Chapter 125 Meeting at Taoist Temple

Chapter 125 Meeting at Taoist Temple

Lie Feng's cold and stern face was a little pale, but he remained silent.

Shen Nanzi understood and nodded, unable to accept it, "Fine! Not saying anything means you agree."

Lie Feng remained silent.

Shen Nanzi said, "You were promoted from Lieutenant General to General of the Guards. Even my brother was surprised. After investigating, he found out that Xie Yan was one of the people who recommended you."

The biting wind remained silent.

"You're eating at two different places?" Shen Nanzi said, her own words unbelievable. "Are you still the Lie Feng I know?"

She looked him over, so imposing and domineering. She was clearly angry, but deep down, she was happy for him.

I couldn't help but sigh: "Yes! People change when their circumstances change. Everyone has things they want, and coveting power and wealth is one of them."

"Now that you mention it, you don't seem to be wrong. A good bird chooses a good tree to roost in, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve."

"Now that my brother and the Sixth Prince are weak, it's wise of you to find a powerful master."

"From now on, our paths will diverge, and we will not work together."

"Go now, and may your career be smooth and your wishes fulfilled."

Shen Nanzi said to the maid, "Show the guest out!"

The voice was so distant that Lie Feng's eyelashes trembled, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He sat for a while before getting up, picking up the iron helmet, and walking to Shen Nanzi.

Hands at your sides, voice respectful:

"Miss, from now on, don't trust people too easily. Be a little ruthless, and you'll be able to survive in this world."

Shen Nanzi looked at him, her hands clenched tightly in front of her, her eyes filled with sorrow as she watched him leave.

＊

The second imperial concubine's residence, the last room on the left side of the residence.

Xue Qingning sat upright in the room, which was no different from the other rooms.

However, after a noise, the wardrobe door was pushed open from the inside.

Xue Yubai, dressed in a blue court robe, walked out. Behind him followed seven or eight officials in court robes of different colors.

From blue to green, from green to vermilion, and then to purple.

They came out one by one.

"Second Imperial Consort." A young general bowed to Xue Qingning.

"Farewell, General Yang." Xue Qingning smiled slightly and nodded.

"Second Imperial Consort!" Another elderly civil official stepped forward and bowed.

"Cheng Guanglu Xun, watch your step," Xue Qingning whispered.

"Imperial Censor Zhang, please wait!"

"Second Imperial Consort, I apologize for disturbing you."

"Not at all, we're all family. It's still dark outside, so please keep an eye on things."

"It's alright, it's just a few steps."

There was another painting hanging at the back of the room. Xue Yubai rolled up the painting, revealing a very hidden cabinet behind it.

Open the cabinet, and you'll find a small door leading outwards.

Stepping out of the small gate, you enter a narrow alley behind the gate, where several horse-drawn carriages are parked.

As night fell, they gradually left, heading towards the palace.

Xue Yubai put down the painting, and Xue Qingning closed the cabinet door next to it, restoring the room to its original state.

The brother and sister walked out through the normal door, which was immediately locked by the servants.

"Brother, what did you discuss with Prince Jing today?" Xue Qingning asked softly.

"His Majesty's condition has reached a critical point." Xue Yubai's face showed barely suppressed joy.

A hint of surprise appeared in Xue Qingning's eyes. "Is there any news? How many days does the Emperor have left?"

Xue Yubai: "I learned from Imperial Physician Xu that I used to be able to attend court after taking one dose of medicine a day, but now I have to drink two bowls of medicine before I can attend court."

"A fist-sized mass can be felt in the abdomen. Judging from Physician Xu's attitude, this is an extremely bad sign."

"In good circumstances, we can make it to the New Year. If there is no good medicine, it will take about two or three months."

Xue Qingning suppressed a smile, remembering something, "Xie Yan, did he say anything else?"

"Then there are routine matters such as recent troop deployments." Xue Yubai could tell from his sister's tone that she had doubts. "What's wrong?"

“A few days ago, I saw that Xie Yan received a letter with black clay on it.”

Xue Qingning said, "Black is the highest level of confidentiality. Why did he keep it from us and not report it?"

Xue Yubai stopped in his tracks, turned to the side, and asked, "Really?"

"I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be fake?"

Xue Qingning had been waiting at the door, hoping to hear about this matter once their discussion was over.

Xue Yubai frowned and pondered for a moment before saying, "I will ask him myself."

"Brother." Xue Qingning grabbed Xue Yubai's arm.

"You must not say that I said this, Xie Yan is not as nice to me as before."

Xue Yubai looked at his younger sister and sighed.

"Why did he change his attitude towards you? You know the answer better than anyone else."

Xue Qingning lowered her eyes in annoyance.

"This is a critical period, and we must not act rashly. We should wait until everything settles down before deciding how to resolve the issue."

Xue Yubai instructed, "Let's leave aside what happened before for now. If you try to harm Princess Jing again in secret, don't blame me for exposing you."

"Brother!" Xue Qingning could hardly believe that these were her brother's words.

"Xie Yan is always an outsider, while you and I are blood relatives. How can you do this?"

Xue Yubai stared at her: "You know we are family, and what you've done will also implicate the Xue family."

"Did you deliberately spread the news about Princess Jing and the Sixth Prince?"

"Now the Emperor is furious and is suppressing information everywhere."

“Brother, it wasn’t me! You can believe me or not, it really wasn’t me who did this.”

Xue Yubai looked at him with disbelief.

Xue Qingning kept silent and looked outside the hall, where a sliver of light had already appeared.

"Today is the first day of the lunar month, and I am going to the Taoist temple to light lamps and pray for Xie Yao's well-being."

"Be careful on the road, I have to go to my shift."

After saying that, Xue Yubai walked outside with his hands behind his back.

Xue Qingning looked at his tired figure and sighed with some heartache.

He turned to the maid and said, "Get ready, we're going to the Taoist temple."

The maidservant curtsied and accepted the order to prepare.

＊

Tianen Taoist Temple.

Xue Qingning knelt on the prayer mat, reciting prayers until noon.

He bowed and kowtowed, then stood up and personally lit the lotus lantern for blessings.

The candlelight shone, illuminating her pale face.

After everything was done and some money was added, the Taoist priest led them to eat vegetarian food.

Xue Qingning sat at the square table, quietly eating her vegetarian meal, until someone sat down opposite her.

She looked up and saw Shen Nanzi sitting opposite her. The Taoist priest then served her vegetarian food.

Xue Qingning looked around. There were dozens of tables in the study, and she deliberately sat opposite them.

Xue Qingning forced a smile, "Nanzi, you've come to pray for blessings too?"

Shen Nanzi picked up the wooden chopsticks. "Is that so? The Second Imperial Consort came to the Taoist temple today. I heard that other women should avoid her?"

"Let me see if it's true." Saying this, she looked around, "Indeed, it is."

"His Majesty's favor is not an exception," Xue Qingning explained.

Shen Nanzi nodded slightly, "His Majesty truly cares deeply for the Second Prince."

The two ate their vegetarian meal in silence.

Shen Nanzi suddenly put down her chopsticks. "Are you quite disappointed?"

Xue Qingning looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Shen Nanzi smiled slightly, "Prince Jing!"