Chapter 28 Heartbeat
Yan Yu was dressed in a white jade brocade robe, looking like an otherworldly fairy.
Outside the window behind me, there are dense green bamboos, casting mottled light and shadows, as if there are clouds and mist echoing, or a veil spreading.
Looking from afar, the green mountains are like layers of emeralds, and the blue sky creates a colorful picture of a fairyland on earth.
Surrounded by the sea of clouds and the jade-like buildings, they are just like Yan Yu’s pure and elegant appearance, bright and otherworldly, like a dream.
Before Yan Yu could explain the pros and cons in detail, Zhong Channi's cheeks were already flushed and her heart was beating fast.
There is such a pure and flawless man in the world.
Afraid of revealing her inner feelings, Zhong Channi only glanced at him secretly for a few times, then looked back shyly, lowered her brows and remained silent.
Noticing her completely fiery gaze, Yan Yu coughed twice in embarrassment.
For a moment, I felt something was wrong with my body, and I couldn't help but think of what Ning Yunxi wrote in the letter:
When my brother meets Zhong Channi, remember to wear that white jade brocade robe and choose a sunny day to meet her after lunch.
The meeting place should be chosen in my brother’s east study.
My brother sat under the window facing due west, with his back to the beautiful scenery, and then he could use clever words to sow discord.
Thinking of this, Yan Yu felt helpless.
It turned out that was what she had in mind.
Ugh,
It's a pity she could think of that...
"After Zhong Shuyi's accident, there will inevitably be a vacancy in the Zhong Mansion's harem."
"And the Ning Mansion has the support of Imperial Concubine Yi. Now that they are in power, no one can check and balance them for the time being."
"At the beginning of the conspiracy, Mrs. Zhong could just go with the flow and let things take their own course."
"But over time, given the situation in the Zhong family, Mrs. Zhong will inevitably be inferior to others."
"Then you and her will no longer be in collusion, but will have different levels of superiority and inferiority, like master and servant."
"I deeply believe that if Madam Ning sincerely cooperates, she should be treated fairly."
"Since Ning Mansion already has Imperial Concubine Yi, Zhong Mansion naturally cannot be without a harem."
“Only such cooperation can last long.”
"Mrs. Zhong, what do you think?"
Yao Ruopian did not express his opinion immediately. He thought for a moment and then asked back.
"There is one thing I don't understand."
"The prince has allowed Qin Hongzhong's son to live in the Prince Dijin's mansion. Is this for protection or for cooperation?"
Yan Yu smiled faintly.
"Just as Mrs. Zhong thought."
"My intention is self-evident."
Yao Ruopian was secretly satisfied, so he tried it out.
"In this case, please hand over Qin Hongzhong's son, Your Majesty. I will be able to use him."
Yan Yu's slender fingers gently stroked the teapot on the table and poured tea calmly.
"I understand Madam Zhong's intention."
"Just ask Madam Zhong to think carefully. If Qin Hongzhong is really destroyed by Lord Zhong, what will the outside world say?"
"There is internal strife in Tinghetai. Is Lord Zhong trying to seize power?"
"I feel that it is most appropriate for me to take action on Qin Hongzhong's matter."
"This way, we can not only convey my sincerity in cooperation, but also keep Master Zhong clean."
"Why not do it?"
Yao Ruopian was slightly moved.
"Then may I ask Your Majesty, when do you plan to take action?"
Yan Yu responded with a smile.
"Of course, we have to wait until Miss Zhong enters the palace."
"Even until Miss Zhong is in power."
"If you rush into it, it will only backfire."
Yao Ruopian became suspicious.
"You are dragging your feet like this, aren't you just fooling me?"
Yan Yu's eyes are beautiful and she looks particularly kind.
"This king has no such intention."
"Once Qin Hongzhong gets into trouble, Ning Yunxi and Xie Mao will be defeated without any attack."
"Zhong Ning conspired together, targeting Ning Yunxi."
"Once the powerful enemy is eliminated and all obstacles are cleared, what do you think Madam Ning will do next, Madam Zhong?"
"Don't interfere with other people's business. Do you think the Zhong family are irrelevant?"
There was a slight ripple in Yao Ruopian's eyes, as if she was thinking about something.
Yan Yu continued to alienate them.
"Can't Madam Zhong see that the Ning Mansion intends to use the Zhong Mansion to deal with Yin Sitai?"
"There is indeed a grudge between the Zhong Mansion and Yin Sitai, but why is it the Ning Mansion?"
“Once they reach out to Yinsitai, the next one might be Tinghetai.”
"Then, it could be the remaining six."
"Ning Hanwang is trying to control the government, and Concubine Yi is trying to take charge of the harem. It shouldn't be hard for Madam Zhong to guess what the Ning family is planning, right?"
"Is Madam Zhong waiting for the Ning clan to ascend to a high position, and then use the Zhong clan as powerful officials?"
The worry in Yao Ruopian's eyes was obvious.
"In your opinion, the people of the Ning clan should not be trusted lightly."
"Will the prince be willing to make use of the Zhong clan after he ascends the throne?"
Yan Yu reminded with a smile.
"The Yan clan has ruled the world, and the Zhong clan has assisted them for a hundred years."
"If I have the intention to overthrow you, wouldn't I be branded as someone who has forgotten his roots and is ungrateful?"
"When the time comes, how can the wise officials and the people be convinced?"
"After a hundred years of friendship between the emperor and his subjects, Madam Zhong is suspicious. On the contrary, why is it that the Ning clan is willing to trust their hypocrisy for many years?"
Yao Ruopian considered it again and again before telling the reason.
"Your Majesty, you don't know,"
"I hold the leverage over the Ning clan in my hand."
"So we can cooperate with confidence and not worry about others destroying our bridges after crossing the river."
Yan Yu continued to alienate them.
"So, Madam Zhong thinks that the Ning clan will be controlled by you forever?"
Yao Ruopian suddenly realized.
"This……"
Yan Yu’s eyes are deep and starry, and seem to have the beauty of attack.
"It is precisely because they hold the evidence that the Ning clan cannot tolerate others."
"If I do nothing at this moment, the inside story of how the Zhong Mansion dealt with Qin Hongzhong will be known by the Ning Mansion."
"And the matter of He Yin and Ye Lan might also be blamed on the Zhong family."
"If we encounter a situation where the bird is killed and the bow is hidden, given the current situation of the Zhong clan, will they be able to fight back?"
Yao Ruopian looked horrified, as if he had imagined the tragic ending, and then he knelt down to pay his respects.
"I have never had the intention to betray Emperor Yan. I hope Your Majesty will use magic to rescue me. I will be grateful to you!"
Yan Yu gestured for him to stand up and comforted him patiently.
"Isn't the reason why I summoned you today to try to rescue you?"
"Please rest assured, Madam Zhong, the Yan clan will never mistreat their loyal subjects."
"I just wonder if Miss Zhong is willing to cooperate with my plan?"
Zhong Channi nodded and smiled without thinking.
"I believe it without a doubt and will obey your orders!"
Yan Yu smiled back and looked back at Yao Ruopian.
"I wonder what exactly is the Ning Clan's leverage that Madam Zhong just mentioned?"
Yao Ruopian answered truthfully.
"It's Ning Yunxi."
"Her origins are unknown. She is not a daughter of the Ning clan at all."
"Mu Rong knowingly married her to Prince Chen as his concubine, maliciously confusing the royal bloodline."
"Moreover, it seems that he is using Ning Yunxi to seize power."
"If this matter gets to the emperor's ears, the Ning and Mu clans will be doomed."
After hearing this, Yan Yu thought deeply about it.
It turns out that she is not a daughter of the Ning clan.
No wonder the people in Ning Mansion treated her badly.
Perhaps, from the moment she was adopted, she became a knife in the hands of the Ning people.
It’s a pity that in her previous life, she ended up being abandoned by everyone.
Just as I was thinking about it, I heard Yao Ruopian ask in confusion: "This humble servant asks abruptly, when does the prince plan to recommend my daughter to enter the palace?"
Yan Yu came back to his senses and answered immediately.
"Ms. Zhong is simple-minded and may not be able to please the Holy Heart."
"This prince and the emperor have been close friends for many years, and I have some understanding of his preferences."
"Please come to Prince Dijin's mansion often these days, Miss Zhong."
"When everything is ready, I will recommend him to my brother."