12dz Chapter 468: The Eve of the Wedding (3)
Chapter 468: The Eve of the Wedding (3)
After Yu Qingli ordered the two eunuchs to leave, Xiluo jokingly said, "Miss, could it be that the Crown Prince of Dongtang really has a crush on you? He's so thoughtful that he even had food specially delivered from outside the palace. I heard that food at Suxinzhai has to be ordered in advance!"
Yu Qingli snorted coldly, "If he really wanted to, he wouldn't just have someone deliver the food to us, but instead let us go out of the palace to taste this delicacy ourselves. What's the difference between this and keeping a cat or a dog in captivity?"
Seeing that Yu Qingli was really angry, Xiluo stopped joking and asked with concern: "Miss, what's wrong with you today? Why are you so anxious?"
Yu Qingli rubbed his brows and said, "Maybe I've been locked up here for too long, and I remembered some bad things."
Xiluo said nothing more, but took out the assorted wontons from the food box. As expected, they tasted sweet and refreshing, which aroused people's appetite.
"Miss, would you like to try it? It's a specialty of Dong Tang, isn't it?"
"Girl, if you want to eat, just eat. Why are you talking so much nonsense? I've noticed that you've become more and more eloquent lately."
"It's all thanks to my good training." Xiluo laughed, and without hesitation, she picked up a wonton and put it in her mouth, praising it: "It tastes really good, Miss, don't you really want to try it?"
"I said I won't eat anymore. If you want to eat, I'll invite you to sit in Su Xin Zhai after we get out."
Xiluo was about to say something when he suddenly heard some movement on the beam. He immediately threw the chopsticks in his hand towards the source of the sound as if it were a hidden weapon.
"Don't do it!"
A male voice came from the beam, startling Xiluo, but then she was happy, as the man's voice sounded familiar.
Changkong leaped down and bowed respectfully to Yu Qingli, "Miss, are you all right?"
Yu Qingli was delighted and recognized the person. "Are you Murong Yanhui's shadow guard?"
"Thank you, young lady, for remembering me. My master has ordered me to explore the palace first. My master is already making arrangements and will rescue the young lady from the palace soon."
Yu Qingli was extremely excited. After waiting for such a long time, he finally came. At this moment, it would be a lie to say that she was not moved. Although she had not met Murong Yanhui yet, Yu Qingli could already feel his true feelings.
"How many of you are here?"
"It's just the master and I. But don't worry, my lady. The master has many friends in the martial arts world, so there won't be any danger."
"Then I feel a little relieved. However, the palace is heavily guarded. How can we escape without a clear plan?"
"The master asked me to come in to inform the young lady of the specific escape plan."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
When Changkong told Yu Qingli about Murong Yanhui's plan, Yu Qingli nodded repeatedly, "Does this mean that Murong Yanhui plans to snatch the bride during the wedding?"
"I heard from the master that he wants to switch the dragon with the phoenix. There are so many people at the wedding banquet, it's the best time to do it. The master will also persuade the Xingluo Princess and you, young lady, to get into the bridal sedan on the same day."
"It's a good idea, but Princess Xingluo always follows Tang Yi's lead, so I'm afraid she may not agree to this plan."
Changkong suddenly fell silent. A strange whistling sound came from his ears. Changkong smiled and said, "Miss, don't worry. The master has already sent a signal to his subordinates. It should be done now."
"I understand. Next, I just need to get Tang Yi to relax his guard so that the wedding can go smoothly. However, I don't know what date the Eastern Tang Imperial Master will choose for the wedding."
"Please rest assured, young lady. Everything is under the control of the prince."
While the two were talking, a report suddenly came from outside the hall that Tang Yi and Queen Dong Tang came to see Yu Qingli. Changkong quickly found an opportunity and left quietly.
Then Queen Dong Tang and Tang Yi entered the palace and saw Yu Qingli practicing calligraphy. She had already eaten most of the food beside her, and she felt a little satisfied.
Tang Yi smiled and said, "It seems that you are in a good mood today. You even have the leisure and elegance to practice calligraphy."
"It's just for my own amusement. I can't go out anyway, so I might as well find something to do."
"Are the wontons from Su Xin Zhai to your liking? I've noticed you tend to eat light meals, so I think you'll like them."
"Not bad, Your Highness is thoughtful!"
Tang Yi asked with concern, and Yu Qingli answered politely. During this question and answer, the Queen of Dong Tang who was standing beside them found it funny.
"Yier, I've never seen you care so much about anyone on weekdays, but now you're so attentive to this Saint Girl that I'm really jealous. But you've never sent me any food from Su Xin Zhai before, right?"
"Mother, why are you teasing me? I remember that my father often took you out of the palace to Suxinzhai!"
The Queen of Dong Tang was speechless for a moment, her face slightly flushed, probably because she was embarrassed. It was really shameful to be teased by her own son.
Yu Qingli, however, couldn't help but sneer in her heart. What was the point of putting on such a show in front of an outsider like her? She thought there were many women in the palace waiting to see this scene.
Seeing Yu Qingli silent, Tang Yi walked to the desk and looked at the words Yu Qingli had written before. In front of the desk, a large, beautiful and powerful character appeared on the paper, which made Tang Yi have a better impression of Yu Qingli. The character was just like her. The handwriting was so neat, beautiful, elegant and resolute. It seemed that these qualities were also possessed by this woman.
The Queen of Dong Tang saw that Tang Yi seemed to have something to say to Yu Qingli alone, so she smiled and said, "Yi'er, you stay here and talk to the Saint, and let Xiluo accompany me to the garden."
Xiluo looked at Yu Qingli with an inquiring look. After getting Yu Qingli's consent, she stepped forward and helped Queen Dong Tang out, leaving Yu Qingli and Tang Yi in the hall.
The room was so quiet that even the sound of the wind outside the door could be heard clearly. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere seemed a little awkward.
"Can you play chess?"
Tang Yi took the lead in breaking the stiff atmosphere and took the initiative to speak to Yu Qingli.
"I know a little bit."
"How about we play a game of hands?"
"it is good!"
Yu Qingli's tone was cold and distant, just like the snow lotus on the iceberg that made it impossible for people to approach. Tang Yi suddenly became curious. Could a woman like this also have moments of joy and emotion?
While Tang Yi was in a trance, Yu Qingli had already set up the chessboard. Tang Yi hurriedly sat down and focused on the chess. He thought to himself that Yu Qingli was a woman after all, and even if she was good at chess, she might not be able to beat him. In order to please her, he might as well let her go a little.
But after he actually made his move, Tang Yi realized that he was extremely wrong, because he had lost everything before the game was even over.
Yu Qingli put the chess pieces in her hand back in order and said coldly, "Your Highness, do you think I am inferior to you and that's why you are deliberately letting me win? Your Highness, there is no need to be so. I am quite confident in my chess skills!"
Tang Yi couldn't help but laugh when he heard this and said, "Interesting. In this case, I won't let you win this round. I hope you can handle it on your own."
"It's not certain who should take care of himself!"
Tang Yi concentrated his mind and responded fully, while Yu Qingli took it easy. She recalled the various interesting things that happened when she played chess with Murong Yanhui before. That man always liked to set up mysterious situations to make people fall into them inexplicably, but he would give her some leeway. In the end, he would always win a piece or two from her, and for this, he would steal a kiss or two from her, which often made her helpless and blush.
Yu Qingli sighed inwardly. It turned out that she and Murong Yanhui had many memories to recall, so many times of mutual support, so many times of deep affection. All of these were as vivid as if engraved on her heart with a branding iron. On the contrary, the past events between her and Murong Feng had gradually faded away, and she could hardly remember them.
"General!"
With Tang Yi's low shout, Yu Qingli had already lost most of the chess pieces on the chessboard, and she lost this game.
Tang Yi was clearly dissatisfied. "You seem a little distracted. Could it be that you don't want to play chess with me?"
Yu Qingli remained silent, just put away the chessboard and concentrated on playing against Tang Yi. She stopped thinking about it. It was futile to think about it anymore. Since Murong Yanhui had already sent someone to the palace to deliver the message, he must have arranged everything.
Tang Yi and Yu Qingli played chess until the sky was dark and each side won and lost. The more Tang Yi played, the more he wanted to play. He had not met such a satisfying opponent for a long time. So he told the palace servants that he would have lunch in Feifeng Palace and continue playing chess after lunch.
Xiluo came back early and saw Yu Qingli and Tang Yi playing chess, so she did not disturb them and stood aside quietly serving them.
However, the other concubines in the palace had many complaints, but Princess Xingluo was not in the palace. Tang Yi's concubines had no choice but to file a complaint to Queen Dongtang.
When these concubines went to complain, the emperor happened to be there. After listening to what these women were saying, he couldn't help but become furious. However, this anger was not directed at Yu Qingli, but at these concubines who had nothing to do.
"Are you all so bored all day long that you bother the Queen with even such trivial matters? The Crown Prince decides where he wants to eat and play chess. Do you think he has to report everything to you?"
The Emperor of Eastern Tang angrily reprimanded the women, and for a moment no one dared to speak. The Empress consoled them, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. They were just confused for a moment. I believe they will not do it again."
"If it weren't for the Queen pleading for you today, I would never have let you off so easily. Remember this: the woman you're jealous of is the Protector of the East Tang, the Holy Maiden. All of you combined are not as important as her. If your petty thoughts cause the Holy Maiden to leave, be careful, I'll hold you accountable!"
The palace maids nodded in agreement one after another, and no one dared to say a word against Yu Qingli. They had finally realized that this Saint Lady Protecting the Nation was truly favored, and according to His Majesty's words, they had to curry favor with her.