Pei Jinheng silently watched her, this woman who had grown up with him, his childhood friend. Back then, they were carefree and innocent, and Mrs. Pei and Long Yue’s mother shared so affection, thus sealing their marriage agreent.
He had always been satisfied with this marriage proposal. Long Yue, being the number one beauty of Shengjing City and the daughter of the Minister Mansion, was admired by many n, and he was one of them.
Being able to marry her was a kind of happiness.
But that ti, when he saw her hugging and embracing another man, he was so infuriated that he made the foolish act of tearing up the marriage contract. Once he cald down, he regretted it.
He had wanted to explain and reconcile with Long Yue, but Pang Wenzheng stopped him.
He said, "Cao Yin couldn’t be on the sa side as them, even if he married Long Yue, he wouldn’t gain Cao Yin’s support. On the contrary, Long Yue didn’t know about their plans and might beco a burden."
Pang Wenzheng insisted on sacrificing personal feelings for the bigger picture, which ultimately led to a lifeti of regret, watching the woman he loved fall into another man’s arms!
Pei Jinheng felt hatred in his heart!
He was unwilling!
A woman who should have been his ended up with that poor boy from the countryside!
Pei Jinheng’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched unconsciously. He looked at Long Yue, his gaze becoming profound.
"You will return to my side!"
Having said this, Pei Jinheng ignored the stunned Long Yue and strode out of the Pei Mansion.
Long Yue silently watched his departing figure, chuckling lightly.
How ridiculous, to think she would return to him? This man must be crazy!
Not taking Pei Jinheng’s mad words to heart, Long Yue returned to the General Mansion.
Li Qingmu had already returned from the court, and dinner was laid out on the dining table. He picked up a book and sat quietly in the hall reading. Seeing his little wife return, he showed a gentle smile and closed the book.
The weather was gradually heating up, and Li Qingmu wore lighter clothes, a loose robe draped over him, exposing two alluring collarbones. His long hair was casually spread out, emanating a wild charm.
When Long Yue ca in, she was montarily dazed by his appearance, her heart racing.
"You... seem to be in a good mood today?"
"Yes, the Imperial Censorate remains calm; this tranquility might last for a while."
"Why?"
Li Qingmu gently hugged Long Yue, slightly raising his head to gaze at the gradually darkening sky, where a moon was rising, fuller than the day before.
"This might be the calm before the storm!"
Long Yue suddenly rembered the tree and inford him of it.
"Not a lychee tree? A Heart-devouring Fruit Tree?"
Li Qingmu’s pupils narrowed slightly, his eyes flashing dangerously!
The Heart-devouring Fruit Tree captures the soul, driving one insane!
He had read about it in an ancient book; they didn’t have it in the Central Plains, only in the primordial forests of the Southern Ocean. What was the Lady of the Southern Country intending by offering such a tree?
Its intent seed obvious!
"This matter is crucial. I will inform the Young Prince!"
"No need, I’m here!"
Qi Jingyu entered with his hands clasped behind him, head slightly tilted up, like a little adult.
"The Nanyang Shixin Fruit Tree, humph, delivering such a thing here, fortunately, Mr. Duanmu was insightful; otherwise, who would know this was not a fruit tree but a deadly poison tree? Soone plans to harm Grandpa!"
Qi Jingyu cut straight to the point.
Li Qingmu’s face turned cold, his hands unintentionally clenched.
"Lady of the Southern Country, Empress Dowager Xue, Pang Wenzheng, Pei Jinheng, it seems these people are problematic, very problematic! Li Qingmu, in the coming days, be active in the Imperial Censorate, openly impeach those ministers and secretly investigate Pang Wenzheng and others!"
"Strengthen the apparent route, obscure the real path? I understand!"
Li Qingmu paused, "Has the Princely Heir found anything in his research?"
Shi Qin stepped forward, embarrassed, "Not yet, but I can confirm that yesterday’s Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet likely had an ulterior motive. However, the palace is the Emperor’s domain, and our informants at Fei Luan Pavilion dare not tread lightly, lest it violates taboos."
Certainly, Qi Yun may share Yulong Pavilion’s forces with the Seventeenth Prince and Princess Consort Yun, but he wouldn’t deploy everyone out; the palace must retain sufficient people to avoid becoming blind and deaf.
Fei Luan Pavilion refrains from infiltrating the palace, knowing their boundaries.
"The Empress Dowager held a banquet, should she not have invited so ladies instead? But she invited so many ministers... there’s sothing fishy here, but we lack evidence."
Li Qingmu rubbed his chin, pondering, "Is there any movent from the Emperor?"
"Even if the Emperor knew, he wouldn’t make a move!"
Qi Jingyu snorted lightly, displaying a small arrogance. "He’s an Emperor; getting flustered over trivial matters and jumping around anxiously lacks dignity! But don’t think that just because the Emperor doesn’t act, it ans he’s oblivious to Empress Dowager Xue and their sches!"
Li Qingmu was slightly surprised, looking at him with astonishnt.
"What? You don’t believe? Grandpa’s thods are impressive. Back then, as a less conspicuous Prince, he had to defeat other Princes with substantial backgrounds to seize the throne. Is he an ordinary person? As for the Rebellion of the Seven Princes, hey, to be honest..."
"Cough, cough..."
Qi Jingyu continued, but Shi Qin hastily coughed to warn him, signaling with her eyes.
Young Prince, it’s best to keep these matters to ourselves; speaking them aloud loses their significance.
Li Qingmu, seeing his embarrassed deanor, chuckled softly; who doesn’t know what kind of Emperor he is?
He’s rather sly!
He often leads you to follow your thoughts, digs a pit for you, and waits for you to willingly jump in. The one jumping doesn’t even feel trapped until the net under the pit closes up, then cos regret!
This kind of Emperor is truly the nightmare of ministers!
But why does it feel so satisfying?
Li Qingmu and Qi Jingyu exchanged a glance and smiled silently.
"However, regardless of whether the Emperor understands their intentions, as ministers, we should always keep a close watch to prevent any mishaps, and..."
Long Yue spoke, recalling Su Shi and his mother’s Xieji Restaurant involved in the assassination case of the Liang Country envoy, implicating the entire family...
Does the envoy assassination case have anything to do with Pang Wenzheng and them?
Long Yue felt puzzled but couldn’t say it outright, after all, it’s a mory from a past life, and if ntioned, how to explain it—a dream?
Long Yue shook her head, wondering if she should visit Yang Zhuoya tomorrow? And perhaps stop by Xieji Restaurant?
Yes, go tomorrow!
Now that matters have started to erge, she should take action promptly to prevent delays and harm Su Shi’s family.
Zhuoya is her friend, a friend who might be in danger; she cannot stand by!
Early the next morning, Long Yue dressed simply and unusually visited the Su Family.
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