latelenovela Chapter 119 Using Beauty to Serve Others
Chapter 119 Using Beauty to Serve Others
"You've had your mung bean soup, so Prime Minister Lu may leave now," Pei Yuanling said in an unpleasant tone, directly issuing the order to leave.
Lu Zhiheng rose, bowed, and took his leave. As he turned to leave the main hall, he couldn't help but glance back at the two people on the bed, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
After Lu Zhiheng left, Chu Qingyin nestled beside Pei Yuanling, looking delicate and boneless.
She sighed softly and asked quietly, "Your Majesty, is this Lord Lu here to plead for Lu Baolin?"
"No."
Pei Yuanling put his arm around her shoulder and briefly explained what had just happened.
Chu Qingyin couldn't help but be surprised.
Lu Zhiheng actually came to request His Majesty to severely punish Lu Mingzhu, and according to him, he was completely leaving Lu Mingzhu no way out.
Although what Lu Mingzhu did was outrageous, Chu Qingyin understood that she was nothing more than a scapegoat.
The crime is too serious.
Not to mention that Xuandu Temple was a place where convicted concubines prayed for the royal family, the Cold Palace was not a place for ordinary people.
Chu Qingyin deeply understands this.
But considering that the person was Lu Zhiheng, it made sense that he would do something so righteous as to sacrifice his own family.
A gentle breeze stirred, causing the curtains inside the hall to flutter and carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Chu Qingyin reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple, her eyes filled with worry. "Lu Baolin has been incredibly audacious this time, committing a grave error. Although he has been punished, the thought of His Majesty's distressed state yesterday still fills me with dread..."
Thinking of yesterday's loss of control, Pei Yuanling's eyes flickered slightly.
After a moment, he took her hand and gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry, Yinyin, I will never let this happen again."
Chu Qingyin said, "I am worried about Your Majesty's health."
Pei Yuanling chuckled and squeezed her fingers. "Judging from last night, Yinyin should worry about her health first."
"His Majesty……"
Chu Qingyin lowered her head slightly, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. "Your Majesty is always bullying your concubines."
The two exchanged some heartfelt words, and before they knew it, evening had arrived. The sky was ablaze with red clouds, forming a fiery sunset that shone brightly on the golden glazed tiles.
With the summer heat fading, it's the perfect time to go out and cool off.
Pei Yuanling stood up, took Chu Qingyin's hand, and walked with her outside the palace. "Accompany me for a walk in the Imperial Garden."
Chu Qingyin obediently responded and left with Pei Yuanling, followed at a distance by the palace maids and eunuchs.
In her previous life, she had accompanied Pei Yuanling to the Western Hills Summer Palace many times. At that time, she was the most favored concubine in the palace, and her brilliance was undeniable. Even the Empress had to give her some leeway.
I never imagined that, with the passage of time and the return to this familiar place, my state of mind would change so drastically.
Not far from Chen'an Palace, there is a huge lake. It was dug by skilled craftsmen at the behest of the retired emperor when the palace was first built. The lake was filled with water from the underground river outside the palace, thus creating a winding and picturesque landscape.
The lake is covered with lotus leaves, and pale pink lotus flowers sway in the wind, many of which have already formed lotus pods.
There was another fixed pleasure boat on the lakeshore that could not be moved, and Pei Yuanling arranged for them to dine there tonight.
The two walked together into the painted boat. The carved windows on both sides offered glimpses of the scenery outside. There was steam rising from the water and a gentle breeze blowing across the lake, making it much cooler than other places.
As dusk settles, the painted boat is carpeted with soft carpets, and a carved table is placed in the center. The dishes are already served, mostly refreshing seasonal vegetables.
"Does Yinyin like this place?"
The two sat side by side, without any maids to serve them. Pei Yuanling personally served her the steamed perch, which was her favorite dish from her previous life.
"Your Majesty made this special arrangement, how could I not be pleased?" Chu Qingyin remained calm, a gentle smile always on her face.
"If you like it, let's come again in the future."
"it is good"
Pei Yuanling chuckled, his previously troubled mood improving considerably as a result.
They were enjoying their time together, admiring the scenery and boating, while the Empress was having a much harder time.
Upon learning that His Majesty had spent the entire day with Qiao Qingyin, except for meeting with Chief Minister Lu, he was furious.
She stared at the table full of delicacies and immediately lost her appetite, even though these were all the Emperor's favorite foods.
She slammed down her chopsticks and angrily said, "What kind of food is this? It's inedible! Take it all away!"
Yunxiang, the personal maid, was scalded on the instep by the hot water that had been spilled on the ground, but she dared not cry out. She could only endure the pain, tears welling up in her eyes.
Seeing this, Empress Wang showed no pity whatsoever, but instead became even more furious. "Useless thing, what are you still standing here for? Get out of here right now!"
The other palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened that they dared not breathe and knelt on the ground in a huge mass.
Yunxiang bit her lip but did not back down. She knelt before Empress Wang and pleaded earnestly, "Your Majesty, you have not eaten for a whole day. Your body will not be able to take it if this continues. Please eat something."
"What, now even you dare to defy me?"
Empress Wang, with her well-maintained and dignified face darkening, said in a deep voice, "We finally got rid of Chu Qingyin, and now another Qiao Qingyin has come. Why can't I stand the name Qingyin?"
Even though Chu Qingyin was favored by the Emperor in the past, His Majesty did not spoil her so excessively. She would still come to the Empress's palace to report for duty on the first and fifteenth of each month without fail, in order to maintain some semblance of dignity for the Empress.
But now, he is spending every night at Consort Qiao's place.
If Qiao Qingyin were to become pregnant with the imperial heir first, my position would truly be in grave danger!
The more Empress Wang thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn't help but clench the delicate mother-of-pearl inlaid gold finger sleeves on her fingertips, making them sink deep into her palms.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Getting angry will only make you feel worse."
Seeing her mistress in such distress, Yunxiang felt a pang of sadness herself.
After hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward to advise, "That Consort Qiao only gained the Emperor's favor because she looks somewhat like the late Consort. But how long can one who serves others with his looks last?"
Upon hearing this, Empress Wang felt somewhat calmer.
Seeing that her mistress had calmed down a bit, Yunxiang said in a calming tone, "Once His Majesty's novelty wears off and she grows old and loses her beauty, His Majesty will naturally get tired of her."
"Ha, she's seven years younger than me. When she gets old and loses her beauty, won't I be even more withered and faded?"
As Empress Wang spoke, a self-deprecating smile appeared on her lips.
Beauty fades quickly; how many more years can she afford to wait?
Seeing the Empress's listless expression, Yunxiang's eyes darted around, and suddenly she remembered something. "Your Majesty, isn't the hunting banquet in a few days?"
"Our dynasty values martial arts, and there have always been women's hunting competitions. I imagine that many concubines would participate in them in order to win the emperor's favor. Once they entered the hunting grounds, it was inevitable that some people would get injured."
Empress Wang's long eyelashes fluttered slightly upon hearing Yunxiang's words. "What do you mean?"