Joy of Life: Starting by clinging to the eldest princess's coattails!

Chapter 28 What if Ye Qingmei's body suddenly disappeared...

The following morning, a faint fragrance of flowers wafted through the small garden of Guangxin Palace.

Li Yunrui had breakfast and then took a leisurely stroll in the garden for a while.

Sunlight filtered through the new green leaves, casting dappled shadows on her dark palace dress embroidered with dark gold patterns.

Wu Feng followed half a step behind her, while Chunmei was on the other side.

"Have you noticed that His Highness looks much better today than usual?" Chunmei whispered to Wu Feng.

Upon hearing this, Wu Feng's expression turned slightly unnatural. He knew all too well why Li Yunrui's complexion had improved.

He casually replied, "Perhaps it's because Your Highness has been recuperating well these past few days."

Li Yunrui acted as if she hadn't heard their murmurs, but suddenly stopped and turned to look at Wu Feng: "I'm going to see Ye Qingmei."

Wu Feng frowned slightly.

Ye Qingmei's body is definitely with the Empress Dowager now; to see Ye Qingmei's body, one must obtain the Empress Dowager's permission.

He didn't really want Li Yunrui to see the Empress Dowager now. That old woman didn't like Li Yunrui, and going there would only be humiliating for him.

Before Wu Feng could respond, Li Yunrui had already turned and walked out of the palace, her skirt brushing against the cobblestone path, making a soft rustling sound.

Chunmei glanced at Wu Feng and quickly followed.

Seeing this, Wu Feng had no choice but to follow.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Inside the Chang Le Palace's sleeping quarters, the Empress Dowager was just about to retire for the night.

Because Ye Qingmei's body was lying in the side hall of Chang Le Palace, she didn't sleep well all night, and the dark circles under her eyes were particularly noticeable in the morning light.

It was daytime now, so I wasn't so scared anymore. Just as I was about to lie down, a guard from the side hall rushed in to report: "Empress Dowager, the Eldest Princess has arrived."

The fatigue on the Empress Dowager's face was instantly replaced by a hint of displeasure.

She knew all too well why Li Yunrui had come; wasn't it to see Ye Qingmei?

However, she didn't say anything. Now that Ye Qingmei was dead, it wouldn't hurt for Li Yunrui to see Ye Qingmei.

The Empress Dowager gave a look to Hong Sixiang, who was bowing beside her.

Hong Sixiang understood immediately, bowed slightly again, and quietly slipped out, heading towards the main hall.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When Hong Sixiang arrived at the main hall of Chang Le Palace, he saw Li Yunrui already waiting there.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Eldest Princess." Hong Sixiang bowed respectfully, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.

Li Yunrui turned her gaze back, her face bearing her usual gentle smile: "Eunuch Hong, there's no need for such formalities. Where is the Empress Dowager? I wish to see her."

Hong Sixiang remained bowed and replied, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is not in a position to see you right now. However, she has instructed that you may enter the side hall alone. She said you will understand."

Upon hearing Hong Sixiang's utterly disrespectful voice, a cold glint flashed in Li Yunrui's eyes, almost imperceptibly.

This old fellow, relying on being the Empress Dowager's confidant, has never truly taken her, the eldest princess, seriously.

"I understand." Her voice remained gentle. "Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Hong."

Hong Sixiang bowed again: "This old servant respectfully sees Your Highness off."

Without waiting for Li Yunrui's reaction, she turned around and headed back towards the bedroom.

Li Yunrui stood in the hall, his fingers curling slightly beneath his sleeves.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Outside the main hall, Wu Feng and Chunmei saw Li Yunrui come out and immediately went to greet him.

The princess's entourage, consisting of six maids, also gathered around, two in front and four behind.

Li Yunrui looked at Wu Feng, her displeasure clearly written on her face, her charming eyes filled with reproach, as if saying, "Quickly coax me."

Wu Feng knew from the beginning that she would be mistreated by the Empress Dowager, so he didn't want her to come.

But now he doesn't dare say anything.

Hong Sixiang is a ninth-rank martial artist, and ninth-rank martial artists have amazing hearing. Although he is not yet at the level he will reach in sixteen years, he does not dare to take the risk.

Wu Feng stepped forward, gently shook his head, and then helped Li Yunrui walk towards the side hall.

Chunmei silently followed on the other side.

As expected, the guards stopped Li Yunrui when they arrived at the entrance of the side hall.

"Your Highness, please forgive me, but the Empress Dowager has decreed that only you are permitted to enter."

Li Yunrui's displeasure became even more obvious.

She, a dignified princess, was repeatedly humiliated by these servants in the inner palace.

"You all wait here," Li Yunrui's voice turned cold.

"Yes, Your Highness," Wu Feng and Chunmei replied in unison.

The six maids also stepped aside and stood with their hands at their sides.

Li Yunrui walked into the side hall alone.

Wu Feng and Chunmei exchanged a glance, both seeing worry in each other's eyes, hoping that His Highness wouldn't go mad inside.

Wu Feng looked at the tightly closed door of the side hall, and some thoughts welled up in his mind.

Ye Qingmei's body is still lying there intact, meaning that she has not yet suffered the same fate as in the original story.

Emperor Qing, Empress Dowager, and others... they were terrified of Ye Qingmei to the core. Even after she died, they still wanted to tear her to pieces before they could feel at ease.

What if Ye Qingmei's body suddenly disappeared...?

Will Emperor Qing be unable to sleep at night from now on?

This thought made Wu Feng's heart itch.

But the thought that he was just a weakling at the third rank immediately extinguished his restless desire.

such a pity……

-

The side hall was dimly lit.

Li Yunrui walked step by step towards the center of the courtyard.

Moonlight leaked in from outside the high walls, casting a pale glow on the bluestone slabs.

In the center of the courtyard, there was a wooden board covered with plain white linen, through which the outline of a human figure could be vaguely seen.

There was a very faint smell of blood in the air, mixed with the cool, dark atmosphere of the store.

Li Yunrui stopped in front of the wooden plank.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the white cloth.

She paused when her fingertips touched the coarse linen fabric, then slowly lifted it.

Ye Qingmei's face was revealed.

Pale white, devoid of any color. Eyes tightly closed, eyelashes casting faint shadows on cheeks. Hair somewhat disheveled, stained with dried blood.

The face that she once hated to the core was now as quiet as a mannequin.

Li Yunrui stared at that face for a long time.

Then she laughed.

Her lips slowly curved upwards, her eyes followed suit, and her whole face blossomed into a radiant smile.

But as she laughed, a tear slid down her cheek.

A tear rolled down her cheek, lingered for a moment on her chin, and then dripped onto the bluestone slab, spreading into a small, dark dot.

Ye Qingmei is really dead.

But why doesn't she feel any pleasure at all?

Li Yunrui's laughter grew louder and louder, and a hint of sickness gradually crept into her smile, spreading across her face and giving her an unusual radiance.

She reached out and gently touched Ye Qingmei's cold cheek with her fingertips.

"You lost..." she whispered, her voice as gentle as if she were speaking sweet nothings, "but I didn't win either."

The courtyard was eerily quiet.

Only the sound of the wind whistling through the high walls.

Li Yunrui stood there, laughing and crying, for a long time in front of Ye Qingmei's body.