Chapter 72 072 Since chaos is inevitable, let's make it even more chaotic...
The eldest princess's banquet was held in the Guangyue Hall in the back garden. The scorching sun had set, and a glow of sunset shone in the west. The back garden was lush with flowers and plants, and various colorful flowers were blooming in the lush greenery. The lake in the distance was rippling with the summer night breeze, bringing some moisture. The cool and damp air soothed the restlessness in people's hearts.
The Guangyue Hall was surrounded by curtains, like gauze and mist, which swirled and fluttered, allowing the candlelight inside to penetrate the hazy atmosphere and the faint sound of stringed instruments. The people could not see clearly what was inside for a while, so they became more and more cautious in their steps.
The music had reached its climax, making everyone's hearts leap into their throats, when suddenly, with a sharp crack, it stopped abruptly. The curtains billowed up, and a series of gasps filled the air.
The eldest princess's brocade dress was embroidered with black and red patterns, which were ferocious and menacing. Qingli recognized these as beasts, which the nobles of the Great Di had always admired and loved. They represented bravery and a determination to acquire territory. The Great Di people were accustomed to using animal skins, and the eldest princess's blatant display of them showed her arrogance.
The eldest princess watched the crowd approach with disdain, their faces showing fear or apprehension, and they greeted them with a distant and cautious air.
The eldest princess didn't care, "Get up."
Thinking of what happened tonight, the eldest princess's eyes were full of smugness. She slowly got up and said as she walked, "The Emperor's grace is boundless. Father, Mother, and all the ladies have allowed me to host a banquet in the palace. It is because my departure is imminent and my return date is uncertain, so I want to catch up with you all one last time."
Please make yourselves at home.
As soon as the voice fell, the eldest princess walked right up to Qingli, face to face with her, but Qingli did not move.
The eldest princess stared intently, her eyes brimming with unbridled mockery.
Qingli's heart sank; she was now certain that the eldest princess was coming for her.
Thinking of what Meng Qingshan said, the eldest princess has become increasingly secretive in her actions these days, and she has become ruthless and unscrupulous for the sake of profit. I wonder what the people behind her are planning.
The eldest princess glanced at her disdainfully. Her face was fair and her cheeks were rosy, indeed beautiful. But so what? Some people fawn over her, while others trample on her. In the end, she would gain nothing. However, she could get five thousand taels of gold just by attracting her attention. It was a pure profit. But then her thoughts changed. The eldest princess's expression suddenly changed. Why should a lowly person be valued so much? Why should she be driven around like this?
"Miss Qingli, you can't judge a book by its cover."
The tone was very unpleasant; it was not a compliment.
Qingli said slowly, word by word, "The eldest princess has also impressed people."
"Ha!" The eldest princess stepped forward, instantly closing the distance between them. The tension between them was palpable. Subtle glances were cast around them. Hearing her mockery, the eldest princess sneered, "Do you really think Meng Qingshan can cover up your unseen past with a single hand?!"
Red fingers poked her shoulder. "If you want to live, you should hide. Showing off like this will get you killed."
Qingli clenched her fists tightly, her words carrying a hidden meaning. She had already guessed what was going on. She took a step back, almost staggering, as if she couldn't bear the sight. Her face turned pale, and she looked at the eldest princess in terror. Yet, still unwilling to give up, she retorted sharply, "Being too proud and arrogant will lead to evil deeds. The eldest princess should also be careful!"
"You!" The eldest princess was surprised that she was still so arrogant even at this point. She disdainfully said, "What are you? If you make a scene and everyone knows, will you and your good brother still be alive? Be smart, and maybe we can spare your lives."
There was a moment of silence, her face showing a struggle of indecision.
The eldest princess was delighted and waited for her to beg for mercy.
After a moment, she finally resigned herself to her fate, lowered her head, and pleaded, "Please, Your Highness, give me some guidance."
The last rays of light on the horizon were finally tinged with twilight. The candlelight flickered, casting shadows, and the night wind blew, creating an empty and desolate atmosphere. The eldest princess felt a sense of pride, thinking how easy things had been. This was her last task in the Great Jin Dynasty. Once she had finished and received her reward, even if she went to the Great Di, this money would ensure her a comfortable life for the rest of her days.
"Someone will contact him afterward."
"How can you be sure there's no trickery in that statement alone? Besides, how could he possibly listen to me?"
"Back then, Feng Yuchan only made things difficult for you a little, and you ended up like this, but I was made the scapegoat, and Feng Wuxiu used such underhanded tricks against me!" The eldest princess said, her anger rising, her eyes flashing with a fierce light, "She's nothing but a pawn in the power struggle between two sides, does she really think she's a capable minister or general?"
As soon as the eldest princess finished speaking, she saw her stand up straight. The timid and fearful look on her face vanished instantly, and her clear, cold eyes held a chilling light. The eldest princess subconsciously lowered her eyelashes, but realizing she had frightened her, she suddenly raised them again, furious, and raised her hand to strike.
Just as the slap was about to land, Qingli turned her face away, and the surroundings fell silent. At that moment, a hand stopped the eldest princess.
"Your Highness, mind your manners!"
The second prince was busy with court affairs and received praise from many court officials. Emperor Mingkang sometimes entrusted him with the administration of the court. In addition, he was granted the title of prince. These days, he was doing very well. He had a warm face but a strong hand, and he forcefully pressed down on the eldest princess's arm.
The eldest princess, writhing in pain from being choked, broke free and retorted sarcastically without any mercy, "Second Prince, you're too busy with your important affairs to have time for my humble banquet!"
"Now that we're separated by thousands of miles, I worry that you'll be heartbroken and lose your temper, doing something foolish!"
"Haha, the Second Prince is being overly cautious, thinking everyone is trying to harm him."
"Better safe than sorry, after all, some people are no different from animals when it comes to profit."
"you!"
The second prince, holding a jade fan that obscured half his face, leaned close to the eldest princess and said, "If you need gold or silver, just say so."
The eldest princess grumbled for a moment, then slammed her sleeves down and left Qingli with the words, "Take care of yourself."
A gust of wind made her sleeves flutter, and Qingli came back to her senses. She thought about what the eldest princess and the second prince had just said, and suddenly had a guess but found it hard to believe.
The second prince looked you up and down with concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"It's nothing."
The jade fan hanging down from the second prince was almost touching her arm, making her a little uncomfortable. Qingli took a step back and created some distance.
The second prince chuckled. He used to think she was pure and untainted, but it seems she's nothing more than someone who climbs the social ladder. Everyone can trample on her, so why shouldn't he? Once he completes his great cause, she'll be extremely lucky to gain his favor.
Don't take some of the crazy things people say seriously.
The second prince probed, observing her reaction after speaking. Seeing her puzzled expression, he felt relieved. The people he sent to investigate her background were all his own, so the matter was foolproof and there should be no mistakes. However, in recent days, the empress had been making frequent moves, and all the people she had planted had been eliminated, which made him wary.
Meng Qingshan must be in his hands; if she cannot be used by him, then she cannot be kept.
"Thank you for your help, Second Prince."
Qingli thanked her. She could have easily avoided provoking the eldest princess, but hearing the sarcastic remarks about Meng Qingshan, she immediately lost her patience. Using her past to blackmail him was a gross underestimation of them.
She no longer cared, so it was impossible to hurt her in the slightest.
But Meng Qingshan shouldn't be treated so lightly.
The candlelight illuminated her brows and eyes, giving her an air of heroic spirit, as if she were wielding a sword against the stars and moon. The Second Prince was taken aback.
A series of greetings came from behind.
The second prince turned around, his expression changing drastically. Behind Emperor Mingkang, the eldest prince looked over defiantly, a wicked smile on his lips, watching the second prince's surprise and panic.
The eldest prince's arrogant behavior made the second prince lose his gentle demeanor. His eyes turned bloodshot as he stepped forward and said, "Father!"
Emperor Mingkang, seemingly unaware of the delicate situation, said with slight impatience, "Why are you standing here?"
Having said that, without even lingering on his eyes, he looked at the assembled officials' families and said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When Emperor Mingkang arrived, the officials' wives could no longer act as they pleased. However, the eldest princess was nowhere to be found. With no one in charge, the officials' wives gathered together, unsure of what to do.
The Second Prince, however, had no intention of letting the matter go. The First Prince had acted recklessly and disrespectfully towards the Emperor, and his wolfish ambitions were obvious. If the Emperor were to forgive him so easily, what would all his years of caution and careful management amount to? What hope would he have then? The Emperor was merely taking advantage of the fact that no one knew and showing favoritism. If everyone knew, how could the First Prince have the face to stand before the officials?
Impatience spurred the Second Prince on; he stepped forward, blocking Emperor Mingkang's path, and said, "Father, I have a question..."
"The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"
Before the eunuchs' chanting had even finished, Consort Liu had already arrived, shielding the Second Prince behind her. A hint of resentment appeared on her haughty face as she said with a forced smile, "His Majesty has come to the banquet, yet he didn't invite me to accompany him. I've been bored all day, but I thought this was a matter for the younger generation. If I interfered, I might disrupt the arrangements and do more harm than good, which would displease the Eldest Princess."
"Your Highness, how do you know I'm dissatisfied without even lifting a finger? If I hadn't overheard, I wouldn't be able to bear this huge burden." The eldest princess stepped forward gracefully and bowed before Emperor Mingkang.
Consort Liu's words had a double meaning; the eldest princess should not be accused of using veiled criticism.
Emperor Mingkang's face darkened, and everyone knelt on the ground in fear. Qingli had taken the opportunity to retreat to the back, and in the gap, she looked up and her eyes met Meng Qingshan's. He nodded slightly, and Qingli responded. The situation was complicated, and with him there, Qingli felt much more at ease.
Consort Liu did not respond, but instead began to direct the people under the eldest princess. With Emperor Mingkang present, she could not act as casually as before. Before long, a table was set up, and singing and dancing began. Under the bright moonlight and the faint aroma of wine, Emperor Mingkang's gloom dissipated, and he was very satisfied with Consort Liu's handling of the situation.
The second prince went out for a while, and when he returned, he sat quietly in a corner, not even looking at the eldest prince. His hands were clenched tightly under the table, afraid that he would lose his mind if he saw a scene of fatherly love and filial piety.
Consort Liu sent people to invite the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and a group of princesses. Since chaos was going to happen, let it be even more chaotic.
Qingli looked at the Second Princess sitting below her, and her eyes welled up with tears. The Second Princess, who used to be so lively and cheerful, now sat quietly like a wooden sculpture, looking wooden and lifeless. Her cheeks were sunken, and her hands were placed on her knees. Her plain white dress made her look excessively still.
Emperor Mingkang laughed heartily, wondering what pleased the eldest princess had said that prompted him to bestow gifts upon her repeatedly. Consort Liu sat listlessly to one side, occasionally glancing at the second prince.
The eldest prince occasionally echoed his words, and on the surface, the atmosphere seemed very harmonious.
Qingli felt a sudden surge of resentment and looked at Emperor Mingkang. He stood at the top, watching with great interest as people below manipulated power, schemed against each other, and pretended not to know. The eldest princess was like this; she could have avoided the marriage alliance, but she was used as a bargaining chip. The second princess was the same. She wondered what the old lady of the Lu family had done to get the emperor's permission to torment the princess, who was considered the most favored by everyone, to this extent!
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