Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 844 - 14: When Will You Give Me a Title?

Just as Ling Yuezi secretly instructed Ah Qing and Ah Lan to set fire to the side hall’s small room, someone unexpectedly came to Moonlight Palace.

Li Xingsheng, resting his chin in his hand, sat on the courtyard wall, leisurely watching the two maids bustling around.

He smiled lightly and did not disturb them.

Thinking there would be a good show to watch tonight, he neither interrupted Ling Yuezi nor left, instead staying hidden in the shadows, observing Ling Yuezi tidying up the "villains" around her.

Not until the fire started, when Ling Yuezi feigned panic and rushed out to complain to the Little Emperor, did he take advantage of the chaos in the Imperial Palace to leave.

- 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The fire at Moonlight Palace did not burn Ling Yuezi, only some flames sparked in the small room, scorching curtains and drapes, and slightly burning the palace maids’ bed, but the smoke billowed heavily.

That night, Ling Yuezi was "sickened" by the smoke.

After the Imperial Physician’s diagnosis, the conclusion was, "Her lungs were injured by the smoke, and her spirit suffered a severe shock."

All of this was caused by people sent by the Regent King.

The next morning, Ling Yuezi did not attend the early court session and stayed in her bed chamber to recover.

Ling Xingyun did not wait for the ministers to propose other issues; he immediately brought up the fire incident at Moonlight Palace.

Some well-informed people had already learned about the events in the palace last night.

After the shock, they already suspected what would be discussed in today’s morning court session.

Although the Emperor is young, he is not confused, and he greatly loves his elder sister, Princess Yue.

Since Princess Yue nearly burned to death, the Emperor is certain to be furious.

No matter how powerful the Regent King is, he dare not openly disregard Princess Yue’s life.

"The Regent King mismanaged personnel, nearly harming Princess Yue; he should reflect on this!" Ling Xingyun, for the first time, showed anger towards the Regent King.

Several influential ministers, like Prime Minister Lv, Grand Tutor Wu, Captain Luo, and Qu Imperial Envoy, who were held by Ling Yuezi, also spoke in support of Ling Yuezi, condemning those sent by the Regent King.

"As an old minister, I believe such negligence deserves heavy punishment and expulsion from Moonlight Palace!"

"I agree!"

"I agree too!"

"I agree!"

"..."

These old ministers speaking up motivated some officials with lower positions, who were often discontent with the Regent King’s monopolizing power, to join in the condemnation.

Since no punishment would be pursued against many involved, they wouldn’t want to miss such clear opportunities to gain favor by muddling through.

The chorus of condemnation left the Regent King grinding his teeth in anger.

Because he couldn’t refute the claims.

Ling Xingyun further questioned, "Since all my beloved ministers think this way, Regent King, what do you say? Are these people going to stay and continue endangering Princess Yue?"

The evidence was conclusive, and the conduct was egregious.

Even if the Regent King wanted to keep the people there, it was no longer feasible.

He had no choice but to say, "I will certainly punish them severely, to give Princess Yue an explanation."

"Regent King, being occupied with official duties, plus arranging the martial arts contest, leave the investigation of palace maids and eunuchs’ arson to Grand Tutor Wu and Imperial Eunuch Guishilang," Ling Xingyun added.

Though Grand Tutor Wu stood on the Regent King’s side under his oppressive power, he had watched Ling Xingyun grow up and, as Ling Xingyun’s Imperial Tutor, he harbored some affection for Ling Xingyun.

This was something Ling Yuezi had long realized.

She advised Ling Xingyun that if anything arose in the court, try to assign it to Grand Tutor Wu, so that over time, with more responsibilities, the Regent King’s prestige would be weakened, increasing Grand Tutor Wu’s authority.

Grand Tutor Wu, hearing Ling Xingyun’s directive, felt quite gratified and immediately thanked him, saying, "The old minister accepts the decree."

The other Assistant Eunuch, although also a person of the Regent King, held a grudge against the Regent King for demoting him to Second Commander, while the Great Commander was his junior apprentice.

Because of this matter, he bore resentment towards the Regent King.

Assigning him the tasks of Moonlight Palace didn’t mean he would speak for the Regent King.

-

Up until now, the ten palace maids and eunuchs stationed by the Regent King in Moonlight Palace were all expelled and confined in the Prison.

Because the personnel assigned by the Regent King negligently nearly burnt Ling Yuezi to death, the task of rearranging palace maids and eunuchs in Moonlight Palace was decided by Ling Xingyun to arrange personally.

Originally today was the tournament day, but since Ling Yuezi "was shocked and had her lungs damaged by the smoke," she needed to recuperate in bed.

The martial arts contest day had to be postponed by five days.

Ling Xingyun ordered someone to write a notice, explaining the postponement.

Notices were posted throughout the city.

At the entrance of the training grounds and the marketplaces, they were everywhere.

The sudden postponement of the contest had to have a reason, which piqued people’s curiosity, so they asked the soldiers posted with the notices.

The soldier received a secret order from Grand Tutor Wu to speak the truth.

Thus, within a day, the incident of the Regent King’s people being derelict in duty, causing the candlestick to fall onto the oil barrel and burn the house, was spread around as the Regent King’s intention to burn Princess Yue to death.

Meanwhile, another rumor surfaced in the capital.

It was rumored that the late Emperor’s death was not due to sudden illness but was murdered by the Regent King’s men, who aspired to become Emperor.

However, because he was an Alien Prince and not of the direct bloodline of the Imperial Family, the High Priests opposed him, forcing him to support the late Emperor’s son to ascend the throne.

Though merely a Regent King, he wielded the Emperor’s authority and once attempted to force marriage on Princess Yue to bear an heir, planning to use the influence of the external family to become Emperor.

This rumor initially spread in an inn, then entered the brothel, from the brothel to the gambling house, and then to various shops, spreading across the city by the merchants.

People were shocked upon hearing this.

Coupled with the incident of Ling Yuezi almost being burned to death, people suddenly realized.

So, it was the Regent King’s failed attempt at forced marriage that led him, in anger, to send someone to burn Princess Yue to death!

Was he afraid that Princess Yue would uncover his evil deeds?

The rumor reached the Regent King, enraging him enough to kick over the table, saying, "Nonsense! Find out who spread the rumor and bring them to me immediately; I will chop them up and feed them to the dogs!"

.

"I will sit here and wait for him to come; let’s see if he dares to capture me and feed me to dogs!" Li Xingsheng sat leisurely in Ling Yuezi’s bedroom in Moonlight Palace, drinking tea.

After Ling Yuezi chased away the palace maids and eunuchs sent by the Regent King to spy, Li Xingsheng moved about openly in Moonlight Palace.

The people here all hailed from the village and were aware that he and Ling Yuezi were married and had spent the night together.

Ah Qing and Ah Lan brought in tea and snacks, kindly placed a basin of water in the room, held back their laughter, and led the others far from the bedroom.

Ling Yuezi sat on the bed, massaging her sore back, glaring at him angrily.

She had been pulled onto the bed by Li Xingsheng for a roll for half an hour just now, almost unable to get up!

"Were you the one spreading those rumors outside?" Ling Yuezi asked in surprise.

Li Xingsheng nodded, smiling slightly, "It’s not really a rumor; it’s the truth. I got Lou Chengye to do me a little favor; I didn’t expect him to be quite capable, spreading it across the city in less than half a day."

Ling Yuezi looked at him gratefully, "Thank you."

Exposing the Regent King’s crimes publicly so he lives under people’s scrutiny, let’s see if he dares to plot for power and usurp the throne.

Li Xingsheng looked up at Ling Yuezi, "We are a married couple; no need for thanks. If he dares to bully my wife, I will not be polite to him!"

Ling Yuezi’s face fell, "You should go back; if there’s anything, I’ll have Ah Qing find you. You should... come to the palace less often."

"When will you give me a title?" Li Xingsheng set down his tea cup, gazing intently at Ling Yuezi.

Ling Yuezi sighed secretly, "Sheng Lang, can’t we not talk about this topic for now?"

"When would be appropriate to talk?" Li Xingsheng approached Ling Yuezi.

Ling Yuezi stood up nervously.

Li Xingsheng walked up to her, embraced her waist, and started to untie her belt, "Why are you nervous, we are an old married couple."

Ling Yuezi was angry, how could she not be nervous?

If they rolled around the bed a few more times, a child would be born.

"Stop messing around, what if... I get pregnant?" Ling Yuezi angrily tried to push, but couldn’t.

How was she blind back then to think he was a weak scholar who could be easily bullied?

Li Xingsheng dragged her onto the bed, "Just give the child a title, wouldn’t that solve it? I have even thought of the name, Li..."

Bastard!

Ling Yuezi cursed inwardly, here he goes again!

Unending, this is!

-

There were five days left until the martial arts competition.

Ling Yuezi needed to ’recover from her illness’ and couldn’t go out.

Li Xingsheng, having nothing to do, decided to stay in Moonlight Palace.

Ling Yuezi wandered around in her palace, wherever she went, Li Xingsheng followed.

Ah Qing, Ah Lan, and the maids saw the two like conjoined twins and were not surprised; Ah Qing and Ah Lan even playfully called Li Xingsheng Prince Consort.

This delighted Li Xingsheng, who taught them a set of swordsmanship.

Ling Yuezi sneered and rolled her eyes.

At night, Li Xingsheng and Ling Yuezi squeezed onto the same bed to sleep.

Ling Yuezi was so angry she could only pound the bed, powerless to do anything.