ebookland Chapter 284: Efforts
Chapter 284: Efforts
Murong Shiling smiled dotingly, reached out and took Concubine Yu's hand, and placed a sweet kiss on her palm. "I didn't expect that my beloved concubine would be so concerned about a pot of flowers. It's just an Epiphyllum. Next year when it blooms, I will have someone send more for you to enjoy."
"But Your Majesty, I am not sure whether I will be able to appreciate the night-blooming cereus with Your Majesty at this time next year."
Upon hearing this, Murong Shiling put his arm around Concubine Yu's shoulders and said, "My beloved, you are saying such things again. You are mine, whether it's this year or next year, you belong to me alone for the rest of your life."
Imperial Concubine Yu smiled faintly, but that smile made people feel a little sad no matter how they looked at it. "That's true. Well, Your Majesty, let's not talk about this today. Look, the Epiphyllum has begun to bloom."
Concubine Yu got up from the bed, and Murong Shileng also got down from the dragon bed. He reached out and grabbed the fox fur cloak at the head of the bed. The huge cloak wrapped Concubine Yu in it, making her become one with him.
On the table not far away, a pot of white Udumbara is blooming proudly. In the night, it is fresh, elegant and extremely beautiful.
"Among all these flowers, why do you love only Epiphyllum?"
Murong Shiling suddenly became curious. This Concubine Yu who came out of nowhere was like a gift from God to him. Although he had asked about her origins before, she always kept silent. After he asked too many questions, she simply refused him by leaving the palace.
This made Murong Shiling feel helpless but also more curious. Even though they were already sleeping in the same bed, he felt that he could not control this woman. This feeling was very novel and interesting to him, and made him unable to stop.
Hearing Murong Shiling's question, Concubine Yu smiled faintly and spoke eloquently. "Your Majesty, haven't you heard of this? The Epiphyllum symbolizes the eternity of a moment, blooming its most brilliant flower within a limited time. Your Majesty, don't you find this fleeting yet eternal wisdom of survival admirable?"
After hearing what Concubine Yu said, Murong Shiling felt that the Epiphyllum did have its ornamental value. He had never paid attention to it before. He just felt that this kind of flower that always bloomed at night and withered during the day was really boring. No matter how beautiful it was, it would wither in just a few hours. What did it matter if such a thing was beautiful?
Concubine Yu stared at the Epiphyllum. What she didn't say was how similar her fate was to that of the flower. She didn't know when her identity would be revealed. Even if it wasn't, judging from Miss Yu's attitude, she was afraid that she was just a chess piece in her hands. Even though she was willing and both of them got what they wanted, as a chess piece, there would be a day when she would be abandoned.
Concubine Yu was very clear about this, so she hoped to enjoy everything she could expect in this short period of time! And in the meantime, she would naturally do what a chess piece should do.
"Your Majesty, I have noticed that you have looked so worried these past few days. I wonder what is the matter?"
Murong Shiling couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. "Did you even know about Yu'er? It was that evil prince who dared to openly disobey his order..."
"Oh? Although I have only been in the palace for a short time, I have heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is humble and respectful, and has always been the most respectful to Your Majesty. How could he disobey an order? But I wonder what it is?"
"The day before yesterday, Prime Minister Yu mentioned to me that he wanted to marry his youngest daughter into the palace. I agreed and betrothed her to the Crown Prince. I never expected him to openly disobey my order for no reason! I'm so pissed off!"
Imperial Concubine Yu lowered her eyes and smiled, "Your Majesty, I never thought that Prime Minister Yu, who is always known to be upright and incorruptible, would be so shrewd. No matter which prince succeeds the throne in the future, his position as the father-in-law will be secure!"
Murong Shiling felt inexplicably unhappy upon hearing this. Although he knew what Yu Zhengsha was thinking, hearing it said so bluntly made him feel very uncomfortable.
"That's true. It seems that I agreed to it too hastily."
From Murong Shiling's tone, Concubine Yu seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Yu Zhengsha. She smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Your Majesty has always been cautious in his actions. How could he be so careless?"
"Yu'er, please don't comfort me. I was indeed a little impatient this time, but my words are mine. Even if I wanted to change them, it would be impossible."
Murong Shiling sighed, but this sigh made Concubine Yu suddenly alert. Miss Yu once said that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. While the emperor tolerates her concealing her identity, he will naturally try every means to test her identity. If she says the wrong thing at this time, she will die.
It has to be said that Concubine Yu was a very smart and clever person. Coupled with her previous experience in the dungeon, she was particularly concerned about matters of life and death. Therefore, as soon as Murong Shiling's tone changed, she realized that something was wrong.
Your Majesty might be suspecting that she has some close relationship with the Crown Prince. After all, it is said that Concubine Yu originally came from the Jinghong Music House, and this music house was personally found by the Crown Prince, so it is understandable that Murong Shileng has such suspicion.
Imperial Concubine Yu immediately changed her tune and said, "There's no reason to change this already-decided decree. Besides, although Prime Minister Yu has a good plan, there's nothing wrong with it. Two sisters marrying two brothers, even if it gets out in the future, it will be a good story!"
Murong Shiling was a little confused. Could it be that she had misunderstood and that Concubine Yu was not related to the Crown Prince? It seemed that perhaps she was just being too suspicious.
"If Cheng'er agrees, it would indeed be a wonderful story, but now it seems that Cheng'er is determined to refuse this marriage."
"Your Highness is probably not mentally prepared yet. If you were given a few days' grace, you might not be so opposed to this matter."
Concubine Yu spoke cautiously, fearing that the emperor would suspect her again. Fortunately, the emperor did not doubt her anymore, and his expression was clearly thoughtful. It seemed that he took her words to heart.
Concubine Yu finally felt relieved and changed the subject, "Your Majesty, I want to go to Fahua Temple after dawn today..."
"Going to Fahua Temple? What for?"
Murong Shiling was inexplicably nervous. Was Concubine Yu trying to take this opportunity to leave? Because of all the uncertainties about this woman, Murong Shiling really didn't dare to let his guard down.
Seeing Murong Shiling so nervous, Concubine Yu smiled and said, "I'm just going to fulfill a vow. Your Majesty, don't worry. I made a vow before the Buddha earlier. If I could accompany Your Majesty, I would definitely go to the Fahua Temple to fulfill the vow."
"I see. Then I'll go with you. Since you made this wish for me, I should go with you."
"Your Majesty, there's no need to force me. I'm just going to burn incense. I won't fly away for nothing."
Murong Shiling was already doubtful, and after Concubine Yu said this, he became even more worried. "I'd better go with you. After all, I haven't left the palace for many days."
"How can this be possible? His Majesty leaving the palace is a serious matter. Moreover, if His Majesty goes with us, a one-day trip will probably become several days."
Murong Shiling couldn't help but smile at her humorous words, and his annoyance was mostly gone. "Why don't we go on a secret visit incognito? Just the two of us, no one else."
Concubine Yu seemed to have agreed reluctantly, but she secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. She had finally successfully changed the subject, and she had also successfully made Murong Shiling feel a grudge about the marriage between Murong Cheng and her.
She has done everything Yu Qingli ordered her to do, and what happens after this has nothing to do with her!
There were white clouds in the blue sky, and it was a nice day. Yu Qingli took Xiluo and walked towards the garden.
The begonias were in full bloom, and the bright red flowers looked very pretty and charming. Yu Qingli walked among the flowers with a faint smile on her lips, and she seemed to be in a good mood.
"Miss, are you going to solve the trouble today?"
Yu Qingli glanced at her and said, "Strike while the iron is hot, right? I have no intention of giving up halfway."
Xiluo curled her lips and said, "Young lady is kind-hearted. Plus, she had already received the news from Concubine Yu yesterday. Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing."
"Then I will lead the way."
Xiluo sent the servants away, and after a quick glance to see that there was no one around, he took Yu Qingli through the garden and came to Murong Cheng's courtyard.
Murong Cheng's courtyard was very close to the courtyard where Yu Qingli lived when she first entered the palace. It was also a quiet place. From a distance, one could see that the palace door was closed and a group of servants were whispering to each other at the door like ants on a hot pan.
One of the young eunuchs was the most anxious, scratching his ears and cheeks like a monkey. Yu Qingli recognized him at a glance. It was he who followed Murong Cheng here on the night Murong Yan returned and killed the palace maid.
The young eunuch was very clever. He came to greet Yu Qingli as soon as he saw her coming. "I didn't know that the Crown Princess had arrived. I'm sorry for not welcoming you..."
"Alright, go and tell your master." Yu Qingli said calmly, but saw the little eunuch's face was full of embarrassment. "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to report it, but Your Highness is... it's not very convenient right now."
"It's indeed not very convenient to drink during the day. I guess you claimed to be sick and didn't go to the morning court." Yu Qingli's light words were like a thunder that exploded in the little eunuch's heart. His mind was suddenly filled with a thousand thoughts, and he didn't know whether Yu Qingli came here for good or evil.
"Don't think about it. If you really want to do good for your master, just keep an eye on the people in the yard and stop gossiping about them." After Yu Qingli said this, she winked at Chao Xiluo.
The young eunuch looked at Yu Qingli suspiciously, gritted his teeth, and led the servants to retreat to the outer courtyard to guard.
Xiluo then stepped forward and kicked open the tightly closed palace door.
It was extremely dark inside the door, the curtains were drawn tightly, the windows were closed, and the strong smell of alcohol could not be dissipated.
Yu Qingli frowned slightly, pulled open the curtain and pushed open the window. The bright sunlight shone on Murong Cheng's face. He hurriedly waved his hand to cover his eyes, but the wine jar in his right hand had already smashed towards Yu Qingli.