0p0 Chapter 141 Is this a case of "hiding something here"? (32)
Chapter 141 Is this a case of "hiding something here"? (32)
The basket on her back was full again. Chu Qingyin weighed it in her hand; it wasn't too heavy.
Time flew by, and as the sun was about to set behind Zhenshan Mountain, the two began to walk back.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the mountain path, bathing the entire forest in a golden hue. By the time the two of them reached the courtyard, the sun had completely set, and the surroundings were shrouded in a hazy gray.
The courtyard gate was closed, but the courtyard was unusually brightly lit. Chu Qingyin frowned slightly, feeling that something was wrong. Even her old dog Ah Huang, who would usually come out to greet her when she heard any noise, was not there today.
"Sister-in-law Amei, wait a minute!" Chu Qingyin quickly called out to her.
"What's wrong?" Amei was still a little confused and turned to look at Chu Qingyin.
"Sister-in-law Amei, listen to me. When we get into the yard, don't make a sound. Just follow behind me. No matter what you hear or see, don't be surprised, okay?"
After spending many days together, this was the first time Sister-in-law Mei had seen Chu Qingyin so serious.
After a moment of distraction, she belatedly realized the strangeness in her own yard. Before she could ask any more questions, Chu Qingyin made a shushing gesture.
Upon seeing this, Ah Mei immediately raised her hand to cover her mouth.
Chu Qingyin carried a basket on her back and walked in front, wearing coarse linen clothes, blocking the people behind her completely.
As soon as the two reached the fence, they could see many figures inside, and a large group of people were standing in the yard.
Lu Zhiheng sat on a small bamboo chair to the side, while the accompanying imperial physician examined his injuries.
Brother Liu stood timidly in the corner. He had never seen such a grand scene before, and he never expected that the young master Lu, with whom he spent every day, was actually the Grand Secretary of the court, and that the girl Yinyin was actually the emperor's most beloved concubine!
Thinking back on the simple meals he'd been eating these past few days, Liu the hunter felt that even a few more heads wouldn't be enough to chop off.
Seeing the scene in the courtyard, Chu Qingyin understood everything.
The last shoe has fallen; what is meant to be found will eventually be found.
She composed herself, glancing only at Lu Zhiheng out of the corner of her eye before pushing open the door and stepping into the courtyard.
As the sun set, the clouds glowed crimson, and the young emperor, dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, his hair bound with a jade crown, sat upright on the stone bench, his shoulders ramrod straight.
He exuded an imposing aura, commanding respect without anger, and even a very ordinary stone bench seemed to resemble a dragon throne when he sat on it.
Chu Qingyin pinched her palm hard, quickly composed herself, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
"Your Majesty!" she choked out, her face streaked with tears, "Your Majesty, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for so long."
Pei Yuanling looked up at the sound, and the moment his gaze fell on Chu Qingyin, the excitement of having regained what he had lost almost overflowed from his eyes.
"Yinyin!"
He instinctively tried to get up, but when he saw the woman in front of him, she was dressed in coarse linen clothes, her hair was casually tied up, and her cheeks were covered with beads of sweat from a day's hard work. She was completely different from the woman he knew.
And just now, he learned that Chu Qingyin had been spending time with other men day and night, even sharing a room with them. It would be impossible for him not to feel any discomfort.
"Your Majesty, I thought I would never see you again."
The woman cried uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face, until someone took the basket from her back.
Chu Qingyin took a few steps forward, wanting to throw herself into the man's arms, but she held back in the end. She stood there staggering, not daring to go forward, and put on a weak and sorrowful appearance.
Sister-in-law Amei was already terrified by the scene before her. Looking at the guards filling the courtyard, she stood there, not knowing what to do.
"Yinyin, it is I who have troubled you."
In the end, Pei Yuanling couldn't bear it any longer. He stood up from the stone bench, took two steps forward, and pulled the person in front of him into his arms.
The woman's unique fragrance instantly filled his nostrils, bringing him peace of mind.
If he doesn't touch her, fine, but once he gets his hands on her, he just wants to crush her and knead her into his own body, to completely possess her.
Seeing the emperor and empress reunite, Lu Zhiheng's eyes darkened, but he remained silent.
The imperial physician also stopped what he was doing and respectfully stepped aside.
"Your Majesty, everyone is here..."
Chu Qingyin caught a glimpse of Lu Zhiheng sitting in the corner out of the corner of her eye, and for some reason her heart skipped a beat.
She struggled slightly, her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes somewhat uncomfortably.
Pei Yuanling noticed her unusual behavior and followed her gaze, a hint of suspicion rising in his heart.
"Since Yinyin has found a way out, why doesn't she come to find me?"
"I would like to, but Lord Lu was seriously injured while saving me and has only recovered slightly in the last two days. So I have to stay at Brother Liu's house to recuperate."
Chu Qingyin was on the verge of tears as she poured out the bitterness she had endured these past few days.
Hearing his beloved's plaintive sobs, Pei Yuanling's suspicions were quickly replaced by heartache.
It's all his fault. He failed to protect Yinyin properly, causing her so much suffering, including being attacked by a black bear and hanging by a thread.
I was still doubting and suspecting her.
"It's all my fault, my beloved consort has suffered." Pei Yuanling looked ashamed, and took her slightly rough little hand in his, feeling even more heartache.
When did his Yin Yin ever do such rough work, which has worn down her once delicate and smooth hands into this state?
"That doesn't matter. As long as I can see Your Majesty again, I will be content."
Chu Qingyin smiled at the right moment, her stubbornness revealing a hint of strength that made people feel sorry for her.
She casually wiped away the tears on her cheeks and smiled, "Oh, right, Your Majesty, this is Brother Liu and Sister-in-law Amei! It was they who took me in, which allowed me to wait for Your Majesty!"
Pei Yuanling followed her gaze and saw Liu the hunter and his wife standing in the corner of the courtyard. They were originally the owners of the courtyard, but now they were like two guests, trembling and not daring to speak.
Feeling the emperor's gaze upon him, Liu the hunter became increasingly flustered. He hurriedly pulled Amei down to kneel on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "This humble subject and my wife greet Your Majesty."
"No need for such formalities."
Pei Yuanling's expression softened slightly, and his tone became gentler. He raised his hand to gesture for the two to stand up, "You are Yinyin's benefactors, and therefore my benefactors. How can you expect your benefactors to kneel upon first meeting?"
The Liu couple then stood up with trepidation, but still kept their heads down, not daring to look directly at the majestic and imposing young emperor.
Pei Yuanling turned to look at Lu Zhiheng, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny. "Minister Lu, this time we owe you a great debt of gratitude for saving Yinyin. Once we return to the palace, I will reward you handsomely."
These words, though seemingly calm, actually conceal a sharp edge, revealing a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.
Lu Zhiheng bowed slightly, his expression calm. "Your Majesty is too kind. I was merely doing my duty. Moreover, Consort Qiao reciprocated by taking good care of me during my recovery. I am deeply grateful."
He did so flawlessly, both stating his position and seemingly intentionally or unintentionally emphasizing his "innocence" with Chu Qingyin.
Chu Qingyin stood to the side, and upon hearing his words, she couldn't help but frown. What was wrong with Lu Zhiheng today? Why did he have to bring up the fact that she had taken care of him?
Isn't this just adding legs to a snake, or trying to hide something obvious?