HCB Chapter 264: First Show of Strength (1)
Chapter 264: First Show of Strength (1)
Murong Shiling's face paused, and he was shocked in his heart. He couldn't help but tighten his grip on Concubine Yu's hand, "What? Yu'er, are you going to leave me again? I won't allow it!"
Imperial Concubine Yu's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked very aggrieved. "It's not that Yu'er wants to leave Your Majesty, but I'm afraid this world can't accommodate Yu'er and Your Majesty, so..."
As he was speaking, there was a sudden and urgent knock on the door of Wolong Palace, interrupting Concubine Yu's words.
Murong Shiling's voice was stern, and he frowned unhappily, "What's the matter?"
Eunuch Fu respectfully pushed the door open and entered, kneeling and saying, "Your Majesty, this is bad! The ministers of the court are all kneeling outside the palace, waiting to see Your Majesty!"
"No! Just say I'm not feeling well!"
"I have already replied, but the officials in the court said that if Your Majesty is unwell, they should come to the palace to visit. I have not allowed them to come in, so now the ministers are simply kneeling outside the palace gate."
Murong Shiling snorted coldly, "How dare they! Are they planning to force the emperor to abdicate? How outrageous!"
Eunuch Fu knelt on the ground trembling with fear. He didn't dare to say these words. In fact, it was indeed inappropriate for His Majesty to do this. He had been staying in the palace with Concubine Yu for three consecutive days, completely neglecting the affairs of the court. How was such behavior different from those of the famous tyrants?
Eunuch Fu secretly raised his eyes to glance at Concubine Yu who was sitting in front of the chessboard, and sighed in his heart, beautiful women are the root of trouble, it's true!
At this moment, Imperial Concubine Yu held Murong Shiling's hand and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is caused by me, but I do have an idea. I wonder if it will suit Your Majesty's wishes."
"Oh? Yu'er has an idea, why not tell me about it?"
"These ministers simply think that Your Majesty's absence from court for several days is unbecoming. Coupled with my appearance, they will definitely blame this matter on me and ask Your Majesty to depose me..."
"They dare?" Murong Shiling angrily interrupted Yu Liuli, "Don't worry, I'm here and I won't let them succeed."
"Of course I believe in Your Majesty, but if this matter is resolved forcefully, it will inevitably cause unnecessary trouble and damage Your Majesty's reputation. So, Your Majesty, I think it would be wise for Your Majesty to say this..."
Imperial Concubine Yu leaned over to Murong Shiling's ear and whispered something. Murong Shiling nodded repeatedly, and his originally angry face gradually calmed down. "Yu'er is truly kind and thoughtful. This idea is really good."
Although Eunuch Fu didn't know what Concubine Yu said to Murong Shileng, he was certain of one thing: Concubine Yu was indeed not an easy person to deal with.
Afterwards, Murong Shiling ordered, "Xiao Fuzi, go call the Crown Prince and the First Prince!"
Eunuch Fu was a little surprised, but he still went to invite Murong Feng and Murong Cheng as instructed. In his heart, he secretly guessed the emperor's intention. It would be fine if he just called the crown prince, but why did he call the eldest prince as well?
In the Anle Palace, the leaves of the Albizia julibrissin tree were scattered all over the ground. The rain that had been falling for three consecutive days had finally stopped, and the sky was slightly clearing up.
Murong Feng and Yu Qingli sat opposite each other, drinking tea and chatting, with a hint of sadness between their brows.
Yu Qingli gracefully picked up a piece of cake with her delicate jade fingers and placed it in front of Murong Feng. "Your Highness, this is the osmanthus cake that Mei Hong just made today. Would you like to try it and see how it tastes?"
Murong Feng put the cake into his mouth and glanced at Mei Hong, "The girl next to you, her cooking skills are getting better and better."
Mei Hong's pretty face flushed, "Your Highness, thank you for your compliment!"
Yu Qingli took over and said, "If His Highness says it's okay, then of course it's okay. Meihong, you don't have to be so modest. I see that His Highness seems to be in a bad mood today. Is there something bothering him?"
Murong Feng sighed and said, "That's true. Father hasn't attended court for three consecutive days. The ministers are talking about it. Mother and the concubines in the palace are also very worried. If this continues, I'm afraid something terrible will happen."
Yu Qingli smiled upon hearing this and said, "Isn't this a good opportunity for Your Highness?"
Murong Feng was stunned, and turned to look at Yu Qingli, somewhat confused. What did this mean? Yu Qingli, however, had a mysterious expression on her face. She took a sip of her tea and said, "Your Highness, how about we make a bet?"
Murong Feng was a little puzzled. Weren't they talking about the matter between his father and Concubine Yu? Why did they suddenly want to make a bet again?
However, Yu Qingli's move successfully attracted Murong Feng's attention, making him look at his new wife with a new respect. It seemed that this woman was not as boring as he had originally thought.
A gentle smile hung on his handsome face, and Murong Feng opened his thin lips slightly, "Oh, what bet do you want to make with me, Qingli?"
"How about we make a bet on whether His Majesty will ignore Concubine Yu because of the ministers' advice this time?"
Murong Feng thought to himself that although he knew that his father had always been fond of beautiful women, it was unlikely that he would make his father an enemy of his ministers for this!
Thinking of this, Murong Feng said, "I think my father is a wise ruler, and there is nothing wrong with the ministers' suggestions. My father should handle it appropriately."
"So, Your Highness, do you think the Emperor will ignore Concubine Yu?"
"I do think so."
Compared with women and the country, the country is naturally more important!
Yu Qingli smiled lightly, "If that's the case, then I bet that His Majesty will not neglect Imperial Concubine Yu, and maybe even listen to Imperial Concubine Yu's words and make this incident an opportunity."
Murong Feng frowned. "Opportunity? What opportunity?"
"Of course it's the opportunity for His Majesty to pass on the throne!"
"What?!" Murong Feng was shocked when he heard this, and suddenly stood up from the chair. His sleeve even accidentally knocked the teacup to the ground, splashing tea all over his body.
Mei Hong let out a low cry of surprise upon seeing this, and hurriedly took a handkerchief and went forward to wipe it for him, but was waved away by Murong Feng.
"Qingli, don't say such things carelessly. Do you want your head to fall off?"
Yu Qingli, however, remained calm and composed, looking at Murong Feng seriously. "Didn't I just say that? Believe it or not, Your Highness can make a bet with me. As for the bet..."
"You can make any bet you want, as long as it's something I can do!"
"Well, it's a deal. Xiluo, how about you be a witness for us?"
Xiluo nodded slightly, "Miss, don't worry. If His Highness breaks the contract, I will definitely seek justice for you."
Murong Feng couldn't help but laugh and said, "From what Qingli said, it seems like you're sure to win."
Yu Qingli was full of confidence, her eyes proud and beautiful, "I never fight a battle I'm not sure of!"
Looking at Yu Qingli like this, Murong Feng was a little stunned for a moment. Her bright and shining eyes and her outstanding and charming demeanor made people feel dazzling even in such a bleak autumn day.
Mei Hong, who had just been pushed away by Murong Feng, saw the look in Murong Feng's eyes when he looked at Yu Qingli. She couldn't help feeling a little surprised and a little uneasy. Could it be that the eldest prince had fallen in love with the young lady?
Mei Hong clenched the handkerchief in her hand. No, it should be impossible. She had already given the eldest prince a drug called Concubine, which was an extremely rare medicine. A man who took this medicine would only fall in love with the woman who gave him the medicine, and if there was no antidote, he would not fall in love with other women.
Mei Hong took great pains to get this thing from the eldest lady of the Yu Mansion. As far as she knew, the eldest lady had been favored by Prime Minister Yu for so many years thanks to this kind of thing, so it should not be fake.
Although she had not been in the capital for long, there were many people in the Yu Mansion who had followed the eldest lady for many years. This kind of thing could be easily found out by spending a little money to inquire.
In fact, ever since taking that drug, Mei Hong felt that Murong Feng was really unable to stop wanting her, but why was she so uneasy now?
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the palace, "Your Highness, Eunuch Fu requests to see you!"
"Quick pass!"
Not long after, Eunuch Fu entered the Ju'an Palace. He respectfully saluted Murong Feng and said, "Your Highness, the Emperor has requested that you go to the Imperial Study immediately."
"Did the Emperor say anything was wrong?"
"Well, I dare not speculate. In short, Your Highness, please go there as soon as possible. Oh, and there is one thing Your Highness may not know yet? The ministers have been kneeling outside the Wolong Palace for over an hour to make their appeal."
Upon hearing this, Murong Feng realized the seriousness of the situation. He left with Eunuch Fu without even changing his tea-stained clothes.
"Your Highness, don't forget the bet with Qingli!"
When Murong Feng reached the door, Yu Qingli called him and he stopped. He paused and turned back, "Of course!"
Although Eunuch Fu was curious, he didn't dare to ask too much. However, looking at the relationship between the two people now, it seemed to be quite good.
The rain has stopped, but the air is still very humid. The autumn wind blows, and there is a hint of winter chill.
Murong Feng followed Eunuch Fu through the corridor of the side hall and soon arrived at the imperial study, where Murong Shiling and Murong Cheng were already waiting.
Murong Feng was very surprised to see Murong Cheng was there too. What on earth did his father want to talk to them about?
Murong Shiling sat behind the desk with a serious expression, and Murong Cheng's handsome face was as cold as usual.
"Greetings to the Emperor, and to the Crown Prince."
Murong Shileng nodded slightly, indicating that Eunuch Fu should leave for the time being. For a moment, only Murong Shileng, Murong Feng and the other three were left in the imperial study.
"The main reason I called you here today is to discuss the current situation of the ministers making remonstrations. I'm sure you are already clear about this matter, right?"
Murong Feng and Murong Cheng both nodded.
Murong Shiling continued, "Since that's the case, I'll get straight to the point. Actually, the reason I didn't attend court for three days was to test your ability to respond.
Your performance really disappoints me!"
Murong Feng was stunned and glanced at Murong Cheng, only to see that his expression became increasingly cold.