Chapter 202: The Imperial Consort’s Invitation
The spring breeze grew warmer day by day.
Although it was no longer bitterly cold, spring lethargy still made one unwilling to get out of bed.
Especially on rest days without school.
But Princess Wuyang was still dragged up, pulling a long face as she followed Imperial Consort Li toward the Emperor’s Imperial Study.
“We pay respects when going to school,” she complained. “What’s the point of disturbing Father Emperor when there’s no school? Princess Pingcheng is definitely with Father Emperor. If I go, Father Emperor will just resent me for interrupting their father-daughter conversation.”
Imperial Consort Li did not say this time that it was filial piety, but instead chuckled softly: “I just heard that Miss Yang has arrived.”
Princess Wuyang’s eyes lit up: “So, she’s also in His Majesty’s presence?”
With that, without waiting for Imperial Consort Li to lead her, she shook off the consort’s hand, hiked up her skirt, and scurried toward the Imperial Study.
To watch the excitement!
To see what expression Princess Pingcheng had when facing Miss Yang?
She already knew that rumor, and Princess Pingcheng definitely knew it too!
Princess Pingcheng looked at the young girl standing opposite her.
Miss Yang had changed into spring attire, revealing her slender, willow-like figure.
But Princess Pingcheng’s gaze slid to Miss Yang’s collar and then shifted away.
She had not looked closely at this Miss Yang before.
Now…
She did not want to look more.
She was afraid she could not help herself and would search this Miss Yang’s face for familiar traces.
“Miss Yang, condolences,” Princess Pingcheng said, her gaze turning to the Emperor. “With Father Emperor here, the culprit will certainly be apprehended.”
Miss Yang curtsied in respect: “Thank you, Princess.” She curtsied to the Emperor again: “Your Majesty.”
The Emperor hurriedly raised his hand to signal: “No need for excessive courtesy. Sit and talk.”
Princess Pingcheng sat down.
Seeing Miss Yang standing opposite her.
“Sit and talk” was naturally said by the Emperor to her.
She was the princess; Miss Yang was merely your subject.
This morning, when she came to pay respects to Father Emperor and the eunuch said Miss Yang was there, she had originally wanted to turn and leave, but she stopped.
That was her Father Emperor.
How could she not see him because of someone else!
“Father Emperor, is there any new progress in the case?” she asked.
The Emperor sighed lightly: “No new leads for now.”
Princess Pingcheng said: “Father Emperor, don’t worry. There will certainly be new progress.”
The Emperor nodded with a smile.
The hall was quiet for a moment.
Yes, besides the case, what else could they talk about?
Princess Pingcheng picked up her tea and took a sip: “Father Emperor, tomorrow when Brother and I go to the temporary palace to practice riding and shooting.” She smiled as she spoke: “He wants to help Father Emperor but doesn’t know what he can do. He can’t study at home either, so he might as well put his energy into riding and shooting.”
This would also prevent the Prince of Donghai from disrupting the Dali Temple’s investigation.
The Emperor understood Princess Pingcheng’s meaning and nodded gently: “He’s a young man with great strength; roughhousing is no problem for him. You must be careful when practicing riding and shooting.”
Princess Pingcheng nodded: “Father Emperor, rest assured.”
There were three people in the hall, but it was as if there were only two; Father Emperor did not even glance much at that Miss Yang.
“Your Majesty.” An eunuch led in a palace maid: “Someone from the Empress has arrived.”
The palace maid stepped forward and respectfully paid respects: “Your Majesty, Her Ladyship requests that you come over; she has something to discuss.”
The Emperor said “oh” and hurriedly stood up: “I will go at once.”
Princess Pingcheng also rose: “I’ll go too; I haven’t paid respects to Mother Empress yet.”
The Emperor smilingly said “good,” then looked toward Miss Yang standing in the hall.
“Your Majesty, your subject takes leave,” the quiet Miss Yang said with a curtsy.
The Emperor nodded: “Rest assured; I will certainly uncover the true culprit.”
Miss Yang’s voice seemed somewhat choked: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty.”
Imperial Consort Li had just reached the doorway and saw the Emperor and Princess Pingcheng coming out together; she hurriedly paid respects.
While paying respects, Princess Wuyang’s restless eyes looked at Princess Pingcheng, then toward the back, seeing the young girl standing behind the father and daughter.
“Why have you come?” the Emperor asked. “Is there something?”
Without waiting for Imperial Consort Li to speak, he continued.
“I will go to the Empress first; we can talk when I return if there’s something.”
Imperial Consort Li hurriedly said: “This subject came to see Miss Yang.”
The Emperor was stunned for a moment; a trace of mockery flashed at the corner of Princess Pingcheng’s mouth.
“Does the Imperial Consort also intend to inquire about the White Horse Town case?” she asked with a semblance of a smile.
Imperial Consort Li hurriedly curtsied: “Princess, no. Previously, Miss Yang served as Princess Wuyang’s lady-in-waiting.”
She looked toward the young girl standing in the shadow behind the father and daughter.
The young girl, who had been keeping her head down, lifted her head to look at her upon hearing this and gave a shallow smile.
Imperial Consort Li could not help feeling pity: “Miss Yang, condolences.”
Miss Yang paid respects: “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”
Imperial Consort Li continued: “Miss Yang has endured such a tragic event yet still managed to rank first as a libationer disciple, showing her resolute mind.” Her expression turned helpless as she spoke: “I really have no way with Wuyang; her homework these past few days has been sloppy again.”
The Emperor frowned and looked toward Princess Wuyang.
Princess Wuyang hurriedly argued: “It’s not that bad. Mother Consort, don’t speak nonsense.”
Imperial Consort Li glared at her: “You still won’t admit it.” She then turned to the Emperor: “Miss Yang is a libationer disciple and not attending classes with the others now, so I still wish to ask her to look after Wuyang more and guide her in her studies.”
This was flattery toward this Miss Yang? To curry favor with the Emperor?
They, mother and daughter, must also know that rumor.
Princess Pingcheng sneered mockingly.
“I have truly been scolded into fear by my brother,” Imperial Consort Li said, looking at the Emperor.
Bringing up Lord Li again, Princess Pingcheng thought, and sure enough, she saw the Emperor nod.
“Miss Yang, go take a look at Wuyang’s homework,” he said to Miss Yang.
Miss Yang curtsied: “Yes.”
……
…….
“Go pass a message to the Empress’s side: when Miss Yang and Princess Pingcheng were both in His Majesty’s presence, what was the Empress’s expression?”
Imperial Consort Li returned to the hall and softly asked a palace maid.
This was a palace maid responsible for cleaning the Emperor’s Imperial Study side.
The palace maid said softly: “This servant is lowly and cannot approach the Empress; it was passed through a senior palace maid on her side, so I could not see the Empress’s expression.”
“But I saw Princess Pingcheng’s expression,” Imperial Consort Li said, chuckling lightly. “It’s the first time I’ve seen this lofty princess put on such a boastful and defensive posture.”
“Your Ladyship—”
A palace maid called from outside.
Imperial Consort Li waved to the little palace maid; the little palace maid quietly withdrew from the side hall. A palace maid hurried in, followed by two people.
A young girl and a young master.
“Your Ladyship, this is Miss Yang’s maidservant, bringing Young Lord Zhu to see Miss Yang.”
Imperial Consort Li hurriedly stood; she naturally recognized Zhu Yunxiao, and though not very familiar, she also had some impression of the maidservant.
Without waiting for Imperial Consort Li to speak, the maidservant anxiously said: “Where is my young lady? I want to see my young lady.”
Zhu Yunxiao paid respects to Imperial Consort Li: “Regarding the assassination at the palace banquet that day, I need to discuss some details with Miss Yang again.”
Imperial Consort Li did not mind the maidservant’s rudeness.
“Miss Yang is at Wuyang’s side,” she said, personally leading the way. “I’ll take you there.”
……
…….
Princess Wuyang’s palace courtyard was not far from here; they soon arrived in front of the palace courtyard.
When they arrived, several palace maids were withdrawing.
“You…” Imperial Consort Li frowned and asked.
The palace maids hurriedly paid respects: “His Majesty instructed us to deliver meals to the princess.” They added: “We delivered roast meat and are setting up the charcoal fire.”
It was not just them who had come; from the doorway, they could hear the liveliness in the courtyard and smell the wafting aroma.
Imperial Consort Li pursed her lips in a smile: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The palace maids stepped aside. As Imperial Consort Li was about to step over the threshold, a scream suddenly came from inside.
“Assassin—”
With the shout, the sounds of knife and sword clashed, mixed with screams of agony.
Imperial Consort Li’s face changed drastically: “Oh no, Miss Yang—”
And Zhu Yunxiao had already rushed inside.
Imperial Consort Li turned to shout outward: “Come—”
But before the sound could escape, without even turning her body, a great force struck; caught off guard, she stumbled into the palace courtyard.
In the instant she fell to the ground, she turned her head and saw the maidservant looking coldly at her.
At the same time, countless imperial guards emerged around the palace courtyard, surrounding it. With the shadows of people, blades flashed, and the few palace maids who had not yet withdrawn instantly fell, blood splattering everywhere.
