I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 631 - 240 Lady Jin Yun: Sister, this is a distorted love! _2

Lady Jinyun furrowed her brows even more tightly, worriedly saying, "Isn’t Chen Mo going to end up in trouble?"

The Empress played with her teacup, saying, "Chen Mo is at the center of the whirlpool now, under public scrutiny. No one dares to act rashly for the moment, but we indeed need to make preparations in advance."

Lady Jinyun hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Are you planning to ask for help from the Jiang Family?"

The Empress paused, a complex expression flashing in her eyes, and she sighed, "Entangling Chen Mo with them isn’t good either. We’ll talk about it when there’s really no other choice..."

Lady Jinyun was silent.

The Empress glanced at her, snorting coldly, "Don’t think I’m being cold-hearted. Chen Mo’s situation is indeed unique; Zhu’er is also a relative by marriage. If the two come too close, it will inevitably spark rumors."

Lady Jinyun blinked, cautiously saying, "Then, sister, when you repeatedly have Chen Mo stay overnight in the palace, don’t you ever think there will be rumors?"

[・_・?]

The Empress’s pretty face turned slightly red, and she glared at her angrily, "I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of in heaven’s sight, and I’m not afraid of rumors... cough, cough, you speak too much!"

"..."

Lady Jinyun shrunk her neck.

Why does it feel like Sister is both embarrassed and angry, as if she’s feeling guilty...

Tap, tap, tap—

At this moment, the sound of footsteps was heard coming closer.

Sun Senior Palace Lady walked across the arched bridge to the pavilion, bowing and saying, "Your Highness, Eunuch Jin has already delivered the imperial edict to the Sky Scale Guard."

The Empress composed herself and asked, "And then?"

Sun Senior Palace Lady replied, "After Mr. Chen received the decree, he immediately went to the Yan Residence and took Vice Minister Yan’s son to the Imperial Prison."

The Empress had expected this outcome and said, "The Yan Family must have prepared for this already, and it’s unlikely anything will be discovered in the interrogation... However, Yan Peizhi is getting old, confused, and out of touch with reality. Some pressure could do him good."

"If Yan Peizhi asks for an audience, just say I’m unwell and unable to receive visitors."

"Yes."

Sun Senior Palace Lady bowed in response.

She hesitated slightly, then asked, "What about if Mr. Chen comes? Should we stop him as well?"

The Empress frowned, saying, "If Chen Mo comes to the palace, it must be for an official business. Why would you stop him? You don’t understand how to adapt at all."

Sun Senior Palace Lady’s lips twitched as she apologized, "Forgive me, Your Highness, for my ignorance."

←_←

Lady Jinyun secretly observed the Empress.

She already felt something was amiss before, and now the feeling was even stronger...

There must be an unusual relationship between Sister and Chen Mo!

"However, with the Emperor still alive, Sister’s strong sense of morality and shame won’t allow her to openly maintain a concubine... But it’s certain that Chen Mo is indeed special in her eyes..."

Lady Jinyun sighed, looking a bit worried.

Sister, this is a distorted love!

We must find a way to make her rein it in; otherwise, my son-in-law might end up becoming my brother-in-law!

...

...

The next day, at Sky Scale Guard.

In the Fire Department Court, Chen Mo sat in the official’s chair, his legs propped up on the table, flipping through several confessions in his hand.

Qiu Longgang stood to the side with his hands at his side.

"Just these, nothing else?" Chen Mo raised his eyebrows slightly.

Qiu Longgang shook his head, speaking softly, "This guy is quite tight-lipped, we’ve broken several iron rods, yet he refuses to reveal anything about the Yan Family’s situation, just repeating the same old lines."

Yan Linghu knows very well that if he wants to make it out alive, he still has to rely on Yan Peizhi.

So he would rather bite out the Princely Heir than drag the Yan Family down, and besides, he might not even know much about the Yan Family’s true secrets... Yan Peizhi is clearly banking on this, which is why he’s assured in letting Chen Mo take him away.

"Yan Peizhi hasn’t moved so far; it seems he’s choosing to protect himself wisely?"

Chen Mo sneered and said, "Always placing his own interests first, which fits perfectly with my impression of him..."

Qiu Longgang asked, "Sir, should we continue with the interrogation?"

"Interrogate, of course, we should interrogate."

Chen Mo said indifferently, "I never expected to get anything useful from Yan Linghu’s mouth... However, since he doesn’t care about his son’s life, we don’t need to be polite either. You’re free to deal with it, just leave him breathing."

From the Ministry of Revenue’s corruption case making things difficult for the Chen Family, to the Demon Clan case impeaching Chen Zhuo, and now joining forces with the Ministry of Rites, the Jingzhao Mansion, and the Ministry of Justice to cause trouble...

Although they all ended in failure, their malicious intentions are evident!

If we don’t take this opportunity to make him feel pain, he might truly regard the Chen Family as a pushover!

"Yes."

Qiu Longgang nodded and withdrew.

Chen Mo tapped the armrest with his fingers, pondering silently, "The Barbarian Slave Case involves the Cao Yun and the Military Prison, only Chu Heng has the power to accomplish such a thing... Since it’s done, there must be traces left behind; otherwise, there’s no way His Majesty would know."

Thinking of the emperor who is bedridden with illness, Chen Mo was slightly apprehensive.

Living deep in the palace, uninvolved in state affairs, yet knowing the details of these cases so well, even more than he, the one solving them!

Thinking carefully, it sends a chill down one’s spine!

Knock, knock, knock—

At this moment, there was a sound of knocking on the door.

Li Yuan walked in, saying, "My Lord, someone wishes to see you."

Chen Mo asked, "Who?"

Li Yuan’s expression was a bit strange, "Mrs. Yan."

?

Chen Mo was taken aback momentarily, then a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"It seems a mother is more affectionate towards her son... Let her in."

"Yes."

...

A moment later.

Qin Shu entered gracefully, wearing a water-green long dress and carrying a redwood food box.

Her dark hair was styled in a terret coiffure, with a jade hairpin slanted through her updo. Lightly powdered with soft eyebrows, her skin was fair and smooth. Despite some traces of age visible at the corners of her eyes, they only added a touch of mature charm.

It was clear she had made an effort to dress up.

"Mrs. Yan."

Chen Mo did not rise, lounging with one leg crossed over the other, "This really isn’t the place for you... Is there something you need from me?"

Qin Shu didn’t mind his attitude and said with a soft smile, "Yesterday when Mr. Chen came to our home, I was a bit rude and offensive. Today I’ve come specially to offer my apologies."

She walked up and placed the food box on the table.

Opening the lid, a refreshing sweet scent wafted out, revealing a tray of pastries inside.

"These Eight Treasures Cakes I made myself, containing Fuling, qian shi, malt, ginseng... They’re good for harmonizing qi-blood, nourishing the kidneys, and consolidating essence."

"Mr. Chen, with your busy official duties and tireless work, you should take more care of yourself."

Qin Shu used her right hand with a perfumed handkerchief to pick up a piece of cake and held it to Chen Mo’s lips, "Would you like to try one first to see if it’s to your taste?"

"..."

Standing at the doorway, Li Yuan remained expressionless, already clenching a fist.

Chen Mo didn’t open his mouth, audaciously observing her, with a teasing smile on his lips.

Qin Shu felt uncomfortable, as if she had been completely seen through, a flush rising on her cheeks. She turned her head aside and said, "Please don’t misunderstand, My Lord, I’m just here to express my apology with no other intentions."

"Is that so?"

Chen Mo slightly raised an eyebrow, saying, "Very well, I accept your apology, but I have official matters to attend to. I can’t entertain you... Someone, see her out."

Li Yuan stepped forward, coldly saying, "Madam, please."

Qin Shu’s expression froze, biting her lip, and she whispered, "I’m worried about my child, hoping to apply for a visit, and I would be grateful if you could make it possible, My Lord."

"Is that all? I was expecting something more significant." Chen Mo stood up, saying, "While the government regulations state that entry into the Imperial Prison prohibits visits, since you’ve asked personally, I’ll give you this favor."

"Come with me."

Seeing Chen Mo being so agreeable, a hint of joy flashed in Qin Shu’s eyes.

"There’s hope!"

...

...

ps: The author’s wife’s grandmother passed away unexpectedly (due to high blood pressure, she fell and had a large bleed in the brain stem, passing away on the same day). The funeral is scheduled for Sunday, so there are many things to handle these days... The author will try not to take a leave, but there may be slightly fewer words, and it will be made up for next week.

or2