Chapter 197: Rui Wang
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Liu Qingru held the child’s tiny hand in the palm of her hand, soft and gentle, bathed in the warm light, casting a delicate pink hue.
In the afternoon sunlight, with clear skies, she leaned beside the cradle, humming a soft tune. She lovingly stroked the baby’s smooth little hand, unable to get enough of it.
“Your Highness,” a senior palace maid whispered from behind the beaded curtain, “The Emperor is coming. There are two gates left.”
Straightening the blankets in the cradle one more time, Liu Qingru smoothed her hair and rose to greet him.
Compared to the state he was in over half a month ago when he couldn’t even get out of bed, Emperor Yu had improved greatly. Stepping onto the steps of the Lijing Palace, he didn’t need Yu Dexi’s assistance and went straight to hold Liu Qingru’s hand.
“Why are you out here? I thought you would be taking care of Lan Er at this time.”
Liu Qingru smiled lightly. “Lan Er has just fallen asleep. Do you want me to bring him out?”
“Forget it, children should sleep more to grow well.”
Emperor Yu removed his cloak, sipped tea, and tasted a couple bites of Ruyi cake from her hand before urging her to sit down.
“I haven’t visited you in these past few days. Has Lan Er been behaving? Is he keeping you up day and night? You’ve worked hard.”
“Lan Er has been very well-behaved. It hasn’t been hard,” Liu Qingru covered her mouth with her handkerchief and asked with a light smile, “Is the Emperor implying that I seem more haggard than before?”
Emperor Yu burst into laughter. “We’re both parents now. How is it that you’ve developed the delicate temperament of a young girl? Ah Ru, you’re naturally beautiful, and you still look as charming as when I first saw you.”
“Don’t try to deceive me, Your Majesty. I will treat it as truth.”
Liu Qingru retrieved a warmed hand stove from a palace maid. Since autumn had arrived, the air was getting colder, and the charcoal stoves were stuffy. After sitting for a long time, the coldness was noticeable. The warm hand stove was just right.
Emperor Yu took it from her, sighing comfortably in the warmth. “It’s so much better here, peaceful and warm.”
“I also enjoy sitting like this with Your Majesty. It’s just that Your Majesty is busy, and I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
He looked at her side profile. The sunlight outlined her gentle and smooth facial features, still serene like a young girl. He couldn’t help but reach out and touch her.
“Qingru, we haven’t seen each other much lately. How come we’re growing apart? Don’t you want to say something to me?”
Liu Qingru paused for a moment before slowly kneeling down.
“Is Your Majesty waiting for me to mention Zhongming? I won’t deceive you. Before, when Zhongming wasn’t in court, I did indeed criticize him for not striving for success.”
“But now I know that him being safe and sound is better than anything.”
“I’m just a woman of the palace and dare not speak out of turn. But I’m also Zhongming’s older sister, and I know that he’s straightforward and uncalculating. He appears domineering, but he often ends up at a disadvantage.”
“This time, before he returned, I couldn’t sleep day or night out of worry. If Your Majesty blames me, I’ve considered it. I want to keep him away from conflicts in the future and not let him take unnecessary risks.”
“But he’s stubborn. I can’t persuade him. I can only beg Your Majesty to take care of and pity him more. Don’t let him…”
The rest of her words were choked by her low sobbing.
“Zhongming has grown up under my watch. Naturally, I will cherish and protect him.” Emperor Yu helped her up and covered her hand with his own. “Fortunately, he’s fortunate this time and returned safely.”
Speaking of this, Emperor Yu couldn’t help but feel lingering fear.
Thinking back to when the eldest son of the Liu family had an accident, the whole court was in turmoil. Even the usually calm and steady Marquis Anding refused to give in easily, forcing him to make concessions time and time again.
If something were to happen to the shizi of the Liu family again, especially given the matter with the Empress Dowager, with both families pressing in, there might not be a peaceful day for a year or two.
They might even have to sacrifice Qu Chenzhou to placate the situation.
Fortunately, heaven’s favor was upon them. Liu Zhongming survived the fall from the cliff miraculously and was escorted back to the capital by the Bai family’s soldiers.
The only somewhat troublesome matter was that Liu Zhongming was not one to take a loss lying down. On the day he returned to the capital, he went straight to the palace and claimed that the Wood Spirit should have been his, but Qu Chenzhou had attacked him in secret and stolen his credit.
If it were anyone else, Emperor Yu might have let it slide and left it to the Liu family to handle. But unfortunately, it was Qu Chenzhou.
That jade pendant finally allowed him to settle down. Not only did he sleep well every day, but Qu Chenzhou also brewed pills that complemented the Wood Spirit for him. Without this, he wouldn’t have recovered his vitality so quickly.
Now that Liu Zhongming had returned safely, there was no way Qu Chenzhou could be handed over. The Liu family needed appeasement as well.
Over the years, he had supported numerous rivalries in their struggles, but never before had he faced such a headache, such a challenging situation. He was reluctant to let go of any of them, each one was worth investing in, and none could be replaced.
Furthermore, the Tang family was still causing a ruckus. He had suppressed it for a long time, and it might only be a step away from an open conflict.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
Liu Zhongming, who came to ask for an explanation, was now his best tool.
“Qingru,” Emperor Yu’s voice turned gentle, “I know you have a gentle nature and dislike conflict. If everyone in the harem were like you, I would have been spared much worry.”
Liu Qingru’s eyes moistened slightly as she replied, “Your Majesty, you flatter me. I am only trying to fulfill my duties.”
“Although it’s true that Qu Chenzhou brought back something this time, I won’t mistreat Zhongming either. He must have gone through hardships on this journey, and I naturally remember his contributions.”
Emperor Yu fixed his gaze on her and asked softly, “Ah Ru, Lan Er will grow up one day. Which character do you like? Tell me.”
Liu Qingru was momentarily surprised, then knelt down and refused to stand up again.
“Your Majesty! Lan Er is still young, and his character is unknown. I dare not ask for too much. I only hope he grows up healthy and safe. I don’t need anything else.”
“What if I insist?” Emperor Yu narrowed his eyes.
“Your Majesty is the ruler of the world. I dare not go against your will,” Liu Qingru lowered her head slightly, “If Your Majesty insists, please allow me to choose a title for Lan Er.”
“You people,” Emperor Yu chuckled helplessly, “In your bones, you’re really like your father—content and unassuming. Rest assured, with me protecting you, you can handle any level of favor.”
Liu Qingru bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty, on behalf of Lan Er.”
Seeing that she was unwilling to speak up, Emperor Yu’s concern was dispelled. He reached out and pulled her up. “How about the name Rui? It signifies intelligence and exceptional talent.”
Rui…
“Rui Wang?” Liu Qingru watched Emperor Yu’s figure disappear outside the palace gate and then instructed a nearby palace maid, “Go ask Zhongming to bring some of the new embroidery samples from the workshop, preferably plum blossom patterns. Do it right away.”
***
Mu Jingzhao clung to the window bars, gazing outside. The once freely accessible spaces were now divided into small segments, and he was so desperate that he wished he could cut himself into pieces to silently slip away.
The wooden door creaked, and a palace servant entered carrying a tray, setting the meal on the table in silence and then preparing to leave.
“Wait, wait a moment!” Mu Jingzhao disregarded his dignity and grabbed the person before they could leave, nearly bursting into tears.
“Miss, how is it outside now? Has the Emperor sought justice for me? What about the Royal Mother? Why hasn’t she come to see me? My uncle! Why hasn’t anyone come to see me? Did they forget about me? I am innocent! I am truly innocent!”
The palace servant didn’t dare to engage with him and hastily pulled her sleeve free, keeping her head down as she hurried out.
The gap between the two doors closed, shutting out the sunlight and enveloping the room in a maddening cold silence.
Unable to bear it any longer, Mu Jingzhao let out a piercing scream, wanting to overturn the table. But he had learned his lesson—overturning the table only meant waiting hungrily until the next meal. He reluctantly withdrew his hand and slumped over the table, sobbing and crying out.
“Why doesn’t anyone believe me? I truly haven’t done anything!”
A knock sounded at the door, light taps at first. Initially, he thought he was going mad and had misheard, but then came two more knocks, followed by a familiar voice calling, “Your Highness.”
Mu Jingzhao’s tears welled up instantly, and he hurriedly reached for the door. “Zhongming! Is it really you?”
Through the window paper, he saw a blurry figure exchange a few words with the guards and then push open the door.
“Zhongming! It’s really you! When did you come back?” He rushed towards him like a savior, choking up, “I never expected that you would come to see me at a time like this. It’s you. It’s you who came to visit me. Our friendship isn’t in vain.”
“Your Highness, please calm down,” Liu Zhongming reached out and patted his shoulder, guiding him to sit at the table, “I was allowed to come here by the Emperor, and the Empress also entrusted me. She’s concerned about Your Highness’s distress here.”
“How can I not be distressed!”
Finally seeing a familiar face, Mu Jingzhao finally found a place to vent. As he relaxed, he realized how hungry he was. He hurriedly cleared the contents of the food box, wolfing down a few bites, before suddenly shedding a few tears.
Liu Zhongming was puzzled. “Your Highness, what’s going on? Isn’t this the right time for me to come?”
“It’s the right time! It’s absolutely the right time!” Mu Jingzhao wiped his tears hastily and said in a rush, “Since the Emperor allowed you to come, does that mean he’s going to release me? I am truly innocent.”
“Your Highness, don’t panic,” Liu Zhongming comforted him patiently, “To be honest, I’ve only recently returned, and I haven’t fully understood what happened on your end. Take your time eating, and we can talk after you finish.”
Mu Jingzhao caught on to the gist. He realized that Liu Zhongming, the only person who was allowed to see him by the Emperor and who was willing to inquire about the events of that day, was there to help prove his innocence.
“Zhongming, you’re truly a good friend. Let me tell you, I really didn’t do anything that day. I just stepped out briefly to relieve myself, and then I saw someone—truly, I’m not lying to you. I thought it was Chenzhou at first, but when I looked a little longer, it wasn’t as graceful as Chenzhou.”
“Hey, I just followed up, and I saw the Empress Dowager resting in the courtyard. I couldn’t just leave, so I went in to greet her.”
“I was having tea with her when suddenly, Xi Gonggong handed me a knife from behind. Before I could react, the knife…” Mu Jingzhao stumbled over his words, the mere recollection terrifying enough.
Liu Zhongming continued, “Xi Gonggong forced you to hold the knife and stab the Empress Dowager with it, then injured himself?”
“Yes, yes!” Mu Jingzhao exclaimed loudly. “Exactly! They screamed so I did too. But when Bo Yan and his men entered, they saw the knife in my hand! No one has listened to me until now!”
“It’s not that no one is willing to listen,” Liu Zhongming patiently asked, “Your Highness, were there others present at the time?”
“No…no one else.”
“That’s it. The Empress Dowager passed away, and by the time I returned to the capital, she had already been buried,” Liu Zhongming sighed for him. “Xi Gonggong hanged himself, following the Empress Dowager. No one else saw it, so there’s no one to verify whether what you’re saying is true or false.”
Mu Jingzhao was stunned, suddenly panicked. “What do you mean? Are you saying I’m the murderer? I’m not! Zhongming, what should I do? What should I do?”
“Your Highness, please calm down,” Liu Zhongming lowered his head, deep in thought for a moment. “When you stabbed the Empress Dowager, did she try to dodge?”
“No! But…maybe it’s because she’s old now…That Xi Gonggong! That despicable man! I never suspected he harbored such intentions! He was always so subtle!”
“Did the Empress Dowager cry for help?”
“No,” Mu Jingzhao suddenly realized and grew even more confused. “Could it be…could it be that the Empress Dowager ordered Xi Gonggong? But that’s impossible! It involves a person’s life!”
“Then, Your Highness, have you considered why the Empress Dowager and Xi Gonggong would do this?”
That was precisely the part that Mu Jingzhao couldn’t understand. He had spent time alone with the Empress Dowager before and never thought such an event could happen.
Liu Zhongming counted on his fingers as he explained.
“First, the person who led you there resembled Qu Sitian.”
“Second, Your Highness might remember that before this incident, Qu Sitian went to the Empress Dowager’s palace in the middle of the night and had a lengthy conversation.”
“Third, I learned from the Emperor that before Qu Sitian left the capital, he told the Emperor not to meet the Empress Dowager alone.”
“Has Your Highness figured out the implication?”
Mu Jingzhao stared at Liu Zhongming’s fingers, dumfounded. “Zhongming…my mind is a mess. Just tell me directly.”
“Your Highness, the person who has the most motive to harm you is Qu Chenzhou.”
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