Chapter 69, Chapter 69, the outbreak.

Xiao Zhuo gazed at her for a long time before saying, "I cannot tonight."

Yuan Chaolu asked, "Why?"

"What does the Empress think?" He lifted her chin with his fingertips and stroked her cheek.

Yuan Chaolu met his gaze, which seemed to see through everything. As his fingertips slowly and deliberately caressed her cheek, she felt as if a snake was sliding along her skin.

Xiao Zhuo smiled and said, "I stayed at Changqiu Palace the night before last, and the court meeting was a little late the next day. Therefore, although I was concerned about Changqiu Palace, I could not bear to part with it."

Yuan Chaolu realized what he was talking about, her cheeks flushed red, and she murmured, "Does staying in Changqiu Palace mean I can't be a wise ruler?"

"I can't," he replied curtly.

Yuan Chaolu gradually sat up straight and said, "I think it's because those officials are too diligent that they've delayed my time with His Majesty."

Xiao Zhuo smiled gently, released her chin from his palm, and stood up.

Yuan Chaolu said, "Then I will wait for Your Majesty again tomorrow night."

The emperor and empress whispered to each other for a while, and after they finished their dinner together, the emperor left Changqiu Palace.

The evening breeze made the palace lanterns sway. Xiao Zhuo stood on the windy high platform, his clothes billowing in the wind. He turned around and saw the Empress standing by the door, watching him go.

He didn't linger for a moment, then turned and went down the steps.

Yuan Chaolu watched the emperor's departing figure until it merged into the hazy palace lanterns, her smiling expression gradually fading.

**

The next day, the emperor attended court as scheduled, then paid respects to the Empress Dowager. In the afternoon, he discussed matters with several ministers in the Xuande Hall, and spent the night there.

During the autumn harvest season, government affairs piled up, and the emperor was busy with them day and night. At first, the palace servants did not notice anything unusual. However, in the following days, the emperor did not set foot in Changqiu Palace. Gradually, those with discerning eyes realized that the relationship between the emperor and empress was delicate and that problems had arisen.

The afternoon autumn light flowed like water into Changqiu Palace.

Inside the hall, there was a long table piled high with documents. The Empress, dressed in a dazzling silk dress, sat behind it, with several female officials standing below her.

The hall was quiet, except for the sound of the Empress's fingertips lightly tapping the table.

After a long silence, the Empress's voice finally came from above: "His Majesty's harem is empty, and he has not taken any concubines. I ordered the Chief Lady-in-Waiting to reduce the number of redundant palace servants, but why is it that the list presented today only involves a few people?"

Qin Hui, the head of the palace maids, stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has not yet granted many titles to the six palaces, but in order for the normal operation of the palace, the number of palace maids cannot be reduced lightly. This number was proposed by the Empress Dowager and follows the old precedent set by the late Emperor."

She prostrated herself even lower, saying, "We... dare not act rashly."

Dozens of female officials, both high and low, stood at the Empress's desk. They all knew that this new Empress, who had been stranded in the Northwest since childhood, had never been in the palace and did not even know how the normal workings of the court worked. How could she possibly have the ability to manage the harem?

When the Empress Dowager held the Phoenix Seal, she was strict in her methods, but she never deprived the female officials of their interests. This new Empress Dowager, on the other hand, was swift and decisive from the start, abolishing the old system and installing her cronies. How could she be as lenient as the Empress Dowager was in treating these old people?

Regardless of the fact that managing the harem is closely related to the imperial court—

Qin Hui said, "The palace system is fixed, and the number of maids in the palace is fixed. Even if Your Majesty's harem is small, the concubines are still in the palace and need palace maids to serve them. Your Highness must take care of them."

"Furthermore, the palace maids who were not working in the inner palace would produce silk, brocade, and even various precious items, which would be taken out by the inner palace officials and sold to the common people."

"The palace maids were paid for their work, part of which was used to replenish the imperial treasury, and some could also be exchanged for money."

After these words were spoken, the hall remained silent for a long time.

The Empress's thick, raven-feather-like eyelashes drooped as she lingered over the palace records in her hands.

The old system established by the Empress Dowager remains in place; if she were to overturn it, it would be disrespectful.

The late emperor's concubine is still alive; if she ignores her, it would be unfilial.

The palace maids have many tasks to perform; if she were to forcibly change them, it would be a lack of compassion for the common people.

Yuan Chaolu couldn't help but admire her; she was indeed an old hand in the harem, and she had a knack for using these kinds of things to intimidate people.

Those who have already benefited will unite as one, and will also unite with many palace maids. Although their strength is small, they will one day gather into an unstoppable torrent, waiting for the moment when the Empress loses power and weakens, to give her a fatal revenge. Moreover, the Empress has only been in the palace for a short time, and her foundation is not yet solid. His Majesty's recent ambiguous attitude has made these palace maids restless.

She had already reviewed the palace records from the Yuan Dynasty several times, and now she picked them up again: "Indeed, there is nothing wrong with them, and we should follow the old system of the previous dynasty."

The female officials in the hall all breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the Empress would agree.

But then the Empress changed the subject: "I've noticed something wrong with the recent income from the Imperial Treasury. The number of items made by the palace maids—Buddhist shrines, brocades, and precious objects—is quite considerable. They should have been sold outside the palace, but instead, they've all been sent to Jingming Temple?"

Qin Hui said, "The Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching. The construction of the Jingming Temple Pagoda is nearing completion, and a large number of treasures have been placed inside to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday."

Yuan Chaolu lightly tapped the account book with his fingertips, a half-smile on his face: "Since it was an official product, why didn't Jingming Temple pay for it after it was sent out?"

Qin Hui's expression stiffened slightly, but she still answered respectfully, "Your Majesty, Jingming Temple was built under the supervision of Minister Lu of the Ministry of Revenue, but Minister Lu has not allocated any funds."

On the Empress Dowager's birthday, it is only right that palace servants should make items for her; why should they be paid?

"Oh?" Yuan Chaolu slowly closed the booklet. "Then I understand even less. It says that idle palace maids can earn money by working in the inner palace, but after all this hard work, they don't get a single penny? The capital for making these items is also taken from the inner palace treasury. In such a large inner palace, with so many palace maids, are they really working for Jingming Temple for nothing? How could Lord Lu do such a thing?"

The pearls in her hair gleamed with a warm luster, but her eyes were as cold as frost: "The Empress Dowager is devout to Buddhism and compassionate, yet the palace servants rush to prepare birthday gifts day and night without receiving a single penny. Is it possible that the Lady Consort has not reported this matter to the Empress Dowager? Or is it that you have been hiding the kickbacks and have been in cahoots to profit from it?"

The female officials in the hall all felt a tremor in their hearts.

Qin Hui immediately kowtowed, "Your Majesty is wise, how could I dare!"

The Empress suddenly stood up, her sleeves sweeping across the table: "I will go and inform the Empress Dowager in person. I cannot tolerate such mistreatment of palace servants!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the woman in the smoky blue silk dress slid past everyone and strode out.

The women filed out of Changqiu Palace, and I followed them in a panic.

The new empress is truly unconventional in her actions; how could she not see through the Empress Dowager's intentions behind it all?

As I've said before, the affairs of the inner palace are inextricably linked to the affairs of the court. Jingming Temple is backed by the Lu family. If the Empress wants to use this as a springboard to open up the inner palace, she must weigh her own abilities and whether she can offend or confront the Lu family.

Such matters of the inner palace would naturally not have reached His Majesty's eyes in the past. But if His Majesty had known about them, wouldn't he have had to turn a blind eye out of filial piety and for the sake of the Empress Dowager's birthday?

The female officials tried to dissuade her, but then the empress's guards stepped forward with their swords drawn. The cold glint of their swords silenced everyone, and they only dared to follow from a distance.

A quick-moving palace maid informed the Empress Dowager in advance.

The female official was waiting outside Penglai Palace. When she saw the Empress's phoenix carriage, she bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will understand that the Empress Dowager is not at liberty to see Your Majesty at this time."

Yuan Chaolu said, "I pay my respects to my mother morning and evening, and come to inquire after her health in the evening. I hope you will inform her again, Aunt."

The female official looked troubled: "It's really because the imperial physician is inside, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is unwell."

Yuan Chaolu immediately spotted a familiar-looking woman walking out of Penglai Palace; she resembled Lu Runlan's personal maid.

Following her gaze, the lady-in-waiting smiled and said, "Miss Lu has sent someone to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager."

Yuan Chao nodded. Just then, footsteps sounded behind him, and Qingheng stepped forward.

Seeing that she seemed to have something important to say to her, Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "I hope Mother Empress will take care of herself. I will come again when the Empress Dowager's health has improved."

She gestured for Qingheng to follow, and Qingheng brought news of Lu Runlan—

"Miss Lu went to Helan Zhen's residence this morning."

Yuan Chaolu asked, "What is she doing there?"

Qingheng pursed her lips and lowered her voice, "The pregnant woman in Helan Zhen's mansion is Helan Wei's personal maid. Miss Lu took that maid away."

Yuan Chaolu stood still by the long corridor, looking towards the distant Penglai Palace.

A faint smile appeared on her lips as she walked gracefully forward.

"It seems the Empress Dowager has suddenly fallen ill... and won't recover anytime soon."

The opportune moment, the favorable location, and the support of the people truly gave her the opportunity to eliminate Empress Dowager Lu's power.

"Then we'll just wait and see."

**

Although Helan Wei, as a member of the Helan family, was not as famous as Helan Yi, he had made military achievements in his early years and rose to the rank of a fourth-grade military commander.

However, he was too careless, so he was no longer valued by Helan Yi and was transferred away from the front line. Now he has come to Luoyang to take a sinecure.

My current job is to go to the outer camp outside Beijing every few days to help with the camp's operations.

This time was no different. He Lanwei stayed in the army for a few days and received an urgent letter from He Lanzhen, informing Lu Runlan that Yingniang was pregnant.

Night had fallen, and Helan Wei hurried through the corridor, asking the mansion's steward, "Where is she?"

"Madam and Miss are in the side hall..."

He Lanwei interrupted, "I'm not asking about those two, I'm asking about Yingniang!"

The sudden rebuke made the steward's face twitch, and he whispered in a low voice, "Also in the side hall."

He Lanwei flicked his sleeve and strode forward. When he reached the side hall, he suddenly heard He Lanzhen's voice, "Sister-in-law, don't be anxious. Wait for your brother to come back, and he will explain everything to you."

Then came the woman's pitiful cries, "Please, madam, spare me and the child in my womb..."

He Lanwei strode in, the commotion drawing the attention of the three women inside.

The scene before him sent a chill down his spine. Yingniang knelt on the carpet, clutching her lower abdomen. Her forehead bore the wound from her kowtows, and blood streamed down her face. She was barely breathing, on the verge of death.

When Yingniang saw him arrive, she suddenly cried out, "My lord, please, my lord, save Yingniang's life!"

He Lanwei quickly stepped forward and knelt down to protect the woman who was about to fall to the ground.

But Lu Runlan's calm gaze suddenly turned sharp, as if she had been pricked by a needle, and she stared at the man in front of her in disbelief.

Yingniang trembled and hid in Helan Wei's arms.

Lu Runlan said, "He Lanwei!"

At this moment, Helan Zhen quickly stepped forward to stand between the two and signaled the steward to step forward and stabilize the situation.

The couple were temporarily separated to their respective sides of the room. He Lanzhen comforted Lu Runlan, noticing that she was staring motionlessly at the couple in the distance.

Yingniang said, "Madam is using acupuncture on me, but it will cost both my unborn child and my life... My lord..."

Faintly, one could hear a woman's complaints and a man's gentle, comforting voice.

Upon hearing this, Lu Runlan was about to step forward again, but He Lanzhen blocked her way. The next moment, she waved her hand and pushed her aside, "He Lanwei! What did you say to my family before the marriage? You said you had never been with any other woman. So who is this person in front of you, and whose child is this?"

He Lanwei raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, and without saying a word, he simply picked up the woman in his arms and lifted her up.

Lu Runlan's eyes widened, demanding he explain himself clearly, "You're leaving?"

He Lanwei said, "You previously harmed my sister, causing her to lose an arm, and now you want to kill my person and their unborn child?"

He Lanwei glanced at her coldly, and as he passed by Lu Runlan, Lu Runlan suddenly grabbed him.

"You dare to take one step today, just try it!"

He Lanwei turned around, his eyes burning with anger: "You venomous woman, I saw through your vicious heart long ago. Do you really think I want to marry you because of the Lu and He Lan families?!"

Tears welled up in Lu Runlan's eyes, her fingertips almost digging into his flesh. "What do you mean? You don't want to marry me? Then why did you risk your life to save me when the carriage went out of control..."

He Lanzhen quickly stepped forward and gave He Lanwei a meaningful look.

Yingniang in his arms murmured in pain, clutching her abdomen as her body convulsed.

He Lanwei was about to leave when he was stopped again. He could no longer contain himself and said, "Now I can tell you the truth. Saving you back then was just a scheme devised by your brother to arrange a marriage between our two families. I already had Yingniang, but I was forced to accept this marriage. You should give up on the idea of ​​a divorce."

"From now on, we'll each live our own lives and keep to ourselves."

The Emperor's attitude toward the marriage between the two families was ambiguous. The key was Lu Runlan. As long as she insisted, the Empress Dowager, who doted on her, would surely step in and ask the Emperor to bestow the marriage upon the two families...

Lu Runlan's ears were ringing, and all she could see was He Lanwei's ugly, menacing face.

She suddenly burst out laughing. "So you're so confident now? You knew the truth before the marriage, yet you still pretended to marry me?"

Helan Wei ignored her completely, only hearing a groan of pain from the person in his arms. He knelt down to check her injuries, and the next moment, he heard the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath behind him.

He Lanwei turned around and saw Lu Runlan draw a sword, its cold light flashing as it slashed towards him.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye; no one expected that blood would splatter everywhere in an instant.

The moment the longsword landed on Helan Wei's neck, it was stopped by his bones and got stuck between them with a dull thud.

Blood splattered out from the blade.

The steward collapsed to the ground, Helan Zhen covered her lips and leaned on the table, Yingniang, pale-faced, frantically crawled towards the threshold.

Lu Runlan looked down at the man trembling at her feet like a dying fish. Blood flowed from his neck, gradually staining the ground red, spreading out and flowing towards her gorgeous embroidered shoes.

Blood beads slowly slid down Lu Runlan's porcelain-white cheeks. She looked down at the person at her feet and said, "Get out of my way."

"Someone, take me back to the Lu residence."