https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-93-Qianqian-Acknowledges-Her-Father/12582518/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-95-Grand-Viceroy-Concubine-Li-is-Competing-with-You-for-a-Person/12582520/
Chapter 94: Staying the Night at Her Place
Chapter 94: Staying the Night at Her Place
Meng Qianqian woke up, realizing she had been using Lu Yuan's sleeve as a pillow, with Bao Shu in her arms, both of them covered by Lu Yuan's cloak.
She quickly sat up and turned her head to the side, kneeling as she greeted Lu Yuan respectfully, "Grand Commander."
How did I fall asleep?
It seems this body is too weak, causing my alertness to falter as well.
She lowered her eyes and said, "Next time... if I fall asleep, Grand Commander, please wake me up. I'll take the watch."
Lu Yuan coldly replied, "Are you expecting there to be a next time?"
Meng Qianqian wanted to say something but stopped herself. After a while, she softly said, "Xiao Jiu dare not."
Bao Shu also woke up. As soon as she opened her eyes and saw her father, she initially looked somewhat disdainful, but the next moment, realizing she was in Meng Qianqian's embrace, she immediately perked up and proudly raised her little chin!
Lu Yuan coldly humphed, "Hmph."
Not long after, Cen Guanshi's large boat arrived.
He sighed in relief and said, "Grand Commander, we finally found you here. We've been searching all night!"
Meng Qianqian pointed to the shore not far away, "Well, aren't we right here on the shore?"
Cen Guanshi: "..."
The group disembarked.
Bao Shu, who had been happily nestled in Meng Qianqian's embrace, immediately stopped smiling as soon as she got into her carriage. She glanced at Lu Yuan, then turned her little body around, looking serious and worried.
Upon returning to Fengshui Hutong, Meng Qianqian encountered an unexpected person in her home—Zongzheng Xi.
She wondered how she had entered the courtyard when everything seemed unusually quiet, and even Wan Maomao and Hu Maomao dared not make a sound while sweeping the yard.
Zongzheng Xi sat in the main hall, with Li Maomao, Banxia, and Tan'er standing by his side. The table was set with the breakfast he had just finished—a basket of buns, a bowl of porridge, and several delicious side dishes, most of which had been eaten.
It seemed that the young emperor had a good appetite.
Indeed, Zongzheng Xi burped in satisfaction.
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
Meng Qianqian performed a lady's curtsy and greeted, "Your Majesty."
Her greeting was different from the heroic demeanor she had displayed at yesterday's banquet, now exuding a gentle and dignified aura befitting a young lady.
Zongzheng Xi was taken aback.
Tan'er pouted, and Banxia lowered her head. Li Maomao's eyes were red as if she had been crying.
Meng Qianqian sensed something amiss and asked, "Your Majesty, may I rise?"
Zongzheng Xi quickly said, "Yes, yes, please rise."
Meng Qianqian said, "I apologize for not welcoming you sooner, Your Majesty. I did not expect your arrival."
Zongzheng Xi hesitated for a moment before explaining, "It's not your fault. I was the one who came unannounced. Last night, I left the palace in disguise to watch the iron flower display on Zhuque Street, but I got separated from my guards. It was then that I met your maids, and I asked them to bring me here."
Tan'er stuck out her tongue and said, "Yesterday, Sister told me that we must not offend the emperor. So, I had no choice but to bring him back here."
Banxia nodded, as she had been there too, and it was indeed the case.
However, no one expected that the emperor would come and then refuse to leave.
Zongzheng Xi said, "I wanted to get to know you better."
Meng Qianqian calmly asked, "Then, Your Majesty, have you learned what you wanted to know?"
Zongzheng Xi nodded, "Your maids and nanny told me everything that happened with the Lu family. I misunderstood you before. You didn't do anything wrong; it was the Lu family who was at fault."
Meng Qianqian said, "They are my people, so naturally, they would speak up for me."
Zongzheng Xi excitedly said, "But you're Master Yinhu's disciple! Master Yinhu wouldn't be wrong about a person!"
Meng Qianqian asked, "Does Your Majesty know Master Yinhu?"
Zongzheng Xi replied seriously, "I trust the subordinates of Grand Marshal Chu."
Meng Qianqian asked firmly, "Have you seen the true appearance of the Twelve Shadows, Your Majesty?"
Among them are vicious and bloodthirsty men, as well as those who are addicted to killing. Does Your Majesty understand this?"
Zongzheng Xi stood up abruptly, his eyes flashing with anger. "I forbid you to speak ill of the Black Armored Guards!"
Meng Qianqian remained calm and collected as she replied, "The Twelve Shadows have never been a righteous force. They are merely under the command of Grand Marshal Chu, forced to fight for him. If there's anyone in this world who wishes for Grand Marshal Chu's demise, it's the Twelve Shadows themselves."
Zongzheng Xi's anger intensified, and he retorted, "You spew nonsense! Just because you're Master Yinhu's successor doesn't mean I dare not punish you! If you dare to speak ill of the Twelve Shadows again, I'll have you executed!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Li Maomao knelt down, her voice quivering.
Halfway followed suit, kneeling beside her.
Tan'er stood there with her arms crossed, looking up at the ceiling.
Meng Qianqian met Zongzheng Xi's furious gaze without flinching. Zongzheng Xi turned away, his sleeves fluttering as he stormed out of the hall.
Meng Qianqian instructed, "Tan'er, see His Majesty off on his return to the palace."
Tan'er pouted and frowned for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. "Fine."
She skipped out, calling out, "I want two skewers of candied hawthorn berries!"
Meng Qianqian helped Li Maomao to her feet. "Halfway, you can stand up too."
Halfway rose, her face pale. The wrath of the emperor could be deadly, and she had been truly terrified just now.
Li Maomao balled her hand into a fist and struck Meng Qianqian's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. "You... you went to the border to fight... you..."
Only the day before, Halfway and Tan'er had learned the truth about her departure from the capital, and she had instructed them to keep it a secret from Li Maomao.
However, they couldn't keep it from Zongzheng Xi.
Halfway choked back her tears. "Maomao, don't hit Miss. She was injured at the border."
Li Maomao struck herself with her own fist. "I'm useless... I failed to protect Miss..."
She hit Meng Qianqian gently but struck herself with full force.
"Maomao!" Meng Qianqian grabbed her fist. "I'm not injured. I was just scaring Halfway."
Li Maomao's sobs turned into quiet sniffles.
Meng Qianqian sighed. This was why she hadn't dared to tell Li Maomao about her departure. Now, she would have to think of a way to explain how she had suddenly acquired martial arts skills.
When Zongzheng Xi returned to the palace, the Consort Li was waiting for him in his bedroom.
Zongzheng Xi's eyes flickered as he addressed her. "Mother Consort."
The Consort Li took a sip of tea and instructed the palace attendants, "All of you, leave."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The attendants filed out of the room, leaving only Wang, the head eunuch, and Yingyue guarding the door, ensuring no one could approach.
The Consort Li smiled. "Did you have fun outside the palace last night?"
Zongzheng Xi remained silent.
The Consort Li continued, a smile still playing on her lips. "You're growing up, and it's only right that you make some decisions for yourself. Since you don't like the person I chose for you, why don't you pick someone you favor? How about Meng Qianqian?"
Zongzheng Xi's head snapped up. "Mother Consort!"
The Consort Li spoke slowly, her tone casual. "However, she can't be made empress. If you truly like her, I'll make an exception and grant her the position of a concubine."
A twice-married widow wasn't even worth considering for the position of a concubine, in the Consort Li's opinion.
Zongzheng Xi fiddled with his fingers. "She doesn't respect Grand Marshal Chu, and she spoke ill of the Twelve Shadows. I don't like her!"
The Consort Li smiled meaningfully. "If you don't like her, why did you spend the night at her place?"
Zongzheng Xi frowned. "Mother Consort, did you have me followed?"
The Consort Li's expression remained neutral. "You're the emperor. When you didn't return for the night, I was worried that something might have happened to you, or that someone might have plotted against you."
Zongzheng Xi's expression turned serious. "I only wanted to get to know the new Master Yinhu better. It had nothing to do with personal affections."
(End of Chapter)
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