HCB Chapter 75 Did they go to the Cold Palace today?
Chapter 75 Did they go to the Cold Palace today?
Upon entering the hall, Qiao Gongquan, who had been waiting there, immediately rose and respectfully performed a standard courtier's salute upon seeing Chu Qingyin approach: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, Chu Qingyin quickly stepped forward to help Qiao Gongquan up: "Father, please get up quickly."
After Qiao Gongquan straightened up, she personally led him to his seat, asked him to sit down first, and then she gracefully took her own seat.
After settling down, Chu Qingyin parted her lips slightly and explained softly, "I had some important matters to attend to earlier, so I went out for a while. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Father. Please don't take offense."
Qiao Gongquan quickly replied, "It's alright."
As he spoke, he raised his head and examined Chu Qingyin in front of him.
At this moment, Chu Qingyin was dressed in a gorgeous smoky purple palace dress with lotus patterns. Her clothes fluttered like colorful clouds, and her exquisite pearl and jade hair ornaments made her face look like a peach blossom, making her beautiful and charming.
Qiao Gongquan stared at the elegant woman seated above him, finding it hard to believe that this radiant and dazzling woman was actually his daughter, whom he had raised in seclusion since childhood.
But who else could this person in front of her be but her daughter?
Thinking of this, his gaze toward Chu Qingyin grew even more loving.
"How has Father been feeling lately?"
Seeing the love in Qiao Gongquan's eyes for his daughter, Chu Qingyin took the initiative to speak with concern.
Qiao Gongquan was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He nodded and then asked her, "How is Your Highness's health? Are you getting used to the food in the palace?"
Chu Qingyin felt somewhat awkward as he uttered his words of concern.
Although she was grateful to the eldest daughter of the Qiao family for giving her this body, Qiao Gongquan, the Minister of War, was still an accomplice in the Chu family's misfortune.
She really didn't know how to act out a father-daughter relationship with Qiao Gongquan.
Seeing Chu Qingyin's silence, Qiao Gongquan seemed to have thought of something and asked with concern, "Your Majesty suddenly wants to see me. Have you been bullied in the palace?"
"No." Chu Qingyin came back to her senses, smiled and shook her head at him, "Father, don't worry, I have His Majesty's favor in the palace, everything is fine."
Qiao Gongquan was finally relieved. Ever since he learned of the despicable things Aunt Jiang had done to him, he had been determined to treat his daughter well from now on and never let her suffer any more grievances.
"Father, the reason I called you here today is to ask you for a favor..."
"What is it?" Qiao Gongquan asked, puzzled.
Chu Qingyin hesitated for a long time before dismissing the palace servants and speaking in a deep voice, "It's about General Chu Tianheng."
"My daughter heard that he was falsely accused of treason and is now imprisoned. She wanted to ask you if you know his current situation?"
"Chu Tianheng?"
Qiao Gongquan's expression changed slightly when he heard his name: "Yinyin, how did you get involved with him?"
Chu Qingyin saw the surprise and doubt in his eyes, and her brows twitched slightly, but she quickly concealed it and comforted him with a smile: "Father, don't panic, I have no connection with Chu Tianheng."
Qiao Gongquan frowned: "Then why are you concerned about his affairs?"
"To be honest, Father, I have some connection with Consort Chu, which is why I'm investigating this matter."
"how do I say this?"
Qiao Gongquan could hardly sit still. He looked at Chu Qingyin with anxious eyes, scrutinizing her with worry in his heart. "The Imperial Concubine died before you entered the palace. How did you get involved with her?"
Instead of answering, Chu Qingyin asked, "Father, have you ever heard anyone say that I look somewhat like Consort Chu?"
"I have indeed heard of that."
Qiao Gongquan looked at his daughter with a complicated expression and said, "But in this vast world, it's normal for people to look alike."
"Father, this is not normal."
Chu Qingyin bit her lip, looking aggrieved, and said, "You may not know, but ever since I entered the palace, I have been plagued by nightmares. Consort Chu said that I gained favor because I resemble her. She made me do something for her. Otherwise, she would haunt me for the rest of my life, making me unable to eat or sleep peacefully."
Qiao Gongquan was astonished, "Such a thing is true!"
Chu Qingyin's eyes were red: "Does Father think I'm lying to you?"
Qiao Gongquan remained silent.
This is absolutely absurd.
Seeing his daughter's haggard and heartbroken appearance, Qiao Gongquan couldn't help but feel sorry for her, so he softened his tone and comforted her, "Yinyin, don't be afraid, Father will find a way to invite a highly virtuous monk to exorcise the evil spirits for you."
"Father, you mustn't!" Chu Qingyin immediately stopped him.
Qiao Gongquan thought she was scared, so he assured her, "Yinyin, don't worry. The high monk I know has great magical power. He will surely make the Imperial Concubine's soul disappear and she will never dare to bother you again."
A cold glint flashed in Chu Qingyin's eyes. This Qiao Gongquan was truly ruthless, actually wanting her to die a horrible death.
Then it's no wonder she dragged him into it.
“Father, the Imperial Concubine is also a pitiful person. Besides, she has not done anything bad to me. On the contrary, she used this as an exchange to help me gain His Majesty’s favor.”
She smiled shyly when Pei Yuanling was mentioned.
Seeing her like this, Qiao Gongquan understood that his daughter wanted him to fulfill Consort Chu's wish in order to help her gain the Emperor's favor.
"Father, this is not difficult. You just need to write to me and tell me about Chu Tianheng's movements."
Seeing that Qiao Gongquan's expression softened, Chu Qingyin continued to persuade him, "After all, His Majesty has already transferred him to a regular prison, which shows that His Majesty is still reluctant to kill him."
Looking into his daughter's eager eyes, Qiao Gongquan weighed his options for a moment and finally nodded.
What could he do? He and his deceased wife only had one daughter.
Before we knew it, dusk was falling and the palace lanterns were gradually lit.
Qiao Gongquan could not stay long. After chatting for a few more minutes, the father and daughter said goodbye and left.
Not long after he left, it got dark, and Pei Yuanling came under the clear, pale moonlight.
Chu Qingyin instructed her servants to prepare wine and dishes and dine with him.
"Your Majesty, this Jade White Shrimp Balls is your favorite dish. Please try it."
As Chu Qingyin spoke, she picked up a fresh and glistening shrimp ball from the plate and was about to feed it to Pei Yuanling.
Pei Yuanling didn't open her mouth, so she didn't dare to move her chopsticks anymore.
The two remained in a silent stalemate, with only the soft sound of the wind outside the hall.
Chu Qingyin was puzzled, but her eyes gradually reddened, and she put on a wronged and tearful look: "Your Majesty, is it that I have not served you well?"
Seeing those misty eyes, Pei Yuanling couldn't bear it and sighed, "I'll eat it."
Chu Qingyin immediately beamed and happily fed the shrimp ball into his mouth, asking in a charming voice, "Your Majesty, is it delicious?"
After swallowing, Pei Yuanling nodded slightly and said, "The taste is indeed quite good."
"If Your Majesty likes it, then I will get you another piece."
Just as Chu Qingyin was about to reach for her chopsticks again, Pei Yuanling stopped her, saying, "No need."
The man's voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Chu Qingyin had already vaguely sensed that Pei Yuanling had something to do today.
She pretended not to notice and put down her chopsticks with some disappointment: "Does Your Majesty have no appetite? Then this concubine will not eat either."
Seeing her childlike appearance, Pei Yuanling's previously tightly pursed lips moved slightly.
After a moment, he raised his dark, narrow eyes and stared intently at the palace-dressed beauty beside him: "Yinyin, did you go to the Cold Palace today?"