funbook-pk Chapter 212 Opportunity
Chapter 212 Opportunity
"Your son pays respects to the Empress Dowager!"
After the emperor left the court, he hurried to Shoukang Palace and met the empress dowager before she worshipped Buddha.
"How can the emperor have time to come to Shoukang Palace?"
The Queen Mother asked casually, and at the same time signaled Zhuxi beside her to retreat outside the door and wait.
She was not on good terms with the emperor and his mother, and even more so with her heart.
Especially after Hongchun returned from the imperial mausoleum, the empress dowager was even more resentful of her rebellious son who threatened her.
"Empress Dowager, the imperial physician has discovered that Concubine Hua is almost two months pregnant."
The emperor reported respectfully, with a complicated tone.
"The imperial physician said that long-term use of musk is harmful to the body. I stopped using musk in Huanyi incense shortly after Nian Gengyao passed away."
"I never expected that Concubine Hua would be pregnant again in this lifetime. Do you think it was destiny that destined her to have a child?"
When the emperor first heard that Concubine Hua was pregnant, he was more surprised than happy.
But then he thought, he had an empty child, and this child came at the right time.
"Your Majesty, you are still too kind. I understand your difficulties, but if Concubine Hua's baby is a prince, he must not be kept."
"You and I both know exactly how Nian Gengyao died."
There was an unquestionable majesty in the Queen Mother's words.
Nian Gengyao was extremely powerful in the court, so he didn't believe that he hadn't heard that the emperor had secretly sent people to investigate him.
He happened to die suddenly from a relapse of his old injury, thus saving the Nian family and those who followed him.
The emperor did not settle accounts with the Nian family and their relatives and friends out of respect.
The Queen Mother didn't believe that there was no smart person among them who could see through the Emperor's plan.
Perhaps these people will be even more loyal to the Nian family after this incident. If Concubine Hua gives birth to a prince this time, they will definitely become their most steadfast followers.
"I know you're grateful for Concubine Hua's companionship for over ten years, but for the sake of the family business left by our ancestors, Your Majesty cannot afford even a moment's hesitation."
The emperor was silent for a moment, and finally agreed with the empress dowager's words.
After a while, he spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Empress Dowager, there was a fire in Suiyuxuan last night. Cao Qinmo is a strong suspect, and she seems to have discovered Huanyixiang's secret."
"I have ordered Su Peisheng to keep a strict watch..."
The emperor had not finished speaking, but his meaning was clear.
"Your Majesty, I will handle this matter."
The Queen Mother would not allow anyone to tarnish the royal family's reputation.
After explaining the matter, the emperor tactfully took his leave and no longer disturbed the empress dowager while she was worshipping Buddha.
"Zhuxi, go check on Concubine Cao for me. Don't give her a chance to speak."
Cao Qinmo cannot die immediately. It would be better for her to die slowly from illness.
In the harem, there are many ways to kill people without spilling blood.
"Your servant obeys your command. Queen Mother, the servants report that the west wing of the Shattered Jade Pavilion has been burned to ruins."
"I know, the emperor has his own arrangements, we don't need to interfere."
The news from the imperial mausoleum has not yet been reported back, and the empress dowager cannot attract the emperor's attention because of Zhen Huan.
As soon as the sun rose in the Suiyuxuan, Zhen Huan began to look forward to it, waiting for the emperor's order to move her to another palace.
"My Lady, please go back to your bedroom and rest for a while."
"As soon as the order from the Yangxin Palace arrives, I will call you to stand up and receive it."
Cui Jinxi suggested with heartache.
After the crowd dispersed, the empress had not yet lain down when the crying Concubine Qi started shouting that she was afraid and insisted on pulling her master, who could not even open her eyes, to talk.
After finally fooling the person away, Bai Wei followed him to Jingren Palace and sent back the news.
The Queen thought that Huanbi was frightened, so she arranged for her to stay in Yishouzhai, the eastern side hall of the rear hall of Changchun Palace.
This made both Zhen Huan and her servant want to move to another palace.
But as the sun rose higher and higher, Cui Jinxi's heart sank involuntarily.
Empress Wan Fei didn't know yet that something went wrong with the person she arranged.
This time the palace move may not be so smooth.
And Su Peisheng still looks very businesslike until now, and is completely unmoved by anything.
Cui Jinxi found that more and more things were out of her control.
It's time for her to contact the person on the other end.
Zhen Huan shook her head in a panic and insisted on waiting in the hall for news from the Yangxin Palace.
After lunch, Zhen Huan, who could no longer hold on, finally returned to the inner room with the help of Liu Zhu.
"Baizhi, come here with your aunt."
"I heard from Liu Zhu that you had an upset stomach yesterday and had to go to the toilet several times?"
Cui Jinxi called the person to a corner and asked with concern.
"Aunt, I was indeed lazy during dinner and didn't reheat the soaked rice."
"I was in so much pain in the middle of the night that I broke out in cold sweats. It was Sister Liu Zhu who saw how miserable I was and accompanied me out three times."
"It was only then that I heard someone yelling 'Fire!'"
Bai Zhi said this, her eyes red with shame.
"Aunt Jinxi, if I had the courage to go out in the dark, I might have been able to stop the arsonist early."
"It is my fault that I am useless. Please punish me, Auntie."
"The fire in the West Wing Hall was not your wish. The Queen is merciful and pities you for not sleeping well last night. Go and get some rest."
Seeing that what she said was consistent with what Liu Zhu said, Cui Jinxi didn't want to waste any more time on her.
The person she had arranged earlier was nowhere to be found, and she had to find him as soon as possible.
Otherwise, no matter who gets it into the hands, it will be of no benefit to Her Majesty.
In fact, what she didn't know was that the person she was looking for was hiding under the stage not far from Sui Yuxuan.
However, the young eunuch named Xiao Yanzi was dizzy, and his hands and feet were tied, and his mouth was blocked, so he could not send out a message for help.
A few days ago, with the help of Cui Jinxi, Xiao Yanzi had originally agreed to accuse Concubine Hua of ordering him to set fire to Suiyuxuan in front of the emperor.
But I accidentally heard from my fellow townsman that Concubine Shu of Yonghe Palace treated the palace maids very well, and often found various excuses to give them extra money, more clothes and silver.
He had only been in Yonghe Palace for less than half a year, but he had already saved a large sum of money.
He also took the initiative to ask if his sick younger brother needed any medicine so that he could get some for emergency use.
Later, after Xiao Yanzi secretly confirmed the authenticity of the news from other palace servants working in Yonghe Palace, he felt that Concubine Wan was harsh to others.
He even wanted to buy his life with a dozen taels of silver.
Xiao Yanzi, feeling sad for himself, was the first to rush out of Shuiyuxuan when someone shouted "fire".
Sister Xiao Yanzi, who wanted to find a place to hide and wait for the opportunity, slipped and when she woke up, she was tied up in an unfamiliar place.
He didn't know how long he waited before he heard footsteps getting closer.
The delighted Xiao Yanzi rolled out by feeling, wanting to ask someone to save her.
But the four words "Aunt Jinxi" spoken by the visitor made him stop. He huddled in the darkness without daring to move, listening to the noise outside with his ears perked up.
Although he couldn't hear clearly due to his dizziness, he vaguely heard someone mention his name.
"Xiao Yanzi must... his mother and brother... be reunited with his family."
"Aunt, please rest assured. I have already sent people out of the palace and will never let anyone stand in the way of Concubine Wan's rise to fame."
The murderous words made Xiao Yanzi burst into tears. He lay on the ground in despair, motionless.
The next morning, Baoli skillfully combed An Lingrong's hair.
"My Lady, Xiao Yanzi broke free from the ropes and hid in the rockery in the Imperial Garden."
"Our people are hiding in the dark and watching him."
"I know about this and have ordered someone to guide him to see the Queen."
The person who knows the emperor best in the palace is the queen. As long as Xiao Yanzi is in her hands, An Lingrong believes that the queen will not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strike a blow against Zhen Huan.
Besides, the emperor has always been thinking about Queen Chunyuan, and there are always times when he wakes up in the middle of the night and thinks of Zhen Huan's kindness.
How would the emperor view the empress, who was virtuous and a role model for all the other concubines?