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Chapter 2557 Cat and Mouse Game

Su Ning sat in the imperial study, a secret report spread out in front of him.

This was delivered by one of their own agents; it was written very clearly on it…

He Jingyuan's apprentice, Li Huai'an, secretly sent someone to Lin'an Town to keep an eye on Yu Qianqian and a seven-year-old boy at Yixianglou.

The secret report also stated that the boy's name was Yu Bao'er, the son of Qi Yu, the eldest grandson of the former emperor, and that Yu Qianqian was Qi Yu's concubine.

The last bloodline of the Qi family, the former imperial family, is hidden in Lin'an Town.

Another secret report just arrived, detailing Su Wanqing's true identity.

Su Wanqing's real name is Qi Shu. She is the former Princess Gaoyang, the younger sister of Emperor Qi Shun (Qi Sheng), and the aunt of Qi Yu.

When the imperial city was breached, the previous dynasty's royal family tried many methods to send Qi Shu out of the palace, and Gongsun Jin, the headmaster of Hejian Academy, was responsible for receiving her outside the palace.

After escaping, the two changed their names and went into hiding. It was thought they would find a place to live a quiet life, but unexpectedly, Qi Shu changed her appearance and joined the selection of imperial concubines.

After reading the secret report, Su Ning sneered and burned it over the candlelight.

The secret report quickly turned to ashes and fell onto the table.

He Jingyuan was indeed loyal.

But he's too preoccupied with his thoughts.

He kept Yu Bao'er around, ostensibly to keep an eye on her, but actually to keep a trump card for himself.

In case He Jingyuan and Su Ning fall out one day, Yu Bao'er will be a powerful figurehead. As the last bloodline of the former dynasty's royal family, if she is brought out, she will always attract some resentful people.

Su Ning knew perfectly well that He Jingyuan's little schemes might fool others, but they couldn't fool her.

But Suning didn't care.

He Jingyuan wanted to keep the card, so let him keep it.

A bad hand can't turn the tide.

What can a seven-year-old child do?

By the time that child grows up, the world will have long been ruled by the Su family, deeply entrenched. Who will still recognize the Qi family?

He Jingyuan thought he was clever, but in Su Ning's eyes, his cleverness was no better than a child playing house.

As for Qi Shu, that's even more interesting.

Princess Gaoyang, a princess of the previous dynasty, came to the palace to become the concubine of her enemy, carrying poison in her bosom and thinking only of revenge.

Suning found it funny just thinking about it.

Qi Shu thought she had hidden herself well and that no one would recognize her.

But Qi Shu's portrait had already been placed on Su Ning's desk. Her background had been thoroughly investigated, and even how long she and Gongsun Jin stayed in the small town and what they ate every day were clearly recorded.

Suning had no intention of exposing Qi Shu.

Why not spend some time having fun with Qi Shu?

A weak woman, powerless to even kill a chicken, thinks she can take revenge with just a bottle of poison?

That's incredibly naive.

Suning found it quite interesting, like a cat playing with a mouse, not in a hurry to eat, but to play for a while first.

……

On the day of the concubine selection, Qi Shu stood among ten people, and Wei Changyu took a liking to her at first glance.

Wei Changyu held Qi Shu's hand and said with a smile, "This little sister is so pretty, I like her at first sight."

Meng Lihua sized up Qi Shu from the side, feeling that the girl's gaze was too steady, not like someone from a humble family, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.

Su Ning sat on top, watching Qi Shu kneel below and bow, and sneered inwardly.

Qi Shu lowered her head, looking docile.

But inside she was nervous and scared.

Su Ning could tell that Qi Shu was afraid that she would recognize her identity, afraid that she would expose her tricks on the spot, and afraid that she would have her dragged out and beheaded with a wave of her hand.

Su Ning didn't say anything, just smiled faintly and said one word: "Approved."

Qi Shu was taken into the harem and given the title of Cai Ren.

Wei Changyu arranged the best accommodation for Qi Shu, not far from the Empress's palace, in a quiet little courtyard.

The night Qi Shu moved in, she took a deep breath and told herself that she couldn't rush things and had to wait for the right opportunity.

But Qi Shu didn't know that her every move was being watched by Su Ning.

Su Ning's spies were everywhere. Every day, someone would record who Qi Shu met, what she said, and where she went, and the information would be sent to Su Ning's desk that same night.

Suning didn't touch Qi Shu, not because he was soft-hearted, but because he disdained her.

One Qi Shu can't turn the world upside down.

A bottle of poison wouldn't kill you.

I'd like to see how long this woman can hold out.

……

A few days later, Suning chose Qi Shu.

When Qi Shu received the news, her hands trembled with excitement.

She didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

I originally thought I would have to stay in the palace for a long time before this day came.

Qi Shu took a deep breath, bathed and perfumed herself, then wrapped herself in a quilt and was carried by a group of eunuchs to the emperor's bedroom.

Soon, Qi Shu was placed on the dragon bed by the eunuchs, anxiously awaiting the appearance of her enemy.

Not long after, Suning appeared.

I noticed that Qi Shu's hair was tied up in a simple bun with a jade hairpin, and she had a shy smile on her face.

Su Ning clearly sensed the coldness in Qi Shu's eyes, like a river in winter, calm on the surface but with undercurrents surging beneath.

Lying on the dragon bed, Qi Shu quickly said, "Your Majesty, I am unable to perform the proper etiquette! I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Su Ning didn't speak, she just looked at her quietly.

Qi Shu's heart was pounding. She didn't know what Su Ning was thinking, nor did she know if she had given herself away.

At this moment, all Qi Shu knew was that this man had killed her entire family and wiped out her entire clan. She wished she could drink his blood and eat his flesh.

But what Qi Shu needs to do now is to make this man pamper her and become obsessed with her body.

Only in this way can one have the opportunity to make a move.

Qi Shu is like a flower bud about to bloom; she is indeed quite charming.

Su Ning sat down next to her, reached out and stroked her face, making her look at him.

Qi Shu was forced to look Su Ning in the eye, and was immediately drawn to him.

Su Ning smiled, released his hand, and then a palace maid immediately removed the dragon robe from Su Ning's body.

After the palace maids left, Su Ning immediately threw back the covers...

That night, Su Ning favored Qi Shu.

Qi Shu lay on the dragon bed, her eyes closed, tears sliding down her cheeks and landing on the pillow.

She suddenly began to hate herself, hate her body, hate herself for bringing pleasure to this enemy.

She hated herself even more for actually enjoying it so much, for being so hopelessly addicted to this man.

Su Ning lay down next to Qi Shu, her eyes closed, her breathing steady.

He knew Qi Shu was crying beside him, he knew she was filled with hatred, he knew she wished she could tear him to pieces.

But he didn't care.

On the contrary, I find it quite exciting to do so.

A woman who hates him to the core lies beside him, plotting how to kill him, yet he has no choice but to pretend to be submissive and serve him.

This feeling is truly indescribably wonderful.

Su Ning turned over, looked at Qi Shu who was so close to her, and smiled.

This is a game. Qi Shu thought she would be the hunter, but in fact she had already become the prey in Su Ning's mouth.

……

The next morning, when Su Ning got up, Qi Shu was already dressed and standing by the bed waiting to help him wash up.

Qi Shu smiled gently, just like a normal imperial concubine.

Su Ning looked at her, sneered inwardly, but said nothing on the surface, letting her serve her as she dressed and washed her face.

Qi Shu's hands were very steady, showing no signs of inexperience.

When tying the belt for Su Ning, Su Ning glanced down at her. She had her head down, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and her expression was very focused.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Su Ning asked.

Qi Shu paused for a moment, then continued tying her belt, and said softly, "Your Majesty, I slept very well last night."

Su Ning didn't ask any more questions. She dressed neatly, ate breakfast, and then went to the morning court session.

Qi Shu stood at the door, watching Su Ning's figure disappear outside the palace gate, and the smile on her face slowly faded.

She turned and went back into the house, closed the door, leaned against the door panel, and trembled all over.

She hugged her arms, squatted down, buried her face in her knees, and cried silently for a long time.

After crying, Qi Shu stood up, wiped her face, walked to the mirror, and looked at the woman in the mirror.

The woman was beautiful, but her eyes were bloodshot and her eye sockets were red.

"Qi Shu, you can't cry." Qi Shu said to herself in the mirror, "You're here for revenge, not to cry. Hold it in, keep holding it in."

"One day, I will make Suning pay the price."

What Qi Shu didn't know was that someone was listening to every word she said.

Outside the window, a palace maid was squatting in the corner, holding paper and pen, writing down her words without missing a single one.

That same evening, the record was delivered to Suning's desk.

Su Ning looked at it, laughed, and threw the paper into the brazier to burn.

"Interesting," Su Ning muttered to himself. "I'll wait and see how long you can hold out."

……

Suning seems to really like Qi Shu and often goes to dote on her.

Soon, good news came from Qi Shu's side...

The imperial physician knelt before Qi Shu's bed, took her pulse for a long time, then turned around and nodded to the eunuch standing outside the door.

The eunuch ran all the way to the imperial study and told Su Ning the news: "Your Majesty, Consort Su is pregnant."

Su Ning was reviewing memorials when she heard the news. Her pen paused for a moment, then she continued writing, her face expressionless. "Understood."

The eunuch was taken aback, not expecting the emperor to react so calmly.

He originally thought the emperor would be pleased, would bestow rewards, and would visit Consort Su.

But the emperor did nothing; he simply said, "I understand," and dismissed him.

The eunuch dared not ask any further questions, kowtowed, and immediately withdrew.

Su Ning put down his pen, leaned back on the dragon throne, and looked out the window at the sky.

Qi Shu is pregnant, which is both a good thing and a bad thing.

The good news is that there's good news in the harem, the bad news is...

The child in Qi Shu's womb is of the bloodline of the former dynasty's royal family.

Qi Shu is a member of the Qi family, and the child in her womb has half Qi family blood. Su Ning tapped her fingers twice on the table, then shook her head, immediately banishing the thought.

The child is innocent; no matter which concubine gave birth to him, he is still her own flesh and blood.

Whether Qi Shu hates herself is Qi Shu's business.

If a child doesn't hate themselves, they won't know anything.

……

Su Ning stood up, walked out of the imperial study, and headed towards Qi Shu's bedroom.

Qi Shu lay on the bed, her face pale, her hand on her stomach, lost in thought.

Upon hearing the eunuch announce, "His Majesty has arrived," Qi Shu quickly sat up and prepared to get out of bed to pay her respects.

Su Ning strode over, pressed Qi Shu's shoulder, and pushed her back onto the bed. "Don't move, lie down."

“Your Majesty…” Qi Shu raised her head and looked at Su Ning.

Su Ning had a smile on her face and looked very happy.

But Qi Shu knew that this man's smile was never genuine.

"The imperial physician says you're pregnant." Su Ning sat by the bed, holding Qi Shu's hand. "I'm very happy. Tell me what you want."

"I don't want anything, I just want to give Your Majesty a healthy prince."

Su Ning smiled and patted her hair. "Take good care of yourself and don't think too much. I will have someone take good care of you."

Qi Shu nodded, her expression extremely docile.

However, Qi Shu will not give up on revenge.

But we still have to wait, wait for the child to be born, wait for the child to grow up a bit, and wait for Suning to lower his guard against him.

Qi Shu believed she had plenty of time and could afford to wait.

……

After leaving Qi Shu's place, Su Ning went to the palaces of several concubines.

Because of the recent string of happy events in the harem, Consort De is pregnant, Consort Xian has also announced good news, and even Consort Li, who has only recently entered the palace, has been diagnosed with pregnancy.

The entire harem was filled with joy. The eunuchs and palace maids walked with a brisk pace, exchanging congratulations whenever they met.

But these joyous events can be like thorns stuck in a person's heart.

Wei Changyu sat in Kunning Palace with a bowl of bird's nest porridge in front of her. It had gone cold, but she didn't touch it.

She sat there blankly, her face expressionless, but her eyes were red.

The palace maid Chuntao stood beside her and said cautiously, "Your Highness, the bird's nest porridge has gone cold. Let me get you a fresh bowl."

Wei Changyu shook his head: "No need, let's leave."

Chuntao didn't dare say anything more and took the porridge away.

Wei Changyu stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the flowers in the yard.

The flowers are in full bloom, red, white, and pink, clustered together, creating a vibrant scene.

But Wei Changyu felt those flowers were glaringly obvious, as if each one was mocking her.

They laughed at her for not being able to have children, and at her for occupying the position of empress but being useless.

It's not that she didn't try.

She went through more than a dozen imperial physicians and drank countless bowls of medicine, the bitterness of which made her frown.

Su Ning also frequently visited her, spending half of each month in her palace, more often than any other concubine.

But her belly just wouldn't budge, and she couldn't conceive no matter what.

I don't know where the problem lies.

The imperial physician said there was nothing wrong with her body, and there was nothing wrong with Su Ning either, but they just couldn't get pregnant.

Wei Changyu sometimes wondered if God was punishing her.

Punish her for occupying a position that doesn't belong to her?

She was just a butcher's daughter; she shouldn't have been the Empress of the Great Yong Dynasty.

……

That day, Meng Lihua came to visit Wei Changyu, bringing her favorite osmanthus cake.

Wei Changyu took a bite, chewed for a long time, but couldn't swallow it; it felt like chewing cotton.

"Yu'er, don't take it too hard," Meng Lihua said, holding her hand. "You're still young, it'll happen sooner or later. What's the rush?"

Wei Changyu gave a wry smile: "Mother, I'm not young anymore. Those who entered the palace at the same time as me, and those who entered after me, all have children. I'm the only one who doesn't. How can I not be anxious?"

Meng Lihua sighed, unsure of what to say.

I know my daughter is suffering, but there's no use rushing things like this.

The more anxious she was, the less likely she was to conceive, and the less she could conceive, the more anxious she became, creating a vicious cycle.

"Mother, tell me, is it because I did something wrong that God is punishing me?" Wei Changyu asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

Meng Lihua pulled her into her arms and patted her back: "Silly child, you've done enough. Don't overthink it. What's meant to come will come, and what's not meant to come won't come if you rush it."

Wei Changyu leaned against his mother's chest, saying nothing, tears streaming silently down his face.

Wei Changning arrived in the evening.

Wei Changning is eleven years old this year. She is very beautiful, with delicate features. She is dressed in red and runs like a ball of fire.

As soon as she entered the door, she called out, "Sister! Sister! I've come to see you!"

Wei Changyu wiped away her tears and forced a smile, "Changning is here? What brings you to the palace today?"

Wei Changning ran up to Wei Changyu, looked up at her, and after a while, suddenly said, "Sister, you've been crying. Your eyes are red."

Wei Changyu was stunned for a moment, then quickly turned his face away, "No, the sand got in my eyes."

Wei Changning didn't believe her. He walked around to the front of her and stared at her face. "Liar! There's no sandstorm in the palace! You've clearly been crying. Did your brother-in-law bully you? Tell me, and I'll go settle the score with him!"

Wei Changyu was amused by her and took her hand, saying, "Your brother-in-law didn't bully me. I just... I just miss Lin'an Town."

Wei Changning tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Sister, are you crying because you can't get pregnant?"

Wei Changyu's smile froze.

She never expected her sister to say such a thing. What does an eleven-year-old know?

"Changning, who told you that?" Wei Changyu asked.

Wei Changning curled his lips: "I heard it from people in the palace. They said that the Empress can't have children, so there will be no one to inherit the throne, and the court will be in chaos. They also said that if the Emperor doesn't have a son, he will have to adopt one from the imperial clan, but the Emperor doesn't have any members of the imperial clan. Anyway, the Empress will be in trouble then."

Wei Changyu's expression changed.

Unexpectedly, even the palace maids and eunuchs were gossiping about her behind her back.

What I never expected was that these words would reach the ears of my eleven-year-old sister.

"Changning, don't listen to those people's nonsense." Wei Changyu squatted down and cupped her younger sister's face in her hands. "Sister is fine, sister is alright."

Looking into his sister's eyes, Wei Changning suddenly reached out and hugged her neck, whispering in her ear, "Sister, don't be sad. When I grow up, I'll marry your husband too, and then I'll go to the palace to help you have a son for him. I'll raise the son for you, and you'll be his mother. No one will dare to say anything about you."

Wei Changyu was stunned and didn't react for a long time.

Wei Changning let go of his hand and said seriously, "Sister, I'm telling the truth. Brother-in-law is so amazing, I like him. When I grow up, I want to marry him. Then, the two of us sisters will take care of him together, and all the children will belong to you. No one will dare to bully you."

Wei Changyu was at a loss for words, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

What does an eleven-year-old know about getting married? What does it mean to have children?

Children may speak without thinking, but if these words get out and are overheard by someone with ulterior motives, who knows how much trouble they might cause.

"Changning, don't talk nonsense." Wei Changyu said sternly, "You are the Empress's sister, you should watch your words. If this gets out, people will laugh at you."

Wei Changning was unconvinced and pouted, saying, "I'm not talking nonsense. I'm serious. My brother-in-law is so good, why should only you be the one to marry him? I want to marry him too. When I grow up, I'll tell my brother-in-law myself."

Wei Changyu sighed, took his sister's hand, and said earnestly, "Changning, you're still young and don't understand these things. When you grow up, you'll meet someone you like, and it doesn't have to be your brother-in-law."

Wei Changning thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I only like my brother-in-law. He's the only true hero in the world. I don't want anyone else."

Looking at Wei Changning's stubborn little face, Wei Changyu recalled that he was the same when he was a child. Once he made up his mind about something, nothing could change it.

Wei Changyu didn't know whether to be happy or worried, so he could only sigh and hug his younger sister. "Okay, we'll talk about it when you grow up. Right now, you should study hard, eat well, and grow up well. We'll talk about other things later."

Wei Changning nodded, then looked up and said, "Sister, don't cry. Once I enter the palace, we sisters will be together, and no one will dare to bully you. Those concubines, whoever dares to act arrogantly in front of you, I'll help you deal with them."

Wei Changyu smiled, and this time it was a genuine smile.

She pinched her younger sister's nose and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you to grow up."

Wei Changning was finally satisfied and skipped off to play.

Wei Changyu stood at the door, watching his younger sister running around in the yard, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

Thinking again of what my sister had just said, the gossip of the palace maids and eunuchs, and the good news that kept coming from the inner palace, my heart felt heavy, as if a stone was pressing down on it.

She was the Empress, the head of the six palaces, and a role model for all women in the world.

She couldn't cry, she couldn't make a scene, and she couldn't let anyone see her vulnerability.

One must be cheerful, generous, and virtuous.

Even if you're suffering inside, you have to wear a smile on your face.

Wei Changyu turned around and went back into the room. He looked in the mirror, wiped the tears from his face, straightened his clothes, and sat back down on the couch.

"Chuntao," Wei Changyu called out.

"The servant is here."

"Heat up the bird's nest porridge and bring it up."

Chun Tao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

He immediately turned around and ran out.

Wei Changyu sat on the couch, his back ramrod straight, his expression returning to calm.

She was the Empress of the Dayong Dynasty; no matter what, she was still the Empress.

No one can take this position away from me.

What Wei Changyu didn't know was that Wei Changning's words had already been recorded by someone with ulterior motives.

A eunuch stood by the window outside Kunning Palace and wrote down every word Wei Changning said.

That evening, the conversation was delivered to Suning's desk.

After reading it, Su Ning couldn't help but laugh.

This sister-in-law is getting more and more interesting.

……

That evening, Su Ning went directly to Kunning Palace.

The palace maids and eunuchs of Kunning Palace left one after another, and closed the palace gates behind them.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Wei Changyu quickly knelt down to pay her respects.

"Empress, I missed you so much today." Su Ning pulled Wei Changyu into her arms.

"His Majesty……"

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. A moment of passion is worth a thousand pieces of gold. We should rest now."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will assist you in changing your clothes."

Tonight, of course, it's a night of wailing and howling...

...(End of this chapter)