nashuaworldcup Chapter 392 Everyone gets what they need
Chapter 392 Everyone gets what they need
The hall was once again silent, leaving only the sound of tea dripping from the edge of the table, one drop, two drops, crisp and slow, striking at people's hearts.
Yongzheng slowly turned around and looked out the window.
The distant palace walls, illuminated by the setting sun, looked especially forbidding. The golden-red afterglow cast a dazzling glare on the glazed tiles. The walls towered into the clouds, like an impenetrable barrier, mercilessly sealing countless truths and secrets within. No matter how the torrent of time washed over them, they could not be shaken in the slightest.
"Chun Yuan..." He murmured in a low voice, his voice hoarse.
He slowly closed his eyes, and her face involuntarily emerged in his mind - that gentle and beautiful face, those eyes that were always smiling, and her paleness and helplessness in the last moment, like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into his heart, making him feel unbearable pain.
That name had once been the softest, warmest part of his heart, his only comfort amidst countless intrigues. Her departure was like a sudden, silent storm, sweeping across his entire world with devastating force, wiping out all the beautiful things and leaving behind only a desolate and devastated landscape.
The others stood there dumbfounded, not daring to breathe, watching Yongzheng immersed in painful memories, not daring to make a sound to disturb him.
Qi Yuebin clutched a plain white handkerchief tightly in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly. Her eyes were already red, and tears silently slid down, soaking a corner of the handkerchief.
Zhen Huan sat next to Yongzheng, with just the right amount of concern on her face. Her eyes fell on him gently and attentively, silently conveying comfort.
Shen Meizhuang lowered her head, her fingers twisted together unconsciously, one, two, three... Oh, I actually have five fingers!
An Lingrong's mind wandered. What would she eat tonight? Hot pot with barbecued crayfish? Durian, snail noodles, and stinky tofu? A cup of milk tea? A small cake afterward?
Su Ye lowered his head, folded his hands in front of him, his posture respectful and humble, but in his heart he was silently saying: Rain on me, rain on me, no melon...
Wei Lin fell to the ground, bewildered. What's going on? I don't know!
After an unknown amount of time, when Yongzheng stood up, he didn't say a word, and didn't even look at anyone. He just slowly walked away.
The remaining few people looked at his back, and no one followed him.
Shen Meizhuang waved her hand, and Su Ye and Wei Lin retreated.
When the two of them arrived outside the hall, Wei Lin could not wait to get close to Su Ye and asked in a low voice, "What happened today?"
When Su Ye heard this, he rolled his eyes and said unhappily, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."
Wei Lin's face was full of grievance, and he muttered, "Then tell me what I should and shouldn't ask!"
"You shouldn't have asked that question!"
Su Ye glared at Wei Lin. Seeing this, Wei Lin had no choice but to shrink his neck and shut his mouth in disappointment.
Seeing his expression, Su Ye sighed and whispered, "The less you know about things in the palace, the better. This isn't your first day on duty, so why are you still so ignorant of the rules?"
Wei Lin scratched his head and smiled a little embarrassedly: "I know, I won't ask too much about the ladies' affairs, but since it involves you, I want to know more."
Su Ye frowned and said in a serious tone: "My queen knows how to do things, and we just follow her instructions. Don't ask about these things, or you will get into trouble."
Wei Lin nodded and whispered, "I understand. However, if there is anything you need my help with, you must tell me. Don't carry it alone."
Su Ye's expression softened slightly. "Don't worry, I'll find you if I need anything. Now let's just go about our own business. Don't let anyone see us and gossip about us. It won't be good for the Empress's reputation either."
Having said that, he went back to his room without paying any attention to Wei Lin who wanted to talk.
Wei Lin looked at her back and opened his mouth. In the end, he could only mutter softly: "You really don't understand romance!"
The afterglow of the setting sun gradually faded, and the four people in the hall sat quietly.
An Lingrong spoke first: "Empress Duan, you truly understand the Emperor. This plan was only possible thanks to your planning."
Qi Yuebin paused while sipping her tea and said, "Sister Wen, I only contributed a little. The details were handled by you and Imperial Concubine Xi. I won't compete with you for this credit."
Is this called merit?
To drag Queen Chunyuan and her children into dealing with the Queen is tantamount to opening the bloody wound of the Emperor and pouring salt on it. If the Emperor knew about their conspiracy, they would not be able to bear the emperor's wrath.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. An Lingrong and Qi Yuebin sat opposite each other, their eyes meeting in the air, neither of them willing to give in.
After a moment, Qi Yuebin was the first to retract his gaze, and said with a smile, "Sister Wenfei, when you helped Nian Gengyao, I said I would help you deal with the Queen. Now, I have fulfilled my promise, right?"
Upon hearing this, An Lingrong smiled meaningfully and said slowly, "Your Majesty, you are not helping us, you are helping yourself, helping... Nian Shilan."
She deliberately emphasized the three words "Nian Shilan" and stared at Qi Yuebin.
Sure enough, when she heard the name "Nian Shilan", Qi Yuebin's eyes suddenly condensed, and a terrifying light shot out of her eyes, but soon she regained her composure, with that gentle smile still hanging on the corner of her lips.
Qi Yuebin put down his teacup and looked directly at An Lingrong. "Sister Concubine Wen, she's gone. Why bother mentioning her again? Disturbing her peace will do no good to either you or me."
Her voice was gentle, yet contained a hint of warning.
An Lingrong refused to back down, her smile deepening. "Your Majesty is right. I don't like to mention old friends. I just hope Your Majesty understands that our cooperation is simply about mutual benefit, not helping each other. Your Majesty doesn't have to feel like you've made any promises to me, and we don't feel like we're indebted to Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuebin's calm eyes flashed with a subtle coldness, and the anger in her heart intensified. She clutched the handkerchief tightly in her hand, but her face remained dignified and gentle, but her smile was already a little stiff.
Whether dealing with the empress dowager or the queen, each time was extremely difficult. If I didn't help, they would threaten me and Wen Yi openly or secretly. Now that their goal has been achieved, they still pretend to be hypocritical and say: You didn't help me, you helped yourself.
Qi Yuebin took a deep breath, trying to suppress the rage within her. She knew that in this deep palace, emotions must not be easily revealed. But the rage continued to spread wildly within her heart, making her want to tear off the hypocritical mask immediately and have a good confrontation with An Lingrong.
However, years of experience in the palace had taught her that impulsiveness would only lead to bad things. She could only swallow her anger for the time being, secretly clenching her fists, her nails almost digging into her palms.
"The road to the palace is still very long, we all need to be careful!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
An Lingrong waved her fists several times in the direction she left and said angrily, "Old fox."
Seeing her actions, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang all laughed.
Shen Meizhuang pulled her to her side, patted her on the back affectionately and said, "Okay, Rong'er, don't be angry. No matter how cunning she is, she has been left speechless by you, right? You are the best!"
Zhen Huan also stopped laughing and analyzed, "She always likes to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, waiting for the last fisherman to gain the upper hand. I didn't expect that she would be dragged into the trap again and again this time, and finally put the blame on her. How can she not be angry?"
She paused, looking at An Lingrong with a hint of teasing in her eyes. "But it's good to let her vent. She usually puts on that gentle and virtuous front, but today you've forced her to reveal her true nature a bit, which is quite rare."
An Lingrong's anger subsided slightly after hearing what the two had said, but she still spoke with some resentment, "But she's always like this. On the surface, she acts calm and composed, but behind the scenes, she schemes and plots everything. If we don't keep our guard up against her, sooner or later she'll sell us out and make us the money."
"Okay." Shen Meizhuang said with a smile, "If she sells you, Huan'er and I will definitely prepare the money and buy you back!"
"Sister, you must keep your word!"
"Of course!"