"It seems Li Yaoqin knows more than she should," Concubine Liu's gaze turned considerably colder.
Even Qing'er shivered, "Concubine Liu..."
"Let's go, help me back to my room."
In the evening, Li Yaoqin got what she wanted. Concubine Liu had gone missing once during her capping ceremony. When she was found, her temperament had changed drastically.
"It seems this Concubine Liu is very suspicious," Li Yaoqin remarked.
Lianxin nodded, "Your servant inquired with the neighbors next to the Liu residence. They all said Concubine Liu's temperament changed dramatically, becoming somewhat unfathomable."
"I truly knew too little about the matters of the manor before, allowing some people to take advantage," Li Yaoqin said regretfully.
"Eldest Miss, you shouldn't blame yourself. What does this have to do with you? We can only blame this Concubine Liu for being too cunning," Lianxin said.
Yanxin nodded, "Indeed. This Concubine Liu is as cunning as a fox. Eldest Miss, you must be thinking about how to make this cunning fox reveal her tail."
"You are not mistaken. I want to see what her ultimate goal is," Li Yaoqin said, word by word.
Hua Yunjin entered Changning Palace and saw the woman resting on the seat. A gentle breeze stirred the strands of her hair that had fallen out, intertwining with her skirt and dancing lightly. For a moment, he felt a sense of tranquil, timeless peace.
Xue Zining sensed another presence and opened her eyes. Seeing Hua Yunjin, she sat up and said, "Why do you have time to visit today?"
He walked forward and sat opposite her, saying, "I came to see Your Majesty. I didn't expect you to be sleeping here. The autumn weather is still a bit cool; Your Majesty should take good care."
Xue Zining smiled and said, "I originally wanted to sit here for some fresh air, but I didn't expect to fall asleep. I've been getting sleepier lately."
"Your Majesty should rest more. You are further along now, and they also need rest."
Xue Zining nodded, "Don't worry, I know."
"Is there no news from him yet?"
Hearing Hua Yunjin mention Yan Zhao, she shook her head, "No."
"He should have reached Beijiang by now," Hua Yunjin said.
Xue Zining nodded, "Yes."
"Your Majesty, don't worry, he will be fine."
"Yes, I believe so too," Xue Zining said.
Looking at Hua Yunjin, she said, "You didn't come today just to ask if Yan Zhao has returned, did you?"
He nodded, "Indeed, I have something to trouble Your Majesty with."
"You say..."
Hua Yunjin said, "This minister has found out that Concubine Liu from the residence of Minister Li, the Minister of Personnel, had contact with Beijiang two months ago."
Xue Zining started, "Concubine Liu?"
Hua Yunjin nodded, "Yes."
"What do you intend to do?"
"This minister wishes to lure the snake out of its hole."
Xue Zining looked at him and asked, "How should I cooperate?"
The next day
Li Yaoqin left the manor and went to the temple without stopping. A monk led her to a side room in the back courtyard.
She asked Lianxin to wait outside and walked into the room herself.
Inside sat a man in black, drinking tea. Even his profile was exceptionally handsome. She lowered her gaze slightly and curtsied, "Your Highness, what business do you have with this humble one?"
"Sit."
Li Yaoqin sat opposite him.
Hua Yunjin poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards her. She started, "Your Highness, this humble one is fearful."
His Highness pouring tea for her, she found it incredible.
"What is there to fear? Drink!" Hua Yunjin said.
Seeing her so timid now, when she was previously fearless in the palace, Hua Yunjin found it almost amusing.
Women truly changed their demeanor so quickly.
Since Prince Hua spoke thusly, Li Yaoqin did not stand on ceremony. She had been thirsty from the carriage ride and picked up the teacup, drinking it down in one gulp. The tea was neither hot nor cold, perfect for quenching her thirst.
After drinking the tea, she said, "Your Highness, please instruct this humble one as you see fit."
Hua Yunjin looked up at her and said lightly, "Yesterday, this king discussed with Your Majesty and wished to lure the snake out of its hole."
Li Yaoqin started, "The... The Empress knows too?"
Hua Yunjin said, "To be frank, Your Majesty has always known."
Li Yaoqin didn't know how she felt, experiencing an unspeakable awkwardness and shame.
She, who had wanted to surpass the Empress, found that the Empress had always been right before her. She felt truly ridiculous.
"Miss Li, Your Majesty is not as narrow-minded as you think."
Hearing this, Li Yaoqin looked up at him and asked, "Would Your Highness place trust in a love rival?"
She couldn't fathom it and just wanted to find a hole to crawl into; it was too embarrassing.
"Miss Li should know that this king and Emperor Yun are no different from love rivals. Yet, I trust him, and he trusts me."
As Hua Yunjin's words fell, Li Yaoqin trembled. She had completely forgotten that Prince Hua was in love with the Empress. At this moment, she looked up and asked, "Your Highness, you..."
"At the time, I truly felt humiliated and ashamed, but after a long period, I let go."
Li Yaoqin started, unable to help but ask, "How did you let go?"
Hua Yunjin smiled upon hearing this, "It's very simple. This king would sometimes ask himself, would she be happy and joyful if the Empress were with me? Clearly not, because the Empress does not like me..."
Li Yaoqin trembled all over, then slowly lowered her head, her gaze drooping. Would Emperor Yun be happy with her?
Clearly not, because she had never seen Emperor Yun smile at any other woman; all his tenderness and care were given to the Empress.
She looked at Hua Yunjin and, for the first time, felt a sense of shared suffering, like two souls adrift on the same sea.
"Alright, let's not talk about these things anymore. This king has let go now. Although I still feel a pang of unwillingness when I see Her Majesty, it is all in the past. Now, let's discuss how to lure the snake out of its hole." Hua Yunjin said.
Li Yaoqin nodded, "Yes, Your Highness, please speak."
"Tomorrow, Your Majesty and this king will personally visit the Li manor to mourn Madam Li. We will then discuss matters with Minister Li in the study. This king and Your Majesty believe that Concubine Liu will make a move at this time."
Li Yaoqin started, "Why?"
Hua Yunjin said, "Miss Li might not know, but two months ago, Concubine Liu had contact with Beijiang."
Li Yaoqin trembled all over. She was well aware of the rebellion in Beijiang. Could it be that Concubine Liu was in contact with the King of Beijiang? Wouldn't that implicate their Li household as well?
That was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations. Was Concubine Liu trying to drag their Li manor into the abyss?
Li Yaoqin's back was already drenched in sweat, "Your Highness, please investigate clearly. This humble one and my father absolutely have no connection whatsoever with Beijiang."
"Miss Li, rest assured. This king and Your Majesty both trust Minister Li."
Li Yaoqin breathed a sigh of relief. At this moment, she even felt a sense of fortunate relief that the matters within the manor had kept her occupied, preventing her from having any other thoughts of acting against the Empress. Otherwise, being accused of rebellion would have meant a truly unpardonable death.
"Your Highness, whatever you and Her Majesty plan to do, this humble one will certainly cooperate," Li Yaoqin said.