Chapter 107

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Chapter 107: Title

Qian Yue admitted that she could handle anything that happened, but facing Ning Yu’s insistence and stubbornness right now, she felt a bit helpless. This woman, although a pawn placed beside her master by the late emperor, hadn’t done anything since entering Prince Rong’s residence. In many ways, she resembled the Princess of Prince Rong more than Gu Hengbo did.

Of course, the key issue was still with Lian Rong. The more calm she seemed, the more unsure Qian Yue felt about what to do.

"Prince, how should we deal with the secondary princess?" In front of numerous maids and servants, Qian Yue could not say much and could only patiently ask for Lian Rong’s opinion, since the others did not know Ning Yu’s identity.

Lian Rong sat behind the long table, staring at the letter and lost in thought. When she heard Qian Yue’s words, her eyelids didn’t even lift. "Whether she stays or leaves is entirely up to her."

Qian Yue furrowed her brows. Lian Rong’s attitude puzzled her. Were they keeping the person or letting her go? After some hesitation, she directly tossed the difficult decision to Lian Rong—please invite Ning Yu in.

Once Ning Yu entered, Qian Yue dismissed the servants and closed the door, stepping out of the study.

Ning Yu looked at the person behind the desk, her eyes a bit moist. "The servants all say you are seriously injured. Why won’t you see me?"

Lian Rong’s gaze remained on the letter, and she spoke faintly. “You are a person of the late emperor.”

Ning Yu paused in surprise. "But I am also your secondary princess. Prince, you still can’t forget her."

Lian Rong finally looked up at her, a smile playing on her lips. "Ning Yu, forget about my identity. I am a woman and cannot give you anything. This will only delay you. If you are willing to leave the residence, I can promise you a lifetime of riches and honor."

"I don’t want riches and honor; I don’t care that you are a woman. Why can’t you look at me just once?" Ning Yu held back her tears, looking at Lian Rong as if seeking an answer.

Lian Rong sighed. "You are a good child. When you used to follow Lian Chen and call me royal uncle, I knew your future should be better."

Ning Yu could no longer hold back her tears, and they flowed from her eyes. She had no way out. She couldn’t remember when she started feeling this way. Since childhood, she had never thought about fighting for herself. The one time she did was met with such a complete rejection.

Lian Rong felt pity for her. This calm and serene woman, if it weren’t for Gu Hengbo, she might have considered keeping her. But that girl was too domineering, filling her heart completely, leaving no space for anyone else.

Lian Rong’s calm demeanor made Ning Yu realize it was not about seniority or identity. She simply didn’t like her—that’s all. She knew that person was still alive, and looking back, even if she died, there would still be no place for her in Prince Rong’s residence.

After Ning Yu left, not only did Lian Rong breathe a sigh of relief, but everyone in Prince Rong’s residence also relaxed. Only one person had yet to smile since Lian Rong had been able to move, and although she usually didn’t smile much and spoke little, it made her truly seem like a mute now.

In recent days, Lian Rong had been busy with trivial matters in the court, especially with Lianhua’s wedding approaching. She had been returning to the residence even less often, and she felt quite helpless with Wuyang’s dissatisfaction.

"Speaking a couple of words won’t kill you," Lian Rong said, feeling pretty good today. She teased Wuyang, whose face was as cold as ice.

"…"

"Your temper is too fiery. I didn’t let Qian Yue tell you out of concern. If you feel bored here, you can go to the Northern Region to find Qingfeng and bring Madam Dou back too."

"Okay."

"Wuyang."

"…"

"After this, you should start planning your engagement with Qingfeng."

Wuyang looked at Lian Rong, surprise flashing in her eyes. "Who said I wanted to marry her?"

Lian Rong asked in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Wuyang’s ears turned bright red, but her face remained expressionless. "Please be careful with your words next time, Master."

Lian Rong laughed, "Now you’re lecturing me? What’s wrong with you these days? You’re already an adult, yet you still act like a child."

Wuyang frowned and defended herself, "I didn’t. Master, you just favor Qian Yue too much."

Lian Rong sighed and nodded, "Is this satisfactory? Qian Yue is more composed in her actions than you."

The temperature around Wuyang dropped again. Her desire to compete with Qian Yue grew stronger. "Oh, understood. Master, do you have any other business? If not, I will leave."

Lian Rong looked at her for a while, wanting to laugh but holding it in. "Yes, you may go."

*

When Gu Yuanqing arrived again, Lian Rong was already packed and ready to head south. "Prime Minister Gu, do you have something to discuss?"

Gu Yuanqing entered, wiping his sweat, and drank the tea handed to him with a single gulp. "Your Highness, all the officials are waiting for you in Chaoyang Hall. The Third Prince can’t get up for a while, so it wouldn’t be proper for you to leave now."

"What did they say?"

Gu Yuanqing looked at Lian Rong. "The situation with the Third Prince is clear now. The Fourth Prince is still young, and after all this has happened, these people are not blind. They’ve all reached a consensus, except for a couple of stubborn old folks."

Lian Rong understood this was all within her expectations. The female regent had already made those few people uncomfortable. If she were to ascend the throne, a bloody struggle would surely follow, but none of that mattered anymore.

"Alright, then leave these people to you, Prime Minister Gu. As long as you can deal with them, feel free to use my people. When I return, if my ears are still not quiet, Prime Minister…"

"Uh, this old minister understands, but I have one more thing to ask of Your Highness."

Lian Rong glanced at him. "Madam Dou?"

Gu Yuanqing looked a bit awkward. "This… I’m afraid this is a bit troubling for Your Highness."

Lian Rong seemed to remember something. "I heard about Gu Ran. Although she’s been affected by Madam Dou’s relatives, she still needs care at this time. Prime Minister, you might consider having the First Lady take care of her."

Gu Yuanqing was stunned for a moment, then felt cold sweat running down his back. Although Lian Rong agreed to bring Madam Dou back, her words clearly implied that bringing Madam Dou back meant dismissing Madam Qin!

After Gu Yuanqing left, Qian Yue entered with a smile, followed by a group of men and women dressed in black. Before Lian Rong could speak, they all knelt down together. "We congratulate you, Master!"

Lian Rong smiled but didn’t let them rise. She spoke softly, "Everyone has worked hard over the years. If you have other plans, you can discuss them with Qian Yue. I won’t make things difficult for you."

Qian Yue looked up with a smile. "We only hope that Master can bring the crown princess back quickly."

"Please bring the crown princess back soon!" The voices of the few echoed in the room, shaking it with their enthusiasm.

Lian Rong chuckled. "Qian Yue is fine, but you all are joining in too? Alright, you may all rise."

Qian Yue got up with a smile. After Lian Rong, even though she hadn’t said anything, she could feel Lian Rong’s impatience. If it weren’t for the delay in Eldest Princess Lianhua’s wedding, her people might have already headed to Nanyin. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be packing up to head south to find her wife while the officials were submitting petitions.

After Lian Rong left, the officials in Chaoyang Hall and the four lords who traveled far were the most frustrated. They had never seen anything like this before. Having the Prime Minister deliver a message was already enough of an insult, and now they were being asked to prepare for the coronation and the queen’s ceremony. This was blatant bullying! Hmph! (A group of old men in court attire were also being quite proud.)

*

"I’m going to die."

"Your Majesty, do not say such things. Here, drink your medicine first. You will feel better afterwards."

"This stuff is terrible! I won’t drink it! Hurry, someone go find that surname Zhou person for me, tell her I agree to return her son! Ouch, it hurts so much."

"Your Majesty, please don’t pass out!" A palace servant in a thin, transparent outfit shook the person on the dragon bed while calling for the royal physician. If she didn’t shout now, it would be too late.

When Gu Hengbo pulled Little Hong’er in, she saw this scene. Ever since Qin Qixian returned, she had not been normal, constantly crying in pain, even though her body had no injuries. The imperial doctor had checked her several times and couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

Gu Hengbo would not look at the doctor fiercely like they do on TV, threatening to make him move if something happened to the emperor. Instead, she thought it was fine for Qin Qixian to be tortured a bit.

But just now, she clearly heard that shout. This was the first time she stepped into Qin Qixian’s chamber since her return, and the person on the bed looked as pale as if she had been bleached, which was quite satisfying to see!

“Auntie—” Little Hong’er couldn’t say complete sentences, but he always clearly called out “Auntie,” which made Gu Hengbo very pleased.

Gu Hengbo picked him up, gazing at the still moaning person, a sly smile appearing on her lips. “Hong’er, be good. I believe you will see your biological mother very soon.” Although she was unsure of what was going on between Qin Qixian and Zou Yuan, it was clear that the person on the bed was no match for the one outside.

*

Lian Rong sent someone to bring Madam Dou back to Dongyin from the Northern Region. She took Wuyang to Nanyin. Along the way, they hardly spoke. They rushed overnight, and when they reached the city gate of Nanyin’s capital, Lian Rong reined in her horse, trying to calm the strange feelings rising in her heart.

Wuyang looked at Lian Rong in confusion. Why had they stopped when they had arrived?

Lian Rong watched the common people coming and going at the city gate. Her tense body gradually relaxed. In the past, as long as she wished, she could calm herself completely even when facing death. Now, she found her hands trembling on the reins.

After Wuyang urged her twice, Lian Rong snapped back to reality.

The two reached Nanyin’s palace without delay and entered smoothly, but after waiting for a long time without seeing Qin Qixian, Lian Rong, though unsure of what was wrong, already had a rough answer in her heart. She had sensed something was off when they met before; could it be that she was not long for this world?

Wuyang, on the other hand, was becoming impatient. “Mistress, Wuyang will go take a look.”

Lian Rong held her hand down. “Let’s wait a bit longer.”

But this wait lasted from morning until afternoon. This time, Wuyang ignored Lian Rong’s objections and stood up, walking outside.

Meanwhile, Qin Qixian lay in bed, coughing fiercely and moaning in pain. There was no trace of the emperor’s grandeur left, replaced instead by a pitiable appearance.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t go take a look, Prince Rong has been waiting for some time now.”

Qin Qixian’s moans suddenly stopped. “Who did you say has come?”

“Prince Rong.”

“What were you all doing! Why didn’t you say so earlier! This woman must be here to steal people! Help me get up!”

As Qin Qixian dragged her sickly body over, Lian Rong quietly sat in a beautifully carved chair, a faint smile on her face that only annoyed Qin Qixian.

“Who told you to come?” Qin Qixian said irritably.

Lian Rong rose to support her wavering frame. “Weren’t you fine when you returned?”

Qin Qixian shot her a glance. “Don’t be coy; the person is mine.”

“That’s not for you to decide.”

Qin Qixian was furious. “Don’t forget I saved you when you were about to die.”

“But I’m alive now, and I didn’t force you, did I?”

Just as the two were at loggerheads, a palace servant hurriedly came in to report that Little Prince, who was Zou Hong, suddenly went missing.

Qin Qixian froze and then glared at Lian Rong. “Lian Rong, you despicable one!”

Lian Rong smiled innocently, “Where is she?” Though she knew Qin Qixian wouldn’t try to take someone from her, it was best to be cautious. Since her poison could only be cured by Zou Yuan, it wasn’t impossible to employ some tactics. Even though Qin Qixian was clearly at a disadvantage now, Lian Rong was not a gentleman either; she would accept that she was being shrewd.

“Lian Rong, you ungrateful scoundrel!” Qin Qixian, unable to move smoothly, could only argue with her words.

Lian Rong let go and was about to say something when a young voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall.

“Auntie—don’t cry!” Little Hong’er struggled in Wuyang’s arms, calling out with unclear words, tears welling up in his eyes.

Lian Rong turned around and saw Gu Hengbo standing outside the hall.

Wuyang was also stunned looking at Gu Hengbo, while Little Hong’er, struggling free from her embrace, did not react. Gu Hengbo picked up Little Hong’er, who had wobbled to her feet, saying, "Hong’er, be good, don’t cry."

Hong’er reached out her short arms to hug Gu Hengbo’s neck, her tears and snot smearing everywhere, "Auntie—Auntie—"

"Ah Heng," Lian Rong called out to her. This call was like many dreams she had experienced, receiving no response.

Once Gu Hengbo comforted Little Hong’er, she finally looked at Lian Rong, and the atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became heavy. Wuyang struggled to resist the urge to turn and leave, but her feet wouldn’t move until Gu Hengbo stepped inside.

As Lian Rong called out again when Gu Hengbo approached, her eyes sparkled with unexpected joy. However, Gu Hengbo’s next action shocked everyone.

The sound of a slap echoed loudly in the empty hall as Gu Hengbo’s hand struck Lian Rong with almost all her strength, turning her face aside. Qin Qixian was so startled she nearly fell from her chair, while Wuyang gasped in shock.

"Sorry, I just felt a bit displeased when I saw you," Gu Hengbo said coolly.

Lian Rong looked at her and smiled, "Ah Heng, even the greeting is so special."

Gu Hengbo took a step back, "Lian Rong, I told you, once we go beyond our agreement of one year, we have no relationship left."

Lian Rong smiled, "I remember."

"Then why are you still talking here?" Gu Hengbo directed her gaze to Qin Qixian, "Your Majesty, I am unwell, I will take my leave now."

Qin Qixian was about to speak when Lian Rong whispered in her ear, "Zou Yuan is in my hands."

Qin Qixian’s expression suddenly turned fierce, wanting to shout but only managing heavy coughs, "Lian Rong, you, you…"

Gu Hengbo’s mind was a whirlwind, her heart raced so fast she felt she might choke. Lian Rong’s appearance caught her off guard, filling her with mixed feelings of joy and anger, making her head spin.

Lian Rong’s gaze was fixed on her, each of her expressions and movements seemed capable of shattering the peace Gu Hengbo had so painstakingly built.

"Ah Heng—"

Just when Qin Qixian could hardly take it anymore, a loud roar came from outside the hall, "Qin Qixian, where have you hidden my son—?"

Everyone froze, this time it was Qin Qixian who was stunned. She shifted her gaze to Lian Rong, "Didn’t you say she was with you?"

Lian Rong lowered her head and pondered for a moment, "Yes, I brought her here because I thought you would need her."

"Need your head—Lian Rong, I won’t let this go—"

Zou Yuan brandished a whip, striking at Qin Qixian without caring about anyone else in the hall. Qin Qixian couldn’t dodge and was hit hard. At that moment, a group of women in white suddenly surged in from outside.

As Qin Qixian dodged the whip, she shouted at the group, "Get out!"

Gu Hengbo was bewildered. What was supposed to be her and Lian Rong’s stage suddenly changed its leading role?

"Auntie—" a soft voice finally quieted the hall.

Zou Yuan turned around in disbelief to see the small figure standing not far away.

"Is it Hong’er?"

Gu Hengbo recognized the tremor in her voice and bent down to hug Hong’er, "Hong’er, do you remember what Auntie told you? This is your mother, Hong’er’s family."

The little one didn’t understand, holding tightly to Gu Hengbo. Zou Yuan’s eyes turned red, gripping the whip tightly and then suddenly swinging it down hard, “Qin Qixian, did you see? He doesn’t even know me; he’s afraid of me!"

Gu Hengbo realized that things were chaotic beyond measure. Just when she felt lost, she suddenly caught a pair of calm and composed eyes. She didn’t have time to think about that anymore and picked up Hong’er, pulling Zou Yuan along to leave, "Keep an eye on Qin Qixian; both of them need to cool down." Damn it, this line should have been told to her by someone else.

Gu Hengbo felt utterly bewildered by the uproar, still in shock yet having to comfort others. Nevertheless, compared to Qin Qixian’s attempts to snatch Zou Yuan’s child, her issue with Lian Rong seemed trivial.

No matter what, as long as we are alive, that is good enough.

After a lot of effort, Little Hong’er finally agreed to be alone with Zou Yuan. Gu Hengbo carefully closed the door and sighed in relief. She had taken care of Hong’er until now; if Hong’er rushed to Zou Yuan as soon as she saw him today, it would likely be Gu Hengbo who would be throwing a tantrum. People have their own desires. Although Hong’er was not her child, they had been together for so long that it was impossible not to have feelings.

As Gu Hengbo turned around, she was startled when someone covered her mouth from behind. Lian Rong stood still, quietly watching her. The two of them had just met and hadn’t spoken a word, yet they had been delayed all day by a pile of chaotic matters.

"Why are you here?" Gu Hengbo took a couple of steps in another direction, knowing that Little Hong’er would probably start causing trouble upon hearing her voice.

Lian Rong followed her, observing her thin figure from behind. It felt as if something had struck her heart hard. Then, her gaze focused on Gu Hengbo’s long hair, which had grown to her waist.

Gu Hengbo halted with her back to Lian Rong. After a long moment, a barely audible sigh escaped her lips, "It’s good to be alive and back."

Lian Rong stood behind her, gently touching her hair with her fingertips. She quickly concealed the moisture in her eyes and replied, "Mm."

"Lian Rong," Gu Hengbo called her name as she turned around.

Lian Rong’s expression changed, and she slowly smiled at her. "Thank you, Ah Heng. Thank you for being willing to wait for me."

Gu Hengbo lowered her head, her eyes filled with joy. "So, how did I perform today? Did I act well?"

Lian Rong chuckled, "Yes."

Gu Hengbo laughed so hard that she swayed back and forth. "I knew I couldn’t fool you."

*

On the mountainside, Lian Rong lifted the person on her back a little higher. "Ah Heng, you’ve lost weight."

"Mm."

"Did you fall asleep before we even got to the top?"

"Mm."

"Ah Heng."

"Mm."

"Ah Heng."

"Lian Rong, are you annoying me!!!"

"Hehe."

"Stop laughing!"

“Why would I laugh?”

"You’re crazy!"

At the mountain top, Lian Rong looked at the light shining from the east. She smiled as she looked at the person in her arms. "Ah Heng, will you come back to Dongyin with me?"