Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 1119 - 1124: Secret Plot (5)

Chapter 1119: Chapter 1124: Secret Plot (5)

Nangong Yi knew the Empress Dowager was taking this opportunity to implicitly warn Cai Wei. He chuckled lightly and said, "Imperial Mother worries too much. There are already people by my side who know my pains and comforts; it’s just that she is not here today, and I cannot eat."

Nangong Yi was openly defending Cai Wei, showing Empress Dowager Mo how important Cai Wei was in his heart, warning her not to act rashly. However, hearing her son defend that woman, going against and resisting her, Empress Dowager Mo felt even more irritated and was even more determined to depose Cai Wei!

She sat on the edge of the Kang and said to her son, "Imperial Mother has already had lunch brought over. Even if she is not here, you should eat a bit more out of respect for Imperial Mother personally bringing your meal."

Nangong Yi was silent and looked deeply at Empress Dowager Mo for a while before saying, "Since Imperial Mother insists, I better obey with respect..."

Outer Room

On the hollow-carved round table of Southern Sea Yellow Pear blossom, the lunch brought by the Empress Dowager had been set, consisting of over ten dishes, both meat and vegetable, complete in color, aroma, and taste, all favorites of Nangong Yi, including a pot of his favored Huadiao Wine.

Empress Dowager Mo and Nangong Yi took their seats. A young eunuch soon came with gold basin, Chinese honeylocust, towels and other items to help them wash their hands.

Empress Dowager Mo looked at the young eunuchs and frowned, saying, "Why let eunuchs serve you in washing your hands? Isn’t that supposed to be the palace maid’s job?"

While washing his hands, Nangong Yi spoke unhurriedly, "The Empress does not like me to be served by palace maids, and I cannot bear to see her unhappy." He finished washing his hands, dried them with a towel, and then handed it back to the young eunuch.

Empress Dowager Mo was so infuriated by Nangong Yi’s words that after a cold smile, she washed her hands and started having the meal with her son.

There are many rules for royal meals, the first being to eat in silence; thus, the two ate quietly. Occasionally, a young eunuch would come forward to pour a cup of Huadiao Wine for Nangong Yi, then silently retreat.

Empress Dowager Mo was aloof in nature. For over twenty years, aside from encouraging her son to be diligent and advising him on how to avoid persecution from Jin Guifei, she rarely engaged in personal conversations with her son. Therefore, when they were together, they often found themselves awkwardly out of words. Now, the two ate and drank in silence, occasionally exchanging glances.

The expression in Empress Dowager Mo’s eyes was complex and mysterious. Nangong Yi’s eyes, however, carried traces of mockery and cynicism, which made Empress Mo feel waves of a guilty conscience. Had her determination to depose Cai Wei not been firm, she might have faltered under her son’s gaze...

After eating silently for a while, Nangong Yi’s movements suddenly slowed; he pressed his forehead lightly and swayed slightly, saying, "Imperial Mother, I am feeling a bit tired, you may continue eating... I will go lie down for a bit..."

Empress Mo, knowing the drug was taking effect, quickly put down her chopsticks and said with concern, "Go inside quickly, don’t worry about Imperial Mother, quick, you all come over and help the Emperor..."

Several young eunuchs of Chengqian Palace hurried forward and clumsily helped Nangong Yi into the sleeping hall. Empress Dowager Mo gestured to Chen Shangxi, who quickly left...

The time it takes for one incense stick to burn, a sedan chair carried by four people stopped at the entrance of Chengqian Palace. Li Ruizhu, filled with excitement, stepped down from the sedan chair and stepped into the palace that she had longed for.

Chengqian Palace was personally supervised and renovated by Nangong Yi as the nest where he planned to spend his life. He had made the palace incredibly gorgeous, boasting three luxurious courtyards, like a wonderland. Surrounding the palace were curved corridors, fake mountains, and rocks, planted extensively with strange flowers and weeds, filling the garden with fragrance.

As she walked and watched, she was burning with jealousy, wishing she could drag the mistress of Chengqian Palace over, tear her to pieces, and scatter her ashes...

Entering the sleeping hall, Empress Dowager Mo was already waiting there. She spoke with slight nervousness, "Go inside quickly; he is already asleep. Be careful later, and make sure not to make any mistakes."

Li Ruizhu, blushing, nodded her head lightly.

Empress Dowager turned her head and said to Shaoyao, "Quickly take Miss Li inside..."

Shaoyao bowed and said to Li Ruizhu, "Miss Li, please follow me."

After saying that, she led the way ahead, taking Li Ruizhu straight to the Eastern Warm Pavilion where the Emperor and Empress resided.

The Warm Pavilion still retained the decor from their grand wedding day. In front of the pavilion door hung a pair of palace lamps with the double happiness character, and the gold-plated big red door was coated with gold dust also featuring the double happiness character, causing Li Ruizhu’s eyes to turn red with envy, wishing she could tear down the grand red palace lamps and smash them to pieces, then completely destroy the double-happiness doors.

All these things that should have belonged to her had been preempted by Mu Caiwei!

"Miss, please go inside!"

The gold door was opened by Shaoyao, who urged softly.

Li Ruizhu looked up and glanced into the Warm Pavilion, but saw an extravagance and magnificence within, the walls decorated with vermilion paint and delicately silver paulownia oil. The scent was overwhelming; curtains made of bright pearls, tables carved from blue jade; sandalwood for the bed, adorned with coral; red gauze for the canopy, embellished with jade; brocade quilts and embroidered pillows, all woven with gold dragons and phoenixes.

On the couch lay the man she had dreamed of night and day...