Le Jianghu de Feng Qingcheng et Mo Xibei

Chapitre 64

Leng Jie smiled but remained silent. Turning around, she met Xuan Yuan's intensely affectionate gaze. She grinned at him playfully, signaling him to hurry up and finish. A ripple of emotion involuntarily stirred within Xuan Yuan!

Chapter Ninety-Eight: First Signs of Suspicion

A tense and contentious banquet was defused thanks to Leng Jie's words. Although fine wine, delicacies, and song and dance performances followed, the early departure of the Xiping envoy rendered the banquet unnecessary to continue. Moreover, everyone knew the Emperor was already restless, torn between the familial bonds of separation after six years and the presence of two beautiful women, each with their own unique charm. Therefore, the ministers wisely rose and took their leave early.

Seeing that the Xiping envoys had so easily given up, Leng Jie was far from relieved; instead, her doubts deepened. Judging from the arrogance of their crown prince, his words must have been a sudden act. And looking at the old man's eagerness to defend him, their purpose certainly wasn't to exchange people for benefits. Of course, it couldn't possibly be purely about discussing trade, as he claimed; otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed back so hastily.

"Xiao Jie! Xiao Jie, what are you thinking about?" Xuan Yuan called Leng Jie several times, but she didn't respond. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her twice before he brought her back to reality.

Leng Jie was pondering the meaningful glance the Crown Prince of Xiping gave her before his departure when Xuan Yuan suddenly shook her awake. She then realized that everyone in the hall had already left. Besides her and Xuan Yuan, only a few palace servants remained, waiting for them to leave so they could clean up the hall.

"Why did they all leave?" Leng Jie blurted out.

"You've been spacing out ever since that Prince Xiping left. Of course you can't see anyone else," Xuanyuan joked, half-annoyed and half-fuming.

Leng Jie didn't mind Xuan Yuan's sarcastic remarks. Instead, she suddenly looked at him with a strange expression and asked seriously:

Why are you still here?

Xuanyuan gazed into her eyes, which shone brighter than the stars in the sky, and asked with amusement:

"This is my home, where else should I be if not here?"

Leng Jie glared at Xuan Yuan and said with a disgruntled pout:

"Of course I know this is your home. But your home is very big, isn't it? Shouldn't you be reuniting with your wife and son, whom you've been separated from for six years, sharing your longing and the joys of family life?"

Xuanyuan's heart trembled! It wasn't that he didn't want to know how Yin'er and the others had managed all these years. But the pain of longing he longed for, the joy of family life he craved, were with her! That's why he ignored the aggrieved and pleading looks in Yin'er and her child's eyes as they left with Eunuch Fu. He stayed behind according to his own heart.

Does her current expression mean she cares about him? Thinking of this, Xuanyuan couldn't help but ask excitedly:

Is Xiaojie jealous?

Leng Jie rolled her eyes at him this time. Then she shook her head and laughed:

"You seem to really want me to be jealous? But I advise you to pray that I don't get jealous of your woman. Otherwise, there are only two possible outcomes."

One possibility is that you'll be castrated, and the other is that your woman will be killed. However, Leng Jie thought such a thing wouldn't happen, so she didn't want to traumatize him. Therefore, she ignored his question and directly changed the subject:

"Go and see them! Have you forgotten how you misunderstood the Prime Minister and the Empress because of them? Now that they've returned to you unharmed, can't you put aside your resentment towards the Prime Minister and the Empress?"

From Leng Jie's cold expression, Xuan Yuan already knew that it was just wishful thinking on his part again. He replied helplessly:

“Ever since you wrote to me three years ago and told me the truth, the knot in my heart regarding the Leng family has been untied. You know, I tried to persuade Leng to return to court. But he refused.”

"Whether Prime Minister Leng returns or not is fine. As long as you've resolved the knot in your heart, that's all that matters." Leng Jie understood perfectly well why Prime Minister Leng hadn't returned to court. She was simply trying to distract him. Seeing that her goal had been achieved, she added:

"I'm going back to Qingfeng Residence. You should go and check on your junior sister!"

As they spoke, a pale purple figure flickered, her clear voice still echoing in the air; Leng Jie had already drifted out of the Imperial Garden. Xuan Yuan was left staring blankly at her retreating figure, utterly dejected.

A purple shadow suddenly appeared behind him and said:

"Your Majesty, do not lose heart. As long as Xiao Jie is not married, you still have hope. But what do you plan to do with that Miss Yin'er?"

"Sigh!" Xuanyuan shook his head and sighed, then asked, "Does Ying have any good ideas?"

Purple Shadow shrugged and said:

"I have no better ideas. However, I can tell you about the question that Xiaojie didn't answer earlier."

"You know?" Xuanyuan asked in surprise. How come he didn't know that Ying knew more about Xiaojie's affairs than he did?

"Your Majesty need not be so surprised. You can analyze this simply by looking at Xiao Jie's personality. If it's someone she loves, she definitely won't share them with anyone. So, if someone makes her jealous, I think she'll either get rid of that woman or destroy that man. In short, she won't let herself suffer a loss," Zi Ying said pointedly.

Xuanyuan shuddered upon hearing this, then saw Ziying turn her head away, seemingly trying to suppress a laugh. He then glared at Ziying with his cold, clean-cut expression and said irritably:

"Hmph! You're just making this up! If you could read Xiao Jie's mind, she wouldn't be Xiao Jie."

Then he suddenly asked:

"Ying, why do you think Xiao Jie suddenly returned to the palace?"

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will go and ask her now." With that, Zi Ying flew towards Qingfeng Residence.

Xuanyuan also wanted to go to Qingfeng Residence. But Xiaojie was right; he had to go see Yin'er and her child now.

Lin Yin'er, accompanied by her son, reluctantly followed Eunuch Fu to Yiyin Palace. She immediately saw the three large black characters "Yiyin Palace," written by the Emperor himself, hanging prominently above the palace gate. Inside, she saw that the palace she had lived in was preserved as perfectly as when she left. It seemed her second senior brother still remembered her. Her joy was unconsciously revealed. She quickly caught up with Eunuch Fu and asked:

"Eunuch Fu, how has His Majesty been these past few years?"

Eunuch Fu replied respectfully, "His Majesty is doing well. He just often misses Miss Yin'er and the young prince."

"Will Senior Brother really miss us, mother and son?" Lin Yin'er immediately asked excitedly.

A flicker of displeasure flashed in Eunuch Fu's eyes. He nodded imperceptibly. He had clearly witnessed the torment his master had suffered because of her. Suddenly, as if he had made a great decision, he finally couldn't help but look at Lin Yin'er and ask:

"Miss Yin'er, please forgive this old servant's impolite question. Since you and the prince are safe and sound, why haven't you returned to the palace? The Emperor has been on the throne for six years. Even if the late Emperor's edict stated that no concubines could be taken for three years, you should have returned three years ago! Moreover, you should have sent a letter to let us know that you are safe and sound!"

Lin Yin'er's face turned deathly pale. She glanced around furtively before forcing a calm reply:

"Is my father-in-law questioning his daughter? I'm a woman raising a child alone, wandering the streets for years. Do you know how hard it's been for me?..."

As she spoke, her voice trembled, and she began to sob and shed tears.

Having spent years among the resentful women of the palace, Eunuch Fu was quite accustomed to their tactics of crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide. Although he blamed her for running away while pregnant and for leaving a vague letter that had caused his master years of self-reproach, this woman was, after all, the mother of his master's son, and besides, his master still had feelings for her. Eunuch Fu had no choice but to suppress his displeasure and apologize to her.

"Please don't take offense, Master Yin'er. It was this old servant who spoke out of turn." Then, pointing to the hall in front, he said:

"We've arrived. Everything inside is the same as it was six years ago. Please make yourself at home, Master Yin'er. This old servant will go and find a group of servants to do as you please."

After finishing his sentence, Grandpa Fu slipped out without looking back.

As soon as Xuanyuan arrived, he saw Eunuch Fu slipping away as if his feet were oiled. He didn't even notice when Eunuch Fu was right next to him. Xuanyuan reached out and stopped him, saying:

"Eunuch Fu! What's the rush?"

Eunuch Fu was suddenly startled. He looked up abruptly and saw the Emperor looking at him with a half-smile. He then remembered he was about to bow. But his movement was stopped halfway by the Emperor, who then uttered:

"Come with me to see Yin'er and the others." He bypassed him and headed towards Yiyin Palace.

Eunuch Fu wanted to say he wouldn't go, but he didn't dare. So he had no choice but to follow the Emperor back to the palace he so desperately wanted to be in.

Having just composed herself, Lin Yin'er caught sight of the Emperor. Grabbing her son, she lunged towards Xuanyuan. But Xuanyuan, as always, sprang away with a whoosh.

Lin Yin'er's eyes immediately dimmed. She saw him holding that woman's hand and thought his quirk had been cured. But he still wouldn't let her touch him. So, she still had no chance.

Seeing Lin Yin'er's aggrieved expression, Xuanyuan felt even more guilty. In truth, he didn't know how to treat her anymore. If he married her, he couldn't ignore her like he had with the foolish empress. Nor could he find her a better match like he had with Shui Rong'er. But he also couldn't give her a complete married life; he could only leave her alone in an empty room. He knew this was cruel to her.

But not marry her? He had already ruined her reputation, and she had even borne him a son. Could she find happiness elsewhere? Clearly, it was impossible. Otherwise, she wouldn't have returned after six years!

For a moment, both fell silent. The atmosphere was extremely awkward. Lin Yin'er subtly nudged her son beside her. Little Yi'er, quick-witted, rolled his eyes and suddenly opened his arms, calling out crisply to Xuan Yuan:

"Father, hug me!"

Xuanyuan was startled, then came to his senses. Not wanting to refuse the child's wish, he opened his arms and bent down to pick the little guy up. The little guy then winked triumphantly at his mother, as if showing off that his father was holding him instead of his mother.

"Does Yi'er know how old he is?" Xuanyuan was not good at coaxing children, and it took him a long time to finally ask the child in his arms this question.

The little guy immediately tilted his chin up and replied triumphantly:

"Of course I know! If I answer correctly, what reward will Father give me?"

Looking at the little guy's adorable face, Xuanyuan couldn't resist gently stroking his nose with his long, slender fingers. He smiled and asked:

"What reward does Yi'er want?"

With a quick "pop!", her soft little mouth pecked at Xuanyuan's lips like a chick pecking at rice. Then, a smug, cunning smile appeared on her face. But before the smile could fully bloom, it froze.

Because he had been tossed into his mother's arms by Xuanyuan like a ball. When he came to his senses, all he saw was his mother's gloomy face and the palace servants who had come to report. Where was his father, the emperor, who was as handsome as a god?

Eunuch Fu followed the Emperor out. After chasing for a while, he finally saw the Emperor slumped over a reed, vomiting violently. He quickly ran over and tenderly patted the Emperor's back to help him catch his breath, hoping to make him vomit more easily.

He hadn't seen the Emperor vomit for the past few years. He'd assumed the Emperor had long since overcome the problem. But seeing it again today, he truly had to worry about his master. He couldn't even tolerate his own son's vomiting. How could he possibly be intimate with those women?

Eunuch Fu had been staying by the Emperor's side the whole time. Seeing that the Emperor was about to vomit up bile, he was frantic with worry. Previously, the Emperor would always seek out Young Master Qingfeng when he needed something, but Young Master Qingfeng was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, a beautiful figure flashed through his mind. Then, he hurriedly abandoned the Emperor and ran towards Qingfeng Residence.

No sooner had Leng Jie returned to Qingfeng Residence than Zi Ying arrived in pursuit.

After exchanging pleasantries, Leng Jie poured a cup of tea for Zi Ying and greeted her with a smile:

"Brother Ying, have some tea."

Zi Ying took the tea and sipped it. She looked up at Leng Jie, who was speaking with a serious expression, and asked:

"Xiao Jie came back in such a hurry, did something happen?"

Leng Jie nodded in agreement:

“Indeed! I received word that the Xiping envoys were up to no good. But I don’t know what they’re really up to. So I thought I’d come back and deal with it with you.”

"It's a good thing you're back, otherwise I really don't know how that play put on by the Prince of Xiping would have ended," Zi Ying said sincerely.

"Brother Yiying, do you think the Crown Prince of Xiping's performance today was their purpose for this trip?" Leng Jie asked solemnly.

Upon hearing Leng Jie's question, Ying replayed the West Ping Crown Prince's behavior in her mind once more. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head and replied:

"His behavior today seemed a bit like he was deliberately trying to draw everyone's attention to Lin Yin'er and her son! But what he said after seeing you didn't seem like a lie."

"That's right! How could she not have thought of that!" Leng Jie suddenly stood up, slapped her forehead, and excitedly said to Ying:

"Brother Ying, you're amazing! Your words have truly revealed the secret, and I've suddenly understood everything!"

Did he say anything constructive? He didn't think so himself. Leng Jie's agitation left Ying feeling bewildered and disoriented. Staring at her in surprise, he asked:

"What secret did I reveal? Can you make it clear to me too?!"

Uh! Leng Jie twisted her back slightly before regaining her balance. She deliberately tilted her head to look at Zi Ying and replied:

"Brother Ying is so modest! I never realized it before." He then gave a thumbs-up and praised him:

"However, it's truly remarkable that you were able to pinpoint the main purpose of the Xiping envoy's visit! I was racking my brains trying to think of that, but I couldn't even come up with it!"

"Girl, are you deliberately making fun of your older brother? Tell me quickly, what exactly is their purpose?" Ying knew she could never win an argument with her, so she couldn't hold back and shouted impatiently.

Seeing that Ying was really anxious, Leng Jie stopped joking with him and explained seriously:

"You just said it yourself! Their goal is to make the ministers of Jinghe pay attention to that mother and child! Think about it, if it's really as they say, that Lin Yin'er and her child just happened to meet them on the road, would Lin Yin'er and her children need to come with them to return to the palace? I think if she just stood at the palace gate with her son and said that the child was the emperor's flesh and blood, wouldn't the guards at the palace gates dare not report it to their superiors?"

Furthermore, if what the Crown Prince of Xiping said earlier is true, then Lin Yin'er and her son have been living in Xiping for the past few years. How did they get involved with the royal family of Xiping? If I remember correctly, the former Crown Prince who wanted to use someone else to kill his brother six years ago borrowed this sharp knife from Xiping!

"Doesn't this make everything clear? The former crown prince of Jinghe might have been hiding in Xiping all along, which is why we searched the entire city of Jinghe without finding a trace of him. And this Lin Yin'er, if nothing unexpected happens, is very likely the vanguard sent back by the crown prince to lead the charge."

Ying listened attentively to Leng Jie's analysis. When he heard the last sentence, he couldn't help but pause for a moment. Then he carefully observed Leng Jie's expression, but he couldn't discern anything. If he didn't know that the Emperor was always the one in control of the relationship between Leng Jie and the Emperor, he would definitely have thought that her last sentence was out of jealousy and a deliberate attempt to frame Lin Yin'er.