Chapter 146

Zhou Li was preparing tea when he heard the eunuch outside talking to Hong Gu.

The eunuch was worried: "Hong Gu, has the prince been led astray by someone recently? He actually asked someone to ask about the art of witchcraft? The palace has always been very secretive about this. The prince must not be involved in this matter!"

"Shh!" Hong Gu blocked the eunuch's mouth and looked into the inner room. Zhou Liangdi, who had been preparing tea there just now, had taken the tea leaves to the window and was preparing tea in the bright sunshine.

She whispered, "Don't talk about this outside."

The eunuch quickly shut up.

Zhou Li picked up the tea leaves with his fingers, frowned, and looked absent-minded.

Gong Yinai is addicted to witchcraft? Could it be that she knew it was Queen Li who had attacked her, and fearing the Sage would not be able to judge her, that she had taken the wrong path and sought solace in witchcraft?

Zhou Li carefully picked out the tea leaves and thought to himself, "No, how can a female emperor indulge in unconventional ways?" Only when an emperor follows the right path and does the right things can the world be at peace. Otherwise, if she listens to one side and believes in one side, the world will be in chaos and the people will suffer!

Besides, witchcraft in the palace was a taboo. Did Gong Yinai no longer want the throne? Was she crazy?

Zhou Li thought for a while, but she didn't delay the work in her hands. She quickly picked out the tea leaves. She placed the tea set and tea on the tea tray, turned around and said to Hong Gu, "I'll go serve tea to the prince."

Before Hong Gu had time to say anything, she saw Zhou Liangdi walking in a hurry, as if she couldn't wait to find the prince. She was a little surprised.

When I asked Zhou Liangdi to serve tea before, she always made excuses. Why is she so eager today? Could it be that she heard that rumor?

Hong Gu was a little anxious. Today was the day when the future Crown Princess would meet the Empress Dowager. She heard that the relationship between the Crown Prince and Zhou Liangdi was getting better and better these days, and they were being affectionate in broad daylight. Hong Gu originally thought that the Crown Prince was frightened during the autumn hunt, so she wanted to urge Zhou Liangdi to go and entertain the Crown Prince. Unexpectedly, the Empress suddenly summoned the Crown Princess to the palace and said she wanted to meet her. What should Zhou Liangdi do if she bumps into the future Crown Princess?

Hong Gu walked around the room several times, looking worried, but Zhou Li didn't think much and rushed straight to Gong Yinai's study.

Gong Yinai was writing in her spare time. The methods to nourish the mind and calm the spirit are nothing more than those few. Gong Yinai picked up the pen and wrote it down in a flash. Looking at the big words on the table, her eyes were heavy, and no one knew what she was thinking.

Hearing the notification from outside, Gong Yinai changed his gaze, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and looked towards the door.

When Zhou Li stepped over the threshold, he saw Gong Yinai wearing a blue-gray cloud-patterned wide-sleeved coat. He had just put down his brush and looked like a carefree wanderer.

The leisurely atmosphere does not feel like being in a deep palace, but rather in a thatched cottage.

"Prince." Zhou Li put down the tea tray, and Gong Yinai waved to her, "Come and take a look at my calligraphy."

Zhou Li walked over and saw that Gong Yinai had written two big characters on the paper: "Feng Gu". The frantic cursive script had the style of a famous calligrapher.

Zhou Li praised: "The two characters 'Prince' are well written. You can tell it was written by a master."

Gong Yinai smiled and said, "You are the only one who knows how to praise others."

"Don't worry about the tea yet, come and grind some ink for me."

Zhou Li picked up the ink pestle, added water carefully and delicately, and ground black ink on the inkstone. She was thinking about how to start and remind Gong Yinai to stay away from witchcraft.

Unexpectedly, Gong Yinai spoke first. She said, "I haven't been sleeping well lately. My father thinks I'm frightened and wants someone to perform a ritual. I don't feel comfortable with other people watching over me, so I'll leave this matter to you."

Zhou Li relaxed a little. So that was the case. It was good that Gong Yinai was not obsessed with it. A smile appeared on her face. Gong Yinai said calmly: "I have never seen you write before. Come here and write a few words for me to see."

Zhou Li was caught off guard and took the pen. She looked at the Heart Sutra that Gong Yinai had copied on the paper and wrote a few strokes. Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li's handwriting on the paper.

She had never doubted Liu Yingzi before, so she had never paid much attention to Liu Yingzi's handwriting.

But people can change, but handwriting cannot.

Gong Yinai had collected the correspondence between her and Gong Yifu, as well as the account books used by Liu Yingzi when she was in charge of accounting, and sent them, along with the words written by Zhou Ligang, to the Ministry of Justice for inspection.

She has to verify carefully step by step and make bold assumptions.

Gong Yinai's eyes were solemn, and when he looked at Zhou Li again, he was still the same as usual. Zhou Li didn't think much about it, made tea for Gong Yinai, said a few more words, and then went to find the master Gong Yinai mentioned to discuss the ritual.

The master was not arrogant when he met Zhou Li. The two agreed on the ritual supplies, as well as the time and place. After the discussion, the master said to Zhou Li, "I have a talisman here. Take it, the goddess. It can protect the goddess' safety. Even if you don't use it, hanging it above the bed can calm the mind and help you sleep."

Seeing that this master was not the kind of person who would cheat and spoke very honestly, Zhou Li happily accepted it. He went home and hung it on the headboard of his bed. The fragrance of the medicinal herbs inside was very pleasing to him.

Zhou Li didn't know that after the expert saw her, he went back to report to Gong Yinai.

The expert said, "I have seen the Empress's face. She is destined to be rich and powerful, and to help others rise to higher heights. For the Crown Prince to have such a good wife is simply the icing on the cake."

Gong Yinai asked in a deep voice, "Apart from that, don't you see anything else?"

The expert said with some doubt, "The prince said that the queen had trouble sleeping and might be haunted by evil spirits. But when I came into contact with the queen, I felt the Buddha's light shining upon me, and lotus flowers bloomed with every step. The queen is an unparalleled benevolent person who has saved people from disasters. She must be someone who has enjoyed the immortality card."

Gong Yinai's mind moved slightly.

Gong Yifu once defeated the barbarians, and every household in the northern border area worshipped the young general. He was indeed a person who enjoyed the longevity medal.

The expert continued, "Without the eight characters, I cannot tell fortunes."

Gong Yinai said coldly: "I know that you Xuanmen only need eight characters of your name to commit evil, why do you still want eight characters?"

Upon hearing this, the expert broke out in a cold sweat and quickly replied, "I dare not!"

"Go down." Gong Yinai closed her eyes. She wanted an expert to see that there might be an old friend possessed in Zhou Li's sac, but she didn't want others to hurt Zhou Li. Even if there was a one in ten thousand chance, she didn't dare to try. She was really timid.

"Prince, the Queen wants to see you." A servant came to deliver the message. Gong Yinai narrowed her eyes slightly when she saw the palace maid sent by the Queen, nodded slightly, and said, "Wait for me to change my clothes."

It's really like one crisis after another.

Zhou Li had just returned, and before she could relax, she heard someone outside the door deliberately saying, "I thought someone would have the upper hand by being so intimate with the Crown Prince, but look, now that the Crown Princess is here, she's gone back in disgrace."

"Keep your voice down. I'm a favorite of the Crown Prince now. Be careful if I whisper in your ear, or you'll be in trouble."

"What is her status and position? What is my status and position? Why should I be afraid of her?!"

Zhou Li opened the door with a bang, and the people gossiping at her door scattered like birds and beasts.

After sneering a few times, Zhou Li closed the door, feeling puzzled.

Generally, after an engagement is made, the marrying parties are not allowed to meet each other before the wedding. How could the future Crown Princess enter the palace at this time?

Zhou Li felt uneasy and had a bad feeling.

In the Queen's Palace, the future Crown Princess Xiao Yuanfeng's eyes were filled with tears. She wiped her tears with the corner of her handkerchief. "I was so grateful for my grandmother's care when I was young. Now that she is critically ill, I want to go to Hanshan Temple to pray for her. If I change the auspicious date at this critical moment just for my own sake, I absolutely cannot do it."

The Queen and the Queen Mother exchanged a glance. The Queen's smile flickered across her lips, but it quickly faded away. The Queen softly advised, "You are a good child. Your grandmother would be pleased to know this, but your marriage to the Crown Prince is a matter of great importance to the country, and your grandmother also hopes to see you get married."

Xiao Yuanfeng was determined to enter the palace this time. She stood up from the stool and knelt before the Empress and the Queen Mother. "I only want to serve my grandmother wholeheartedly. If she dies of illness, I will have to observe three years of mourning, which will definitely delay my wedding. I think it would be better to forget about marrying the Crown Prince. I will never marry into the royal family. In the future, I will always be accompanied by the green lamp and the ancient Buddha, praying for the Crown Prince's blessings."

The Queen Mother was shocked.

Xiao Yuanfeng was carefully selected by her and the emperor. Xiao Yuanfeng was a virtuous person. He was brought up by the old lady of the Xiao family since childhood and was in charge of household affairs. He was the best among the beauties in Beijing. Moreover, Xiao Cheng'an had just been appointed as a cabinet minister and was most interested in the prince's marriage. She didn't expect that Xiao Yuanfeng would take the initiative to cancel the engagement!

This is simply outrageous!

The Queen Mother was furious: "Does your grandfather know your wish? As a grandson, you are unfilial for breaking off the engagement without permission! As a subject, you dare to resist the emperor's order, which is disrespectful! If you are so disrespectful and unfilial, do you think you can still stay in the capital?"

Xiao Yuanfeng said calmly, "It is my fault that I am unfilial. This has nothing to do with anyone in the Xiao family. If the Queen Mother wants to punish me, please punish me. However, I still have my grandmother to whom I have not been filial. I hope the Queen Mother will show me mercy and let me serve my grandmother and then we can settle the score."

Old Lady Xiao was Xiao Cheng'an's first wife. Although Xiao Cheng'an had a bad relationship with his first wife, he also respected her. Xiao Yuanfeng did not tell others about his family affairs, but marrying into the royal family was something she had never thought of, especially when her grandmother was seriously ill and there was no cure, but her grandfather actually wanted to get married early.

How could Xiao Yuanfeng feel at ease without sending her grandmother away? She had to see her grandmother buried with her own eyes and ensure that no one tampered with her grandmother's coffin, even at the cost of offending the Heavenly Family.

Gong Yinai heard Xiao Yuanfeng's assurance when she arrived. She strode in, clasped her fists and said, "Your son is here."

When he learned that the Crown Princess was Xiao Yuanfeng, Gong Yinai also investigated Xiao Yuanfeng's situation. The Xiao family had a cold and indifferent character that ran through their generations. When Xiao Cheng'an was young, he had a beloved cousin, but he was unexpectedly forced by his parents to marry the original wife. Later, he was promoted to a higher position and brought his cousin home, and he began to pressure the original wife.

The father of Xiao Yuanfeng, who had a son with his first wife, was also a cold-hearted person. After marrying a noble girl from a wealthy family and giving birth to Xiao Yuanfeng, he went traveling and had a mistress outside. He angered his first wife to death, leaving Xiao Yuanfeng to be raised by his mother.

At this time, Xiao Cheng'an's cousin had already taken control of the Xiao Mansion. Old Mrs. Xiao often chanted Buddhist scriptures, which made Xiao Yuanfeng's temperament similarly calm. Xiao Yuanfeng had previously studied Buddhism at Hanshan Temple, and had the aloof and detached demeanor of a monk.

This time, her grandmother's critical illness was probably just a trigger. This person has long wanted to become a nun.

The Queen Mother was so angry that she had a headache and looked troubled.

The queen was secretly watching the joke, but she still looked dignified and virtuous.

"The prince is here."

Gong Yinai glanced at Xiao Yuanfeng, who was kneeling on the ground. She opened her lips and said lightly, "I didn't hear everything when I was outside, but I heard half of it. If you don't want to marry me, I won't force you to marry me. But have you really thought it through?"

Gong Yinai was replying at first, but then he asked Xiao Yuanfeng again.

This was not the first time Xiao Yuanfeng met the prince, but it was the first time that he had the courage to look at the prince.

The prince was handsome and had a face like a Buddha. He seemed to have a kind heart, but Xiao Yuanfeng knew that one should not judge a person by his appearance. Her father and grandfather were also good-looking, but their hearts were harder than stone.

Xiao Yuanfeng lowered her head and said ruthlessly, "My mind is made up."

Gong Yinai smiled faintly. "Good!" She praised him. "You are so filial. Since you are a role model for women all over the world, I don't want to keep you. So, I will dissolve our engagement. From now on, dust to dust, earth to earth."

"My son!" the Queen Mother screamed, and the Queen's face was gloomy.

Gong Yinai bowed to the emperor and said, "This woman has no intention of doing this, why should I force her?"

The empress dowager sighed, waved her hand wearily and said, "My son, let's see for yourself." Then she set off to return to the palace.

The Queen also said calmly, "The Crown Prince is determined to do so, and as a mother, I naturally have nothing to say. However, His Majesty wants the Crown Prince to speak to him himself."

Gong Yinai bowed and said, "Thank you, mother, for your help."

The joke they wanted to see didn't happen, and the queen didn't want to keep them any longer, so she let them all go.

Gong Yinai and Xiao Yuanfeng left the harem, and Xiao Yuanfeng bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Prince, for your help."

Gong Yinai smiled faintly, her eyes serene as she gazed towards the horizon, "I should be the one thanking you."

Xiao Yuanfeng looked at the prince in confusion, but Gong Yinai didn't want to pay any more attention to her and sent someone to escort Xiao Yuanfeng out of the palace.

She walked briskly and rushed straight to Zhou Li's residence.

Zhou Li sat by the window in a daze, watching the clouds rolling outside. She frowned and thought deeply. Gong Yinai walked lightly, picked a flower from the yard, walked gently to the window and inserted it into Zhou Li's hair. Zhou Li was stunned, and looked up to see Gong Yinai with a face full of youthful spirit. Zhou Li had forgotten when she had seen Gong Yinai so relaxed.

From the first moment she saw Gong Yinai, she had been struggling to survive and had never forgotten to climb up the ladder. Even after becoming the crown prince, she was still trembling with fear and treading on thin ice.

Zhou Li lifted her hair and smelled the faint fragrance from her hair. For some reason, her face felt hot and she even felt a little shy. She asked, "Why is the prince so happy?"

Gong Yinai leaned her hands on the windowsill, looking into the house, with an uncontrollable smile on her face. She beckoned Zhou Li, asked her to come close to her ear, and said she would tell her a secret.

Zhou Li couldn't resist her curiosity and leaned closer. Gong Yinai stood on tiptoe and gently kissed Zhou Li on the cheek. She didn't even dare to use force, for fear that Zhou Li was just a dream.

Zhou Li's eyelashes trembled slightly and her face suddenly turned red.

Gong Yinai pinched her chin to prevent her from escaping, and whispered in her ear: "I like you."

Outside the window, autumn leaves were falling, the north wind was howling, and the transparent sunlight made everything look dreamy. Only the stunned Zhou Li was stunned. She was even frightened by Gong Yinai's words and dared not move, for fear that if she moved, Gong Yinai would crush her jaw.

Gong Yinai pinched her chin and forced her to turn her face. She smiled at Zhou Li's twinkling eyes.

"Zhou Liangdi, I'm confessing my feelings to you. Do you want to give me an explanation?"