Chapter 66: Want to kill her to silence her?

  Congratulations on getting a monthly ticket

  "I have seen the Emperor." Empress Luo smiled and stepped forward.

  "Excused!" The emperor then took her hand and they walked into the palace together.

  At that time, dinner was already on the table, with thirty-six dishes placed in silver plates and jade dishes, the colors were exquisite, and the fragrance filled the room.

  The emperor glanced over and his gaze stopped at one of the bamboo shoots chicken dishes for a moment, as if he was distracted.

  The Empress's face was calm and gentle, but she couldn't help smiling as she personally led him to the table and sat down beside him. "Your Majesty has finished all your official duties for today?" she asked. "You're actually done a little earlier than usual, I almost didn't have time to prepare."

  "It's all trivial matters." The emperor said, waving his hand casually, clearly not wanting to say more.

  While they were talking, Liang's nanny had already ordered someone to set out the bowls and plates.

  The dinner table was very large, and although the emperor and empress sat next to each other, there was still a distance of about an arm's length between them.

  The one serving dishes beside Empress Luo was Caiyun, while the one standing beside the Emperor was his trusted eunuch, Li Rui Xiang.

  Only fourteen years after the founding of Xi Yue, Li Rui Xiang had been serving in the palace since he was twelve years old and had already won the emperor's favor. If it weren't for the fact that eunuchs were traditionally despised by people, his career would have been considered a great success.

  Li Rui Xiang was only twenty-six years old at the time, tall and slender in build, with a fair complexion. Although he didn't look particularly outstanding, he had fine eyebrows and eyes, and was very gentle and quiet by nature, unlike other powerful eunuchs who were arrogant and overbearing.

  Because the emperor had his eyes on the bamboo shoots chicken as soon as he entered, Li Rui Xiang's gaze was sharp and discerning. It was naturally necessary to deliberate and ponder over the matters of Chapter 065. At this moment, several imperial scholars were still discussing countermeasures in the Imperial Study Room. I will have to go back later."

  Empress Luo has always been uninvolved in state affairs, only instructing, "Those things I don't understand, nor can I share the emperor's worries. However, Your Majesty must also pay attention to your health, and absolutely cannot be careless."

  "I have my own thoughts." The emperor said, raising his hand to pat hers, and his eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of the silver threads at her temples. He paused for a moment before continuing, "You just need to take care of the overall situation in the palace, leave those trivial matters to be handled by others, don't overexert yourself."

  Although the emperor had no intention of letting her share power, Luo Huanghou still subconsciously skipped a beat after hearing this.

  "It's all my duty." The Empress Dowager calmed down and then seemed to mutter to herself, "Speaking of the harem, I remembered something. Today, I invited a troupe of actors into the palace for entertainment, and when I saw that Sixth Princess from Mobei, I found her quite endearing. Originally, I couldn't help but tease her a bit, wanting to persuade my second son's wife to take her in as a concubine for Qiyan, but in the end, she said she still had to follow him back to Mobei?"

  "Hmm!" The emperor seemed rather unconcerned about the matter, merely saying, "It's said that her birth mother is bedridden with a lingering illness and cannot bear to have her daughter marry far away. I also don't want to force it."

  "What a pity..." Empress Luo murmured.

  "She is a woman of a different tribe, and Qiyan may not necessarily like her." The Emperor said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "As for Qiyan's marriage..."

  The emperor said, and then raised his head from the tea cup, looking deeply at Empress Luo.

  The Empress Dowager's heart suddenly contracted, but she still tried her best to maintain a calm expression.

  Fortunately, the emperor did not pursue the matter further and thought she was worried about Chu Yi Min instead. He said, "That child is seventeen this year, right? It's time to discuss marriage. I'll instruct the Ministry of Rites to prepare a list and send it over later."

  Chu Qi Feng and Chu Qi Yan were both outstanding among his grandchildren, in terms of talent, the two can be said to be evenly matched. As for Chu Qi Yan, the Emperor was also very concerned about him.

  Empress Luo nodded: "That's also good, when the list comes out, I'll call over the second wife to take a look together. After all, it's their family marrying a daughter-in-law, and they should be the ones to personally choose her. We can't just substitute our own judgment."

  "Hmm!" The emperor nodded.

  Empress Luo saw that the sky outside had already darkened, so she didn't beat around the bush anymore. She lowered her eyelids, took a small sip of tea and said, "In that case, the matter of the eight dukes of Mo Bei forming an alliance with our dynasty through marriage should be settled now?"

  The emperor heard this and suddenly looked up at her again.

  Empress Luo maintained a composed smile and said, "Her identity is special, no matter which family she will be married into in the future, this marriage will definitely be carried out under the name of the imperial court by me. If the Emperor has decided on a candidate, please remember to inform me in advance, don't let it damage our imperial dignity at the last minute."

  The emperor held his teacup for a long time without moving.

  Empress Luo observed him carefully, not wanting to miss any subtle changes in his facial expression, but after looking for half a day, she didn't see any signs.

  After a while, the emperor took another sip of tea and said, "This matter is not urgent for the time being."

  The envoy from the north has been in the capital for over a month, and the matter of marriage alliance was previously discussed between them through messengers. By rights, they should have already had their sights set on someone before this.

  The Empress Dowager felt increasingly strange in her heart, and subconsciously wanted to ask again, but inadvertently touched the Emperor's calm and composed expression, and suddenly understood something.

  As for this matter, it seems that the Emperor had already made up his mind long ago.

  Only

  Just keep it secret and don't reveal it!

  With this heavy realization, Empress Luo's palms suddenly broke out in a thin layer of sweat. Fortunately, she had not directly mentioned sending Tuoba Yu to the Eastern Palace, otherwise, if her opinion differed from the Emperor's, who knows what kind of suspicion it would have aroused?

  "Well, it's getting late, I'll take my leave." After finishing a cup of tea, the emperor stood up and shook his robes.

  "Your Majesty, I see you off!" Empress Luo hastily got up and led the palace staff to personally escort him to the gate of Shoukang Palace. She watched his sedan chair disappear into the distance under the cover of the palace lanterns, but her expression was solemn and she didn't move for a long time.

  Madam Liang knew that she had something on her mind, so she dismissed the others and stepped forward to say: "Your Majesty, what's wrong? You specifically invited the Emperor today, but in the end..."

  The Empress Dowager withdrew her gaze from afar, turned around and gave her a cold look: "If this palace didn't guess wrong, the selection of the couple's relatives should have been decided by the Emperor, it's just that it hasn't been announced yet. You're not unaware of the Emperor's temper, since he has already made up his mind, how can there be any reason to change it arbitrarily? Why would this palace go and provoke him?"

  "Impossible," said Liang's wife, opening her mouth in some disbelief. "If it were really decided, the Emperor wouldn't have to keep it from all the civil and military officials, would he?"

  "The palace's intuition is unlikely to be wrong." Empress Luo said, thinking that her eyebrows were even more tightly furrowed, and firmly said, "There must be something fishy going on here!"

  Madam Liang also became alert and worried, saying, "But news from the Emperor's place is not easily leaked out."

  The Empress Dowager's plan in her heart fell through and was disturbed by this matter, and she became somewhat annoyed: "That Li Rui Xiang..."

  "Li'ang sighed and shook her head: "That person is almost impervious to bribery, and in order not to arouse the emperor's suspicion, I also dare not make it too obvious."

  "Well, if it can't be helped, then so be it. If the Emperor were to notice my little actions, it would only end in loss." Empress Luo said, turning around and entering Shoukang Palace.

  The emperor is now older, and his temperament has become more unpredictable and difficult to grasp. In the past, Empress Luo might not have bothered to win over those around him, but now she really needs an insider to help her keep up with the emperor's pulse.

  East Palace

  Brocade Hall

  Chu Youyang had just finished his dinner and was taking a stroll in the courtyard to digest when Qing Luan came in from outside with some news.

  "Princess, news from the palace, this afternoon the Empress Dowager kept Princess Nanhe and her mother in Shoukang Palace for a long time. Later, she specially sent someone to invite the Emperor to have dinner." Qing Luan said on his own initiative, without waiting for Chu Sunyang's inquiry.

  Chu Youyang stood still under the corridor with his hands behind his back, only slightly turning his head to glance at her.

  Qing Luan didn't say anything else.

  They could easily detect the major movements of the people in the palace, but as for the emperor and Empress Luo's personal attendants, it would take some effort to plant someone. Moreover, who would casually arrange an insider by the Emperor and Empress's side without a special purpose that must be done?

  So it was clear that Qing Luan's side also had no idea about the true purpose of Luo Huang Hou inviting the Emperor over.

  But with the small episode of Zheng's mother and daughter before, it must be that nothing good will happen.

  Chu Youyang fell silent, weighing his thoughts for a long time without speaking.

  Qing Luan accompanied him by his side and didn't make any unnecessary guesses. It wasn't until more than half a short while later that he heard the sound of light, quick footsteps again.

  Qingteng's spirited and nimble footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

  Chu Nanyang couldn't help but burst out laughing when he saw her expression: "Look at how excited you are, did you pick up a gold nugget?"

  "Is gold that easy to pick up? I'd rather wait for a windfall, but it's better to do more and let the young lady reward me!" Qingteng curled her lips, smiled slyly with narrowed eyes, looked around cautiously, and only then said, "The news I just received is that Cui Niangzi, the most favored concubine of the King of Nanhe, has had a miscarriage."

  Chu Youyang was somewhat perplexed and only recalled after a moment's thought that the person Qingteng spoke of had some connection with himself.

  Qing Luan was very surprised and said: "Is the news reliable? I haven't heard any news about her pregnancy before!"

  "There was indeed no news before, and it wasn't until today that it was diagnosed, also because of the miscarriage that I found out." Qingteng said.

  Qing Luan was slightly surprised and turned her head to look at Chu Mo Yang, wanting to wait for Chu Mo Yang to ask again about the details of Qing Teng.

  Bu Xian didn't seem to have any interest in the topic, instead he changed the subject and composed himself, saying "You immediately take my visiting card to the post house, and make an appointment with Tuoba Huai'an on my behalf. Tell him that tomorrow at noon, I'll be hosting a banquet for him at Fucheng Building in the east of the city."

  The two girls were both stunned.

  Qingteng suddenly said, "How did the county master suddenly think of seeing him? At this critical moment, if someone with ulterior motives sees it, there may be consequences."

  Chu Youyang just smiled and didn't speak, only repeating to Qing Luan: "Things shouldn't be delayed, you go quickly and come back quickly!"

  "Yes, County Master!" Qing Luan nodded her head. Even if she had doubts in her heart, she generally wouldn't refute Chu Muyang's decisions.

  After seeing Qing Luan leave, Qing Teng's eyebrows furrowed into a knot as he stepped forward and said, "Young Mistress——"

  "Tell me more about what's going on in the Nanhe Wangfu." Chu Jiu Yang, however, didn't wait for her to finish before abruptly changing the subject, "That little incident with Cui Xiao, I'm afraid it's caused quite a stir."

  "The county master's discerning eye has chosen you, how can you bring shame to her?" Qingteng knew that saying more would be useless, so he just nodded in agreement and then told Chu Moyang everything he had found out.

  Compared to the palace, it was much easier for Chu Nanyang to find out what was going on in the Nanhe Wangfu.

  Qingteng told the whole story from start to finish, and finally couldn't help but sigh: "Things are definitely not that coincidental, things are probably all within Cui Niang's calculations, it's just that she can use her own child as a pawn, this woman's ruthlessness is truly not to be underestimated!"

  Chu Youyang didn't comment on this, but instead raised the corner of his lips in a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling manner and said: "It seems that even the Princess of Nanhe River is no match for her?"

  "If it weren't for Princess Anle's intervention, I'm afraid Queen Nanhe might not have escaped this calamity so easily." Qingteng thought to herself with a sigh. "I've only heard of Queen Nanhe's ruthless methods in managing the inner palace before, but I didn't expect Princess Anle to be even more cunning. That Concubine Cui must have met her match in Princess Anle!"

  "What kind of opponent is this?" Chu Jinyang shook his head in disdain, the smile at the bottom of his eyes deepening a few degrees. "The backyard of the Nanhe Wangfu can't even hold someone like Chu Lingyun, how long can she stay there?"

  Qingteng suddenly realized, her eyes flashing, and then she felt a bit disappointed: "With the Empress's indulgence, it's possible that she might be able to stay in the South River King's mansion for a long time?"

  "That's not good!" Chu Yu Yang shook her finger, a smile spreading across her lips. "Actually, I didn't want to get involved in other people's business, but since the mother and daughter have been helping me with the Eastern Palace, I'll just consider it as returning a favor. I won't mind helping her out, letting her get married early, and also help the Empress Dowager worry less, so she doesn't have to be anxious all day!"

  Although she didn't know the details of what happened in Shoukang Palace that afternoon, she knew without thinking that the mother and daughter must have instigated something in front of Empress Luo.

  She had never taken the initiative to make a move, but that didn't mean she wouldn't or couldn't openly take action against the Nanhe Wangfu. This time, it was also time to give Chu Lingyun a real lesson.

  Qingteng saw her smile slyly, and his heart was even more boiling with excitement. He suddenly said, "So, Princess, you let Qingluo go see the fifth prince of Mobei is——"

  "Shh!" Chu Yan raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet.

  Qingteng could only roughly guess at her plan, and after thinking about it left and right, she spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to sleep soundly.

  The next day at noon, Chu Nanyang went out on time and didn't cover up. He directly used the East Palace's carriage with his own maidservants and rushed to the Wangjiang Building in the east of the city.

  The capital of Xīyuè was renovated and expanded on the site of Dà Róng Emperor's old palace. One of them is Chapter 065 of Xīyuè, but judging from Tuòbá Huái'ān's character, he must have had a plan, no matter which royal mansion Tuòbá Yīngyáo entered, it was not as straightforward as entering the palace directly.

  Tuoba Huai'an was already speechless, his face dark and menacing.

  Chu Youyang glanced at him sideways, then shifted his gaze away again: "I think you wouldn't want me to bring this up again and discuss it further with the Emperor either?"

  Tuoba Huai'an's face suddenly froze, and a sharp, knife-like glint shot out from his eyes.

  Send Tuoba Rongyao into the palace to seize favor, help him return to Huabei to seize power is just the first step, as for later...

  The other day, Yanling Jun had a faint sense of unease when he was hinting at him, and it really came true!

  "Helpless, this time it was Tuoba Huai who spoke up first: 'What exactly do you want?'"

  "Tomorrow morning, you will go to the Golden Temple and ask for Chū Língyù's hand in marriage!" Zhū Jiǒyáng said, his tone firm and unyielding.

  Tuoba Huai'an sneered coldly, "If I really had intentions towards her, I wouldn't have waited until today. Without a reasonable explanation, I'm afraid Your Majesty wouldn't have believed me from the start!"

  "Anle Junzhu is known as the number one beauty in the capital, isn't this a ready-made reason?" Chu Jiu Yang said, "Your Highness, you really haven't had any thoughts about it at all?"

  Beauty is a good thing, but compared with the power of dominating the world, it's insignificant.

  Tuoba Huai'an gritted his teeth and remained silent for a while before speaking again, "What do you want to do exactly? If you can't give me a clear explanation, I won't agree to it!"

  This person is also calculating and won't easily take risks.

  Chu Sunyang knew his limits, seeing that they had already discussed enough, he said: "Don't worry, my goal this time is not aimed at you, and for the time being, I have no reason to aim at you!"

  "Of course, I also hope there will never be a reason for this!"

  Tuoba Huai'an's heart skipped a beat, and he became even more vigilant.

  After a half cup of tea's work, Chu Youyang sat in his own carriage, leisurely tasting the tea while looking at the scenery along the river.

  Tuoba Huai'an is just an outsider, and for the time being, he's not enough to be feared. However, the matter of the Su family must be resolved as soon as possible.

  Digression

  It's getting later and later, I'm getting more and more embarrassed...