Free Web NovelChapter 153: Chapter 152: A Link in the Chain
Princess An Ran received a reward, but behind it was a handful of yellow lotus that she had to swallow.
Du Yunluo repeatedly entered the palace, and in the second branch of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, how could there be no one sharpening knives?
However, let them sharpen away; if they use her as a spear, doesn’t she also want blood for blood?
Yet, whether it’s Mu Lianhui or Du Yunluo, they are all people of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. The Empress Dowager would only mildly admonish Mu Lianhui, not harm her in a way that would break her down. Perhaps, without needing to wait for Guanyin’s birthday on the nineteenth of February, Mu Lianhui would return to the Imperial Consort’s side to accompany her in chanting sutras and praying for blessings.
Those in power act just as today the east wind suppresses the west, and tomorrow it reverses.
Princess An Ran was momentarily stunned by what Du Yunluo said. When she came to her senses, she brushed away her gloom and shadows, laughing more flamboyantly than ever: "Du Yunluo, you’re much more interesting than I thought before."
"Likewise." Du Yunluo said.
Princess An Ran held her lips, gesturing for Du Yunluo to step aside with her. They stood under the veranda outside the auxiliary hall of Cining Palace, ensuring no one could overhear them. Only then did Princess An Ran lower her voice to a mosquito’s buzz and ask Du Yunluo, "Do you think the matter concerning Prince Rui was an accident or something Mu Lianhui did on purpose?"
Du Yunluo raised an eyebrow.
This question was not easy to answer.
Based on her previous understanding of Mu Lianhui, Mu Lianhui had no preference between marrying Li Luan or Li Yu. Li Luan was the Empress Dowager’s own grandson, while Li Yu was more familiar to her. Regardless of how the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort chose, Mu Lianhui and the Lian Family should be optimistic about the outcome.
However, in the Lian Family’s heart, Li Luan was probably better than Li Yu. They considered that after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the status of Prince Rui Mansion would be more stable than Prince Cheng Mansion. They just didn’t expect that after the Empress Dowager’s passing, Prince Rui would become impatient.
Only discussing the result, if Mu Lianhui were to marry Li Yu, it would be far better than marrying Li Luan. At least she wouldn’t be separated from her children in her lifetime, guarding the Imperial Mausoleum until she grew old and died.
But this result could only be understood by Du Yunluo, who had experienced it once. If Mu Lianhui was still in her previous mindset, she shouldn’t have schemed against Li Luan.
Yet, unexpectedly, Huo Ziming spilled the wine, implicating Li Luan and trapping himself in the process.
Du Yunluo’s gaze slid over Princess An Ran’s face. Her expression was indifferent, but seven points were certain, and three points were doubtful. Even though she didn’t hear Du Yunluo’s answer, she still had a bias in her heart.
Lowering her eyes and musing, Du Yunluo raised her head again: "When I was in Wangmei Garden, it was my first time seeing Lady, and my understanding of her is limited, but I always felt it was too close. That small courtyard was too close to the pavilion where the men were drinking."
Princess An Ran let out a low exclamation. She had always thought something was strange about the day’s events but never figured it out. There always seemed to be a missing link. Suddenly hearing Du Yunluo’s words, she was instantly enlightened.
Indeed, the strangest part was right here.
Wangmei Garden covers a large area with many rooms and courtyards.
If Mu Lianhui had Shi Lian’er make a move, there are plenty of places to do so, not too far and not too close, with several suitable courtyards. In the end, someone would lead Du Yundi there, and taking a few more steps wouldn’t affect anything.
When by the water, even if Princess An Ran didn’t fall in, she would surely have dirtied her snow jacket.
It was their first time at Wangmei Garden. Mu Lianhui said wherever was closer, they went there. Who would know if it was indeed closer or if they took a detour?
And Li Luan truly understood Wangmei Garden’s layout.
Ever since Prince Cheng managed the garden, Li Yu, Li Luan, and even Crown Prince Li Ke frequently went there to drink and enjoy the scenery.
As long as Li Luan was drinking at that water pavilion and stained his clothes, he would surely go to the nearest courtyard without considering elsewhere.
If not for Huo Ziming, who would dare say Mu Lianhui didn’t have a backup?
With eunuchs and palace maids serving wine, it was not difficult to accidentally spill a cup, and at such a joyous banquet, merely spilling wine would not trouble the servants.
Mu Lianhui couldn’t predict others’ movements, but after wine was spilled on Li Luan, where he would go could be calculated with an eighty to ninety percent certainty, a rather high probability.
Princess An Ran had considerations, murmuring, "Does she dislike Prince Rui? I never saw it."
Du Yunluo pressed her lips; she hadn’t seen it either.
"I reckon the Empress Dowager won’t let Prince Rui marry her again, and the Imperial Consort has her concerns. At least for a year or so, she won’t propose Mu Lianhui marry Prince Cheng. However, Mu Lianhui is not young anymore, and if she truly wants to enter Prince Cheng Mansion, she probably won’t wait until the Imperial Consort dares to speak to the Empress Dowager," Princess An Ran said, looking at the distant palace wall, "Prince Rui also reaches the age. If not Mu Lianhui, do you know who the Empress Dowager favors?"
Du Yunluo slowly shook her head; she really didn’t know the answer.
Princess An Ran was about to speak when Aunt Ming came out from the main hall and immediately saw the two of them.
Seeing them conversing peacefully, Aunt Ming secretly sighed with relief. She heard that between the two, there was Heir of Duke Dingyuan. Before the Holy Emperor granted marriage, Princess An Ran had harshly reprimanded Du Yunluo.
Aunt Ming stepped forward, saluting: "County Princess, Miss Du, the Empress Dowager’s guest is leaving; you two may enter with this servant shortly."
Du Yunluo responded with a smile.
After waiting for a moment, the curtain in the main hall was lifted, and a gorgeous beauty emerged.
She appeared to be about sixteen, wearing a lynx-fur coat lined with snow fox, revealing a hint of the crimson tunic inside, paired with a light pleated skirt, her hair styled in double rings, set with gold hairpins, and a Yingluo Circle on her chest.
She noticed Princess An Ran and Du Yunluo, turned her head, and smiled gently at them.
Du Yunluo was slightly taken aback, vaguely feeling this smile familiar. After pondering, she understood the identity of the other party.
That was Princess Nanyan, the younger sister who was a companion to Crown Prince’s fellow Princess Yunhua.
Princess Nanyan’s father was also a general of the court, with a heroic death on the battlefield, his body brought back wrapped in horsehide, and her mother followed him in death, leaving Nanyan, who was only three at the time.
The Empress Dowager pitied her and brought her into the palace. Princess Yunhua liked Nanyan very much and let Nanyan follow her daily life.
If Mu Lianhui accompanied the Imperial Consort for three years, then Princess Nanyan was one the Empress Dowager watched grow up. Apart from her origin and title, her life was no different from a Royal Princess’s.
Meeting at a distance, Princess Nanyan departed first.
Aunt Ming invited Du Yunluo and Princess An Ran into the hall.
Princess An Ran turned sideways, quickly whispering: "The answer to the question I asked you earlier is her."
The question from earlier?
The person favored by the Empress Dowager?
Du Yunluo looked in surprise towards the departing figure of Princess Nanyan, her eyes wide with speechless wonder.
In her previous life, Princess Nanyan indeed entered Prince Rui Mansion, marrying Prince Rui Li Xiang as a secondary wife, becoming the stepmother of Li Luan.
And now, Princess An Ran had told her that the Empress Dowager had intentions of marrying Nanyan to Li Luan.
Separated by past and present lives, Du Yunluo’s feelings were truly indescribable at the moment; the complexities of these relationships were profound.
