Chapter 131 I won’t let you leave
Meng Yan clenched her small hands hidden in her sleeves tightly, twisting a handkerchief around her fingers.
She smiled faintly and said, "I understand the Empress Dowager's intentions. I have already made up my mind. From now on, I only wish to stay by her side, serving and honoring her."
Empress Dowager Jiang sighed deeply and placed the Buddhist beads in her hand on the table. "Well, since you have made up your mind, I can't force you to change it. Go back and pack up quickly. I will leave tomorrow."
Meng Yan was very happy. She quickly stood up, thanked him and said goodbye, then she went out holding Ruizhu's hand.
After she left, Empress Dowager Jiang glanced at Zang Xiu and asked, "Do you know why I don't want to see her?"
Zang Xiu was a little embarrassed and smiled, "The Empress Dowager knows people's hearts very well. I was really stupid and didn't expect the Imperial Concubine to come..."
Empress Dowager Jiang said calmly, "Oftentimes, being soft-hearted isn't always a good thing. She's still young, and she might be happy for a moment, but she had no idea how serious this could be. With her gone, I wonder how many loopholes she'll leave for others to exploit. For years, the emperor had his eyes on no one else. But now that she's gone, even the most loyal man wouldn't be able to stand the loneliness. Even the deepest feelings can't withstand this kind of torture."
Zang Xiu then asked, "Since Your Majesty understands, then why did you agree to the Imperial Concubine's request? If Your Majesty doesn't allow it, the Imperial Concubine cannot insist on following you."
Empress Dowager Jiang's eyes were deep as she smiled. "I later thought that maybe it would be a good thing for them to separate for a while. If they continue to be at this deadlock, with each of them still angry, how could they possibly end it? They should separate, calm down and think carefully about whether they can truly let go of each other!"
Zang Xiu was a little confused and hesitated, "But didn't the Empress Dowager just say..."
Empress Dowager Jiang smiled slightly and said, "I plan to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival and Double Ninth Festival in the garden this year before returning to the palace."
Zang Xiu suddenly realized that the Mid-Autumn Festival was a time for family reunions and the Double Ninth Festival was a time for respecting the elderly, both in the palace and among the people. Since the Empress Dowager was going to celebrate the festival in the garden, the Emperor would have to come over. Wouldn't the two of them be able to meet again then?
Meng Yan returned to Changchun Palace and gave orders, asking Dong Sanbao, Ruizhu and Yunxiang to lead a group of palace maids and eunuchs to pack their bags and prepare to accompany the empress dowager to Shanghe Garden tomorrow.
He also sent someone to pass the news to Le Zhixuan, asking Bai Yuxin to clean up as soon as possible.
For a while, everyone in Changchun Palace was busy.
This news spread like wildfire and spread throughout the six palaces.
Liang Chengbi was enjoying a bowl of icy watermelon in her Yikun Palace. Upon hearing the news, she was startled and blurted out, "What's up with Meng Yan again? She's suddenly wanting to go to some garden with the Queen Mother! Is she tired of staying in the palace? It's all about her, day in, day out!"
Lin Yanrong, who was sitting with him, heard the news and asked the palace maid who had brought the news, "Is the Emperor going too?"
The palace maid shook her head and said, "My lady, I haven't heard of it."
Lin Yanrong laughed. "I think it's about that incident in Shoukang Palace yesterday. She and the Emperor had a fight, and now she's running out to the garden, trying to trick the Emperor into chasing her. She's really perfected the art of seducing men."
Yesterday's events in the Shoukang Palace bedroom were strictly controlled by Empress Dowager Jiang, so they naturally remained hidden. However, the scene between Meng Yan and Lu Haozhi at the palace gates caught the attention of many. Seeing Concubine Meng clearly weeping profusely, and the Emperor being so affectionate towards her, everyone was baffled, their speculations running rampant, and the story spread throughout the palace.
When Lin Yanrong heard the news, she felt disdainful.
Meng Yan is kind and charming, it's written in the book.
Even though the heroine Lin Yanrong in the book had won the emperor's favor, the emperor still visited her from time to time. Didn't she become pregnant later?
She tried everything, but Lu Haozhi refused to even look at her. Furious and ashamed, she cursed Meng Yan in her heart for being so coquettish and shameless.
These incompetent people often have this problem: when they are not as skilled as others, they will step on others in order to achieve psychological balance.
Liang Chengbi glanced at her and said coldly, "Then why don't you follow him into the garden? See if the emperor will chase you too? What's the point of staying here with me all day?"
These words opened the wound in Lin Yanrong's heart. She forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, you are joking. How could this concubine have such ability? And Meng Yan..."
"snort!"
Liang Chengbi threw the silver fork into the fruit plate, her eyebrows raised, and shouted, "No ability?! You are really good at talking! You said earlier that you could please the Empress Dowager at the welcoming banquet, but after the banquet, does the Empress Dowager know who you are?! Instead, you let that Bai from Changchun Palace climb over your head! You entered the palace together, aren't you embarrassed?! Now you are talking nonsense in front of me again. You can't win my favor, you can't help me, so why should I keep you!"
Lin Yanrong lowered her head after being scolded by her. Although she was unwilling in her heart, she still said, "Your Majesty is teaching me a lesson..." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is our chance."
Liang Chengbi was still furious, "What do you mean?!"
Lin Yanrong smiled and said, "Think about it, in the past, the Emperor could only see Meng Yan. Although there was a reason for his love for her, it was mostly because Meng Yan monopolized her. Now that she has left on her own, doesn't this leave a big loophole?"
Liang Chengbi thought about it and thought that this was not wrong. He smiled coldly and said, "So what? Now that there is a loophole, you have the ability to take advantage of it?"
Lin Yanrong looked at Liang Chengbi's contemptuous expression and gritted her teeth, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I...I will definitely succeed this time."
Liang Chengbi laughed and said, "Then it depends on your methods."
Even now, she still felt strange. She didn't know why this Lin had failed time and time again, and the emperor had no intention of favoring her, but she still relied on her.
She had long known that the emperor had no affection for her. Now she only planned to support a favorite concubine, give birth to a prince and bring him to his side. Then she would let her father and other ministers petition the court together, forcing the emperor to make the child the crown prince.
The emperor had no sons, so this first son was naturally the only candidate for the crown prince.
As long as she gives birth before Meng Yan.
But thinking of this, Liang Chengbi felt relieved again. Meng Yan was the only one who received the emperor's favor but had no children for seven years. She probably couldn't have children.
Meng Yan was in the bedroom watching the palace maids folding clothes when she heard someone outside shouting, "Your Majesty..."
She turned around hurriedly and saw Lu Haozhi rushing in from the door with big strides.
"I have seen..."
"Everyone get out!"
After driving away the palace maids in the room, Lu Haozhi pressed Meng Yan against the wall, his handsome face full of anger that was about to burst forth.
"I won't let you leave!"
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