Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 316: Such a Vicious Plot!

"Emperor, may I take my leave first?"

The Daliang envoy, this involves state affairs, and the harem must not interfere in politics. Chang Wenxue understands this.

Qi Yun shook his head, "No need! How many people have come?"

"Eleven envoys have come, plus Princess Nianxi."

"Princess Nianxi?"

"Yes, she is the daughter of Princess Liang, though not her biological daughter; she is the daughter of the current Duke Dingyuan of Daliang. Three years ago, Princess Daliang married Duke Dingyuan, and it is said to be quite a love story."

"Hmph, it’s just hearsay and nothing more! Later... have the Ministry of Rites receive them properly."

"Yes!"

...

"The Daliang envoys are coming!"

At the General Mansion, Long Yue had just returned and was informed of this news.

"They’ve arrived?"

Long Yue’s heart tightened as she looked at the man across from her who wore a calm face, but she knew this calmness was only on the surface.

"I’ve already checked the harem side, let’s go draw the topography maps."

"Alright!"

Li Qingmu’s drawing skills are truly first-rate. He has already finished drawing the previous dynasty, and it looks extremely realistic. Long Yue merely assists him in pointing out the harem’s layout, and half an hour later, the detailed topography map of the Imperial Palace is thoroughly completed.

"This drawing is better than our previous ones, more precise!"

Shi Qin admires it greatly, holding in her hand another map of the palace’s topographical distribution, but it pales in comparison to Li Qingmu’s.

This person has many talents!

"Give it to me!"

Such a meticulous map, the intelligence department on Shi Qin’s side needs it immensely, and with this foundational map, they can replicate countless copies.

Li Qingmu watched Shi Qin’s departing silhouette and fell into contemplation.

Xieji Restaurant, Princess of Chen, Pei Jinheng, Pang Wenzheng...

These seemingly chaotic events are actually all connected by a single thread.

These people are very likely the remnants of Chen Country, aiming to harm the Emperor within the palace!

"Pei Jinheng... Shi Qin previously investigated that he is not Prime Minister Pei’s biological son. Prime Minister Pei, earlier in his life before his rise, had no children, and at that time, a woman in financial distress came to his doorstep selling a child, and so they adopted him. Yue’er, do you think Pei Jinheng could also be a remnant of Chen Country?"

"Very possible!"

"Then things become interesting. The remnants of Chen Country have formed a small court within the royal court. Last time during Empress Dowager Xue’s birthday banquet, they even invited courtiers. What does this imply? Perhaps it’s a case of building a bridge openly while crossing it secretly!"

As Li Qingmu spoke, a cold expression appeared on his face.

They can target anyone but the Emperor!

Long Yue lowered her gaze, thinking of how perceptive her husband is. His analysis almost perfectly matches events from a previous life.

"Madam!" At this moment, Huanhuan entered, slightly bowing as she said, "Outside, there is a maid claiming to be from the Pei Mansion who wishes to see you!"

"A maid from the Pei Mansion?"

Long Yue chuckled softly, suspecting it might be Pei Yushu herself.

That mischievous girl, how long has it been since she last came to see me?

Actually, Pei Yushu is one year older than Long Yue, but having lived two lifetimes, Long Yue is used to considering them all as little girls.

"Let her in."

Shortly thereafter, a young girl dressed in a sapphire ripple-patterned long robe stepped lightly before Long Yue. A thick veil covered her face, obscuring her features, yet her large, bright and clear eyes were especially striking.

Even without seeing her face, one could tell who she was by looking at those eyes.

Long Yue playfully scolded, "Oh my, what wind blew the leading maid of the Pei Mansion over here?"

"Oh Yue’er, you’re teasing me, I’ll beat you up!"

Upon having her identity instantly recognized, Pei Yushu was rather annoyed, chasing Long Yue in playful banter, and the two women frolicked merrily in the courtyard.

Li Qingmu quietly sipped tea, watching the lively chase from afar, his eyes full of warmth, thinking it’s truly nice to quietly protect her like this.

After roughhousing for a while, the two women sat down.

"Come, tell me, how did you spend last Qixi Festival? Did you catch your ideal suitor?"

"Oh dear, sister, don’t speak of it. They were all spoilt young men; not one caught my eye!"

Speaking of this matter brought an air of frustration to Pei Yushu, her red lips tightly bitten, appearing somewhat troubled.

She genuinely felt distressed about this, as she was already eighteen, and if she didn’t marry soon, even with the status of being the Prime Minister’s daughter, it would be difficult to find a good family.

What can be done?

For a woman, there are two major events in life: marriage and childbirth. Pei Yushu felt she was falling behind significantly.

However, she didn’t want to marry hastily; marrying someone like Zhao Zhao would be worse than remaining unmarried for life.

"Don’t worry, when the time is right, it will come!"

Long Yue comforted her, preparing to have Huanhuan keep an eye out, when suddenly, she saw Qingming.

Qingming darted over like a breeze and spoke to Li Qingmu, who then got up and left.

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere, just out for a stroll!"

A stroll? Tell that to someone who’d believe it!

If Qingming appeared, there must be something important. Long Yue turned to excuse herself with Pei Yushu and then followed quickly.

Pei Yushu watched Long Yue leave in haste and gently shook her head: "Looks like Yue’er’s husband is unreliable, she has to keep tabs on him often."

With that, Pei Yushu propped her chin in her hand, and fell into deep thought.

...

"Li Qingmu, where are you going?"

Long Yue caught up to him, noticing the seriousness in his demeanor, aware that something must have happened.

"The Daliang envoys have reached the border; I need to go check it out!"

Long Yue was stunned and astonished that her husband had thought this far. But she couldn’t appear too calm, so she feigned shock: "You suspect they might be impostors?"

"Exactly, I had been wondering how they might act, but after seeing so much wine on their side and the inexplicable death of the Shengjing envoy during the Qixi Festival, I worry they might infiltrate the palace as envoys to assassinate the Emperor overtly! Whether they succeed or fail, it will definitely cause chaos in Dazhou!"

"So the envoys might face misfortune now?"

"Exactly! Unless the Daliang envoys are traitors, they wouldn’t act against Daliang’s interests. Thus, there’s only one possibility: the envoys have been replaced!

Moreover, remember the earlier report from Qingming? All that Yuan Hong Wine was hidden in the southeastern woodland, suggesting they are hiding in that region, which is on the envoys’ path!"

The presence of unidentified people along a vital path can only mean they intend to strike there!

These are conjectures, but they are logical and well-founded.

Long Yue was deeply impressed.

"Giddy up, giddy up!"

The two headed to the stables, mounted their horses, and galloped toward the countryside.

The situation gradually crystallized: a group of Chen Country remnants might use the identity of Daliang envoys to assassinate the Emperor. If successful, chaos would reign in Dazhou, allowing them to seize power. If they failed, they could frame it on Daliang, especially since a Shengjing envoy previously died under mysterious circumstances. The combination of these two incidents could spark a war between the two nations, allowing them to reap the benefits!

These tactics are insidious!