Chapter 609: Opening the Imperial Mausoleum
Chapter 609: Opening the Imperial Mausoleum
Gong Sun Liuying bit her lip and said coldly, "You're lying! I don't believe you! My father would never treat me like that! I'm his most beloved daughter!"
Meng Qianqian smiled. "If your father really loved you, he wouldn't have forced you to marry Lu Qi."
Gong Sun Liuying was speechless, her eyes blazing with anger. "The marriage was decreed by His Majesty. Do you think it's so easy to defy? My father is the Imperial Tutor; of course, he can't disobey the imperial edict!"
Meng Qianqian's lips curled. "True, he didn't dare defy the imperial edict, but he dared to imprison His Majesty underground, ensuring he would never see the light of day again."
Gong Sun Liuying was once again speechless. She glared at Meng Qianqian and turned her head, saying, "You're lying. My father would never betray His Majesty. He was clearly kidnapped by the Miao King!"
She looked at Meng Qianqian again. "Don't think I don't know who you are. You're not Yan Xiaojiu, and you're not Elder Yan's disciple. Your name is Meng Qianqian, and you're married to Huang Changsun. No wonder you tried to trick me by telling me to leave Huang Changsun. Do you think I'm a fool?"
"Yes."
Meng Qianqian admitted openly, "Unfortunately, you figured it out too late. If you had known earlier, maybe... you could have joined Huang Changsun and me for a cup of wedding wine."
"You—"
Gong Sun Liuying was furious.
Was Gong Sun Liuying truly deeply in love with Lu Yuan?
Perhaps not.
In her eyes, only the most noble men were worthy of being her husband.
Lu Yuan, being the son of the Crown Prince and the State Guardian Kylin, had an impeccable lineage and exceptional abilities.
How could a mere merchant woman like Meng Qianqian, who rose to power through her cunning, be worthy of the most noble man in the world?
Meng Qianqian observed Gong Sun Liuying's expression and said with a laugh, "Hey, haven't you given up on Lu Yuan yet? Need a reminder that you're already married?"
Gong Sun Liuying sneered, "Hmph, have you ever been married?"
Meng Qianqian raised an eyebrow. "You know quite a bit."
Gong Sun Liuying said sarcastically, "So, if you can climb so high, why can't I?"
"Still not giving up, huh?"
Meng Qianqian looked at her with pity. Why must she like that guy? He's noisy when you try to comfort him, and sullen when you don't. It's like dealing with a daily dose of trouble.
"Ts."
Meng Qianqian silently lit a candle for Gong Sun Liuying in her heart.
"Alright, I've said what I needed to. You don't have to doubt my motives. I do want to sow discord between you and your father, but I can wait a few more days. The reason I came here in a hurry is because of Wuyou."
Gong Sun Liuying's eyes widened.
Meng Qianqian said, "Wuyou told me that you genuinely care for him. I don't like owing favors. There will be plenty of opportunities to settle accounts with you, but this is to repay your sisterly affection for Wuyou."
The wariness in Gong Sun Liuying's eyes lessened. "Wuyou is with you?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "Your maternal grandfather wants to kill him. I had to take him away. From now on, he has no ties with the Gong Sun family. You don't need to look for him anymore. Take care of yourself."
With that, Meng Qianqian walked out of the room without looking back.
Tan'er was waiting for her at the corner of the corridor, having overheard the conversation.
"Sister, why did you warn her? Why not wait until she’s drugged and then tell her the truth? Did Shang Wuyou really ask you to warn her?"
Meng Qianqian said earnestly, "Because the power of protection can sometimes be stronger than revenge."
"Sister..."
Tan'er stared at her in confusion.
Meng Qianqian affectionately patted her head. "Shang Wuyou did indeed plead with me. Over the years at the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Gong Sun Liuying has never mistreated him. He genuinely wants to repay her kindness."
Tan'er pouted. "Gong Sun Liuying was just using him, the fool! He actually believed it!"
Meng Qianqian replied, "You’re right, Tan'er. You’re always so clever and never easily deceived."
Tan'er crossed her arms, looking extremely proud. "Of course!"
Meng Qianqian’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
In the past, she might have confided in Shang Wuyou, helping him see the truth of Gong Sun Liuying’s manipulation.
But now, she had a different perspective.
Shang Wuyou had endured the trials of his troubled past and the betrayals of those he once considered family. His heart had been cruelly torn open time and again, and his faith repeatedly shattered.
Yet, he still retained a pure heart, which could be a form of redemption.
She wanted to protect that innocence in his heart.
Besides, Gong Sun Liuying’s selfishness was only a judgment based on her actions.
Over the years of their sibling bond, she had not been entirely insincere.
"Alright, Sister is always right!"
Tan'er didn’t understand Shang Wuyou, but she trusted her sister.
Gong Sun Liuying sat alone in her room, gently stroking her soft, small belly.
She and Lu Qi had consummated their marriage, more than once.
Her belly might truly carry a child, a descendant of the Great Liang imperial bloodline.
A maid on the floor slowly awoke, terrified to find herself there. She quickly knelt and bowed her head. "Miss... I know my fault... I..."
"Go to the south of the city and find someone."
Gong Sun Liuying spoke calmly, handing her a token.
Her maternal grandfather had left her a trump card before leaving the imperial city. It was meant as a safeguard, to ensure her safe passage out of the city and to the Seven Stars Gate to seek refuge with her grandfather if the need arose.
Even in the midst of her miserable life at Prince Jin’s residence, she had never considered using it.
But now, she was ready to take a chance.
Night fell.
A tall, masked man sneaked into Gong Sun Liuying and Lu Qi’s bridal chamber.
Gong Sun Liuying had been expecting him and sat waiting in a chair.
Once, she would have cared about propriety, but now she had to set it aside.
The man stood straight before her, neither bowing nor greeting her.
Gong Sun Liuying studied him closely.
He gave her a strange feeling, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what was off.
"Take off your mask."
Gong Sun Liuying ordered.
He didn’t move.
Gong Sun Liuying walked up to him, her eyes cold, and snatched off his mask.
The moment she saw his face, she let out a gasp and stumbled back, clutching the table as she retched.
She threw the mask away, gasping in fear.
He picked up the mask and put it back on.
Gong Sun Liuying broke out in a cold sweat, finally understanding what was strange.
She felt no hint of life from him.
She took several deep breaths to calm herself, then opened a portrait and said to the man, "I want you to go to a place and kill this person."
---
In the study.
Prince Jin and Hu Lie were discussing how to save Lu Qi.
Hu Lie said, "To save Qi'er, we need to open the entrance to the imperial mausoleum."
Prince Jin pondered, "Uncle, this is a trap."
Hu Lie sighed, "I know it’s a death trap set by the Grand Princess. It seems she has already guessed the existence of the underground palace and wants to use this opportunity to rescue the Emperor."
Prince Jin clenched his fists.
Hu Lie continued, "Your Highness, open the imperial mausoleum."
These past few days have been a blur of frantic work! (End of Chapter)
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