vrcanaries Chapter 113 Useless Things
Chapter 113 Useless Things
Meanwhile, the Empress had Lin Qing fetch the Rejuvenation Pill, but she dared not use such a filthy substance on herself before seeing its effects.
Just then, Consort Qin came to curry favor with her again, and she began to have a thought: she wanted Consort Qin to take the lead for her.
She tempted Qin Fei with the promise of an imperial heir, and Qin Fei readily agreed, vowing that she would definitely handle the matter well. Unexpectedly, she turned around and pushed Lu Mingzhu forward.
Seeing the Empress's displeased expression, Lin Qing cautiously suggested, "Your Majesty, things have come to this point, perhaps we should just make the best of a bad situation..."
"Making the best of a bad situation?" Empress Wang sneered. "If it were any other concubine, it would be one thing, but it has to be Consort Lu!"
Although Lu Mingzhu was foolish, she had the Lu family and Lu Zhiheng behind her. If there was anyone in the entire court who could make the Wang family wary, it would be Lu Zhiheng.
Lin Qing naturally understood what she was thinking, and he whispered a reminder: "But as far as I know, Lord Lu doesn't seem to have much brotherly affection for this cousin..."
Lu Mingzhu was demoted from the rank of Consort to Liangdi, but Lu Zhiheng didn't make a move at all, acting as if he didn't even have this cousin.
What Lin Qing could see clearly, Empress Wang was well aware of as well. Her own sister admired Lu Zhiheng, so naturally she paid close attention to the Lu family's affairs. Lu Zhiheng not only had no brotherly or sisterly affection for Lu Mingzhu, but he could even be described as quite disgusted with her.
No matter how much Lu Zhiheng disliked her, Lu Mingzhu was still a member of the Lu family, and her every move in the palace represented the Lu family.
The last incident was Lu Mingzhu's own stupidity, and it involved Qiao Qingyin. Even Wei Yiqiu didn't fare well. It was a wise move for the Lu family not to interfere.
But if she were to take advantage of Lu Mingzhu as a fool, she would be slapping the Lu family in the face. At that point, Lu Zhiheng might not be able to sit idly by as he is now.
Empress Wang pondered for a long time, then finally raised her hand and pinched her forehead hard, sighing, "Never mind."
The arrow is on the string, and it must be released.
The subtle point is that Lu Mingzhu is incredibly stupid.
And that Qin Rong'er, she actually dared to outwardly comply but inwardly defy her, and even plot against her... Empress Wang's eyes flashed, she beckoned Lin Qing over, and whispered a few words in her ear.
Lin Qing listened solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will not fail in his mission."
Empress Wang rubbed her temples, looking at the mess on the ground: "Send someone in to clean up."
**
Before we knew it, several days had passed.
For almost half a month, there was no movement inside the palace, and the calm was so unusual that even Chu Qingyin was a little unaccustomed to it.
Pei Yuanling still stayed at her place every night, or at Chen'an Palace. He was the sole favorite in the Empress's quarters. The Empress could tolerate it, but the Empress Dowager could also tolerate it?
Chu Qingyin turned over on the chaise longue, and Xianglan gently fanned her from the side.
Chu Qingyin closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment. This body was suffering terribly from the summer heat, and there was no way to investigate while she was in the palace. She had no intention of fighting with them, and it was best if those people didn't come looking for trouble.
If she comes, don't blame her for being ruthless.
These past few days have indeed been excessively hot. The coolest place in the entire imperial palace is not the Chen'an Palace, which is filled with ice chests, but the Tingxiang Water Pavilion, which is built by the water.
Pei Yuanling would spend several hours there almost every day.
But today, he felt that even the Tingxiang Pavilion was unusually hot.
He felt cool when he first arrived, but after sitting for a while, he became increasingly hot.
Pei Yuanling, sweat beading on his forehead, called out impatiently, "Chen Zhongliang."
Chen Zhongliang quickly lifted the curtain and came in, saying, "This servant is here."
"Have someone bring over an ice chest."
Chen Zhongliang was efficient and soon led two eunuchs in carrying the ice chest.
Pei Yuanling leaned against the short couch, his eyes closed, yet he could still sense the figures of several people coming and going, which made him increasingly agitated.
After they had finally placed the ice chest in place, Chen Zhongliang carefully walked to his side and whispered, "Your Majesty..."
Pei Yuanling frowned and interrupted him: "You all go out first, I want to be alone for a while."
Chen Zhongliang immediately fell silent and led his men out quietly.
The ice chest was released, and the person left, but Pei Yuanling still felt unbearably hot.
His eyes were tightly closed, his brows were furrowed, and beads of sweat slid down his high, straight nose.
After an unknown amount of time, a light footstep sound came from behind.
Pei Yuanling opened his already reddened eyes, wanting to see which foolish palace servant it was, but instead met a pair of shy eyes.
Pei Yuanling's gaze suddenly changed.
A storm was brewing in his deep eyes, his gaze traveling from the woman's flushed cheeks and moist lips down to her delicate collarbone, and further down...
The smoky purple palace dress clung to her curves, accentuating her slender waist, and then...
Shoes and socks were removed, revealing slender, white ankles, curled toes, and slightly flushed skin...
Sound…
The unspeakable location reacted uncontrollably.
Pei Yuanling's voice had become rough without him realizing it. "Come here."
The person walked step by step to the short couch, and boldly sat on Pei Yuanling's lap. The next moment, Pei Yuanling grabbed his waist and pressed him down.
He buried his head in the other person's collarbone, sniffed gently, and asked in confusion, "Why did Yinyin change the incense today?"
The person beneath him stiffened for a moment, then called out to him in a pitiful voice, "Your Majesty..."
Pei Yuanling paused, his mind clearing for a moment, then he suddenly stood up. "Who are you?"
The woman beneath him delicately grasped the hem of his clothes, while her other hand clung to his chest, trying to snuggle into his arms again.
"Your Majesty, it's your concubine..."
The sweet, delicate voice completely woke Pei Yuanling up. He realized that the person in front of him was not Chu Qingyin, but Lu Mingzhu, whom he hadn't seen for many days.
"What are you doing here?" Pei Yuanling's thick eyebrows furrowed, and the inexplicable restlessness he felt made his voice hoarse.
Lu Mingzhu's heart pounded as she looked at the handsome man so close to her.
This was the closest she had ever been to His Majesty since entering the palace, and she was determined to seize this opportunity no matter what!
"Your Majesty, if you are feeling unwell, I can help you alleviate your discomfort..."
Lu Mingzhu blushed and mustered her courage to move closer to the man in front of her again.
Before she could even place her hand on the man's shoulder, her slender wrist was seized by him.
The man seemed to use all his strength, twisting her arm forcefully, and Lu Mingzhu instantly let out a piercing scream, "Ah—!"
A sharp pain in her wrist made her collapse to the ground, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, "Your Majesty, it hurts so much..."
Pei Yuanling was filled with rage. He kicked her away and only said one word: "Get out."
There was a muffled thud, followed by a woman's scream. Pei Yuanling had no time to figure out what had happened; he had only one thought in his mind.
Hurry up and get out of here.
Go to Xingyue Palace.
Go find his Yinyin.
The young emperor stumbled away, and no one dared to stop him.
After a while.
With Lin Qing's help, Empress Wang slowly emerged from behind the screen. She glanced at the burnt-out incense burner in the corner, then at the woman who had been kicked aside, her expression gloomy.
"Useless thing."
The ground was snaking with crimson blood. Lin Qing was secretly shocked. His Majesty had actually used such a heavy hand.
"Go and take a look," Empress Wang said, covering her mouth and nose with a look of disgust.
Lin Qing went over to investigate and found Lu Mingzhu had hit her head on the corner of the table. There was a large hole on the upper right side of her forehead, and blood was seeping out. She had completely lost consciousness.
"Your Highness, you've bumped your head."
Empress Wang's expression remained unchanged; she simply asked coldly, "Is he still alive?"
Lin Qing placed her finger in front of Lu Mingzhu's nose and felt a faint breath.
"It's still breathing."
Empress Wang's tightly furrowed brows relaxed almost imperceptibly.
"Find someone to treat her, don't let her die."
If Lu Mingzhu really dies here, not to mention how the Lu family will retaliate, Pei Yuanling will definitely become suspicious of her.
Lu Mingzhu must live, and live completely intact.
Otherwise, who will bear Pei Yuanling's wrath?