Chapter 379 - The Empress’ Concerns (1/2)

Chapter 379 The Empress’ Concerns

The matter concerning Consort Yu’s fright, w.a.n.g Xiuxiu’s miscarriage, and Feng Yuzhen’s sudden appearance ended with w.a.n.g Xiuxiu’s b.l.o.o.d.y death.

Even though a second consort that the Emperor had officially instated had died, the matter created no commotions as King Yan’s Manor and King Ning’s manor remained silent, with Grand Secretariat w.a.n.g keeping quiet as well. As a second consort was merely a concubine, a matter concerning her would not stir up much drama, especially since her presence made others feel threatened and uncomfortable.

Then, there was no need for her to exist!

Ever since Consort Yu returned to her palace, she stayed in Qingwei palace every day to tend to her baby. It was rumored that she had a great fright and dared not venture out casually ever since.

Inside Cining Palace.

The emperor came forth with the sickly Empress to greet Empress Dowager. The Empress had been sick for quite some time and was only getting better now. After she was able to move around, she specially came to greet Empress Dowager.

“You should rest more if you are not feeling well, and shouldn’t come over. Do take care of yourself, it will be harder to treat when you are older if your illness now acc.u.mulates.” Empress Dowager looked at the Empress with benevolent eyes as she touched her thin and withered hands, asking her out of concern. The Empress was indeed extremely skinny for this period of time, looking emaciated.

“There’s no need to be so concerned, Empress Dowager. Your body is weak as well, and that made your daughter-in-law extremely worried. I haven’t seen you for quite some while and missed you quite a bit.” The Empress lifted up her head to look at Empress Dowager, emotions hidden in her eyes as she replied calmly according to Empress Dowager’s wishes.

In the past, she used to call Empress Dowager Mum. However, she called her by her t.i.tle respectfully now.

“I know that you are filial. However, you should only come when you are completely well and have rested. Don’t come these few days and only come after you have fully recovered. Only then will I be at ease.” Empress Dowager nodded her head as she smiled lightly, playing with the Buddhist beads in her hands.

A eunuch walked in from outside and reported, “Empress Dowager, Empress of Yan Kingdom send you a gift to wish for your good health.”

The Empress of Yan Kingdom was Empress Dowager’s birth daughter. It’s normal for her to send gifts over.

“Bring it in. This kid is also filial and thinks about me from time to time. But she does live too far away.” The first sentence was an order to the eunuchs but the rest of the sentences were to the Empress and the Emperor.

“My sister is Empress Dowager’s birth daughter; how can she be not filial? Even though the Yan Kingdom was far away, it is a blessing for you for she still thinks about you.” The Empress was reminded of her daughter too and looked at Empress Dowager with sadness and hatred hidden within her eyes.

At least Princess Royal Yunruo was the Empress of a nation, her daughter was only the wife of First Prince. It was obvious that Bai Yihao had the upper hand in the Yan Kingdom and she was curious about the intention behind Yunruo’s decision to force her daughter to marry Bai Yichen. How could her daughter possibly survive when Bai Yihao gained the throne in the future?

To force Yu’er to marry into the Yan Kingdom, Yunruo played plenty of tricks in harming her. In the end, Yu’er’s marriage to Bai Yichen was because of a devious scheme. Thinking about that made the Empress turn bitter. Her hand holding the handkerchief tightened as she remembered the words that the Emperor told her this morning.

That’s right. No matter which prince became the next Emperor, they would make her Empress Dowager. Everyone would do that except for King Ning Feng Yuzhen. If Feng Yuzhen took the throne, Empress Dowager would still be in charge of the harem and she could only be thrown into the Cold Palace even as an Empress. Hence, she would not allow King Ning to take the throne.

Empress Dowager wouldn’t be naive enough to think that her tactics to harm Lei’er would make her brother support Feng Yuzhen instead of Lei’er.

From what the Emperor said and from sources outside, the Empress gained the conclusion that the matter at the wedding was a conspiracy against King Yan. Unfortunately, King Yan fell into the trap.

The Empress a.n.a.lyzed the situation. Who profited from this matter?

It would not the humiliated Feng Yuxuan, or the injured Feng Yuran relying on his marriage for luck. The only man remaining was King Ning Feng Yuzhen, who just entered the palace. The fact that King Ning Feng Yuzhen, who had always stayed out of politics, managed to enter the court so successfully made the Empress came up with conspiracy theories.

Empress Dowager, her men again…

Hatred jumped from within the Empress’ eyes. She lowered her head and took in a deep breath, suppressing the hatred in her heart. She pondered how the old women lived for so long without dying. She knew that the old woman was like Buddha in front of everyone but was actually devious and evil. On the surface, she cared nothing about politics, but privately, only she knew how much she enjoyed power. However, she would not let her succeed this time!

“You, your mouth is becoming sweeter and sweeter.” Empress Dowager giggled as she played with the Buddhist beads in her hands slowly as if she were playing with the lives of others.

Emperor Zongwen smiled and hid the fierceness in his eyes as he listened to the conversation.

After the conversation continued for a while, the two retreated. The Empress came back to her Tianfeng Palace and laid on her bed. After thinking for a long while, she called Nanny Lin over.

“Do you have a G.o.ddaughter in Empress Dowager’s palace?” The Empress was straight to the point.

“Yes, I knew my G.o.dsister since young but we parted ways when we grew up. When we met again, her daughter had grown up. Because she struggled to make a living, she asked me to send her daughter into the palace. I was worried that her matters would affect the Empress and me, hence I never told anyone about it.” Nanny Lin knew what the Empress meant and immediately replied.

“Does she listen to you?” The Empress’ eyes were cold and her voice made one shudder within the vast empty hall.

“No worries, Your Highness. She completely listens to me. Her mother and her brother are still outside and are tended by my men.” Nanny Lin knew that Empress Dowager and Empress had hidden grievance with each other despite their friendly demeanor and hence left her there to control Empress Dowager’s servants.