Chapter 184: No Rest, Heartbroken Day and Night
Two days later, the Langjiang delegation was about to return. Emperor Chengming not only sent people to escort them all the way, but also gave Langjiang a lot of goodies, a rough count of more than thirty items.
Whether it was the precious Yunding silver tea or the uncommon jade antiques, the relatively rare crop seeds in Langjiang alone filled ten carriages, not to mention the endless series of caravans behind them - Langjiang Country was famous for its medicine and poisons, but the country was mostly mountainous and forested, and there was very little flat land suitable for growing crops. Most people made a living by growing medicinal herbs or raising insects and animals.
Therefore, Emperor Chengming specially sent out ten carriages of crop seeds, and also sent officials familiar with crop sowing and cultivation.
Someone secretly investigated it and found it to be worth a fortune. Some marveled at the Chengming Emperor's genuine generosity, remaining silent about the events at Yanmen and treating Langjiang with such courtesy. He truly could be considered a benevolent and magnanimous monarch. Of course, the Chengming Emperor was not considered a soft-hearted monarch. No one had forgotten the bloodbath that flowed through the capital due to the abuse of power by his foreign relatives.
Everyone in the world knows that when Empress Langjiang first ascended the throne, Yu was strong and Lang was weak. She and Emperor Chengming set up a business banquet every three years, and every time Langjiang went to the banquet with Yu.
The two sides would normally give each other gifts, but this year is different.
The original three-day business banquet was extended to five days, and the Langjiang envoy also brought precious medicine such as the Nine-Turn Pill. Naturally, the business friendship between the two sides was further deepened.
Some people say that it is understandable that Emperor Chengming sent more things because of the Nine Revolutions Pill. After all, Dayu has a vast territory and abundant resources, so it doesn't lack those things.
In secret, some brave people also set their sights on Xiao Qingxu, who had obtained the Nine Revolutions Pill, and Xiao Qinggu, who had been going to the palace every day to play chess with Emperor Chengming in recent days.
Ever since Prince Qi and the Princess returned, His Majesty has shown a strong preference for them. The competition at the Shangliu Banquet seemed like a plot for a taste of vinegar. And yet, the Crown Prince...deeply trying to understand their intentions, could it be that the Eastern Palace is truly about to change hands?
“Chirp, chirp.”
From the eaves outside the house, a sparrow chirped. Hidden among the branches, it kept chirping with its beak open. Sunlight filtered through the cracks, sparsely filtering through the branches. The sparrow chirped and occasionally jumped, as if calling for its friends and family to come over.
Shang Yuwan, dressed in a dark blue suit, sat by the window, one hand resting on her folded left knee, her chin supported, the other on the edge of the chessboard. Xiao Qinggu sat across from her, a chessboard placed in front of them.
Looking at the chessboard, White was being pressed by Black at every turn, seemingly at the end of his rope, with no way out. Xiao Qinggu lowered his eyes and pondered for a long time, but couldn't come up with a solution.
On the other hand, Shang Yuwan had a calm expression on her face. She turned her head, her eyes always fixed on the gray bird on the branch.
The gray tit chirped for a while, and then three or two birds flew over and snuggled up to it. The green leaves on the branches trembled a few times with their movements, but fortunately, the leaves did not fall from the branches.
Shang Yuwan looked indifferent, as if he had no interest in anything and was completely bored.
Today was the day to see off the Langjiang envoys. Xiao Qinggu had originally wanted to go and see them off, to show his face in front of some officials, but Bailipu dragged him back to the Princess's residence to prepare for the next kingship examination. No one knew what the second examination would be about; Bailipu said they would wait until someone arrived before announcing it, keeping it a secret.
As for why Shang Yuwan was here, it was because of an order from Emperor Chengming. He said that Xiao Qinggu needed to prepare for the exam, so she didn't have to come to the palace every day, and he brought Shang Yuwan here to teach Xiao Qinggu how to play chess.
Xiao Qinggu asked softly, "Master Shang, are we really... going to do this? Wouldn't it be too reckless? What if something goes wrong..."
That night she was invited to Prince Qi's Mansion, and heard that Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu had overturned their original plan. She was so frightened by their new plan that she broke out in a cold sweat.
Shang Yuwan turned his eyes and head back to look at her straight.
"Then I wonder if Her Highness Princess has any clever plan to delay them for a while longer?"
Although the Nine Revolutions Pill failed to save Yang Qianmo's life, it ultimately fell into Xiao Qingxu's hands. Xiao Tong must have sensed that the Empress had changed her mind, perhaps even betrayed her. What awaited them from now on was a more ruthless and sinister scheme than before, and even Xiao Qinggu would be completely abandoned by Xiao Tong.
Who knows how many people are secretly coveting the position of the Emperor. Xiao Tong may have started secretly planning since the day she returned to Yu. How could she give up so easily for a daughter who is competing with her for the throne?
“......I......” Xiao Qinggu’s eyes dimmed.
Shang Yuwan lowered his eyes, reached out to pick up the teapot beside him and poured a cup of tea for Xiao Qinggu, "Your Highness, even if we don't mention the Princess's Mansion, there is still a cunning person hidden in the East Palace."
Xiao Qingji had used a trick on the Langjiang killer many years ago, and deliberately pretended to be extremely wary of Langjiang under the guise of Xiao Tong. Wasn't it because Miao Gu and the others fell for half of his trick that the first crack appeared between Xiao Tong and the empress?
Shang Yuwan discussed this with Xiao Qingxu. Could it be that Xiao Qingji was hunting down Xiao Qinggu in Luzhou City in order to force her to stand against Xiao Tong?
In addition, all the Langjiang assassins sent to Xiao Tong were killed. No matter how deep the relationship between the empress and Xiao Tong was, they could no longer continue to cooperate as before.
Once a broken heart is broken, how can it be mended unless there is a deep connection between them? Especially when one of them is the leader of a country, their thoughts and concerns must always be based on their country's interests.
The empress has been able to help Xiao Tong for so many years, and she has already paid a great price and shown great care.
Xiao Qinggu finished the cup of tea in silence before saying, "His possessiveness is truly the strongest I've ever seen."
Xiao Tong was isolated and helpless. Apart from Xiao Qingji, who else could she ask for help? She must have seen through Xiao Qingji's thoughts by now, and it was not impossible for her to act alone, but if she abandoned Xiao Qingji as well...
Xiao Qingji would go crazy. Even Xiao Tong couldn't guarantee what kind of crazy things he would do.
"Have you thought about the next step?" Shang Yuwan pointed at the chessboard, without asking Xiao Qinggu whether she had discovered Xiao Tong's special feelings for her, or the relationship between her and Xiao Tong.
Xiao Qinggu looked down and was about to shake his head when he heard Shang Yuwan say, "The one in the ice cellar can't wait for Your Highness to come up with the next step."
It was already May. The weather would get even hotter in a little while. Yang Qianmo's body would remain in the ice cellar for another day, a day less to rest in peace. It would gradually rot and stink, becoming a pile of unrecognizable bones.
That piece of blood-lettered paper was like a thin blade, cutting into Shang Yuwan's heart day and night.
Xiao Qinggu placed his hands on his knees, his fingers curled up slightly.
That plan was far too dangerous. In her eyes, it was no different than walking into a trap. If she took even the slightest wrong step, she would be doomed.
Shang Yuwan leaned forward and reached out to hold Xiao Qinggu's curled up hand.
Xiao Qinggu raised his eyes to look at her. Although Shang Yuwan knew that she was outside the house on the day Yang Qianmo died, and he also found a chance to explain it to her, she was still a little uneasy in her heart.
"Don't be afraid."
Shang Yuwan only gave Xiao Qinggu these two gentle words.
Invisibly, Xiao Qinggu felt as if he was blown by a cool breeze, and his mind suddenly became clear.
She pursed her lips and smiled, nodding.
"Um."
"We will definitely win."
Shang Yuwan responded with a faint smile, but her heart was filled with sadness.
Struggle for imperial power and redress injustice for loyalty.
The one who becomes a king is alone, and the one who redresses injustice has lost all his relatives.
No matter who it is, no one can win.
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