Although You Kouyi clearly felt that Dongling Yuanhao treated her and Ximen Yourong differently, she would not be stupid enough to express her dissatisfaction openly.
Facing Dongling Yuanhao's sudden question, no matter what his purpose was, You Kouyi perfectly stabilized her mood. She smiled slightly and said noncommittally:
"What Prince Hao said is absolutely true. I also feel that those rumors have slandered the reputation of the Queen. She does not deserve to suffer such injustice."
"Yes, Concubine You is indeed sensible... Tsk, no, the more I think about it, the more I feel that the emperor should not kill a fox, and there is no need to kill Xue'er..." Dongling Yuanhao said and turned to
Eunuch Cao instructed:
"Eunuch Cao, I'm going to discuss this with Brother Huang right now. You're not allowed to touch Xue'er until there's no result. Do you understand?"
When he was about to find Dongling Yuanyong in a hurry, Eunuch Cao stopped him with a look of embarrassment and said:
"Prince Hao, I'm afraid it's too late. When the old slave came in to convey His Majesty's will, the fox was also fed poison. Now it should be..."
"What?" Xiang Qing was the one who screamed. She looked at Ximen Yourong and whispered uncontrollably:
"Miss……."
"Since it is His Majesty's will, I should obey it. However, even though the fox has a low life, I have raised it for a while anyway. Please... cough...!"
Ximen Yourong finally had difficulty breathing and coughed in pain, and she was unable to finish her sentence because of this.
Others did not know that she was suffering from the onset of cold poison at this time. Everyone thought that she was just a little weak due to the injury.
Eunuch Cao guessed what Ximen Yourong wanted to say, and he said thoughtfully:
"Don't worry, Madam, I will let the fox's body be properly buried."
Eunuch Cao knew very well that Xueer was just a fox to others, but to Ximen Yourong, she was a treasure in her heart.
In fact, Eunuch Cao didn't quite understand why Dongling Yuanyong suddenly ordered the execution of Xue'er. He knew clearly how close Ximen Yourong was to Xueer, and killing Xueer would be equivalent to stabbing Ximen Yourong in the heart.
.
Moreover, Xueer did not hurt people on any day, but she hurt people at the time when all the ministers advised her to separate Ximen Yourong's aunt and nephew. This was no accident, but Ximen Yourong's arrangement.
Eunuch Cao believed that Dongling Yuanyong must also know that Ximen Yourong's injuries were strictly not related to Xue'er, but why did he still order Xue'er to be sacrificed?
After thinking about it, Eunuch Cao even thought to himself, could Dongling Yuanyong take the opportunity to kill Xueer because he was jealous of Xueer sleeping in Ximen Yourong's arms every day?
But when I thought about it again, it was wrong. When Dongling Yuanyong stayed at Lengyue Palace every night, as soon as he got up in the morning, no matter how much he hated Xueer being near Ximen Yourong, he would personally pick up Xueer and put her into Ximen Yourong's
Keep her warm in your arms.
Moreover, Eunuch Cao also discovered that Dongling Yuanyong didn't actually hate Xue'er now. He should even like Xue'er a little, because Xue'er could let Ximen Yourong get the heat source.
Just looking at this, Eunuch Cao was sure that Dongling Yuanyong's love for Ximen Yourong had already penetrated his heart.
However, when he saw Xue'er lying motionless in the cage, Eunuch Cao was full of doubts.
Ximen Yourong glanced at Xueer's body, and she said sarcastically:
"Oh, it's just a beast, but it can die at the will of the emperor. This must be Xue'er's good fortune! I hope this good fortune can allow it to be reborn as a human being, so that if it encounters any slander again, it can also
Open your mouth and prove your innocence!"
You Kouyi looked at Ximen Yourong's calm and indifferent expression. If Ximen Yourong's words hadn't revealed his resentment towards Dongling Yuanyong, she would have almost thought that Ximen Yourong really didn't care about Xueer's life or death.
But it turns out that Ximen Yourong cares more about Xueer than You Kouyi imagined. She looked at Ximen Yourong with pretending concern and said:
"My queen has been so injured by that beast. If it were a human being, it would have died long ago. Why do you still mourn for it?"
Ximen Yourong looked at You Kouyi, and she said lukewarmly:
"If Xue'er were a human being, how could she be slandered as a monster, and how could I become an evil woman who charmed the monarch?"
Ximen Yourong's words were mixed with meaning, and You Kouyi also vaguely heard Ximen Yourong's counterattack.
Only then did she understand why Ximen Yourong accepted the "Cleaning Flower" from her so unceremoniously. It was conceivable that Ximen Yourong was implying that she didn't know everything.
You Kouyi thought for a moment, looked at Ximen Yourong and said hesitantly:
"Yesterday, I have also heard about the admonitions made by the previous court against your Majesty. But your Majesty, please don't blame the courtiers. They are also so stubborn for the long-term stability of Dacheng State. Especially my father, who has been so stubborn for many years.
He is loyal to the Dongling clan and puts Dachengguo first in all his thoughts. Therefore, if my father's considerations offend the empress in any way, please don't think too much about it. He has no ill intentions. If the empress feels it is necessary, I will send you my concubine.
You can go talk to your father and ask him not to worry too much!"
After Ximen Yourong listened to You Kouyi's words, she was silent for a moment.
You Kouyi is really good at hiding her true face. She seems not to shy away from mentioning You Zhongru's political opinions just because she is a minister. But Ximen Yourong already knows in his heart that You Kouyi is the one who targets her most.
.
You Kouyi was not tired and had to make such a convoluted plan, but Ximen Yourong was tired and panicked. She gathered up her mink fur cloak to protect herself, and then said:
"For the political opinion of the previous dynasty, the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. However, you and I can work together to make peace with the affairs of the harem. Now that I am injured, it is not appropriate for my Lengyue Palace to wait for Your Majesty for the time being, so I ask Concubine You and Xiangyun Palace to work hard."
What You Kouyi wants most is to be favored by Dongling Yuanyong, but she has already rejected Dongling Yuanyong.
As for whether Dongling Yuanyong can be allowed to go to Xiangyun Palace, that is You Kouyi's business, she... doesn't matter!
Just when Ximen Yourong secretly thought that he didn't care whether Dongling Yuanyong would go to Xiangyun Hall, Eunuch Cao suddenly said respectfully to You Kouyi:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Queen's mention made this old servant think of your Majesty's visit to Xiangyun Palace tonight. It's getting late, so I'm afraid it's time for Your Majesty to go back and get ready to welcome you."
You Kouyi did not dare to neglect after hearing this. She hid her joy and worry and left Lengyue Palace.
Then Eunuch Cao took Xueer's body and left. Ximen Yourong no longer pretended that she was fine, but she declined everyone's concern. She locked herself in the dormitory without saying anything, and even Xiang Qing
No entry allowed either!
Lengyue Palace was almost trapped in the lifeless air current. In contrast, Xiangyun Palace was covered with joy...!
However, You Kouyi, who returned to Xiangyun Palace, did not immediately do anything to prepare for the arrival of Dongling Yuanyong.
On the contrary, her thoughtful expression was a little abnormal. Although Manzhi was not very clear about what You Kouyi was thinking, she could also see that You Kouyi's expression was obviously full of doubts. She asked softly:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is coming tonight, but why are you not happy...?"
You Kouyi didn't seem to hear Manzhi's question. She didn't answer and asked instead:
"Manzhi, do you feel that something is wrong with Ximen Yourong?"
"Why did the empress say this?" Manzhi was confused.
"She's afraid of the cold, but it seems like it's more than just being afraid of the cold, she's like... like she's sick!"
You Kouyi was actually thinking about Ximen Yourong. Previously, she thought Ximen Yourong was just afraid of the cold, but today she discovered that Ximen Yourong was more afraid of the cold than she thought.
Could it be that there are more unknown secrets about Ximen Yourong?
Manzhi couldn't understand Youkoyi's doubts for a while, but she saw that the sky was getting dark, so Manzhi had to remind her:
"Your Majesty, if you have any troubles, we can discuss it later. Would you like to change your makeup first to welcome His Majesty?"
When it came to Dongling Yuanyong, the distracted You Kouyi put away the complicated doubts in her heart.
Manzhi was right, at this moment, Dongling Yuanyong, who was about to come to Xiangyun Palace, was the most important to her.
Not long after she dressed up again and had the food prepared, Dongling Yuanyong came.
Dongling Yuanyong looked at the unparalleled beauty You Kouyi, and then looked at the delicious and delicious dinner before his eyes. What flashed in Dongling Yuanyong's mind was Ximen Yourong's face.
That woman, she never dressed up for him. She never prepared such a rich and delicious meal.
The only time she dressed up that surprised him was at the palace banquet prepared for Xiahou Chunyan, and then on the wedding day, she should have been dressed up beautifully.
However, when he saw her, she had already taken off her red hijab, and all her makeup had been removed to reveal its original beauty.
If you think about it carefully, Ximen Yourong is neither a husband nor a cook. Every time he sees her, he is dressed in plain clothes. Every time he eats with her in Lengyue Palace, he eats nothing... She is really not a good wife.
But...why did she attract his attention so much, and why did he tolerate her indifference so much?
You Kouyi was originally satisfied with the arrival of Dongling Yuanyong, but his absent-minded expression made her feel faintly uncomfortable.
However, You Kouyi covered up her dissatisfaction very well, and she whispered softly:
"Is your Majesty worried, or are you not satisfied with the meal prepared by my concubine?"
Dongling Yuanyong came to his senses and looked up at You Kouyi. He smiled lightly and said:
"My concubine, don't worry too much. I'm just thinking that compared to Lengyue Palace, what you see in Xiangyun Palace is the treatment a husband deserves."
"This...Your Majesty means...?"
Dongling Yuanyong smiled and praised without hesitation:
"The imperial concubine's makeup is soothing to the eyes, and her meal preparation is even more nutritious. This makes my eyes feel comfortable after reading the memorial all day long, and my appetite is widened."
In fact, the simple meals of Lengyue Palace were more to his liking, and Ximen Yourong, who had gone from scratch to being a vegetarian, was more beautiful in his eyes.
If You Kouyi was just an ordinary woman, he would not hesitate to appreciate her beauty.
The fact that he is accompanying You Kouyi and saying things that go against her will is just a temporary measure to stabilize her!
You Kouyi's scheming is not hateful, but what is hateful is that in order to achieve her own goals, she used a gentle mask to make waves in the harem. Even in the previous court, she dared to interfere in politics unbridled. This was an ambition that Dongling Yuanyong could not tolerate.