Chapter 56: Vague Words
Mu Yan sat leisurely on the golden carved seat, glancing to the side while her jade fingers leisurely played with the ceramic cup on the coffee table.
Then, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door.
Xianglu stepped over the threshold and walked in quickly. Her silk skirt fluttered slightly in the wind, and after she walked into the hall, it gradually fell into silence.
"My queen, there's news coming from the side hall."
Mu Yan raised her eyebrows and became interested.
"Check it out?"
"Who is trying to make things difficult for me?"
Xianglu lowered her eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then responded.
"Reporting to the queen, the side hall said..."
"I often see Xiao Fuzi carrying a food box and quietly bringing food to the third girl."
Mu Yan couldn't remember who this person was for a moment.
"Xiao Fuzi?"
Xianglu cleared his throat and added explanation.
"It's the little Fuzi beside the emperor."
Mu Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and looked towards the side hall.
"You mean, Xiao Fuzi is Ning Yunxi's man?"
"Or is it Xie Mao's people?"
Xianglu added another explanation.
"Reporting to the queen, what Xiao Fuzi sent is all imperial food."
Mu Yan's hand movements suddenly stopped, and his face was full of shock.
"what?"
Xianglu buried her head even lower, fearing that the empress would be angry, but she was powerless to do anything and would have to take it out on her.
"Maybe there's some misunderstanding."
"In my humble opinion, why don't you go to Disheng Palace and test the waters with words?"
Mu Yan slammed the table in anger.
"There is no misunderstanding. He values Ning Yunxi and would not want to hurt her."
"It's ridiculous."
"Is he still fantasizing that Ning Yunxi will be as devoted to him as before?"
"She originally loved the woman and helped him. But now, she doesn't even want the Prince of Chen anymore, so how could she want him?"
Xianglu was frightened and her body began to tremble continuously.
"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words..."
“If these words were to reach Emperor Sheng Palace, the consequences would be disastrous.”
Mu Yan was extremely angry.
"I finally took Prince Chen in as my adopted son and planned this plan with him. How many difficulties did I overcome during this time?"
"We finally have the upper hand in winning. We just need this last step."
"He is so good, secretly acting like a good guy, trying to win over Ning Yunxi!"
Xianglu had no choice but to rush forward and cover her mouth.
"My lady, please be careful with your words!"
"I am helpless and can only resort to this last resort. Please calm down, Madam."
Having said that, he slowly let go of her hand.
"I think the emperor is just having a hard time thinking."
"As long as Your Majesty gives good advice, with your unparalleled eloquence, the Emperor will certainly not remain indifferent."
Mu Yan gradually calmed down and became worried.
"If I fail to persuade her, I will miss this great opportunity to get rid of Ning Yunxi."
Xianglu smiled encouragingly.
"Why should you belittle yourself? Your Majesty's witty remarks are so amazing that everyone in the world knows about them."
"And there is no other way around it."
"The emperor is willing to protect him, and no one can do anything about it. Your Majesty, you should go and persuade him."
Mu Yan frowned and stood up unhappily.
"Change clothes and go to Disheng Palace."
……
Mu Yan came to Di Sheng Palace and asked to see Gu Mengzhen.
After waiting for a while, Gu Mengzhen agreed to be summoned.
"My beloved concubine, you have arrived just in time. I just wanted to summon you to see me."
Mu Yan smiled sweetly and bowed.
"My concubine respectfully wishes your Majesty's blessing."
Gu Mengzhen personally stepped forward, helped her up with both hands, and gestured for her to sit down.
In front of outsiders, Mu Yan still looked gracious, well-educated and well-mannered. After thanking him, she waited for Gu Mengzhen to sit back in the main seat before she slowly sat down on the side seat.
"I wonder what the emperor wants to see you for?"
Gu Mengzhen signaled to the palace servants to serve her a few plates of her favorite snacks before she began to tell her story.
"It has been a while since the execution of the Zhong family. The position of Queen has been vacant in the harem."
"After much thought, I think that only Consort Yi is the most suitable person to be the mother of the country."
"It's just that you haven't been in the palace the longest, and you don't have any children, yet you've been promoted to the position of Imperial Concubine."
"In the court, all the ministers are against it, and I feel really embarrassed."
"Now, I have thought of a clever plan that can help my beloved concubine take the throne of the queen."
Mu Yan understood what he meant. She pursed her lips slightly, her cheeks rosy, and she looked extremely beautiful.
"I am a humble concubine, and I dare not take the position of queen."
"The opposition of the ministers shows that this matter is inappropriate. I sincerely advise the emperor to withdraw his order."
Gu Mengzhen asked tentatively.
"My beloved concubine, do you not want to listen to my brilliant plan?"
Mu Yan was respectful and obedient.
"Your Majesty, please speak. I am all ears."
"It's just about the matter of conferring the title of empress, Your Majesty, please think twice."
Gu Mengzhen smiled with his dragon eyes and talked freely.
"Nanluo County is plagued by an epidemic. We urgently need an experienced doctor to go there and research treatment methods for the victims."
At this point, Mu Yan had already guessed what he would say next.
She said nothing, but just smiled gracefully and listened quietly.
Gu Mengzhen continued to talk.
"I think this matter must be done by Xi'er."
"If you can resolve the issue of the Tinghetai token in time and escort Xier all the way to the disaster relief, then when Xier heals the victims, you will have done a great deed."
"The love for the people is so moving that it can move heaven and earth. This is how she can be regarded as the mother of the country."
"When the time comes, I will propose to enthrone the queen, and the ministers will have no reason to object."
"What do you think, my dear concubine?"
There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Mu Yan's smiling eyes.
"In this way, Xi'er is also deeply loved by the people, isn't she?"
Gu Mengzhen stared and asked back.
"As an aunt, my niece is very popular among the people. Isn't this a good thing for my beloved concubine?"
Mu Yan realized that his words were wrong and immediately changed his words with a fake smile.
"Of course it's a good thing."
"It's just that I'm a little embarrassed."
Gu Mengzhen looked confused.
"What's the problem?"
Mu Yan's pupils turned slightly, and he quickly came up with an excuse.
"Your Majesty, please know that I have just adopted Prince Chen as my adopted son."
"After all, Prince Chen's biological mother, Zhong Shuyi, was convicted and executed because of Xi'er."
"Regarding the Tinghetai token, Your Majesty and I are of the same mind, and we both want to protect Xi'er."
"What can I do, Prince Chen... Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Prince Chen is not a bad boy. He is just too filial."
"The sudden death of my biological mother, who had been with me day and night for more than 20 years, would be a cause of great grief to anyone."
"The dead are the greatest. As the adopted mother of the Prince of Chen, I have no choice but to choose to sacrifice my own relatives for the sake of justice."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Gu Mengzhen's eyes were very deep.
"Empress's position and the dignity of the legitimate son cannot make the prince calm down and put things to rest?"
Mu Yan expressed his meaning vaguely.
"The last monarch of the ancient country Daqing was forcibly helped to ascend the throne by Chen Mang. He was the free and easy emperor for only two days before he was caught in the war for two whole years. In the end, he was captured and died in shame."
"As long as the treacherous minister Chen Mang is still around, even if you are the emperor, you will still be treading on thin ice."
"People in later generations all said that it would have been better for the Emperor of Daqing not to have sat on the throne for two days."
"That's roughly what the King of Chen meant."
Gu Mengzhen stared at her, seeing through her at a glance.
"Is this the intention of the Prince of Chen or the concubine?"
"Or, both my beloved concubine and Prince Chen want Xi'er's life?"