newbobooks Chapter 27 The Imperial Concubine's Attack
Chapter 27 The Imperial Concubine's Attack
"That Miss Lin claimed to be ill, but she wasn't. She even secretly visited the young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion several times." Gu Chang'an said this in a low voice.
He wasn't the type to talk about young ladies' private affairs behind their backs, but since it concerned the Duke's mansion, he still wanted Ah Li to know.
Shen Li was not surprised by this. Others might not know, but she did. Her cousin Xiao Qi was Lin Wan'er's sweetheart. It seemed that only the youngest white horse general of the Great Zhao could win the heart of this daughter of a military family.
However, all of this was pieced together by Shen Li little by little in the later stages of her previous life. She had never heard Lin Wan'er say it herself, so there was one thing she never knew: were the two of them mutually in love or was Lin Wan'er in a one-sided love?
The question about her past life became a mystery after Xiao Qi died in battle three months later. All she knew was that after that, Lin Wan'er lost her flamboyant demeanor as a daughter of a military family and gradually lost her charm in Li Heng's harem.
In this life, she will never let tragedy happen again.
"I must see her tomorrow," Shen Li said firmly.
Gu Chang'an could tell she had something on her mind, but since she didn't say anything, he didn't ask.
"I'll have someone deliver the visiting card tomorrow morning," he said.
Shen Li realized she might have overlooked him when she heard him speak. She immediately leaned against him and felt incredibly at ease listening to his rapid heartbeat.
"Gu Chang'an, I had a very long dream, it felt so real, like it happened in a past life."
Did Ah Li have me in her past life?
"Yes." Shen Li's words were full of regret, feeling sorry for Gu Chang'an in his previous life.
"That's great." Gu Chang'an smiled contentedly.
He didn't care about the ending, or even whether there was an ending at all; as long as Ah Li had him in her dreams, that was enough.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
"He went to the palace?" Shen Li received this news after finishing two tables of breakfast.
"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress is going to perform a ritual in the palace to pray for the souls of those who died in the Northern Border. She requests that Miss Lin accompany her to transcribe some scriptures," Lian Qiao replied.
Shen Li remembered that it was the same at this time in her previous life; it was at this time that the Empress began to have designs on Lin Wan'er.
As a result, the Zhou family caused the Lin family no shortage of trouble in both the imperial court and the inner palace.
In her previous life, Shen Li had no time to worry about these things, because at that same time, someone else was also trying to harm her and almost took her life.
"Miss, someone from the palace has arrived." Ying'er walked in.
Shen Li sighed, "They still came. Looks like I won't get any peace and quiet."
"His Majesty has ordered you to paint a portrait of the Imperial Concubine and requests that you enter the palace for a period of time," a maidservant announced.
The maids in the hall were both surprised and delighted to hear this. The Great Zhao Dynasty currently only has one Imperial Concubine, who has been the most favored concubine in the palace for more than 20 years due to her beauty. Even the Empress has to avoid her sharp edge.
To be able to paint a portrait of this imperial concubine is such an honor; it's something others would beg for.
Only Lianqiao and Ying'er looked a little off. They knew that their young lady was on the side of the Crown Prince, and that Consort Zheng was the birth mother of Prince Yi. The two of them had never lost their ambition to seize the throne.
After receiving the imperial decree, Shen Li returned to her inner room and sat in front of the bronze mirror for dressing, looking at her calm self and Ying'er behind her with an anxious expression.
"Do you have something to say?" Shen Li asked her.
Besides them, the only other people in the room were Shen Li's personal maids who prepared things for her.
"Is Consort Zheng summoning you to the palace at this time perhaps because she is dissatisfied with Liu Ling and harbors resentment?" Ying'er said in a low voice.
Everyone knows that Prince Yi and the Crown Prince are irreconcilable enemies. This time, Liu Ling's embezzlement was reported by officials under Prince Yi, who probably hoped to use this major embezzlement case to bring down the Crown Prince.
Given Gu Chang'an's past ability to manipulate major cases, making this matter a big deal would have been easy for him, but he didn't do that this time, and the matter was thus minimized and resolved.
His Majesty's punishment for the Crown Prince was merely confinement to his home for quiet contemplation, forbidding him from seeing any officials.
If she were Consort Zheng, she would surely not be content with this.
"Probably." Shen Li looked at herself in the mirror. "In your opinion, how can I save my life?"
"This..." Ying'er couldn't answer for a moment and lowered her head slightly.
The best solution, of course, would be for the Empress to step in and suppress Consort Zheng, preventing Shen Li from entering the palace or providing her with some assistance within the palace.
But this would mean the Empress would have to confront Consort Zheng head-on. Although there was a chance of winning, it would be risky. How could Shen Li be worth the Empress and the Crown Prince taking such a risk?
A knowing yet mocking smile flashed across Shen Li's eyes. She didn't really need to test her; it had been the same in her previous life.
Knowing that Consort Zheng was plotting something wicked, the Empress and the Crown Prince's side only told her to be patient and careful in everything she did, without offering any substantial help.
You have to understand that in her previous life, Gu Chang'an was almost beaten to death because Liu Ling committed suicide. If they were like that back then, how could they possibly help her in this life?
"A single misstep in the inner palace could cost you your life; the best course of action is naturally to stay away," Lian Qiao said from the side. "Miss, why don't you go and plead with the Empress or the Empress Dowager?"
“Since it’s an imperial edict, there’s no use asking anyone.” Shen Li carefully selected the earrings on the table and casually said, “According to etiquette, I can only bring one maid.”
"This servant will go with you..." Lianqiao and Shaoyao said in unison.
Shen Li's gaze fell on Ying'er.
"I am familiar with the palace, please take me with you," Ying'er said, forcing herself to speak.
Consort Zheng would definitely deal with her once she found out her background, but she thought that given Shen Li's loyalty to His Highness, she wouldn't let her go.
"Okay, you're the one." Shen Li immediately agreed after Ying'er spoke.
She finally chose a pair of pearl earrings before looking up at Ying'er's stiff face in the mirror and asking, "Do these look good?"
In her previous life, she didn't take Ying'er with her because she wanted to protect her. Now that she finally had this opportunity, it was time to push this girl to the front to take the hits.
And also, let's see how capable she is, someone who grew up in the palace.
Consort Zheng did not want this matter to become complicated, so she chose to launch a sudden attack. By the time Gu Chang'an received the news, Shen Li had already entered the palace.
"What?" Gu Chang'an's hand gripping the bamboo slip tightened, his knuckles turning white.
"Sir, this is a note left for you by the lady. Miss Lianqiao asked me to give it to you." Chunsheng handed over a small scroll of paper.
Gu Chang'an practically snatched the note, unfolding it to reveal a calmly written message in small, neat characters: 'Husband, don't worry, I have a way to escape. Eat more and rest more; I'll be angry if you get thin.'
"My lord, Miss Lianqiao also asked me to pass on a message to you, saying that Madam instructed you to follow the note carefully and trust her," Chunsheng continued.
Gu Chang'an traced each word with his pale fingers, and after a moment he raised his head and said to the shadow, "Send messages to the Dark Web and the Flying Fish Guards. I need to know everything that happens in the palace in the future."
"Yes," the shadow replied and left.
As soon as the shadow left, Gu Chang'an stood up: "Summon the jailer, I want to interrogate some people myself."
“Yes…” Chunsheng felt that the master was not doing things according to the note. Judging from Lianqiao’s expression, she was trying to keep their master in check.
But he didn't dare to question it, lest he add fuel to the fire.
After the room was empty, Gu Chang'an looked at the note in his hand again, but his eyes gradually turned from gentle to cold.
Anyone who dares to touch his Ah Li will regret ever being born.