Chapter 67 067 We were a bit too conservative!
In the Phoenix Palace, a eunuch rushed in through the darkness, knelt down and wailed, "Empress, the Crown Prince is ill and won't eat or drink. Please go and see him!"
The eunuch's shrill voice hurt the empress's ears, and displeasure appeared on her face. The eunuchs below, though quick to read the situation, dared not stop speaking abruptly for fear of giving themselves away. They continued to describe, in a sobbing tone, how pitiful the eldest prince's plight was.
The Empress watched as the servants below feigned ignorance, and she knew perfectly well that this was another attempt by the First Prince to ask for something and probe his intentions. She rested her arm on the azure cloud-patterned pillow and said calmly, "Go back and tell your master to be more peaceful these days, and things will become clearer in a few days."
Upon hearing this, the young eunuch knew he had something to report back home, so he kowtowed three times and left Fengqi Palace.
The Empress sighed in relief, rubbing her forehead. A maidservant promptly brought over a cup of hot tea. The Empress took a sip and instructed, "How is Yingcui Palace?"
"Still the same, nothing seems amiss."
"I didn't realize he could be so patient."
"With their reputation damaged, they would rather cover it up than dare to make a fuss about it."
The Empress sneered and said indifferently, "What goes around comes around. It turns out that even Heaven has eyes, sparing her life and allowing her to return to the capital after all this time. Consort Mu really made the right gamble!"
"The Empress is compassionate and pities their suffering."
"What does their suffering have to do with us!"
"Your Majesty is right."
The candles on the lampstand in the corner burned brightly, and the light from the lampshade made it even brighter, casting a cold glow on the Empress from behind. "Where is Qichun Palace?"
"It was bustling with people coming and going, and even Consort De would go there to sit every day."
"Consort De? She's utterly useless, unable to even protect her own daughter. She seems to be a complete idiot."
"yes."
"Let them have their fun; it probably won't last long." The Empress waved the maid away, the only sound the hissing of the flames lingering in her ears. A figure in black silently descended from the roof beam. The Empress's face was solemn as she asked, "Is everything settled?"
The man in black lowered his head and replied, "The Second Prince has recalled all his troops from outside the capital. Apart from their movements being restricted, there are no other problems."
"Be careful these days and don't miss anything unusual."
"We will obey your orders," the man in black explained. "Some time ago, Meng Qingshan had the Imperial Guards press him relentlessly, which caught us off guard."
After the man in black finished speaking, his face flushed. They were guilty and had been carrying three identities, hiding among the bandits. But they never expected that a group of people had been relentlessly killing the bandits since before the new year. They were forced to retreat in defeat. They only found out where they came from when they accidentally discovered the mark on the knife. Just then, the Second Prince summoned them back to the capital, which allowed them to escape.
The man in black suggested, "If we recruit him..."
The Empress was somewhat tempted by Meng Qingshan's methods, but after further consideration, she abandoned the idea and said, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."
The next day, while the sky was still overcast, the gatekeeper of the Tang residence was disturbed from his deep sleep by a series of urgent knocks. Muttering to himself, he opened the door a crack, but before he could even see the dark figure in front of him, a stench assaulted his nostrils. Unable to suppress his nausea, the gatekeeper pinched his nose and scolded, "Where did this beggar come from!"
After saying that, he was about to close the door, but a pair of trembling hands pushed the door shut, and he looked around before whispering to the front, "I am a former classmate of the eldest young master of your Tang family. I have something important to discuss with you."
The servant was given a piece of silver. After a moment of silence, he beckoned him inside and instructed him, "Young Master is still unconscious. We dare not disturb him. You must wait here and not move around!"
"Yes! Yes!" Lü Hansong shrank back, his body was soaking wet, and the chill of the night dew made it feel like the cold seeped into his bones.
When Tang Yanqing saw Lü Hansong, he found him trembling uncontrollably, completely unlike his previous arrogant and unrestrained self. "Brother Lü?"
Lu Hansong's muddled mind jolted, and his whole body tensed up immediately. He brushed his hair aside, saw a familiar face, and his eyes welled up with tears. Without any regard for the occasion, he blurted out his grievances.
"A couple of days ago... someone slipped two sheets of paper under my window into my room. They said they were exam questions. I immediately sensed something was wrong and wanted to burn them, but... just then, a classmate walked in and saw the papers in my hand... We were planning to share them, but unexpectedly..."
"I never expected that the news would spread like wildfire, causing chaos."
Tang Yanqing sighed. There's no such thing as a free lunch. It's all because of greed. Everyone wanted more than they had, and they were all worried that someone was keeping it for themselves. This speculation led to things getting out of control.
Lu Hansong complained, "I really didn't hide anything. There's an official seal from the Ministry of Personnel on it, and everyone believed it to be true. I can't defend myself no matter what."
"The Prefect of Jingzhao wants to investigate thoroughly. I know this matter started because of me. If it is investigated, I'm afraid I won't be able to participate in this imperial examination."
Lu Hansong was filled with regret. Thinking back to the torture he had endured yesterday, he trembled with fear. The only thing that could save his life was the thought that Tang Yanqing could save him. That was why he had come to Tang Yanqing at all costs. He grabbed Tang Yanqing's arm and pleaded, "Brother Tang, please save my life for the sake of our past friendship."
Tang Yanqing sensed that the matter was complicated. After a slight hesitation, he saw Lü Hansong about to kneel down. He quickly grabbed Lü Hansong's arm, lifted him up, and after thinking it over, said, "I'm going to find someone, but I've made it clear beforehand that you must tell the whole story without hiding anything. You must also follow my instructions, not leave without permission, and not contact anyone else."
"Okay, okay, okay." Lü Hansong responded three times. After this incident, he realized that there were always people more capable than him, and he no longer dared to do anything else. He urged, "Go quickly."
Inside the courtyard, Qingli sat on the veranda, watching Meng Qingshan tidy up the wildly climbing grapevines. The emerald green leaves fluttered back and forth, but were quickly fixed in place. The bright morning sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled light on his face, making his features appear exceptionally rugged.
Jiang Zhao strode over from the front yard and, upon reaching the courtyard, addressed Meng Qingshan, "General, Young Master Tang requests an audience."
Meng Qingshan looked at Qingli, who deliberately remained silent. Seeing him putting on an act, he instructed, "Please have Young Master Tang wait in the front courtyard."
After saying that, he walked down the corridor, washed his hands in the basin prepared next to him, picked up a towel placed next to him, wiped his hands, and went to the front yard at will. It was originally a two-courtyard house, but he came to the door three times and forcibly changed it into a front and back yard, and even put two guards at the gate. For the safety of the family members in the courtyard, Qing Li tolerated his actions.
Soon, with a solemn expression, he strode into the backyard and said directly, "Tang Yanqing's former classmate came to him for help, which involved the leak of exam questions."
These days, Meng Qingshan often talked to her about matters inside and outside the court, but it wasn't just about the court; there were also anecdotes about ordinary people, and about food, clothing, and daily necessities. Hearing this, Qingli was worried that her grandfather would be involved, and she felt flustered. "Could something happen?"
“Yesterday, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture has already taken care of it quietly, so there will be no trouble.” Meng Qingshan first reassured him, “The Second Prince is determined to win this matter and will not allow any other matter to interfere. Besides, Lord Huang is quick-witted and cautious. He will not finalize the exam questions until the last day.”
Then, while he was at it, he gave the old fox a piece of his mind.
"But something is amiss. Just in case, we should consult with the Fourth Prince."
Qingli had the same idea, which coincided with his own, and immediately agreed. Meng Qingshan immediately sent someone to deliver the message. Soon, the Fourth Prince and the Second Princess arrived at the small courtyard on horseback, with Lu Yunye following closely behind. These days, it happened to be the time for performance evaluation and transfer. Lu Yunye had put away his carefree attitude and devoted himself to the Ministry of Revenue. He had not seen Ling Shuyao for a long time.
After entering the door, he looked around but didn't see anyone, so his expression fell, and he looked somewhat disappointed.
Tang Yanqing recounted the whole story in detail. The Second Prince received the imperial edict yesterday and went to the Ministry of Rites this morning to see his grandfather. Thinking that his grandfather had discovered it, he asked, "Is there that question?"
When the Second Prince and Tang Yanqing were paired up, everyone's expressions turned serious. Even Lu Yunye's lazy demeanor disappeared. Meng Qingshan connected the dots and said bluntly, "To be able to steal things from the Ministry of Personnel so quietly, he must be no ordinary person."
Lu Yunye had finally figured out the positions of the court officials in recent days, and realized just how far the Second Prince had gone in forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. At this crucial juncture of establishing an heir, his purpose was obvious: "It seems to be aimed at the Second Prince."
Tang Yanqing said, "The Second Prince is decisive and ruthless. The person behind him failed in his first attack, and we don't know what other tricks he has up his sleeve."
The second prince was somewhat disgusted by these underhanded tactics. "The imperial examination is meant to attract the best talents in the country, but now it has become a tool for them to undermine each other, sowing the seeds of suspicion and resentment."
People were disheartened, lamenting the malice of the intentions; planting evil seeds in their minds was worse than destroying their bodies.
Meng Qingshan was resolute and looked down on such low-class methods and underhanded tactics, like those of a short-sighted woman. He said disdainfully, "What is being destroyed are those with wicked intentions."
The four discussed their strategy. The Second Prince, having just received the imperial examination, left a message for Ling Shuyao and left first. Tang Yanqing, who still needed to arrange accommodations for Lü Hansong, also did not linger.
Lu Yunye nudged Meng Qingshan and said, "Duan Guining, whom you asked me to bring back, has sent two more boxes of gold and silver."
Meng Qingshan glanced at it and said, "Since it's for you, just accept it."
"That old scoundrel has a huge appetite; his letter is full of attempts to curry favor with others."
"That depends on whether he can eat it or not!"
Lu Yunye asked curiously, "How did he offend you?"
"I have never met him!"
The cold words sent a chill down Lu Yunye's spine. He didn't believe that he was being so kind. He chuckled and turned his eyes to see Ling Shuyao coming out of the back door. The two smiled at each other, and Lu Yunye said with a laugh, "I'm just taking a stroll."
Meng Qingshan ignored the lame excuse and strode towards the backyard. Ling Shuyao couldn't dodge in time, but Meng Qingshan seemed not to see her at all and went straight into the house.
Lu Yunye jogged over and sighed, "We were too conservative!"
"Ouch!"
Ling Shuyao pinched Lu Yunye's arm and threatened, "Don't talk nonsense."
Meng Qingshan sat down at the desk with practiced ease. Since he started coming here often, a round stool had always been placed there, so that he could sit down face to face with her. He liked this close proximity very much.
Qingli poured him a cup of hot tea and listened quietly to what he had to say next. These days, the two of them had found the most comfortable way to get along. He spoke his mind freely, and she expressed her opinions frankly. They discussed things together. She was not treated like a delicate bird kept in a cage, and he did not press her too hard. Qingli liked this atmosphere.
Meng Qingshan briefly described the matter, highlighting the key points. He paid attention to her expression and would say a few more words when she frowned.
He didn't find it boring at all; on the contrary, he was quite interested. During the conversation, she would sometimes lower her eyes to listen, her fair skin making his heart flutter. At other times, her eyes would widen slightly as she followed his narration, sometimes surprised, sometimes annoyed. Her lively and vivid appearance always made his heart tremble.
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