northernbook Chapter 221: Past Events of the Former Dynasty
Chapter 221: Past Events of the Former Dynasty
The son of Crown Prince Zhangxian?
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin frowned.
The case of Crown Prince Zhangxian's rebellion was too far in the past; she wasn't even born then, so she had no way of knowing the specifics.
There must be a reason why my brother brought this up suddenly.
Chu Qingyin looked at Chu Tianheng with a puzzled expression: "Didn't the entire Crown Prince Zhang Xian's family burn to death in a fire?"
Seeing her bewildered expression, Chu Tianheng straightened his expression.
He leaned closer to Chu Qingyin and lowered his voice, saying, "Back then, Crown Prince Zhangxian was purged along with his entire family because of the witchcraft case. The Imperial Guards surrounded the Crown Prince's residence, burning, killing, and looting. The Crown Princess also perished in the fire, but the three-year-old eldest grandson of the Emperor disappeared during the chaos."
"My father had been secretly investigating this matter, and after his death, he told me about it. There are clues suggesting that Lu Zhiheng may very well be the missing eldest grandson of the emperor!"
Chu Qingyin's eyes widened in shock: "How is this possible..."
She could hardly believe that the deposed crown prince's child was now so openly serving as an official in the court, and even becoming the prime minister!
"I didn't want to believe it at first, but all the evidence shows that this is by no means unfounded."
Chu Tianheng sighed slightly, "Lu Zhiheng's influence in the court is expanding so rapidly; there must be a force supporting him behind the scenes."
"Since the Lu family of Changyuan dared to harbor the eldest grandson of the emperor, they probably already had the intention to support the emperor. Perhaps they have been lying low for many years, waiting for an opportunity to make a comeback."
Chu Qingyin felt a chill run down her spine.
She never imagined that the seemingly refined and proud Lu Zhiheng was carrying such a shocking conspiracy.
"The reason I went to prison was not only because the Wang family framed me, but also because Lu Zhiheng played a significant role in it. It turns out that all of this was just my guess, but before the incident, Lu Zhiheng had thought about winning over the Chu family, which made me certain of my guess."
These words struck Chu Qingyin like a bolt from the blue.
She never imagined that the truth would be like this.
She clenched her fists instinctively and looked anxiously at her brother: "What should we do now? If Lu Zhiheng really has such ambitions, what will he do next?"
“Now that Pei Yuanling has broken ties with the Wang family, Lu Zhiheng will only speed up his actions and will make his move when the time is right.”
Chu Tianheng looked at Chu Qingyin with a calm gaze. "I have already sent a message to my clansmen, asking them to postpone their return to the capital. Yinyin, it is no longer safe for you to stay in the palace. What are your plans?"
Chu Tianheng was afraid that his sister still had feelings for Pei Yuanling and was unwilling to leave, so he asked the question with some trepidation in his heart.
According to his investigation, Minister Qiao Gongquan had been colluding with Lu Zhiheng. Now that Chu Qingyin is a daughter of the Qiao family, even if there is a palace coup in the future, she should not be implicated.
If she still intends to stay, then I will also stay in the capital so that we can look after each other in the future.
"I...I don't know yet."
Chu Qingyin shook her head, feeling overwhelmed by all the information she had received. "Brother, if that day ever comes, just leave the capital and don't worry about me. After all, I'm living in the body of Qiao Gongquan's daughter, and I doubt that old man would just abandon me."
As darkness fell, she knew she didn't have much time left outside the palace.
After hastily explaining her plans, Chu Qingyin bid farewell to Chu Tianheng and returned to the palace.
Her heart finally settled down when the carriage stopped in front of Feixue Palace.
"Yinyin is finally back."
Pei Yuanling sat in the hall, dressed in a black robe, his black hair tied up high.
Upon seeing Chu Qingyin enter, he immediately stood up, took a few steps forward, and pulled her into his arms. "I thought that after seeing General Chu, you wouldn't want to return to the palace."
To show that he trusted her, he did not send anyone to accompany her on this trip.
If Chu Qingyin wanted to escape, this would be an excellent opportunity.
"Your Majesty, how could I not return?"
Chu Qingyin hugged him and buried her head in his chest. "I just haven't seen my brother for a long time and have a lot to say to him, which is why I came back late."
Pei Yuanling stared into her eyes, as if trying to find out her true thoughts from her gaze.
A moment later, he slightly released Chu Qingyin, took her hand and led her to sit down on the couch, asking casually, "What did you and General Chu talk about?"
Chu Qingyin's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface.
She lowered her eyes, concealing the defensiveness in them, and said softly, "It was just a casual chat. My brother asked me if I was doing well in the palace and told me to serve His Majesty well in the future."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's lips curled up slightly, revealing a satisfied smile.
However, the next moment, his tone suddenly turned cold. He stroked the woman's soft cheek with one hand, and his voice became even lower: "Yinyin, you'd better not lie to me. The situation in the court is turbulent now, and I do not want you to get involved in any disputes."
Chu Qingyin felt a chill run down her spine.
She knew Pei Yuanling was warning her, but how could she stand idly by?
Taking a deep breath, she looked up and met Pei Yuanling's eyes directly, her expression full of innocence and grievance: "What does Your Majesty mean by this? Does Your Majesty not trust me? If so, why did you allow me to leave the palace to meet my brother?"
Seeing her tears, Pei Yuanling's heart softened. He quickly raised his hand to gently wipe away the tears on her cheeks, and his tone softened a bit: "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that the court is currently in turmoil, and I'm really worried that you will be implicated."
Chu Qingyin did not answer. Hearing his words, she simply buried her head in Pei Yuanling's arms, as if seeking protection.
Pei Yuanling took the opportunity to hug her tightly and gently patted her back to comfort her.
"But Your Majesty... please don't abandon me again..." Chu Qingyin's charming voice was thick with nasal tone.
Now that his brother has been rescued, it's only natural that he should be given something in return.
The woman's soft, boneless hands climbed onto the man's neck. Chu Qingyin tilted her head slightly, her beautiful, tearful eyes gazing mistily at Pei Yuanling. Anyone who saw her would feel pity for her.
Looking at the pitiful and delicate beauty in front of him, Pei Yuanling's guard instantly dissipated by more than half.
He held her even tighter, as if he wanted to meld her into his body.
"Yinyin, how could I abandon you?"
Pei Yuanling placed a kiss on her hair, his voice low and firm, "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I won't let you get hurt."
Chu Qingyin sneered inwardly, but on the surface she still maintained the coquettish demeanor of a young girl, "Your Majesty is so good to me. I have no way to repay you, so I can only stay by Your Majesty's side for the rest of my life."
As she spoke, she gently bit the man's earlobe.
The atmosphere instantly became ambiguous.
Pei Yuanling's breath hitched. Looking at the woman in his arms, who was as beautiful as a delicate flower, his breath, which had just calmed down, was stirred up again by the enchanting atmosphere.
His hands tightened unconsciously, his voice slightly hoarse: "Little thing, you always like to tease me like this."
Chu Qingyin giggled and gently drew circles on his chest with her finger. "Your Majesty, this is how I express my feelings."
The two had not shared a bed for many days, and now their passion was like dry tinder, igniting an uncontrollable flame.
Looking at Chu Qingyin, who was smiling in his arms, Pei Yuanling felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
He lowered his head slightly, his lips seeking those rose petal-like lips.
At first, there was a bit of caution, but then it became more and more urgent, as if to pour all the longing of these past days into this kiss.
Chu Qingyin went along with him, but her mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.
She had long understood that although he loved her, he loved the throne even more.
Before the throne, no matter how much one does, one can be abandoned at any time.
For example, in my past life, the time I died in the cold palace.
The person is already dead, so what's the point of pretending to be affectionate now?
Pei Yuanling's hand slowly slid down Chu Qingyin's back, caressing her waist.
Chu Qingyin's delicate body trembled slightly, and she let out a soft moan.
The sound seemed to ignite a fuse in the man's heart; he held her even tighter and then rolled over, pressing her down onto the couch.
"His Majesty……"
Chu Qingyin gazed at him with tender affection, her eyes filled with alluring charm.
The two embraced each other, and even the changing colors of the world couldn't compare to the tenderness they felt at that moment.
Chu Qingyin craned her neck to look at the carved bed corridor, her upturned eyes suddenly becoming a little moist.
The person on her body was her former love, but now, knowing that someone would betray her, she chose to keep it a secret.
He was heartless, but she wasn't exactly a righteous person either.
Just as the atmosphere was getting more and more heated, Pei Yuanling suddenly stopped.
He lowered his dark eyes, gazing at the alluring woman beneath him, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
Why is Yinyin crying?
Chu Qingyin felt a pang of panic, but quickly forced a smile, saying with a hint of coquettishness, "I am just so happy. Now that my brother's matter is settled, I can finally rest easy."
"I see……"
Pei Yuanling gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and coaxed her softly, "Now that your brother has been released from prison and the Duke's Mansion has been exonerated, there is no longer any obstacle between us, and we can start over."