Chapter 817: Chapter 487: I’ll Agree to Any of Your Conditions! (Part 2)
…
…
On the other side, Chen Yuan, who left the hall, was aimlessly wandering around. This wasn’t his first visit, but he had never really explored the place, of course,
the Shuanghe Temple wasn’t very large, with hardly any scenery to speak of.
The young Daoist nun beside him, knowing Chen Yuan was an honored guest of the abbot, didn’t dare to slack and detailed everything about the temple to Chen Yuan. As they walked,
Chen Yuan suddenly saw another palace guarded strictly by those wearing Imperial Palace Guards armor, and couldn’t help but feel curious. He asked without showing his feelings,
“Which noble person in the palace is this?”
The young Daoist nun quickly replied,
“It’s Noble Consort Yang. Recently, the noble consort often visits the temple to pray for blessings for the Emperor and Fourth Prince.”
“Oh, is it her?”
Chen Yuan’s eyes flickered, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Inside the grand hall, Noble Consort Yang knelt before the portrait of the Daoist ancestor, praying for blessings. Her expression was serene, and the light gauze she wore beautifully outlined her figure. Although over forty, having given birth to Fourth Prince Sima Ke and Princess Pingyang, she maintained herself very well, possessing some shallow cultivation, thus not showing signs of aging.
To outsiders, she seemed to be just over thirty.
And at this age, she was truly in her prime.
She had been coming here to pray for six days already. After another visit tomorrow, it would be enough. Although she herself knew such actions bore no real fruit, she couldn’t help but seek some solace.
Ever since Ke’er was reprimanded by the Emperor, he showed no resurgence, and the hope of becoming Crown Prince grew even dimmer, which was her greatest concern.
If Second Prince Sima You gained power, it would be alright, as there was no grievance between her and the Empress. But should Eldest Prince Sima Qian become Crown Prince and eventually ascend the throne, there would be no good outcome for her and her son.
She and that wretched woman were long irreconcilable.
Similarly, if Fourth Prince Sima Ke gained power, she would not spare that wretched woman.
Now, she only prayed for Sima Ke to be more stable in his dealings. If he truly had no chance for the throne, he must be prepared in advance to ensure Sima Qian doesn’t gain power.
But the problem was, ever since Sima Ke asked those inexplicable questions, he seldom came to Chunhua Palace, and even when she summoned him, he made countless excuses, leaving her heart sorrowful yet helpless.
As Noble Consort Yang’s mind was in turmoil, a steady and powerful hand suddenly rested on her shoulder. Startled, she was about to scream,
but the surroundings had been entirely sealed, so no sound could escape even if she screamed herself hoarse.
The visitor was none other than Chen Yuan. After discovering Noble Consort Yang coincidentally at this place, he decided to first probe the noble consort’s situation, both for the previous prohibition against entering the palace and to inquire about the real situation with Sima Ke.
Why had he come to visit, and with such persistence?
Last night after returning home, he found people from the Fourth Prince Mansion had come to send an invitation, speaking with sincerity. Although the people from Duke Wuwei Mansion dismissed them, he had a faint feeling that Sima Ke might visit again.
And… had the storm from that previous incident passed?
As Noble Consort Yang was flustered, a breath of warm air brushed against her ear:
“Don’t be afraid, Your Highness, it’s me.”
Hearing this incredibly familiar voice, Noble Consort Yang widened her eyes and asked in a quiet voice,
“Chen Yuan?”
“Yes.”
“Release me immediately, or I’ll…” Noble Consort Yang warned instantly, but before she could utter any threats, she felt as if her body was crawling with tiny insects, making her uncomfortable, and she didn’t immediately speak her menacing words.
“Or what does Your Highness want to do?”
Chen Yuan coldly smirked with a detached look.
“You… you… how dare you be so rude?”
Feeling a bit weak and powerless, Noble Consort Yang murmured.
“Ha….”
Chen Yuan gave a couple of cold laughs and stepped back a little.
When the weakness in her body subsided, Noble Consort Yang suddenly turned her head, her gaze sharp and with a flicker of something unnoticeable as she stared at him, saying,
“You… presumptuous, do you know that if this matter were to spread, you would face the crime of exterminating nine generations!”
“Would Your Highness let this matter spread?”
Chen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, as if looking down at her.
Taking a deep breath, Noble Consort Yang snorted coldly, changing the subject and not dwelling on that question. Instead, she asked,
“When did you return?”
“Why, does Chen need to report back to Noble Consort when returning to the capital?”
“You… how dare you speak back to me!”
“Heh… Enough, we’re now in the same boat, Noble Consort; don’t expect Chen to bow and scrape to you. I’m someone… accustomed to being straightforward.”
Chen Yuan said with an indifferent expression.
Noble Consort Yang was temporarily at a loss for words.
“What do you intend to do?”
“Since I’ve come, shouldn’t Your Highness also return the harem passage permit to me?”
Hearing this, Noble Consort Yang’s expression suddenly changed, staring at Chen Yuan and asked,
“Chen Yuan, tell me truthfully, was it you who caused the disturbance in the harem during the ancestor worship hall event?”
“What is Your Highness saying? Chen cannot comprehend.”
Chen Yuan directly denied.
“Even if you don’t admit it, do you think I wouldn’t guess?” Noble Consort Yang fixed her gaze on Chen Yuan. She had already speculated before, and after Chen Yuan left, she became even more certain of her guess.
Chen Yuan was likely not encountering any bottleneck but rather avoiding the limelight.
But she had never shared this suspicion with anyone, for if Chen Yuan were involved in the matter, she couldn’t escape association, especially since she was the one who gave Chen Yuan the permit.