Chapter 98

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Chapter 98: Title

After Lian Rong returned to Dongyin, she entered the palace directly. As she expected, before she could reach Yonghe Hall, she was stopped by the chief steward, Li Xin. She acted like a sister rushing back home upon hearing that her brother was gravely ill, portraying the right emotions and tone so thoroughly that no one could find any flaws.

Li Xin, looking helpless, had been ordered to guard outside the hall specifically to stop Lian Rong, a task that felt like seeking death for him, but if he didn’t do it, he would still be facing doom. He had no choice but to sweat nervously while handling the situation at hand.

Lian Rong still wore a red robe. Because she had traveled all night and had not slept for several days, her eyes had bloodshot patterns, and her voice was as cold as ice. "How is my brother’s condition?"

Li Xin did not dare to stand up straight and quickly replied, "The royal physician has treated him overnight, and he has shown significant improvement in the last two days. The prince doesn’t need to worry."

Lian Rong glanced at him. "Who ordered that I cannot enter?"

Li Xin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Replying to the princess, it was the Empress."

Lian Rong’s lips twisted slightly as her tone grew colder. "The Empress?"

"Yes."

"Does Prince Rong have discontent with my decree?" A voice filled with authority suddenly came from behind.

Li Xin, having been bending over, was taken aback by the Empress’s sudden appearance. "I have seen the Empress."

The Empress did not spare Li Xin a glance, her sharp eyes focusing directly on Lian Rong. "You know how to come back."

Lian Rong’s gaze was calm. "Sister-in-law, are you blaming me?"

The Empress subtly glanced at Li Xin, who led the staff of Yonghe Hall far away, leaving only the two of them standing still.

Lian Rong’s expression remained indifferent, and her tone lacked any fluctuations. "Why won’t you let me see him?"

Something flashed across the Empress’s face, indicating excitement, but she suppressed it. "A-Rong, do you know he almost left me? I sent someone to find you the moment he fell ill. Where were you then? He is your brother!"

Lian Rong looked at her and suddenly smiled. "He is indeed my brother. Do you think I would treat him any less? If I didn’t see him as my brother, what do you think I would do? Do you want to know?"

The Empress’s breath caught.

Lian Rong stepped forward, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, "I would seize the throne while he lay in bed, take his kingdom, and then have you. Everything would naturally fall into place."

The Empress trembled slightly.

Lian Rong straightened up and looked at her. "But I won’t, because none of this ever belonged to me. I have realized this long ago. Why should a woman like me compete with those men? Sister-in-law, I still want to live for a few more years."

The Empress finally raised her eyes to look at her, feeling a mix of emotions—gratitude, relief, and even some disappointment. As an elder sister-in-law, she should feel pleased to see Lian Rong with such a mindset. Yet, as a queen, she felt joy for Lian Rong’s loyalty at this moment. But why was there still that ‘but’? What was she feeling disappointed about? She should be happy for her change and choice.

Suddenly, Lian Rong stepped closer and embraced her. Her voice was steady and calming. "I told you long ago that I would not let anything happen to you and wouldn’t let you worry. He is not just the one you love; he is also my dear brother. I, Lian Rong, am not so cold-hearted. As long as I am alive, I will protect this vast kingdom for him."

The Empress rested in her arms, feeling a long sigh of relief. "A-Rong, thank you."

*

When Lian Rong returned to Prince Rong’s residence, Qian Yue had been waiting outside. Seeing her return alone, her surprise quickly turned to understanding. Her master was always someone who thought things through comprehensively.

Lian Rong dismounted from her horse and headed straight inside.

Qian Yue couldn’t help but complain a bit. After being away for so long, she returned without a greeting or even a smile. Just as her complaint echoed in her mind, Lian Rong suddenly turned around and looked at her. "You seem to have lost weight."

Qian Yue was not like Wuyang, who would make cold jokes for no reason. She replied with a caustic tone, "The prince has been serious. Qian Yue has been eating delicacies every day; I wouldn’t lose weight."

Lian Rong smiled. "It seems there are quite a few complaints upon my return."

Qian Yue laughed. "Was your trip successful?"

Lian Rong furrowed her brows and thought, "Not bad, I had a nice meal."

Qian Yue raised her eyebrows slightly, "A nice meal?"

Lian Rong had an expression that seemed to say more than words could express. She stepped onto the soft sedan chair and walked away boldly, leaving Qian Yue looking confused.

Just as Gu Yuanqing stepped out from the hall in his scholar’s robe, he greeted, "Your Highness, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Lian Rong squinted and looked him up and down, "If Ah Heng sees you in this outfit, she would surely say two words."

Gu Yuanqing frowned and thought for a moment, "Ah Heng is my daughter, right?" Then he felt it was wrong, "Forgive me for my ignorance, but what two words would she say when she sees you?" Could it be ‘father’? Or ‘daddy’?

"Show off," Lian Rong replied, taking a sip of the tea that the palace servant had already prepared for her.

Show off? Gu Xiangguo looked a bit confused, "I still do not understand."

Lian Rong stirred the tea leaves, "If you don’t understand, that’s fine. In short, it’s a compliment."

Gu Xiangguo nodded, as if he understood.

"Why did you come here today, Prime Minister Gu?" Lian Rong asked.

With her reminder, Gu Yuanqing remembered the purpose of his visit. He straightened his expression, "Your Highness, I know you just entered the capital today and it is not convenient to meet, but the matter is indeed quite tricky."

Lian Rong raised an eyebrow, "Oh? How is it tricky? Does it pose a challenge for you, Prime Minister Gu?"

Gu Yuanqing didn’t want to engage in pleasantries and got straight to the point, "Zhou Li has really allied with the Second Prince this time."

Lian Rong smiled, "I knew it. My second nephew hasn’t disappointed me too much; with the military power Zhou Li holds, combined with Zhao Yue’s, it’s enough."

Although he was a scholar, Gu Yuanqing was not easily fooled. He pondered for a moment, "From the moment I agreed to your Highness, I have been fully prepared. Whether at the palace or the Crown Prince’s estate, I will accompany you to the end."

Lian Rong’s smile remained unchanged, "With these words from you, it is enough. However, I have other plans for my second nephew; we do not need to mobilize our forces for now. Even if we do, we won’t directly confront the palace." She intended to wait until their sins were heavy. Her game was just beginning.

Gu Yuanqing felt that living for half a lifetime and witnessing two generations of emperors, he had survived through many trials in a bloody court. Yet, he still could not understand the woman in front of him. Regardless of experience or wisdom, she was far less than him, after all, her age was evident. Perhaps some people were born with deep hidden intentions, or perhaps something had completely changed her. It was not until much later that Gu Yuanqing learned the whole story and ultimately sighed, recognizing that one event could make or ruin a person.