Chapter 222 Changing Routes
Chu Lianzhou and another concubine soon emerged, along with two other palace maids.
Ma Hong brought a chair for Xiao Qing, and Xiao Qing sat calmly in the courtyard, his face showing neither joy nor anger, and he even appeared more dignified than usual.
“Repeat everything you just said, word for word,” she said calmly.
The two palace maids had never seen Xiao Qing like this before, and for a moment they only knew how to kowtow and admit their guilt, daring not to say anything.
Chu Lianzhou glanced at Xiao Qing with some surprise, seeing that she remained the same, seemingly waiting.
Although Ma Hong also found his master somewhat strange, he had overheard what the two palace maids were saying. In his view, these two maids gossiping behind his back was an unforgivable sin, so His Majesty's reaction was quite normal.
“Ma Hong, if they forget, please help them.”
She paused for a moment, then said, "Today, in front of Lord Chu, we should avoid troubling the palace prison if possible, as it's quite a long trip there."
The two palace maids turned pale with fright when they heard the words "palace prison".
Although the palace prison has hardly played a role in recent years, if someone actually gets imprisoned, they'll be severely injured, if not killed.
"Your Majesty, spare me! I was wrong! Your Majesty, spare me!"
Xiao Qing frowned. "Ma Hong, I don't want to hear anything unrelated to the question we just discussed."
Because Ma Hong was one of Xiao Qing's men, he usually worked in the palace, so everyone in the palace knew that Ma Hong was not kind and was even a bit cold.
Ma Hong walked over with a stern face. One of the palace maids, unable to bear the psychological pressure any longer, collapsed to the ground and cried out, "This servant will tell you, tell you..."
Ma Hong sneered: "Since that's the case, then speak. I'll make this clear from the start: you lot who talk too much have already committed a serious crime. Now, if you obediently follow His Majesty's orders, you can be dealt with according to palace rules. Otherwise, you'll inevitably face punishment, and you'll suffer even more!"
The two palace maids cried and sobbed, and in the end, they took turns saying everything they had said before.
Although it's not exactly word for word, the meaning is roughly the same.
While listening to them talk, Xiao Qing went to look at Chu Lianzhou.
Chu Lianzhou appeared calm, his expression remaining unchanged.
“Lord Chu, you are the aggrieved party. What do you have to say?”
Chu Lianzhou pondered for a moment.
His Majesty seems different.
In the past, he would never have cared about such gossip. But now he's sitting here, going to great lengths to interrogate them.
Is His Majesty trying to test her character, or has he truly realized the lax attitude of the palace servants?
"Chu Liangren?" Xiao Qing noticed that she hadn't spoken for a while, and her eyes were fixed on him, not looking away. He knew that she was lost in thought.
Chu Lianzhou slowly said, "Your Majesty, what these servants said is certainly inappropriate, but I cannot claim to be a victim. As the saying goes, everyone has their backs talked about, and everyone talks about others behind their backs. Most people in this world just can't control their mouths."
She thought to herself: It's just gossip. She's heard it all before and after since she was a child. This is nothing to her.
However, seeing that Xiao Qing was still sitting there expressionless, and unable to tell whether he agreed or disagreed with what she said, she paused and then said, "However, the two servants' mention of His Majesty is extremely disrespectful. They should naturally be dealt with according to palace rules."
Xiao Qing said to Ma Hong, "Let's do as Lord Chu says."
The two palace maids knelt down with a "plop".
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
Xiao Qing stood up and said to Chu Lianzhou, "Lord Chu, come for a walk with me."
Chu Lianzhou agreed and then led Chu Lianzhou outside, while Ma Hong stayed behind to deal with the two palace maids.
The other concubine watched the whole thing silently, then saw them off as they left, thinking to herself: Everyone says His Majesty likes Consort Chu, and it's true.
This is clearly helping her vent her anger.
She's just a commoner, yet His Majesty treats her so well. She's a grown woman standing here, and His Majesty only glanced at her at the beginning, then acted as if she didn't exist.
That's the difference.
Even the one who is currently injured and lying in bed, and the Grand Tutor's sister, don't receive the same treatment as Chu Liangren.
Ma Hong had his men take away the two palace maids who were talking nonsense before bidding her farewell and leaving.
Outside Zhongling Palace is a bamboo grove, with dark blue stone slabs winding forward through the grove, and stone tables and benches can be vaguely seen inside.
It had just snowed a few days ago, and the snow in the bamboo forest had not yet completely melted. The emerald green and snow-white bamboo forest blended together, and there was a refreshing air.
As Xiao Qing led Chu Lianzhou along the bluestone path, she unconsciously took a deep breath.
She gestured for Chu Lianzhou to walk alongside her, then stood on a bluestone brick in front of her and turned to watch her approach.
Chu Lianzhou had a gut feeling that His Majesty the Emperor was not just taking a short trip.
Sure enough, when he reached the stone table, Xiao Qing reached out and brushed away the remaining snow on the table, then gently tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"The first time I met Lian Zhou was also in the bamboo forest."
Chu Lianzhou remained indifferent, thinking to himself that it was certainly not a pleasant memory.
However, in that situation, encountering a noble yet warm and kind young man like His Majesty was a glimmer of light and comfort in her gloomy life.
She would probably be even happier if this young man weren't His Majesty.
"I may have to go back on my word," Xiao Qing said, turning his head slightly.
Chu Lianzhou lowered his head slightly and said respectfully, "Your Majesty is joking. The previous suggestion was made by Your Majesty. Since the matter did not come to fruition, Your Majesty is naturally free to change it. There is no question of breaking your promise."
She felt a little relieved.
She has always felt conflicted about this matter.
Whether it succeeds or fails, she has different ways of dealing with it.
Xiao Qing smiled and looked at her earnestly: "I know your concerns. However, if you were to enter the palace under a different identity, and without having to consider the Grand Tutor's influence, would you be willing?"
A cool breeze rustled the bamboo leaves.
After Ma Hong finished dealing with the two palace maids, he looked around outside the bamboo forest. After about half an hour, he saw Xiao Qing and Chu Lianzhou come out together.
Ma Hong quickly went to greet him and, seeing some snow on Xiao Qing's shoulders, said with concern, "Your Majesty, be careful not to catch a cold." As he spoke, he was about to brush the snow off Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing waved his hand, nodded to Chu Lianzhou, and said, "This place is not far from Zhongling Palace. I will not go there."
She then looked at Ma Hong and said, "You escort Consort Chu back. I'll just walk around here."
Ma Hong knew that Xiao Qing wanted some peace and quiet, so he didn't try to persuade her, but instead bowed and invited Chu Lianzhou to come along.
Chu Lianzhou bowed and said goodbye, having already made up his mind.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
