The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 660 - 658 Meeting a Good Person (Second Update)

As Qiu Qianyun sat in front of the window in a daze, a palace maid entered from outside, "Reporting to the Empress, Concubine Rou requests an audience."

Qiu Qianyun’s personal maid scolded, "What Concubine Rou? Can’t you see her Majesty is busy? Tell her to leave."

The palace maid said with difficulty, "But she has already stormed in and is sitting in the front hall."

"That’s outrageous," the maid flared up upon hearing this, "I will go and drive her away right now."

"No need," Qiu Qianyun said in a calm voice, "We’re bound to meet sooner or later."

The maid, somewhat concerned, said, "Your Majesty, should we inform His Majesty?"

Qiu Qianyun glanced at her, "Why inform His Majesty? I can handle it."

Besides, she didn’t want to see Li Rui right now.

Qin Rou sat alone in the grand hall, her two palace maids standing by her side.

Although she had always lived in the Imperial Palace and sat beside Li Mu during every palace banquet, Qiu Qianyun was truly low-key. Attending the banquets, she would also remain silent, so Qin Rou had no real impression of Qiu Qianyun (the Empress said to be supremely favored by Li Rui).

Li Rui had always protected Qiu Qianyun well, even warning her not to come to the Empress’s sleeping quarters.

But a man with no power or influence is one thing; once he gains a foothold, the birds and the bees naturally flutter around him. A man led by his lower half, which of them could resist?

They always abandon their wives of humble origin first.

How could a woman who’s had three children and was past her prime compare with her, in her prime and full of charm?

As Qin Rou was feeling pleased with herself, a sharp voice from a palace servant rang out, "The Empress has arrived."

With the fall of those words, a delicate figure approached against the light.

By the time Qin Rou got a clear view, her first reaction was that this was a lady of good family with a beautiful appearance.

Her skin was fair and smooth, the years had not been overly harsh on her.

Although she had given birth to three children, her figure had not become misshapen.

Qin Rou stood up to salute, "Greetings to sister."

She was positioning herself as one of Li Rui’s consorts.

Qiu Qianyun sat in the main seat, looking at Qin Rou and said, "His Majesty has not granted you any titles, calling me ’sister’ is not appropriate. Be careful with your words."

Qin Rou saw a hint of Li Xianyun in Qiu Qianyun—seemingly fragile but not someone to be trifled with.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Qiu Qianyun looked at Qin Rou coldly, waiting for her to speak.

With a smile, Qin Rou said, "Your Majesty has been in the palace for a long time, and I have never visited you. It’s truly impolite. Today, I have specifically come to apologize."

"You and I have no association; there’s no impoliteness to speak of," Qiu Qianyun said. "If there’s nothing else, you may leave."

That’s how quickly you’re shooing someone away?

With a gentle smile on her face, Qin Rou said, "Actually, there is something else. Recently, I heard that Your Majesty and His Majesty have had some misunderstandings. I feel uneasy and have come to explain to Your Majesty. My relationship with His Majesty is pure and innocent, not as rumored. I hope Your Majesty can be at ease."

Qiu Qianyun’s expression remained indifferent, these people really didn’t understand her. Her anger at Li Rui was not because of Qin Rou’s existence. She knew what kind of person Li Rui was, after so many years of marriage.

She was angry at Li Rui because he had private connections with Murong Ce and even stole her jade pendant, deceiving Li Xianyun, and almost led Li Xianyun into danger.

"I am aware of His Majesty’s character. If there is nothing else, you may leave."

However, Qin Rou remained unmoved and said, "Your Majesty is gentle and virtuous, truly worthy of my emulation. It’s just I’ve been in the palace so long that I understand the true nature of men too well. They may share hardships but not the fruits of success. Once a man acquires power, the temptations increase, and he changes slowly."

"These words should be directed at His Majesty, advising him, not at me."

"What words do you need to say to Us?" Li Rui’s voice came from outside.

The next moment, a figure clad in bright yellow appeared.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Everyone in the room paid their respects to Li Rui.

Qiu Qianyun also slightly curtsied.

Li Rui walked to Qiu Qianyun’s side, casting a cold glance at Qin Rou, and asked indifferently, "What are you doing here?"

Qin Rou stood bonelessly, every move oozing charm, truly a woman who knew men’s desires, having emerged from their midst.

"This concubine feared the Empress would be bored, so I came to chat with Her Majesty."

"This is not your place," Li Rui said, "Guards, expel her from the Palace Gate. Without My permission, she is not to enter the Imperial Palace for the rest of her life."

Immediately, guards proceeded to lift Qin Rou and drag her outside.

Qin Rou looked at Li Rui in disbelief, "Your Majesty, I am a person belonging to the Emperor of Later Liang, if my Emperor knows how you treat me, he will surely..."

Li Rui said coldly, "The Emperor of Houliang has lost his mind and is not in his right senses. You belong to him, so you must also be afflicted with madness. It seems you cannot be kept."

With that, he gave a slight nod of the chin.

Two guards, disregarding Qin Rou’s words, dragged her out.

Li Rui turned to Qiu Qianyun, "Qianyun, are you appeased now?"

Seeing this, the maids wisely retreated.

Qiu Qianyun glanced at Li Rui, remained silent, and sat back down on the Taishi Chair.

Li Rui sat down next to Qiu Qianyun, "Qianyun, I lied to you. I’ve always known my identity and have been plotting to return to the Imperial Palace someday. I shouldn’t have been emotional, but that day on the street when I bumped into you, everything changed. The moment I saw you, I knew you were to be my wife. That’s why I risked revealing my identity to save you and your mother from being mistreated. These many years should have shown you my feelings for you."

Qiu Qianyun, not looking at him, said coldly, "You know why I am angry."

Li Rui sighed lightly, "Of course, I do. It’s my fault with regard to Xianxian."

He said this and pulled out a letter from his sleeve.

Qiu Qianyun looked at the letter, frowning, "What’s this?"

"A letter from Xianxian."

Qiu Qianyun reached out to take it, opened the letter, and indeed, it was Li Xianyun’s handwriting.

As she read, her eyes moistened, "Silly child, always thinking of others."

Li Rui also couldn’t help but lament, "After what I did, not only did she not hate me, but she also devised strategies for me, solving the threat imposed by Murong Ce."

While wiping her tears, Qiu Qianyun finished reading the letter, then turned to Li Rui, "What do you plan to do next?"

Li Rui said, "Now that I am not controlled by Murong Ce, I can do what I want."

"What do you want to do?"

"Help Xianxian take her revenge." Li Rui said, "I have written to Yelu Yan, willing to join forces with him to exert pressure on Houliang and dethrone Emperor Murong Ce."

"My husband, are you saying Yelu Yan has written to you?"

A weight lifted off Li Rui’s heart; Qiu Qianyun addressing him in such a manner meant she no longer held any grudge against him.

"Yes."

Qiu Qianyun looked at Li Xianyun’s letter, expressing her thoughts, "Yelu Yan is truly considerate of Xianxian."

"Mm, by some stroke of fortune, Xianxian has chanced upon a good man."