frightfiction Chapter 545 Begin the layout
Chapter 545 Begin the layout
Although Dugu Jingyao and the others had worked very hard to rush back, Dugu Jingyao only took a shower and took a short nap.
After Dugu Jingyao woke up, she sorted out her thoughts, then called Shi Jian in and said, "Shi Jian, Shi Jian is still with Lin Zhi. I have some things that I need you and Feng Shengyi to do."
Shi Jian bowed respectfully and said, "I will obey your orders, Princess."
Dugu Jingyao asked Shi Jian to come forward and whispered in her ear, "Go find Feng Shengyi later and ask him to go to Guo Ziyi's residence and ask if His Majesty has any instructions after sending those people back. Also, now that the prince is in a coma, the troops under his command will definitely need to be replaced. Rather than letting the Li family get the upper hand, it's better to ask Lord Guo if he's willing to take over. Go to Biluoyuan and call Li Wanqing over. I need to see her about something."
Shi Jian nodded in agreement, then went out and went to Biluoyuan first.
Li Wanqing had just woken up from her nap. Since Cuizhu and Wutong were helping her wash up inside, there was no one guarding outside the house.
However, a maid sweeping the courtyard saw Shi Jian coming and greeted her with a smile, "Sister Shi Jian, why are you here? Does the princess want to see our Consort?"
Shi Jian simply nodded slightly and said, "Yes, the princess sent me to look for Li Liang Di. Is Li Liang Di out?"
The maid continued smiling and said, "No, Li Liang Di is here. She just got up from her nap. Sisters Cui Zhu and Wu Tong are waiting on her inside."
Shi Jian said, "Okay, then please tell her that the princess wants to see Li Liangdi about something, and ask her to get dressed and go to Wangyuexuan."
The maid replied, "Okay, I'll go right away."
Just as she was about to leave, Shi Jian stopped her and asked, "What's your name? I don't think I've seen you before."
The maid whispered, "Sister Shijian, my name is Xing'er. I used to work as a laundry maid in the mansion. Later, Li Liangdi became pregnant and needed more help. They all felt that although Li Liangdi was pregnant, she was not favored and had no future, so they didn't want to come. But if I come here, I only need to do some cleaning, and if I do a good job, I might be promoted to a second-class maid, so I volunteered."
Shi Jian couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth when he heard this, but he quickly recovered and said, "I understand. The princess also told me other things. I have to go take care of other things first. Xing'er, remember to help pass on the message."
Xing'er was delighted to hear Shijian calling her name, and quickly answered, heading to Li Wanqing's bedroom. Just as she was about to knock on the door, Cuizhu came out carrying water, nearly spilling it all over them.
Cuizhu said with a look of displeasure, "Why are you so busy? Luckily it's me. If I had offended our Concubine, would you have been able to handle it?"
Frightened, Xing'er quickly knelt down and said, "Sister Cuizhu, please spare me. I didn't mean it."
Hearing the noise at the door, Li Wanqing frowned and asked, "Cuizhu, what's the commotion?"
Cuizhu said respectfully, "Madam, it was Xing'er, who was sweeping the yard, who was careless and almost knocked over the basin, spilling water all over the floor."
Li Wanqing said unhappily, "Is such a small matter worth fussing about? If she did something wrong, then punish her. Since it's not a serious mistake, just fine her half a month's salary. It's a small punishment but a big warning."
Cuizhu said quickly, "Madam, you are so magnanimous." Then she said to Xing'er, "Did you hear that? Why don't you thank Madam quickly?"
Xing'er actually wanted to do more work and didn't want her monthly allowance to be deducted. She had sold herself into the palace to raise money to support her younger siblings. So she knelt and kowtowed, "Please calm down, Madam. I didn't mean to do that. I was just here to pass on the message from the Princess's court. Please forgive me, Madam, and don't deduct my monthly allowance. I'm still relying on this money to support my younger siblings!"
Upon hearing this, Li Wanqing stood up and walked over to Xing'er. "Oh? The princess is looking for me? That's true. Since you haven't done anything wrong, I'll punish you by making you kneel here for an hour. That way, I won't deduct your monthly allowance. How's that?"
Upon hearing this, Xing'er kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Li Liangdi."
After saying that, Li Wanqing returned to the bedroom and said, "Cuizhu, you stay here to watch over her. Wutong, help me change my clothes and go to Wangyuexuan with me."
They both agreed. After Cuizhu poured out the water, she returned and stared at Xing'er, forcing her to kneel. Meanwhile, Li Wanqing, supported by Wutong, walked towards Wangyue Pavilion.
On the other side, Shi Jian went to Chenxiang Pavilion to look for Feng Shengyi. When she arrived, Murong Linzhi was checking on Li Chu's condition, while Feng Shengyi and Cui Caiping were watching anxiously.
Shi Jian did not speak immediately. Instead, he waited until Murong Linzhi had taken Feng Shengyi's pulse and informed everyone of the situation before walking over to him. He gently stroked Feng Shengyi's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness, you are a lucky person. Everything will be fine."
Feng Shengyi was startled by Shi Jian's sudden touch. If Shi Jian hadn't spoken out, he would have subconsciously thrown Shi Jian over his shoulder.
Feng Shengyi asked, "Shijian, why are you here? Is the princess worried about the prince and sent you to check on him?"
Shi Jian nodded and said, "That's just one of the reasons. I have something else to ask you. Please come out with me."
Feng Shengyi followed Shi Jian to the side hall. He thought Shi Jian was going to ask about his promise before leaving. He was about to explain when Shi Jian said, "Take good care of the prince first. It won't be too late to fulfill your promise after the prince wakes up."
Feng Shengyi felt a surge of warmth in his heart when he heard this. He hugged Shi Jian and said, "Thank you, Shi Jian. Don't worry, I will definitely fulfill my promise."
Although Shi Jian hadn't had such close contact with Feng Shengyi for a long time, she still remembered Dugu Jingyao's instructions. She left Feng Shengyi's arms and said to him, "Well, I believe you. But there are more important things for you to do now."
Feng Shengyi said, "Okay, Shijian, you decide."
Shi Jian asked Feng Shengyi to come over and whisper Dugu Jingyao's instructions to him.
Feng Shengyi nodded after hearing this and said, "Okay, I'll go right away. Tell the princess to wait for my news."
Shi Jian said "hmm" and then kissed Feng Shengyi on the cheek.
Feng Shengyi was a little bit unbelievable that Shi Jian actually took the initiative to kiss him. Just as he was immersed in joy, Shi Jian interrupted him and said, "Okay, go! The princess still needs me, I have to go back first."
By the time Feng Shengyi reacted, Shi Jian had already left the side hall. Feng Shengyi no longer indulged in the situation just now.
After giving some instructions to the secret guards and other people in Chenxiang Pavilion, he went out to look for Guo Ziyi.
At Wangyuexuan, Shijian happened to meet Li Wanqing who was arriving late at the door of Wangyuexuan.
Shi Jian bowed respectfully and said, "This servant pays respects to Li Liang Di."
Li Wanqing raised her hand and said, "It's Shijian, please get up quickly?" Shijian thanked her and stood up.
Li Wanqing asked, "Miss Shijian, do you know why the princess is looking for me?"
Shi Jian continued respectfully, "Replying to Li Liang Di, the princess hasn't explained this to me yet. You'll know once you meet her."
Li Wanqing felt that Shi Jian was like a piece of wood, so she didn't ask any more questions. She just said "hmm" and entered Wangyuexuan.
Shi Jian first led Li Wanqing to the flower hall, and then asked someone to serve tea while he went to look for Dugu Jingyao.
When Dugu Jingyao heard that Li Wanqing had arrived, she went to the flower hall with Shi Jian.
Li Wanqing wanted to bow to Dugu Jingyao, but Dugu Jingyao said, "Sister Li is pregnant now, so there's no need for the formalities."
Li Wanqing thanked her, sat back in her seat, and asked, "I wonder why the princess has asked me to come here?"
Dugu Jingyao asked everyone else to go down first, even sending Wutong and Shijian to guard outside, not allowing anyone else to approach.
Wutong was still afraid that Dugu Jingyao wanted to harm Li Wanqing, but since she had entered the flower hall of Wangyuexuan so openly, if something happened, Dugu Jingyao would definitely not escape the blame. Li Wanqing also knew that Dugu Jingyao would not be so stupid, so she let Wutong leave with peace of mind.
After everyone left, Dugu Jingyao said, "I came to see Sister Li today to ask for a favor."
Li Wanqing said, "What's the point of asking for help? Princess, I'm sorry to bother you. Just tell me what you want."
Dugu Jingyao didn't mince words. She said, "You know that the prince is seriously injured and unconscious, and he hasn't woken up yet. As the Grand Marshal of the Army, the prince holds military power. However, we don't know when the prince will wake up. So, in order to prevent the prince's military power from being taken away by Prince Zhao's people, the best way is to find someone familiar with us to take over."
Li Wanqing thought to herself, "She certainly can't influence the political situation, but... her father is the head of the civil service, so his words still carry some weight."
Li Wanqing then asked, "Princess, do you wish to ask my father to recommend a temporary successor?"
Dugu Jingyao nodded slightly and said, "It's easier to talk to smart people, that's exactly it."
Li Wanqing continued, "But...I'm not sure I can convince father to speak up."
Dugu Jingyao smiled and said, "Sister Li is so intelligent. I believe you will find a way to convince Lord Li. Moreover, this matter concerns the future development of the palace. Isn't Lord Li worried about what kind of life you and his grandson will have in the future?"
Hearing this, Li Wanqing naturally understood what Dugu Jingyao meant. Indeed, if military power fell into the hands of Li Xi, who had always regarded the Chu Palace as a thorn in his side, the Chu Palace would definitely have a hard time in the future.
Li Wanqing nodded and said, "Yes, I understand. But, does the princess have a suitable candidate?"
Dugu Jingyao said, "Indeed, there is one. It's Lord Guo Ziyi."
Li Wanqing pondered for a moment and concluded that Guo Ziyi was indeed suitable. He had both military experience and a good relationship with the Prince of Chu's palace. After thinking it over, she said, "Lord Guo is indeed suitable. I will persuade my father to submit a petition recommending that Lord Guo take over the military power from His Majesty."
Dugu Jingyao shook her head and said, "No, don't let Lord Li take the initiative to submit a memorial. Instead, wait until the emperor or a court official raises the matter, and then Lord Li can make a suggestion at the appropriate time. It would be best if Lord Li could have some of his disciples support the Li faction. Lord Li should remain neutral and not overly promote anyone."
Li Wanqing understood that if Li Guangbi directly recommended Guo Ziyi, it would be too obvious that he was trying to keep military power in Li Chu's hands. Emperors often dislike ministers who are more powerful than their masters and still hold military power. Moreover, Li Wanqing is Li Guangbi's daughter. If he was too direct, Suzong would inevitably think that they were forming a faction and did not take him seriously as the emperor. If Li Guangbi remained neutral, the worst-case scenario would be that Guo Ziyi would lead half of the army and the Li family would lead the other half, which would not be too difficult to reverse.
Li Wanqing agreed, and Dugu Jingyao said, "Sister Li is pregnant, so she should walk more."
Li Wanqing understood and said, "Princess, you're right. I'm really getting tired of walking around the palace all the time. I'll go out for a walk now."
Dugu Jingyao nodded slightly, and Li Wanqing took her leave.
Elsewhere, Feng Shengyi arrived at Guo Ziyi's residence. After hearing the purpose of his visit, Guo Ziyi stroked his beard and said, "The King of Yunnan has been kind to me, and His Highness the Prince of Chu has also shared hardships with me. Now that His Highness the Prince of Chu is in trouble, I must take over the military power to prevent it from falling into the hands of others. However, this matter requires long-term consideration and should not be rushed."
Feng Shengyi nodded in agreement, took Guo Ziyi's meaning to heart, and hurried back to the Prince of Chu's Mansion to inform Dugu Jingyao of the matter.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Jingyao finally changed her serious expression, a slight smile appearing between her brows. She said, "Okay, Feng Shengyi, I'll trouble you to run one more time and tell Guo Ziyi that he doesn't need to do anything. I will help him make the arrangements. He only needs to wait for the imperial edict and keep his military power."
Feng Shengyi agreed and was about to leave when Dugu Jingyao stopped him and asked, "By the way, who's guarding the prince's place now?"
Feng Shengyi said, "Princess, when I left, Concubine Cui Liang and Miss Murong were both there."
Dugu Jingyao said, "Okay, I understand. You can go." Feng Shengyi agreed and took his leave.
Dugu Jingyao really hoped that Li Chu would wake up soon. She was exhausted dealing with all this alone. Especially since she was newly pregnant and not even three months pregnant yet, she was really worried that it would not be good for the child.
As I thought about it, I couldn't help but cry.
Seeing Dugu Jingyao like this, Shi Jian took out a handkerchief to wipe Dugu Jingyao's tears and said, "Princess, don't worry. Although the prince has not yet woken up, you are not alone. You still have your brother, sister-in-law, Miss Murong, Feng Shengyi, this servant, and Si Jian. At least we are all united with you. Please don't think too much, be careful not to hurt the child."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Jingyao looked up at Shi Jian and said, "You are right, I am not alone. I will definitely stay strong until the prince wakes up."
Shi Jian looked at Dugu Jingyao with a firm gaze and said, "Yes. This is the princess I know!" After that, the two smiled at each other.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door. Dugu Jingyao quickly wiped away her tears. Shi Jian asked, "Who is it?"
Si Jian said, "Sister, it's me! Miss Murong and I are here to see the princess."
Shi Jian saw that Dugu Jingyao had regained her composure before he went to open the door. However, Dugu Jingyao's red eyes from crying still gave her away.
But neither Murong Linzhi nor Si Jian asked about this matter. Murong Linzhi said: "Jingyao, let me show you how you and the child are doing?" Dugu Jingyao cooperated obediently.
After a moment, Murong Linzhi said, "Fortunately, you are in good health. Otherwise, after these two trips and taking care of the King of Chu for two days without taking off your clothes, if it were an ordinary person, I'm afraid the child would really not be able to be saved."
Dugu Jingyao smiled and said, "Thank you Lin Zhi for your trouble."
Murong Linzhi said, "It's okay. Also, don't worry about the prince. Judging from the pulse and the wound, there's nothing serious. As long as the prince is willing to come out of the nightmare, he will wake up soon."
Dugu Jingyao nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I believe you." After that, the two of them stopped discussing this topic.
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