With a frown, she returned to her Lanfang Courtyard in annoyance, thinking that she needed to plan things carefully.
When Donghua returned to the inner chamber, the woman sitting on the couch having her meal stopped eating the pastry in her hand and asked, "Who came just now?"
Donghua let out a soft laugh and replied, "Yaoji!"
There was obvious disdain in her tone, clearly showing her strong dissatisfaction with Yaoji.
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi also stopped chewing. Thinking that Yaoji was from the Southern Neighboring Country, she wondered if Yaoji had a hand in her being kidnapped from the palace.
But it was indeed Yaoji who stole the night - pearl and framed her. Now she understood that Yaoji had probably done all this to break the relationship between her and Helian Qi. However, Yaoji had underestimated Helian Qi's ability. Her petty tricks were so easy to see through.
Although this incident was over, Dongfang Yi was not the kind of person who would suffer in silence. Those who had wronged her would have to pay her back bit by bit when she recovered.
Thinking of this, a cold smile crept onto Dongfang Yi's lips. The smile sent a chill down Donghua's spine. She thought to herself that this woman in front of her must have some new tricks up her sleeve.
Another day passed slowly. At nightfall, Concubine Shu and the others came to visit, but were turned away by Xiaoqian. It wasn't that Xiaoqian disliked them, but the Emperor's order was absolute, so she had to follow it.
Concubine Shu and the others left dejectedly and agreed to come and visit again as soon as possible in three days.
In another palace, the atmosphere was strange. It was Concubine Chu's palace.
Concubine Chu was sitting on the grand chair in the main hall, and below the charcoal brazier sat Concubine Lian. The two were discussing Dongfang Yi. But unfortunately, Helian Qi had sealed the news so well that they couldn't get any information. They only knew that the Queen had been kidnapped by people from the Southern Neighboring Country, and they didn't know how she had returned.
Concubine Chu sneered and said, "That Dongfang Yi is really good at her tricks. She even charmed the prince of the Southern Neighboring Country and was kidnapped out of the palace by him!"
There was sarcasm in her words.
Concubine Lian beside her continued, "Yes, the Queen is really good at her tricks. I heard that the Emperor left everything behind and personally went out of the palace to rescue her..."
As she said this, she glanced at the woman in front of her.
As expected, Concubine Chu's expression froze for a moment and then she flew into a rage. She roared, "Is she, Dongfang Yi, worthy? She's just a cheap woman. She might have been defiled by those people from the Southern Neighboring Country outside the palace!"
Concubine Lian nodded in agreement, but inside she was secretly happy. Her goal was to arouse all the anger of the woman in front of her. Just like a farmer watching the snipe and the clam fight, she just waited to reap the benefits.
Then she added fuel to the fire, "Yes, Your Highness. Dongfang Yi is nothing compared to you. I'm sure she used some despicable means!"
These words reminded Concubine Chu of the bottle of aphrodisiac incense in her possession. It was time to try it on Helian Qi.
Thinking of this, a smug smile appeared on her lips. Then she said to the woman in front of her, "When I succeed, I will surely reward you and your father!"
Hearing this, Concubine Lian got up to express her gratitude and then left Concubine Chu's palace. Inside, she was full of disdain.
In her heart, she had been oppressed by Concubine Chu for many years and lived a life worse than a servant. She had had enough. Her family didn't care about her at all. So why should she be forced to endure them?
So she decided to use her wits to carve out a place for herself. She didn't want anyone to look down on her anymore.
Thinking of this, an ambiguous emotion flashed in her eyes. Then she rushed towards her own palace.
On the other side, in the Qianqing Palace.
Helian Qi looked at the mountain of memorials in front of him. Half of them were accusing him of missing the morning court without reason, and the other half were accusing the Southern Neighboring Country of violating the treaty and suggesting a diplomatic break.
Looking at those messy memorials, he felt annoyed. He had already planned the follow - up of all these things, and the suggestions of those old officials were just adding to his troubles.
As he was thinking, Eunuch Li outside the palace announced, "The Prince of Nanping requests an audience!"
Then a man in a black robe and a golden crown walked in. It was Helian Rong. He had been on a hunting trip in the east. As soon as he heard about these things, he rushed back. On the way, he learned that it was all the doing of the Southern Neighboring Country, and that the Queen had been poisoned. He became even more anxious.
As soon as he arrived at the palace, he went straight to the Qianqing Palace.
When Helian Qi saw the person in front of him, a smile appeared on his lips. Then he said, "Why are you in such a hurry, younger brother?"
His tone was so calm as if nothing had happened, which made Helian Rong feel even more uncomfortable.
His elder brother had always liked to take on all the responsibilities since childhood. No matter how many troubles there were, he never wanted to tell him, only wanting him to live care - free.
Thinking of this, he also smiled and said to the man in front of him, "Elder brother, you've never changed."
Helian Qi didn't expect him to say this suddenly, but he understood the meaning. For a moment, the haze in his heart was swept away, and what replaced it was the warmth of family and brotherhood.
Then he let out a hearty laugh, stepped down from the throne, put his arm around Helian Rong's shoulder and asked, "Can you share my worries, younger brother?"
Helian Rong nodded immediately and replied, "Of course!"
Then they talked about the matter of the Southern Neighboring Country and reached an agreement without hesitation.
It was obviously unwise to break off diplomatic relations with the Southern Neighboring Country at this time, because neither country had the strength to start a war. Both the common people and the soldiers would suffer. So the best way now was to take the opportunity to teach them a lesson when they did something unfavorable to the Eastern Sheng.
After everything died down and when the army had enough food and soldiers, they would raise the battle flag. Because Helian Qi would never forgive those who had hurt Dongfang Yi. No matter when, he would make them pay a heavy price.
Thinking of this, he patted his brother's shoulder again. The two smiled at each other, understanding what was in each other's hearts.
The night grew deeper, and the moon hung in the sky, dotted with stars. People's hearts were restless and the future was uncertain. But without a doubt, each of them had their own beliefs.