Shanhe Festival 268. Creating discord

Ordinary people outside would not know what Concubine Liu had gone through in the teahouse. But it did not prevent some special people from knowing. For example, Mo Jingli. When Concubine Liu had just left the teahouse, her rage and expression when she went downstairs had already spread to the former Prince Li's Mansion, now the Prince Regent's Mansion. To be honest, although Mo Jingli was not very likable, he was obviously much better at dealing with people than Mo Jingqi. Over the years, the royal princes of the royal family had been severely suppressed by Mo Jingqi, so they were neither salty nor indifferent to the emperor. Even though everyone knew that Mo Jingqi's illness must have something to do with Mo Jingli, no one had ever spoken up for him. On the contrary, after Mo Jingli became the Regent King, he treated these cousins ​​and uncles with much courtesy, and now the relationship between the royal family and Mo Jingli has improved a lot.

When the news reached Prince Li's mansion, Prince Yu Mo Jingyu was drinking tea at the Prince Regent's mansion. Mo Jingli did not hide it. After reading the letter, he handed it to Mo Jingyu. Mo Jingyu was naturally happy for Mo Jingli's trust. After reading it, his brows knitted. He slapped the letter on the table and said, "What do this Concubine Liu and the Liu family want to do? A concubine in the deep palace actually ran out of the capital to worship the ancestors of Prince Ding's mansion. Who does she think she is? She even dared to block Prince Ding and Princess Ding's way on the street to invite people to drink tea. Does she still want to save the face of the royal family?"

Mo Jingli said coldly, "It's not like we don't know Concubine Liu Guifei. What else could she have besides her feelings for Mo Xiuyao?"

Mo Jingyu obviously remembered that Concubine Liu's infatuation with Mo Xiuyao made all the princes and sons of the capital city envious. Unfortunately, Mo Xiuyao, the person involved, acted as if nothing had happened and no one dared to mention it in front of him. Although an unmarried daughter of a noble family is attracted to a man, it may hinder the reputation of the noble family, but if it is a perfect match, it can be regarded as a good story. However, if a married woman over 30 is still obsessed with a man, it is shameless and has an affair.

"Is she mentally ill? How blind must Prince Ding be to fall for Princess Ding, with a wife like her?" Although he was not familiar with her, Mo Jingyu still had some good feelings for Princess Ding, Ye Li. After all, a woman who could be Princess Ding was rare in the world, not to mention in all dynasties. Just the fact that Prince Ding was disabled in both legs and was deeply trapped in the vortex of power in the capital, but Princess Ding still stayed with him was enough to make people admire her. After he said it, Mo Jingyu realized that it was a bit too much, and looked at Mo Jingli with some apology. This one was also blind back then. Otherwise, a woman like Princess Ding would not have been Prince Ding's turn, but the current Princess Li.

Mo Jingli shook his head to show that he didn't care, and his cold eyes slightly lowered to hide the turmoil in them. After so many years, Mo Jingli is no longer the young man who wanted to cancel the engagement without thinking it through. After so long, he has figured it out. Half of the reason why he was in a hurry to cancel the engagement was because of himself, but the other half was because of his royal brother's silent instigation. Mo Jingqi thought that he was also the legitimate son of the previous emperor, so the Xu family might help him but not Mo Xiuyao. But he didn't expect that he would force the Xu family to help Mo Xiuyao. If it weren't for him... I remembered the woman in green that I saw in the backyard of the inn that day. Mo Jingli's heart twitched, and he resented Mo Jingqi even more. That quiet, graceful, yet generous woman turned out to be his wife!

"Is Concubine Liu trying to persuade Prince Ding to cooperate with her? If Prince Ding really agrees... it will be very disadvantageous to Prince Li." No matter what, no one in the Great Chu would not be afraid of Mo Xiuyao. Even though he has nothing to do with the Great Chu now, this is the irreplaceable majesty of Prince Ding's Mansion in the hearts of the people and the dignitaries established by hundreds of years of achievements.

"No." Mo Jingli rejected it, "Mo Xiuyao will not cooperate with her."

Mo Jingyu thought about it, smiled and said, "That's true. If Prince Ding had agreed, Concubine Liu wouldn't have left in such a distraught state."

Mo Jingli smiled and said, "Mo Xiuyao is naturally proud, and he will never cooperate with his enemies. Even though... Concubine Liu actually had nothing to do with what happened back then. But his son is Mo Jingqi's son. What's more, Princess Ding looks gentle and quiet, but in fact, she is as proud as Mo Xiuyao. If Concubine Liu wants to cooperate, I can guess what she will ask for, and Ye Li will definitely not agree to it."

Watching Mo Jingli talking confidently, Mo Jingyu couldn't help but sigh quietly in his heart. Being able to understand Princess Ding so well and being able to say such words in such a tone, Prince Li must have regretted it a long time ago. Unfortunately, there are many things in this world that are missed once they are missed, and it is useless to regret them. After thinking about it, Mo Jingyu couldn't help but remind him: "Prince Li, now is not the time to provoke Prince Ding." Mo Jingli dared to cancel the marriage arranged by the previous emperor for Ye Ying's impulsiveness. Mo Jingyu had to worry whether Mo Jingli would do something irreparably because of Princess Ding in a moment of impulsiveness that would anger Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Jingli was stunned, then smiled calmly and said, "I know my limits, Prince Yu need not worry. Now is indeed not the time to provoke Mo Xiuyao. Just treat them with courtesy while they are in the capital, and no one from the Regent Prince's Mansion should cause trouble for him." Mo Jingyu nodded in agreement. His Prince Yu's Mansion has always been cautious, so naturally, it was even more impossible for them to provoke Mo Xiuyao.

"However, just because we don't provoke them doesn't mean others won't provoke them." Mo Jingli sneered.

"Huh?" Mo Jingyu was stunned.

Mo Jingli said in a deep voice: "Tell Mo Jingqi the news and tell him... that Mo Xiuyao, the person he fears the most, has returned to the capital." Mo Jingyu was silent and looked at Mo Jingli quietly: Do you want to scare Mo Jingqi to death?

Mo Jingli didn't care about Mo Jingyu's look, and said coldly: "That woman of Concubine Liu is obsessed with Mo Xiuyao, so she is not to be feared. Have someone keep a close eye on the old man of the Liu family. I heard that Prince De has been having some dealings with them these days?" Mo Jingyu nodded and sighed helplessly: "Uncle Prince De is old and has blurred vision. But after all, Concubine Liu's son is the crown prince appointed by the emperor himself, so it is understandable that Uncle Prince De is close to them."

Mo Jingli sneered, "Foolish! Do you think that Concubine Liu will quietly let her son become the emperor, and that the old man of the Liu family will really be obedient and be a wise minister who assists him?"

Mo Jingyu frowned and said, "After all, the Crown Prince is Concubine Liu's biological son, so it shouldn't be the case." Mo Jingli looked at him and said, "You haven't been close to the palace in these years. Prince Yu might as well go to the palace and find someone to find out how Concubine Liu treats the Crown Prince and the other two princes and princesses? When she becomes the Queen Mother..." Mo Jingyu said in a deep voice, "What else does she want to do after she becomes the Queen Mother?" As a woman, being the Queen Mother is already the most honorable status in the world. What else can Concubine Liu do?

Mo Jingli said, "I'm afraid that in the eyes of Concubine Liu Gui... the position of ten queen mothers is not as valuable as that of a Princess Ding."

"What?" Mo Jingyu was stunned. He suddenly realized what was happening and threw the cup in his hand to the ground. "Bitch!"

Mo Jingli raised his eyebrows and smiled. Isn’t it?

Inside the Palace

The magnificent bedroom was silent and filled with a faint smell of decay. Mo Jingqi lay on the bed, unable to move. His once handsome face had become more than ten years older and haggard. The man in his thirties looked like a patient approaching the end of his life. He didn't know what poison Mo Jingli had given him, but he knew it was definitely not Wu Shi San. Wu Shi San was not so toxic. Since he stopped taking the medicine, he had been enduring the pain that gnawed his bones and heart every day, and the pain did not gradually subside because he had stopped taking the medicine for many days. Instead, his body gradually became weaker.

Until now, he could feel pain all over his body as long as he moved. Mo Jingqi knew that he would not live long. But he was unwilling to accept it, he really was unwilling to accept it. He had been scheming and worrying all his life and had never had a comfortable day. Now Mo Xiuyao was occupying the northwest, and although Mo Jingli did not say it explicitly, he actually occupied the southeast. The barbarians in the north were knocking on the gate, and the Xiling Beirong were eyeing them covetously. Mo Jingqi could not let go of so many things. He did not know what the Great Chu would become after his death, and he did not dare to ask the ancestors of the Great Chu for help.

"Someone come..." Mo Jingqi called out hoarsely.

The bedroom was quiet and silent, and no one responded for a long time. Mo Jingqi was stunned for a while and suddenly laughed, but tears were streaming down his face. After being poisoned, he realized that he was such a failure as a man. No one from the royal family spoke for him, the ministers in the court were busy arguing for sides, and his mother came to see him two or three times and never came again. Even the eunuchs and palace maids who were once by his side didn't know where they had gone. These days, he was alone facing the empty bedroom, as if he was watching his internal organs gradually rot and then die, "Haha..."

"Someone come! Someone come... I want to drink water..." Mo Jingqi screamed.

A teacup with dragon and phoenix patterns was handed over. Mo Jingli, wearing a black python robe, stood in front of the bed with tea in one hand. He bent down to help Mo Jingqi up and put the water to his lips. Mo Jingqi was really thirsty, and he didn't care about much and lowered his head to drink most of the cup of water before taking a breath. Putting him down again, Mo Jingli turned around and put the teacup back on the table not far away before slowly walking back.

"What are you doing here now?" Mo Jingqi asked coldly.

Mo Jingli sat down and said calmly, "I'm here to tell you a piece of good news. Someone who can deal with me has come to the capital. Do you think this is good news for you?"

"Who?" Mo Jingqi was not interested in listening to his pretentious words. At this moment, Mo Jingqi really couldn't think of anyone who could deal with the powerful Mo Jingli. Mo Jingli smiled at him sarcastically and said, "Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao is back, brother, are you happy?"

"Mo...Mo Xiuyao?! Why did he come back? Why didn't you order him to be arrested?!" Mo Jingqi was shocked and shouted angrily. But just after the shout, there was another round of earth-shaking coughing. Looking at Mo Jingqi lying on the bed with a pale face in pain, Mo Jingli's eyes flashed with a hint of pity. He said indifferently: "Catch him? Brother...do you think I'm crazy? Da Chu is now surrounded by enemies. The northern border is already overwhelmed. Once a war breaks out with the Mo family army, Xiling and Beirong will definitely take advantage of the opportunity to attack. What should we do then?"

"Mo Xiuyao is also our enemy!" Mo Jingqi said hatefully.

"Now Mo Xiuyao is just your enemy." Mo Jingli said calmly. He lowered his eyes and looked at him, "You killed Mo Xiuwen, and you also killed tens of thousands of Mo family soldiers who died at the border. You also caused Mo Xiuyao to be seriously injured, and you also ordered Princess Ding to be surrounded and killed in the capital. Brother... who else would Mo Xiuyao go to if not you? He heard in the northwest that you were dying, so he hurried back to the capital. Do you know why? He said... he came to see you off. If you want Mo Xiuyao to leave Chujing as soon as possible, then hurry up... go to hell."

"you……"

Mo Jingli looked at him coldly and continued, "Oh, by the way, there is one more piece of news that I forgot to tell you, my brother. Your beloved concubine, the mother of our Great Chu Crown Prince, has just gone to see Mo Xiuyao. Do you know what she said to Mo Xiuyao?"

Mo Jingqi half-closed his eyes, obviously not wanting to listen to him anymore. He knew what Mo Jingli was thinking, he just didn't want him to have an easy time. Mo Jingli didn't care if he was listening or not, "Liu Guifei said that as long as Mo Xiuyao could help her deal with me, she would be willing to share the throne with Prince Ding. It seems... even if I am not here, it is still unknown whether the prince you choose can ascend the throne."

Hearing this, Mo Jingqi's face changed and his body twitched continuously. He stared at Mo Jingli with his eyes wide open, "You... you are talking nonsense!"

"Nonsense?" Mo Jingli sneered, "Who in the capital doesn't know that Concubine Liu had already fallen in love with Mo Xiuyao before she entered the palace? If you don't believe me, you might as well send someone to see if Concubine Liu is still in the palace and when she left. But don't worry, Mo Xiuyao doesn't like your beloved concubine and has already rejected her. At noon today, many people saw Concubine Liu walk out of the teahouse in a daze."

"You are talking nonsense...nonsense!" Mo Jingqi shouted angrily. Mo Jingli was too lazy to pay attention to him and turned around to walk out.

After leaving the bedroom, before reaching the Yu Garden, he ran into Concubine Liu Gui who was coming towards him.

Looking at the beautiful Concubine Liu, who looked like ice and snow, Mo Jingli's eyes were not moved or admired. He had always hated arrogant and proud people, no matter how beautiful she looked. Concubine Liu naturally had no good feelings for Mo Jingli, and said coldly: "Where are you going, Prince Li?" Mo Jingli forced a smile and said lightly: "I was about to go back to the mansion, where are you going, Concubine Liu?" Concubine Liu said: "Walking around." Mo Jingli raised his eyebrows and said: "Oh? Isn't Concubine Liu going to see the emperor?" Concubine Liu originally planned to go to see Mo Jingqi to see if she could get any evidence against Mo Jingli. But of course she couldn't say this in front of Mo Jingli, so she said indifferently, "The Emperor didn't summon me to take care of him. If I went there on purpose, wouldn't that disturb the Emperor's cultivation?"

"Really? Your Majesty is really thoughtful. In this case, I will take my leave first." Mo Jingli looked at her with a smile and said, "You are leaving."

Staring at Mo Jingli's back as he walked away, Concubine Liu Gui showed a trace of anger. How dare Prince Li be so rude to her!

"Your Majesty?" the eunuch beside her asked cautiously.

Concubine Liu frowned and asked, "Go check whether Prince Li went to see the emperor just now." The eunuch took the order and went quickly. After a while, he hurried back and whispered, "Your Majesty is wise. Prince Li did just come out of His Majesty's bedroom and seems to be heading to Zhangde Palace now." Thinking of the Queen Mother who had always been unfriendly to her, Concubine Liu Gui's face became even colder. She snorted and said, "That old woman still wants to fight with me?! She's dreaming!" The eunuch smiled flatteringly and said, "Your Majesty is right. You are the biological mother of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, you will be the legitimate Empress Dowager. By the way, Your Majesty... I just got a piece of news. The Emperor has just issued an order to lift the confinement of the Empress, and also conferred the title of Concubine Zhou as Concubine De and Concubine Zheng Zhaoyuan as Concubine Xian."

"What?! When did this happen?!" Concubine Liu Gui's face changed and she asked in a deep voice.

The eunuch also knew that the matter was of great importance, and hurriedly said, "Just now, when I went there, the messenger had just gone to the Empress's palace to deliver the order."

"How could this happen? Going now... No, it's too late! Why did the emperor suddenly issue this decree? Could it be... Prince Li?" Concubine Liu Gui felt nervous and hurried to Mo Jingqi's bedroom. Although he didn't care about the queen and several concubines who were not favored, Zheng Zhaoyuan had another son, who was eight years old this year. He was smart and loved by the emperor. It was for this reason that even though Zheng Zhaoyuan was not favored by the emperor, she was still named Zhaoyuan, and now she was promoted to Xianfei, one of the four concubines. If these people, plus the queen, joined forces, it would be very disadvantageous to him and the Liu family.

She hurried to the door of the bedroom, but was stopped outside. Concubine Liu said coldly: "What do you mean? I want to see the emperor!"

The guards guarding the door were all Mo Jingli's men. Mo Jingli placed them here to make Concubine Liu feel uncomfortable. Naturally, they would not give in easily. The guard standing in front of Concubine Liu said sternly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The Emperor has ordered that the Empress bring Concubine De and Concubine Xian to come and thank you. Apart from that, no one else will be seen."

"What if I insist on going in?" Concubine Liu threatened in a cold voice.

The guard was also unequivocal and said in a deep voice: "The emperor has ordered that anyone who enters the bedroom without permission will be punished as a traffic offender."

Concubine Liu gritted her teeth and was about to get angry when she heard the eunuch's announcement from afar, "The Empress has arrived!"

Seeing the empress, wearing a bright yellow phoenix robe and all kinds of phoenix ornaments, slowly coming down from the phoenix chariot, Concubine Liu frowned slightly. Except for the last time when Mo Jingqi suddenly fell ill, she had not seen the empress for a long time. The days when the empress was confined in the past few years made her almost forget about this woman, but now she appeared again, still so radiant, still so elegant, making her feel inferior.

"What are you doing?" The Queen stepped down from the Fengzhai and asked with a frown as she looked at the people confronting each other.