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Chapter 573: Excessive Intimacy
Chapter 573: Excessive Intimacy
He muttered resentfully, and suddenly, a head appeared hanging upside down from the tent ceiling.
"Sister, of course, can't bear to part with you. She has to devour you before she leaves. You’re such a delicate little thing, and sister loves that the most."
Shang Wuyou was startled and grabbed a handful of incense ash from the brazier, scattering it upwards.
Lan Yuez's face was covered in ash.
---
The imperial city experienced two more days of spring rain.
The rain was summoned by Huang Changsun, and with each downpour, his reputation among the people grew.
Gongsun Liuying sat in her carriage, hearing nothing but praise for Huang Changsun along the way.
Yet, just a month ago, these same people had sworn their faith to the Phoenix Maiden, who was none other than her and Lu Qi.
Gongsun Liuying felt both annoyed and envious.
She envied Yan Xiaojiu for marrying the true guardian of the nation, the Qilin.
Meanwhile, a eunuch from the Crown Prince’s Manor arrived to summon Meng Qianqian to the palace.
A few days ago, Lu Yuan had sent a messenger to the palace, citing his father’s poor health and the need for her medical attention, to request a two-day leave from teaching the young master.
Today, the roads were muddy, and she had planned to feign illness once more to avoid teaching the young master.
Meng Qianqian said, "It’s the Empress who summoned me. Declining would be inappropriate."
Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "It’s likely related to my great-aunt."
Lu Fengyin was younger than the Crown Prince but of higher seniority.
Meng Qianqian smiled, "Perfect. I’ve been curious to see how much weight Gongsun Yanming’s reinforcements carry."
Lu Yuan didn’t stop her.
"I’ll go with you."
Meng Qianqian laughed, "Your father is ‘ill,’ and you need to attend to him."
Lu Yuan winced, "If I had known, I wouldn’t have used that excuse."
Meng Qianqian didn’t bring Tan'er and boarded the carriage to the palace alone.
Upon arriving at the Kunning Palace, she indeed met the legendary Eldest Princess.
Dressed in a martial outfit, her hair tied high, she exuded a heroic and valiant aura, a true embodiment of a woman who could rival any man.
Her features bore a slight resemblance to the Emperor Liang, but not much, given that they were only distant siblings.
They shared the same father but different mothers, and the young Emperor Liang had been entrusted with her care by the Late Emperor when he was just the heir of the Qin Wang Manor, and the Empress was his consort.
The Empress showed more affection and patience towards this younger sister than towards her own illegitimate son.
Partly to please her husband, and partly because the younger sister was not the heir to the manor.
The Empress held the Eldest Princess’s hand, showing her warm concern, like a mother to a daughter.
Empress Hu and Empress Jiang sat on the lower seats to the sides.
Apart from the four of them, there was another figure in the hall, one who had not been seen for many days.
"Your Majesty, Empress, greetings. Greetings, Gui Fei, Hui Fei."
Meng Qianqian performed her bow smoothly, then hesitated and looked at the Empress, seemingly unaware of the other woman’s identity.
The Empress said, "Hurry and greet the Eldest Princess."
Meng Qianqian bowed, "Greetings, Eldest Princess."
Lu Fengyin’s critical gaze fell upon Meng Qianqian.
She clearly wanted to find fault with Meng Qianqian’s etiquette, but unfortunately, Meng Qianqian was even more refined than Gongsun Liuying.
So, she said, "You are the Phoenix Maiden? What an air of superiority! The Duchess has been here for nearly half an hour, and you, as the Phoenix Maiden, made the Empress and I wait for you!"
The Empress turned to the eunuch who had escorted Meng Qianqian, "It must be this servant’s negligence that caused the delay on the way."
The eunuch fell to his knees, "Your Majesty, please be fair! I arrived at the Crown Prince’s Manor early, but the Phoenix Maiden was reluctant to leave..."
What a cliché and baseless accusation.
Lu Fengyin coldly said, "Ridiculous!"
Meng Qianqian calmly walked up to the eunuch, "Eunuch, you arrived at the Crown Prince’s Manor at the fourth watch, and I joined you in the carriage at the first quarter of the fifth watch. The gatekeepers at the Crown Prince’s Manor have detailed records. Would you like to visit the Crown Prince’s Manor and verify with the gatekeepers?"
The young eunuch was taken aback.
Meng Qianqian said calmly, "The three gatekeepers of the Crown Prince’s Manor were bestowed by His Majesty. I believe it won’t be long before they present a detailed record of the manor’s comings and goings to the Emperor. If Her Majesty the Empress and the Eldest Princess are concerned, they can certainly question the Emperor about it."
Who would dare to question the Emperor?
Empress Hu laughed, "I told you, the Phoenix Maiden is formidable."
Jiang Huiyi chuckled, "How can you compare to them? So many people ganging up on one person."
Empress Hu angrily retorted, "Jiang Huiyi, how can you speak like that?"
The Empress picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Lu Fengyin knew better than to be distracted by Jiang Huiyi’s provocations.
She turned to Meng Qianqian and said, "I’ve heard your medical skills are exceptional, and you’ve been revered as a divine healer by the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Come and feel my pulse. If you make a mistake, I will certainly hold you accountable for deceiving the imperial family!"
Gongsun Liuying, seated below Empress Hu, glanced at Meng Qianqian with a subtle expression.
Empress Hu whispered mockingly, "She won’t get it right."
No matter what diagnosis she gave, the Eldest Princess wouldn’t acknowledge it.
They had to follow the palace rules, but the Eldest Princess didn’t.
She was the late Emperor’s beloved daughter, the little sister raised by the current Emperor.
She was a special case.
"May I borrow your handkerchief, Your Majesty?"
Meng Qianqian asked.
The Empress handed her the handkerchief.
Meng Qianqian placed the handkerchief over Lu Fengyin’s wrist.
Lu Fengyin was about to scold her for daring to touch her with her lowly hands but was silenced.
If Meng Qianqian had used her own handkerchief, she could later accuse her of poisoning.
But she used the Empress’s.
She had perfectly avoided all risks.
Meng Qianqian felt Lu Fengyin’s pulse.
Lu Fengyin sneered, "Well, what is my pulse like?"
Meng Qianqian withdrew her hand, "I dare not say."
Lu Fengyin scoffed, "I think you didn’t find anything, didn’t you? You’re just a fraud!"
Meng Qianqian replied, "Since the Eldest Princess insists, I must speak the truth. The Eldest Princess has a deficiency in kidney yang and coldness in the spleen and stomach, caused by excessive intimacy. The medicine can only alleviate the symptoms, not cure the root cause. For the sake of the Eldest Princess’s health, I advise you to be more temperate in your affairs!"
Empress Hu spat out her tea.
Gongsun Liuying was also shocked.
How dare this Yan Xiaojiu speak such words?
Wasn’t she destroying the Eldest Princess’s dignity?
Lu Fengyin’s face turned pale and then red.
The Empress was also embarrassed.
Only Jiang Huiyi laughed without surprise, "I’ve heard that the Eldest Princess finds her prince consort lacking in attentiveness and has kept multiple male concubines in the princess’s residence. I thought it was just a rumor, but now it seems to be true."
Lu Fengyin slammed the table and stood up, "Yan Xiaojiu!"
Meng Qianqian looked innocent, "Eldest Princess, you asked me to speak the truth."
Lu Fengyin could deny it, but the words were already out, and matters of this nature spread quickly.
Whether she killed Meng Qianqian or not, her dignity was already lost.
Lu Fengyin coldly said, "Nonsense! You dare to spread rumors and cause trouble for a nation’s Eldest Princess. You clearly don’t respect the Liang royal family! Today, I will teach you some manners!"
She looked outside, "Guard! Give her thirty lashes! Carry out the punishment here!"
Gongsun Liuying smirked inwardly.
Yan Xiaojiu, let’s see how you get out of this one.
(End of Chapter)
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