Chapter 133
Zhou Li sat down firmly and rolled his eyes at Gong Yinai.
"Who wants to seduce you? You're such a greenhorn. Do you even know what sex is?"
Gong Yinai held Zhou Li's wrist tightly, causing her pain. Zhou Li frowned and held on. Her current body of Liu Yingzi was not as good as Gong Yifu's. Her wrist was as thin as paper, and her skin was so delicate that it would leave a red mark if touched accidentally. It was so tender that water could be squeezed out of it. She looked like a young lady who was pampered in the boudoir. Although Gong Yinai looked beautiful, at least she was a person who traveled outside. Although she was not as powerful as Gong Yifu, she was good at riding and shooting, and was much stronger than Zhou Li.
"You want to teach me?" Gong Yinai snorted coldly, his eyes cold. The temperature around him suddenly dropped, and the goose bumps on Zhou Li's arms were pressed out. Gong Yinai's lips moved closer, close to Zhou Li's ear. The two of them looked extremely intimate. "Liu Yingzi, my patience with you is limited. Do what you should do and don't make any more unnecessary moves."
After saying that, he let go of Zhou Li's hand and closed his eyes to reflect.
Zhou Li rubbed the wrist that was caught by Gong Yinai, with a confused look in his eyes.
What did she do? Suddenly she got a warning.
It was a few days later that Zhou Li heard the news.
Xiao Feilan's grandfather actually entered the cabinet.
Zhou Li almost spit out a mouthful of water. Gong Yinai must have known that she and Xiao Feilan had a few words at the banquet and thought that she had done something unusual, so he came to warn her.
Some people really shouldn't be thought about too much.
Although it is said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Xiao Feilan does not like An Qinan and naturally stands on the same side with her, but Zhou Li is not so despicable as to rely on the Xiao family to overthrow another person in the cabinet.
Grand Tutor Wen held immense power, second only to the Sage. While there were several cabinet elders to rein him in, none possessed the same clout as Grand Tutor Wen. Relying on a new cabinet elder to dethrone Grand Tutor Wen was a pipe dream. Furthermore, the Sage's stance was still unknown. Even if they had evidence, what would it matter? Over the years, there had been attempts to dethrone Grand Tutor Wen, but they had been suppressed by the Sage, and gradually, no one heard of them.
The fact that Master Wen was able to achieve this success was definitely due to the support of the Emperor.
Zhou Li asked someone to clear the table and replace the tea.
I picked up the account book and scanned it. Fortunately, I didn't spray water on it.
I don't know if Gong Yinai was just idle, but she suddenly delegated some power and had all the account books in the mansion moved to her room, asking her to be the manager. Zhou Li felt a headache looking at all these numbers every day.
"The prince has left the court." Someone in the palace reported.
"I understand." Zhou Li looked at the sky. The time for leaving court today was actually delayed. He didn't know what big thing had happened.
The servant looked at Madam Li. Zhou Li was still sitting there motionless. The servant hesitated and asked, "Madam, aren't you going to greet the prince?"
What's so good about this? Zhou Li had a question mark in his head, and heard the servant say: "The concubine has been feeling better recently. Every day when the prince goes to and from court, the concubine accompanies him."
Zhou Li raised his eyebrows. Gong Yinai went to court before dawn every day and only got to court at dawn, which was very early. An Qinan was in poor health, but she dared to exhaust herself like this. She was really a cruel person. Anyway, she couldn't get up.
When Gong Yi was restored, Zhou Li became annoyed with the anti-human morning court.
Now that she finally had some time to sleep more, she wouldn't be hard on herself. She waved her hand and said "oh" dryly, then asked, "Has the menu for lunch been decided in the kitchen?"
The servant looked at Madam Li with a look of disappointment. Why did Madam Li only think about what to eat every day? Then he thought again, is Madam Li trying to capture the master's stomach first? Suddenly, he became active again.
"The kitchen said today's meal is winter melon and white jade soup, stir-fried mushrooms and bamboo shoots, three-fresh meatballs, and cherry meat..."
Zhou Li nodded after hearing this. Sure enough, after she tidied up the kitchen, she knew that besides the prince, there were two other masters in the mansion.
An Qinan has been in better health recently, and the three of them started to sit at the same table to eat. Naturally, it was not as comfortable as Zhou Li eating alone in Zhuxuan. After all, she was a concubine, and could only wait until the concubine and the prince had finished eating before she could take her food. If she met a bad princess, she would probably have to make rules and serve them food. They could not eat until the prince and the princess had finished eating. Fortunately, although An Qinan was unhappy with Zhou Li, she did not do anything to annoy her. She put all her heart on Gong Yinai, which was a pity for this girl.
Seeing that it was still early, Zhou Li asked the servants to continue adding water. The sun was not too strong in the morning, so she moved a chair and a small table to sit in the yard to eat snacks, drink tea, and sort out the account books.
Gong Yinai got off the carriage, and a hint of joy could be seen on her face after a long time. Although the joy was not that strong, it still showed that she was in a good mood.
An Qinan waited quietly at the door. When she saw Gong Yinai approaching, she bowed her head and said, "The prince is back."
This is what her mother did at home, and she has been doing it for decades. Even though there were many concubines in the mansion, her father still praised her mother for being virtuous. An Qinan wanted to learn from her mother and leave some mark in Gong Yinai's heart.
Gong Yinai couldn't help but frown, but quickly relaxed.
Holding An Qinan, he said, "It's cold outside. You're not feeling well, so you don't have to wait for me every day."
An Qinan's face lit up with joy, "I'm not tired of waiting for the prince."
Gong Yinai pursed his lips and said helplessly: "You still have to take care of your body."
An Qinan looked gloomy, "I, I just want to do something for the prince..."
"There will be plenty of time in the future..." Gong Yinai also realized that what she said was inappropriate, and An Qinan was sure enough on the verge of tears.
Gong Yinai put his arm around her shoulders and asked slowly, "Madam, is there anything you'd like to eat today? I'll ask the kitchen to prepare it."
Feeling the prince's thoughtfulness, An Qinan pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and smiled through her tears, "Yes, there is a dish that I used to cook a lot at home, but I haven't eaten it for a long time."
"Then let the kitchen do it. If it can't be done to your liking, then I'll have to go to Yue's house and ask the chef to make Madam happy."
An Qinan smiled shyly, and the two left together.
At noon, Zhou Li saw a fresh dish on the table. She saw the shyness on An Qinan's face and thought that Gong Yinai was still good at making people happy.
She sat on Gong Yinai's right and An Qinan sat on his left.
An Qinan pretended that Zhou Li was not at the table. She shyly served the food to Gong Yinai and said, "Husband, please try it." She even changed her tone deliberately.
Unfortunately, this is like throwing a wink to a blind man. Zhou Li doesn't care, and Gong Yinai doesn't care even more. The relationship between them is not what outsiders think.
Gong Yinai looked at the food on her plate that was covered in red soy sauce. She took a bite slowly, smiled, and nodded, "Madam, please eat more."
An Qinan picked up her chopsticks, and Zhou Li could only do so after the two of them had taken some of the food on the table.
Zhou Li noticed that Gong Yinai didn't eat much today, and felt a little sorry for An Qinan.
Gong Yinai is a very strange person. She eats light meals and likes to chew grass. After every banquet with big fish and meat, she will fast for a long time. She seems not to like eating rich and oily food. When she eats with Zhou Li, she basically doesn't eat a bite of those dishes. When Zhou Li was Gong Yifu, she didn't notice this bad habit of hers, but now this habit seems to be getting worse.
Zhou Li lowered his head to eat, treating the food very reverently at the table without saying a word.
After dinner, An Qinan was tired. She wanted to spend more time with Gong Yinai, but her health was not good, so she had to walk away looking back every few steps. She saw Gong Yinai and Madam Li sitting together, both of them lowered their heads to drink tea. Their habits were surprisingly similar, and they looked like a perfect match. An Qinan felt sad for a while, pressing her heart, feeling jealousy gnawing at her heartbeat, causing her chest to ache.
After Zhou Li finished her meal and drank tea, she went to digest the food. In the past, Gong Yinai would stay in the study, but today he followed her walking in the small garden. Zhou Li looked at Gong Yinai who was following her in confusion, wondering what was wrong with this guy?
The two of them walked around the gravel path in the garden for a few laps before returning to the bamboo pavilion. Gong Yinai then said, "Today, all the ministers have jointly submitted a petition requesting that the Third Prince be appointed Crown Prince."
Zhou Li raised his eyebrows.
Gong Yinai almost couldn't wait to say it out loud, "It was rejected."
"The Saint denounced them as wanting to rebel! Gong Yixiang looked very unhappy!"
Zhou Li looked calm.
Gong Yinai looked at her, "You don't seem surprised at all."
Zhou Li faked a smile and said, "I have made a bet with the prince before, but he was not interested." After all, she had the script in her hands and was not surprised at the development of things. What would surprise Zhou Li was if the third prince was really named the crown prince.
Now Zhou Li is no longer in a hurry.
Gong Yinai still thought that Zhou Li would continue to seduce her. Almost every word Zhou Li said was right, but when she wanted to listen, Zhou Li stopped talking.
Zhou Li sat at the table and continued to sort out the account books. "I noticed that there is an extra bill every month from the mansion, which is transferred to the manor."
Gong Yinai's face darkened slightly and he sat down.
"Don't worry about that bill."
Zhou Li glanced at her, and she didn't want to care.
Gong Yinai waited for a while, and when she saw Zhou Lihua ignoring her, she pursed her lips and asked, "What do you think I should do next?"
Zhou Li looked up, her face full of surprise. This usually arrogant man would actually ask her a question.
Gong Yinai had no choice.
Her identity meant that she could not recruit talented people. Even if she did, most of them were good-for-nothings and had no real counselors around her. Moreover, if she really recruited people openly, everyone would probably know her ambitions. The third prince Gong Yixiang would not want to trust her anymore and would be lucky if he didn't make things difficult for her.
Those who are involved are often confused.
Zhou Li originally wanted to help Gong Yinai ascend to that position.
She only said one word, "Wait."
The saint is old and frail, and he fears most that his children will be strong and healthy. Now the third prince Gong Yixiang is forcing the emperor to abdicate, which has made the saint afraid, so Gong Yinai actually does not need to do anything.
Gong Yinai could actually think of it. She had done a good job before, but she was confused by the situation and it was difficult for her to see clearly.
Gong Yinai's heated mind calmed down in an instant. In fact, she had behaved very well today. When she heard that the emperor was furious in the court, the first thing she did after leaving the court was to comfort the third prince, and then she came back. She also behaved very calmly when she returned home, but she could not control herself in front of Zhou Li.
Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li, and Zhou Li was still so calm.
Gong Yinai really wanted to know how Liu Boyan raised his daughter. Whether it was her political literacy or her composure, her ability to take on responsibilities and let go, she was truly one in a million.
But she couldn't ask after all.
Liu Boyan is dead, and the one alive here is a fierce ghost crawling out of hell.
Gong Yinai said: "Liu Yingzi, I need your help."
"I will help you avenge your wrongdoing, and you will help me ascend to the highest position."
Zhou Li smiled. She finally heard the truth from Gong Yinai.
The man's ambition was finally revealed to her.
Zhou Li smiled and said, "It sounds a bit uneconomical."
Gong Yinai was choked by her words. Before she could ask her what she wanted, Zhou Li said with a serious expression, "Okay."
She stretched out her hand and said, "I will help you. I'll also leave the affairs of our Liu family to you."
Although her tone was calm, the bloodshot in her eyes seemed to have already set off a bloody storm.
Gong Yinai knew from a young age that there is no free lunch in this world.
What you gain, you lose.
So she likes to work with people who have desires.
Desire is also a person's weakness.
Gong Yinai patted Zhou Li's hand. On this not-so-bright afternoon, the two women would turn the Qing Kingdom upside down.
Winter of the 39th year of Daqing.
The emperor suddenly fell ill and was almost bedridden. He finally agreed with the ministers' opinion of appointing a crown prince, but the list of crown princes was not announced. Emperor Qing followed the example of his ancestors and hid the imperial edict appointing the crown prince in a wooden box, which was hung in the Fengtian Hall where he held court every day. At this point, the ministers rested in peace.
Another thing happened this winter.
The former crown prince drank too much on a winter night and accidentally drowned in his own lotus pond. When his body was found, it was frozen solid. Emperor Qing was so grief-stricken that his condition became more serious, so the other princes entered the palace to serve him.
On a winter night, at the Sixth Prince's Mansion, Zhou Li, holding a hand warmer and wearing a cloak, watched the servants pack things for Gong Yinai.
She yawned, and Emperor Qing suddenly summoned them urgently, and the princes had to set off.
Concubine An Qinan originally wanted to get up, but her health was poor to begin with, and she caught a cold in winter. Recently, she could only stay on the couch, and it seemed that she was enduring the days. Zhou Li went to see her a few times, but An Qinan didn't like her, so Zhou Li didn't go.
Gong Yinai was sleeping on Zhou Li's bed. When she heard the urgent call, Zhou Li helped her clean up, although Zhou Li also commanded the servants.
Gong Yinai said to Zhou Li, "Come here."
The two of them arrived at the study, Gong Yinai lit a candle, and the shadows of the people sitting opposite each other were reflected on the window paper.
Gong Yinai was a little impatient.
"What do you think the Saint meant by summoning us to the palace this time?"
Zhou Li said: "Always be prepared."
Gong Yinai frowned, "Could it be that someone wants to cause trouble?"
Zhou Li looked at Gong Yinai's clear eyes. The cold night did not let her thoughts stagnate. She said, "The death of the former crown prince is news. Someone can no longer hold back."
Gong Yinai pursed her lips. She had very few troops and if a palace rebellion broke out, she would not be able to defeat the opponent.
Zhou Li looked at her and smiled, "After you leave, I will go to the Nanliang Palace. The New Year is coming soon, and the Nanliang King and his wife will return to the capital."
Gong Yinai's eyes were bright.
Zhou Li continued, "When you return to the palace, do nothing but serve His Majesty." She pondered for a moment and said, "I think the Saint may be seriously ill, but he wouldn't be so weak that someone could take advantage of him."
Even if it is a weak tiger, it is still a tiger. How could it be unprepared? This urgent summons was probably also intended to confine the princes in advance. Everyone is in the palace, next to the emperor. Even if something goes wrong, it can be prevented in advance.
"Okay." Gong Yinai responded.
She paused, held Zhou Li's hand and said, "I'm in the palace, and everything outside the palace depends on you."
Zhou Li lowered his eyes and looked at the two people's clasped hands.
After a year, Gong Yinai became much more tactful.
She nodded and said yes.
This cold night makes it impossible to fall asleep.
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