It turns out that even blood ties cannot withstand power and suspicion.
"So, according to you, the reason why the Emperor did this is very likely related to the throne?" Qu Qingxi couldn't think of anything other than power that would make an older brother harm his younger brother.
The emperor at that time was already the crown prince, yet he still harbored such thoughts. Now, he is the supreme ruler, yet he still refuses to let go of his younger brother. This means that there is likely something wrong with his throne.
Qu Qingxi boldly speculated that perhaps the late emperor valued He Liufeng more, but because He Liufeng was too young, he was not made crown prince at that time.
He intended to pass the throne to He Liufeng, but something happened later, so the current emperor is now on the throne. He is worried that He Liufeng will discover something, so he will not do anything to He Liufeng openly, but will do some scheming behind the scenes.
“That’s what I think too. I’m still investigating this matter. It’s just speculation at the moment, and there’s no evidence.” He Liufeng nodded, his eyes devoid of joy or sorrow, and his expression even seemed somewhat numb.
When Qu Qingxi saw He Liufeng like this for the first time, her heart ached slightly. She stood up, walked to He Liufeng's side, and gently hugged him without saying a word.
Qu Qingxi knew that no matter what others said, it would be of no use; he had to figure it out himself. Besides, it was his own brother whom he had always trusted. Qu Qingxi didn't know what to say.
Feeling the warmth in his arms, the coldness in He Liufeng's eyes lessened. He lowered his head and rested his chin on Qu Qingxi's head. "Don't feel sorry for me. The royal family is inherently cold-hearted. It's just that I've always refused to believe it."
"Then yesterday's incident can be considered as me teaching the Emperor a small lesson on your behalf," Qu Qingxi said playfully.
"Yes, you did very well, but you must be careful in the future. Since the Emperor was able to sit in that position, he has enough power. He may not find anything once or twice, but if it happens too often, it is hard to guarantee that he will not find something."
He Liufeng patted Qu Qingxi on the back. If the Emperor could be so cruel as to harm his own brother, how much more so would he harm Qu Qingxi? If the Emperor ever gets hold of something wrong with Qu Qingxi, he will certainly not let her go.
"I understand. It was my mistake yesterday. Luckily, you were the one who found it. If someone else had found it, I'd probably be in jail by now." Qu Qingxi nodded, feeling a little relieved that He Liufeng's men had discovered it first.
He Liufeng's embrace was warm, and his heartbeat was strong. Qu Qingxi leaned against He Liufeng's chest and felt inexplicably safe and secure. Perhaps she could really try to trust He Liufeng.
"There shouldn't be any problems over there. However, since the Emperor has been framed like this, he certainly won't give up easily. He will definitely try to find out what happened last night. Qu Qingran has never liked you, and now that this has happened, she's desperate and might resort to any means necessary. Even without any evidence, she'll probably try to pin the blame on you."
"Even if she says I did it last night, what evidence does she have? So many people in the capital know that I don't get along with her. If she tries to smear me, everyone will just think it's normal and that she's trying to harm me again." Qu Qingxi already had a plan in mind.
After today, Qu Qingran will be Consort Shu, becoming the Emperor's concubine. She will definitely not let her go. No matter who harmed her last night, Qu Qingran will say that it was her. However, Qu Qingxi is not afraid at all.
“You’re right to think that way. If Qu Qingran asks you to go to the palace, you can go if you want, or you can stay if you don’t. Don’t make things difficult for yourself. Even if you do go and Qu Qingran makes things difficult for you, don’t make things difficult for yourself. With me here, I will make sure you don’t suffer.”
He Liufeng spoke domineeringly, saying that even if Qu Qingran was the Prime Minister's daughter, so what? The Emperor needed the Prime Minister's support, but he was just a prince and didn't need it. Besides, Qu Lianhai had never seen his other daughter. Qu Qingxi had suffered so much before coming to the Prince's Mansion, and he hadn't even gotten revenge for it yet.
"Good, with Your Highness's words, I feel like I can walk sideways in the palace from now on," Qu Qingxi said with a smile. It's undeniable that it feels quite good to have someone backing you up.
"By the way, did you notice the way Zhou Wenli looked at Ren Nuanyun at the banquet yesterday?" Qu Qingxi got out of He Liufeng's arms.
"What do you want to do?" As soon as Qu Qingxi mentioned this, He Liufeng guessed that Qu Qingxi wanted to do something.
"Ren Nuanyun and the Crown Prince like each other, and Zhou Wenli is extremely interested in Ren Nuanyun. This time, Zhou Wenli's visit to Lingchao is certainly not just to deliver a simple gift."
If Zhou Wenli really takes a liking to Ren Nuanyun, and the Crown Prince and Ren Nuanyun are not yet married, do you think the Emperor will issue an edict to bestow Ren Nuanyun upon Zhou Wenli in marriage, in order to maintain relations between the two countries?
“I don’t think so. Zhou Wenli is a very calculating person. Ren Nuanyun has no power or value behind her. Zhou Wenli won’t take Ren Nuanyun just because she danced once.” He Liufeng shook his head.
"Power can't be faked, but value can. If Ren Nuanyun is extremely talented, Zhou Wenli should be tempted." If there is no value, then create value. Doesn't Ren Nuanyun think she is the most talented woman in the capital and the smartest woman in the world?
This title could bring her fame, or it could send her to hell.
"Give it a try?" He Liufeng smiled and glanced at Qu Qingxi.
"Give it a try." Qu Qingxi nodded.
"What do you plan to do?" He Liufeng asked.
"Isn't Ren Nuanyun incredibly talented? Then let Zhou Wenli know about this and believe it." Qu Qingxi already had a plan in mind.
"Your Highness can have people spread the word among the people that Ren Nuanyun's poetry is exceptional, unmatched in the capital. In addition, Zhou Wenli personally witnessed Ren Nuanyun's exquisite dance. Even if he doesn't believe it completely, he'll believe it to some extent. At that time, as long as Ren Nuanyun recites a few lines of poetry in front of Zhou Wenli, there will be no problem."
Qu Qingxi spoke confidently. She knew that Ren Nuanyun relied on her system and firmly believed that she was the female lead here. Therefore, she would not hide her talent at all. Whenever she had a chance, she would use the system to make herself into an unparalleled talented woman.
"You seem to know her quite well."
"Of course I understand her. After all, there's a saying that goes, 'The person who understands you best is not your friend, but your enemy.'" Qu Qingxi smiled confidently.
"I'll have someone take care of it."
He Liufeng moved very quickly. By the next morning, news that Ren Nuanyun was the most talented woman in the capital had spread to every corner of the city, along with the fact that she had performed a stunning dance at the welcoming banquet for the Zhou Dynasty envoys.
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