Chapter 296 Hidden Minions and Ambitions
"Li Yushi's father is dead, tsk."
Xu Wanqing curled her lips, half smiling, "A mere censor dared to insult the crown prince in public... Tell me, doesn't this kind of person deserve to die?"
Shen Ning was blocked by Xu Wanqing in the Imperial Garden. Looking at the Crown Princess who had just been released from house arrest with the Crown Prince, she looked smug and mocked an official who had died of remonstration. After a moment of silence, she spoke seriously: "Crown Princess, your wig is crooked."
Xu Wanqing's smile froze on her face. She subconsciously didn't want to believe Shen Ning's words, but she couldn't help it. She raised her hand to adjust the bun made of the wig on her head. As a result, the wig was originally in good condition, but when she adjusted it, it really became crooked.
Xu Wanqing noticed that the wig bun was shaking a little, especially since her mortal enemy Shen Ning was watching her. She hurriedly tried to straighten the bun, but it became more and more crooked.
Seeing Shen Ning looking at her with a smile, Xu Wanqing finally broke down and raised her hand to wave at Shen Ning: "How dare you laugh at me..."
As a result, the hand that was swung out was easily blocked by Shen Ning.
Pushing Xu Wanqing away, Shen Ning took a step forward: "I am the King of Beihai, personally appointed by His Majesty. Is the Crown Princess dizzy, or... do you think you are already a sure thing in becoming the Queen, so you are so domineering and want to punish the court officials?"
Xu Wanqing was no match for Shen Ning. Seeing this, the eunuch next to her shrilled and shouted, "How dare the King of Beihai offend the Crown Princess! Someone, come here..."
At this moment, the second prince Xiao Nanyong, who was passing by, hurried over and stood in front of Shen Ning, looking at Xu Wanqing with a tense expression.
Xu Wanqing suddenly smiled...
"It's the Second Prince, huh? What's the Second Prince doing? Is he protecting you, the future Seventh Brother's wife, on behalf of Prince Ding... or is he trying to be a hero and save the damsel in distress, huh?"
Xiao Nanrong frowned. Beside him, Yan Nu frowned and said, "Crown Princess, please be careful with your words."
“Bang!”
Before he could finish his words, Yan Nu was slapped by Xu Wanqing and turned his head away.
"Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?"
The slap was finally delivered, and Xu Wanqing felt quite pleased. Then, looking at the tense appearance of Xiao Nanyong, the well-known good guy in front of her, she curled her lips and sneered.
"Your Highness is indeed courageous, but when it comes to saving a beautiful woman, you also need to consider who the target is...
But it's also true that Chen Ning, a country woman, is used to seducing men. It's no surprise that the Second Prince is fascinated by her, but you have to understand... When Prince Ding returns, Chen Ning will not admit that she seduced him intentionally. By then, the Second Prince will probably have to bear the wrath of Prince Ding."
Xu Wanqing said leisurely: "The Second Prince is my cousin after all. As his younger sister, I have to give you a piece of advice. This Chen Ning, when she was still a poor widow, was able to bewitch Prince Ding to death. If you don't want to get into trouble, remember to stay away from her."
As soon as Xu Wanqing finished speaking, a female voice sounded.
"Why do the Crown Princess' words sound so sour..."
The fourth princess Xiao Yu came from the other side, with Xie Lingyue beside her. The two walked to Shen Ning, greeted Shen Ning with a smile, and then looked at Xu Wanqing together.
Xiao Yu's lips were filled with mockery. "I happened to hear a joke a few days ago. It was said that someone stayed up late in the winter night, waiting for Prince Ding in the Imperial Garden in the cold wind. She even dressed up to look very similar to Shen Ning... It's a pity that my seventh brother didn't even glance at the woman who braved the cold and acted like her husband. This incident has become a joke in the palace. Crown Princess, have you heard of this story?"
Xu Wanqing's face turned pale and blue, and her nails were clenching the handkerchief so tightly that they were almost broken.
She looked at Xiao Yu and curled her lips coldly, "The Fourth Princess is quite leisurely and elegant... I overheard earlier that Daxuan is planning to marry into the Oirat Empire. Now, the only eligible women in the palace are the Fourth Princess and the Tenth Princess. The Tenth Princess has my grandfather to protect her. So, Fourth Princess, who do you think will go to the Oirat Empire to marry?"
Seeing Xiao Yu's expression turn ugly, Xu Wanqing finally smiled: "Now we are sisters-in-law. When the fourth princess marries to Wala, I will definitely give you a good dowry."
After saying that, Xu Wanqing sneered and walked away with her men...
After Xu Wanqing walked away, Xiao Yu withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly, "The Queen Mother sent us here. She's worried that you'll be targeted by the Emperor... or by the common people of Wei in the palace."
Xie Lingyue curled her lips and said, "Right now, Wei Shu is busy with important matters. I guess he won't be able to find trouble with Ning Ning for the time being...but we have to be on guard."
The second prince also looked worried and gestured towards the outside of the palace.
Yan Nu passed on the message: "Your Highness asked why the prince did not leave the palace?"
Without waiting for Chen Ning to speak, Xie Lingyue smiled and shook her head: "It's especially important not to leave the palace at this time. After all, there are many eyes and ears in the palace. Even if Wei Shuren wants to do anything, she has to think twice. But if she leaves the palace... many shady methods will be much easier."
Shen Ning hummed: "The Queen Mother also meant this, so she asked me to live in the Cining Palace."
Xiao Nanrong bowed with an embarrassed look on his face: I'm stupid.
Xiao Yu laughed and joked: "Second brother only knows how to read and write, so naturally he doesn't understand these things... But then again, I am clearly the granddaughter, but I have never seen the old ancestor show such close concern for me. Instead, he treats Chen Ning as his own granddaughter."
Xie Lingyue teased her mercilessly: "Are you as lovable as my little cousin..."
The two of them were smiling as usual, but Chen Ning couldn't quite bring herself to laugh. She asked Xiao Yu, "Princess, Xu Wanqing just said that Censor Li..."
Xiao Yu's smile paused, he sighed and nodded, "The Imperial Censor Li Chengmu's blood was splattered on the throne, preventing the Crown Prince from acting as regent. The Crown Prince was so angry that he ordered his body to be thrown into a mass grave and not buried."
Shen Ning listened to this, and her heart suddenly became cold.
She had long known that the treacherous struggle for power would result in rivers of blood and mountains of corpses, but when it actually happened to someone close to her, she still felt deeply shocked.
She knew Li Chengmu, Li Yushi's father, an old scholar... He had passed the imperial examination for many years but had never been successful and had not had any opportunities. In addition, due to his personality, his life was very hard.
After much difficulty in passing the imperial examination, he became a cluster of blood flowers in the Golden Palace in just two years.
"Miss Li and I are old acquaintances. It's only right that I go and see her. I'll excuse myself first."
Xie Lingyue frowned and stopped him: "The prince is very angry now. If you go, wouldn't it be a taboo?"
Shen Ning smiled: "Even if I don't go, will they tolerate me?"
Xiao Yu and Xie Lingyue looked at each other, speechless.
"Second Prince, Fourth Princess, Cousin, I'm sorry to bother you."
Shen Ning nodded to those people, turned around and took Qi Yue to the Imperial Hospital.
Xie Lingyue shrugged: "My little cousin, you say she is stupid, she can handle any major matter clearly, but if you say she is smart, she always does some not-so-smart things like this."
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "There are not many people with true temperaments. She lives according to her heart. I admire her and envy her very much."
Xie Lingyue suddenly said, "Second Prince, what are you looking at?"
Xiao Nanyong abruptly retracted his gaze, then pursed his lips, smiled, and shook his head...
Xiao Yu dragged Xie Lingyue away. As they walked away, Xie Lingyue couldn't help but look back.
Xiao Yu was puzzled: "Why?"
Xie Lingyue shrugged: "Nothing."
Maybe she just saw it wrong.
When Chen Ning left just now, Xie Lingyue inadvertently saw the look in Xiao Nanyong's eyes when he looked at Chen Ning.
That look wasn't the way one looked at a future brother or sister-in-law...nor was it the look that seemed appropriate for the usually gentle and good-tempered Second Prince.
Deep and silent, like some beast stalking its prey, its claws and ambition hidden, yet unable to conceal its greed and unwavering desire to obtain...
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