SFS Chapter 504 A friend in need is a friend indeed
Chapter 504 A friend in need is a friend indeed
Seeing that Murong Shileng's mood had improved, Yu Qingli felt completely relieved. It seemed that her guess was correct. Murong Shileng must have suffered a blow from Concubine Yu and came here.
Murong Shiling suddenly asked, "Qingli, do you like plum blossoms?"
"I can't say I like plum blossoms, but I just think they are noble and pure. They stand out in this winter when all other flowers are withering, and they are endearing."
"Yeah, just like some people are always so special!"
Murong Shiling glanced at Yu Qingli with a hint of meaning, but found that Yu Qingli did not respond. He seemed a little embarrassed for a moment. He thought for a moment and said, "If you like plum blossoms, you might as well go to Concubine Lin. She has a plum orchard in her palace. Although the red plum blossoms are gorgeous, they cannot compare to the elegance of the white ones. How about you accompany me for a walk?"
Yu Qingli instinctively wanted to refuse, but she also felt that this was a great opportunity. What's more, she could also visit the Crown Princess. Thinking of this, she agreed.
"Father, please go first!"
"Let's go together. I can talk to you too."
Yu Qingli was speechless, but still took a half step back and followed Murong Shiling, walking towards Concubine Lin's palace.
Ever since Liu Caiyi became pregnant, Concubine Lin has been very worried about her health. In addition, she herself suffers from severe morning sickness, which makes Concubine Lin even more worried. This child is the emperor's eldest grandson, and there are so many eyes watching him in the palace, and how many people are secretly plotting against him. Concubine Lin knows all this very well.
Therefore, after Liu Caiyi returned to the palace from the Liu family, Concubine Lin asked her to move into her palace to live with her so that she could be taken care of more easily. The prince had no objection to this. After all, the harem was extremely complicated, and he was also worried that someone would harm the child in Liu Caiyi's belly.
Liu Caiyi has been an orphan since childhood, so she naturally benefits from Concubine Lin's care. In addition, Liu Caiyi is now Liu Gongquan's adopted daughter, and Concubine Lin likes her very much both because of her status and temperament. Therefore, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law get along well with each other.
Speaking of which, it was thanks to the appearance of Liu Caiyi and the child in her womb that Concubine Lin was able to divert a lot of attention and was not so concerned about the fights with other concubines in the palace. This was also one of the reasons why Concubine Yu was favored by the others.
Murong Shileng and Yu Qingli walked slowly, mostly Murong Shileng asked questions and Yu Qingli answered, but the conversation was very pleasant, at least Murong Shileng was very happy. He found that this woman was really knowledgeable and well-read. If she were not a woman, it would not be a problem for her to pass the imperial examination.
Yu Qingli was very cautious all the way. She had to make Murong Shiling feel her kindness, but at the same time, she didn't want him to have any unnecessary desire for her. This was more difficult than doing anything else.
Because someone had been sent to notify them in advance, when Murong Shiling and the others arrived, Concubine Lin came out to greet them early, and Liu Caiyi naturally followed behind her.
After not seeing her for a while, Liu Caiyi's belly has grown a lot bigger, and even walking is a little difficult for her. It looks like she will give birth soon after the New Year.
Today, Liu Caiyi was wearing a red maternity palace dress. Her pretty face was a little swollen, but she looked in good spirits. Standing next to her, Concubine Lin, who was also wearing a red palace dress, looked like her sister.
Concubine Lin was very surprised by the emperor's arrival, but also a little pleasantly surprised. The news she had received in recent days was all favorable to the prince, which made Concubine Lin, who had been planning for the prince, overjoyed. If the current situation continued to develop, the throne would belong to the prince.
In addition to Concubine Lin and Liu Caiyi, there was another guest in the palace. This person was not someone else, but Lin Zhi, who had been betrothed to Murong Yanhui.
For some reason, Yu Qingli felt an indescribable discomfort in her heart the moment she saw Lin Zhi. Perhaps it was because they were too familiar with each other, or perhaps it was because Lin Zhi's identity was so legitimate.
When she was outside the palace, Yu Qingli always subconsciously tried not to think about these things, but when she returned to the palace, she had to face all of this. Moreover, Lin Zhi was not as disgusting as other women. It could even be said that she was extremely outstanding and very kind. However, it was precisely because of this that Yu Qingli felt even more uncomfortable.
Concubine Lin welcomed Murong Shileng into the palace with a happy expression on her face, although she felt a little strange that Murong Shileng and Yu Qingli were traveling together.
However, the women in the harem are always very smart. How could they ask things that they shouldn't ask?
"Your Majesty, what brings you here today? No wonder I heard the magpies calling on the branches so early this morning!"
"I just wanted to see the plum blossoms here. Your plum blossoms are the best in bloom every winter!"
Murong Shiling's answer caused Concubine Lin's smile to pause, but she immediately regained her composure. "Your Majesty is right. While other things here may not be good, these plum blossoms are truly exceptional. I just picked some fresh plum blossoms yesterday to make tea. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
"I don't need it. I wonder if the eldest princess is interested?"
Concubine Lin's face froze. Murong Shiling's behavior was indeed a bit strange. Yu Qingli naturally heard the question and saw that Concubine Lin's expression was not right. She smiled and said, "I have often heard my mother mention that the plum blossom tea here is unique. I came here today to try it."
Concubine Lin then ordered the palace maids to prepare tea and snacks. Murong Shiling had already sat down. Seeing that the others were still standing, he couldn't help but order, "Everyone, please sit down. There are no outsiders around."
The palace maids and eunuchs quickly brought chairs over.
After everyone was seated, Concubine Lin spoke up, "Speaking of which, I'm a little curious. Why did Your Majesty come here with the First Prince's wife?"
Murong Shiling didn't care much and said, "Nothing. Qingli came to see me about something. Later, when she heard that I was going to come here to appreciate the plum blossoms, she came along."
In Concubine Lin's ears, this sentence became Yu Qingli running around for the eldest prince, and had no choice but to come to the emperor for help. Knowing that the emperor was coming to appreciate the plum blossoms, she followed him here desperately.
I have to say that Concubine Lin's imagination is very powerful, and that's why she looked at Yu Qingli with a bit more displeasure. The emperor came here with great difficulty, and was followed by someone, which really made people feel uncomfortable.
What's more, Concubine Lin doesn't want anyone to change the status quo. Once the eldest prince turns over, it will be a huge threat to the crown prince.
However, no matter how much he disliked the emperor, he still had to put on a show of showing respect. At least the visitor was a guest, and this guest was brought by the emperor himself.
The pastries were quickly prepared. Concubine Lin introduced them, "These pastries are made with a secret recipe of fresh plum blossom petals. Your Majesty, please try them."
Murong Shiling took a sip out of courtesy and praised it, "Sweet but not greasy, with a pleasant fragrance. It's really good."
"Your Majesty is indeed clever and talented."
After eating the plum blossom cake, Yu Qingli couldn't help but praise it. Concubine Lin felt very proud when she heard it.
Murong Shiling's gaze fell on Lin Zhi, "This is General Lin's daughter, right?"
"Exactly!" Concubine Lin took over and said, "Your Majesty, how could you have forgotten? Didn't Lin Zhi perform at the Hundred Flowers Festival before? Your Majesty even personally granted her marriage."
"I remember now. Isn't this the concubine of Prince Yan? I heard that she and Prince Yan were childhood sweethearts."
"Yes, this cousin of mine has loved wielding swords and guns since she was a child. She's like a tomboy. She even went to the battlefield with her father. That's when she met the Prince of Yan."
"Oh? I didn't expect that the girl from the Lin family and my younger brother have such a connection. It seems that I have really made a good match. What do you think, Qingli?"
Murong Shiling suddenly threw the question to Yu Qingli, and Yu Qingli felt like she had a lump in her throat, but because of the presence of everyone, she could only respond, "The marriage that His Majesty has assigned is naturally a good one."
Only Yu Qingli herself knew how much torment she was in. For the first time, she felt a sour feeling in her heart, as if her whole heart was twisted.
Lin Zhi's eyes were on Yu Qingli the moment she came in. She seemed to have something to say, but she didn't open her mouth because there were so many people around.
Yu Qingli just greeted Lin Zhi politely and did not continue the conversation.
The room fell silent for a moment. Seeing this, Concubine Lin suggested, "Your Majesty, aren't you here to admire the plum blossoms? Why don't you go out for a walk together?"
"Alright!"
So the group walked together towards the plum grove outside the hall. From a distance, Yu Qingli saw an amazing sight. The plum blossoms were lined up independently in rows, yet they seemed connected together. The entire plum grove was formed into a plum blossom shape. The red plum blossoms were surrounded on the outside, looking like delicate plum petals, while the white plum blossoms were located in the center, looking like white stamens.
This plum forest is truly a masterpiece of nature. No wonder even Murong Shiling is obsessed with it. However, in his previous life, he was banished to the cold palace without even having the chance to take a look at such a beautiful scenery.
Yu Qingli's eyes were a little confused. Looking at the red and white plum blossoms, the days in the cold palace kept emerging in her mind.
She even clearly remembered the winter of that year. She was lonely and desolate and wanted to pick some plum blossoms to decorate the house. It was almost the New Year at that time, and a few branches of plum blossoms stretched out from the outer wall of the cold palace. This made her ecstatic. She quickly picked some and brought them to the palace, putting them in a tattered vase.
As a result, her actions were accidentally seen by a palace maid. In order to please Mei Hong, who was already in favor at the time, the palace maid smashed her vase and even cut off all the plum branches that extended into the cold palace.
On New Year's Eve, she could even vaguely hear the noise outside, but she could only be alone in the cold and dark palace, crying in front of a few withered plum blossoms.
Now when she sees such beautiful plum blossoms, she always feels as if she is in a dream.
"Qingli, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so serious?"
Murong Shiling's questioning voice rang out from her ears, bringing Yu Qingli back to her senses abruptly. She lowered her eyes respectfully, "Nothing. After my death, I suddenly remembered that the eldest prince also loved plum blossoms. It's a pity that he can't see such a beautiful view."