northernbook Chapter 183 Return to the Palace
Chapter 183 Return to the Palace
"I'd rather you suffer than have all my previous efforts go to waste."
Pei Yuanling embraced his beloved woman, his eyes tender, "Yinyin, don't misunderstand my feelings for you anymore."
Chu Qingyin's heart stirred slightly, but when she thought of her family's injustice, her eyes dimmed a little.
"With Your Majesty's words, I no longer feel sad."
She nestled in Pei Yuanling's arms and whispered, "Now, I only hope that my brother can leave prison as soon as possible and clear his name."
Pei Yuanling's expression darkened, and he couldn't help but tighten his arms around her.
After a long pause, he said, "I promise you, I will find out the truth as soon as possible."
The two embraced in the pavilion for a long time until they coaxed Chu Qingyin to sleep, at which point Pei Yuanling quietly left Xingyue Palace.
The next day, after leaving Consort Li's palace, he immediately issued an imperial edict, bestowing upon Consort Li the title of Fifth-Rank Jieyu.
As for the investiture and rewards, those will be arranged after we return to the palace.
No one knew that he went to Xingyue Palace alone last night.
When Chu Qingyin woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Thinking back on everything that happened yesterday, she sighed helplessly.
The matter of Consort Li being promoted to the rank of Jieyu did not stir much emotion in her heart.
However, within this palace, numerous rumors have already circulated about her falling out of favor. These rumors are quite detailed and have provided ample entertainment for those who are at odds with her.
Chu Qingyin didn't care, since outsiders didn't know that although Pei Yuanling had been staying at Consort Li's residence every night for the past few days, he had been quietly going to Xingyue Palace late at night.
Perhaps he was so angry with the courtiers during the day that he tormented her even more violently at night, almost to the point of making her faint before he would stop.
Chu Qingyin had unspeakable suffering.
The weather was no longer hot, and the day of returning to the palace was approaching. The Empress Dowager, having achieved her goal, no longer kept an eye on Pei Yuanling's nightly favors of that concubine.
As long as he doesn't favor Chu Qingyin exclusively, the Empress Dowager won't interfere too much in this matter.
They only hoped that Consort Li, who was favored by the emperor, would conceive a child soon, and it would be good if she were sent to live with the empress.
As August approached, the emperor, accompanied by his concubines and officials, set off to return to the palace.
The entire palace was bustling with activity, preparing for the return to the main palace.
Chu Qingyin got up early and got ready. To make it easier to move around, she changed into a simpler outfit today.
Just as she finished tidying up her makeup, she heard a series of steady footsteps coming from outside the palace.
Without much thought, it was clear that Pei Yuanling had arrived.
Chu Qingyin immediately put on a smile and went out to greet him: "The court is busy, Your Majesty, why have you come at this time?"
"I was worried about you, so I came to check on you."
Perhaps because he had been rushing, the man's breathing was still a little rapid.
"This journey back to the capital will be arduous, and I will not be able to protect you at all times. I will have Gu Li stay by your side. If anything happens, just have him come and explain to me."
Pei Yuanling explained his arrangements to her, and worried that she might be unhappy, he added, "Don't worry, I will definitely come to keep you company after I'm done with my work."
"Your Majesty need not worry."
Chu Qingyin gave a gentle smile at the right moment, then hugged the man's waist, looking very considerate, "Your Majesty has arranged everything so thoroughly, what more could I ask for?"
She knew Gu Li; as Pei Yuanling's confidant, he had appeared in front of her quite often in her past life.
Presumably, the assassin who was discovered earlier to be sent by the Wang family was Gu Li.
Pei Yuanling raised his hand and gently stroked the top of Chu Qingyin's head, his eyes filled with tenderness: "You've really been wronged these past few days."
He had naturally heard the rumors circulating in the palace, but he did not have anyone stop them.
This further confirms the fact that Chu Qingyin has fallen out of favor.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.
It turned out that Chen Zhongliang had rushed over and bowed to the two men after entering the hall: "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
Pei Yuanling nodded and looked at Chu Qingyin: "Yinyin, I will take my leave first."
Chu Qingyin curtsied and watched the two leave.
As the emperor, he should naturally be accompanied by the empress at this time.
Thinking of this, Chu Qingyin didn't feel much emotion. She simply had Kang Luhai pack all the trunks and have them put on the carriage before getting up and walking towards the palace gate.
As Chu Qingyin turned the corner, a young man dressed as a guard joined her.
She naturally recognized the other party, as he was Pei Yuanling's confidant, and she couldn't be careless with the proper etiquette. So she nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Gu."
The other party simply returned her greeting in a lukewarm manner.
Chu Qingyin was not surprised by Gu Li's attitude.
He was currently only wearing a face that resembled Chu Qingyin's, and he was unaware of his true identity.
As Pei Yuanling's confidant, it's understandable that he looked down on his stand-in.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, Chu Qingyin discovered that the imperial concubines were already waiting in front of their respective carriages.
Li Jieyu looked exceptionally radiant and beautiful today, wearing a silk dress embroidered with flowers, a jade hairpin in her hair, and with a rosy complexion.
At this time, she was riding high on her success, and was accompanied by several close concubines.
Seeing Chu Qingyin approach, a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes.
However, since her rank was still lower than the other's, she had no choice but to patiently bow to her: "This concubine greets Noble Consort Sister."
Chu Qingyin glanced at her sideways and simply said, "No need for formalities."
After saying this, he headed towards his own carriage.
Consort Li did not move aside, but raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Sister Qiao, you don't look well. Did you not sleep well last night?"
Chu Qingyin sneered inwardly, but maintained a gentle smile on her face: "Consort Li is joking. Whether I rested well last night or not, doesn't my sister know best?"
"But my sister looks radiant today; it must be because the promotion has put her in a great mood."
Sensing the implication in her words, Consort Li's expression changed slightly, but she forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Qiao. His Majesty will decide on the matter of the promotion. I am just naturally overjoyed."
Consort Li's words were sarcastic, but Chu Qingyin was not annoyed. She simply replied calmly, "I must congratulate you on gaining His Majesty's favor, sister."
Upon hearing this, the other party chuckled lightly, as if about to say something, when they saw the Empress's carriage slowly approaching.
Everyone quickly fell silent and bowed.
With the help of palace maids, Empress Wang stepped down from the carriage. Her gaze swept over the crowd, and she said dignifiedly, "Rise, all of you. His Majesty will arrive shortly. Be prepared to depart at any time."
Everyone thanked the emperor and stood up, saying, "Yes."
Empress Wang's gaze lingered on Chu Qingyin for a moment, then she gave her a concerned smile: "Consort Qiao hasn't been resting well these past few days; you look quite thin."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Perhaps it is because your appetite has decreased since you fell ill a few days ago."
Chu Qingyin bowed to him, her voice much weaker, and her originally fair face now looked even more sickly.
Empress Wang sighed with concern: "You must have the imperial physician examine you properly. You need to take good care of your health so that His Majesty won't worry."
Chu Qingyin curtsied and replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will follow your instructions."
As the two were talking, Pei Yuanling walked over, surrounded by a large group of court officials.