coobybook Chapter 96 "Chen Shuyu?!"
Chapter 96 "Chen Shuyu?!"
In the Imperial Garden, flowers bloomed in profusion, and a gentle breeze carried their fragrance. Emperor Murong Xuan and the Tenth Prince Murong Feng were leisurely playing chess in the pavilion. On the chessboard, black and white pieces intertwined, and the situation gradually became tense.
At this moment, Lin Qianqian hurried over. She wore an elegant long dress, the hem of which swayed gently in the wind. Her eyes revealed a hint of anxiety and anticipation. Her gaze swept over the two people in the pavilion, paused briefly, and then quickened her pace towards the pavilion.
Lin Qianqian moved gracefully to the pavilion, gave a slight curtsy, and said softly, "Your Majesty, may the Tenth Prince be well." Her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling on a jade plate.
The Emperor and Murong Feng, focused on the chess game, both looked up upon hearing the gentle voice. The Emperor's gaze held a hint of doubt and scrutiny, while Murong Feng raised an eyebrow slightly, a spark of interest in his eyes. Both watched Lin Qianqian bow, awaiting her next words.
Murong Feng, with a mocking expression, drawled, "Oh my, Ninth Sister-in-law, what brings you here? What a rare guest!"
Emperor Murong Xuan nodded slightly, his expression gentle, and said softly, "Ninth Sister-in-law, what brings you here today?"
Lin Qianqian moved gracefully forward, a faint smile on her face, her voice soft and tinged with caution: "It's...about the Seventh Princess, Murong Qing..."
Upon hearing this, Murong Xuan's heart skipped a beat, his expression instantly turned serious, and after exchanging a quick glance with Murong Feng, he turned to look at Lin Qianqian with a solemn expression and began to speak.
Murong Xuan slightly raised his eyes and subtly winked at Murong Feng. Murong Feng understood immediately, gave a proper bow, and then silently withdrew. Next, Murong Xuan turned his gaze to the group of palace maids and eunuchs, waved his hand lightly, and they filed out. Once only he and Lin Qianqian remained in the empty hall, Murong Xuan frowned and asked in a low voice, "How did you know!"
Lin Qianqian curtsied slightly, paused briefly, and then slowly began to speak, her voice like a silver bell, recounting the events in detail: "Your Majesty, on the day the Ninth Prince married his concubine, I was chatting with the Third Princess, the Eighth Princess, and myself in the Imperial Garden when we suddenly heard a strange noise. We followed the sound and saw a figure. Upon inquiring, we discovered it was the Seventh Princess. At that moment, she seemed dazed, her eyes unfocused. After recognizing us, she tried to flee hastily. Seeing her like this, I felt genuine pity and couldn't help but ask her what was wrong. The Seventh Princess initially hesitated, but after my repeated questioning, she finally managed to say, 'Your Majesty is aware of this matter...'" Lin Qianqian spoke with a forced smile, carefully choosing her words, occasionally glancing up to secretly observe Murong Xuan's expression.
"Oh? Sympathy!" Murong Xuan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by Lin Qianqian's words. Then his expression turned serious, and he fell into deep thought.
After a moment, he sighed softly, his gaze returning to Lin Qianqian, and slowly said, "My seventh sister has been different from others since childhood. She is naturally obedient and gentle, always listening to my and Mother's words without question, never arguing back. I thought she would have a smooth life, but I never expected that she would disregard the royal family's reputation and her own safety for a man, insisting on marrying him. Now, more than three years have passed, yet she still refuses to return. Mother misses her, and every time she thinks of this, she is filled with worry, and I also feel guilty."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian frowned slightly and softly asked, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager... misses her?" Murong Xuan tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with heartache and helplessness, and continued, "Although in these past few years, Mother has never mentioned Seventh Sister in front of us, what mother in this world would not love and miss her own flesh and blood? I know that Mother must miss her day and night when no one is around. She often sits alone, quietly washing her face with tears. Others only say that Mother is heartless, but they cannot see the sorrow and torment deep in her heart. How I also wish that Seventh Sister could change her mind and return to the palace, so that Mother could be comforted, and so that my anxious heart could finally settle down."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian felt a deep pity for the Empress Dowager. She bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I am truly heartbroken to hear of the Empress Dowager's plight. I wish to express my sympathy by visiting the Seventh Princess, hoping to persuade her to change her mind. However, I do not know where the Seventh Princess is currently residing."
Murong Xuan sighed softly and said, "Seventh Sister is currently living in Qingping Town on the outskirts of the city. There is a schoolteacher in that town named Chen Shuyu. Although his family background is mediocre, he is very learned and kind. He is kind and gentle, and his personality is quite compatible with Seventh Sister's. After Seventh Sister married into the family, although her residence was a bit shabby, she lived a comfortable and peaceful life."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian instinctively blurted out, "Chen Shuyu?" Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of doubt and contemplation flashed in her eyes.