Chapter 24
Mu Li, as Ning Shiyu's most trusted confidant, is meticulous.
Often, Ning Shiyu only needs a glance to get things done.
Today, the Crown Prince invited Ning Shiyu to play chess. If he cannot say it outright, he will use the chess game as a way to express his attitude.
If the Crown Prince can side with the King of Qin, things will be much easier in the future.
This was something he and the King of Qin had always hoped for.
Ning Shiyu stood beside the antique shelf, which contained many of the items he had liked in his childhood. He took down a brightly colored hibiscus jade cup.
As if she hadn't heard Mu Li's question, she gently traced the lotus pattern on the jade cup with her fingertips.
After a long silence, he said, "If he really wants to be with his uncle, he will prove it with his actions."
"As for my assisting my uncle, even if Your Highness is aware of it, I cannot reveal it myself unless absolutely necessary."
"There are too many variables involved."
"Our return to Chang'an will certainly not be peaceful, as Your Highness is well aware."
"If he truly wants to help me, we'll see if he's willing to lend a hand this time."
"And tomorrow's visit to the palace will also allow me to glean some information."
This is also why his playing style is low-key and reserved today.
No matter how much the Crown Prince tried to curry favor, Ning Shiyu remained unmoved and unwilling to reveal his true intentions.
To outsiders, it simply means that Ning Shiyu's chess skills are getting weaker and weaker.
Mu Li was too impatient. Only after Ning Shiyu reminded him did he understand the reason behind it.
Suddenly, he changed the subject and said casually, "Do you think Fu'er will like this cup?"
"My mother said that women all like this color."
Mu Li had always known how much Ning Shiyu doted on Fu'er, so he was quite surprised to hear Ning Shiyu ask such a question.
The items on this display shelf were all collected and purchased by the princess for Ning Shiyu many years ago.
Even when princes and princesses from the palace came, Ning Shiyu wouldn't allow them to touch her.
Unlike the antiques he bought himself in Lingyang, which he never gave away.
"My lord, this was left for you by the princess."
Ning Shiyu's gaze dimmed for a moment, then a gentle light returned to his eyes.
"It's fine to give it to her."
“She must be angry with me for bringing other people to Chang’an this time but not her.”
A slight smile played on her lips, and a soft glint appeared in her eyes. "If I don't bring her something decent when I go back, I'm afraid she won't want to talk to me again for a few days."
"The teacup she drinks from has a chipped edge that hurts her mouth, but she doesn't even bother to change it."
"Very frugal."
The next day, His Highness the Crown Prince kept his word and personally took Ning Shiyu to the Taiji Palace to see the Emperor.
The Empress's men only allowed people in after the Crown Prince appeared.
Emperor Yuanhe, looking sickly, finally saw his beloved nephew, his eyes reddening.
He held Ning Shiyu's hand tightly and wouldn't let go.
Ning Shiyu was also deeply moved.
"Yu'er, are you doing well in Lingyang?"
"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. Yu'er is doing well."
With just those two sentences, the uncle and nephew had already seen the answer they were looking for in each other's eyes.
Then Mu Li took out a Hua Rong Dao puzzle, which was like something children would play with.
It was only after being inspected by the eunuchs around him that it was handed to the emperor.
“Uncle, Yu’er made a toy to help you pass the time and cheer you up.”
I hope you like it.
Emperor Yuanhe examined the child closely and then chuckled, "Good child, you are so thoughtful, knowing that your uncle likes to play this game."
Before the uncle and nephew could exchange a few words, the chief eunuch, citing the emperor's need for rest, expelled Ning Shiyu from Taiji Palace.
When they left Taiji Palace, the eunuchs, still worried, searched Ning Shiyu and his servant Mu Li from head to toe.
As soon as Ning Shiyu left, Emperor Taihe dismissed everyone around him.
He took out the Huarong Road puzzle given to him by Ning Shiyu again, took off a small wooden block, and after repeatedly feeling around for a while, he finally figured out the trick.
He discovered a very shallow seam near the bottom of the back, which he scratched with his fingernail.
Then you can remove the inlay wood that connects to the back.
It turned out that the wooden blocks were not solid wood; after being hollowed out, each one was filled with a black pill.
Then attach a piece of inlay wood that is the right size from the back.
Then you won't be able to spot the flaw.
Emperor Taihe was caught off guard and swallowed the pill.
He had long suspected that the Cui family had tampered with his health after he took the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician.
Not only did it not get better, but my hands and feet became more and more swollen.
Until that day, after he woke up, someone stuffed a piece of silk cloth into his hand.
The note said that he should stop taking the herbal medicine prescribed by the imperial physician.
Someone will bring him life-saving medicine.
He then guessed that his younger brother or nephew had already placed someone by his side.
Therefore, for the past two weeks, he has been trying to secretly pour out the medicine without the Empress's knowledge.
The swelling in my hands and feet has subsided considerably.
He never expected that Ning Shiyu would personally bring him the medicine.
After taking the pill, Emperor Taihe slowly rose from his dragon bed, and his gaze towards the outside world became more vibrant.
At the same time, Ning Shiyu, who had returned to the Princess's residence, also took out a piece of silk from his wide sleeve.
Weiyang Palace.
It was lunchtime when Empress Cui specially invited her elder brother to dine in her palace.
In reality, it was to discuss how to deal with Ning Shiyu.
“Elder brother, the Ning family’s heir has returned to Chang’an. If he doesn’t accept this time, the marriage arranged for him by his grandmother will be ruined.”
"Then we have no reason to keep him."
The flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Ning family matriarch was also at the Empress's behest.
The purpose was to win over Ning Shiyu through a marriage alliance.
However, Empress Cui's informant at the princess's residence reported that Ning Shiyu had brought back a concubine.
He dotes on her so much that he probably can no longer see his wife.
He wanted to get rid of the concubine, but the guards he had arranged were too cautious, and he had no chance to make a move.
Empress Cui coveted the lavish dowry left by the eldest princess.
Prime Minister Cui was wary of Ning Shiyu using his immense wealth to serve the King of Qin.
Cui Mingxiu was in his forties, dressed in a purple official robe. He had a refined and scholarly air about him, but his eyes revealed a sharp edge befitting a person in a high position.
He calmly put down the jade chopsticks in his hand, picked up the teacup, and used the lid to glide over the surface of the tea.
“Ning Shiyu is a man who seems to be ignorant of the ways of the world, spending his days squandering money. He is a piece of rotten wood that cannot be carved.”
"But judging from the methods he used to protect the estate left by the eldest princess, this man is no ordinary person."
"What Her Majesty wants to do, he has probably already thought of."
Empress Cui had also experienced this firsthand, and gritted her teeth as she said, "Ning Shiyu is extremely treacherous, just like his mother."
"He owns countless shops in Chang'an, all of which are extremely profitable businesses."
“But the records from the money exchange show that only a few thousand taels were remitted to him each year, which is truly cunning.”
Prime Minister Cui's eyes were filled with murderous intent. He said in a deep voice, "If the marriage alliance fails, we will take over the Ning family's hand and make our move when he returns to Lingyang and leaves Chang'an."
"Furthermore, Your Highness should also remind the Crown Prince not to get too close to the Ning family's heir."
Sensing his warning, a hint of panic flashed in the Empress's eyes. "Brother, rest assured, Hong'er is just kind-hearted. I will not allow him to have any contact with Ning Shiyu."
Xiayue Pavilion.
Yunyou's mindset has changed quite a bit since her trip to Chang'an.
She felt that Ning Shiyu valued her so much, and that he was no longer as amiable as before, but rather more authoritative towards the people serving him.
Caiwei was naturally very respectful to her, and she was grateful that she had come to Chang'an this time.
It's also thanks to their master.
As for Fuyutsuki, who was her bodyguard, she was always aloof.
Not just anyone is worthy to be her master.
Just as Yunyou sent her to find out where Ning Shiyu had gone today and when he would return home, she immediately turned her back on him.
"Your subordinate is only responsible for the safety of your concubine; everything else is none of your concern."
Yun You couldn't stand that a mere servant girl was taking advantage of her, so she slammed her hand heavily on the tea table. "Don't forget your place. If you continue to talk back to me like this..."
"I will punish you by making you kneel outside for an hour."
Dongyue was not afraid at all. "I am really sorry, Auntie. I will only obey your orders, young master."
"If you succeed in your pillow talk tonight, I will gladly accept the punishment."
These words unintentionally struck a nerve with Yunyou.
Since arriving in Chang'an, Ning Shiyu has been busy all day long and has never visited Xiayue Pavilion.
He never sent Yunyou to his Yunjintang.
I heard that his parents also paid their respects, but I wonder what he's been busy with all day.
Yun You turned pale with anger, but there was nothing she could do about Dong Yue.
He could only watch helplessly as she left the house.
To please Yunyou, Caiwei said, "Auntie, don't be angry, I'll go ask right away."
Yunyou stopped her, saying, "You're not familiar with the Princess's residence. The steward said that there are many courtyards in the residence, and you can't enter them without the young master's permission."
He sighed, "Let's just forget about it."
Unexpectedly, Zhuang Xing came to deliver a message right after lunch.
"Miss Yunyou, the young master said he would take you to Chang'an later, so please prepare yourself."
Yunyou was excited and hurriedly asked Caiwei to redo her makeup and dress her up.
Today is also the day when Madam Ning is holding the Spring Flower Banquet at the Ning Mansion to select a husband for Ning Shiyu.
Those who received the invitations all went. The Ning family was insignificant in the eyes of the noble ladies; they valued Ning Shiyu's appearance and family background.
However, Ning Shiyu abandoned these noble ladies and accompanied his favorite concubine, buying this and that in the shops of Chang'an.
Upon hearing the report, the old lady of the Ning family was so angry that she fainted.
The spring flower banquet had to be interrupted, and the girls returned home disappointed.
That evening, Ning Shiyu's second and third uncles came to the mansion and gave Ning Shiyu a scolding.
Ning Shiyu remained unmoved, and with a few words of gentle persuasion and firm advice, his two uncles returned home dejected.
And so, Ning Shiyu spent half a month in Chang'an without incident, and his reputation as a playboy became widely known.
At first, many noble ladies were willing to marry him, but later they all despised Ning Shiyu for being unambitious and unworthy of a good match.
Half a month later, Ning Shiyu bid farewell to Chang'an. When he left, only the officials of his household saw him off.
As soon as they left Chang'an, they encountered wave after wave of pursuers.
However, he was surrounded by many skilled fighters, and was also secretly protected by the Crown Prince's men.
Ning Shiyu was safe and sound, and even returned to Lingyang a few days ahead of schedule.
Upon returning to Lingyang, he first went to the Prince of Qin's residence.
The King of Qin had been waiting for this for a long time, and Ning Shiyu did not disappoint, bringing back the news he wanted.
"How is Yu'er this time? Is your imperial uncle alright?"
"Uncle, Your Majesty is doing well, and this time it can be confirmed that His Highness the Crown Prince is trustworthy."
The King of Qin dared not be careless. "How can you be so sure?"
Ning Shiyu said firmly, "Because His Highness the Crown Prince's birth mother is not Empress Cui."
"Instead, it was a palace maid who was murdered by the Empress."
The King of Qin looked shocked. "Is the news true?"
"It's true, it was my uncle who sent me the message."
With the Crown Prince's assistance, the King of Qin would undoubtedly have wings on his tiger.
The King of Qin was in a great mood and instructed his wife, Lady Wei, to prepare wine and dishes to entertain Ning Shiyu.
He also had his four sons accompany him.
Halfway through the meal, Ning Shiyu noticed something was wrong with her body; she felt unbearably hot.
The evil fire within him also surged and spread throughout his body, disturbing his peace of mind.
Exhausted, he returned to his usual room.
However, what awaited him in the room was a beautiful woman dressed in a thin veil.
Ning Shiyu immediately sobered up and realized what was going on.
He strode out of the room and said to Mu Li at the door, "Let's go back to the Ning residence."
Mu Li noticed his unusual behavior and, not daring to delay, hurried back to the Ning residence.
Ning Shiyu had already taken off his cloak and returned to his bedroom as if the wind were blowing through his feet.
Soaking in cold water for half a day not only failed to relieve the symptoms, but actually made the body's reaction worse.
The large robe couldn't cover it at all.
Hearing the commotion inside from behind the screen, Mu Li was also anxious. "Master, I'll go and fetch Doctor Wu."
Ning Shiyu, who was inside, suppressed his breath and remained silent for a moment before saying, "I don't want a doctor, I want... Fu'er."
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