the master of a palace, yet he was still not satisfied. It was really disgusting. A greedy woman was ugly no matter how you looked at her.
Concubine Lin and Empress Li were still engaged in a verbal battle, but Murong Shiling suddenly felt annoyed. He waved his hand and said coldly, "All of you, go back to your own palaces! If you all find it boring, I will send you to the imperial mausoleum to copy scriptures!"
Everyone didn't dare to breathe, just lowered their heads and quietly retreated. Yu Qingli was also thinking of taking the opportunity to leave, but Murong Shiling called out to him, "Qingli, please wait a moment, I have something to say."
Yu Qingli paused and frowned. After today, she was afraid that she and the Queen would have a grudge. Given the Queen's vindictive nature, she would better be more careful in the future! She just didn't know why Murong Shiling called her.
Seeing Yu Qingli stop, Murong Yanhui, who was originally walking with her, couldn't help but stop as well, "Is there anything else, my royal brother? I might as well listen. One more person means one more idea, right?"
Murong Shiling just glanced at him and didn't say anything.
Concubine Yu was still in shock. She stood beside the emperor, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, looking very touching.
Murong Shiling reached out and put his arm around Concubine Yu's slender waist, soothing her softly, "Yu'er, you've been wronged today. I will definitely double compensate you in the future!"
Imperial Concubine Yu knelt and saluted, "I do not ask for compensation from Your Majesty, but today's incident has made me realize that this harem is not my home. If Your Majesty truly pities me, why not let me go!"
When Concubine Yu said this, not only Murong Shileng but also Yu Qingli's expressions turned unhappy. The development of this matter was somewhat beyond her expectations. She thought that Concubine Yu would be completely loyal to her after this incident, but she didn't expect that she actually had the idea of retreating.
Murong Yanhui took Yu Qingli's expression into consideration and seemed to be thinking about something.
Murong Shiling immediately reached out and helped Concubine Yu up, soothing her softly, "Yu'er, don't say those angry words. I know you're feeling bad today, and I promise you, what happened today will never happen again. If you're not satisfied with my handling of the matter, feel free to bring it up again. I will not tolerate the Queen and the others!"
The emperor's tone was as simple as dealing with cats and dogs, but it made Concubine Yu feel even more heartbroken. She knew from the previous experience that if one day she was no longer favored, or even her identity was discovered by the emperor, her fate would probably not be much better than that of those Taoist priests today, right?
Rather than living a life worse than death, it is better to withdraw now!
Although Concubine Yu had a good idea, she didn't know that the current situation did not allow her to leave. First of all, Murong Shiling would never allow it. After finally getting someone back after losing them, how could he let them go? Secondly, the Queen must hate Concubine Yu now, and she must have spies in both open and covert situations. Therefore, it would definitely not be a good time to leave now.
Yu Qingli looked at Concubine Yu, hoping that she could calm down and not panic because of what happened this time.
Before Imperial Concubine Yu could say anything, Yu Qingli stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty was frightened today and may not have recovered yet. Since your majesty is of similar age to yours, why not let your majesty have a chat with you?"
A trace of doubt flashed across Murong Shileng's face. When did Yu Qingli become so close to Concubine Yu? So, before he came here today, he also heard that Concubine Yu went to find Yu Qingli!
Although Murong Shiling was a little hesitant, he saw that Concubine Yu was indeed not in a good condition. Moreover, the other women in the palace now regarded her as a thorn in their eyes. After thinking about it, he realized that the only person who could talk to Concubine Yu was the eldest prince's wife Yu Qingli.
Thinking of this, Murong Shiling said, "Well, in that case, Qingli, you should try to persuade Concubine Yu. She has suffered a lot today."
Yu Qingli lowered her brows and closed her eyes, "I understand."
Things didn't seem to have much meaning at this point. Murong Yanhui stepped forward and pulled Murong Shiling's hand, "Brother Royal, come on, come on, play chess with me!"
Just like that, Murong Shileng was dragged away by Murong Yanhui, and Concubine Yu, supported by Xiluo, followed Yu Qingli back to Ju'an Palace.
As soon as the two men left, the news reached the ears of the queen. She was so angry that she threw the teacup in her hand, scattering debris all over the floor. The eunuchs and palace maids were so frightened that they trembled with fear and dared not even say a word.
"Yu Qingli!" the Queen murmured bitterly, "How dare you go against me in person!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. This incident today is really strange."
Nanny Li, who was standing by, looked cunning and leaned close to Queen Li's ear and spoke.
Queen Li's face was gloomy. "Tell me, what do you find wrong?"
"Your Majesty, logically speaking, Imperial Concubine Yu and the Crown Prince's wife have nothing to do with each other. Why would the Crown Prince's wife help her? Your Majesty, you are her mother, yet she is turning her elbow outward. This is bizarre no matter how you think about it."
Empress Li nodded slightly, as if she felt that what Nanny Li said made some sense, and her anger subsided a little. "Go on!"
"That's the first reason. Secondly, no matter how I look at it, I feel that the timing of the Prince of Yan's arrival is wrong. It's true that Your Majesty had arranged this monster hunting event a long time ago, but the time of going was decided at the last minute. And yet the Prince of Yan came so quickly to watch the fun. Doesn't Your Majesty find it strange?"
"Now that you mention it, I really feel something is amiss. What secrets are there between Yu Qingli, that Prince of Yan, and Imperial Concubine Yu?" Empress Li lowered her head in thought, then murmured as if remembering something: "Madam Li, the maid who came to see me earlier seemed to be someone close to Yu Qingli, right?"
"Madam, are you talking about Meihong?"
"Yes, that's the one called Mei something. I heard that she has something to do with Feng'er?"
"It was Mei Hong who wanted to climb up the tree, and Your Highness was temporarily deceived by her..."
"Humph! As expected, like master, like servant. She and Yu Qingli are not good people. But if she comes again, bring her to see me!"
"If Your Majesty wishes to see Meihong, why not simply issue an order..."
"Shut up! You idiot! If that's the case, won't Yu Qingli become suspicious? I was thinking of planting a pair of suitable eyes in Ju'an Palace. If they've already been discovered before I even planted them, what's the point?"
"Yes, I am stupid, I am stupid!"
Nanny Li blamed herself repeatedly, but was interrupted impatiently by the Queen, "Alright, I won't listen to these words, but I will remember this grudge well, especially that Yu Qingli. I will definitely not let her have an easy time!"
A trace of cruelty flashed across Queen Li's eyes. Even if she was the girl of destiny, if she didn't serve her, she would naturally get rid of her! Although not now.
Yu Qingli in Ju'an Palace felt an inexplicable chill for no reason. When she came to her senses, Concubine Yu was still sitting on the chair opposite her with a lonely look on her face.
It had been half an hour since they came back, but since they stepped into the room, Concubine Yu hadn't said a word. She had her eyes lowered and her gaze was empty, and no one knew what she was thinking.
Yu Qingli and Xiluo looked at each other and sighed inwardly, not knowing whether her original decision was right or wrong. But now, there was no room for regret or retreat. Not only her, but also Concubine Yu.
At this point, they should be considered a community of shared destiny, where they prosper together and suffer together!
Yu Qingli decided to start the conversation first. Some things cannot be solved by avoiding them.
"Empress Yu, do you have anything to say?"
In fact, Yu Qingli did not expect that the Queen would take action against Concubine Yu so quickly. Otherwise, she would have been prepared, at least she would not have let Concubine Yu's emotions get out of control like they did now.
Concubine Yu finally raised her head. Her slightly pale face had a wooden expression, but her eyes were clear, as if she had already made a decision.
Sure enough, she paused for a moment and then said very seriously: "Ms. Yu, I want to leave here!"
Yu Qingli nodded slightly. She had guessed this result as early as the moment Concubine Yu was surrounded by the Queen and others.
Seeing this, Concubine Yu was delighted, "Miss Yu agrees? Are you willing to help me leave!"
Yu Qingli's face was icy, and her expression was normal. "No! I just guessed you would say that, but I also clearly tell you that this is impossible, at least, not now!"