Chapter 158 Nanyiyuan
In the capital, Prince Qi’s Palace.
A water pavilion stood quietly in the center of the huge lotus pond. A breeze blew across the water, rippling the surface of the water, reflecting the sparkling light on the face of the person sitting in the water pavilion.
Although Yan Changwen has a chubby figure, his body is not loose. He is holding his chin with his eyes fixed on the chessboard in front of him.
"Your Highness."
A graceful and elegant figure slowly approached, bringing with her a gust of cool and fragrant breeze.
The person who came was smiling, had a pretty face, and behaved gracefully without the slightest bit of shyness. She was none other than Princess Qi, Murong Lian.
When Yan Changwen heard the voice, he immediately put down the chess piece in his hand, stood up and greeted him, "Why don't you take a nap in your room?"
Yan Changwen took her hand and asked her to sit opposite him.
"How can I sleep well when you have something on your mind?" Murong Lian smiled, stretched out his hand to pick up a white piece, thought for a moment, and placed it on a place on the chessboard.
The way they talked seemed like an ordinary couple.
"Lian'er's move is really a good one." Yan Changwen, playing the black chess piece, responded.
"Lord Song must have already set off for the county where the dam broke, right?" Murong Lian asked softly, his eyes still on the chessboard.
"Yes, in recent years, my elder brother has been in frequent contact with the six ministries, especially the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Personnel. He has placed many of his people there, and several ministers are also the most supportive of him.
But my brother probably didn't expect that Sun Shangshu of the Ministry of Works is actually my man. Song Mian is a doctor of the Ministry of Water Resources who was promoted by Sun Shangshu himself, and he is very reliable.
The reason why the dam in Long'an County burst was because Bi Cong's subordinates were unreliable and took money they shouldn't have. Based on my understanding of my eldest brother, he would never miss this opportunity to suppress me.
He wanted Song Mian to find out the truth about the dam breach and then report me to the emperor. Haha, it's a pity that my brother will be disappointed this time."
Murong Lian smiled and said, "Isn't it because our Highness is the mastermind and has made preparations in advance?
But, can Song Mian really be trusted? What if he suddenly turns against us again..."
Yan Changwen dropped a child and smiled slightly, saying, "If he dares to have other intentions, I will naturally not let him leave Long'an County alive.
By the way, has Sixth Uncle heard anything about this?"
"He himself didn't seem to have taken any action. He just sent a few people from the academy to Long'an County. On the surface, they were going to assist in disaster relief, but we dare not jump to conclusions about what the intention behind this is."
Murong Lian paused after he finished speaking, "But since the Sixth Uncle has taken action, it must not be that simple. Do you remember that Jing'er is also studying at Longchang Academy now?"
"Murong Jing? Yes, of course I remember."
Princess Ning Yue, who was so powerful in the northern border, was well-known even though he was in the government.
"Jing'er is also among those who are being helped in the disaster relief effort, but strangely, her personal maid Mu'er was left behind in the academy. It seems that the Sixth Imperial Uncle intends to have her go to Long'an County alone and reduce contact with us."
Yan Changwen frowned slightly, "What do you think the emperor's uncle means by this? To sow discord?"
“It’s hard to say now. Jing’er has been gifted since she was young and has a very high prestige in the Northern Frontier Camp, but she has a rebellious personality and has always disliked the affairs of the court.
Mu'er can't go with her this time. Without someone to advise her, I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to cooperate with Lord Song both internally and externally."
"Could it be possible that she would interfere and betray you and King Zhenbei?"
"What are you talking about? We are all family." Murong Lin glared at him angrily, and Yan Changwen quickly smiled and coaxed him a few words.
Murong Lin calmed down and said, "If you really want Jing'er to help us succeed, you must not rush it, you have to take it step by step.
In my opinion, we might as well use this disaster relief to test what Sixth Uncle’s attitude is towards you and the one in the East Palace. After all... his opinion is what Father thinks.”
Murong Lian made a move, raised his eyes to look at Yan Changwen, and chuckled: "Your Highness, you lose."
…
East Palace, Nanyiyuan.
Nanyiyuan sounds like a good name, but when Qin Yuwei moved in here on the first day, she felt that it was not much better than Qingyayuan of Longchang Academy.
The current Crown Prince Yan Xiuyun has one Crown Princess, one Liang Di, two Liang Yuan, four Cheng Hui, and ten Zhao Xun, and Nan Yi Yuan is the residence of these ten Zhao Xun.
There was only one yard, but ten people were required to live there. Each person could only get a small room, and there were no maids to serve them. They even had to wash their own clothes.
Qin Yuwei adapted quickly, but there were many other girls from lower-class families who were also the crown prince's disciples. These families had a common problem: the more they declined, the more they wanted to show off their style, so they always warned their daughters who entered the palace not to bring shame to their family.
"Oh, I have to wash clothes again." Li Yao came to the courtyard with a basin of clothes, complaining to Qi Yan'er beside her, "Since I entered the East Palace, I have to wash my own clothes. My hands have a lot of wrinkles. How can I serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the future?"
"Yes, before I entered the East Palace, I had never even touched a washing basin, let alone washed clothes."
Both of them were Dong Gong Zhaoxun, and they both wanted to show more of their former dignity in their words.
A figure walked into the yard, and Li Yao looked up, "Hey, sister Yuwei is back."
When Qi Yaner saw Qin Yuwei, her eyes lit up.
Qin Yuwei was holding freshly washed clothes in her arms. When she saw the two of them, she greeted them warmly.
"What a coincidence, both sisters are here?" She smiled sweetly, with a hint of innocence in her eyes, as if she were really the little sister next door.
Li Yao looked at the clothes in her basin in distress. "Oh, I really envy sister Yuwei. She washes clothes so quickly. She must be very skilled. I can't even do such a small thing. My hands are red from rubbing them..."
Qi Yan'er also nodded, and the two of them looked at Qin Yuwei with burning eyes.
"Ah?" Qin Yuwei looked at Li Yao's hands, which were not even wet, in surprise. "It seems to be really red... What should I do?"
"Good sister, can you help me wash the clothes first? Don't worry, I will definitely help you wash clothes when I learn how to do it!"
"This..." Qin Yuwei was embarrassed for a moment, "Okay then."
Li Yao immediately put the clothes on the ground happily, and Qi Yan'er beside her did the same as usual. It would be a waste if she didn't take advantage of the free labor.
Qin Yuwei was about to leave with the clothes for both of them when she heard Li Yao's hurried voice. When she turned around, she was unexpectedly stuffed with two more sets of clothes in her arms. They even looked new.
"Sister Yuwei, I have a lot of problems. I feel dirty when I wear clothes that I've worn outside." Li Yao smiled shyly, "You can wash one or two anyway, so just help me wash these as well."
Qin Yuwei glanced at the dress and saw a pair of white women's pants stained with brown blood. She knew what it was without having to think about it.
"Okay, alright." Qin Yuwei nodded ignorantly, as if she didn't know how to refuse, and went to fetch water without complaint.
Li Yao looked at Qin Yuwei's back and breathed a sigh of relief.
Qin Zhaoxun was so handsome that when he first entered the Eastern Palace, the sisters felt they were facing a formidable enemy. But now it seems that fortunately, she was just a stupid beauty.
You are so silly, how can you know how to please His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?
Moreover, she doesn't fight back when beaten or retaliate when scolded, and is very obedient. With just a few words, you can get a free maid, which is really a good deal.
Li Yao, feeling proud, did not notice that a purple figure turned and left outside Nanyiyuan.
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