novelden Chapter 151 The Storm Is Brewing
Chapter 151 The Storm Is Brewing
The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.
The young emperor, dressed in a black casual robe, stepped into the palace, his face as gloomy as the calm before a storm.
He sat down in the main seat and looked coldly at Empress Wang. "Empress, Prince Lu made outrageous remarks at the banquet, and the rumors are rampant. Are you really unaware of all this?"
Empress Wang paused for a moment, then gracefully knelt down, blushing as she said, "I have been staying in the palace for a long time lately, and I am busy with many affairs. I am already exhausted both physically and mentally from preparing for the welcoming banquet. I really don't know where these rumors came from."
She paused for a moment, then frowned and raised her face: "But please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and give Your Majesty an explanation."
"Better so."
Pei Yuanling stared intently at the woman seated below him, his voice growing colder, "Empress, I hope this matter has nothing to do with you, otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding our past relationship."
Having said that, he turned and left, leaving Empress Wang slumped on the ground, her face deathly pale.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Seeing that the emperor had left, Lin Qing quickly stepped forward and helped the man up.
Empress Wang clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms, a hint of resentment and unwillingness flashing in her eyes.
What methods did Qiao Qingyin use to make His Majesty so infatuated that he was even willing to turn against her?
"Your Majesty, what should we do now? I'm afraid His Majesty will not let this matter go easily."
Lin Qing remained silent. Who would have thought that after hearing such rumors, His Majesty would not only not harbor any resentment towards Consort Qiao, but would instead become even more doting on her.
"Find a few scapegoats to cover up this, or at the very least, have Qiao Meiren confess."
Empress Wang's eyes flashed with coldness, "I simply do not believe that Consort Qiao could truly disregard fraternal affection and harm Lady Qiao."
"Your Majesty, it seems that Consort Qiao will not easily confess her crimes."
Lin Qing's face showed worry, and her voice trembled slightly, "What if she becomes desperate and turns on us, implicating the Empress? What should we do then?"
If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have let Qiao Qingling do it in the first place.
Upon hearing this, Empress Wang's lips curled into a sinister smile. "She wouldn't dare."
"She is able to stand firm in this palace now entirely because of my support. If she dares to have any disloyal thoughts, I have a thousand ways to make her wish she were dead."
"Furthermore, this matter has not yet been pushed onto her."
Empress Wang had calmed down by this time. She sat upright on the chaise longue, her slender, fair fingers holding a vermilion teacup, gently stirring the floating tea leaves with the cup.
If they really can't get away with it, they can continue doing this, and it won't implicate her.
"Send a message to Consort Qiao and tell her that I have already sent someone to resolve this matter, so that she can rest assured," Empress Wang suddenly said. She took a sip of strong tea, thinking that these insignificant favors were still worth giving.
"This servant obeys the decree." Lin Qing immediately knelt down to accept the order, bowed, and left the palace.
Just as Chu Qingyin had predicted, Qiao Qingling was already pacing anxiously.
Ever since returning from the welcome-home banquet, her heart had been pounding nonstop, making her feel suffocated.
If His Majesty insists on investigating, he will eventually find out about her, and then she will be completely finished.
Qiao Qingling paced back and forth in the hall, at a loss for what to do.
"My lady, what should we do now? If His Majesty finds out, I'm afraid he won't let us off easily."
The speaker was Qiao Qingling's personal maid who had accompanied her to the palace. Her name was Ya'er, and she was only seventeen years old, slightly older than Qiao Qingling. She had been with Qiao Qingling since she entered the palace and was considered her most trusted maid.
"This servant just learned that after His Majesty left Xingyue Palace, he went to the Empress's residence in a rage. Could it be that he has already developed a grudge against Consort Qiao because of this?"
If that's the case, they've already achieved their goal, so there's no need for them to be so terrified.
But if His Majesty goes to the Empress's residence to interrogate her, then they will be in big trouble.
No, we absolutely cannot just sit here and wait to die!
Qiao Qingling pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in her eyes, "Go and prepare, I want to see Consort Qiao."
Although it was summer, the night was cool. Upon hearing this, Ya'er hurriedly went to get her an outer garment to put on.
***
In Xingyue Palace,
The people Xianglan sent out have returned to report that Qiao Qingling has not left the palace since returning. From afar, the palace where she lives is quiet and silent, with only two candles lit.
Qiao Qingling had just left and was heading towards Xingyue Palace.
After hearing the report, Chu Qingyin understood.
This matter was indeed related to her good sister; it hadn't been long before she panicked.
Chu Qingyin slightly raised her eyes, a hint of coldness flashing in them. "She certainly knows how to seize opportunities. Now that she's here, I'll see what she has to say."
No sooner had she finished speaking than an announcement rang out from outside the palace gates, saying that Consort Qiao was worried about her health and had come to visit her.
"Let her in."
Chu Qingyin did not get up, but lay on her side on the bed. Separated by a curtain, she could only see the woman's blurry figure.
Once the outsiders were given permission to pass, Qiao Qingling gracefully arrived, followed by Ya'er who carried a vermilion engraved plate containing two fine bolts of flowing brocade.
Qiao Qingchu stood outside the curtain and slightly curtsied, saying, "Younger sister greets older sister."
"So late, what brings Consort Qiao to my palace?" Chu Qingyin raised a pair of eyes slightly, revealing a hint of mocking coldness.
Qiao Qingling's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of obsequiousness and flattery, "There was an unexpected turn of events at the banquet today. I was worried that you might have been wronged because of it, so I thought I'd come and visit you."
She then had Ya'er hand over the lacquer tray in her hand and said softly, "These two bolts of shimmering brocade were a gift from Her Majesty the Empress to my younger sister. I'm just passing them on to you, elder sister."
Chu Qingyin glanced at the expensive fabric shimmering in the candlelight and chuckled, "Oh? An apology? What does this mean, Miss Qiao? Have you done something wrong?"
They said they were visiting, but they just came to gather information.
Qiao Qingling froze, and the smile on her face almost vanished.
After finally calming herself down, she said awkwardly, "Sister, what are you saying? I was just worried about the rumors at the banquet and I was afraid that you would feel bad. Besides, we are sisters, how could I not show any concern when I see you suffering?"
"Hmph, you are indeed my good sister, but—"
Chu Qingyin's voice suddenly turned sharp, piercing straight at Qiao Qingling, "Where did those rumors come from? I'm sure you know better than I do, Qiao Meiren?"
Qiao Qingling's expression froze. "What do you mean, sister? I don't understand."
"Now it's just the two of us here, so you don't need to pretend to be innocent anymore."
Qiao Qingling pinched her fingers, but her expression didn't show it at all. Her tone revealed a hint of disbelief: "Sister suspects that I spread those rumors?"
Without waiting for Chu Qingyin's reply, she seemed to have suffered a great injustice, tears almost welling up in her eyes: "Sister, how could you think of your younger sister like that!"
"Whether it is true or not, His Majesty will know once he investigates. I am tired, Consort Qiao, please leave."
Seeing her reaction, Chu Qingyin confirmed her suspicions and sneered, "Since this shimmering brocade was bestowed upon you by the Empress, I dare not take what belongs to others. Take it back with you as well."