Chapter 119 Princess Yaoyang
Shen Churong stepped out of the palace gate with a beaming smile. He saw Chen Yanqing still standing diligently outside the gate and was about to casually ask, "Where is that male favorite who looks like him?"
But then he thought, it was just an insignificant substitute, why should he bother to care about it?
In a good mood, he casually pulled a heavy money pouch from his pocket and stuffed it into Chen Yanqing's hand, saying in a light tone, "This is a reward for you. Take good care of His Highness, and you'll be rewarded in the future."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yanqing's expression suddenly darkened.
This is the second time someone has said this to him.
What do these people really think of him?
He served Li Yuanzhao out of his own heart and willingly, not out of greed for these gold and silver things.
However, the person before him was the commander of the Imperial Guards. Despite his great displeasure, he dared not show it in the slightest. He could only suppress the humiliation in his heart, accept the money bag, and force out a few words of flattered joy on his face, saying, "Thank you for the reward, General Chen!"
On the other side, at Princess Yaoyang's residence.
Li Yuanshu was lying comfortably on the chaise longue, propping his head up with one hand and slowly putting a glistening grape into his mouth with the other.
Since moving out of the palace and having her own residence, she has spent more than a month living a carefree life and truly understands what it means to be happy and at ease.
Cao Dongyang was standing beside her, calmly reporting the princess's movements to her.
Cao Dongyang was a candidate who failed the imperial examination this year. He had run out of money and was almost homeless.
Just then, Li Yuanshu was recruiting staff, and he was chosen by Li Yuanshu because of his eloquence and ability to read people.
Later, Li Yuanzhao was confined to his residence, and many of his associates were implicated and demoted, leaving many positions vacant in the court.
Using his connection with Prime Minister Cui, Li Yuanshu managed to secure an eighth-rank official position for Cao Dongyang.
From then on, Cao Dongyang became completely devoted to Li Yuanshu, offering her advice and strategies in every way, and becoming her most capable right-hand man.
"There was some activity at the Princess's residence last night." Cao Dongyang lowered his voice, his tone somewhat secretive. "Lin Xue'an most likely stayed at the Princess's residence last night and didn't leave until early this morning."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanshu sat up abruptly in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Even after all this, she still dared to let him stay overnight?"
“Absolutely true.” Cao Dongyang nodded, certain. “The Princess’s residence is guarded by the Imperial Guards, so we can’t get close. But the Lin residence is unguarded. Our men have been guarding the alley entrance and saw with their own eyes that it was the Princess’s personal bodyguard, surnamed Chen, who escorted him back to the Lin residence early the next morning.”
Li Yuanshu couldn't help but scoff, "Li Yuanzhao is really... to die under the peony flower, even as a ghost, he'd still be romantic."
Cao Dongyang chimed in, "Who can argue with that? Isn't the Princess afraid that this action will give someone another handle to impeach her?"
These words piqued Li Yuanshu's interest.
Lin Xuean was just a son of a concubine in the Lin family. Apart from his handsome face, what was so special about him that could make the usually calm and composed Li Yuanzhao so "hooked" that he was confined to his quarters and still summoned to serve him?
"How about..." A hint of interest flashed in her eyes, "we go and meet him too?"
Cao Dongyang was stunned for a moment, then realized: "Your Highness means... that illegitimate son of the Lin family?"
“Exactly.” Li Yuanshu’s lips curled up. “I also want to see what makes him so special.”
Cao Dongyang looked troubled and said, "This matter is probably not easy. According to the information we have gathered, Minister Lin is furious and has confined him to the ancestral hall to reflect on his mistakes. It is estimated that he will not be released easily."
Li Yuanshu, however, didn't take it to heart and said directly, "Then you think of a way for me. In short, I must see him. Maybe... I can pry some interesting stories and secrets about my dear elder sister out of him."
Cao Dongyang felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the princess was determined to see this person.
He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, a calculating glint gradually appearing in his eyes: "Princess, rest assured, I have an idea..."
Three days later, the news that "Princess Yaoyang's residence will hold a painting appreciation event, inviting talented scholars from the capital to appreciate newly acquired masterpieces by famous artists" spread throughout the capital.
From scions of noble families and literati to low-ranking officials and down-on-their-luck scholars in the imperial court, everyone received an invitation, creating a huge spectacle.
The Lin family also received an invitation, and all three of the Lin family's sons were among those invited.
Lin Xueyan was secretly worried. Since being impeached by Prime Minister Cui last time, he knew that it would be difficult to attach himself to the Princess's faction again, otherwise he would really be "selling his son for personal gain".
So even though he harbored resentment, he had no choice but to lower his stance and show goodwill to Cui Shiliang.
The Third Princess's banquet is undoubtedly a golden opportunity.
He was eager to take this opportunity to improve relations, so he disregarded whether Lin Xue'an was under house arrest or not and let her out.
On the day of the banquet, Princess Yaoyang's residence was bustling with guests coming and going, with toasts and laughter filling the air.
Although this mansion is not as grand and magnificent as the residence of the Princess Zhenguo, as the former residence of the Emperor when he was a prince, it has been carefully maintained and properly repaired over the years, with an exquisite layout, exuding the grandeur of royal regulations everywhere.
Li Yuanshu sat gracefully on the soft couch in the main hall, her pomegranate red palace dress making her face even more radiant.
Listening to the flattery and laughter from the guests, she felt completely comfortable and satisfied.
So this is the kind of feeling that Li Yuanzhao, who has always been above everyone else, is enjoying.
She was well aware that most of the people in the room were sycophants who would follow whoever offered them the most benefits.
It was merely that, seeing Li Yuanzhao confined and out of power, they immediately turned to her as a "new tree," hoping to gain some benefits by taking advantage of her status.
But Li Yuanshu didn't care. As long as these people could be used by her and help her build up the power to fight against Li Yuanzhao and Li Yuanyou, what did it matter what their thoughts were?
Her gaze swept casually across the room, but her brows suddenly furrowed, and she turned to Cao Dongyang beside her, asking, "Why hasn't that guy surnamed Lin arrived yet?"
Her primary purpose in hosting this banquet today was to see Lin Xue'an; if he didn't come, the banquet would lose much of its charm.
Cao Dongyang quickly bowed and replied, "Your Highness, please be at ease. There are many guests today, and the gate inspection will take some time. We should be arriving soon."
Li Yuanshu hummed in response, then turned his gaze back to the crowd, but the more he looked, the more impatient he became.
Many young men in the room dressed in bright colors and flamboyant attire to attract her attention, yet each of them displayed an arrogant and confident demeanor.
She suppressed the urge to order people to throw these people out, and cursed inwardly: A bunch of ignorant fools, do they really think they can catch her eye like this?
Just as she was getting irritated, her gaze suddenly stopped on a man dressed in a simple blue shirt in the corner.
That person was quite good-looking, rather pleasing to the eye compared to all the ugly people in the garden, but... why did he walk with a limp?
"Why is there a cripple here?"
Li Yuanshu's tone carried a hint of disdain.
Cao Dongyang followed her gaze and explained in a low voice, "Your Highness, that is Du Cong, the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination. I heard that after hearing the news of the death of the top scholar a while ago, he was so grief-stricken that he accidentally fell down the steps and injured his leg. He took two months of sick leave and only recently returned to court. He was also invited to this banquet."
He paused, then continued, "His Majesty, moved by his loyalty and righteousness, specially promoted him to the position of Vice Censor-in-Chief."
"Loyal and righteous?" Li Yuanshu scoffed, his eyes full of disbelief. "I bet he's just faking it. Who in this world is so foolish as to cripple themselves for someone they don't even know?"
"I don't know if it's true or not either." Cao Dongyang had just finished speaking when his gaze fell on the figure at the door. He quickly reminded him, "Your Highness, Lin Xue'an has arrived. She's over there."
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