sjar Chapter 37 Poisoning
Chapter 37 Poisoning
Chu Qingyin's eyelids twitched slightly, and she roughly guessed what kind of show this old hag was going to put on.
Sure enough, the next moment the Empress Dowager sighed, "You are so similar to the late Consort."
Any woman would probably not want to be used as a substitute for someone else.
Unfortunately, she was her own double.
Chu Qingyin remained unmoved, but she still had to play along with the Empress Dowager, pretending to be disappointed and lowering her eyes, "How could this concubine dare to compare with the peerless and elegant Consort?"
The Empress Dowager received the response she wanted, and a satisfied smile appeared on her lips, but her tone remained kind: "You don't need to belittle yourself. After all, the title of Consort is a thing of the past, and your good days are yet to come."
As she spoke, she softened her tone, "Now that you have won the Emperor's favor, you should seize the opportunity. I know that your father is a diligent official with a good reputation. If you can gain a foothold in the harem, it will naturally be very beneficial to your Qiao family. Don't you think that makes sense?"
Chu Qingyin's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately understood the Empress Dowager's intention: she wanted to win her over.
The Wang family was a prominent clan with a century-long history, and its position in the court was deeply rooted and its power immense. However, the excessive power of a powerful family would naturally affect the majesty of the imperial authority.
Therefore, Pei Yuanling, who was the sixth prince, ascended the throne by marrying Wang, but that did not prevent him from weakening the power of aristocratic families.
After all, one's perspective is determined by one's position; being a prince and being an emperor are two completely different mindsets.
As a newly powerful family, the Duke of Chu's mansion naturally became a useful tool for the emperor to deal with established clans.
In her previous life, Chu Qingyin was repeatedly targeted by the Empress Dowager and the Empress, which was due not only to the private grudges among the women in the harem but also to the power struggles in the previous dynasty.
But now, Chu Qingyin is the daughter of Minister Qiao, a neutral minister. Naturally, the Empress Dowager wants to win her over to their side, which is why she treats her with such kindness.
Unfortunately, Chu Qingyin didn't buy it.
"Please forgive my ignorance and lack of knowledge about court affairs, Your Majesty. Before I entered the palace, my father repeatedly instructed me to behave myself in the harem, to take serving His Majesty as my duty, and not to meddle in anything else..."
The words were left unsaid; those who understand will naturally understand.
The Empress Dowager's smile did indeed freeze slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "What's this talk of meddling? I see you are clever and quick-witted. If you have my help, you will surely have a bright future. What is there to worry about?"
Chu Qingyin lowered her head and remained silent.
Seeing that she didn't respond, the Empress Dowager didn't force her. She just patted her hand and said, "Alright, it's time for me to burn incense. Go back and think about it carefully. I still like you very much."
Chu Qingyin sneered inwardly, but outwardly bowed respectfully and took her leave.
As soon as she stepped out of the Cining Palace, where the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood, the smile on the Empress Dowager's face vanished instantly, and she sneered, "She's quite the scheming one."
An old woman stepped forward to massage her shoulders: "So what should we do next?"
The Empress Dowager said unhurriedly, "Since the olive branch has already been extended, let's give her some more time and see if she can recognize the opportunity and act wisely. If not..."
She lowered her eyes, stroking the swastika-patterned Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist, her eyes filled with malice: "If one Qingyin dies, I'm not afraid of another one."
**
After leaving the oppressive Cining Palace, Chu Qingyin breathed a long sigh of relief.
Indeed, whether in a past life or this one, going to an unpleasant place or meeting an unpleasant person will make one feel irritable.
She originally intended to return directly to Diecui Pavilion, but when she passed Lizheng Hall, she paused and suddenly wanted to go see Little Snowball to soothe her annoyance at seeing something dirty.
However, when she led Xianglan to Lizheng Hall, she found that there were many more guards outside the hall than usual.
A thought flashed through her mind, and she guessed that Pei Yuanling might be inside.
Sure enough, before she could even ask, a surprised voice came from inside the hall: "Isn't this Master Qiao? What brings you here?"
Chu Qingyin looked in the direction of the sound and saw the chief eunuch Chen Zhongliang standing in the courtyard with a look of surprise on his face.
"I had nothing to do today, so I suddenly felt like taking a look at that kitten," Chu Qingyin said.
"I see. What a coincidence! His Majesty is also inside playing with Little Snowball. Please come in, Your Highness."
Chen Zhongliang did not stop her, and Chu Qingyin naturally accepted his good intentions.
She lifted her skirt and stepped across the threshold. As she entered the palace where she had lived for three years, looking at every brick, tile, plant, and tree, a deep sense of melancholy welled up in her heart.
Walking into the side hall that belonged only to Little Snowball, they saw a tall man in a black robe sitting by the couch, quietly watching Little Snowball eat dried fish.
Hearing footsteps at the door, both the person and the cat looked over at the same time.
The man was slightly surprised, while the cat meowed once and then affectionately jumped into Chu Qingyin's arms—
Just like every time before, it pounced on Consort Chu Qingyin.
Upon seeing this, Pei Yuanling's eyes flashed with a complex emotion, but he did not say anything more.
Chu Qingyin hugged the fluffy little guy and stroked him a couple of times before gracefully bowing to the man beside the bed: "This concubine greets Your Majesty. I was unaware that Your Majesty was here. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you."
"Since I have granted you permission to come and see it, it is not considered an intrusion."
Watching the little snowball affectionately rub against Chu Qingyin's hand, Pei Yuanling said softly, "It seems to like you very much."
Chu Qingyin said, "Yes, maybe we just get along well."
Pei Yuanling's gaze fell on her face, and he suddenly said, "Perhaps it's because you look like the Imperial Concubine."
Chu Qingyin's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface. She lowered her head and said softly, "I have heard about the Imperial Concubine. But I don't know what kind of person she is. However, for Your Majesty to remember her so fondly, she must be a very good person."
Pei Yuanling was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes, she is very good. I have never seen such a dazzling, bright, and carefree young lady, it's just a pity..."
He didn't finish speaking, but Chu Qingyin understood what he meant.
It's a pity she died.
But did he really feel sorry for her? If he did, why didn't he investigate the truth for her, instead of announcing to the world that the Imperial Concubine had died suddenly from a serious illness?
What is he hiding? Or does he simply not care about the truth?
As if Chu Qingyin had stirred up some old memories, Pei Yuanling suddenly felt a pang of melancholy. He stood up and looked at Chu Qingyin: "Want to take a walk with me in the courtyard?"
Chu Qingyin nodded: "Yes."
She held the cat and slowly followed beside the man.
The courtyard of Lizheng Hall is planted with countless rare and exotic plants. Now it is springtime, and the flowers, plants and trees that withered all winter have been reborn, sprouting tender green buds.
Looking at the man's profile, Chu Qingyin finally couldn't help but feign curiosity and ask, "Your Majesty, I've recently heard some rumors that the Imperial Concubine didn't die of illness, but rather from poisoning..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor stopped abruptly, his eyes sharpening as he stared into Chu Qingyin's eyes, as if trying to see into her heart. His voice was deep and hoarse: "Why are you asking this?"