Chapter 25
Seven days later, the convoy heading to the mountain villa to escape the summer heat was fully prepared.
Lian'er and Cui Mingyu were naturally among them. The Prime Minister and Marquis Qingping were left behind to oversee the country.
Qiu Chi looked at Marquis Qingping, who was staying behind, then gave Yun Jing a meaningful glance.
Yun Jing, however, put on a good act. He didn't even look at Qiu Chi, his face grim, with Xin'er standing beside him.
In the past two months, the news that Qiu Chi was not favored by King Jing, and that King Jing doted exclusively on his concubine, had long since spread throughout the capital.
At the same time, rumors also spread that Qiu Chi had a violent temper, held King Jing in contempt, and caused King Jing's Manor to be in a state of chaos every day.
If Qiu Chi hadn't known what King Jing's Manor was really like, she would have believed the rumors herself.
She even went to find Yun Jing about it. "You're quite skilled at slandering my reputation, aren't you?"
But Yun Jing said, "My reputation isn't much better. This is exactly what the Emperor wants to see."
This was indeed what the Emperor was happy to see. He had even summoned Yun Jing to the palace and hypocritically told him to restrain himself a little.
But in reality, he just wanted to see King Jing's Manor in chaos. Paired with his own harmonious harem, he became increasingly satisfied.
Now, seeing Yun Jing had even brought Xin'er along, he sighed and said, "Ah, you. We truly don't know what to say to you."
With such indulgent words, anyone who didn't know better would truly think the two of them had a good relationship.
Yun Jing remained silent, not saying a word. The Emperor didn't say anything more either and directly boarded the carriage with Lian'er.
Yun Jing and Qiu Chi got into the carriage behind them, and Xin'er was on it as well.
Before getting on, Xin'er hesitated. "This... maybe I should go to another carriage?"
Yun Jing said, "I told you to get on, so get on."
Xin'er secretly glanced at Qiu Chi. Qiu Chi rolled her eyes. "It's not like I'm going to eat you. Get on."
Qiu Chi's words were even more effective than Yun Jing's; she immediately got into the carriage.
Once on the carriage, however, Xin'er immediately moved far away from Qiu Chi.
Qiu Chi was a little speechless.
How could such a cowardly person have tormented Cui Yueyue over and over again?
The convoy was quite long, so its speed was not fast. By the time they arrived at their destination, four hours had already passed.
After traveling for so long, they were all somewhat tired, so there were no activities for the day. They would just eat in their assigned courtyards.
The Emperor was staying with Cui Mingyu that day. After all, he still wanted to spite Yun Jing.
Meanwhile, Lian'er, having nothing to do, left her courtyard and casually strolled over to the one where Qiu Chi and the others were staying.
Qiu Chi noticed Lian'er as soon as she arrived, but she didn't plan to acknowledge her.
When Lian'er had seen her beside the Emperor earlier that day, even though she hadn't shown much expression, Qiu Chi had clearly seen the surprise in her eyes.
She had no intention of answering Lian'er's questions.
After all, she was just using her to spite Cui Mingyu and keep Cui Mingyu from bothering her.
As for her current glory and wealth, that was only for the time being.
Lian'er lingered there for a while, but when she didn't run into Qiu Chi, she gave up and went straight back.
Her actions were naturally observed by Yun Jing's men, who then reported them to Yun Jing.
Yun Jing immediately looked at Qiu Chi. "She came looking for you?"
Qiu Chi didn't deny it. "Yes. I helped her get into the palace and become a favored consort. Isn't it normal for her to come and thank me?"
Yun Jing had naturally investigated someone who had appeared so suddenly like Lian'er. But with so many palace maids in the imperial palace, what could he possibly find out? Besides, the name Lian'er wasn't that rare; it was normal for a few people in the palace to be named Lian'er.
Most investigations into Lian'er were confined to the imperial palace; no one had turned their attention outside the palace walls. Therefore, it never occurred to them that Lian'er wasn't a palace maid, but had been sent into the palace by someone.
Now, hearing Qiu Chi's words and thinking back to being knocked unconscious that night, Yun Jing understood.
But he was surprised. "What was your purpose in doing this?"
"To target your precious darling."
Yun Jing: "...Speak properly."
Ever since he had made things clear with Cui Mingyu at the Prime Minister's Manor that day, Yun Jing had had no further contact with her.
As for how Qiu Chi had managed to send Lian'er into the palace so quietly and even made her a favored consort, he was curious, but he didn't ask.
After all, he knew that even if he asked, Qiu Chi wouldn't tell him. She might even threaten him, telling him not to meddle in other people's business, or he might die a sudden death.
However, he was curious about something else. "Why did you send her in?"
Qiu Chi gave Yun Jing a meaningful look.
Yun Jing found her gaze baffling. "Don't tell this king she's also part of your revenge? But Cui Yueyue and she shouldn't have known each other, right?"
Qiu Chi smiled without speaking. "Don't meddle in what doesn't concern you. It's easy to die a sudden death."
Yun Jing: "..." He still couldn't escape that line.
Yun Jing was a little helpless but said nothing more.
The Emperor planned to stay here until the beginning of the ninth month. Any urgent matters could be sent to him for handling via express horse.
Yun Jing's time to act was in the eighth month, still more than a month away.
Qiu Chi didn't want to wait that long. "Can't you act sooner? You're so slow and indecisive about this."
"This is to be safe. We've only just arrived, so security is at its tightest."
Qiu Chi preferred to crush her opponents with force and didn't like to use her brain much. She suggested to Yun Jing, "I can have someone help you kill the Emperor. Then wouldn't it be logical for you to inherit the throne, without having to bear the crime of rebellion?"
"...You want Consort Lian to do it?"
Qiu Chi nodded, but Yun Jing shook his head. "She might not listen to you. Even if you were the one who sent her into the palace to deal with the Noble Consort, she's now quite favored. Why would she personally ruin her own good life?"
What Yun Jing said made sense, but Qiu Chi wasn't just speaking casually.
"I was able to make the Emperor fall in love with her at first sight. Would it be that hard to make her kill him? Whether she wants to or not isn't important. What's important is what I want. Just tell me if you agree or not."
"Since you've put it that way, does it matter whether this king agrees or not? Even if this king disagreed, would you really listen to me and give up on your idea?"
"Of course not. I was just asking you symbolically. It's useless even if you disagree. What's important is what I want."
Yun Jing rubbed the space between his eyebrows, a headache coming on. "In that case, just let this king know before you make your move."
Qiu Chi made an "OK" gesture and went to find Lian'er that very night.
Lian'er wasn't surprised to see Qiu Chi. "Lady, or perhaps I should call you Princess Consort Jing? I wonder if Your Highness is satisfied with what Lian'er has done? Lian'er has some questions in her heart, and I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to answer them for me?"
"You've certainly changed a lot."
Lian'er chuckled lightly. "This is all thanks to the opportunity Your Highness gave me. I am extremely grateful. Has Your Highness come to find me tonight because there is something you need me to do?"
"Correct. I did indeed come to find you because there is something I need you to do."
"Whatever Your Highness wants me to do, as long as I am able, I will certainly help you."
Qiu Chi gave her a half-smile, then said, "I want you to kill the Emperor."
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