~ THE BIG SHOW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN ~
Hearing Li Qingzhou’s words, Li Wang was overcome with joy to the point where he was unsure of what to do next. His eyes were burning with passion. “Grandfather, do you have a way?”
Li Qingzhou smiled, “Jin Wang has been completely overthrown, and Imperial Concubine Zhen is on the verge of going insane. She wants to avenge Jin Wang and use us to deal with Yue Wang and Yu Wang. We will use her scheme against her. First, we eliminate these two formidable opponents, Yue Wang and Yu Wang, and then turn around to deal with her. A concubine without the support of her son is easy to deal with.”
“Grandfather, you’re right. However, Yue Wang has Grand Princess Yi De behind him, and he is engaged to Mu Yunyao. Would she be displeased if we were to move against him?”
Li Qingzhou smirked, “Grand Princess Yi De? Her current status is all held up by the Emperor. If not for the Emperor’s treatment of her with utmost respect, she would only be an ordinary woman. What was there to be afraid of? Your Royal Highness Ling Wang, you are the future Emperor and will control the entire Dali Dynasty. When you have complete control over the imperial power, do you still have to be afraid of an old Grand Princess?”
Thinking about how the Grand Princess had treated him so coldly, Ling Wang only felt a rush of blood to his head, “That’s right, isn’t she just a Grand Princess? As long as I become Emperor, I can decide the life and death of everyone in the world. If the Emperor wants a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die. Will I still be unable to deal with a Grand Princess then?”
Li Qingzhou raised his teacup and took a sip. His slightly narrowed eyes shone with an inexplicable light, making it difficult for others to determine what his feelings were. “Your Royal Highness is right. The Imperial Concubine Zhen has already paved the way for us in the Palace. All we have to do now is sharpen our swords and wait at the end of the way. As long as Yu Wang and Yue Wang walked into our trap, we strike them down. Without these two people, Your Royal Highness will become the next Crown Prince rightfully!”
“The Crown Prince?” Ling Wang shook his head with smug satisfaction, his eyes brimming with arrogance. “Imperial Father’s health is getting worse and worse. It’s time to find someone to help him deal with the Imperial Court affair. The power of the Crown Prince is too small, and the position of Emperor is more suitable for me.”
“Your Royal Highness is wise.”
September was about to arrive, and according to the usual practice, this month’s Autumn Hunt would be held. However, the Autumn Hunt should not be held due to the Emperor’s health condition. Thus, it was changed to a banquet at the Palace instead.
Jin Lan laid out the clothes Mu Yunyao would wear for the banquet and put them aside to discuss with Jin Qiao what kind of jewellery should match them. When she saw that Mu Yunyao was absent-minded, she couldn’t help but carefully ask, “Miss, how do you feel about this dark flower cloud brocade imperial dress, paired with a cloud-foot pearl tendril hairpin and the phoenix pearl-drop hair ornament?
“Hmm?” Mu Yunyao was still in a daze, unable to hear Jin Lan’s words.
“Miss, you’ve been absent-minded all day. What happened?”
Mu Yunyao sighed slightly, “I can’t say for sure. I just feel uneasy in my heart.” All the officials, including civil and military officials, would come to participate in this banquet. It was a good time to cause trouble, but she didn’t know if Imperial Concubine Zhen and the Li family would choose to make their moves tonight.
Jin Lan pursed her lips. “This servant is foolish. I can’t help Miss with anything.”
Mu Yunyao was startled momentarily, then smiled: “Weren’t you helping me coordinate clothes just now? That was a great help. No matter what happens tonight, all of you stay at ease within Yuhua Palace. This is my grandmother's place, and no one will easily offend it.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Mu Yunyao changed into a new set of clothes and headed towards the main hall. After receiving the title of princess, she had never worn an imperial dress before. After much selection today, she finally decided to wear a more dignified outfit.
A smile immediately appeared when the Grand Princess Yi De saw her dressing up like this. “Yao’er looks absolutely radiant in this outfit. Come, let your grandmother take a good look at you.”
Mu Yunyao walked to the side of Grand Princess Yi De and lightly spun around in a circle.
She wore a twelve-piece brocade skirt embroidered with exquisite cloud brocade patterns. As she turned them, the hem of her skirt swayed a bit like a blooming flower. She wore a cloud-foot pearl tendril hairpin on her head. Every light pink pearl emitted a warm and gentle glow, making her cheeks pink and radiant. The tassels made of tiny jade beads from the red phoenix-beaded hairpin fell on her ears. When paired with her incomparably beautiful appearance, it made Grand Princess Yi De suddenly think of a praising phrase: “A beauty unparalleled through the ages, pleasing to the eye is this fair lady.”
“Grandmother likes me, so she thinks everything about me is good.” Mu Yunyao said with a smile in her eyes.
Xu Yanhan walked in from outside the door, bowing as she said, “Our Yao’er was born beautiful.”
Grand Princess Yi De signalled for Xu Yanhan to get up and pulled her to sit by the side. “That’s quite true.”
Mu Yunyao looked at Grand Princess Yi De. Her face was calm and serene, without the slightest abnormality. Still, between occasional flickers of her eyes, there was a trace of solemnity flashing through: “Grandmother, you must be busy enjoying the singing and dancing during the banquet, I’m afraid you’re not in the mood to eat, so you probably won’t have the appetite to eat anything. I made some medicinal cuisine, you and mother should try it first.”
“Alright.”
After finishing the medicinal cuisine, Grand Princess Yi De took the silk handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her lips. “Yao’er, didn’t you just give me some pills to nourish my body a few days ago?”
Mu Yunyao’s heart trembled as she said. “Yes.”
“Take a bottle with you when you attend the banquet later.”
“Grandmother, today’s banquet …”
The Grand Princess Yi De revealed a smile. “I’m afraid that the banquet today will not be peaceful.”
Mu Yunyao’s gaze darkened, and her heart was weighty. If the Li family and Imperial Concubine Zhen chose to make a move today, there was a high chance that they would target the identity of Yue Wang and might even bring trouble to her grandmother. At that time, would Yue Wang be able to withstand it? If the Emperor is suspicious, how would her grandmother handle it?
After changing her clothes, Grand Princess Yi De brought Mu Yunyao and Xu Yanhan to the Supreme Harmony Hall.
Apart from the Emperor, everyone else was present.
Mu Yunyao took advantage of when everyone was paying their respects to look at Yue Wang at the prince’s table.
Yue Wang just so happened to raise his eyes, and their gazes met. As their gazes met, warmth slowly flowed between them, causing them to involuntarily smile.
After saluting, Ling Wang raised his wine cup and sat down casually. His gaze swept across Yu Wang and Yue Wang occasionally, and the corners of his lips curled up in an unspeakable smirk.
Before long, the announcement sounded outside, and the Emperor, wearing a dragon robe and exuding a majestic aura, walked into the main hall.
Everyone hurriedly knelt to pay their respects. The Emperor ascended to the throne and shouted, “You may rise.”
“Yes.”
“Imperial Sister, before I came, I sent someone to Yuhua Palace to check on you. Why didn’t you wait for me?”
“The Palace has had a lot of things to do these past few days. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a relaxing time to enjoyed singing and dancing.” When the Grand Princess Yi De saw the wine jug at the Emperor’s side, she turned to look at Xu Li. “Your Majesty’s health isn’t good, so he shouldn’t drink alcohol. Go change the wine in that jug.”
“Yes.” Xu Li quickly got someone to change the wine into water.
The Emperor’s eyes were filled with warmth. After exchanging the wine for water, he said a few more words to Grand Princess Yi De, then turned to look at his subordinates. “Let the banquet begin.”
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