At the signal from the Emperor of Northern Chu, everyone else withdrew, leaving only Song Yue behind. Song Yue ignored the warning from the Duke of Jingguo's mansion.
"Yue'er, you've suffered all these years." The Emperor of Northern Chu was both angry and remorseful, hating himself for not bringing Song Yue back sooner.
They shouldn't have suffered so much.
"Yue'er, I hereby bestow upon you the title of princess. Would you be willing to move into the palace?" The Emperor of Northern Chu was afraid that she would suffer any more grievances.
Song Yue shook her head: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am very happy living in Yuehua Pavilion. If Your Majesty misses me, I can come to visit you anytime."
The Emperor of Northern Chu was unwilling to force her, so he kept her for lunch.
Eunuch Li kept urging them on.
"Your Majesty!" Song Yue suddenly called out to him, hesitating about how to persuade him to stop recruiting soldiers.
As more and more soldiers were recruited, various places could not find enough men, so they resorted to conscripting able-bodied men, causing widespread resentment among the people.
The Emperor of Northern Chu looked at her with suspicion.
But she couldn't directly say that her mother was no longer in southern Xinjiang.
She sent her seven brothers, Ling Er, Ling San... Ling Ba, to search for their mother on their way to the southern border, but so far there has been no news of her.
Whether they live or die, it is all unknown.
"Your Majesty is a diligent and good emperor. However, many people use Your Majesty's orders to spread false messages, causing many families to be torn apart. I have been without a mother's love since I was a child, and I feel very sorry for those who have lost the protection of their families."
Song Yue boldly offered her advice, already prepared to be severely punished.
The Emperor of Northern Chu stiffened, and anger indeed appeared on his face.
If it were anyone else, they would have been dragged out and beheaded long ago.
But when faced with such a face, the Emperor of Northern Chu gently explained, "I have my reasons for doing this."
"Your Majesty knows you want to bring my mother back, but has Your Majesty considered that once war breaks out, the Southern Frontier will immediately turn its anger on my mother? Before Your Majesty can even send troops, my mother will be secretly put to death." Song Yue was going all out.
The Northern Chu Emperor's eyes turned cold, and his entire body suddenly felt chilly.
Song Yue was also frightened by the emperor's anger, and her palms were sweating slightly. She hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I also look forward to my mother's return, but Your Majesty must be patient and wait a little longer. We must proceed step by step and consolidate our power in Northern Chu. As long as Northern Chu is strong, Southern Chu will have something to worry about. We must first quell the internal troubles and then deal with the external threats."
The Northern Chu Emperor's tense face suddenly relaxed, and he smiled with relief: "A long time ago, your mother also said the same thing to Emperor Taizong. You are as bold as your mother. Little girl, you should go back now. I know what to do."
Finally, the Emperor of Northern Chu arranged for a carriage to escort Song Yue back, and also bestowed upon her a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and clothing.
Song Yue sighed, hoping that the Emperor of Northern Chu could calm down.
Don't let yourself be used and waste your life.
As she boarded the carriage and left the palace gate, she found that the Duke of Jingguo's carriage was still parked by the roadside. Upon seeing her come out, the Duke of Jingguo glanced at the entire carriage full of gifts, his eyes full of disdain, but he said that the emperor's grace was boundless.
Yes, her good father has always looked down on the Emperor of Northern Chu, and has privately cursed him countless times as a usurper and a traitor.
Back at the Duke of Jingguo's residence, the palace servants had all left. The Duke of Jingguo's face darkened: "What did the Emperor say to you when he kept you here?"
Song Yue said, "The Emperor said that my father is short-sighted and promoted such a thing to the throne. He said that my father is not worthy of being a father and that he allowed his legitimate daughter to be bullied in the other courtyard. He also said that he was getting close to the Prince of Zhennan and intended to form a marriage alliance, which is why he ruined my reputation."
With each word she spoke, the Duke of Jingguo's expression darkened further.
"Father, I don't understand what the Emperor means by saying that," Song Yue said, feigning confusion.
Duke Jingguo took a deep breath: "And how did you respond?"
“I said my father treats me very well. This morning he even had Yuan Shi vacate Yuehua Pavilion for me to stay in. He supports me and makes decisions for me in every way.”
The Duke of Jingguo's expression softened slightly as he pondered the words of the Northern Chu Emperor. Could it be that the Northern Chu Emperor had already realized something?
At this moment, the steward came over and said, "Your Highness, everything at Yuehua Pavilion has been arranged."
Duke Jingguo nodded.
Song Yue didn't think Yuan Fuling would vacate the courtyard so readily. She took the Duke of Jingguo to Yuehua Pavilion: "Father, I'd like to arrange a swing in the courtyard. Which spot do you think would be better?"
Unable to dissuade Song Yue, the Duke of Jingguo had no choice but to go.
The once luxurious Yuehua Pavilion now looks like it has been looted. The soil in the courtyard has been turned upside down, the fence under the wall is crooked, and even the pebble path has been turned upside down, making it almost painful to walk on.
Song Yue glanced at the Duke of Jingguo's face and, seeing his gloomy expression, almost couldn't help but laugh as she continued walking inside.
The situation inside the house was even worse.
The shelves, vases, and even the tables and chairs that were originally displayed have been replaced and are now randomly placed around the room.
There wasn't a single decent thing in the entire house.
Those who are brought up as concubines are easily swayed by appearances.
The Duke of Jingguo remained silent, his face ashen.
“Father, it’s alright. I can put out the things the Emperor sent. If I can’t put them all out, the Emperor will bestow some more when I go to the palace to see him next month. I’ll be able to put them all out,” Song Yue said.
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Jingguo's lips twitched, and veins bulged on his forehead: "Steward, what exactly is going on?"
The butler's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
This was all Yuan Fuling's idea; she took everything she could, making it seem like she was going to destroy Yuehua Pavilion.
Duke Jingguo said to Song Yue, "For the next two days, you will stay in Ning'an Hall and Yuehua Pavilion. I will make sure you are fully recovered."
"Thank you, Father."
...
Rose Courtyard
Yuan Fuling had the roses transplanted over, and only after looking at the brand-new courtyard and the furnishings in the house did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Mother, that little bitch Song Yue is getting more and more out of line, causing chaos in the house, and she even dares to compete with you for Yuehua Pavilion, she's simply absurd!"
Song Yao said smugly, "I'd rather destroy Yuehua Pavilion than give it to her."
Yuan Fuling smiled and said, "A woman whose innocence has been ruined won't stay in this mansion for long. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Grand Madam is putting up with it now; she's actually already fed up with that face of hers."
Because the Dowager Lady and Princess Jia Hua did not have a good relationship.
"Mother, the Emperor summoned that wild girl. Could it be to support her and make decisions for her?" Song Yao asked somewhat nervously.
Even Yuan Fuling couldn't be accurately measured.
"The Emperor is shameless. After all these years, he still has his eye on Princess Jiahua." Song Yao pouted.
With so many concubines in the harem, aren't they enough for the emperor to favor?
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
A furious outburst came from the doorway.
Song Yao was so startled that she immediately turned around and looked at the door. Seeing the Duke of Jingguo's expression, she quickly stood up.
"The Duke is back." Yuan Fuling stood up with a smile, glanced at the maid at the door, and announced his arrival.
The Duke of Jingguo, with a stern face, ordered: "Restore Yuehua Pavilion to its original state within one day."
Yuan Fuling thought she had misheard and wanted to explain, but was interrupted by the Duke of Jingguo: "Don't think you're so smart. If I find out that you're making things difficult for Song Yue again, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
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