nycdaug Chapter 183 Hoarding
Chapter 183 Hoarding
Seeing Murong Yanhui's surprised look, Yu Qingli responded calmly, "I've already told you not to get involved with me. I want to be the eldest prince's consort!"
"Lili, have you met Murong Feng?!"
Murong Yan's tone was filled with disbelief. Aside from their trip together, they hadn't had any private contact. So how did Yu Qingli know about the arranged marriage? Could it be that this was something they had planned all along?
So, even the appearance of Queen Li was part of their plan, right? But what about Tang Yi?! Could it be that Tang Yi was also part of their plan?
No! It shouldn't be. Tang Yi's inexplicable proposal was probably beyond Murong Feng's expectations. Otherwise, why would he ignore his previous disguise of gentleness and elegance and argue with himself and Tang Yi in the palace?
However, he really didn't expect that Yu Qingli would actually plan to marry that hypocritical Murong Feng.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't jealous. How could a man like that be worthy of Yu Qingli's true love?!
But, what could jealousy do?! Now that the imperial decree had been issued, the only thing he could change was Yu Qingli's feelings. As long as she was willing, he could take her away at any time.
But unfortunately, this woman didn't seem to want to leave here with him.
"Even if we haven't met, we still have a connection!"
"Telepathy?!" Murong Yanhui sneered, "If that's the case, why didn't I recognize you when we met face to face?"
Such questions pierced Yu Qingli's heart like needles. If someone had questioned her like this in her previous life, perhaps she would not have suffered such a tragic ending.
The hurt in her eyes flashed away, and Yu Qingli pursed her lips and said stubbornly: "This has nothing to do with Your Majesty. In short, we will never meet again!"
It seems that this inn can no longer be lived in. Yu Qingli packed up her luggage and prepared to leave. Tomorrow morning, someone will definitely come to deal with this matter. It will not be so easy to leave then.
Seeing Yu Qingli about to leave, Murong Yanhui didn't stop her, but that obviously didn't mean he gave up. He took the luggage from Yu Qingli's hand and asked, "Lili, are you planning to walk back to Luoyang?"
Yu Qingli frowned and was about to speak when she heard voices coming from outside the door. "It's the middle of the night, there's so much noise. I wonder what's going on in this room?"
He was startled and was thinking about how to escape when he felt a tightness around his waist. He looked up and saw Murong Yanhui giving him a soothing look. Murong Yanhui leaped up and the two of them jumped out of the window. On the roadside under the window, Bloody stood proudly in the moonlight.
The two men jumped onto their horses and galloped away in a bloody manner!
Although autumn is already deep in the air, Luoyang City is still full of flowers and the scenery is very beautiful, especially the red maple trees on the mountains outside the city. Although the maple leaves have not yet been dyed red by the autumn frost, they are already very beautiful.
Returning to Luoyang City, Yu Qingli felt a little complicated. As soon as she entered the city, she unexpectedly discovered that the people in the city were different from usual. Many shops were closed and bolted, but there were long queues in front of some shops, and some people even fought for a spot.
The bustling streets of the past have been replaced by desertedness!
Murong Yanhui was also a little surprised. It had only been a short time since he returned to Luoyang. Why did such a thing happen in Luoyang City?
Murong Yanhui and the other man dismounted and stopped a passerby to ask, "Old man, what happened in this city? Why are so many shops closed?"
The old man sighed and said, "Have you two just arrived in Luoyang? Luoyang City has been in turmoil lately. Half a month ago, a high-ranking official from the capital arrived in Luoyang City, claiming to be the Crown Prince's brother-in-law, the future uncle of the Emperor. He's been plundering and hoarding goods in the city, forcing many shops to close down."
Murong Yanhui's expression was stern. The future uncle of the emperor?! He really wanted to meet this pretentious so-called uncle of the emperor.
Yu Qingli was also very surprised. This seemed a little different from what she remembered. Could it be that because of her rebirth, the fortunes of others had also changed? But why was this hoarder connected to Crown Prince Murong Cheng?
You know, His Majesty hates this kind of thing the most. If it were discovered, Murong Cheng's position as Crown Prince would be in jeopardy. Could this be Murong Feng's conspiracy?! But why would it happen in Luoyang?!
All of this is truly unbelievable! Anyway, let's go to the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce first to see what's going on. With so many things happening, Xiao Yu, the president of the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce, hasn't shown up. This is truly strange.
Obviously, Murong Yanhui's idea was unexpectedly the same as Yu Qingli's, so the two went to the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce together.
In the Chamber of Commerce, Xiao Yu had a solemn expression. He was well aware of what had happened in Luoyang these days, but this man's identity was indeed very strange. He could actually take out the jade pendant that His Highness carried with him as a token of trust. However, His Highness the Crown Prince did not respond to his letter, so he did not dare to act rashly. He wondered if this was His Highness's intention?
When Yu Qingli and the others arrived at the Chamber of Commerce, Xiao Yu was walking back and forth in the room, looking anxious.
"Brother Xiao..."
Xiao Yu looked up and saw Yu Qingli and Murong Yanhui walking together. Her eyes lit up, "Qingli! Your Highness Prince Yan! You're back from the capital?!"
Yu Qingli was stunned. "How did Brother Xiao know about my trip to Beijing?"
Xiao Yu was a little embarrassed. Due to the secrecy of his identity, he changed the subject and said, "I guessed. Otherwise, why would you appear with the prince?"
A hint of suspicion flashed across Murong Yanhui's eyes. Could this Xiao Yu be more than just a businessman? Judging from his behavior during the Luoyang flood, he was probably a confidant of the imperial court stationed in Luoyang.
I just don’t know whether he is a member of the prince’s party or the eldest prince’s party, or maybe he is the emperor’s man?
Yu Qingli didn't have time to think about it. What she was most concerned about at the moment was the business in Luoyang. "Brother Xiao, how is the business of Nishangfang and Dyeing House recently?"
Xiao Yu sighed, "It's fallen from grace. Ever since that so-called uncle of the emperor showed up, it's like there's no place left for people with other surnames in Luoyang. All the business has been snatched away by those newly opened shops. Everything from food, clothing, housing, and transportation is under their control!"
Yu Qingli was very surprised by Xiao Yu's frankness, but she was also certain of one thing, that is, the business must have been affected.
Seeing Yu Qingli's serious expression, Xiao Yu apologized and said, "I'm sorry, Qingli, I failed to live up to your trust."
"How could it be?! Brother Xiao, don't blame yourself. This is not your fault."
Murong Yan took a step forward and said, "President Xiao, could you arrange a meeting between me and the so-called future uncle of the emperor?"
Xiao Yu's eyes lit up. "If the Prince of Yan were to intervene, perhaps the situation in Luoyang City would change."
Unexpectedly, Murong Yanhui scoffed and said, "I am not interested in the situation in Luoyang City. As long as Lili's shop is back in business, that's all that matters!"
"Your Highness is still as affectionate as ever, but I wonder if that gentleman will give you face?"
Xiao Yu's words had a hint of divisiveness, which made Murong Yan feel a little dissatisfied. "President Xiao, is there something you're dissatisfied with? Why don't you just say it directly?"
"Your Highness has misunderstood. I am only happy for my adopted sister. Qingli is truly blessed to have such a sincere heart."
Yu Qingli frowned upon hearing this, "Brother Xiao, Qingli is now the Crown Prince's appointed consort. In the future, please refrain from saying these things, lest you damage the prince's reputation."
Xiao Yu was very surprised. It had only been such a long time since they last met, how could Yu Qingli become the eldest prince's consort?!
Murong Yanhui's face turned pale. It was really unpleasant to hear such words coming from Yu Qingli's mouth.
But this is already a fact!
Despite his cold face, Murong Yanhui was very sure that what had to be done had to be done.
"President Xiao, please make the arrangements. The rest of the matter is a private matter between the prince and Lili and has nothing to do with President Xiao."
Feeling the awkward atmosphere between the two, Xiao Yu did not continue the topic, but simply told Yu Qingli in detail about the situation in Luoyang City after Yu Qingli left.
Yu Qingli frowned even more after hearing this. It seemed that the matter was far more serious than she had imagined. She just didn't know if the emperor knew about this matter now?
It seems that we really need to go and test that man's true strength. The prince is not married yet, so where does this brother-in-law come from? Most importantly, this man is also a businessman, although he is clearly a profiteer!
When I returned to the Yu Mansion, it was already dark. I didn't know when a tree of Albizia Julibrissin had been replanted in the mansion, and it was planted in a very conspicuous position. The autumn wind was blowing, and the fallen leaves were colorful, which was quite beautiful.
Yu Qingli frowned. It seemed that Mei Hong's thoughts on Murong Feng had not diminished during these days of absence. Come to think of it, wasn't it because of her caring nature in her previous life that she captured Murong Feng's heart?
Yu Qingli sneered. In this life, even if a man like that was given to her, she would not bother to give him to her. However, it would not be so easy for Mei Hong to get him.
Before Yu Qingli even entered Liyuan, she heard Mei Hong's voice, "Go, change this begonia. The color isn't bright enough, it's really ugly!"
Soon, a little maid came out with a look of grievance on her face, muttering, "Isn't it just that I've gained the young lady's trust? What's so great about that? The young lady is not at home, and you act like one!"
Yu Qingli recognized that this little maidservant should have just entered the mansion not long ago. Her name was Yinhuan. She had been working in the kitchen since entering the mansion. How come she was transferred to Liyuan?
Thinking of this, Yu Qingli called her, "Silver Ring..."
Yinhuan looked up and saw Yu Qingli. She was stunned at first, then delighted, and then she knelt on the ground, "Miss, you are finally back."
Yu Qingli sighed inwardly. It seemed that Mei Hong had been acting arrogantly during the time when she was away from home, and the servants in the mansion probably couldn't stand it anymore.
Yu Qingli responded softly, then asked, "Why are you here?"
Yinhuan turned her head and glanced at the Liyuan Garden, then replied in a low voice: "Miss, it's not that I've deserted my post. Ever since you left, Miss Meihong felt that the work in the Liyuan Garden was too heavy, so she transferred a few of us maids working in the kitchen to the Liyuan Garden. She said that we were to take care of you in the future, but in reality..."