RPAGF Chapter 94 Years in the Palace 2
Chapter 94 Years in the Palace 2
"Indeed, Lord Liu told me a few days ago that he missed Yi'er very much, so I will do as you say."
"Your Majesty is indeed the best to me."
This was the most genuine smile Liu Xingxing had ever given; it was worth all the time she had held back.
Jing Yanzhi scooped up another half bowl of soup and ate it slowly. The pastries were indeed quite delicious, but eating them whole made her feel a little choked.
"Yi'er, there's no need to rush back. It would be good for you to spend a few more days with Lord Liu and his wife."
So easy to talk to?
That's something I'd love to have.
"Thank you for your grace!"
Liu Baiyi happily got up and performed another palace salute, her joy was visibly evident.
This woman has only one redeeming quality: all her emotions are written on her face, and you can tell at a glance whether she's happy or unhappy. She truly doesn't fit in with the secretive and unspoken world of the palace.
"Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal. I will take my leave now. Please do not overwork yourself; your health is of utmost importance."
"Yes, Yi'er, you should go back and rest early too. Your body can't withstand the cold. Cao Sheng, see the Imperial Concubine off."
Cao Sheng was not at all surprised that his name was called: "Yes, Your Majesty, please."
Liu Baiyi left, satisfied.
The inside and outside of the hall were truly two different worlds. You didn't feel it inside, but as soon as you stepped outside, you felt the chill of the night hitting your head and instantly waking you up.
Liu Xingxing politely returned the greeting: "Eunuch Cao, please wait."
"Oh, Your Highness, please proceed with caution."
Cao Sheng remained as respectful as ever, and only returned to the hall to report after the person had left.
“Her behavior today is truly unusual. Cao Sheng, send someone to follow her and report back on everything, big or small.”
"Yes."
Seeing that the soup bowl on the table was almost empty, but the pastries were still plentiful, Jing Yanzhi's expression was indifferent. The candlelight shone on his face without any distinction between light and shadow, so it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
"Everyone, take your leave. We've been reviewing memorials long enough today. Go change your clothes."
"Yes."
Cao Shengchao greeted the palace servants waiting beside him, and the servants immediately perked up and stepped forward to serve him.
……
next day
Liu Xingxing packed her luggage early, simply ordered a few attendants, and left the palace. Unlike her previous visits home to visit her family, she didn't make a grand display like a noble consort, with palace servants and attendants lining two streets, as if she wanted everyone to know.
She's just behaving a little differently than before; it's not like she's completely broken character. It's just an illusion, nothing serious. She has more important things to do right now.
Although it's just an illusion, physical injuries can still be real. Liu Xingxing left the palace this time primarily to save her own life.
In this illusion, she is just an insignificant little person, and without any spiritual power to protect her, she would easily be caught in the crossfire of the battle between the powerful beings. It would be more important for her to find more ways to protect herself.
The capital city was vast, and although her father was an official, he was only a minor official of the lowest rank. Naturally, his residence was far from the palace. It took Liu Xingxing a full hour to travel by carriage back to her so-called home.
This also confirms that the capital city is indeed large, several times larger than the capital city of the previous mortal realm.
The main gate of the Liu family mansion was also crowded with people, all eagerly waiting for the arrival of the newcomers.
Early in the morning, that girl came to report that the Imperial Concubine would be returning to visit her family soon, but she didn't expect her to arrive so quickly.
Liu Qian and Wang Shi, who were in the lead, were also waiting anxiously for the person to arrive.
It had been a very long time since the two of them had seen their daughter, except for a brief glimpse at the palace banquet at the end of the year. They were truly looking forward to this meeting.
"They're here! The Imperial Concubine's carriage has arrived at the east intersection."
From afar, a servant from the manor rushed over to report, and soon after, a carriage arrived.
Wang grabbed Liu Qian's arm excitedly: "Oh my, it really is the Imperial Concubine's carriage! My lord, our Yi'er is back!"
Liu Qian patted Wang Shi's hand reassuringly, calming himself down a bit, but his face was still filled with excitement: "Yes, Yi'er is back."
As the carriage gradually came to a stop, Liu Xingxing knew they had arrived. Sure enough, a servant outside called out, "Your Majesty, we have arrived." Liu Xingxing straightened her clothes and got off the carriage.
The group of people at the door immediately knelt down and shouted in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
Liu Xingxing, with quick reflexes, precisely caught her parents who were about to kneel down.
"Get up, all of you. There's no need for such formalities. You two are really something. Didn't I tell you long ago that you don't need to bow to me? What kind of parents would bow to their daughter?"
Don't ask, she found out from Chu Chun. Liu Xingxing had done her homework beforehand.
While Liu Baiyi was arrogant and domineering in the palace, she was quite good to her parents outside. After all, she had been pampered and spoiled in this family and had never suffered any grievances. Her parents treated her very well, so naturally she would not put on airs like a noble concubine in front of them.
“You child, etiquette must not be disregarded. As a noble consort, you are naturally entitled to the kneeling and obeisance of officials and commoners.”
Although that's what he said, Liu Qian still looked at her with satisfaction and nodded repeatedly.
"Oh dear, don't let our Imperial Concubine stand outside chatting. Come on in, Mother has prepared a whole table of your favorite dishes. Come on in, let's chat slowly."
Wang tightly pulled the person inside, unable to contain her joy.
Liu Qian chimed in, "Yes, yes, let's all go in first. Look at me, I'm so happy!"
The group entered the house happily. The Imperial Concubine had returned to the mansion, and everyone there was overjoyed. They had also received a reward, and their meals had improved. The entire mansion was filled with happiness and joy.
Although Liu Qian was only a minor official, Wang's family was of extraordinary background. It was thought to be just an ordinary mansion, but the interior was renovated to be much better than some of the mansions of great families. Moreover, although the location was a bit remote, it was precisely because of this remoteness that the area was quite large, and the style of renovation was more like that of a mausoleum in the Jiangnan region, which was very elegant.
That night, the road was dark and the moon was nowhere to be seen.
Wang was still in Liu Baiyi's room, chatting with her about everyday matters.
"How are you doing in the palace? I heard some things about you from that girl Chu Chun. How is His Majesty treating you?"
"Of course it's good, otherwise why would they allow me to come back to visit my family?"
Even superficial good things are good, at least they can prevent some unnecessary things from happening.
“…Yi’er, you must know that the Emperor is only treating you well now because of our Wang family. You should be careful in your actions in the palace and not take advantage of that unfounded favor… Sigh, I’ve told you this so many times, but you never listen to me.”
Wang looked at her with great concern, feeling helpless about her only child, and also blaming herself for spoiling her into this way.
Liu Xingxing paused for a moment, recalling Liu Baiyi's past behavior. She certainly couldn't be called a good person. But she wasn't like this before. Another reason she came out this time was to find out the root of the problem and what had caused such a big change in her.
"Mother, I remember everything you said. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Wang poked her forehead and said, rather pathetically, "You always just listen and let it go. Have you ever taken what I said to heart?"
"Forget it, if you're really unhappy being a concubine, we can safely take you out of the palace. Let's see what Jing Yanzhi can say then."
Wang casually uttered the emperor's name, and her words lacked respect, which aroused Liu Xingxing's curiosity.
"Mother, were you talking about His Majesty just now?"
"Hmph, who else could it be?"
Wang said calmly, "If it weren't for your fondness for him, he wouldn't have become the emperor of Liang, given that he was just a mere Prince Ping..."
Holy crap, she thinks she heard something incredible!
"A mere Prince Ping"—is this something an ordinary person could say?!
Could it be that the Wang family of Dongxiang was behind Jing Yanzhi's rise to the throne?
This Wang family of Dongxiang is definitely not as simple as it seems. How could they be simple if they can even influence the person sitting in that position?
No wonder Liu Baiyi could be so domineering in the harem without being punished, and she didn't even put the Empress in her eyes. It turns out she had such a powerful background.
Since she has such a powerful background, why not just make her an empress? Is Liu Baiyi really willing to be subservient to others?
Liu Xingxing didn't inherit Liu Baiyi's memories; she only knew what kind of person Liu Baiyi was from other people. Naturally, she didn't know that Liu Baiyi just wanted to be free and unrestrained, and didn't want to become the empress who was haggard and had to manage the trivial affairs of the six palaces every day. She thought it would be so much better to be a favored concubine, with a high enough position and no need to manage anything.
Doing these things according to Wang's methods is not difficult at all; she can do whatever she wants as long as she is willing.
No wonder, Jing Yanzhi always looked at her with no love in his eyes but had to pretend to love her. No one likes the existence of a power that can control them at any time, and this power is all tied to Liu Baiyi.
Getting rid of Liu Baiyi was only a matter of time.