thefictionvixens Chapter 42 The Eldest Princess: Little Wu Zi, how dare you!
Chapter 42 The Eldest Princess: Little Wu Zi, how dare you!
For the next three days, Li Yunrui did not leave Guangxin Palace, staying quietly inside.
Taiji Hall.
Eunuch Hou reappeared, bowing to the civil and military officials waiting in the hall, his face plastered with a familiar, slightly ingratiating smile:
"My lords, His Majesty is still feeling unwell today, and the court assembly will be postponed. All matters of state will be discussed and handled by the Chancellor and the ministers of the Six Ministries."
The officials standing below exchanged glances, the atmosphere somewhat restless.
This same excuse was used for three days in a row; even the most naive person would have sensed something was wrong.
This time, Prime Minister Su Shenzhi stepped forward and blocked Eunuch Hou's way before he could finish speaking and turn around.
"Eunuch Hou," Su Shenzhi's voice held a firm tone, brooking no argument, "It's been three days, and His Majesty hasn't shown his face even once. Today you must explain to me clearly, what exactly is wrong with His Majesty?"
The other six ministers and vice ministers also gathered around, chattering amongst themselves.
"Yes, Eunuch Hou, there must be an explanation!"
"Your Majesty's safety concerns the very foundation of the nation; how can we be so ambiguous about it?"
"What exactly happened?"
Chen Pingping sat in her wheelchair, motionless, simply watching quietly.
Fan Jian, who was next to him, also wanted to step forward, but Chen Pingping grabbed him.
No matter how tightly the Empress Dowager tries to cover up the situation in the palace, the Censorate is not just for show.
Your Majesty... I'm afraid something really has happened to you.
Surrounded by others, Eunuch Hou, beads of sweat on his forehead, repeatedly bowed.
"Oh dear, Your Excellency, my lords, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that... I really don't know!"
"Eunuch Hou!" Su Shenzhi interrupted him, his tone even harsher. "Do you take me for a three-year-old child? What's wrong with His Majesty? Is he still recovering from his injuries, or is there something else going on? If you don't speak up today, I will lead all the officials to kneel outside the Imperial Study and beg for His Majesty's well-being!"
"No! Absolutely not, Your Excellency!" Seeing Su Shenzhi's resolute gaze, Eunuch Hou's face turned pale. He lifted his robe as if to kneel, "This old servant kneels before you gentlemen! Please, have mercy, don't force this old servant, okay?"
Su Shenzhi reacted quickly, grabbing his arm to prevent him from kneeling, but his expression remained grim: "Really, not a single word can be uttered?"
Eunuch Hou wore a bitter expression:
"Your Excellency, this old servant only knows that His Majesty needs to rest and recuperate. As for the details... the Empress Dowager has not given any specific instructions."
"Very well, Your Majesty, please rest and I will not inquire further." Su Shenzhi changed the subject, "But while state affairs can wait, some things cannot!"
"The case of Taiping Villa has far-reaching implications. Although the main culprit has been executed, the aftermath has not yet subsided."
"The people of Jiangnan and Guanzhong are in a state of panic. Are these matters of post-disaster management left unresolved simply because Your Majesty is recuperating?"
"Someone has to come up with a plan! If His Majesty doesn't step in, who dares to make the decision?"
All the ministers kept a close eye on Eunuch Hou.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Hou's bitter expression lessened somewhat.
He carefully glanced at everyone, especially at the silent Chen Pingping and Fan Jian, before lowering his voice and forcing a smile as he said:
"This... Your Excellency, please do not worry. His Majesty has already made a decision regarding this matter. All matters concerning the aftermath of the Taiping Villa case, regardless of their importance, will be handled entirely by Her Highness the Eldest Princess."
"What?!"
"Hand it over to Her Highness the Eldest Princess?!"
The hall erupted in chaos, with gasps of surprise filling the air.
Even Chen Pingping and Fan Jian showed clear shock in their eyes.
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was stunned by the news, Eunuch Hou quickly bowed, slipped through the crowd, and hurriedly slipped out of the Taiji Hall.
Chen Pingping and Fan Jian exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
The court assembly could not be held today, and the officials, having lost all interest in staying, dispersed amidst their discussions.
Fan Jian pushed Chen Pingping's wheelchair slowly along the palace road leading out of the palace.
Away from the crowd, Fan Jian couldn't help but lean down, his voice extremely low: "What exactly is wrong with His Majesty? Why is the Eldest Princess handling this? This doesn't make sense."
Chen Pingping did not answer immediately. He turned his head slightly and looked towards the direction of the inner palace.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke, his voice unusually heavy:
"His Majesty's injuries are probably more serious than we thought. Perhaps, what appears to be a temporary relief on the way back is only a temporary stabilization."
Fan Jian's expression changed drastically. He stopped abruptly, turned to face Chen Pingping, and stared intently at him: "Do you know something?"
Chen Pingping shook his head: "It's just speculation. The palace is airtight, but the more airtight it is, the more unusual it is. Come talk to me."
Fan Jian felt heavy-hearted and asked no more questions. He pushed Chen Pingping to quicken their pace and head out of the palace.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Guangxin Palace, sleeping quarters.
Li Yunrui soon learned what had happened in the Taiji Hall.
"It seems there's no escaping it now." Her voice remained gentle. "Chunmei, how's the investigation going with our people?"
Chunmei immediately replied:
"Your Highness, Ye Qingmei's business empire spans various countries. We have limited manpower and have only roughly ascertained the extent of the business within the Qing Kingdom. Detailed accounts and core personnel will require more time."
"The business isn't urgent for now," Wu Feng, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up. "Any news from Suzhou?"
Chunmei glanced at Wu Feng and nodded: "Yes, with Ye Qingmei's death, morale within the three major workshops is low, and some people are trying to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble."
Wu Feng turned to Li Yunrui:
"Your Highness, other matters can be postponed, but the three major workshops must be stabilized and firmly grasped immediately."
"That was Ye Qingmei's money bag, and the foundation of many of her plans. With money, many things became easier to accomplish."
A burning light flashed deep within Li Yunrui's alluring eyes.
Ambition, like a vine, quietly spread through her heart.
Ye Qingmei left behind a vast legacy.
The Censorate, the Tiger Guard, and the Jiangnan Navy—these are all powerful forces that His Majesty cannot touch while he is still alive.
But the three major workshops are different; they are real money-making opportunities.
Even if she intervenes now, as long as she doesn't go too far, no one can say anything.
Thinking of this, her gaze shifted and landed on Wu Feng's face, her voice softening: "Little Wu~ I'll leave the Suzhou matter to you, how about it? Can you handle it for me?"
"Huh?" Wu Feng was taken aback, and his face immediately showed reluctance. "Your Highness, this... can I not go? I don't want to leave you."
How will he maintain his emotional value after leaving Li Yunrui?
Li Yunrui smiled sweetly, extended her slender finger, and pointed at him from a distance:
"No, Xiao Wuzi, the three major districts of Suzhou are too important. The only person I can trust and who is capable of handling this matter is you."
Wu Feng immediately looked at Chunmei, trying to shift the blame: "Then let Sister Chunmei go! She's more meticulous than me!"
Chunmei silently took half a step back and stood beside Li Yunrui's bed, her expression indifferent:
"I am His Highness's personal lady-in-waiting, and it is my duty not to leave the palace. Besides, I am a woman, and it is inconvenient for me."
Li Yunrui's smile deepened, tacitly agreeing with Chunmei's words.
Wu Feng knew he couldn't escape.
He gritted his teeth, as if making a huge decision, raised his head, and looked intently at Li Yunrui: "Your Highness, I'll go! But I want a reward!"
Li Yunrui was taken aback by his straightforward request, then covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling: "Sure~ When you return from Suzhou, I'll..."
"I want it now!"
Before she could finish speaking, Wu Feng suddenly stepped forward, bent down, and with his arms through Li Yunrui's legs and back, he lifted her up horizontally from her languid position on the soft couch!
[Ding~ Mood points +100!]
"Ah!" Li Yuncui exclaimed softly, caught off guard, her body tensing instantly beneath her black palace attire.
"How dare you!" Her voice trembled, whether from shock, anger, or something else, and her cheeks flushed red. "Little Wu, how dare you..."
The sudden feeling of being lifted into the air and the humiliating stimulation of being forcefully lifted made her tremble all over, and her rebuke sounded weak and powerless.
Chunmei, who was standing to the side, was also shocked by Wu Feng's extremely bold move.
She reacted quickly, and seeing the prince's angry yet teary-eyed expression, she immediately retreated to the bedroom door and closed it tightly.
Inside the bedchamber, Wu Feng carried the soft and fragrant Li Yunrui and headed straight for the magnificent phoenix bed.