Chapter 511 Crisis

That day, Song Qing came to Chenxi Palace to pay her respects again. In front of Jiang Fenghua, she started gossiping again, "I heard that the Emperor chose Consort Han's green head card."

Jiang Fenghua said calmly, "I know." The head of the Imperial Household Department would report to her on the concubines' schedules for sleeping with the emperor.

Song Qing added, "There are so many younger sisters in the harem who haven't received the Emperor's favor, but unexpectedly, a newcomer has surpassed them."

Jiang Fenghua changed the subject, "His Majesty's birthday is approaching, I'll leave the preparations to you, Consort Shu! Please ask Consort Gao for your assistance." She really didn't have the energy to organize a banquet.

"I'm afraid I can't do it. Your Majesty, please organize it!" Song Qing declined. "I've never organized such a large banquet before. I'm afraid I might not be able to do it well and displease His Majesty."

“You’re so smart, how could the Emperor not like you?” Jiang Fenghua took her hand. “Among the first batch of candidates to enter the palace, only you have secured the position of Consort Shu and given birth to the Emperor’s second son. I think it would be no exaggeration for Consort Shu to be promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. You need to perform more in front of the Emperor to have a chance. As for those newcomers, they need to give birth to imperial heirs first to have a chance to climb up the ranks.”

Upon hearing the Empress's words, Song Qing insisted, "Your Majesty, please arrange for other concubines to make the arrangements! I am not capable."

"In that case, let Consort Gao handle the arrangements!" Jiang Fenghua didn't give Song Qing another chance to speak.

Song Qing was stunned for a moment, but soon a faint smile appeared on her lips. "That would be perfect. I can then focus on taking care of the Second Prince. Sister Gao is well-educated; she will definitely be able to handle it well."

Song Qing started chatting about everyday things again, "Last time I received a letter from home, I heard that the Empress's younger brother is very powerful in the army."

"The Ninth Princess should have arrived at the border by now," Jiang Fenghua asked.

Song Qing said, "Not yet, it should be arriving soon."

Jiang Fenghua glanced at Song Qing, who was quite well-informed. She then asked, "General Peng has also returned to the border. The Ninth Princess should be escorted out of the pass by General Peng this time."

Song Qing smiled and said, "The Empress's brother will be there too, won't he?"

Afterwards, Song Qing deliberately lowered her voice and whispered, "Actually, when the Ninth Princess's wedding procession reached the border, her death was not far off."

Jiang Fenghua stared at her, her eyes filled with shock. "Who told you that?"

Song Qing realized she had spoken out of turn and wanted to quickly change the subject.

Jiang Fenghua immediately became alert, closed the door herself, and pretended to say, "Consort Shu, what did you mean by what you just said? The Ninth Princess is clearly going to marry a foreign ruler, how could you say that her death is not far off?"

Song Qing hadn't expected her unintentional remark to make the Empress so nervous: "Actually, it was my brother who told me. He said that heroes emerge in times of chaos, and he would also contribute to the Great Zhou this time. He also said that my uncle would lead troops to wipe out the Hu tribe." She didn't say that if her uncle won this battle, his official position would rise.

Jiang Fenghua said coldly, "Who else have you said that to?"

Song Qing shook her head, "No, how could I possibly go around saying that? I also told my brother not to talk about it."

“You’d better not. From now on, watch your mouth, or your uncle and brother will be in danger,” Jiang Fenghua added. “After you return to the palace, pray for the Second Prince! Don’t run around or say anything carelessly.”

Song Qing nodded hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Jiang Fenghua was somewhat worried. Even if she knew that Xie Ling'er wouldn't live much longer, that was something for the future, not something that had happened yet. Besides, no one knew about Xie Shang's plan.

Even if General Peng knew, he shouldn't have carelessly told Song Qing's brother about it.

The news has already reached Song Qing, which only means one thing: Xie Shang's plan has likely been leaked.

After Song Qing left, Jiang Fenghua wrote a secret letter and handed it to Granny Wang, instructing her: "You must personally deliver this letter to the Emperor and do not let anyone know about it."

Seeing that the Empress had repeatedly given instructions, Granny Wang naturally knew the seriousness of the matter.

Afterwards, Granny Wang returned, her face also looking very unpleasant. "The Emperor didn't read it, and even burned the letter in front of me. I think he did it on purpose."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fenghua asked, "Does he intend to sever ties with me?" Her fourth brother was still at the border, and she couldn't let him be in danger, especially with so many soldiers of the Great Zhou risking their lives on the front lines.

Granny Wang didn't know why the Empress was so worried. "Your Majesty, please write another letter, and I will deliver it to His Majesty. I will make sure His Majesty reads it personally."

"No need, I'll go find him myself." The weather outside was already very hot, and she was almost out of confinement, so she didn't take any precautions this time.

When Jiang Fenghua arrived at the Imperial Study, Xie Shang was discussing state affairs with the ministers, and Jiang Jinyan was also there.

It was clear that Jiang Jinyan and his group had only just arrived, and state affairs had not yet begun.

It was against the rules for the Empress to enter the Imperial Study without prior notice.

She thought to herself: Why was the door to the Imperial Study left open? She assumed Xie Shang was the only one there, so she just walked in.

She bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Jiang Fenghua was dressed casually today, but she was still very beautiful and dignified. Seeing that she was not angry, Xie Shang said to the ministers, "You may all leave. We will discuss this later."

"Minister Jiang, please stay," Jiang Fenghua said, straightening her posture.

The ministers paused for a moment, then quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

Once everyone had left, Jiang Fenghua had someone stand guard outside, personally closed the door, and walked up to Xie Shang as if nothing had happened. It was as if she had never had a cold war with Xie Shang, or even said that she disliked him.

"Your Majesty, I just overheard some news." Jiang Fenghua's eyes were clear, but her expression was slightly anxious. "The Ninth Princess is going to the border to marry into the Hu tribe, but the news that Your Majesty wants to take this opportunity to eliminate the Hu tribe has been leaked."

Xie Shang's expression turned slightly cold. "I have never told you about my plans. How did you find out? Did Jiang Zhiqin tell you?"

“My fourth brother would never be so unreliable, and I have not learned of His Majesty’s plan from anyone.” Now that Jiang Fenghua had already laid her cards on the table with Xie Shang, there was no need for her to pretend anymore. “It was I who guessed it. Just now, I also learned of His Majesty’s plan from Consort Song, so I guessed that it had been leaked.”

Jiang Fenghua then recounted her conversation with Consort Song, saying, "If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can investigate, while the Ninth Princess hasn't arrived at the border yet."

Xie Shang looked at Jiang Jinyan.

Jiang Jinyan said, "I did not transport the grain through the government, but through merchants. I also went to great lengths to arrange it, and I will absolutely not leak it."

Only then did Jiang Fenghua realize what Jiang Jinyan had gone out of the capital to take care of.