Chapter 709: Chapter 709: Sister, It Was My Fault for Being Immature Before!

Li Qingmu left the bedchamber and went to the study.

Who said that the Emperor on a hunting trip could ignore court affairs? That’s a big misconception. Li Qingmu still had to allocate time daily to review memorials.

It’s tiring to be an Emperor, but this is the price to pay for holding the supreme power over life and death.

There weren’t many people in the study, only a eunuch serving close by.

Li Qingmu glanced at him, signaling him to leave.

The eunuch hesitated for a moment. After all, he was someone Rong Si had placed there and usually would not leave.

However, seeing Li Qingmu immersed in reviewing the memorials, he found it unnecessary to stay and took his leave.

Li Qingmu quietly scrutinized the memorials, with not many people inside the study but some outside.

These were eunuchs and palace maids, who were required to remain nearby at all times, so Li Qingmu couldn’t make them leave entirely.

Otherwise, it would arouse Rong Si’s suspicions.

Li Qingmu continued reviewing the memorials late into the night, even at the third hour of the night, there was no sign of putting out the lights.

Primarily because Yue’er’s fate was uncertain; he couldn’t find peace to sleep.

He couldn’t visit her now; earlier, he worried Zhi Jin might harm Long Yue, so he had someone summon Zhi Jin back but didn’t want any genuine involvement with Zhi Jin, hence sent word to the Empress.

The Empress, as expected, came and clashed with Zhi Jin. Now they’ve shifted their focus onto each other.

Yue’er is temporarily safe.

Next, it will depend on fate’s decision.

Li Qingmu continued reviewing the memorials, as time ticked away.

From lack of sleep, his eyes filled with blood, yet he stayed more awake and couldn’t sleep.

Suddenly, there was a flicker in the light before the candle flame, and someone appeared behind him.

"Your Majesty, the State Preceptor saved Lady Ming Fei; she is fine now."

Li Qingmu’s anxious heart finally settled; he listened silently without turning around.

"Lady Ming Fei is still unconscious, likely needing time before waking."

That was expected, considering she was poisoned with a secret toxin.

"Your Majesty, can you speak?"

After relaying Long Yue’s situation, the shadow suddenly inquired about his condition. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Li Qingmu paused with the brush in his hand, then gently shook his head.

The shadow looked concerned: "Your Majesty, you must recover quickly, otherwise everything will..."

Li Qingmu raised his hand, prompting the shadow to silence.

After a while, the shadow asked, "Does Your Majesty have anything else? If not, I shall take my leave."

Then the shadow disappeared.

This man was Zhang Liulang.

Li Qingmu used the Emperor’s privilege to arrange them close to him as trusted aides, making it easier to entrust them with various tasks.

As for others, he had gathered some, but still didn’t trust them much.

Zhang Liulang asked if he could speak?

He certainly couldn’t speak now; if he did, would Rong Si strive to save Long Yue?

Absolutely not!

She would merely watch Long Yue die from poisoning!

Thus now, he must use a unique method to tell Rong Si—You must save her!

Learning that Long Yue was out of danger, Li Qingmu felt somewhat relieved, and the exhaustion from a sleepless night swept in. He rose and went to rest on the bed in the inner room.

After an unknown period, Li Qingmu felt someone gently stroking his cheek, startling his body awake, he opened his eyes.

He saw Rong Si.

It was Rong Si gently stroking his cheek.

Li Qingmu secretly sighed in relief.

He didn’t know why, but he disliked any woman other than Yue’er touching him; it made him uncomfortable.

Luckily, it was his mother.

Li Qingmu wanted to call out to Rong Si, but opened his mouth only to find himself unable to speak a word.

Seeing this, Rong Si’s emotions were tense and complex: "Mu’er, can you still not speak?"

Li Qingmu blinked and nodded obediently.

This behavior made Rong Si feel safe yet pained; what happened, how could he be mute?

A mute Emperor, it would cause substantial chaos in the court.

Those with ambition would start moving restlessly then.

Fortunately, Li Qingmu’s docility made Rong Si feel slightly better. Thinking it over, she said, "The State Preceptor intervened and treated Lady Ming Fei; currently, her life is no longer at risk."

Li Qingmu seemed somewhat vacant, merely nodding reluctantly.

This indifferent attitude, rather reassuring to Rong Si, indicated her son’s heart wasn’t fully captivated by Lady Ming Fei. His prior agitation might just be a reaction to shock, or perhaps seeing a woman almost die due to him touched him emotionally!

Rong Si could comprehend this.

With peace of mind regarding her son, Rong Si felt less anxious and fiery and said warmly: "Mu’er, don’t worry. The Imperial Physician said you were just frightened and you’ll recover after some recuperation."

Li Qingmu nodded.

"Alright, Mother won’t disturb your rest. Use this time to recuperate well. As for the hunting competition, you don’t need to worry; Mother will handle it."

Li Qingmu made a slight bow of respect to Rong Si.

After offering more comfort, Rong Si left.

As soon as Rong Si departed, Li Qingmu’s obedient demeanor vanished, replaced by coldness and chilliness!

He extended his arm, donned his outer garment, ready to head out, but was stopped by Zhang Liulang.

"Your Majesty, it’s unwise! Hold on a bit longer!"

Having endured so long, hold on a bit more!

Zhang Liulang gestured with his eyes to stop him.

But Li Qingmu was about to lose patience; he wondered about Yue’er’s condition?

When would she awaken? Was she being mistreated by any maids?

His mind was filled with these chaotic thoughts.

Thankfully, after considering for a while, Li Qingmu held back.

Only a few days remained till the return; he would wait until they went back to address things.

The next few days, Li Qingmu didn’t visit Long Yue, yet he constantly stayed updated on Long Yue’s status; Zhang Liulang and Yang Shiqi monitored her intermittently and brought back the latest information.

Long Yue awoke three days later, still weak but largely recovered.

After two more days of rest, she moved freely, yet her first action wasn’t seeking Li Qingmu; she returned to her own residence.

This demonstrated discretion – she didn’t use the life-saving favor to trade for royal favor.

Long Yue’s action somewhat earned Rong Si’s favor.

Thus, more days passed; the spring hunt concluded, and the procession returned to court.

Long Yue’s identity as Lady Ming Fei was confirmed, leading to a ceremony of conferment upon returning, making her truly the Emperor’s concubine.

Consequently, the journey back differed entirely from the journey there.

On the journey there, her little carriage was lonely, unaccompanied by anyone; returning, many came to offer congratulations.

This included those young ladies previously disdainful towards her; they wanted to get close to Long Yue, using it as a chance to approach the Emperor.

Long Yue understood their intentions and opted for polite pretense rather than exposing them.

At this moment, a carriage caught up, accompanied by a familiar voice: "Sister, it was my ignorance before; can you forgive me?"