si-mexico Chapter 97 Trip to Xishan
Chapter 97 Trip to Xishan
The lights were dim in the attic.
Lu Zhiheng stared at the man and woman downstairs, embracing each other as if no one else was around, his eyes growing colder.
He didn't understand why he felt so choked up.
The way the eldest daughter of the Qiao family immediately and without hesitation averted her gaze upon seeing him made him feel uneasy. Even the fingers hidden beneath his wide sleeves clenched into fists without him noticing—
Ling Xiao, the attendant standing to the side, noticed his unusual behavior and couldn't help but look down with his gaze.
Upon seeing the two familiar figures on the street, Ling Xiao frowned: "Judging from His Majesty's appearance, could it really be just to accompany Consort Qiao on a trip to visit relatives?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw his master's cold gaze sweep over him.
Ling Xiao immediately lowered his eyes, looking as if he regretted his words.
Lu Zhiheng's gaze swept lightly across his face: "I know what you're thinking."
"Do you really think Pei Yuanling is a tyrannical ruler blinded by lust?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao was instantly jolted awake.
How could someone who could endure and bide his time for many years, stand out from the princes, and step on the blood of his own brothers to ascend to the throne, truly be tempted by beauty?
"It was my ignorance," Ling Xiao immediately bowed his head and admitted his mistake.
Lu Zhiheng glanced at him indifferently: "Yingfeng sent a letter saying that a highly skilled bodyguard was found inside Qiao Gongquan's residence, seemingly intending to investigate the study. Fortunately, I had already placed people in the Qiao residence to scare them away."
Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao was greatly shocked: "Does Your Majesty suspect Minister Qiao?"
Although Qiao Gongquan isn't exactly one of their own yet, he's still on their side. The study is a confidential place, and there's no guarantee that something won't be discovered and dragged into it, which would ruin their entire plan!
Lu Zhiheng shook his head, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
He didn't know what Pei Yuanling meant by doing this.
After all, his friendship with Qiao Gongquan wasn't something that developed overnight. Even if Pei Yuanling suspected him, he might not have investigated so openly.
But if it wasn't related to him, why was he investigating Qiao Gongquan?
Could it still be related to that Miss Qiao?
-
As night deepened, Pei Yuanling suddenly had something to attend to and instructed the guards to escort Chu Qingyin back to the palace first.
Holding the goldfish lantern that Pei Yuanling had given her, Chu Qingyin was filled with doubts.
Could it be that Pei Yuanling's trip out of the palace this time wasn't to accompany her, but rather to investigate something?
For some reason, she suddenly remembered the probing look that Lu Zhiheng had given her earlier.
She always felt that this matter might be related to Lu Zhiheng.
Pei Yuanling's political situation had been unstable since he ascended the throne; otherwise, he wouldn't have used marriage alliances to win over court officials. At that time, she was in love with him and only wanted to help him achieve his long-cherished wish.
Later, once the political situation stabilized, the Chu family became the first weapon wielded by the emperor's power.
Lu Zhiheng, a scholar from a declining aristocratic family, rose through the ranks by passing the imperial examinations and became a powerful minister used by Pei Yuanling to replace the Chu family.
For some reason, Chu Qingyin always felt that this man was not simply someone obsessed with power. He had definitely ulterior motives for reaching his current position.
But what exactly is he plotting? Having already risen to the position of Grand Secretary, considered the head of the court officials, how much more could he possibly achieve?
As night deepened, a dark figure swiftly scaled the courtyard wall and disappeared into the study of the Lu residence.
"Just as you predicted, His Majesty instructed Chen Xun to send Consort Qiao back to the palace first, while he himself left alone with his guards."
Yingfeng knelt before Lu Zhiheng, blaming himself, "It's a pity I failed in my duty and lost track of them."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiheng's gaze darkened. Where would Pei Yuanling go, leaving his guards behind in the middle of the night?
"Did he discover it?"
"My subordinates personally followed them, and they were not exposed."
Lu Zhiheng nodded slightly and gestured for him to stand up: "Since he acted under the cover of night, he must have made thorough preparations. You don't need to blame yourself."
Yingfeng stood up from the ground: "I have already sent people to guard the palace gate. I will come to report as soon as His Majesty returns."
"Ah."
Lu Zhiheng nodded slightly, then waved his hand. Yingfeng understood and turned to leave.
***
The summer heat intensified, and before we knew it, it was the end of May.
Pei Yuanling led most of the concubines in the palace, along with a group of princes, nobles, and court officials, to the Western Hills Palace to escape the summer heat.
On the journey, Chu Qingyin was arranged to ride in the same carriage as Pei Yuanling.
She was afraid of attracting too much attention and wanted to refuse, but Pei Yuanling's attitude was firm, so she had no choice but to comply.
The concubines dared not blame the emperor, and could only vent their resentment on Chu Qingyin.
"Your Majesty, Consort Qiao is showing you no respect at all. When His Majesty travels, it is only natural that the Emperor and Empress should ride together..."
Before she could finish speaking, Empress Wang interrupted her, saying, "Consort Qin, be careful what you say!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Qin Rong'er, one of the imperial concubines, chuckled twice and said, "This concubine has been impolite. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Empress Wang's expression remained dignified as she turned to her with imperial majesty: "I know what you're thinking. Now that Wei Yiqiu is gone, you want to take her place and become one of the four consorts?"
"I pity you for entering the palace as a concubine when His Majesty was still a prince, and for your deep affection for His Majesty. I am happy to help you along the way. But you must not forget the rules of the palace. Be careful with your words and actions and do not lose your manners."
Qin Rong'er's face darkened when her thoughts were bluntly exposed.
In the past, the Empress had always turned a blind eye to these things and rarely put pressure on them; this was the first time she had done so.
Could it be—
As if remembering something, Qin Rong'er lowered her eyes, a hint of disdain flashing across them.
All that talk of magnanimity and humility is just pretense. Now that she's been neglected by His Majesty and doesn't dare to compete, she comes here to act arrogantly towards her.
Although she thought this in her heart, she still smiled obsequiously and said, "Your Majesty is right. I will certainly be more careful with my words and actions in the future."
Fifty li west of the capital city, outside the Western Hills Imperial Palace, the imperial entourage arrived smoothly in about half a day.
Pei Yuanling, showing consideration for the officials and concubines' long journey, instructed them to make their own accommodations first, and to hold a banquet later that night.
The emperor and empress resided on the east and west sides of the temporary palace, respectively, while the accompanying concubines were assigned to other halls and side halls on the west side according to their rank.
Consort Qiao is currently enjoying great favor and has been assigned to Xingyue Palace, which is next to the Empress Wang's Lanyue Palace and is not far from the Chen'an Palace, where His Majesty resides to the east.
This was arranged by order of Empress Wang herself. Everyone knew that she was trying to please her, and no one dared to object.
As expected, Pei Yuanling was very satisfied with this and praised her in public for her intelligence and wisdom, saying she had the demeanor of an empress.
The concubines all cast envious glances at Chu Qingyin.
Chu Qingyin, having previously been the Noble Consort Chu, was already accustomed to such gazes. She feigned a polite refusal, but then gladly accepted the gift.
He led Kang Luhai, Xianglan, Yuyan, and others, carrying their luggage, to Xingyue Palace to stay.
Once everything was in place, Chu Qingyin instructed Xianglan: "Tonight at the palace banquet, you must carefully dress me up; I want to outshine all the beauties."