Rights and Interests of China 031 Case Development

  Chen Mei Ren remained silent for a long time, Yuan Wu You was neither anxious nor worried, calm as usual.

  It was a long time before Chen Mei Ren spoke up, "In the inner palace of the rear courtyard, the women's beauty, intelligence and talent may be very important, but sometimes just having beauty and intelligence is not enough. Perhaps after doing everything, in the end it still leads to a desolate outcome. I have followed Yu Fei's side serving her for many years, Yu Fei is that rare person who has been gifted with exceptional advantages."

  Originally carefree and smiling, beautiful women in the harem were as numerous as fish crossing a river, intelligent women were also plentiful, and lucky ones weren't scarce either. But simultaneously possessing all three qualities was rare, no wonder she could smile until now, only...now it seemed her luck was about to run out!

  "What is Yu Fei's attitude towards Da Gong Zhu and Er Huang Zi?"

  Chen Meiren was taken aback for a moment before frowning and saying, "What does Your Highness mean?"

  Wu You asked faintly, "In your opinion, if you had to choose between the eldest princess and the second prince?" Although she hadn't found any evidence yet, her intuition told her that if she had to choose between the two princes, it was definitely Yuan Xiaosheng who would do something so stupid. As the saying goes, one is not afraid of a god-like opponent, but rather a pig-like teammate.

  "Of course it would be the Second Prince." Chen Mei Ren almost blurted out, and then she seemed to have realized something, her eyes widening in shock as she asked urgently: "What do you mean, Princess?"

  Yu Worryless slightly raised an eyebrow, the pitch-black and bottomless pupils shone brightly with the pure white irises, making that pair of eyes seem calm as still water, yet daring no one to gaze directly at them. It was then that Chen Meiren realized her own impropriety and disrespect: "This slave deserves to die."

  "Tell me about your views on those women in the harem."

  "Yes." Chen Mei's heart was still racing from the eyes she had just met, listening to the gentle yet firm command, and recalling her disrespect towards the princess earlier, she felt a lingering fear. She herself didn't understand how she could have been so reckless as if her brain had gone numb.

  Chen Meiren did not dare to hide anything again, and spoke without reserve, saying everything that was on her mind.

  "...That's all I know." She now truly understands that Yuan You Princess is more intimidating than the crazy women in Shi Xin Palace.

  Yu Worry got up, and Jade Pearl came forward to help her wipe away the dust that had accumulated on the hem of her skirt.

  Casually glancing at Chen Meiren, who was kneeling on the ground, Yuan Wuyou's voice was calm: "I hope that next time Your Highness comes, you can truly make me like it."

  Chen Mei's heart skipped a beat: "I should be here reflecting on my mistakes and making amends."

  Jade Palace

  Since the fire at the Moon Palace, after the Grand Princess met with misfortune, Yu Fei was heartbroken and bedridden. The imperial physician said that the Crown Princess's condition required rest and recuperation, which also made some of the lower-ranking consorts who originally came to visit and serve her morning, noon, and night dare not disturb her again.

  The surface of the Jade Palace seemed to have returned to calmness, but the calmness was only on the surface.

  At this time, in the inner palace of Yu Fei's bedroom, the second prince was frightened and uneasy, lowering his head and not daring to look directly at Yu Fei's severe and gloomy eyes which were half-closed on the soft couch.

  It's been a long time since there was any news, the second prince couldn't help but raise his head, hesitantly calling out: "Mo... Mother?"

  Yu Fei closed her eyes and tried to calm down the hatred in her heart: "You said that the Crown Prince invited Gu Ling to the Crown Prince's mansion?"

  Seeing Empress Dowager regain her composure, Second Prince hastily nodded, unable to conceal the anxiety in his heart: "Empress Dowager, Imperial Sister and Eldest Prince are close, will she...?"

  "No." Yu Fei said resolutely, she knew Mei Fei too well. She must have asked the Crown Prince about this matter long ago. If the Crown Prince really knew about it, he wouldn't be so indifferent, and that woman Mei Fei wouldn't be taking no action either.

  "However... but the child still feels a bit uneasy. Even if the imperial sister didn't tell the eldest prince, it's hard to guarantee that the eldest prince won't sense something from her. Otherwise, why would he invite Gu Ling over to the manor?"

  The Jade Concubine's soul returned, and she looked at the Second Prince who was in a panic and anxious. Her heart ached, her face turned pale, and her fingers trembled as she pointed at him, stuttering: "I... how did I give birth to such a fool like you?"

  "Empress Dowager..."

  "How can I instruct you, ah, what are you panicking about? What's wrong?"

  The second prince knelt down with a thud: "Your son knows his mistake."

  Yu Fei took a deep breath, stroking her chest to calm down: "Go back to your quarters, you can ask about the progress of the case, but don't get close to Gu Ling."

  The second prince was surprised: "Mother, what if..." He thought it was very important to find an opportunity to get close to Gu Ling and probe his mouth.

  Yu Fei glared at him with anger in her eyes and shouted: "What I said, you don't understand, is that right?"

  "The child dare not." The second prince hastily said, seeing her so angry.

  "Remember, don't get close to Gu..."

  "Your Highness..." A bustling and busy eunuch rushed in, interrupting Yu Fei's words.

  Yu Fei's heart skipped a beat as she glanced at the Second Prince kneeling on the ground. The Second Prince stood up and respectfully retreated to one side.

  "What's the hurry?"

  Jixiang Gongjing hurriedly replied: "Concubine Hui, Shi Gonggong has sent someone to pass on a message, telling the Second Imperial Son to quickly go to Shengyang Palace."

  "What?" The Second Prince's heart was racing so fiercely that his brain was dizzy, and he hastily looked at Yu Fei: "Mother..."

  "Shut up... let me think." Yu Fei sternly shouted, then closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again and slowly instructed: "Xia Er, it must be Gu Ling who wants to see you. Remember, if Gu Ling asks about your relationship with your imperial sister, tell the truth. If he asks further..."

  Yu Fei gritted her teeth, looking at him with an extremely solemn expression: "Everything will depend on your reaction now, remember, as long as you don't panic or get flustered, Mother will believe that you can definitely handle it."

  Yuansheng slowly calmed down after his panic, thanks to Yu Fei's reminder. Zheng nodded: "Don't worry, Mother, I know what to do now."

  "Remember, don't make a big fuss over a small matter."

  ……

  Xiao Lizi respectfully presented the letter from the palace and retreated three steps to wait quietly.

  The king stared at the envelope in his hand, there were no words on it. He stared at this letter for almost a minute before slowly opening it.

  The strokes on paper are not strong and powerful, but the brush and ink are clear and flowing, with a natural clarity and elegance that is implicit in the words.

  After reading the contents of the letter clearly, King Hui remained silent for a long time.

  Little Lee

  Little Li, who had been waiting on one side, bowed his head respectfully: "Your humble servant is here."

  "Send... little escaped child to see me tonight."

  Xiao Lizi was shocked: "Wang Ye, think thrice..."

  The king waved his hand to stop him from speaking and said in a cold voice: "Leave."

  Xiao Lizi's mouth moved silently, but he only said: "Your humble servant obeys."

  At this time, Gu Ling was in a side hall of Shengyang Palace, playing chess with Emperor Qing.

  The emperor's eyes swept over the young man standing beside him, playing chess, his heart surging with emotions, yet his face remained calm and serene. He slowly picked up a chess piece, scanned the board, and smiled in praise: "Not yet twenty years old, and already such skill at chess... The Western Regions' Custodian has excellent descendants like you, it brings me joy."

  "Your Majesty's praise is too much for me, I am ashamed and dare not accept it."

  The emperor glanced at him lightly and said slowly: "You are only three years older than my eldest son, but in my opinion, you are much better than the eldest son."

  Gu Ling hastily knelt down and kowtowed: "Your humble servant is terrified."

  Seemingly unaware of his manner, Emperor Qing gazed at the chessboard and asked faintly, "After Minister Gu went to the Crown Prince's mansion and then entered the palace to ask questions of the Second Prince, how has the case progressed?"

  "I, a minor official, went to the residence of the eldest prince only for a routine inquiry. Entering the palace to find the second prince was also for the same purpose. As for the case... I have not made any substantial progress in my investigation so far, but I will do my utmost to find out the cause of the fire at the Moon Palace."

  The emperor leisurely placed the chess piece on the board and waved his hand: "Playing chess with me, no need to be humble."

  "Yes, your humble servant obeys." Gu Ling slowly stood up, took a glance at the chessboard with his sleeve, paused for a moment, and then gently placed the piece on the board.

  Not ignoring his hesitation, Emperor Qing smiled seemingly very pleased: "Very good, Gu Gong lets me feel delighted."

  Gu Ling retreated to one side before speaking in a low voice: "Your humble servant was lucky."

  The eunuchs on the side stepped forward and put away the chessboard. Emperor Qing walked back to the imperial desk, sat down, and asked: "Is it inconvenient for you to stay at Liao's residence?"

  "Your Majesty, Lord Liao treated me with great warmth and courtesy. I have no complaints whatsoever. Thank you for your concern."

  Shi Ji walked in and said: "I have come to report to Your Majesty that the Second Prince is waiting for an imperial edict outside."

  "Let him in."