Chu Wang Fei

Chapter 31: The prince and the minster bicker in the palace

But, how could the wet nurse behind them dare to let Chu Fei Yang hug the little princess? After all, no matter how young the princess was, Chu Fei Yang was still an outsider. Direct contact between men and women was restricted; they absolutely could not ignore these customs!

The wet nurse only humbly stepped in front of them, then quietly said, “Miss Yun, it’s better to pass the princess over to nubi! The princess ought to feel like napping soon!”

Hearing this, Chu Fei Yang did not say much, carrying a shallow smile on his face as he watched the wet nurse carry away Princess Yao who was unwilling to leave!

Yun Qian Meng saw that presently, only Shui’er and Bing’er were left by her side. Fully aware that if she stayed for too long, her own reputation would be harmed, she faced the person before her and paid her respects, intending to leave, but found her path obstructed by Chen Wang. At the same time, his voice rang in her ears. “The inner palace is an important place, how can outsiders enter and leave as they wish?! Chu xiang has always abided by the rules, why can’t you comprehend such a fundamental rule today? Could it be for a certain someone?”

As he spoke, Chen Wang’s eyes were constantly sizing up Yun Qian Meng and Chu Fei Yang!

Only, seeing that Yun Qian Meng’s bright green long skirt that reached the ground, and Chu Fei Yang’s sapphire-blue brocade robe, were together, unexpectedly easy on the eyes; and thinking back to when Chu Fei Yang had pleaded in Yun Qian Meng’s favor back in the throne room the other day, Chen Wang felt a bad taste in his mouth!

When these words were spoken, a faint fury flashed across Yun Qian Meng’s half-lowered eyes, while Chu Fei Yang lightly raised his eyebrows, instead downplaying the conversation, “In all likelihood, the reason ben xiang entered the palace today should be the same as wangye’s! If wangye keeps delaying, I’m afraid the Empress Dowager might lay down an imperial degree soon!”

Chu Fei Yang only joked casually, but Chen Wang’s complexion darkened. He only gave Chu Fei Yang a ruthless glare, then deeply looked at Yun Qian Meng for a bit, before he immediately turned and advanced toward the Empress Dowager’s chambers in large strides……

Yun Qian Meng silently listened to the two of them cross swords. Although she was curious in her heart, she knew that the circumstances in the inner palace were complicated. Just a single wrong word could result in being consigned to eternal damnation! She then faintly said, “chennü excuses herself!”

Chu Fei Yang didn’t prevent her from leaving, but his smiling eyes sent a curious probing gaze towards Yun Qian Meng. Only after Yun Qian Meng’s silhouette had disappeared from his sight did he turn and walk towards the palace gates……

Yun Qian Meng had just retraced her steps to the Empress Dowager’s Feng Xiang palace when she saw Yuan De fei walking out with an angry expression, while Chen Wang followed behind her with a similarly cold expression. The palace maids behind them all had their heads lowered and didn’t dare to make the slightest noise……

Seeing this, Yun Qian Meng immediately backed off to one side, and led Shui’er and Bing’er to bend their knees and bow. Yuan De fei who was spitting anger actually paused her steps right in front of her, then fiercely flung her own sleeves before leaving furiously……

Chen Wang, still gloomy, commanded in a stern voice, “Escort taifei back to Chen wangfu!” Then, he glanced indifferently at Yun Qian Meng and too, furiously stepped out of Feng Xiang palace!

When Yun Qian Meng went back into the Empress Dowager’s chambers, only the Empress Dowager and Ji Shu Yu were still there!

Without Yuan De fei, the atmosphere in the palace chamber was much more relaxed. After Yun Qian Meng paid respects, she took a seat beside Ji Shu Yu, as the both of them kept the Empress Dowager company and enjoyed a heart-to-heart chat!

Ji Shu Yu carefully took measure of Yun Qian Meng’s complexion, until a comforting and relieved expression floated in her eyes. She then smiled and said, “Empress Dowager, you see, Meng’er’s complexion has improved so much now. Becoming all the more exquisite and elegant, she’s really starting to resemble Ruo Li!”

The Empress Dowager heard this, and turned her smiling eyes to look at Yun Qian Meng who was sitting quietly at a side. She saw that her complexion was rosy, and the scar on her forehead had already vanished, so she nodded with satisfaction, “Her complexion is really much better! It looks like our Meng yatou has finally started to understand things properly, and knows how to cherish herself from now on!”

Hearing her say this, Yun Qian Meng understood in her heart that her life in the xiangfu, had most likely likely already been fully reported to the Empress Dowager by Shui’er and Bing’er. Only, at this time, she still needed to draw support from the Empress Dowager’s backing, and couldn’t punish Shui’er and Bing’er without careful consideration; so as to avoid putting herself in a position between a rock and a hard place!

Then, thinking back to the reason she had come here today, Yun Qian Meng immediately wore a terrified expression and kneeled down, “Please forgive me, Empress Dowager!”

Yun Qian Meng did this so abruptly, that the Empress Dowager and Ji Shu Yu were both stunned and asked in confusion, “Meng yatou, what happened? Get up before you continue!”

But Yun Qian Meng just kneeled without standing up, then lowered her body further and spoke in a low voice, “A few days ago, chennü shattered the jade bracelet that Empress Dowager had bestowed to mother long ago. I originally thought to have someone repair it in secret, but the jadesmiths in the capital haven’t seen such an exquisite jade bracelet before! Unexpectedly, not one of them dared to take the job! May Empress Dowager please bestow a drawing of the bracelet from that time, so that Meng’er can find someone to mend it?!”

Hearing her say this, a trace of astonishment actually flickered across the Empress Dowager’s smiling eyes as she immediately pretended to accidentally glance towards Shui’er and Bing’er. Seeng that both of them faintly shook their heads, but unable pick out any holes in Yun Qian Meng’s words, she knew that the shattering of the jade bracelet was false, but her demand for the drawing was real!

Ji Shu Yu had seen Yun Qian Meng’s room with her own eyes, so she was fully aware that she couldn’t possibly still own such a valuable accessory. She very quickly understood, but instead of revealing the facts, she instead mollified the Empress Dowager, “Empress Dowager, this child is really pitiful, losing her mother at a young age; only these accessories were left behind as memories! Empress Dowager is kind-hearted and generous, please help her accomplish this filial piety!”

The Empress Dowager pondered about it for a moment, before she nodded her head. She then instructed Qian gonggong to retrieve the file kept a record of all the bestowals on that particular year and hand it over to Yun Qian Meng, “That year, the palace bestowed not just a few bracelets to your mother. Take it back and carefully compare everything, only return it when you’re finished!”

Yun Qian Meng clasped the booklet with both hands, understanding in her heart that the Empress Dowager already seen through her own plans, and once again kowtowed in thanks!

Ji Shu Yu noticed that the Empress Dowager was now weary, so she got up and left Feng Xiang palace together with Yun Qian Meng……

Within the carriage during the return trip, Ji Shu Yu pulled over Yun Qian Meng’s hands and lightly patted them, then faintly sighed and said dearly, “Child, it’s been difficult for you!”

After Yun Qian Meng had crossed over for so long, other than Mu Chun, this was the first time someone else had shown her such concern. Especially at the sincere feelings within Ji Shu Yu’s eyes, Yun Qian Meng felt her her heart warm. She genuinely smiled and said, “jiumu can be assured, Meng’er is living well now!”

But the more staunchly Yun Qian Meng presented herself, the more pain Ji Shu Yu felt in her heart. Raising her hand to stroke Yun Qian Meng’s previously wounded forehead, she spoke in a low voice, “Tomorrow I will send someone to pass you a list of all the dowry that Ruo Li brought over when she married!”

Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes slightly widened, showing an unfathomable look, “jiumu……”

But Ji Shu Yu just smiled calmly. The laugh embodied too much of her feelings, but couldn’t wipe away the resolution in her eyes. “Child, those things were originally yours. jiumu believes, you will surely succeed!”

Ji Shu Yu’s warmth, caused a trace of gratefulness to streak across Yun Qian Meng’s heart. She was unexpectedly choked with emotion when she replied, “Meng’er will definitely not disappoint jiumu!”

Bang…… Right at this moment, the carriage they were riding on was hit by something and produced a loud sound……