Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 428: They Belong to the Crown Prince!
But the child was unwilling to return, probably because he had formed attachments in Dazhou.
Once a person forms attachments, it’s easy to be swayed by them and unable to make correct judgments. Back then, she nearly took the child to Qi Yun’s palace, but in the end, she steeled her heart.
She took a deep breath and let out a sneering laugh: "To be honest, we owe a great deal to the Empress Dowager; if she hadn’t sent someone to assassinate him, I wouldn’t know where he is to this day!"
Princess Nianxi lowered her eyes slightly: "It seems that your son has been most fortunate."
"Yes, indeed, he’s quite fortunate..." The Princess sighed softly and said in a melancholy tone, "The child is very clever, but so clever that he’s hard to like."
Princess Nianxi suddenly said, "Your Highness, there’s something I’m unclear about, please enlighten me."
"Go ahead."
"Why did you help Emperor Zhou this time?"
This question had been plaguing Princess Nianxi’s mind and she couldn’t shake it off, so she asked it out of sheer helplessness.
Fortunately, she was raised by the Princess, and though they weren’t mother and daughter, they were as close as one, so she dared to ask.
The Princess fell silent instantly.
Princess Nianxi’s heart clenched; had she asked a question she shouldn’t have? This was a matter of state, so it should be permissible, right?
"Ah..." A soft sigh came from inside the carriage, "We were husband and wife once, and those years he looked after me in many ways, so... consider us even."
Princess Nianxi stared at the carriage in astonishment, as if trying to see through the curtains to the expression of the person inside. Her foster mother often taught her that, as someone with absolute power, one must not have emotions because once you do, it can lead to ruin!
Yet, wasn’t she the same?
A flicker of a strange expression passed through her eyes.
"Let’s go!"
"Princess, are we just leaving like this?"
She cared little, but was the Princess really leaving so willingly? This wasn’t like her style.
"There’s a long way ahead, take it slow."
With those words, the Princess ordered the carriage to turn around and head back.
In fact, she left unsaid that she currently didn’t want to confront Qi Yun. Since the child wished to stay in Shengjing City, let him stay for now!
...
Li Qingmu was unaware of such an episode occurring on the northern border, as he was currently cozily nestled at home to recuperate, amusing himself by playing with his unborn child, living a life akin to the immortals.
Today, Su Shi was on leave, so he brought his family to the General Mansion for leisure.
"A Mu, just like that you’ve become our Shangguan, how sentimental it makes one!"
As Su Shi entered, he teased Li Qingmu, holding a jar of wine. His mother brewed the wine, and his father, who doted on her, often accompanied her back to her family, so Su Shi had developed a habit of occasionally drinking wine.
With nothing better to do today, he came to chat and play chess, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Li Qingmu gave a faint smile: "So, shouldn’t you first bow to me?"
"Yes, yes, this humble officer greets Mr. Li!"
Su Shi laughed heartily, cupped his hands in salute to Li Qingmu, and instantly, everyone burst into laughter.
Long Yue patted her already prominent belly, raised her eyebrows, and glared: "No drinking allowed!"
Uh...
"My dear, my injuries have healed now, I can drink!"
The wine from the Su family was quite delicious, with a unique flavor, which Li Qingmu had grown fond of. However, due to his past injuries, drinking could lead to relapses, so he was restrained from it.
At this moment, Li Qingmu looked mournfully at his dear wife.
How could she be so ruthless? Not even a sip allowed?
"No!"
Long Yue said earnestly, her hands on her hips, dashing Li Qingmu’s hopes.
"Hahaha!" Su Shi found Li Qingmu’s pitiful look amusing and said, "Sister-in-law, let him have a few sips to satisfy his craving, he’s been on bland food and drink for more than a month now, I bet he’s going... crazy?"
Su Shi initially wanted to say "his mouth has gone dry", but considering the indecency of the saying, he shook his head and chose different words.
Li Qingmu nodded vigorously, looking quite forlorn.
"Yue’er, let him drink a bit, just look at his cravings; besides, this wine is medicinal, brewed specially by my mother-in-law for A Mu!"
Yang Zhuoya, while playing with her beloved son, smiled as she persuaded.
Long Yue was slightly stunned: "Medicinal wine?"
The other nodded gently: "Yes, and it’s lightly sweet, very tasty, why not try a sip to believe?"
Long Yue touched her belly and shook her head: "Forget it, I won’t try."
Duanmu Nan had previously warned her that there were many taboos during pregnancy, including alcohol, and this child came with great difficulty, so Long Yue cherished him deeply and wouldn’t risk it.
Not even a sip, not a drop.
In the end, under Li Qingmu’s relentless persuasion, Long Yue agreed to let him have a little.
It was almost April, with spring flowers in bloom, and the sun felt warm and comfortable when it shone on a person.
In the back garden of the General Mansion, in a pavilion, Li Qingmu lay on a couch while Long Yue and the Su couple chatted and laughed around a small stone table.
"Ever since that major incident during last year’s spring hunt, the subsequent autumn hunt and this year’s spring hunt haven’t been held, I wonder if it will happen this autumn?"
Life in ancient times wasn’t as rich as modern life, so events held by the imperial family were particularly eye-catching.
Li Qingmu, reclining on the couch, basked in the warm breeze and sipped his wine, feeling very at ease: "Once the situation stabilizes, it certainly will."
That emperor is also someone who can’t stay idle!
"A Mu, it’s been found, it’s been found!"
A figure rushed in; it was little brother-in-law Cao Xiao, with unmatched joy on his face, and Long Yue even noticed a faint red mark on his left cheek, like a woman’s rouge.
Hm, that must be from Chang Lexi?
"Is it about Wang Zheng?"
"Oh, Little Yue’er, you’re really clever, yes, it’s about him. Lord Zhao has already found out; it was a setup! I told Lexi about your speculations, they questioned the people at the Prince Mansion, found that a young servant was missing, and traced it back only to discover the servant had been bought off early!"
"Who bought him?"
Li Qingmu was very curious, who was so fearless to create trouble at this time, making the emperor uncomfortable?
"It was people from the Crown Prince’s side!"
Cao Xiao said, somewhat angrily, waving his fist, wanting nothing more than to punch the Crown Prince if he were in front of him.
The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, with a distinct hierarchy of ruler and subject, so theoretically, Cao Xiao should have some fear. But no, he’s carefree and does whatever makes him comfortable.
So after waving his fist, he wasn’t finished, he jumped up to the pavilion, grabbed an orange, smashed it onto the ground, and stomped on it.
"That damn Crown Prince, daring to frame the Chang Family, it’s outrageous, infuriating!"
Li Qingmu was silent for a moment before speaking slowly: "The Crown Prince probably sensed a crisis, and laid bare his previous schemes; targeting the Third Prince is just one part, the Seventh Prince’s side is likely to face issues too."
As soon as Li Qingmu finished speaking, Su Shi chimed in: "A Mu, you’re too late, it’s already happened. Several Ministry of Rites officials associated with the Seventh Prince have been found to be embezzling tributes..."
