HCB Chapter 227 The Emperor’s Thoughts
Chapter 227 The Emperor’s Thoughts
When Yu Qingli came to her senses, the eunuch had already arrived in front of her and bowed to her.
"Young lady, your servant Xiao Fuzi may be wondering who you are and why you are waiting at the palace gate."
Yu Qingli returned the greeting and said, "Eunuch Fu, I am Yu Qingli. I am here today on the orders of the Empress. The eunuch who went to report this may have been delayed by something, so I am waiting here."
Mei Hong, standing by, muttered unconvincedly, "It's not that they were delayed by something, it's obvious they're afraid of that princess and are trying to make trouble for the young lady! They're deliberately making us wait here. I don't think anyone will show up even if we wait for more than an hour."
"Stop talking!" Yu Qingli scolded Mei Hong, then turned to Eunuch Fu and said, "This servant is ignorant, please forgive me, eunuch. I believe the eunuch who announced it will be here soon. Please don't worry about it, master in the carriage."
Eunuch Fu looked at Yu Qingli thoughtfully, then returned to the car.
"Your Majesty, those standing outside the palace gate are the eldest daughter of the Yu family and her two personal maids. They seem to have been ordered to come to the Queen's palace. From what the maid said, they must have met Her Royal Highness the Princess, so they were asked to wait outside. They have been waiting for over an hour."
"What? We've been waiting for over an hour. This is ridiculous! Xiao Fuzi, hurry up and bring the people over. Turn the carriage around. I'm not going to Chaofeng Palace today. I'm going back to Wolong Palace."
Eunuch Fu was such a shrewd man. Just by listening to the anger and anxiety in Murong Shiling's tone, one could tell how much he cared about this woman. However, it seemed that this woman had just been granted marriage to the eldest prince a few days ago. This was really...
But no matter what, it was not his turn as a eunuch to say anything. He just had to do what his master ordered.
Just as Eunuch Fu was about to get off the car, Murong Shiling suddenly said, "Don't let Miss Yu know my identity for now. Just say that the person in the car is the Crown Prince."
Eunuch Fu was stunned. Even the identity of the crown prince was involved. It seemed that the emperor really cared about this woman.
Eunuch Fu then returned to Yu Qingli and the others and said to her, "Miss Yu, it's getting late. I'm sure you haven't had your meal yet. My master said that if you don't mind, instead of waiting here, you should go and have your meal first. Then the master can send someone to the Empress' palace to report."
Yu Qingli's heart skipped a beat, and a voice in her head told her that she couldn't follow them, otherwise she might never get out.
She replied respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm worried that if I leave rashly, Eunuch Lin will be worried when he arrives and can't find me. I don't want to cause trouble for the Empress, so I'd better wait here for now. He should be here soon."
"This..." Eunuch Fu turned his head and glanced at the half-closed carriage curtain. "Miss, our prince has good intentions. Besides, you've been standing here all this time. If you don't know, you might think someone in the palace is bullying you. If that gets out, wouldn't it damage the palace's reputation?"
"Crown Prince? Eunuch Fu, you said the person in this carriage is the Crown Prince?" Yu Qingli was a little surprised. Could she have guessed wrong? But Crown Prince Murong Cheng was always calm and composed. Why would he enter the palace without getting out of the carriage?
Eunuch Fu secretly admired the woman's keen observation. Looking at her eyes full of wisdom, it seemed as if she knew the identity of the people in the car.
"Yes, my prince has been unwell these past few days, so he has not gotten out of the car. I hope Miss will forgive me."
Yu Qingli's eyebrows turned slightly, thinking about how credible this person's words were. She had just arrived at the palace, so it was better to be careful about everything. If the person in the car was the prince, she would not be able to get on the car. Otherwise, if any rumors were spread, even Murong Cheng would be implicated.
Yu Qingli smiled and said, "Please reply on my behalf, eunuch. Thank you for the Crown Prince's kindness. However, it is against etiquette for a single man and a single woman to ride in the same carriage. If this gets out, it will tarnish the Crown Prince's reputation. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely go visit the Crown Prince with the First Prince."
Yu Qingli's words were so sound that they left Eunuch Fu at a loss for a moment.
He returned to the carriage and relayed Yu Qingli's words to Murong Shiling without missing a word. Murong Shiling couldn't help but laugh and said, "She is such a thoughtful woman. Well, it seems that if I don't reveal my identity, I really won't be able to take her away!"
Eunuch Fu was a little surprised when he heard this. Does His Majesty mean that he is determined to win?
Murong Shileng ordered Eunuch Fu to lift the curtain, and then he walked out of the carriage, looking down at Yu Qingli who was standing beside him.
Yu Qingli was shocked and quickly knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, your servant Yu Qingli pays respects to you. May your Majesty live long!"
Mei Hong and Xi Luo, standing behind Yu Qingli, were both extremely surprised. Hadn't they said the person in the carriage was the Crown Prince? How had he suddenly become the Emperor? Without much time to think, they could only kneel down in obeisance.
"Be flat!"
Murong Shileng gave the order, and Yu Qingli slowly stood up, then stood respectfully aside, not daring to look up.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Seeing Yu Qingli's obvious alienation, Murong Shileng felt unhappy, and even his voice was a little cold.
Yu Qingli said calmly: "Your Majesty is the almighty Son of Heaven, and your servant naturally respects you!"
Murong Shiling thought for a moment, then jumped off the carriage and walked over to Yu Qingli in two or three steps. "So what about now? I'm standing next to you, but do you still feel that I'm superior?"
Yu Qingli was extremely nervous at this moment. For some reason, she felt like a prey that had been targeted by an experienced hunter.
"Your Majesty is always a flying dragon in the sky, commanding respect and awe, even now."
Murong Shiling laughed out loud, "Hahaha...you really are funny!"
Yu Qingli broke out in a cold sweat. She would rather Murong Shi Leng called her boring! She had originally entered the palace to perform a dance with the intention of driving a wedge between them. Unexpectedly, Murong Shi Leng recognized her so quickly, even acting as if he was determined to get her. This way, she would probably be quietly disposed of before she even married Murong Feng.
Such things were common in the palace. If the emperor fell in love with a minister's woman, even if she was already married, he could quietly change her identity and bring her into the palace. Most people were very proactive when faced with such a situation. Why not use a woman to exchange for their future? Even if there were a few who resisted, they would be forced to compromise by reality. Even worse, they would be killed by the emperor's secret guards, their families would be confiscated, and their ancestors would be destroyed.
And now, Yu Qingli felt that she had fallen into this dilemma.
Murong Shiling glanced at Yu Qingli and said, "Alright, since you already know my identity, I won't hide it anymore. Let's go. I'm in a good mood today and would like to invite you to dine with me. Xiao Fuzi, let's go to Wolong Palace."
"Yes!" Eunuch Fu was trembling with fear. This was against the will of heaven. His Majesty actually fell in love with the eldest prince's wife. What...what was going on?
It seems that the future status of this young lady of the Yu family is really hard to guess! In short, she is someone who must not be offended.
Yu Qingli was helpless. She had no right to disobey the order, but she was unwilling to leave with Murong Shiling.
His eyes turned slightly, and he realized that the only one who could save him now was the Queen. He must inform the Queen of this news as soon as possible!
Murong Shiling, in a good mood, abandoned his car and walked on foot, taking Yu Qingli with him from the Imperial Garden to the Wolong Palace.
Yu Qingli deliberately slowed down her pace and gave Xiluo a silent look. Xiluo knew that the young lady had something to say to her, so she stepped forward, supported Yu Qingli and said, "Young lady, you have been standing here for half a day. Let me help you walk."
Yu Qingli half leaned on Xiluo, held Xiluo's hand and wrote four words on her palm, "Queen, help."
Murong Shiling, who was walking in front, stopped in his tracks and said with a sense of self-blame, "It was my fault for neglecting it. In my excitement, I forgot you had been standing outside the palace for half a day. Xiao Fuzi, why don't you hurry and get someone to prepare a sedan chair?"
"Your Majesty, I had already asked someone to prepare it, but Your Majesty was in a good mood and insisted on walking back."
"Oh, you're so thoughtful!" Murong Shiling was very satisfied, and then said to Yu Qingli, "If your feet hurt, you'd better take the sedan chair. It's still a long way to go to Wolong Palace!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" This time, Yu Qingli did not refuse.
Soon, two sedans arrived in front of Yu Qingli. As soon as Yu Qingli sat on one, she saw Xiluo next to her with a strange expression.
"Xiluo, what's wrong with you?"
Xiluo suddenly covered her stomach and said awkwardly, "Miss, I'm afraid I got an upset stomach when I went out today. I'll go to the toilet first and then come find you."
Yu Qingli glanced at Murong Shiling with a questioning look. Seeing that he had no doubts, she ordered, "Okay, then go and come back quickly. Don't wander around."
"Slave, you obey!"
Xiluo was about to leave when he saw Eunuch Fu wave his hand and a palace maid came over and saluted them.
"This girl is in urgent need of help. Please take her to the toilet and then bring her to the Wolong Palace."
"Don't worry, Eunuch Fu, I understand."
Yu Qingli then understood that it was not that Murong Shiling was worried about her, but that there was someone watching her. However, judging from Xiluo's appearance, she should not be trapped by such a situation!
Sure enough, not long after Xiluo left with the palace maid, he found a secluded place, pressed the palace maid's sleeping acupoints, and after settling her down, he quickly left.
In order not to attract attention, she changed into the clothes of a palace maid.
Xiluo had stayed in the palace for some time before, so she was very familiar with each palace. In addition, she was very anxious now, so she quickened her pace and ran towards Chaofeng Palace.
Not long after, Xiluo arrived outside the palace. After seeing Eunuch Lin still standing outside, Xiluo understood. It seemed that even Eunuch Lin had been fooled by Murong Yuan.