In the harem, in the Queen's palace.
Since that day, Dongfang Yi had thought a great deal. That day, Concubine Shun had told her that Helian Qi wanted her to organize the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet. At that time, she had truly been too impulsive.
She clearly knew that Helian Qi no longer had any feelings for her, yet her heart kept making excuses for him. It wasn't until Concubine Shun's arrival that day that the budding feelings in her heart were completely put to death.
Thinking of this, she got out of bed and walked outside the bedroom. Looking at the sun outside, autumn had come. There was a hint of coolness in the air. The pots of golden chrysanthemums she had planted on the steps had all spread out their branches. They would probably bloom in less than a month.
She couldn't just accept her fate so easily, Dongfang Yi thought. After all, she was a new - era woman educated in the 21st century. How could she be muddled because of a man?
After thinking it over, she made up her mind. This time, she must find a way to obtain the right to organize the Mid - Autumn Festival banquet. Since Concubine Shun had been appointed by the emperor, then she had to find someone with even greater power to change this.
At this thought, a figure immediately popped into her head - the Empress Dowager.
On the other side, outside the palace, in the Nangong Mansion.
"Master, why did you take on such a task? You have to go so far away to repair that imperial mausoleum. You won't be home for at least a year!" said the old Mrs. Nangong.
She looked at Nangong Liuyun, who was calm in front of her, with a look of displeasure on her face. She wondered why this old man wanted to repair the imperial mausoleum.
Nangong Liuyun just snorted, narrowing his long and narrow eyes and looking at the old woman in front of him with a hint of mockery. "What do you women know? Stop spouting nonsense here! I have my own plans!"
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and turned around. The old Mrs. Nangong's mouth moved a few times. She wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Nangong Yunze on the side.
"Mother, don't be angry. Father has his own reasons. He won't let our Nangong family suffer."
When the old Mrs. Nangong heard someone interrupt her and saw that it was Nangong Yunze, the son she least favored, all her anger was immediately redirected.
"What right do you have to speak here? Who told you to interrupt me! Truly, the son of a slut is just low - class..."
The old Mrs. Nangong said the last sentence very softly, but everyone present still heard it clearly. In fact, this sentence was deliberately said for everyone to hear.
Nangong Tianci, who had been silent and just watching the show, also lowered his head and sneered twice at this moment. He mocked into the air, "Some people just can't see their own status clearly. They're clearly a dog but insist on pretending to be the master."
The old Mrs. Nangong also let out an almost imperceptible cold laugh.
Nangong Yunze heard their mockery and abuse, but he couldn't refute. He could only lower his head and clench his palms tightly. His brows were also tightly furrowed.
"All of you, shut up!" Nangong Liuyun, who had his back turned, finally couldn't help but roar.
Suddenly, everyone in the family stopped talking. The air seemed to freeze.
"As a family, stop chattering in front of me. What would it look like if others saw this!" he continued to roar angrily.
Although he didn't like his second son, who was born to a servant girl, compared with his useless and disobedient eldest son, this second son was still smart and worldly - wise.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh. His anger grew deeper. He stared fixedly at his eldest son, Nangong Tianci, who was standing on his left.
Nangong Tianci was standing there with his head down, picking his nails, looking completely unconcerned. He had none of his father's resolute and decisive manner.
Thinking of this, Nangong Liuyun couldn't bear to look anymore. He turned his face and said to the woman on the other side, "Take good care of your son when you're free. Stop asking so many questions all day long!" After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and left the meeting hall.
The old Mrs. Nangong watched as he completely disappeared from her sight. She stamped her feet behind him and retorted, "He's also your son!"
Nangong Tianci on the side also asked in confusion, "Why am I involved in the end!"
"It's all because of you! Bastard!" he then pointed at Nangong Yunze on the side and said.
Nangong Yunze had heard too many of their abusive words. Now, when he heard the word "bastard", the string that had been taut in his heart suddenly snapped.
He raised his head. His eyes were filled with bloodshot eyes, and there was a wild look on his face.
This look on his face made Nangong Tianci feel a moment of panic.
"What... what are you doing?! What kind of look is that in your eyes!" His voice stammered because of his panic.
"I'm not a bastard, and my mother is not a slut. Watch your mouths, or you'll come to a bad end." Nangong Yunze said word by word with a fierce tone.
"Hey, what are you talking about!" The old Mrs. Nangong on the side was first enraged by his words and immediately scolded him.
Nangong Tianci on the other side came to his senses after a while and then suddenly shouted, "Who do you say will come to a bad end?!"
After saying that, he raised his hand as if to hit someone, but his hand didn't fall.
Nangong Yunze directly grabbed his hand that was about to hit someone. He exerted force, and soon Nangong Tianci couldn't help but cry out in pain.
"Are you rebelling?!" The old Mrs. Nangong on the side quickly rushed over and even jumped up to try to pry open the hand that was grabbing.
"Nangong Tianci, I advise you to watch your mouth. Stop saying disgusting things." After saying that, he flung his hand and sent his fat body flying to the side. Then he turned around and strode out of the meeting hall.
The old Mrs. Nangong quickly trotted over and wanted to help her precious son up, but was pushed away by him. Nangong Tianci, with a face full of hatred, said through gritted teeth, "Nangong Yunze, I won't let you go!"
On the other side, Nangong Yunze, who had already reached his room, sat on the bed and let out a long sigh of relief.
He had been beaten and scolded for so many years and had long been used to it. But today, he just couldn't bear it. It was because they said his mother was a "slut". He could bear whatever they did to him, but they had touched his bottom line - his mother. So his anger immediately broke through all his self - restraint.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh again. His life in the mansion would definitely not be easy from now on. But then he thought that he would soon be able to go out of the capital with his father to repair the imperial mausoleum. It was not impossible for him to win his father's appreciation through his own efforts.
The night grew deeper. Everyone in each room had their own thoughts. But the night was still long, and overly complicated thoughts would only make people more sleepless.