TV Series: When the Villain Chooses to Stand by

Chapter 166 Yixiu 35

Yixiu thought Hongli came to say goodbye to her, and even took out the reward she had prepared long ago.

"Empress Dowager, are you and Concubine Nian really as at odds as the outside world says?"

Yixiu glared at him helplessly, "You are already a mature adult, why do you believe in rumors so much?"

"Please forgive me, Empress Dowager. It's just that Concubine Nian has been favored for many years, and some news cannot be concealed. Anyone would think so..." Hongli smiled and said no more.

"Then you must remember this today. Don't jump to conclusions without personal investigation. No matter how outrageous the facts are, I have no grudge against Concubine Hua."

"Why? You want to?"

Seeing Yixiu asking about serious matters, Hongli also became serious, "Yes, you once taught me to unite all forces that can be united."

"I believe that Concubine Hua is now weak and has no children. The Nian family is powerful but like a rootless duckweed."

"Rather than pinning your hopes on a future battle for the crown prince, cooperating with me is a safer option. The Nian family's influence in the military is also very important to me."

Yixiu liked such a talkative and charming child the most, and the appreciation in her eyes also strengthened Hongli's determination.

"It's a good idea. You can give it a try. But first, I'll make it clear that the Empress Dowager won't help you."

"Don't worry, Madam Empress, I will let the Nian family see my sincerity."

"Okay, then what about the distribution of benefits? Have you thought about it? What will you do if one day the Nian family's achievements surpass those of the master?"

In Hongli's view, Yixiu's question meant that he firmly believed that he would succeed. He smiled and stood up and bowed deeply to Yixiu.

"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. A gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried. I will never cross the river and burn the bridge. Only incompetent people are afraid of meritorious officials."

He straightened his back and looked directly into Yixiu's eyes, not hiding his ambition and desire.

"If I, your son, want to establish a kingdom abroad, I must be the vanguard. No matter how great the achievements of the Nian family are, they cannot surpass those of your son."

"If I can..." Hongli lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then quickly raised them again, raised his fist and swore, "That would be incompetence. I will not let such a thing happen."

Yixiu walked down with a smile, bent down and touched Hongli's head.

She found that the other party particularly liked this. "Remember your original intention, then you should work hard. Then you can openly let your biological mother be the queen mother, and no one can say anything."

She handed the half peony jade pendant and a letter to Hongli.

"This is your gift. All good children can get gifts. You don't need to do anything in return. Don't worry."

"You will definitely become the most outstanding emperor, countless times better than your father."

Hongli's eyes were red as he looked at the item in his hand. Yixiu's words made him feel even more ambitious. He was determined to hold himself to the highest standards.

Facts have proven that there is indeed a huge gap between starting a business and succeeding to a throne.

When Hongli returned to his residence, he looked at the letter in his hand and tears streamed down his face, which scared the young eunuch who was serving him.

"Master, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying like this for no reason? Didn't we say we wanted to do great things and become Baturu?"

"What happened, Master?"

After hearing the eunuch's words, Hongli raised his head and tried to control himself. He couldn't cry. He was a man.

It took him a long while to recover. "Nothing, my biggest worry has been solved. Let's go to the training ground."

Yixiu gave Hongli the address of a manor where a small weapons manufacturing line was hidden underneath.

The system cannot provide these things directly, and Yixiu himself is not directly researching this, so naturally he does not have the same development speed as Jingxi before.

Fortunately, there are already muskets here, and the difficulty of improving the technology is much lower.

All of these required Hongli to exchange for silver or supplies, and this time they were allowed to buy on credit in advance.

For Hongli and Chaogui, this was an extremely profitable deal, and they could be said to have gotten a lot of benefits.

As for betrayal, Yixiu is not worried.

Concubine Duan also received the news and started to act. She tried to test Nian Shilan several times but failed to get the information she wanted. Now the other party wanted to live in the Old Summer Palace permanently.

If we continue to wait, we will probably do nothing.

After much deliberation, Concubine Duan visited Nian Shilan late at night.

When Nian Shilan learned that it was Concubine Duan who came in person, she was stunned. "Songzhi, please help me dress up."

She didn't want Concubine Duan to see her in such a miserable state, but then she thought, it has come to this point, who should she be showing off to?

There is no need to torture yourself for others.

"Forget it, let someone in."

When Concubine Duan saw Nian Shilan, her heart shrank. Her face was pale but her eyes were still sharp and bright, which was completely different from her own dilapidated appearance.

Why? We are both seriously ill, why can she still smile like this?

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Do you want revenge? I'm afraid it's not possible for you two, master and servant, to do it alone."

Nian Shilan tilted her head and looked at Concubine Duan provocatively, not taking her seriously at all.

Faced with such an arrogant Nian Shilan, Concubine Duan couldn't keep calm at all. Now that there was no one around, she didn't need to pretend.

"Revenge is impossible. This body is not much better than yours."

"I heard that the Emperor allowed you to rest in the garden. I don't know when we'll be able to see each other again. After all, we've known each other for a while, so I have to come and see you."

Nian Shilan sneered, "Look at you, a villain who has achieved success. Don't worry, I will live well even if you are buried in the ground."

Concubine Duan chuckled, "You have been favored for many years, have you ever thought about this day?"

"The imperial physician said that you were injured in the water and will never be able to conceive again. Do you know there's another hidden story behind this?"

Nian Shilan looked at him coldly, while Qi Yuebin's eyes revealed anticipation and gloating.

She has always been dignified and steady, even the day when I gave her red flower injections. She was waiting for my revenge at that time.

Now that I think about it, I guess he had already guessed that I was made a scapegoat.

Seeing Nian Shilan so calm, the smile on Concubine Duan's face gradually disappeared, and she stopped pretending to be mysterious. She came here this time just to confront the other party.

Concubine Duan was afraid that Nian Shilan would hide here. If she didn't jump up, she would lose the chance of revenge forever.

Then all the tolerance and grievances over the years would be meaningless.

"You have been unable to bear children since you entered the palace. You have been the only one kept in the dark for so many years. And that bowl of medicine was made by the Queen. I am just a pawn."

Nian Shilan frowned slightly. She didn't expect that Concubine Duan would bring the matter to the Queen's head.

If she had not checked it long ago, she would have believed it based on her previous feelings for the emperor.

"Qi Yuebin, I hate smart people like you the most. Even now, you're not willing to be honest with me and you're still thinking of using me? Get lost. I have nothing to say to you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Songzhi stepped forward and stood between the two of them.

"Our master is tired and needs to rest. Please come in, Concubine Duan!"

Concubine Duan narrowed her eyes slightly, and all her previous questions suddenly had answers.