vrcanaries Chapter 1143 The Queen Mother is still unaware of the situation in the palace
Chapter 1143 The Queen Mother is still unaware of the situation in the palace
Before he finished his words, his figure had disappeared into the shadows in the corner like smoke, as if he had never appeared.
Nangong Xuanyu picked up the book on the couch again, his fingertips brushed across the cold pages, but there was silence in the depths of his eyes.
……
At the other end of the camp, inside the tent of Duke Dingguo, which was grand in scale but filled with a gloomy atmosphere.
The curtains were drawn low, and only a dim tallow lamp was lit, barely illuminating the huge tiger-skin-covered chair in the center.
Duke Dingguo sat upright, his dark tights making him look like an iron tower, and every wrinkle on his face was engraved with the coldness of a veteran on the battlefield.
His calloused fingers were slowly wiping a dark hunting knife. In the dimness, the blade occasionally flashed a cold light.
The blade reflected the turbid eyes of Duke Dingguo, which were filled with excitement for the prospect of creating a huge wave, as well as greed for the pinnacle of power.
The fire flickered at his feet, and the ashes accumulated silently.
Finally, Duke Dingguo's gaze fell on his capable confidant who was kneeling on one knee.
"My lord."
The confidant's voice was very low, but every word was clear, with a hint of excitement that was barely noticeable: "Lu Shenshi went to Noble Concubine Chen's tent to eat every morning and evening, and her manner was so respectful that there was nothing wrong with it."
"I guess she will take action once she finds the right opportunity!"
"Good! Good! Good!"
Ding Guogong clenched the tiger-skin-covered armrest with his calloused fingers and said "good" three times in a row, with a cruelty that had been suppressed for a long time.
"Once that vixen dies, your majesty will be heartbroken and there will be chaos in the camp!"
At this point, his eyes flashed with a venomous light, as if he had seen the chaotic and bloody scene: "This is the opportunity we have been waiting for for a long time!"
"As soon as the news of Concubine Chen's death spreads, I will turn this Mulan Paddock into your majesty's burial place!"
The air in the tent seemed to be stagnant...
In the corner, another old man with a gaunt face and wearing an inconspicuous gray squirrel fur coat frowned.
He was an old staff member who had followed Duke Dingguo for many years. At this moment, he could not help but step forward and said with worry in his voice: "Duke, is this matter... too hasty?"
"It remains to be seen how confident Lu Shen is in his actions."
"And the Empress Dowager is still unaware of such a major event in the palace. Should we... consult the Cining Palace first?"
Duke Dingguo turned his head abruptly. Under the dim light, the muscles on his face twitched slightly, and his eyes suddenly became extremely sinister: "What do you want to ask for instructions?!"
"For these years, the Liu family has been listening to the Queen Mother and has been dormant and forbearing. Isn't that enough?!"
His voice suddenly rose, filled with deep resentment and unwillingness: "My legitimate daughter was sentenced to death in the palace for no apparent reason!"
"My son was demoted in secret by an imperial decree from His Majesty, and was exiled to a bitter and cold borderland!"
"If we keep putting up with this, will Duke Dingguo's Mansion still have a chance to survive? I'm afraid their bones will all be torn apart and used to make soup!"
Duke Dingguo couldn't help it, and with a "bang", he punched the small table beside him, causing the teacups to clink.
His eyes were like a poisoned knife, stabbing at the old aide: "The Queen Mother is now paralyzed in the Cining Palace, and it is a blessing that she is still able to hear and see. At this critical moment, why bother her again? Are you going to let her drag her sick body to write another handwritten letter advising forbearance?"
Duke Dingguo took a deep breath, suppressed his surging anger, and said in a very determined voice: "Everything should be done according to the original plan!"
"As soon as Concubine Chen dies, it will be time for us to take action. Tell everyone to keep a close eye on them!"
Seeing Duke Dingguo's firm attitude, the confidant could only say, "Yes..."
……
The dim morning light dispersed the last thin gray mist over Mulan Paddock, making the frost on the withered yellow grass leaves appear crystal clear.
In the biting air, the war horses were spewing out thick white mist.
The imperial guards in distinctive black armor guarded the emperor, their flags fluttering in the wind, stirring up a murderous aura.
Shen Zhinian had already told the emperor last night that Shen Nanqiao was ready to take action today.
Then, Duke Dingguo will definitely take action.
Nangong Xuanyu knew that Duke Dingguo's target was him. Without him, the camp would be much safer.
More importantly, he had already set up an ambush by luring Duke Dingguo's men to another place.
At this moment, Nangong Xuanyu was wearing a dark black riding suit with a coiled dragon pattern, sitting upright on a tall black jade Qilin horse. His handsome face had cold lines in the morning light, with a kind of majesty that looked down on everything.
His eyes were like lightning, sweeping across the troops ready to go. Finally, he passed by the deep camp, the luxurious Zhai bird auspicious cloud tent, and a warm color flashed in the depths of his eyes.
"set off!"
The emperor's deep voice penetrated the silence of the early morning, carrying an unquestionable command.
"Yes!"
The sound of horse hooves rang out like dull drumbeats on the frozen ground, stirring up dead grass, broken leaves and dust all over the sky.
The mighty team, like a giant dark dragon, meandered out of the camp and headed for the larger hunting grounds deep in the enclosure.
The noise was so loud that the concubines and ladies staying in the camp stopped to look and talk about it.
When the emperor left the camp, the bright yellow flag that symbolized supreme authority followed him into the distance. The atmosphere in the entire camp seemed to relax, and there was an unusual silence.
In the darkness, several eyes as sharp as hawks exchanged information silently.
Shen Nanqiao was wrapped in a cloak and walked through the camp with a somewhat unsteady pace.
She looked at the dust raised by the emperor's team from afar, and until it completely disappeared at the end of her sight, her tense heartstrings relaxed slightly.
The white jade hairpin on her head, with its cool body inserted in her hair, had a round pearl at the end that shone in the sunlight.
Shen Nanqiao took a deep breath of the cold air with the scent of frosted grass, calmed himself, and walked towards the Zhai bird auspicious cloud tent that was still dazzlingly gorgeous in the morning light.
Every step feels like stepping on red-hot charcoal.
"Mrs. Lu."
The curtain was lifted by Handan who was guarding the door, bringing in a chill.
Shen Zhinian's clear voice rang out: "Eldest sister is here?"
She was sitting on a low couch covered with snow-white fox fur. On the small table in front of her were some exquisite snacks and a pot of steaming tea.
Shen Zhinian only had a simple bun today, with a jade hairpin in her hair. She wore a light blue casual suit and a moon-white velvet cloak.
Her unmade-up face was stunningly beautiful in the morning light, with a kind of nonchalant laziness.
Shen Nanqiao bowed her head and saluted politely, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tension: "I, your humble servant, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Chen. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
"No need to be polite, elder sister. Please sit down."
Shen Zhinian raised his hand, his eyes lingered on her face for a moment, with a hint of concern: "It was windy last night, did you sleep well, elder sister? You look a little pale."