Chapter 125 (No further information)

Emperor Yuanming suffered from a headache and couldn't sleep in the middle of the night. He summoned the imperial physician to administer acupuncture, but the headache persisted. The physician then prescribed a calming decoction, which the emperor took. After taking the decoction, he remained fussy until dawn, when he finally drifted off to sleep in a daze.

Several officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the State Council were already waiting at the guest house, and Consort Lin had also arrived early in the morning. After washing up with cold water, Jiang Ling was somewhat more awake. She hurriedly ate a few bites of breakfast, exchanged a few words with Consort Lin, and headed towards the guest house.

Huang Liang followed behind her and whispered, "Your Highness, a message came from Rouyi Palace saying that Consort Liu wishes to see you."

Jiang Ling chuckled and kept walking forward. "Why would she want to see me? I don't have time."

"Yes." Seeing that Jiang Ling was indeed unable to leave, Huang Liang quickly replied, "This servant will go and report right away."

Jiang Ling didn't have time to pay attention and stepped into the guesthouse. Zheng Xiang and the others stood up to greet her, and she nodded in response, "Please sit down, everyone. Let's deal with the disaster situation in Wuzhou Prefecture first."

With Consort Lin's help, Jiang Ling had a general understanding of the situation in Wuzhou Prefecture. Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue skillfully feigned poverty, while the capable officials of the Council of State Affairs, unable to cook without rice, tried to smooth things over without taking charge.

Jiang Ling had some understanding of the Ministry of Revenue's situation; it was not as poor as Minister Jiang had described, but it was certainly not well-off.

The relief efforts in Wuzhou Prefecture are urgent, and there's no time to draft detailed plans. Besides, even if the plans were implemented in Wuzhou, they might not be carried out correctly. Talking about it on paper from the capital will inevitably encounter all sorts of difficulties.

Jiang Ling first decided on the most basic direction, which was relief. As for how to provide relief and how the state officials should operate, that would be determined by the number of households in the coming year.

Holding the Ministry of Revenue's accounts, he negotiated back and forth with Minister Jiang, managing to squeeze out some grain, which was then used for relief efforts in Wuzhou Prefecture.

After a busy afternoon, the imperial decree was finally issued. Minister Zheng said worriedly, "Your Majesty, this amount of grain is like a drop in the ocean!"

"The autumn harvest is almost here," Jiang Ling said, trying to find humor in the hardship.

Minister Jiang stood there with a worried expression, looking hesitant to speak after hearing Jiang Ling's words. Jiang Ling knew he was about to complain about being poor again, and that the autumn tax was untouchable, so she quickly turned back, saying, "It's getting late, you should all go ahead and get busy. His Majesty is unwell, I must go back to attend to him."

After Zheng Xiang and the others took their leave, Jiang Ling went to the study, sat down, drank two cups of strong tea, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Consort Lin scrutinized Jiang Ling's expression and asked, "Consort Hui looks tired. Would you like to rest for a while?"

Jiang Ling brought up Emperor Yuanming's affairs that night, saying, "I've been busy the whole time and haven't even had time for a midday rest. I should get some rest tonight and have a good night's sleep."

Consort Lin was relieved. After a moment of contemplation, she asked bluntly, "Has Consort Hui considered what she should do once he recovers and begins to attend court and govern?"

"I've thought about it," Jiang Ling replied directly, picking up a folded book and slowly flipping through it.

"Some things, once you're attached to them, you can never get rid of them. Some things, once lost, are hard to pick up again."

Consort Lin was stunned, and Jiang Ling offered no further explanation. She truly couldn't think of a foolproof plan, nor could she bring herself to kill Emperor Yuanming.

However, Jiang Ling noticed that Emperor Yuanming's health was gradually deteriorating. First, he was bedridden and became as plump and bloated as a steamed bun about to burst. He suffered from headaches and dizziness, which had flared up several times already. At first, they were mild, but they became severe last night.

According to Jiang Ling's estimation, Emperor Yuanming likely suffered from a type of hypertension, an incurable disease in the Great Yin Dynasty. The calming decoction, primarily composed of cinnabar (which is toxic and can temporarily suppress the central nervous system), was thus named the calming decoction.

In the ancient Yin Dynasty, where medical care was underdeveloped, cinnabar was the only thing that could make Emperor Yuanming sleep for a while. Jiang Ling was well aware of its dangers, but unfortunately, he had no other choice.

It concerned the life and death of the emperor. Military power was in the hands of Emperor Yuanming. One wrong move and the battlefield would be littered with corpses.

Consort Lin lowered her brows for a moment, not daring to mention the matter again. She laughed and said lightly, "I overheard Huang Liang whispering with A'Ruo earlier, saying that people from Rouyi Palace have come many times, making a fuss about wanting to see Your Highness."

Jiang Ling raised an eyebrow and said, "I know what she's up to. Either she'll spout some useless nonsense, or she'll take me down with her."

Consort Lin was taken aback and said, "Even at this point, she still won't give up?"

"Are you aware that Granny Shang is dead?" Jiang Ling asked with a smile.

“I know, Granny Shang has registered her name. She wants to leave the palace. I was quite surprised at the time. Granny Shang is her personal maid who knows countless secrets. How can she leave?”

Consort Lin shook her head and sighed softly, "Granny Shang isn't stupid. Since it's a confidential matter, she would definitely keep it to herself to save her own life, and wouldn't utter a single word. She's served me by my side for so many years, how could she bring herself to do it? Alas, she is indeed a bit ruthless."

Jiang Ling skipped over Yuan Changsheng and talked about Consort Liu's summons to Xiao Jiatong. "She raised the eldest princess herself, yet she still managed to destroy her. Those scholars always talk about women's compassion, but women's compassion is not a good thing. It's a pity that if everyone had women's compassion, the world would truly be at peace."

Consort Lin paused for a moment, then said, "She is more ruthless than you and me, just as cold and heartless as those men."

Jiang Ling smiled, no longer mentioning Consort Liu, and began discussing matters of the court. Consort Lin quickly put Consort Liu out of her mind, and the two began to discuss things in detail.

As the sun began to set, Jiang Ling returned to his bedroom to see Emperor Yuanming. His headache had eased somewhat, but he was still listless, leaning against the headboard to rest.

Jiang Ling talked to him about the affairs of Wuzhou Prefecture. He closed his eyes and murmured a few times, "I don't have the strength to deal with these things. Just tell the Ministry of State Affairs and the Ministry of Revenue to handle them."

Two boxes of memorials were piled on the table. Jiang Ling pointed to them and said, "Your Majesty, put these memorials aside for now. We will review them after Your Majesty has recovered."

Emperor Yuanming didn't even lift his eyelids. He took a breath and frowned, saying, "Pick out the important memorials. Hand over the tasks that should be handled by the Council of State Affairs to the Council of State Affairs. Hand over the tasks that should be handled by the Six Ministries to the Six Ministries."

"Yes," Jiang Ling replied cheerfully, "Your Majesty, please rest for a while and take good care of yourself."

Emperor Yuanming leaned there motionless, only letting out a gurgling sound. Jiang Ling gestured for Wen Juan to come forward, pick up the box, and go to the outer room, where she quickly opened it to examine it.

Huang Liang tiptoed into the room from the main hall, glanced at the inner bedroom, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Rouyi Palace hasn't had a drop of water all day and keeps saying they want to see Your Majesty."

Jiang Ling paused, closed the folded document, and said to Wen Juan, "Put it away for now, I'm going to take a look."

Wenjuan quickly put away the memorial, saying, "This servant will accompany Your Highness." She was still worried and said to Huang Liang, "Huang Daban, Your Highness's safety is paramount. Send someone ahead to check on her carefully."

Huang Liang's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly went to Rouyi Palace himself. Consort Liu was slumped on the floor of the study, leaning against a low table, her clothes crumpled, her hair disheveled, and her lips dry and bleeding. Her deep-set eyes emitted a faint, eerie light.

When she saw Huang Liang appear at the door, she couldn't help but laugh, and said in a hoarse voice, "She's afraid I'll kill her, so she sent you to set up defenses?"

Huang Liang felt a chill run down his spine. Without saying a word, he waved his hand behind him and said, "Search carefully."

Two burly old women entered the room, politely apologizing, but their hands were anything but polite, thoroughly searching Consort Liu from head to toe. All sharp and dangerous objects in the study were put away.

Consort Liu did not resist, sitting on the ground and letting them search her. She had a smile on her face, just like the Consort Xian who was always uncontested, noble and gentle.

Jiang Ling walked in, and Huang Liang hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late and the room is a bit dark. This servant is holding a lantern and keeping watch at the door."

The study was surrounded by palace maids, matrons, and eunuchs, forming a grand procession. Huang Liang carried a palace lantern and bustled about, his body drenched in sweat.

Jiang Ling paused slightly and smiled, "Huang Daban, you've worked hard."

Huang Liang was taken aback. He quickly lowered his head and said, "I dare not lie to Your Majesty. Back then, when Minister Liu was instructing His Majesty on his calligraphy, I was fortunate enough to receive his guidance. I had no other intention than to repay Minister Liu's kindness back then."

Jiang Ling responded with an "oh," and said, "It's good that you're grateful. However, Vice Minister Liu is Vice Minister Liu, and she is her."

Huang Liang felt a chill run down his spine and didn't dare to breathe. Jiang Ling told him to get down, "There's no need to light lanterns, the moon is out tonight."

"Yes." Huang Liang felt a little relieved, quickly extinguished the lamp, and told the people surrounding him to step aside.

The crescent moon, following closely behind the setting sun, slowly climbed into the sky. Jiang Ling arrived at the study door, stood there for a moment to adjust, and then stepped inside.

Consort Liu stared intently at Jiang Ling and said sarcastically, "Don't worry, they've already searched everything, and I don't have the strength to kill you."

Jiang Ling said, leaning against the desk and looking down at Consort Liu across from him, "I really don't trust you, because you are ruthless and heartless. You can use even the closest people without batting an eye and send them to their deaths."

"Yes, that's true for me. And you? How much cleaner are you than I am?"

Consort Liu laughed, saying sarcastically, "You serve such a fool, selling your body and beauty to gain favor. Heh, who is more noble than whom?"

Jiang Ling pondered seriously and said, "You're making a wild analogy, and I don't want to point out the fallacies in your words. However, to put it simply, I am still more noble than you. Even if I were to betray, I would be betraying myself, not others."

"This is what they owe me, and I'm just making them pay back. Yuan Changsheng, he's just a courtesan's son, as lowly as an ant. I taught him to read, guided him through his confusion, let him taste the power of authority, the feeling of stepping on others and being superior, so that he could see me and covet me. His person, his life, should all be mine! Xiao Jiatong, I raised her, taught her to read and write, taught her that besides being a princess, she could also be a regent, wielding power over the world. She's useless, worthless, I made a bad sword, I destroyed it with my own hands, so what? Granny Shang..."

Consort Liu paused, seemingly not even deigning to mention her, and laughed dismissively.

Jiang Ling sighed silently and said, "They are all living, breathing human beings. You've really gone mad."

Consort Liu laughed as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world. She dug her fingers into the ground, her nails scraping against the bluestone floor with a loud, grating sound. As she dug, she brought her fingers to her nose and smelled them.

Jiang Ling stared silently at Consort Liu, who had gone mad. Blood dripped from her fingertips, yet she seemed oblivious. Blood smeared on her face, creating an eerie and terrifying scene in the dimly lit study.

Consort Liu seemed unable to stop laughing. Jiang Ling waited a while before interrupting her and asking, "Did you call me here because you have something else to say?"

"I brought you here so you could watch how I die, and that will be the path you walk in the future."

The smile on Consort Liu's face faded, and a strange upward curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, with traces of blood seeping out.

She stopped looking at Jiang Ling and kowtowed devoutly, saying, "This faithful woman is willing to never be reincarnated in exchange for the Emperor's good health and long life!"

Jiang Ling stared incredulously at the faintly breathing Consort Liu, feeling a chill run down his spine.

What a vicious wish!