Chapter 101 Miscarriage (2/2)
Lord Zheng frowned. He hesitated for a while before saying, ”Your Majesty, His Majesty has given his orders. No one is allowed to enter Lady Jin's chamber...”
The Empress narrowed her eyes. But the joy of seeing Lady Jin suffer overwhelmed her. She shot a glance at Yun Shang and ordered, ”Xiu Xin, bring two chairs. I am so worried about Lady Jin's health that I will wait here.”
Xiu Xin hurriedly curtsied and went away. Before long, she brought back two chairs, and positioned the chairs for the Empress and Yun Shang.
Yun Sha
. His Majesty must be unhappy about what happened. Don't vex him more, and stay in your own palaces.”
The ladies curtsied to the Empress, and left in order.
In a few moments, the main hall was empty again. Only Empress Yuan Zhen and a few maids remained. The Empress gestured to the maids. After the maids curtsied and left, Empress Yuan Zhen turned to Xiu Xin and said, ”I don't think it's that simple. Though I'm glad the bastard died, I still smell a plot.”
Xiu Xin nodded. ”Princess Yun Shang was behaving strangely. I do smell a rat, too. Your Majesty, we need to be careful...”
The Empress closed her eyes and muttered, ”Since my release, one bad thing has led to another. Yesterday's plot was against Hua Jing, and today's, I'm afraid, targets me.”
Xiu Xin remained quiet for a while. She then asked, ”Your Majesty, Lady Jin...”
Frowning, the Empress cast a glance at the side palace. She said, ”I'd like to remove it from Lady Jin's palace. But now, the side palace is well-guarded. It's too late to remove it.”
Hearing that, Xiu Xin said no more.
The Empress stood from her phoenix chair, ”I'll ask His Majesty's permission for my home leave. It's New Year's Day today, and I will pay my parents an annual visit as is customary.”
Once out of Qiwu Palace, the Empress headed towards Qinzheng Hall, followed by her maids. When they passed through the Imperial Garden, they spotted a crowd of people examining something around the lake. The Empress's eyes narrowed at the scene. She ordered Xiu Xin to have a look. Xiu Xin went to the crowd and asked a few questions. She then returned to the Empress and reported, ”Your Majesty, they were looking for something around the lake and the well. But when I asked what they were looking for, they merely said that they were doing a regular security check.”
”The well?” It reminded Empress Yuan Zhen of Yun Shang's abnormal behavior earlier. She had mentioned the well.
Pondering it over, Empress Yuan Zhen remained silent for a long while. Then she continued walking toward Qinzheng Hall.
Lord Zheng was standing outside the Hall. When he spotted the Empress and her maids, he hurried to her and said, ”Your Majesty, His Majesty is in a bad mood. He's lost his temper and smashed all furnishings. And His Majesty has given the order that no one is allowed to enter.”
Empress Yuan Zhen glanced at Lord Zheng and seemed convinced by his apologetic tone. She stood by the door for a while. She heard the cracking sound of porcelain shattering into hundreds of tiny pieces. She said, ”It seems to be bad timing, Lord Zheng. I'll go then, but please, inform His Majesty of my calling, and let His Majesty know that I will come again when His Majesty is willing to see me.”
Lord Zheng bowed and assured her. The Empress took another glance at the closed door before leaving.
When Empress Yuan Zhen and her maids disappeared from his sight, Lord Zheng straightened up and went into the Hall.
The Empress waited patiently for the rest of the day. She didn't receive the Emperor's summons. Xiu Xin sent a few servants to make inquiries and learned that the Emperor was busy sending people to examine the lakes and wells in the Palace.
The Empress contemplated on this information, but couldn't think of a reason. The wells and lakes didn't remind her of a thing.
Early morning on the second day of the New Year, news spread. In a remote well near the lake outside the Imperial Garden, someone had drowned.