Chapter 499: The Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Meet
Chapter 499: The Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Meet
Dou Qingyi was stunned by what she saw.
Just moments ago, she thought that Liu Qingyun hadn't changed after all these years, but in an instant, she felt a sudden sense of strangeness towards Liu Qingyun.
Could she have just acted so recklessly, without any hesitation? Was she really that audacious?
In the past, when she roamed the jianghu, she had relied on her own abilities and didn't put anyone in her eyes, but now that she had come to the Liang Imperial City, did she really think she was still that person, second only to the Emperor and above millions?
Amidst her shock, a deep jealousy welled up within Dou Qingyi's heart.
Liu Qingyun possessed the family background and appearance that Dou Qingyi had always dreamed of, and she was always cautious in everything she did, while Liu Qingyun could act without any regard for consequences.
It seemed that no matter what kind of trouble she got into, there was always someone to back her up.
But this time, no one would come to her rescue.
Dou Qingyi struggled to swim upstream.
Liu Qingyun's kick was too heavy, causing her to hurt so much that she could barely move. With great effort, she finally managed to float to the surface.
However, before she could climb ashore, Liu Qingyun pushed her back into the water.
"Liu Qingyun—glug glug glug—"
You crazy woman!
Dou Qingyi didn't have time to close her mouth, and she choked on a mouthful of water.
Liu Qingyun patted her hands, "I wanted to let you go, but the more I thought about it, the angrier I got, so I came back. You could have harmed anyone else, but you had to target my son. Isn't this like carrying a lantern to the toilet?"
"This time, I'm really leaving. I still need to go watch my son's competition. I didn't see it earlier, and I can't miss the riding and archery."
"My son is the coolest!"
"Son! Mother's here!"
Dou Qingyi had deliberately chosen a secluded spot to conveniently carry out her self-inflicted injury, and no one was around.
Naturally, to ensure the success of her plan, she had arranged for an eyewitness.
She was just waiting for the right time, and her maid would bring several experienced eunuchs and senior palace maids to the scene.
It was all because Liu Qingyun's move was too fast.
This time, Dou Qingyi didn't rush to swim ashore, but waited until Liu Qingyun was far away before swimming to the surface.
She was soaked through, feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.
With all her might, she managed to crawl halfway onto the shore.
Then, a shadow fell over her head.
Liu Qingyun had returned.
Dou Qingyi shuddered.
Liu Qingyun looked down at her from above, "I'm still angry. If you want to steal a man, then steal him. You let your son take my son's Qilin position, and if I let you go this time, I'll never forgive myself even in my dreams."
Dou Qingyi hurriedly opened her mouth to call for help.
Liu Qingyun kicked her down into the water again.
"Chirp!"
A hunting hawk flew by.
Someone was coming!
"Consider yourself lucky. I'll spare you for now."
Liu Qingyun quickly ran away.
By the time Dou Qingyi's maid arrived with the Head Eunuch of the Internal Affairs Department and the palace maids of several niangniangs to rescue Dou Qingyi, she was almost turning into a longevity star.
Zhengonggong quickly ordered people to carry her to Empress Hu's courtyard for some relief from the heat.
Empress Hu stared at her in shock, "Who are you?"
Zhengonggong replied, "Reporting to the Empress, this is Concubine Dou."
Empress Hu was even more surprised, "You... How did you end up like this?"
Yu Fei and Shen Zhaorong were also present.
Dou Qingyi sobbed, "Niangniang, please stand up for Qingyi..."
Shen Zhaorong instructed her personal maid, "Come, give Concubine Dou a cloak, and then go to my bedroom to get a set of dry clothes."
The personal maid replied, "Yes."
Shen Zhaorong spoke gently, "Concubine Dou, take your time. Tell us what happened. If someone has wronged you, the Empress will definitely stand up for you."
Dou Qingyi choked back tears, "It's the Empress's mother! She threatened me... I didn't agree with her... and she wanted to kill me..."
Empress Hu frowned and asked, "What did she threaten you with?"
Dou Qingyi cried, "She forced me to persuade Qi'er to give up the competition and not compete with Lu Lin Yuan for the Qilin position..."
Empress Hu's expression turned cold, "How dare she!"
Yu Fei's eyes shifted slightly, "Concubine Dou, are you sure it was the Empress's mother who harmed you?"
Dou Qingyi looked at Yu Fei with hurt, "Is Yu Fei Niangniang doubting me?"
Yu Fei sighed, "I'm not doubting you, but based on the current competition results, the Empress's mother doesn't seem to need to resort to such extreme measures."
Including yesterday's three competitions, the Empress's mother had won four in a row, each one exciting and without any suspense.
The only loss was in the bow-drawing competition just now, where the Empress's mother couldn't draw the three-stone bow, but Lu Qi did.
However, this round relied solely on brute force and didn't showcase Lu Qi's exceptional abilities.
Dou Qingyi's eyes flickered, and she cried, "I questioned her about this too. Since her son is so capable and has the upper hand, why does she need to resort to such tactics to force my son to withdraw? But do you know what she said to me? She said, 'You don't need to worry about that. In any case, if your son doesn't withdraw from the competition, I'll make sure you and your son know what it means to be doomed forever!'"
"How audacious!"
Empress Hu coldly put down her teacup, "Where is she? Bring her to me!"
Yu Fei shifted slightly.
Shen Zhaorong smiled, "Yu Fei, where are you going? Could it be that you're going to inform the Crown Prince?"
Empress Hu instructed her personal maid, "No need to disturb the Crown Prince or Empress Hu. Just bring her to me!"
As the personal maid was about to go and fetch the person, suddenly, a voice echoed outside the courtyard:
"Her Majesty Chenfei has arrived—"
Everyone's faces changed.
"Chenfei?"
Empress Hu furrowed her brows deeply.
Yu Fei and Shen Zhaorong stood up and bowed to Chenfei who approached them, "Greetings, Chenfei Sister."
Empress Hu didn't move.
In terms of rank, Chenfei was above her.
But when did she ever place Chenfei in her eyes?
She spoke in a leisurely manner, "Isn't Chenfei in her palace chamber praying to Buddha? I remember when the second prince was appointed Crown Prince, Chenfei didn't show up to offer congratulations. I'm truly curious, what wind blew Chenfei here?"
Chenfei, who usually prayed to Buddha, was today wearing a palace dress, and she exuded a natural elegance even more so than the nobly born Empress Hu.
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The Liang Emperor was not one for romantic affairs, and if not for Chenfei's exceptional beauty, she wouldn't have received his favor.
Chenfei spoke calmly, "I wanted to come out, so I did, and passing by here, I heard that the Empress was also here, so I came to greet her."
Empress Hu gave her a disdainful look.
Jiang Huifei and her had a rivalry, but at least they were on equal footing.
What right did a lowly servant have to sit with her as an equal?
Chenfei turned and said, "Xiaobai, please greet the Empress, Yu Fei, and Zhaorong."
"Yes."
A graceful figure emerged from behind Chenfei and bowed to the three of them, "Greetings, Empress, Yu Fei, and Zhaorong."
The three of them were stunned, "Is it you?"
Liu Qingyun said, "Yes, all three of you, what a coincidence."
Empress Hu spoke coldly, "I was just thinking of dealing with you, and you've delivered yourself to me!"
Liu Qingyun asked with a puzzled expression, "I don't know what crime I've committed for the Empress to want to deal with me?"
Dou Qingyi accused, "You've harmed me like this, and you still dare to say you're not guilty?"
Liu Qingyun was surprised, "I harmed you? Dou Cefei, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't speak nonsense."
Chenfei said indifferently, "Xiaobai has been with me all this time, and I doubt she has the time to harm anyone. Even if it comes to the Emperor's decision, I will say the same."
Empress Hu spoke coldly, "Chenfei, are you trying to use the Emperor to pressure me?"
Chenfei remained calm, "Yes."
Empress Hu pointed at her nose, "How dare you!"
Chenfei spoke calmly, "We are both the Emperor's consorts, and if something happens, it's natural for the Emperor to make the decision."
Empress Hu glared at Liu Qingyun, "A mere woman with no name or status, and you think the Emperor needs to worry about her! My handling of this is enough!"
Chenfei spoke sternly, "I fear you can't handle the future Crown Princess of Daliang."
Empress Hu was stunned, "You... what did you say?"
Liu Qingyun blinked and whispered, "Your Highness, it seems there's no such scene."
Yu Fei and Shen Zhaorong also looked at Chenfei and Liu Qingyun in disbelief.
Dou Qingyi was so jealous that her face twisted.
The position of Crown Princess, which she had missed out on several times, was now going to be easily obtained by Liu Qingyun?
Chenfei said, "I only recognize one daughter-in-law, and my son will only marry one wife. When Zhaoyan was appointed Crown Prince, I didn't accept congratulations from the other sisters. When my son marries Xiaobai, I will definitely invite all of you sisters to share a cup of celebratory wine."
She used the term "sisters" to inform everyone that she was Chenfei, and her status was above theirs.
This wasn't a suggestion, it was a decision.
"If you have no other matters, I'll take my leave first. Xiaobai, where did you say the flowers were blooming beautifully?"
"At the Crown Prince's Mansion, Your Highness. If you like them, I'll have someone send a few pots to the palace for you to admire tomorrow."
"Good, when does the competition start?"
"Soon."
"Let's go and take a look."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted happily, leaving Empress Hu's courtyard as if no one else was there.
Empress Hu was so angry her face turned green, "A lowly servant has even ridden on my head!"
Dou Qingyi said, "Your Highness, what right does she have to not place you in her eyes..."
Empress Hu scolded her, "You still have the face to speak? If not for you mistaking the person, how could Lu Zhaoyan have become the Crown Prince? Now, to regain the position of Crown Prince, I don't know how much effort it will take!"
Dou Qingyi felt extremely wronged.
Outside the courtyard, the voices of Liu Qingyun and Chenfei's conversation could be vaguely heard.
Chenfei's voice was gentle and content, speaking softly to Liu Qingyun.
This should have been her mother-in-law.
But instead... Liu Qingyun had taken her place! The two of them walked away.
Liu Qingyun released Chenfei's arm and said embarrassedly, "Your Highness, I know I was wrong."
She had bumped into Chenfei on her way out.
This was the first time she had met Chenfei.
Before she could explain herself, Chenfei held her hand and said, "You're much more beautiful than in the painting. Don't be afraid, I'm Ah Yan's mother, and Ah Yan told me you entered the palace today."
That was the gentlest voice she had ever heard.
Lu Zhaoyan had been raised by the Empress since he was young, and his bond with his birth mother hadn't faded.
To personally care for Lu Zhaoyan, Chenfei was willing to serve as a servant in the Qin Wang Mansion.
(End of Chapter)
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