OBS Chapter 318 Pleading
Chapter 318 Pleading
"What? Have you figured it out?"
Yanwan curled her red lips slightly, a smile on her face, and gently raised her slender white jade hand to leisurely stroke the tassels hanging from her temples.
She sat upright, and although she did not stand up to greet him, the arrogant aura that emanated from her was like a surging wave, sweeping towards Hai Lan, as if to completely drown her.
Hailan's lips moved slightly, and she used all her strength to squeeze out an almost inaudible sound from her throat.
"Join forces with me. I want to avenge my sister and Yongqi."
"Ah."
Yanwan chuckled softly, revealing endless irony.
"I have now reached the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, enjoying such honor and esteem. What rare and precious thing in this world is not easily within my reach? Tell me, why should I help you? Join forces? Although I am not opposed to cooperating with others, unless..."
She paused, a sly look of evil interest flashed across her beautiful eyes, and her gaze was like a knife, piercing straight at Hailan.
This glance was like a cold light penetrating into Hailan's body, causing her to shiver and a deep chill to surge in her heart.
She raised her eyes slightly, looking at Yan Wan with a bit of fear and uneasiness in her eyes.
"Unless what?"
"Unless you beg me. Come, beg me, beg me to show mercy and lend you a helping hand. But don't tell me you don't even know how to ask for help..."
Yanwan's words were full of teasing and sarcasm, like a sharp blade, cutting at Hailan's dignity.
Thinking back to the past, the scene of himself pleading miserably and humbly in the greenhouse was as if it were right before his eyes. But now, time has passed, the world has turned upside down, and it is finally his turn to sit on the high platform, overlooking Hailan's humble pleas.
Thinking about it carefully, this "deal" does not seem to be worthwhile. After all, what Hailan is planning is earth-shattering. Once involved, it will be difficult to get out of it unscathed.
There was a playful smile on Yanwan's lips, but her eyes were cold, as if they were a bottomless pool, icy and bone-chilling.
Hailan clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white and trembling slightly from the excessive force.
She could clearly hear the deep meaning and challenge in Yanwan's words, and just stood there blankly, stunned and speechless.
Seeing impatience gradually emerging on Yan Wan's delicate face and her patience about to run out, Hai Lan finally made up her mind and gritted her teeth.
She slowly leaned forward, stretched out her slightly trembling hands, and gently lifted the hem of her skirt. Then, she slowly lowered her knees to the ground, straightening her body. Her movements were slow but extremely firm.
The moment her knees touched the cold ground, the chill spread quickly from her knees to her whole body like an icy snake, making her shiver involuntarily.
But she still forced herself to remain calm, raised her head, looked straight into Yanwan's eyes, and her voice, although soft, was full of determination.
"Please, Her Majesty, give me a helping hand. Afterwards, I will give everything I have to repay you for your help."
"Everything? Humph, you have nothing now. All you have is a desire for revenge. What can you offer me in return?"
Yan Wan leaned forward slightly, her eyes wandering freely over Hai Lan, her eyes full of teasing and amusement. A mocking arc appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she opened her red lips and joked.
Hai Lan's heart sank suddenly, as if a basin of cold water was poured over her head, and the chill instantly ran through her whole body.
She never expected that Yan Wan would play tricks on her like this, but now that things have come to this, there is no turning back.
She took a deep breath, suppressed her inner panic and anger, slowly raised her head, and looked directly into Yan Wan's half-smiling eyes, with a hint of unwillingness and inquiry in her eyes.
"What does the Imperial Concubine want?"
"I... want your life."
Yanwan spoke softly from her red lips, her voice was gentle but it seemed to carry a thousand-year-old ice that froze thousands of miles away, and every word hit Hailan's heart hard.
That look was like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, cold and cruel. It instantly wrapped around Hailan tightly, almost suffocating her.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze in an instant, and the silence was so quiet that only the sound of each other's light breathing could be heard.
After a long time, Hailan's voice, which was a little tired and hoarse, slowly sounded in the dead silence.
"Okay, then it's as the Imperial Concubine wishes."
When Yan Wan heard this, a faint smile appeared on her lips, and then she stood up gracefully.
She walked gracefully to Hailan, looking down at the kneeling Hailan from above. Her eyes contained both the pride of a winner and the scrutiny of her prey.
"Alright, then I'll reluctantly lend you a hand for now. But you must understand that this matter is incredibly complex and won't be accomplished overnight. Be patient and wait for a few years. Remember, live well. Your life now belongs to me. Don't let a careless mistake lead you to the underworld..."
After saying that, Yanwan walked lightly, ignored her, and turned to walk towards the inner hall.
"Your Majesty, I thank you, Your Majesty."
Hailan still lowered her head and responded respectfully.
When she slowly raised her head, there was still a hint of nervousness and uneasiness in her eyes.
She knew in her heart that Yan Wan was not a good person and she should not trust her so easily. However, in this deep palace, the only person who could join hands with her to bring down the enemy was Yan Wan.
She had no choice but to take a gamble.
She gambled her life, betting that he would not die a good death in this life.
After leaving Yongshou Palace, Hai Lan turned back into the pure and ascetic concubine she used to be, praying for Yongqi in Baohua Palace all day long.
Even Concubine Yu was of little use in the palace. Apart from Xiangyun, she was only accompanied by a few palace maids.
Even though her days were tedious and boring, she still meditated and chanted scriptures day after day, living stubbornly, just to see that moment.
……
Time passed slowly, and several years passed quietly. The palace was like a pool of still water, with no waves and no earth-shattering events happening.
There was only one thing, and that was the emperor's dragon body, which was becoming increasingly weak, like a candle in the wind.
On the winter solstice of the 38th year of Qianlong's reign, the palace held a night banquet according to old custom. The lights were bright and the atmosphere was bustling.
Yan Wan was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had exquisite makeup. She took the place of the queen and sat beside the emperor with great grace.
At the banquet, the sound of stringed instruments filled the air, the dancers danced gracefully, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and prosperity. However, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the emperor looked haggard, his eyes etched with deep fatigue.
"Your Majesty, would you like me to accompany you for a walk?"
Seeing that the emperor was losing interest and looked gloomy, Yan Wan asked softly.
"Well, today is the winter solstice, and I haven't been able to enjoy the snow scenery in a long time. Imperial Concubine, please accompany me back to the Yangxin Palace."
The emperor nodded slightly, his expression showing a hint of anticipation for enjoying the snow.
He was already sixty-three years old and seldom went out in the dead of winter, but now he suddenly felt like enjoying the night snow.
Over the years, he always had Imperial Noble Consort Yanwan serving and accompanying him. Unconsciously, he had become accustomed to her presence, and she had become an indispensable part of his life.
"Cough cough cough..."
As soon as he stepped out of the hall, a biting cold wind blew in, causing him to cough violently.
"Your Majesty, be careful."
Yan Wan was quick-witted and quickly reached out to pull the bearskin cloak that had been prepared on the side, gently draped it over the emperor's shoulders, and carefully adjusted his collar with both hands, her eyes full of concern and worry.
"It's okay. I'm old now, and my body is just like this. There's no need to make a fuss."
The emperor was quite open-minded and calm. He waved his hand casually, intending to reassure Yan Wan that she didn't need to worry.
Yanwan and Jinzhong hurriedly supported the emperor on the left and right, and slowly walked towards the Yangxin Palace.
What we saw along the way was that the red walls looked even more solemn and profound against the backdrop of the white snow. Although it was shrouded in darkness, it still had a unique charm of tranquility and elegance.
At this time of reunion, the emperor's heart seemed to be shrouded in a layer of frost, and he felt cold.
"How is Yongyan these days? I heard that he has already started learning horsemanship from his master..."
The emperor turned his head slightly and asked Yan Wan softly.
"Your Majesty, this child is incredibly diligent and hardworking. Every day after school, he goes straight to the horse farm, training day and night. Calluses have formed on his hands. I see it with my own eyes, and it breaks my heart..."
Yan Wan replied softly with a smile on her face. Mentioning her child, a touch of gentleness and kindness unconsciously appeared on her face.
Jinzhong silently lowered his head and supported the emperor. Hearing these words, the corners of his mouth involuntarily rose slightly, quietly outlining an imperceptible arc.
"My son, if he can't even endure this little hardship, how can he shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting my kingdom in the future? Imperial Concubine, please don't worry too much. Boys need to be tempered and honed in order to grow. Back then, Yongqi, at only thirteen, had already mastered the art of riding and archery. He was truly a prodigy. It's a pity... I only have this outstanding son..."
Having said this, the emperor couldn't help but recall the past. His expression was instantly shrouded in loneliness, and an indelible haze invaded him.
He returned to the role of an old man, shrouded in the aura of old age.
Seeing the emperor so heartbroken, Yan Wan hurriedly whispered to comfort him.
"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences and do not grieve excessively. Yongqi's spirit in heaven would certainly not wish to see Your Majesty so dejected. Yongyan has always taken Yongqi as his role model. The horse he uses for riding practice today is the very same pony Yongqi meticulously found for him back then. However, that pony has now grown into a fine steed, and Yongyan named it Zhufeng..."
She cleverly and quietly shifted the focus of the conversation back to Yongyan, trying to ease the emperor's grief.
The horse is now seven years old, and exactly seven years have passed since Yongqi left.
The emperor sighed slightly, and after a long time, he slowly nodded.
"You have taught Yongyan well. He is kind-hearted, gentle, obedient, and extremely filial. He is truly a rare and good child. Many past events have faded away like smoke, but he alone has always remembered his fifth brother. This friendship is extremely precious in this palace."
The emperor sighed and said that such brotherhood was rare among royal brothers. When Yongqi left, Yongyan was only six years old.
Although Yongyan was not a person of extraordinary talent and intelligence, and could not reach the amazing talent of Yongqi, his loyalty, honesty, filial piety and respect were truly rare.
Among all the princes, he came to the Yangxin Palace most frequently, either to humbly ask for advice on lessons, or to deliver medicinal food on behalf of the emperor to show his filial piety.
It's a completely sincere heart, pure and kind and commendable.
"I have only been able to assist him with daily chores. His character today is entirely due to the careful instruction of the masters and the wise example of the Emperor."
Yanwan responded modestly and in a gentle tone.
The two chatted for a while and before they knew it, they had arrived at the Yangxin Palace.
The emperor immediately found an excuse to order Jinzhong to escort Yanwan back to the palace, and then sat alone in the empty hall. The surroundings were silent, with only his lonely figure looming in the dim light and shadow.
For so many years, the emperor has always been filled with a trace of regret that is difficult to dispel.
He often wondered if he had been too harsh on Yongqi before, which led to fate playing tricks on him and making him suffer the pain of losing his son.
God punished him for living too smoothly by taking his beloved sons away from him one after another.
First, Yonglian, the eldest legitimate son who carried so much hope, died young; then Yongcong, who passed away in infancy; Yonghuang, also passing away amidst numerous misfortunes and anxieties; and then there was Yongqi, who, despite his exceptional talent, could not escape the shackles of fate...
Whenever he thought of this, the emperor's heart seemed to be shrouded in heavy haze, with pain and self-blame intertwined.
Today, looking at this vast empire, it is facing the embarrassing situation of no successors.
The emperor let out a long breath and repeatedly considered and weighed the options among the remaining princes.
His gaze finally slowly fell on Yongyan. This boy was kind and gentle by nature, and was very respectful to him. Among all the princes, he was the most obedient and well-behaved, and was deeply loved by the emperor.
The emperor lowered his eyes and thought, if Yongyan inherited the throne, he might still be able to hold power in his hands in his twilight years.
Though already in his twilight years, the emperor still harbored a deep attachment to the supreme throne. The imperial power, symbolizing supreme authority, drew him in like a magnet, making it difficult for him to part with it and unwilling to hand it over to anyone else.
After countless inner struggles and weighing of the pros and cons, the emperor finally slowly picked up the imperial pen, with a solemn and dignified expression, and wrote Yongyan's name neatly on the edict of succession.
"The throne will be passed on to the fifteenth son, Yongyan."
The words written in bright red ink sparkled in the candlelight.
Afterwards, the emperor carefully ordered his men to hide the edict behind the "Zhengda Guangming" plaque, waiting for him to voluntarily release his hands that were tightly grasping power and willingly abdicate, and then open it and announce it to the world.
The heavy snow fell like goose feathers, flying all over the sky and piling up on the palace road, a foot thick.
As people walked, the snow under their feet made a "crunching" sound. A group of people walked slowly on the palace road, and the footsteps and the singing of the snow intertwined with each other, so it was not too cold and lonely.
Chunchan and Jinzhong stood on the left and right, standing straight, holding oil-paper umbrellas firmly in their hands, and carefully escorted Yanwan back to the palace.
The scene was subtly similar to the past.
Twenty-eight years have passed, and the long-cherished wish made back then has come true step by step.