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Holding hands?
Laughing and talking?
Emperor Jing Li usually loathes corruption, bribery and faction affiliation. How can he be laughing and talking with Magistrate Liao’s daughter when Magistrate Liao had broken two laws of Wei?
Impossible!
Noble Consort Liang still did not believe it.
She sent another palace maid to go to Lisheng Pavilion to make discreet inquiries once more.
After the palace maid returned, she said, “Replying to Your Highness Noble Consort, His Majesty was viewing the flowers with Lady Xi of Bright Countenance in Lisheng Pavilion.”
“Viewing flowers?” Noble Consort Liang asked in surprise.
“Yes.”
“His Majesty did not lose his temper?”
“No.”
“His Majesty didn’t punish anyone else?”
“No.”
Noble Consort Liang’s body swayed for a moment and turned to look at Worthy Consort beside her.
Worthy Consort’s face blanched slightly and asked, “Does His Majesty care so much about Lady Xi of Bright Countenance?”
Noble Consort Liang couldn’t say anything.
“Or is it that His Majesty does not believe that Magistrate Liao is corrupt and taking bribes at all?”
Noble Consort Liang looked alarmed.
“Your Highness, Noble Consort, will His Majesty personally find out the truth?”
“What do you mean by finding out the truth?” Noble Consort Liang turned her head and chided, “The truth is that Liao Shi Wen is stupid and greedy. He used Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s power to be acquainted and amass wealth!”
Worthy Consort did not expect Noble Consort Liang to suddenly get angry. She was so frightened that she shivered.
Noble Consort Liang became calm after losing her temper. She turned to look at Worthy Consort and said in a much gentler voice, “Worthy Consort, what Benggong [1] said is not wrong.”
Worthy Consort had lingering fear in her heart. She slightly lowered her head and responded, “Your Highness Noble Consort is right.”
“Mm. The two of us are maternal cousins. In this huge imperial harem, there isn’t anyone more intimate than us.”
“Yes.”
“Lady Xi of Bright Countenance is too much. Regardless of whether it is talent, family background or position, she is incomparable to you and me. However, now she is always overpowering us.” As Noble Consort Liang said that, she walked towards Worthy Consort and held Worthy Consort’s hand. She said gently, “I am doing it for the good of both of us.”
Upon hearing that, Worthy Consort raised her eyes to look at Noble Consort Liang.
Noble Consort Liang smiled at Worthy Consort.
Worthy Consort nodded.
After talking to Noble Consort Liang, Worthy Consort came out of Linhua Palace.
She walked pensively on the road. Unconsciously, she raised her eyes to look at Lisheng Pavilion.
It was silent in Lisheng Pavilion.
After Emperor Jing Li looked at the potato flowers in the test field, he walked into the bedroom with Liao Qing Qing hand in hand. He said, “You’ve planted well.”
Liao Qing Qing lowered her head and remained silent.
Emperor Jing Li said, “Plant them well. Don’t think about anything else.”
Liao Qing Qing turned her head to look at Emperor Jing Li.
Emperor Jing Li said, “Take an afternoon nap.”
Emperor Jing Li removed his outer coat and sat on the bedside.
Liao Qing Qing also sat down.
Emperor Jing Li turned his eyes to look at Liao Qing Qing and asked, “Are you worried about your parents?”
Liao Qing Qing nodded.
“You don’t have to worry about them. They are not corrupt or bribes, let alone being affiliated with a faction.”
“Your Majesty, how do you know that?” Liao Qing Qing asked in surprise.
‘Your father’s position was promoted by me .[2] I can’t be wrong.”
“But didn’t the rumours say that people were caught with the stolen goods?”
“The real people who are corrupted, take bribes and affiliated in factions would not be so stupid.”
“Does Your Majesty intend to return the innocence of this imperial concubine’s[3] father?” Liao Qing Qing asked again.
“Naturally.” Emperor Jing Li nodded.
“Didn’t you say there were no leads?”
Emperor Jing wrapped his arm around Liao Qing Qing and lay down on the bed with a smile on his face. He turned his head sideways to face Liao Qing Qing’s delicate fair face. He gently pinched it and said, “There are no leads, but I can create them.”
Liao Qing Qing opened her eyes wide and looked at Emperor Jing Li.
‘What’s wrong?”
“Your Majesty, is this how you solve all cases?”
“Is there any problem with that?”
‘This tactic—”
“Tactics are not important. As long as the intention is reached, it will be fine.”
“….” As expected of Emperor Jing Li. His tactics are so amazing that they can soar in the air. No wonder he can hold great power at a young age. Fortunately, he is a bright ruler. If not, the land under the heavens will be in chaos. At the same time, she thought of a problem and asked, ‘Your Majesty, what do you want this imperial concubine to do?”
“You can continue growing potatoes.”
“Continue growing potatoes?”
“Mm.”
""
“Shouldn’t this imperial concubine do something?”
“What do you want to do?” Emperor Jing Li asked in response.
“This matter arose because of this imperial concubine.”
“Actually, it is not.” Emperor Jing Li sighed and said, “This seems to be directed at you. But in fact, it is directed at me . The interests at my side are too big. Countless people are willing to tread on the iron law to attain it. For the current matter, even if the Empress Dowager does not step in to protect you, I will not hurt you at all.”
‘Why?”
Emperor Jing Li gently tucked Liao Qing Qing’s hair and said, “When I heard that something happened to Magistrate Liao, I thought ‘regardless if this matter has anything to do with you, I will protect you.’.”
“Your Majesty.” Liao Qing Qing stared straight at Emperor Jing Li. It was as if she saw a clear spring through his dark eyes, which was reliable and comfortable.
“Touched?”
“Mm.”
“Do you still want to thank General Xie?”
“???” The matter about General Xie is a hundred years ago. How can this guy not get over it? Liao Qing Qing extended her hands and wrung Emperor Jing Li’s hand.
Emperor Jing Li laughed.
Liao Qing Qing leaned towards Emperor Jing Li and pressed her forehead against the nape of Emperor Jing Li’s neck. She called out softly, “Your Majesty.”
“Hm?” Emperor Jing Li softly answered.
“This imperial concubine thanks you.”
“Thank me for what?”
“Thank you for believing in this imperial concubine and in my family.”
‘Go to sleep.” Emperor Jing Li patted Liao Qing Qing’s back.
Liao Qing Qing experienced panic, moving, warmth, and let out so many tears. Presently, as she smelled the faint fragrance of Emperor Jing Li’s body, she felt relaxed and hugged Emperor Jing Li’s arm tightly.
In a short time, she fell asleep.
Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing. He extended his hand and gently rubbed Liao Qing Qing’s eyelids. He recalled Liao Qing Qing’s crying appearance, and his eyes suddenly turned cold. It took a while before they regained their clarity and hugged Liao Qing Qing to sleep.
Liao Qing Qing didn’t know how long she had slept.
[1] 本宮 (Běngōng) – I, the one who owns this palace. Such as the queen will call herself ‘the palace’, and the princess with the official title can also call herself ‘the palace’.
[2] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).
[3] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.