Chapter 39 039 He must know the secret she's hiding.
Only once, when his adoptive mother was seriously ill, he took the jade to pawn. But the pawnshop clerk grabbed the jade and accused him of theft, calling on other clerks to force him to go to the authorities. He struggled and tried to take it back, shouting, "I won't pawn it anymore!"
But the pawnshop clerk wouldn't let it go, and that's when he realized he'd stumbled upon a shady pawnshop.
The shopkeeper said in a sinister tone, "Although this jade is cracked, its color is extremely lustrous, something a poor, pedantic scholar like you could possess. Beat it! Such despicable behavior would only tarnish the reputation of a scholar."
He was beaten to the point of near death, yet he continued to crawl forward, trying to reach the hanging rope. But then the man kicked him away. At that moment, he felt a burning pain in his internal organs, a strong taste of blood in his mouth, and a metallic sweetness in his throat that he forcefully suppressed.
The waiter looked down at him smugly and said, "Throw him out!"
Just as he was filled with utter disappointment, he heard a melodious voice calling from the doorway, "In broad daylight, why resort to such coercion!"
The waiter was about to reprimand her, but when he saw that the person had lifted her veil, he immediately bent down and said ingratiatingly, "Miss, this little thief is too bold. I just scared him a bit."
The young lady glanced at him, then directed her maid to take the jade from the shopkeeper's hand. She examined it for a moment, then lowered her hand. The light was blurry, and it was unclear whether her vision was momentarily blinding due to her serious injury.
Once outside, he clutched the purse tightly to his chest, feeling the solid weight of the silver inside. The words from earlier echoed in his ears: "Never lose it unless absolutely necessary. Keep it as a thought, a possibility."
Because of these words, he went through several desperate situations but never showed the jade to anyone.
So... Tang Yanqing's eyes fell on the person in front of him. He didn't have the same emotional turmoil as his father, so he knew that this person was probably not the real benefactor. Then it must be that person. "Where is she?"
He could tell at the time that she was in a bad situation and was being controlled by those around her. Now that he was a scion of a wealthy family, he had the ability to repay her life-saving grace.
Meng Qingshan was quick-witted and grasped the key words perfectly. Tang Ce regarded him as a benefactor, but Tang Yanqing looked indifferent. Considering that the Tang family's daughter was Qing Li's close friend, the answer was obvious. He smiled coldly and replied, "Since it is being done in my name, there must be some inconvenience."
Tang Yanqing had no opportunity to deal with those in power, but he knew the wickedness of people's hearts. Yet he had to admit that since she could entrust this matter to him, she must be trustworthy.
He couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart, but the domineering aura emanating from the man in front of him made him struggle to steady himself, leaving him no time to think about anything else. "Are you the relative who brought her back?"
The implication of shared misfortune in his words made Meng Qingshan pause, and dissatisfaction emanated from him. He slightly raised his eyes and said, "I am his cousin."
“I overheard your sister talking about you, and she then asked me to lend her some manpower.”
Tang Shuqing nodded knowingly. Those fierce-looking people were actually from his side. This made it clear why there was a difference between the previous and current years. Putting himself in their shoes, he felt a pang of pity and said, "There's nothing better than her being able to leave that Duan family."
"The Duan family?"
"The Duan family, the prefects of Xunzhou, are local tyrants who prey on their neighbors. Their methods are mostly underhanded and corrupt, causing immense suffering to the people."
His words revealed his indignation. Meng Qingshan heard what he wanted to hear, his expression calmed down, and he remained silent, lost in thought. He endured until halfway through the banquet before returning to the Meng residence.
He immediately went into the study and ordered, "Go to Xunzhou immediately to investigate clues."
Yun Li agreed, but inwardly sighed that the young lady was truly skilled and daring. She wondered who was supporting her behind the scenes, to be able to do such a deceptive thing right under the general's nose. The search for a son by a noble family is something the common people love to talk about, and there will always be some clues, so it won't be difficult.
However, thinking of the Duan family, and glancing at his master's expression, he hesitated and asked, "The Duan family..."
Meng Qingshan's eyes turned cold as he said indifferently, "The higher you climb, the harder you fall. As for them... I have my own way of dealing with them."
"yes!"
Upon receiving the order, Yun Li selected skilled intelligence gatherers. The group rode swiftly out of the capital, exchanging information via carrier pigeon and messenger.
The sounds of drinking games and opera singing from the Tang residence filled the air, making the Meng residence seem exceptionally quiet in contrast. Meng Qingshan sat in the west side room, where the once-cleaned table was now cluttered with documents and books. He looked at the book she had once read carefully and suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
Who she is doesn't matter; all she needs is to be by his side.
However, he couldn't bear the possibility of what happened back then happening again, so he had to find out the secret she was hiding.
The hurried footsteps pulled him back to reality. The butler came to see him from outside the door. He lifted the curtain, took the secret letter from the butler's hand, and said, "I understand."
The steward watched as the curtain fell again before daring to survey the layout of Dongwan Garden. He didn't dare to look up into the house, only lamenting that the mansion was more lively when the young lady was there. After she entered the palace, the Meng mansion became like a desolate, lifeless place. The servants in the mansion were all afraid of their master's aura and dared not even breathe loudly. He just hoped that the young lady would return soon.
The steward has already been looking at the wedding items. The shopkeeper has invited him three times already. If the master doesn't make a decision soon, he won't be able to eat there anymore.
The butler walked out with a mournful expression, while Jiang An, standing in the corner, stared intently into the room.
Inside the palace, Ling Shuyao glared angrily at Lu Yunye. Her brand-new palace dress was now filthy from the peony flowers he had whipped her with.
Meanwhile, Lu Yunye held the peony flower with only its stamen remaining, wailing, "My peony, why are you so unlucky? First you were trampled on, and now you're torn apart. Your fate is truly tragic."
Ling Shuyao's maid, Pearl, looked at the displeased princess, then at the pained Lord Lu in front of her, and was caught in a dilemma, unable to speak at all.
"Lu Yunye, how old are you? You're always causing trouble and you don't even have a proper job!" Ling Shuyao started cursing.
"Princess," Pearl said hastily, glancing around nervously. "Princess, please don't be angry."
Ling Shuyao was both angry and furious. Hearing Pearl tell her to watch her words, she felt so frustrated that she almost went crazy. She drew the knife that Lu Yunye had tucked into his waistband and slashed at him, yelling, "Go to hell!"
The blade flashed, and Lu Yunye immediately straightened up, barely dodging the blow. In shock, he cried out, "You shrew, how could you cut a man's waist like that!"
Ling Shuyao seemed to know she couldn't win an argument with him, and her swords were aimed at Lu Yunye's vital points.
While hiding, Lu Yunye surveyed the surrounding palaces and headed towards Yaohua Palace. Ling Shuyao drew her sword and was about to give chase, but Pearl was too frightened to utter a sound. After entering Yaohua Palace, she ordered the palace gates to be closed.
If any gossip were to report this to the Empress, the princess would be in for all sorts of punishment.
Pearl chased the maids and nannies into the room before pleading, "Lord Lu, please say something nice to the princess."
Lu Yunye hugged the tree and started to climb up, a peony branch still dangling from his mouth, muttering, "This... shrew... should be sent to the wilderness to marry that barbarian and teach him a lesson."
He quickly climbed up to the tree branches, where the snow covering the branches had almost turned into snow spikes, falling down in a flurry. He then saw Ling Shuyao, dressed in a fiery red dress, looking up at him amidst the falling snow. Her porcelain-white face was exquisitely beautiful, and her angry face was flushed pink, which inexplicably made her seem passionate and vibrant.
"Get down!"
However charming a woman may be, she's still a tigress.
"Come up here!"
"Get down!"
"Come up here!"
pearl:...
"Pearl, go get a stool. Let's see how long you can stay up there!"
Pearl was startled when she was called. She immediately went into the house and brought back a round-backed chair, as well as a heater and a brazier.
Ling Shuyao sat leisurely, the broadsword still standing beside her, and said sarcastically, "You only acted arrogantly and did evil in the palace because of your grandmother's status and your father's benevolence. Why aren't you so rampant now!"
"Since you're willing to stay in the tree, then stay as long as you like!"
On the dry, brown branch, Lu Yunye looked down at those bright black eyes, momentarily lost in thought. Hearing the mocking words below, he suddenly lost his usual witty remarks, rolled over and lay down on the branch, the faint fragrance of peony stamens brushing against his nose.
As the sun sets in the west, a waning moon hangs in the sky, surrounded by drifting dark clouds, and scattered stars twinkle with fragmented light.
Suddenly, everything fell silent, tinged with a sense of melancholy.
The armchair was covered with a soft quilt of pearls, and Ling Shuyao sank into it, covered with a plush blanket, feeling very comfortable. She leaned back in the armchair when she suddenly heard a question from the tree, "Is it pretty?"
Ling Shuyao had never seen any other scenery before, and when she overheard him asking seriously, she replied, "It's beautiful."
A low sneer came from the tree: "The night sky is without a single speck of dust, as clean as an indigo brocade. The moon is big and round, and the stars are twinkling, hanging low in the night sky. That is true beauty."
"You've seen him?"
A question was uttered, and the two fell silent again. They were destined to be unable to leave the capital; if they could, it would be disastrous.
Lu Yunye put his hands behind his head, imagining the scene he had just heard about. He had only heard it from his brothers in the Imperial Guard, who in turn had heard it from Meng Qingshan. These words were like nails stuck in his heart.
His grandmother was a princess of the previous dynasty. The Great Jin Dynasty was less than a hundred years old, so it's possible that his descendants would be able to leave this capital.
A peony, having endured a day of torment, fell from the overlapping branches onto Ling Shuyao's lap. In the evening, Pearl held a celadon vase with a white base and placed it on the table. "Princess, this servant has brought it."
Ling Shuyao inserted the drooping peony branch into the vase. Fortunately, the mouth of the long-necked vase was narrow, otherwise it would not have been able to support the swaying flower head, with a single petal remaining on it, seemingly about to fall.
Pearl didn't understand; what was so interesting about these withered flowers?
Ling Shuyao then fiddled with it for a while with satisfaction, and worried that it might be lonely, so she picked out a peony flower to match it.
The dark clouds drifted away, and moonlight suddenly shone through the window, creating a play of light and shadow, accompanied by a subtle fragrance.
"Let's go find Qingli tomorrow. She's all alone in the palace. Be careful that the servants don't bully her."
Pearl Crisp responded, but still reminded her, "Tomorrow, you must first send the Buddhist scriptures to Yingcui Palace, where the nuns of Changming Nunnery will come to collect them."
Ling Shuyao did not respond, but her eyes were no longer as bright as before, indicating that she had heard it.
Every year on November 6th, the Imperial Palace is completely silent, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.
As she grew older, she roughly knew who it was for, but she couldn't say. Even the title of "Taoist nun entering the palace" was for praying for the nobleman's blessings.
Inside the Jingsi Hall, Qingli listened to the information Jiang Yue had gathered, her expression growing increasingly calm as she slowly began to ponder.
After Jiang Yue finished speaking, she glanced at her mistress's face and asked nervously, "Miss, is there something wrong?"
Qingli snapped out of her daze and realized that Jiang Yue and Granny Huaying were looking at her intently. She then realized that her expression had been too tense. She quickly raised the corner of her mouth, made up an excuse, and said, "I'm worried about whether tomorrow's plan will be feasible."
Nanny Hua Ying thought she wanted to get close to Consort Mu and stay by the Second Princess's side, so she comforted her, "Your Highness is very gentle. Even if this plan doesn't work, it won't matter."
Granny Hua Ying spoke with great respect, and Qing Li asked with interest, "Do you know Her Highness?"
“To know is to overstep one’s bounds. Having served in the palace for a long time, one can get a general idea of the master’s temperament.”
"Does Your Majesty have any special hobbies?"
Hua Ying, the old nanny, put down her needlework, thought carefully for a moment, and shook her head. "Her Majesty has no hobbies, but she does have taboos. She dislikes the laughter of palace maids and eunuchs, so you rarely hear any noise in Yingcui Palace. Especially in winter, Her Majesty is very sensitive to the cold and rarely leaves the palace. However, Yingcui Palace rarely scolds or beats her servants. Her Majesty treats her servants very well."
Having few chores and enjoying peace and quiet is already a great compliment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
