Chapter 104 Concubine Zheng's Plan

That night, an imperial edict reached the harem: the Grand Protector's rebellion had been foiled, and the entire Yang clan was to be executed. Imperial Concubine Yang, deemed lacking in virtue, spoiled by her favored concubines, and plotting to murder a concubine, was deemed immoral and unfaithful to the rites of propriety. She was unfit to be the head of the imperial consorts. Considering her merit in bearing the imperial heir, she was spared, but her title was revoked, and she was demoted to the rank of beauty and exiled to a side palace. Courtesan Yang was banished to the cold palace.

Concubine Yang (Noble Concubine Wan) knelt on the ground in a daze, muttering, "How is this possible? How is this possible!"

"How could my father rebel? How could this happen?"

Tears fell drop by drop, landing on the cold, hard floor. Then she covered her cheeks and cried bitterly. The entire Yang family had been executed. Yesterday, they were still so prosperous, but today, the entire family had been executed! Over a thousand people, over a thousand people.

Even if she managed to save her life, she would still be a laughingstock. The huge gap between her and the overwhelming grief washed over her. She could no longer hold back and screamed.

"I want to find the emperor, I want to find the emperor!" He said as he staggered out.

The snow soaked her clothes, and the white snow covered her black hair, making it look like white hair. She knelt in front of Chengqian Palace and said, "Your Majesty, your concubine Yang requests to see you."

Li Dexian sighed and trotted over, bowing his waist and saying kindly, "Young Master Yang, the Emperor won't see you. You'd better go back."

Concubine Yang turned a deaf ear to his words and shouted to herself, "Your Majesty, I, your concubine Yang, request to see you."

Li Dexian straightened his body and shook his head. The Grand Protector was plotting a rebellion, and asking to see the emperor at this time was nothing more than a plea for mercy. But how could Miss Yang not know that pleading for mercy would only add fuel to the fire.

I don't know how many times I shouted. Finally, there was movement in the hall.

"Let her in."

Concubine Yang stood up, supporting her swollen knees, and stumbled into the hall: "I pay my respects to the Emperor."

Xie Junyao glanced at her and asked, "Why do you have to see me?"

Concubine Yang burst into tears: "Your Majesty, I know that my father has committed a serious crime. My father is a traitor, and I dare not plead for him. But the others are innocent, and I only beg Your Majesty to spare their lives."

Xie Junyao threw a notebook in front of her and said indifferently, "Look for yourself."

Lady Yang picked it up with trembling hands. The book contained more than ten pages of records of her father, uncle, and brother's corruption and military preparations.

And she was completely unaware of it.

"You are Yue'er's mother. I will not kill you. I am the Son of Heaven. If I let them go because of your words, it would be very unfair to the people and the victims."

After saying that, Xie Junyao waved his hand, and Li Dexian bowed: "My lady, go back..."

Concubine Yang only smiled bitterly, knowing that she could not change the fate of others: "Thank you, Your Majesty..."

The person who was most pleased about the Yang family's misfortune was probably Concubine Zheng, especially since she knew that it was her brother who led the troops to capture the traitor.

Linglong entered the palace and said with her head down, "Your Majesty, the Emperor went to the Forgetful Palace..."

During this time, the Emperor would either go to Wangyou Palace or summon Ling Zhaoyuan to Chengqian Palace. Since his brother had made great contributions, it was only logical that the Emperor should come to Fuyao Palace.

Concubine Zheng exerted force on her hand, breaking the thin branches. "I wonder how Ling Zhaoyuan managed to keep the Emperor summoning her to his bedchamber every day?"

"Don't be angry, Your Majesty." Linglong soothed her, "There's a saying that goes, 'If you look at peonies for too long, even the wildflowers by the roadside will seem interesting.' The Emperor is only temporarily interested, but over time, you will still be the one who's most favored..."

Concubine Zheng felt better. Yes, after looking at peonies for a long time, even the wildflowers by the roadside seemed interesting.

Concubine Zheng asked in confusion, "Linglong, I'm well now. I've told His Majesty that I want Yu'er to return to Fuyao Palace. Why hasn't His Majesty allowed Yu'er to come back yet?"

As long as Yu'er doesn't come back, she can't calm down for a moment.

Linglong said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Perhaps the Emperor is worried about your health. Please go to Chengqian Palace and tell the Emperor again."

Concubine Zheng nodded irritably. Ling Zhaoyuan must have been whispering in the emperor's ear. Otherwise, how could so many days have passed and Yu'er still not returned?

Linglong's eyes rolled as she helped Concubine Zheng sit on the couch: "Your Majesty, a princess is only a princess after all, she is just the icing on the cake. A prince is a timely help. You should give birth to a prince as soon as possible."

Concubine Zheng's eyes were filled with complex emotions. "But if the Emperor doesn't come to Fuyao Palace, what else can I do?"

Linglong smiled and said, "You can go to Chengqian Palace."

Concubine Zheng was deep in thought, and Linglong gave her a good suggestion.

A princess is only a princess after all, she is just the icing on the cake. A prince is the one who helps in times of need.

The next day, Concubine Zheng sat in front of the dressing table, looked at herself in the bronze mirror, licked her lipstick, and used black ink to outline a perfect willow eyebrow.

She wore a pale pink gown that trailed the ground, a white palace satin skirt in the shape of a cloud, and her hair hung low. With her bare hands, she picked up the peach-colored sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks and hung it around her waist.

The sachet emitted a faint fragrance. Concubine Zheng put on her cloak with satisfaction and walked towards Chengqian Palace.

Li Dexian welcomed her into the hall.

"I pay my respects to the Emperor."

"Get up. What brings you here?"

Concubine Zheng smiled and said, "I am here to give His Majesty a handmade peach kernel pastry. Your Majesty, please take care of yourself even if you are busy."

After saying that, he walked to Xie Junyao's side and placed the peach kernel cakes in the food box on the table.

As she approached, the strange fragrance from her body filled his nose, and Xie Junyao frowned silently.

The fragrance is pungent and familiar.

"Thank you for your hard work. In the future, let the servants do such small things." Xie Junyao said.

Concubine Zheng said in a sweet voice, "I am not tired at all. I feel particularly satisfied just to see the Emperor."