Chapter 54 054 He was so happy when she returned to the manor?
The memorials impeaching the eldest prince fell like snowflakes onto Emperor Mingkang's desk in the imperial court. The thin layer of snowflakes was enough to make Emperor Mingkang lose his composure.
He severely reprimanded several censors and heavily punished local officials, but the momentum only intensified, threatening to escalate further.
The calls for establishing an heir apparent were growing louder, and Emperor Mingkang was suffering from a splitting headache. He was increasingly annoyed by the eldest prince's troubles and had already issued an edict to adjourn the court.
In the Phoenix Palace, the Empress's anger subsided slightly when she saw the broken porcelain scattered all over the floor. The maids below carefully cleaned up the broken porcelain, not daring to make a sound.
"This happens every single time! Do you think I'm dead?!"
Despite her high position, the Empress exudes a ruthless aura beneath her cold demeanor. After years of practicing Buddhism and vegetarianism in the inner palace, she has instilled a sense of contempt in those outside the palace.
Emperor Kangxi's rebellion was instigated by his wife, the Empress. She was ambitious and had survived many assassination attempts. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, many of her associates were mistakenly killed.
The Empress saw nothing wrong with it. The old had gone and the new had come. People came and went. As long as she provided enough benefits, loyal people would follow one after another.
In recent years, the previous dynasty has been stable, and Emperor Mingkang has a clear mind. He knows that she has done a lot for him over the years and once promised that this world belongs to the two of them alone.
The Empress forgot that the lack of discipline had allowed them to develop unrealistic ambitions, which was her fault. It was because she had watched her son grow up and become more lenient and strict in his dealings with others, and his methods were swift and decisive, that she became complacent and ended up causing all these troubles.
"full moon!"
At the Empress's call, Wangyue's mind immediately tightened, and she lowered her head to listen to the instructions.
"Tell them that if some people don't want to have a peaceful New Year, then they shouldn't celebrate it at all."
Unable to withstand the sharpness, Wangyue trembled. "Your Majesty, is this too..."
The Empress sneered, "Obviously? She's already bullied us at our doorstep, we should just fight her off."
"His Majesty is displeased. If he investigates further, how can we explain ourselves?"
“Since he allows others to bully my mother and me, he should know that I will fight back. Besides, without any evidence, how can we be held responsible?”
The Empress's words were vicious, ultimately expressing her resentment towards Emperor Mingkang for not issuing an edict to announce the Crown Prince's position for a long time.
Amidst the bustling activity and growing tensions within the palace, the new year arrived.
Qingli and her other playmates were granted permission to return to their respective residences.
Since she entered the palace, Meng Qingshan had not returned to the Meng residence for a long time. This time, he specially took leave to bring her back to the residence. He abandoned his horse and sat in the carriage, his long legs slightly bent, his eyebrows and eyes relaxed. He was so happy that she was back at the residence.
Qingli unconsciously smiled as the two chatted. Outside, people came and went on the street, buying New Year's goods and new clothes. The vendors were bustling about, and the lively noise of the New Year filled their ears.
"Let's go for a walk and buy some New Year's goods."
Qingli thought that he hadn't returned home for a long time, and although the steward had bought everything, it wouldn't be as enjoyable as squeezing into the crowd and doing it herself.
Her fair cheeks were adorned with dimples, and her eyes sparkled with a subtle light, captivating Meng Qingshan's heart. He readily agreed, strode down from the carriage, and waved away Jiang Yue, who was walking briskly from the carriage behind.
He lifted the curtain, and Qingli looked at the large hand in front of her. She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. Without being coy, she used his support to land steadily on the ground and then naturally withdrew her hand.
Meng Qingshan's hands were broad and firm, while hers were soft and yielding. Holding them in his palm felt like grasping a cloud, round and soft, making his heart melt.
It had been a long time since the two of them had such a moment of complete openness and understanding.
Seeing the lively scene, Qingli excitedly squeezed into the crowd, looking around. The vendors, seeing such a beautiful young lady, rushed to sell their wares, but were afraid of startling the fairy-like person with their loud voices, so they crowded around and handed over their wares.
Qingli was also stunned. She hadn't been to a bustling city in a long time. When did the vendors change their tactics and start pushing their way forward? Was it not allowed to just look?
But she was stuck in the middle and couldn't move. Seeing the pile of stones in front of her as high as a small mountain, she was at a loss when she felt a broad, hard chest behind her. An arm reached out and freed her. She breathed a sigh of relief and looked back. She saw his jaw was tense and said helplessly, "So impatient?"
She hadn't expected this to happen, and with an embarrassed smile, she managed to get away with it.
The vendors were intimidated by Meng Qingshan's icy aura. Seeing his tall stature and stern face, they were all speechless as he swept his gaze over them so sharply. However, they stared at the two of them with meaningful eyes, noticing their handsome appearance.
Qingli felt flustered and her cheeks flushed under those eyes. She gestured to Meng Qingshan behind her to step back and leave the area, but Meng Qingshan looked at her with bright eyes. Seeing her leaning against him so receptively, without any wariness, and her clear eyes brimming with spring-like beauty, his heart was completely filled with warmth. He declared, "I want them all."
The vendors who had been observing suddenly erupted in a frenzy.
"Oh my, young man, you're going to so much trouble for your wife, how loving you are!"
"Look at them, so loving and affectionate, it makes us all so envious."
“Young lady, you have found such a good husband. Do you have children yet? I have some little toys for children here.”
...
Qingli wished she could fly away immediately, but unexpectedly, Meng Qingshan bought one from every vendor who came up to spout nonsense. Now, the surrounding vendors all gathered around them, surrounding the two of them and saying some strange auspicious words.
The winter sun seemed to have turned into the summer sun, scorching the temperature. In the distance, the rustling sound of chestnuts being roasted on sand and stones was light and loud. Even before they were fully ripe, the rich aroma of the fruit wafted over.
Qingli, having had enough of her embarrassment and anger, stomped her foot in frustration, which brought Meng Qingshan back to his senses. With his arms full of clothes, he struggled to push open a path. The surrounding vendors had already sold everything they needed to sell, leaving only a few vendors selling canes and push chairs for the elderly. They couldn't sell those, could they? Aside from expressing their envy, there was nothing else they could do.
The journey to the carriage went very smoothly.
Jiang Yue and Granny Hua Ying stared in disbelief, quickly taking the things their mistress was carrying and asking blankly, "Is this free?"
Qingli chuckled and quickly glared at Meng Qingshan when she saw him.
Meng Qingshan didn't care. Qingli had been spoiled by him since childhood, so she had quite a temper. She was clever and cunning. Every month, after deducting the monthly expenses for food, she would arrange for almost all of the money he earned to be spent.
He liked watching her hold his money, calculating intently. Sometimes she would write and draw on the table with a pen, then suddenly sigh, rest her chin on her hands, and say, "When will I have inexhaustible wealth?"
"Buy whatever you need, I can make money."
She would tilt her head and sized him up, think for a moment, then cross it off with her pen, meaning she wouldn't buy it. She was actually quite thrifty. Her mother suffered from a chronic back ailment, and she always used the best medicine. His clothes, shoes, and socks, though not the latest styles, were always the most comfortable. Besides his own daily necessities, she would also prepare items for his brothers who accompanied him. They all praised her for her thoughtfulness and kindness; her cosmetics were always a last resort.
My mother is narrow-minded and always sees her as a spendthrift. It's not that she's a spendthrift; it's that the family fortune he built wasn't substantial enough.
"It's really lively."
Meng Qingshan gave an awkward smile and gave a perfunctory reply. Seeing that she did not want to answer, he realized that she must be angry and resentful.
When they got off the carriage, the steward was already waiting at the door. But when he saw the two masters, one with an angry face and the other with an embarrassed expression, he was stunned for a moment. Before he could finish speaking, the two masters had already strode into the mansion. He immediately let out a wail in his heart. He hadn't even said what he was going to say yet.
Qingli walked quickly ahead, while he followed at a leisurely pace, always keeping a two-step distance from her, teasing her like this. She walked even faster until she saw the gate of Dongwan Garden, when she slowed down, thinking about how happy Jiang Zhao, Granny Sui, and Granny Qiu would be to see her.
But when she reached the door and saw no one, Qingli realized something was wrong.
Meng Qingshan's face also darkened, and he glared at the official behind him, "Has something happened at the manor?"
The butler stammered, "Nothing serious... in the manor, it's just..."
After a long silence, the butler, in a fit of desperation, announced, "The old lady is back!"
The butler's two words were like a cold wind, sweeping away the lingering warmth of spring between the two and returning them to the chill of winter. Meng Qingshan's eyes were deep and heavy, filled with thick emotions, as if the ease they had shared just moments before was merely a fleeting illusion.
Qingli lowered her eyelashes, suppressing her outward emotions, and asked calmly, "Where are Jiang Zhao and the others?"
The steward glanced at Meng Qingshan and saw that he was becoming increasingly cold. Thinking about the old lady's actions these days, which had ruined the lively atmosphere in the mansion, he said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "When the old lady came back, she said that the nunnery was cold and her back pain had flared up again, so she couldn't get up. Then she had the fire dragon in Dongwan Garden continue to burn, and she moved here."
Qingli listened quietly. This Meng residence belonged to Meng Qingshan, and the old lady had the final say. She had no right to criticize or feel indignant. Meng Qingshan had already settled all past grievances and disputes during his time back in the capital, when he was isolated and helpless. She was just worried that Jiang Zhao and the others would be used as an excuse to torment them.
She slowly scanned the area. Outside the wall of Dongwan Garden, there was a row of tall, green bamboos. She didn't know what kind they were. Even in the frigid capital, with snow weighing down the branches and bending them, they were still lush and green. When the wind blew, some bamboos would fall in a rustling sound, and then the branches would quickly straighten up, accompanied by a powerful whistling sound.
The laughter between the two of them subsided, and her heart gradually calmed down. This was the Meng residence; she had her own home and family. Perhaps it was time to make clear distinctions.
Qingli asked again, "Where is Jiang Zhao?"
"This old servant thought that we would make a decision after you and the general returned. So I arranged for Jiang Zhao, Granny Sui and Granny Qiu to be in the back room. The Meng residence is simple and there is not much work. They can arrange their own things in the back room or go out for a walk. They can also take the opportunity to see the prosperity of the capital. When you return, they can tell you some interesting stories."
"Your belongings have been moved to Liufeng Garden by this old servant who is very quick-witted."
This action was quite thorough. Although Jiang Zhao and the others had suffered injustice, they were able to have some free time, which was a rare opportunity for a maid. Although her room had been occupied, her belongings were all preserved. Besides, this was not her room, so what was there for her to be angry about?
Qingli politely replied, "Thank you for your hard work."
The steward was practically tortured by the general's gaze, so he dared not take credit. He was extremely grateful for the young lady's words. Compared to this, he felt that the old lady was senile and confused. Instead of living a peaceful life, she insisted on causing trouble and ruining everyone's lives.
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