"You don't know, Lord Nangong. Concubine Chu is ill, so she naturally can't attend tonight's state banquet," said Helian Qi, sitting at the highest seat with a raised eyebrow.
After hearing this, Nangong Liuyun frowned, and then anger welled up in his eyes. He clearly heard from the palace servants what had happened in the harem today. It was said that Concubine Chu had attempted to assassinate the queen and was thus thrown into the cold palace. Although he didn't know why she had done such a thing, it was really dull of the emperor to hide this from him.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but want to continue questioning and voice his indignation. However, he was dragged down by the Minister of Works beside him. The minister bowed to the man sitting high above and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive us. Prime Minister Nangong is drunk. Your Majesty must spare him."
Helian Qi stared at the two of them in the distance, then snorted coldly and waved his hand, indicating that he didn't want to pursue the matter any further. Only then did the Minister of Works sit down.
Nangong Liuyun was still a bit unhappy because the minister had stopped him. So he said with a cold face, "Who asked you to stop me?! I know very well that things are not as they seem!"
"Prime Minister, you're being muddle - headed! No matter what really happened, the palace is now spreading the news that Concubine Chu tried to assassinate the queen, and there were witnesses. We're in the wrong here. How can we argue? Isn't this deliberately provoking the emperor's anger?"
The Minister of Works said earnestly. He had always been the one to offer advice to Nangong Liuyun. In the court, he could only survive by relying on him. Seeing that he was about to do something stupid, he naturally had to pull him back.
After hearing his words, Nangong Liuyun thought for a while and then felt that he had indeed been too impulsive just now. In such a public occasion, if he were to refute the emperor's face, he really wouldn't be able to justify himself.
On the other side, Helian Qi sneered. That old man Nangong was still a bit self - aware. He knew that if he said more, Helian Qi would surely take action against him. His god - daughter in the harem had already done something immoral. If he also caused trouble, he would probably become the laughingstock of the whole capital tomorrow.
Thinking of this, he held the hand of the woman beside him, nodded to her, and said, "I've wronged you."
Dongfang Yi responded with a smile. She didn't care what Nangong Liuyun said. No matter what he said, it wouldn't shake her determination to avenge Xiao Qian.
The New Year's Eve state banquet was held in a muddled way. Everyone had their own thoughts. This New Year only had a superficial air of celebration, but inside, people's hearts were torn apart.
The banquet had lasted for an hour and showed no sign of quieting down. Dongfang Yi couldn't sit still any longer. She told the man beside her that she wanted to go out for a walk.
Helian Qi frowned and hesitated. After all, the assassination in the afternoon had just ended, and the dangerous people hadn't been completely captured yet. How could he rest assured that she would just stroll out alone?
But looking at the determined face of the woman in front of him, he let out a heavy sigh, then nodded. He immediately called Donghua to follow her and gave her a signal flare, telling her that if she encountered danger, she must set it off immediately and he would surely rush to her.
Dongfang Yi squeezed his hand to reassure him, then left the banquet with Donghua. Even if Helian Qi wanted to follow, he couldn't, because he still had to stay here to preside over the situation.
Helian Rong, who was sitting beside them, had been paying attention to the woman sitting at the highest seat. Now seeing her suddenly leave the table, his heart skipped a beat. Then he put down the wine cup in his hand and also left the banquet.
After leaving the banquet hall, Dongfang Yi took a deep breath. It felt as if the excitement and prosperity inside didn't belong to her at all. Only a moment of quiet could make her feel the long - lost peace.
"Your Majesty, the emperor is right. Everyone will eventually die. You don't have to keep worrying about it," said Donghua beside her.
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi curled her lips, then let out a long sigh and replied, "Yes, everyone will eventually leave."
"When did the queen become so negative?!"
Suddenly, a male voice came from behind. When she turned around, she saw Helian Rong walking gracefully towards them. He was wearing a long white fur robe and holding a folding fan in his hand. He really looked like a graceful young master, and it was hard to tell that he was a warrior who had fought on the battlefield.
Sure enough, the Helian family had good genes. Both the elder and the younger brothers had extremely handsome faces.
In a short while, he walked in front of the two of them. His star - like eyes were still as bright and shining as when they first met, like the stars in the sky.
"Prince Nanping is really joking," Dongfang Yi said.
Hearing this, Helian Rong could only smile bitterly. This woman was always so distant from him no matter when. He could no longer see the lively and elfish girl he had first met in the miscellaneous garden.
Thinking of this, the bitterness on his lips deepened. Then he said to the woman in front of him, "Can the queen take a walk with this king?"
After hearing this, Dongfang Yi hesitated a bit, but seeing his determined look, she still nodded. The two of them walked one after another on the imperial avenue.
"This king has heard a bit about what happened in the harem today. I heard that the queen unfortunately lost a trusted subordinate. Is it true?" Helian Rong asked.
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi nodded. In fact, she was a bit glad that he could say it directly. After all, if he kept it in his heart and looked at her with pitying eyes, she might feel even more uncomfortable.
So his directness didn't touch her sore spot. Instead, it made her feel more dignified.
Helian Rong naturally knew this, so he asked directly. Facing the sad look of this woman, he always couldn't help but want to share her burden.
"In this harem, people coming and going is always the norm. If we only care about the gain and loss of one person, we will lose even more," he added.
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi curled her lips. She naturally understood this truth and knew that he said this to help her get out of the grief earlier.
And turning grief into strength was what she needed most now.
"Thank you, Prince Nanping. I know all these things you've said. I'm not a weak and incompetent person. Naturally, I know what I should do now," she replied.
Helian Rong was Helian Qi's younger brother. They were confidants of each other. Of course, she could trust him completely. After all, they were a family, and mutual trust among family members was the most important thing.
"I heard that you're going to leave after the New Year?" she asked again.
Helian Rong lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded.