Chapter 1224: War Clouds Gather 35

o much fighting and killing, until she experienced it firsthand. Then she realized the horror of survival of the fittest."Your Highness, the Saintess has the divine protection. Perhaps she is waiting...Just as Dugu Cheng had put away the jade pendant, a figure walked in from outside. "Your Highness," the servant said, "Master Lu has sent a gift."

"What did he give her"

Feng Lingxi's eyes were filled with panic. As soon as she finished speaking, she was gone. She walked to the front courtyard of the palace and watched as silks and satins, gold and silver jewelry, were carried in one after another. Feng Lingxi hurriedly stepped forward to stop them.

"Just a moment."

Feng Lingxi stepped forward to take a look. These were all high-quality silks. At a glance, they could make a new set of clothes every day. With Wan'er wearing one every day, there would be enough for her to wear for a whole year.

As she gazed upon the gold and silver jewelry, rouge and powder, a vein pulsed faintly on Feng Ling's forehead.

"Did you buy up all the rouge and powder in Beijing"

"Princess Consort of the Chen Dynasty, these were sent by my young master. He said they were gifts for Lady Wan'er as a greeting."

"Meeting gift"

Feng Lingxi looked at this pile of things, her gaze falling on the rouge and powder.

"Are you sure, Young Master Lu, that Wan'er can actually use these rouge and powder now"

"The young master said he didn't know what kind of things Lady Wan'er liked, so he brought everything, letting her choose. Besides, these gold and silver jewelry are for the Princess Consort Chen. My young master said that the Princess Consort Chen is as beautiful as a fairy, and these jewels are the most suitable for her."

"Take it all back."

Feng Lingxi looked at Qingyi, "Please thank your young master for me, but I can't accept these things. This gift is really too much. It's his business to give money to whomever he pleases, but I can't accept it here."

Lu Nian really treated her as his own sister. With this kind of arrangement, if it were to spread, it would surely cause tongues to wag again. The court officials wouldn't know how to speak about the two of them.

This Lu Nian, I truly don't know if he's genuinely clueless or just blinded by joy.

Qingyi's face was full of embarrassment.

"Your Highness, the young master said these things must be taken. Otherwise, I won't be able to return and report."

"Tell your young master that if he continues like this, I will not help him with his investigation."

Alone City came after and, seeing this grand scene before him, his eyes were quite shocked. Four words to describe this Lu Nian would be: wealthy and generous.

When Qingyi heard what Dugu Cheng said, she hurried to bow. "Take everything back."

After finishing his words, he respectfully said to Dugu City, "I will immediately inform my young master. I apologize for the disturbance to Crown Prince Chen and Crown Princess Chen."

Watching Qing Yi leave with her things, Feng Ling Xi couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"Thinking like this, Lu Nian is probably going to cause you a lot of trouble again."

Feng Ling's eyes held a worried expression. "If the Emperor knew that someone had sent gifts after we returned to the capital, he would probably be impeached by the officials of the court. They would say you colluded with wealthy merchants and intended to raise funds."

"Right and wrong, black and white, are not something we can easily clarify in just a few words. This Lu Nian's identity and wealth are so astonishing. If he truly is your brother, it would be a good thing for you. He would certainly protect you well. If not, making friends with someone like him wouldn't be a loss either. As for how they choose to spread rumors, that's their business. The fact is, things have already happened, and there's no way to explain them clearly."

Feng Ling Xi's eyes grew even more worried. Dugu Cheng saying this was nothing more than not wanting her to worry, but what happened today would surely put him in a difficult position.

As Feng Lingxi had expected, the news of Lu Nian gifting to Dugu Cheng spread throughout the capital and soon reached the ears of Emperor Yuan Zhao in the palace. Ministers took this opportunity to accuse Dugu Cheng, claiming that he had colluded with wealthy merchants upon his return, intending to amass funds for nefarious purposes.

Emperor Yuan Zhao learned of this news, though he didn't say anything, he still remembered it.

When Empress Shutai learned of this, she went to see Emperor Yuanzhao, wanting to speak up for Dugu Cheng.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince isn't like that. You have to believe him. He would never be involved in fund-raising."

Emperor Yuan Zhao supported Empress Shu and helped her sit down. Seeing the worry in her eyes, he comforted her.

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. I have already ordered an investigation into this matter. The person who sent the gift is the owner of Yipinxiang, a businessman. The Crown Prince met him at Yipinxiang and they got along well, so he was given a gift. It's nothing out of the ordinary, just like those merchants who fawn over powerful people. I won’t blame the Crown Prince for this.”

Upon hearing this from Emperor Yuan Zhao, Empress Shu Ta breathed a sigh of relief.

Thus, this palace is at ease. How could Cheng'er do such a thing Your Majesty, please rest assured. After the birthday celebration, this palace will have Cheng'er hand over his military power as a display of loyalty.

This time, this kind of thing happened, and it's true that Cheng’er's military power can't be left in his hands. Otherwise, I'm afraid Emperor Yuan Zhao would really take action against him. She doesn't care how she does it, Cheng'er and Xi'er Wan'er can't have anything happen to them.

Cheng'er has always been smart, but why did he make such a mess this time

Empress Shu Tai's heart was filled with worry, but she dared not show it. She couldn't meet with Cheng'er, so she kept everything bottled up inside. Every time she saw Emperor Yuan Zhao's "filial" and generous treatment towards her, her heart would race with anxiety.

This Emperor Yuan Zhao was not Dugu Xiu. Since his ascension to the throne, he has won over the hearts of the people, stabilized the military's morale, and settled the vassal kings. He has gained the support of the people and followed their wishes, making the commoners feel his benevolence. Compared with the previous emperors, the people's recognition of him has been consolidating his foundation.

Emperor Yuan Zhao heard what the Empress Dowager said, and was very pleased in his heart. He welcomed her back to the palace, and it truly was a wise choice.

In two days will be the Empress Dowager's birthday. Originally, I planned for Crown Prince and Empress Dowager to celebrate her birthday together upon meeting. With this matter at hand, I have allowed Crown Prince and Crown Princess to enter the palace to greet you. You also have many things you want to say.

When Empress Shutai heard that she could see Cheng'er, she wasn't happy at all.

"Your Majesty, something just happened. If I were to summon Cheng'er into the palace to see me, it would be subject to criticism. Why don't you have Princess Chen and Wan'er come see me instead"

"Alright, I shall have Princess Chen and Wan'er come tomorrow to keep your Majesty company."

Emperor Yuan Zhao stood up, and Empress Shu thanked him, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Empress Shutai rose to her feet, knowing the Emperor was going to be busy. She spoke, "This concubine will return first."

"Farewell, Mother."

Emperor Yuan Zhao sent the Dowager Empress away and looked at Zhao Gonggong, "Summon Princess Chen and Miss Wan'er to go to Ci'an Palace tomorrow to accompany the Empress Dowager."

"Your Majesty, I believe the Empress Dowager is deliberately preventing Prince Chen from entering the palace to see her. Could she have sensed something"

Emperor Yuan Zhao had his hands behind his back and glanced at Zhao Gonggong's shrewd eyes. "She has always been very clear-headed. She knows what I want to do. Since she spoke up and asked Duke Dugu to hand over military power for self-preservation, if I still hold a grudge against her, it would make me appear narrow-minded. All that I have done before would be for nothing. I still need to give her some face."

"The Emperor is wise."

Zhao Gonggong flattered the emperor so well, Emperor Yuan Zhao was greatly pleased, and his mood was exceptionally good.

“Zhao Gonggong, have someone take good care of Princess Chen and Miss Wan'er tomorrow, don't neglect them, so that Dugu City can find out.”

"The servant obeys."

Chao Gonggong went to summon him, and Emperor Yuan Zhao asked for the prime minister to be brought in to discuss state affairs.d, looking at Xi'er's helpless face. "What my mother and I said."Feng Ling Xi raised her eyebrows and saw Dugu Cheng's nervous expression. "It's fine, the clothes are thick, they blocked a lot, and I...