Chapter 408: A storm is coming, yet you’re still at ease (2/2)
But Mu Liuyue didn’t take her warnings to heart at all. “Even if Chu Qingge comes, can she help His Majesty birth a son immediately? What kind of waves could an infant in swaddling clothes make? Noble Consort Xue, you really are underestimating His Highness Crown Prince.”
Only the people of the Eastern Palace knew of Mu Liuyue’s private difficulties. In public, she put on an imposing air to puff herself up, pretending that nothing was wrong as she wholehearted defended His Highness Crown Prince.
“Liuyue, it’s not that I’m underestimating the crown prince, but that you’re underestimating Western Zhou’s Chu Clan!” Noble Consort Xue’s tone was sincere.
“Forget it, forget it. There’s the crown prince’s advisors to worry about such things. It’s getting late, so I ask that Noble Consort Xue to please go back,” Mu Liuyue was impatient.
Noble Consort Xue was currently Emperor Tianhui’s favored consort, the sole figure capable of swaying him through pillow talks. Who wouldn’t fawn on her? But Mu Liuyue, as the princess consort, didn’t take her seriously at all. In the end, Noble Consort Xue still depended on the empress dowager, whose full hopes rested on the crown prince in turn. No matter how angry she felt, Noble Consort Xue couldn’t do anything against this girl.
After sending off Noble Consort Xue, Mu Liuyue immediately issued orders. “Someone come, prepare a generous gift for me. I want to give a present to Chu Qingge!”
Actually, Mu Liuyue had been thinking over the Chu Qingge marriage alliance before Noble Consort Xue arrived. Her only thought was that Chu Qingge thoroughly hated Han Yunxi, just like her. The two of them were like peas in a pod! She had no hope of relying on the crown prince, so she only wished that Chu Qingge could marry over quickly. This way, they’d be able to take their revenge in tandem!
Currently, Han Yunxi was still in Jiangnan’s distant Plum Blossom Sea. How would she feel if she knew of such thoughts? In truth, she hadn’t taken Chu Qingge’s impending marriage to heart at all. Even the empress dowager found it impossible to deal with her, much less a new bride of the imperial harem. She was more concerned with when Long Feiye was planning to return to the capital. Originally, she thought their leisurely, carefree days were coming to an end, but Long Feiye didn’t seem to have any plans of returning to the capital at all. Even Imperial Physician Huang was sent away with a few words by Chu Xifeng when he arrived.
Is he really waiting for Emperor Tianhui to beg him back, like he said before?
Mm, that’s definitely worth waiting for.
On this day, General Baili’s messenger pigeon cae with news from Fishery Island. Han Yunxi glanced at the contents before she chuckled. “It’s about time for the effects of the medicine to fade away.”
The ice on the Illusory Sea Lake had started to melt, while the poison she used in the water should be losing effect as well. Now that food supplies had stabilized in the three disaster regions, there was no need to keep fishing anymore. Long Feiye had long stopped caring about the island altogether.
“Chu Xifeng, pass on my orders,” he said coldly, “Guard the shores of Fishery Island unto death. No slacking tolerated!”
Jun Yixie was still trapped on the island and Long Feiye had left him with two choices: either die in the sea, or die of old age on land. Han Yunxi knew that Long Feiye had yet to cool his temper, so she quietly offered him a cup of tea and said, somewhat hesitant, “Your Highness, it’s possible that news of what happened on Fishery Island will spread very soon…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but the meaning was implicit. This was a truly troublesome affair.
Firstly, Long Feiye had used the entirety of Tianning’s naval to form a blockade against a single Jun Yixie. If Emperor Tianhui found out, he’d definitely go and investigate. General Baili might be one of Long Feiye’s people, but the navy still belonged to the royal court. Secondly, Jun Yixie’s grudge and how he’d taken advantage of her would definitely make her the source of various talks and writings. How many people would use that information to figuratively slap Long Feiye in the face? Thirdly, the empress dowager would never let it go once she found out about her untouched gecko cinnabar mark. Fourthly, Jun Yixie had used a Northern Li imperial ship to sail to the island, so the Northern Li imperial clan most certainly knew of his plans. They’d probably write about this, too. Han Yunxi’s thoughts were justified, and Long Feiye had naturally considered them as well.
Still, all he said was, “Don’t worry. Make some preparations and I’ll take you sightseeing tomorrow.”
Sightseeing?
“Your Highness , you’re in a good mood!” Han Yunxi grinned. If he was willing to enjoy the scenery, then she probably didn’t need to worry about anything. The plowing season was already here, the perfect time to see all sorts of sprouts and growing things. The weather was neither cold nor hot and the landscapes were beautiful. Going on a sightseeing tour at a time like this was rather romantic, wasn’t it?
His Highness Duke of Qin has his moods, too! Han Yunxi felt even less like returning to the capital now!
As soon as she left the room, a guard arrived with a report. “Your Highness, Gu Qi Sha sent an update. He wants to make an appointment to see you on the 15th of next month.”
Long Feiye’s eyes flickered at the news. “Has he found those two other ingredients?”
“He didn’t say anything beyond the appointment for the 15th. He asks that Your Highness set a location,” the guard replied.
“Pill Fiend Valley, as before. Tell him that your lordship will definitely arrive on time!” Long Feiye said frostily.
1. Huang Gengchen (黄庚辰) – Huang is a surname that means “yellow,” Gengchen is a term for the seventeenth year of the sexagenary cycle. This is also the same Imperial Physician Huang who knew Gu Beiyue as a youth.