ebookland Chapter 72 is truly strange.
Chapter 72 is truly strange.
"What are your conditions?"
Kang Luhai said, "As long as you can help with this, everything is negotiable."
The old eunuch said, "I want to see your Master Qiao and speak to him in person."
Kang Luhai was taken aback, somewhat puzzled: "Master, if there's anything you need, I'll pass it on to you."
The old eunuch remained resolute: "I must see Consort Qiao in person before I speak; otherwise, there's no point in talking. You'll have to put yourself in a difficult position!"
"Hey, Master, you... wait a minute, don't close the door yet..."
"Alright, alright, I'll tell my master when I get back tomorrow, is that alright?"
Upon hearing Kang Luhai's agreement, the old eunuch hesitated no longer, turned around, and closed the door.
Kang Luhai stood at the door, his sleeves tucked in, and sighed deeply before leaving shortly afterward.
After he left, Chen Xun emerged from the shadows, his brows furrowed and his eyes filled with doubt.
How did Consort Qiao get involved with the people in the Cold Palace again?
That's really strange.
The next morning, the night patrol guards changed shifts, and Chen Xun, not daring to delay for a moment, went straight to the Lu residence.
"You mean Qiao Qingyin is looking for a young eunuch?"
Lu Zhiheng, dressed in a vermilion official robe, was about to leave when he looked at Chen Xun, who had come looking for him early in the morning, with a deep gaze.
Chen Xun dared not hide anything and nodded affirmatively: "Yes, Kang Luhai is indeed looking for a little eunuch."
Do you know why she sought out this eunuch?
"This...this subordinate does not know..."
Chen Xun said awkwardly, "However, I have inquired and found that Kang Luhai has been secretly looking for that little eunuch recently, but I don't know how he found him in the Cold Palace."
Lu Zhiheng pondered for a moment: "Give the order to have the palace guards help with the search."
Chen Xun was taken aback. He wanted to ask why he was helping to find the man, but when he saw the man's cool and aloof profile, he didn't dare to ask anymore.
"Yes."
Chen Xun accepted the order and was about to leave. He had secretly left the palace during the morning shift change and needed to get back before His Majesty's morning court session.
"and many more."
Lu Zhiheng stopped him, "Send someone to investigate that old eunuch in the Cold Palace as well, maybe you can find some clues."
"Understood, sir." Chen Xun bowed and left.
The study quickly quieted down. Lu Zhiheng slowly stroked the jade and gold earring in his sleeve, and the image of that clever and cunning face involuntarily appeared in his mind.
Qiao Qingyin, what exactly are you trying to do?
What exactly is your connection with Consort Chu?
A jumble of thoughts raced through Lu Zhiheng's mind, and for the first time, the exceptionally intelligent man seemed bewildered by something.
He always felt that the things in front of him, though seemingly unrelated, were somehow intricately connected.
That's it.
Since we can't figure out Qiao Qingyin's purpose, we might as well take the initiative and find that little eunuch first, and all the questions will naturally be answered.
Outside Feixue Palace, a thin mist hangs in the air.
Chu Qingyin got up early to help Pei Yuanling get dressed.
Why didn't you sleep a little longer?
Looking at the woman who was still sleepy-eyed but was still forcing herself to stay awake and carefully adjusting the front of his dragon robe, Pei Yuanling smiled with doting affection.
Chu Qingyin smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes before raising her eyes and smiling sweetly: "Of course, it's because I admire Your Majesty so much that I want to spend more time with you."
No one dislikes hearing kind words.
Even the emperor was no exception.
Moreover, such flattering words came from the mouth of his beloved, which made Pei Yuanling extremely happy from the very beginning.
Even knowing that she might still be acting with him, he was still satisfied with things as they were.
Pei Yuanling pulled the person in front of him into his arms, his deep voice gentle and tender: "I also want to spend more time with Yinyin, but affairs of state are more important, please understand me."
Ah, what a fine saying about prioritizing state affairs.
How much time did Pei Yuanling trap her with just this one sentence?
Even though the Chu family wholeheartedly supported his desire for power and assisted him in ascending to the throne, he still refused to make an exception for her brother, citing the importance of court affairs.
He gave the Chu family almost no chance to defend themselves before exiling her entire family and demoting her, the once cherished concubine, to the cold palace.
Knowing full well that she had been poisoned to death, they concealed it from the world, using the excuse of sudden illness to cover up the truth.
She, and even the entire Chu family, risked their lives for him, yet they couldn't overcome the saying that matters of the court were more important. How ironic.
Chu Qingyin really wanted to put on a smile, pretend nothing was wrong, and continue acting with him.
But mentioning this matter was like hitting a nerve; she felt a chill run through her body and had no strength left to feign politeness with him.
"Your Majesty, I am feeling unwell, so I will not see you off." Chu Qingyin stepped out of Pei Yuanling's embrace.
Pei Yuanling frowned as he saw her pale face, as if she were trying to suppress her discomfort. "Where does it hurt? I summon the imperial physician..."
"There's no need to summon the imperial physician. I'm fine. Perhaps I got up too quickly and felt a little dizzy. I'll feel better after lying down for a while."
"really?"
"How dare I lie to Your Majesty?"
Chu Qingyin forced a knowing smile and gently nudged Pei Yuanling: "Your Majesty, please go to court. Don't let me delay important matters."
For some reason, Pei Yuanling felt a strange, indescribable feeling when he heard these words.
Pei Yuanling looked at Chu Qingyin several more times, and only when he saw that her face was no longer as pale as before did he feel a little relieved.
He instructed Yu Yan and Yu Lian to take good care of him and to go to Chen Zhongliang if anything happened. Only then did Pei Yuanling step out of Feixue Palace and board the imperial carriage outside the palace.
Hearing the long "Your Majesty, depart!" from outside the hall, Chu Qingyin seemed to lose all her strength and slumped into the rosewood chair beside her.
Recalling how he had cared for her in every little detail just now, Chu Qingyin felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
She certainly loved him; she loved how good he was to her and how much he doted on her.
But she also hated him, hated his cold-bloodedness and indifference.
What about Pei Yuanling? Did he ever truly love her?
Perhaps we were in love.
But this love, in the end, couldn't withstand that position.
Thinking of this, Chu Qingyin felt a pang of sorrow, and a mocking smile crept onto her lips.
Yu Yan, who was standing nearby, asked with some confusion, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Chu Qingyin then came to her senses. She looked up and, through Yu Yan's clear eyes, saw her own red-rimmed eyes, which looked like she was about to cry. She immediately raised her hand and wiped the corner of her eye.
"I am fine."
Chu Qingyin spoke softly, and was about to walk into the inner room by supporting herself on the armrest of the wooden chair when she heard Kang Luhai requesting an audience outside.
"This servant greets Your Majesty."
"What is it?" Chu Qingyin's voice was cold yet authoritative.
Kang Luhai didn't answer immediately, but instead looked up at Chu Qingyin.
Chu Qingyin understood and waved her sleeve lightly, "You can go down now."
The palace servants inside the hall looked at each other in bewilderment, and then withdrew one after another.
Once only the master and servant remained in the hall, Kang Luhai respectfully recounted the events of the previous night.
"My master said that this matter is of great importance and only by discussing it in person with the Empress can the confidentiality of the information be guaranteed."
Chu Qingyin was silent for a moment, but still made a decision, "I agree to meet him."
Her voice carried a hint of determination, "It's scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and I will go there in person."
Upon hearing this, Kang Luhai's face lit up with joy, and he quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will make the arrangements immediately."
Chu Qingyin nodded and added, "This matter must not be leaked. Be careful."
"The slave understands."
Kang Luhai answered respectfully, then slowly withdrew and carefully closed the door.
Chu Qingyin turned and went back into the inner room, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed.
Tomorrow, she is determined to find out who that audacious eunuch who poisoned her came from and take revenge!