Mo Qi and Leng Muling had been detained for three days, and Leng Yi was absolutely determined to let them both die of thirst and starvation; but then, there was Zhuo Junli in the family.
As the Prime Ministerâs wife, now the mistress of the house, Yun Sijin would pass by the firewood room every day, accidentally leaving some water and food there, along with medicine for injuries.
These three days, rather than being confined, it was more like a period of rest and recuperation.
Mo Qiâs wounds had healed somewhat, and Leng Muling was lively and jumping around.
Seeing todayâs delicacies placed before them, Leng Muling laughed, âNot bad, my uncle! Knowing Iâve been craving, he even sent lobster and abalone. Just the smell tells me itâs from my chef! Uncle is really too good to me!â
Leng Muling hurriedly ate an abalone, then stuffed one into Mo Qiâs mouth.
Mo Qi rubbed her head, feeling deeply concerned, âYou are the most favored Young Miss of the Prime Ministerâs Estate, making you suffer this with me, I have wronged you.â
âSeventh brother, what are you talking about? Where have I suffered? Let me tell you a secret, I was locked in a firewood room when I was little too. I was confined here by grandfather whenever I walked with a poor posture. But back then, I didnât have uncle to pamper me, and there wasnât so much good food either!â
Leng Muling kissed Mo Qi and quietly told him about her embarrassing moments as a child.
Mo Qi was amused by her, no wonder she was so naive.
âActually, I think thereâs not much difference between my bedroom and the firewood room, as long as youâre here, seventh brother. Donât think I only like lobster and abalone; as a child, to maintain my figure, I often ate plain vegetables. I donât have the discipline of my sister, and when I was hungry, Iâd sneak to the kitchen for big white steamed buns. I believe in enjoying whatever life brings, clothes, food, shelter, and transportation. Even if I have to live rough with seventh brother in the future, Iâm willing. Life is the same everywhere! And I will still be just as adorable. Donât you agree, seventh brother?â
Leng Muling looked up with an innocent smile. She was smart and clear-headed, spoiled but not willful.
Warmth spread in Mo Qiâs heart, and he lowered his head to kiss her lips, âI will strive my whole life to never let you live rough.â
He would use all his strength to give her everything he could.
To cherish this compensation and reward from heaven.
âCompensationâ¦â
That word flashed across his mind, accompanied by some images, suddenly flickering by.
âHiss!â
He clutched his head in pain.
âSeventh brother, whatâs wrong?â Leng Muling dropped her chopsticks in concern.
âItâs nothing, come on, letâs eat.â Mo Qi rubbed her face, continuing to enjoy Zhuo Junliâs kindness with her.
In the palace.
Zhuo Junli, like a sandwiched biscuit, was presented before Chu Yihan, âEmperor, the other four Your Majesties have already entered the palace; only Shu Qing⦠sheâs still at the residence, without having received Your order to enter the palace.â
Isnât that a bit too much?
âShe holds the rank of Princess, and the coronation is still being prepared; it naturally requires caution,â Chu Yihan said with an unchanged expression, the imperial majesty fully displayed.
âEven with a Princess rank, you havenât given her a title, Your Majesty. If you really valued her, youâd have at least written a word in passing, but youâre just trying to suppress my old man,â Zhuo Junli saw through it all.
Regarding Leng Yi keeping Mo Qi and Leng Muling confined, Chu Yihan outwardly remained unmoved. He even had the head of the palace guards detained and showed no annoyance, never once inquiring about it.
But he was being cunning!
The other four concubines had been settled in the palace and had their ceremonies conducted.
Only Leng Shuqing remained alone at the Prime Ministerâs Estate. How much suspicion and ridicule must this invite from the world?
The Prime Ministerâs Estate couldnât sit still anymore, which is why they had pushed him in front of Chu Yihan today, right?
Chu Yihan still appeared completely composed, âWhenever the old Prime Minister plans to keep Mo Qi locked up, thatâs when Iâll have Leng Shuqing enter the palace.â
He certainly wasnât beating around the bush with Zhuo Junli.
But his method was too harsh.
In the end, it was Leng Shuqing who would suffer.
She was being made to take the fall for Mo Qi and Leng Muling.
âEmperor, do you not worry at all about Shuqingâs reputation? She is an imperial consort, yet her entry into the palace has been delayed for so long. She must be very anxious at the estate, which seems quite unfair to her.â Let alone him being the uncle who favored only Leng Muling.
He cherished both his nieces just the same.
âTo enter the palace as an imperial consort, one must be prepared mentally. If she regrets it now, I can issue a decree right away to cancel it, allowing you to choose another husband for her.â Chu Yihan was indifferent.
But he believed that the Prime Ministerâs Estate would care.
âGot it! I understand the emperorâs intention,â said Zhuo Junli.
Zhuo Junli left feeling disgruntled.
He directly told Leng Yi, âFather, if you want to preserve Shuqingâs position as the imperial consort, youâd better release Lingâer and Mo Qi soon. Otherwise, the emperor can dismiss her at any time. Itâs fine for Lingâer; with her temperament, she would never seek death. But Shuqing is different. Sheâs delicate and sensitive. If she canât enter the palace to serve as an imperial consort, our familyâs ancestral graves may well have a new tombstone.â
âRebellious son! What are you talking about!â
Leng Yiâs face turned livid with anger.
He had always known about Chu Yihanâs temperament and was convinced that Chu would never fall out with the Prime Ministerâs Estate over Mo Qi, but he hadnât foreseen this chess move of his, centered around the conferral of the consortâs title.
If he didnât make things right for Mo Qi and Leng Muling, then the reputation of both Leng Shuqing and the Leng family would be utterly ruined!
These two granddaughters were pawns in Chu Yihanâs hands.
Leng Kangcheng shook his head helplessly, âThe emperor is very calculating, but how could he do this to Shuqing? Shuqing is utterly devoted to the emperor!â
From childhood, Leng Shuqing was groomed to marry either an emperor or a king, destined for a grand marriage. But with this move from Chu Yihanâ¦
Zhuo Junli laughed lightly, âBig brother, forgive my candor, but Shuqingâs devotion to the emperor, what does it have to do with him? Love only bears fruit when both parties are willing. The emperorâs special regard for the empress is known to everyone. You insisted on sending Shuqing to the palace to secure the Leng familyâs position, which is fine. The emperor will certainly not let her lack anything, and sheâll live a life of luxury and glory, but to expect the emperorâs love might be asking for too much, donât you think?â
âWhat! How can you speak like that!â
Leng Kangchengâs face was thoroughly rebuked.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Could Zhuo Junli be more blunt?
Zhuo Junli spread his hands helplessly; such was the Prime Ministerâs honesty.
âEnough! Release that guard and Lingâer. Whatever they choose to do, let them be! Right now, the most important thing is to send Shuqing to the palace without delay. The longer it takes, the more her reputation suffers, and in the future, she wonât be able to hold her head up high in the palace,â Leng Yi made his decision.
He sighed heavily. Of his two granddaughters, he couldnât fail both.
Leng Shuqing carried the full glory of the Prime Ministerâs Estate, naturally making her more important than Leng Muling.
Zhuo Junli smiled as he went to fetch Mo Qi and Leng Muling. Upon release, Leng Muling followed Mo Qi, fearing she might be confined again at home.
Zhuo Junli let her go but cautioned her, âIf you end up with a pre-marital pregnancy, donât blame your little uncle for disciplining you too!â
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!