Xu Qiuer looked at her son in her arms, playfully touching his tiny nose. Guan Yue entered, “Your Majesty, the young prince has made a move.” Xu Qiuer coldly laughed, recognizing this as the best opportunity.
Hao Li was anxious, and so was the Empress Dowager. Xu Qiuer took out a yellow jade stone and threw it on the ground. “Give it to Hao Li and tell him to look carefully before speaking to me.”
“My lady…” Guan Yue stood still.
“Don’t want to go? Should I find someone else?”
A few months earlier, Cang Yue looked poised to speak to Xu Qiuer. “Your Majesty…”
“Speak.” After Cang Yue’s account, Xu Qiuer’s heart grew cold. She realized everything had been a deception. Hao Li’s connection to Xu Xinyi was unclear, and she had been misled. The song she sang at the farewell banquet was not taught by Xinyi; Hao Li falsely claimed it was. Though she had been suspicious, she had gambled on Hao Li’s true feelings. The Empress Dowager only aimed to manipulate her against Long Hanjie and provide Hao Li an escape. She overlooked that emotions can be everything or nothing for a woman.
“Your Highness…”
Hao Li took the stone, surprised. “Where is she? Where is she?” He shook Guan Yue’s arm. Avoiding his gaze, she knelt down. “Please forgive me, Your Highness. If you wish to see the Noble Consort, her wish is for you not to enter the palace tomorrow.”
Hao Li coldly laughed. “What?”
Does Xu Qiuer really think I would abandon my plans for someone who might not exist?”
Guan Yue lowered her eyes. “I’m just delivering a message. The Consort said you can come to the palace. Tomorrow is the Noble Consort’s death anniversary. Please prepare the paper money.”
Hao Li punched the book, blood flowing from his fingertips.
Fuqiu Hall –
“How is it?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the young prince will not enter the palace tomorrow.”
Xu Qiuer smiled, glanced at Guan Yue, and ordered her to leave, calling Ning’er. “Guan Yue cannot stay.” Perhaps she is loyal, but Xu Qiuer cannot leave a time bomb by her side. Ning’er was shocked. “Your Majesty…”
“New shoots grow again after the wild fire.”
Ning’er sat on the ground.
