A flicker of puzzlement crossed Du Gu You's face. Before her marriage, it was said that the young lady of the Mei family often sneaked out and managed a restaurant called Chu Xiang Ge to supplement the family income. It seemed that the rumor was true.
The Mei family's garden looked quite nice. When had he bestowed it upon Mei Zhenguo all those years ago? Du Gu You couldn't even remember. The Mei family had always had a small population. Mei Zhenguo refused all the concubines sent to him. At first, Du Gu You had intended to keep an eye on him, but later gave up the idea. He never summoned the maids in his house. There were no other villas or secret chambers in the Mei Mansion, and he never colluded with others to form a clique.
Both Du Gu Jue and Du Gu Ming tried to win him over, but he refused to side with either of them. Others all said he was an old fox, but Du Gu You truly understood this veteran official. Regarding the daughter of the Luo family, Du Gu You nodded and said, "I, as the emperor, give my word. It's approved."
Mei Qingxue was overjoyed. She knelt gracefully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Don't let me down!" Du Gu You said meaningfully. Mei Qingxue naturally knew what he meant. Since she had already agreed in public, she just needed to play along a bit more. There was no need to be so hesitant and drawn - out.
"Yes, I understand, Your Majesty."
Their conversation full of hidden meanings left everyone else confused. However, the emperor's will was hard to fathom. Eunuch Tang gave Mei Qingxue a meaningful look. This young woman was truly intelligent. Generally, choosing a relative through marriage could best show the intention. Mei Qingxue's choice was of high rank, suitable in status, and could also subtly dispel the emperor's suspicion. It was truly a perfect move!
Du Gu You saw a rare smile on Eunuch Tang's usually expressionless face. He felt quite strange and said, "Little Tang, it seems you're in a good mood today."
"The servant was just thinking about how to make Your Majesty sleep better tonight. I got carried away and started smiling like a fool. I really deserve a beating. I'm so muddle - headed!" As he said this, he pretended to slap his own mouth. "Alright, alright, Little Tang. I'm not blaming you. I'm just asking casually. Let's prepare to start the banquet." His youngest son was looking longingly at his little fox - like princess consort. Did he really think he could do something to her?
The cunning Mei Qingxue had easily defused the situation. His strength had nowhere to be used.
"Offer a seat for the Sixth Princess Consort!"
Hearing this, Du Gu Qing's pale face showed a faint smile. Mei Qingxue walked over. The sickly man gasped and said, "Princess Consort, are your knees hurting from kneeling?"
Du Gu You was taken aback. He hadn't asked Mei Qingxue to kneel for long. He instantly understood that his youngest son was indirectly asking him not to make things difficult for the Mei family anymore.
The Mei family was loyal, but he just...
"No... it doesn't hurt!" Mei Qingxue blushed. It was so mushy at this moment. She had only knelt for a few seconds. She had stood up on her own before the emperor said anything.
"Start the banquet!"
"The first dish: Qing Chi Dragon Picture." This dish was shark fin. Mei Qingxue recognized it. Since the name of the dish contained the character "dragon", she paid extra attention. Except for Concubine Qin, she ignored all the other concubines. Good food came first. These delicious dishes couldn't be made by other chefs.
"The second dish: Nine Treasures Playing with the Dragon."
"Dragons and Phoenixes Soaring."
"..."
The emperor took the first bite with his chopsticks, and then others dared to start. Mei Qingxue picked up a chopstick of the nearest dish and put it into her mouth. It was so delicious that she even felt like rolling on the ground. She had watched too many of Stephen Chow's movies.
At first, she remembered the names of each dish. They were so diverse. But later, she was completely confused. It smelled so good. Du Gu Qing saw that she was enjoying the food so much, so he asked the little eunuch serving the dishes to turn the farther - away dishes towards her so that it would be more convenient for his little woman.
"Why does the Sixth Princess Consort seem like a starving ghost?"
Concubine Yue's shrill voice made Du Gu You frown. No matter how bad his youngest daughter - in - law was, his youngest son doted on her. Now he was annoyed just by hearing this woman's voice. It happened that today was Du Gu Ming's banquet to mark his comeback. What was Concubine Yue up to?
As for the position of the empress, as long as the person who should come and plead with him didn't mention it, the position would remain empty forever. No one should even think about it.
"Your Highness Concubine Yue, it's really delicious. Qingxue has never eaten such delicious food before. If I had known there would be so much delicious food today, I shouldn't have eaten yesterday." She could be as nauseating as anyone else. Hearing Mei Qingxue's seemingly unpromising words, many people let out sneers.
Du Gu Ming's face also looked unpleasant. That little brat was hard to deal with. Last time, she had pretended to be crazy and swindled his jade pendant worth 350,000 taels of silver.
Seeing Du Gu Ming's displeasure, Mei Qingxue suddenly seemed to remember something. "Your Majesty, I heard that you are an expert in antiques. I recently bought a piece of jade. I wanted to show it to my... " Mei Qingxue was talking about that jade. As soon as the words came out, Du Gu Ming's face changed. Mei Qingxue secretly laughed. He was still too inexperienced to play with her.
"..."There is, why isn't there?" Mei Qingxue rummaged in her sleeve. "I originally wanted to let it soak in Your Majesty's grand aura, but I forgot to bring it." The jade was hanging around Du Gu Qing's neck. Such a precious thing, how could Mei Qingxue just leave it anywhere?
Du Gu You knew that jade better than anyone else. He watched Mei Qingxue's performance with a smile. In fact, he really wanted to ask Old Man Mei how, with a gentle and quiet wife and being an old - fashioned man himself, he could have such a naughty and clever daughter.
"Your Majesty, I just think that Qingxue is a likable child."
Seeing that Concubine Qin, who rarely showed herself in public, actually spoke up to defend Mei Qingxue, Du Gu You thought even more highly of Mei Qingxue. How did this little girl manage to make Concubine Qin speak well of her?
He knew it was hard enough to make Concubine Qin open her mouth, let alone praise someone. For more than a decade, as a young couple, he had never seen Concubine Qin praise anyone.
As soon as Concubine Qin spoke, Concubine Yu looked at her in surprise and quickly said, "I also think this child is likable. It's really a pity that our little Jue doesn't have the fortune."
Mei Qingxue felt like vomiting blood when she heard this. If that ambitious son of hers had really married her, both families would probably be ruined.
"The dishes today are really good. Even I feel like I haven't eaten for a long time." Du Gu You gave a big excuse. But the person still looked calm. A hint of sadness welled up in his heart. He looked at his youngest son. If there was a way to turn back time, his son and her would definitely not be in such a situation now.
"Father, I have something to say," Du Gu Jue stood up. "Speak!" Du Gu You nodded in approval.
"Why doesn't the Sixth Brother bring his side - consort when he goes out? According to her rank, she is eligible to attend this banquet."
Du Gu Qing was about to stand up when Mei Qingxue pressed his leg. Du Gu You saw it clearly. "Your Highness the Third Prince is wrong. Everyone in the world knows that the side - consort was carried into the mansion without even having her face threaded when she got married. She has been ill ever since. She will show herself when she recovers. Does Your Highness the Third Prince mean to say that I, as the main wife, am not tolerant of the concubines?"
The Third Prince forced a smile. His informant had been out of touch for two days. He just wanted to test the waters. He didn't expect to be scolded by Mei Qingxue.
"No, I'm just concerned. I have no other intentions."
"Princess Consort is still hungry. I'm your real younger brother's wife, with my name recorded in the royal genealogy. You go to concern yourself with the concubines in my mansion." Mei Qingxue touched her nose. "I'm still too young and really don't understand. Do the elder brothers have to interfere in every little thing about their younger brother's concubines?"
"Cough, cough, Sixth Sister - in - law, you startled me," Du Gu Ming was choked by Mei Qingxue's words and patted himself on the chest several times.
Just as Du Gu Ming was about to speak, his eyes went blank and his face turned deathly pale. He was in big trouble.
Mei Qingxue had long noticed that Du Gu Qing beside her was slowly trembling. She just wanted to get rid of them quickly and take him away. She could feel his body getting colder and colder, like ice. "Quickly carry the Sixth Prince to the hot spring pool." At Mei Qingxue's shout, several eunuchs carried Du Gu Qing carefully into the steaming pool.
Du Gu You suddenly stood up. "Summon the imperial physician!" He followed them. "What's going on?" Concubine Qin stood up in panic. She could no longer maintain her calm.
Du Gu You took the opportunity to hold her hand. Many people were jealous. "Don't worry. I've summoned the imperial physician. Let's go and have a look. Qing'er will be fine."
"Really? But you always lie to me." Concubine Qin's words made everyone's hearts tremble. They thought Du Gu You would get angry, but unexpectedly, Du Gu You held Concubine Qin's hand tightly. "I lied to you just not to make you sad. I thought I could hide it." "You can't hide the truth forever."
"I know I was wrong!"
Du Gu Qing's face was getting paler and paler, with a faint blue tinge. The imperial physician felt his pulse again and again. "Speak quickly," Du Gu You was both angry and anxious.
"Report to Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince has been poisoned."
As soon as the imperial physician said this, Concubine Qin fainted. Du Gu You quickly held her in his arms. "Is it a new poison or an old one? What kind of poison is it? When was he poisoned?"
"Within the last half - hour!"
Mei Qingxue heard their conversation clearly. She had eaten the most but was fine. Was the poison really meant for him?
Mei Qingxue asked the imperial physician, "Can the Prince be saved?"
"I remember there was a highly poisonous herb called Gelsemium elegans before, but I didn't dare to use it. Now I dare to give it a try. Whether it works or not, I'm afraid I'll lose my life."
The old imperial physician's words were full of helplessness.
"I understand what you mean. Using poison to fight poison. There's a 50% chance. Old imperial physician, you didn't poison him. The emperor won't blame you." Mei Qingxue walked up to Du Gu You, knelt on the ground on both knees, and said, "Your Majesty, this has nothing to do with the imperial physician. Please conduct a thorough investigation! I'll take the Prince back to the mansion."
"I won't blame the old imperial physician wrongly. He's just being too cautious."
With the emperor's promise, Mei Qingxue walked back to the old imperial physician. "Imperial physician, how much longer does the Prince have?"
"Half a year!" The trembling old imperial physician summoned up the courage to tell the truth.
"Where can we usually find Gelsemium elegans?"
"Legend has it..."
As soon as the old imperial physician said two words, Mei Qingxue immediately understood. "Thank you, Imperial physician." "Your Majesty, I take my leave!" Without waiting for the emperor's reply, Mei Qingxue told Han Zhao to carry the stiff - bodied Du Gu Qing. The three of them slowly walked away.