Chapter 716: Chapter 716: Tianxing Pavilion Again!

Long Yue arrived at the Imperial Palace with a cart full of dowry, feeling completely satisfied.

Yu Zhu also followed along.

Her forehead had just been examined by an Imperial Physician from the Imperial Hospital, treated and bandaged, no longer as painfully bloody as before.

After entering the palace, Long Yue was immediately welcomed by a female official who took her to Zhaoming Palace.

"Lady Ming Fei, this is your bedchamber. These characters for ’Zhaoming Palace’ were personally inscribed by Your Majesty. You are indeed fortunate, my lady!"

The female official’s face was full of envy.

However, her envy was only thirty percent genuine and seventy percent fake.

Since ancient times, emperors have often been merciless. The affection within the imperial family tends to fade. Although the Lady Ming Fei is favored now, who can guarantee the future?

The Emperor’s love is often very fickle. He may favor you for a while, but definitely not wholeheartedly!

So what will happen to Lady Ming Fei in the future? Heaven knows!

Long Yue naturally understood this principle and didn’t pay much attention to the female official’s false facade. She would leave Da Liang Palace sooner or later, so why bother with these people?

She settled comfortably in Zhaoming Palace, with Yu Zhu and the palace maids attending to her needs, bathing, dining, and resting comfortably.

She didn’t rush to find Li Qingmu first; as a newly arrived concubine in the palace, appearances matter, or else she would face criticism.

She didn’t want to become the target of everyone.

While things grew quiet on Long Yue’s side, on the other side, after returning, Li Qingmu also bathed and refreshed himself, dined and rested before heading to Qianyang Palace where the Little Emperor, Rong Zhuo, resided.

Qianyang Palace, the emperor’s main hall in Da Liang Palace, should be brightly lit and bustling with people, but in reality, it was eerily cold. Without looking at the golden characters for "Qianyang Palace" above, one wouldn’t believe this was the emperor’s residence.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

Fortunately, some palace maids and eunuchs still stood at the palace gate, kneeling and bowing upon seeing Li Qingmu.

"Squeak—"

The palace door slowly opened and Li Qingmu entered this Qianyang Palace, which almost resembled the Cold Palace. Some palace maids, thinking themselves alluring, tried to approach and serve but were refused by Li Qingmu.

He waved, indicating the palace attendants to leave. Soon, only Li Qingmu and the reclining Little Emperor remained.

Rong Zhuo, with his body "afflicted," had been lying in Qianyang Palace’s bedchamber for six months, appearing very haggard, his small face shockingly pale due to the lack of sunlight.

Li Qingmu gazed at the sleeping Little Emperor, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes, while a dagger appeared in his hand.

He approached the Little Emperor and placed the dagger across his neck.

The cold blade startled Rong Zhuo awake; he slowly opened his eyes to meet a pair of icy, emotionless dark eyes.

"Cousin..."

The Little Emperor shivered, instinctively trying to sit up, but Li Qingmu’s dagger pressed against his neck, immobilizing him.

"Don’t call me cousin!"

The silent Li Qingmu suddenly spoke, with a hint of anger in his voice, and a chilling tone. "Are you trying to kill me?"

His question was abrupt, leaving Rong Zhuo stunned, and only after a long pause did he reply: "Cousin, why are you asking?"

"The assassination at Beifeng Forest, do you dare say you had nothing to do with it?"

The Little Emperor Rong Zhuo was taken aback, but quickly said earnestly: "Cousin, I didn’t do it! However, I do know who did."

"Who?"

Li Qingmu’s voice became urgent, his breathing quickened. In his heart, he didn’t want to confront Rong Zhuo, but he couldn’t forgive the assassination attempt that almost cost Long Yue her life!

He would rather face danger himself than have Yue’er harmed!

Rong Zhuo looked at him and said deliberately: "It was Tianxing Pavilion!"

Li Qingmu’s pupils shrank suddenly. Tianxing Pavilion? Again with Tianxing Pavilion!

This Tianxing Pavilion had previously pursued him across thousands of miles, and now it was back?

"Can I trust you?"

Li Qingmu asked with an indifferent tone.

Rong Zhuo tilted his little head: "But I didn’t lie to you, did I? Although I don’t know why Tianxing Pavilion wants to kill you, it should have something to do with the State Preceptor; he is connected to Tianxing Pavilion, but the exact nature of the relationship remains unclear."

After the Little Emperor finished speaking, he looked at Li Qingmu with a distressed face: "Cousin, um... can you remove the dagger? I’m very anxious!"

Li Qingmu’s deep eyes narrowed slightly, casting a glance at him.

The boy’s amber eyes were pure and unwavering, meeting his gaze directly.

After a moment of silence, Li Qingmu withdrew the dagger.

Having gained some space, Rong Zhuo slowly sat up.

His body was so weak that he nearly fell upon standing, only managing to stay upright by holding onto the edge of the bed, though his body still wobbled.

Seeing him in such a feeble state, Li Qingmu frowned slightly: "You should rest!"

Rong Zhuo shook his head: "No, I can’t lie down any longer, that would truly ruin me. Cousin, the emperor on the court cannot be voiceless, nor can he be paralyzed!"

Li Qingmu turned, looking at him coldly: "It seems His Majesty knows everything!"

"I certainly know everything because I am now a discarded person, posing no threat; keeping me only allows aunt to maintain a good reputation, right? But I feel worse than death! Cousin, how much longer will these days last? I’m on the brink of madness..."

"I don’t know, maybe one year, two years, maybe five or ten, perhaps even decades!"

Rong Zhuo lowered his gaze, letting out a bitter laugh: "I see..."

He indeed saw it, knowing it long ago. When he remained asleep within Qianyang Palace, he should have realized regaining imperial power was extremely difficult.

Power is fascinating; you won’t crave more until you touch it, but once you do, you desire it entirely!

This cousin surely doesn’t want to return the Emperor’s throne to him, alas!

"Don’t tell anyone that I can speak!"

Li Qingmu left these words and placed a small porcelain bottle on the table, then departed.

The Little Emperor blinked; of course, he wouldn’t say anything, not to mention, if he did, no one would believe him, only thinking he’s lost his mind.

However, what was inside the bottle on the table?

He went over and picked up the small porcelain bottle, sniffing, and smelled a pleasant fragrance of oil. He carefully opened it and found it contained a full bottle of small black pills.

"Are these... Zhima pills? Are they for me to eat? Why does cousin still treat me like a child?"

Fortunately, Yingzi, who had been hiding in the shadows nearby, jumped out, saying, "Your Majesty, these Zhima pills are specially made to stave off hunger and also nourish and replenish energy..."

Just as he finished speaking, he realized Rong Zhuo had already poured out a pill and started chewing on it.

"Wow, it’s delicious, so sweet, with the aroma of dates, it’s exquisite! Is this cousin’s little treat for me?"

The Little Emperor’s dark eyes flickered, realizing Li Qingmu’s actions conveyed a message.

To keep him reassured!

Rong Zhuo ate five in one go, feeling his belly bulge, and finally rested. He touched his seemingly flat yet full-feeling stomach, marveling: "Are they really that filling?"

"Your Majesty, shall I inquire about the fabrication method?"

"No need, he will surely bring more next time. I just need to cooperate with him properly!"