Chapter 642: Chapter 220 Decision_2
His eyes were soft, his smile radiant, but his gaze was like a cold blade, bristling with killing intent.
He was not joking.
As Qi Huaying reached the door, her face instantly turned pale.
Back when she had harbored fantasies about Pei Yunmeng, she had looked forward to many occasions of him visiting the mansion. She had not expected their first meeting at the mansion to be under such circumstances.
Such indifference, such sharpness, as if swords were drawn and bows were ready.
She felt sorry for herself.
Pei Yunmeng cast her a glance, one that sent chills down her spine.
Even after he had left, Qi Huaying could not shake off the fear instilled by that glance.
Intense coughing echoed from the hall. Qi Huaying suddenly snapped to attention and rushed into the room. Qi Qing, supporting himself with a handkerchief, was coughing violently. Tears immediately welled up in Qi Huaying’s eyes: "Father!"
Qi Qing looked at her and closed his eyes.
He had only one son and one daughter.
His son, now lying in a coffin.
His daughter, outstanding since childhood, universally praised in Shengjing for her grace and propriety. But such propriety was worthless before the approach of a downpour. If he were to die, who would protect Qi Huaying?
They had reached a dead end.
...
The night was thick as pitch, and it was still long.
In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Yuan Zhen had not yet gone to bed, pacing back and forth in his room wearing a robe.
The Crown Princess Consort handed him a cup of hot soup, which Yuan Zhen brushed away, his expression quite irritated.
He had been under house arrest for over a month.
Emperor Liang Ming was resolute in punishing him, strictly forbidding him to leave the residence. Yuan Zhen could not attend the Mid-Autumn festival banquet or the tribute ceremony. The ministers had all seen the Emperor’s intention to replace the Crown Prince, and Yuan Zhen was very anxious.
His father had never liked him, Yuan Zhen knew this well. Compared to himself, Emperor Liang Ming favored Yuan Yao, the son of Concubine Chen.
The power of the Duke of Chen faction was growing, not without Emperor Liang Ming’s tacit approval.
The Emperor wanted to depose the Crown Prince.
Yuan Zhen himself was also confused. At some point, Yuan Yao had risen to equal standing with him. Even though his father favored the younger brother, he was the eldest son; what gave Yuan Yao the right?
He was starting to grow impatient, and it was Grand Preceptor Qi Qing who had been calming him and telling him not to be hasty. However, news from last night reported that Qi Yutai was dead.
Qi Qing’s son, Qi Yutai, was dead.
There was only one son in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, and Qi Qing had been supporting him to make plans for his own son’s future. But now that the Qi family had no heir, would Qi Qing still stand by him? It was anybody’s guess.
One cannot fathom the hearts of men.
Yuan Zhen suddenly stood up, calling for his confidant.
"You, go to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion and deliver a message to Qi Qing," he said.
The confidant was startled: "Crown Prince, those people are watching the Eastern Palace very closely..."
Emperor Liang Ming was suspicious of him, and there were imperial spies all around the residence. To send a message to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion at this time was highly risky.
Yuan Zhen commanded angrily, "If I tell you to go, then go!"
There was no time left.
He had an intuition that the death of Qi Yutai seemed to be the beginning of something, and Yuan Yao would not miss this opportunity. If he couldn’t change his situation quickly, he might never have another chance.
He grabbed his confidant by the collar, speaking rapidly.
"Tell him, his son may be dead, but he still has other members of the Qi family. If Yuan Yao ascends to the throne, and I die, he will not escape either, not even his treasured daughter will be safe!"
"Make him think clearly, whether to live or to die together!"
The Crown Prince glared, his extended house arrest making him less calm than usual, and even his usual arrogance seemed diminished, like a frantic man seeking any remedy in sickness.
The confidant swallowed his shock, and obediently responded: "Yes..."
...
A night passed, with each harboring their own sleeplessness.
Lu Tong stayed the night in the Palace Marshal’s Mansion.
Qingfeng and Chi Jian indeed performed their duties diligently, not allowing her to step one foot outside the Palace Marshal’s Mansion.
Pei Yunmeng had someone send a message to Yin Zheng and Lin Danqing, simply stating that Xiao Zhufeng had come down with a sudden and severe illness, and Lu Tong was staying overnight in the Palace Marshal’s Mansion to treat him, and would return in a few days.
With the matter concerning the Palace Marshal’s Mansion, the Medical Officer Institute naturally said nothing. Yin Zheng came to deliver a medical kit during the night. Seeing Lu Tong in good health, she dismissed her last doubts; only regretting the lychee kidney soup prepared had cooled, and was now entirely destined for Du Changqing’s stomach, she complained a bit before heading back to West Street.
Lu Tong did not share these matters with her.
The more people who knew, the more troubles increased without need.
The imperial guards of the Palace Marshal’s Mansion were quite enthusiastic towards Lu Tong; they didn’t ask why she was staying but fervently tried to keep her company and entertained, each vying to relieve Lu Tong of her boredom with idle chat.
Lu Tong attempted to fish for some news about the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion from these guards, but whether it was because these guards were tight-lipped or truly had not heard any news, the morning passed without any results.