Chapter 102
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Chapter 102: Title
Nanyin’s Palace.
Inside the palace, Gu Hengbo gently rocked the crying Little Hong’er while softly comforting him. The continuous gloomy weather over the past few days had made her feel a bit restless, and her unease was growing.
Little Hong’er soon stopped crying, and Gu Hengbo carefully placed him in the cradle. After giving it a gentle rock, she felt reassured and got dressed to go outside.
The palace servants outside bowed as she emerged. Gu Hengbo offered a few brief instructions and then walked down the corridor in another direction. She remembered that today was the birthday of some beauty in the palace, and Qin Qixian wanted her to come over. Indeed, although she was now a consort, her treatment was still less than that of a mere concubine. However, she should be content; being able to care for Little Hong’er was enough.
All the halls were brightly lit because of the bad weather, and the lights made everything feel unreal. Gu Hengbo did not allow any palace servants to accompany her; she strolled through the corridor as if taking a leisurely walk. Despite her effort to relax, her inner unrest hadn’t diminished. The Eastern Emperor had passed away not long ago, and she had received news a few days ago that Concubine Wan—her biological aunt—had also died. Her feelings were mixed; the Eastern Palace likely was not as calm as it appeared. Lianyang was in mourning for a year, so who was in charge now? Was it her? But why had she received no news at all?
Qin Qixian sat on the main seat clad in a deep purple dragon robe, cradling a woman dressed in a purple palace outfit. At first glance, they looked like a couple. Gu Hengbo curtsied out of habit and then expressionlessly sat down in her seat. As a woman, she wondered why she should mimic a man’s debauchery. She truly did not understand the point of such escapades. The women Qin Qixian surrounded herself with were not even appealing to her; she couldn’t fathom how Qin Qixian interacted with them.
While Gu Hengbo silently critiqued, Qin Qixian’s eyes were on her, deep in thought. Soon enough, the Empress spoke, “Why haven’t you worn the Lianyun brocade I sent?”
Gu Hengbo glanced up at her, “Oh, I didn’t wear it because it was too revealing.” Was that really Lianyun? She couldn’t believe they didn’t just send her out naked.
Qin Qixian raised an eyebrow, “What if I ordered you to change into it now?”
Foolish! Gu Hengbo didn’t even frown as she stood up and walked towards the hall exit, “Alright, I’ll go change.”
Qin Qixian made no move to stop her; instead, she gazed at her with a strange expression, pondering how to convey the good news she had just received.
The birthday banquet passed like a playful gathering. As it was a concubine’s celebration, there were no officials invited, just a few ladies in the palace. Eventually, Qin Qixian dismissed everyone, leaving only herself and Gu Hengbo in the empty hall. She smiled seductively, her fingers rubbing the rim of her wine cup. Suddenly, she stood and descended the steps.
Gu Hengbo remained seated, observing quietly, “I want to leave the palace to see my mother.”
Qin Qixian halted in front of her, “I have information about Lian Rong. Do you want to hear it?”
Gu Hengbo paused, then shook her head, “No need, thank you.” It didn’t matter whether her mother was well or unwell; not seeing her for a year made words meaningless.
Qin Qixian swirled her wine cup, “If you’re not interested, so be it. By the way, what did you say earlier?”
Gu Hengbo reiterated softly, “I want to leave the palace to see my mother.”
Qin Qixian tilted Gu Hengbo’s chin up, “Your mother is fine. You don’t need to leave the palace to see her. Of course, if you wish to share a night together, I might let you leave the palace. How about it? Is that acceptable?”
Gu Hengbo stared at her for a long moment before finally asking, “Share a night? Are you wanting to bed me, or do you want me to bed you?”
Qin Qixian was briefly taken aback, then suddenly laughed, “Gu Meisheng, you are something—let’s hope Lian Rong returns alive to meet you. If she doesn’t, I won’t hold back,” she said, forcing the wine from her cup into Gu Hengbo’s mouth, watching coldly as Gu Hengbo coughed from the unexpected drink.
Gu Hengbo gasped for breath, and until Qin Qixian left, she remained seated, her mind echoing with Qin Qixian’s words, her anxiety intensifying. Eventually, she struggled to stand with the low table as support, nearly losing her balance. In her heart, Lian Rong had always been someone who controlled everything; no one could ever dominate her.
After Qin Qixian exited, she quickly changed into simple attire and left the palace, heading directly to the Northern Region. On a sudden impulse, she wanted to meet the biological mother of that child, the one who had mesmerized her at first glance. No one had ever made Qin Qixian as captivated as that woman, who could outsmart numerous men in the court while pregnant, matched or even surpassed them.
(Interestingly, the first time Qin Qixian met Zou Yuan, Little Hong’er wasn’t even born yet!)
At Prince Rong’s residence, a man dressed in a dark blue long robe quietly sat in a chair, looking to be in his mid-forties. Even in casual clothes, a sense of authority surrounded him. He set down the letter he held, his gaze darkening, “This chess game, my lord, is truly dangerous. How can she be sure the Eastern Emperor’s death is related to the Crown Prince?”
Qian Yue smiled slightly, “My lord has his reasons. If there is no evidence, Four Dukes wouldn’t be informed of this plan.”
Clearly, it was a way to indicate that Prince Rong respected them, but since they knew everything, they had no choice but to act.
Four Dukes exchanged glances, knowing they couldn’t escape this matter. Yet, they also understood that once the Crown Prince’s guilt was established, and with the Third Prince now missing, who would control the Eastern Region remained uncertain. Indeed, as long as Lian Rong was willing to take risks to uncover the mastermind behind the Eastern Emperor’s murder, she was more than qualified to take the throne, regardless of her gender. If the plan succeeded, the Eastern Region could indeed fall under a woman’s control.
Qian Yue said nothing, and Wuyang remained silent, acknowledging that she was less composed than Qian Yue and feeling quite anxious. They could wait, but Lian Rong, confined in the Tiangong Division, could not. Lianyang’s mood was unpredictable, and if they couldn’t find information about Gu Hengbo, anything could happen. The consequences of anything happening to Lian Rong were unimaginable.
Ultimately, things proceeded as planned, but with Four Dukes involved, a sense of relief washed over everyone. After all, Lianyang was now essentially in control; once the mourning period ended and he ascended the throne, he would have the power to dictate lives. As Lian Rong said, this year should not only eliminate everyone in the Crown Prince’s estate but also anyone in the court involved in this matter. Most of First Prince Lian Yue’s supporters had already sided with Lianyang, making it essential to eliminate all threats completely.
