Chapter 48: Let's see who laughs last.

Today is the grand court assembly. Both the imperial court and the inner palace are busy with their own affairs, and it's quite lively overall.

The fact that the Empress Dowager would display her power and intimidate everyone during greetings was something even Eunuch Chen found unsurprising. So when he heard that San Cai and Sixi had rushed over to report this, he hesitated for a moment.

After all, this was the Empress Dowager's first time returning to the palace to pay her respects and establish etiquette. If Emperor Xuanpei were suddenly asked to go to the inner palace on behalf of Consort Jiang, the Empress Dowager would likely be displeased, and Consort Jiang's life would become even more difficult in the future.

"Manager Chen."

Seeing Chen Delu hesitate, San Cai and Sixi knelt down with a "plop".

With tears streaming down his face, Sanxi pleaded pitifully, "Our Lady is pregnant now, how can she withstand such severe torment?"

"Yes, Steward."

Si Xi hurriedly wiped away her tears and said, "Our Lady has been suffering from severe morning sickness these past few days."

"Whenever Her Majesty the Empress Dowager gives a command, our Lady will obey without hesitation or uttering a single word of refusal."

"But the Empress Dowager only said to kneel and recite scriptures, but didn't say exactly how long we have to kneel. Steward, it's better to be safe than sorry. If something really happens, it will be too late to regret it."

? ? ?

Eunuch Chen immediately realized why these two had rushed to the Emperor's presence in such a hurry.

Consort Jiang's "eagerness to have a child" is understandable. Considering Consort Jiang's feelings, Qingliu and Lüfu wouldn't make a fuss about it.

Just as he was about to shake his head and say something to the two of them, Eunuch Chen suddenly realized that he was still subconsciously looking at Consort Jiang with the same eyes he had before!

She was no longer a palace maid serving tea to the emperor, but a concubine in the palace, and a favored concubine who was highly regarded by the emperor!

Since His Majesty has already given the order, he shouldn't hesitate about this matter. He only needs to report the truth. Whether to go or not is His Majesty's decision, not his, Chen Delu's!

Eunuch Chen hurriedly went to the Emperor's presence and quietly reported the matter.

As expected, Emperor Xuanpei didn't even listen to the two vice ministers below finish arguing. He simply stood up, flicked his sleeves, and said, "This matter will be discussed later. Court adjourned."

Having said that, Emperor Xuanpei hastily set off before anyone had a chance to react.

*

Shou Kang Palace

Emperor Xuanpei had previously told Azhu to be patient for the time being, since he himself was often unhappy dealing with Empress Dowager Shu.

But to his utter surprise, he saw Ah Zhu, her clothes stained with blood, her face pale, lying in the arms of a palace maid, her life hanging in the balance, while the maid holding her could only cry and plead in a sorry state.

"A-Zhu!"

Emperor Xuanpei's expression changed instantly. He completely ignored Empress Dowager Shu and rushed over to pick up Azhu.

The palace servants around him immediately knelt down.

Granny Jin, who had just been enthusiastically disciplining the obsequious maid who had climbed into the emperor's bed, realized that something was seriously wrong.

She kowtowed repeatedly, crying and pleading, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant was unaware of the situation."

"Your Majesty, this servant... this servant barely touched Consort Jiang at all, Your Majesty..."

Emperor Xuanpei never argued with a dying man; he simply ordered Eunuch Chen to quickly summon the imperial physician.

Without needing to say anything more, Eunuch Chen rushed off to the Imperial Hospital.

For Emperor Xuanpei, the scene of Azhu lying in his arms, repeatedly promising that she would behave and not make things difficult for him, was still vivid in his mind. But in the blink of an eye, she collapsed in his arms with a pale face.

This is the second time.

Touching the warm blood on Ah Zhu's body, Emperor Xuanpei's hand trembled slightly, and he even felt a little dizzy.

Emperor Xuanpei tried his best to calm himself down... Yes, first he had to get to the bedside and wait for the imperial physician. He had to pick her up and not hurt her again.

Looking at Qingliu and Lüfu, whose faces were swollen from being slapped and who were crying with snot and tears streaming down their faces, Emperor Xuanpei's voice was a little hoarse, "Where are your consorts... injured?"

Thinking of the possibility that Qingliu had truly lost all composure, she was filled with regret and hatred, and could only kowtow fiercely, trembling as she said, "Your Majesty... our Empress has miscarried."

Emperor Xuanpei was stunned by this unexpected outcome.

Seeing that Emperor Xuanpei hadn't uttered a single word of greeting since entering, and that his entire attention was focused on that lowly slave girl, Empress Dowager Shu, who was already feeling somewhat guilty, was both annoyed and angry.

Then look at Granny Jin, kneeling there in a sorry state, begging for forgiveness—

This person has been with her since she entered the palace, accompanying her through countless terrifying and dangerous times.

But the emperor didn't give him the slightest bit of dignity.

Empress Dowager Shu tried to calm herself down and softened her tone: "Your Majesty, this matter of Lady Jiang being pregnant should not have been reported to the Empress Dowager as soon as possible and checked in the official records."

"Even the servants around you shouldn't be so vague and evasive... that's why this mess has happened."

"They say ignorance is no excuse."

"Your Majesty, Lady Jiang is still young. She will have children in the future."

Emperor Xuanpei was always suspicious.

It was precisely because of his suspicious nature that he was certain that Imperial Physician Geng and Imperial Physician Cao would not risk the extermination of their entire families to harm A-Zhu for no reason, simply to insist that she was not pregnant.

Moreover, in an effort to cure A-Zhu's "desire for a child" which had led to frequent "morning sickness," Emperor Xuanpei's excitement at night was sometimes excessively absurd...

Emperor Xuanpei knew very well that Azhu was not pregnant, and today's events were a misunderstanding.

But it would have been better if Empress Dowager Shu had remained silent. Now that she had spoken, Emperor Xuanpei had only one thought in his mind—today's events would not end so hastily.

His daughter, Ah Zhu, suffered a miscarriage.

It was in this Shou Kang Palace that he lost one of his children!

*

Judge Geng rushed over as fast as he could.

Before he could even bow to the crowd in his dazed state, he heard Emperor Xuanpei's hoarse, threatening voice.

"Geng Nianliang, I command you to protect Consort Jiang's unborn child and ensure the safety of the imperial heir!"

? ? ?

For a moment, Judge Geng's mind went blank—no, Consort Jiang is pregnant?!

How could he not know?!

Didn't I just have my pulse checked three days ago?

Confused and disoriented, Judge Geng knelt before the bed to take A-Zhu's pulse.

This pulse... Oh, so it's because Her Majesty was stimulated and her period has started. Thank goodness, thank goodness. If Her Majesty had been pregnant for so long, they wouldn't have been able to detect it... No, that's not right!

Looking up, he met Emperor Xuanpei's sorrowful and somber gaze. Hearing the emperor repeatedly urging him to protect the imperial fetus, Imperial Physician Geng suddenly realized what was happening.

He immediately prostrated himself on the ground, trembling with fear, and begged for forgiveness.

"Your humble servant is incompetent."

"Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. Consort Jiang... Her Highness suffered excessive shock, and her unborn child has been lost... It's already... it's already..."

Empress Wang suddenly loosened her tightly clenched hand, and the concubines in the hall also showed various expressions.

Many people even glanced at Empress Dowager Shu with a mixture of emotion and apprehension in their eyes—how long had it been since the Empress Dowager returned to the palace?

They wanted the Empress Dowager to step in and suppress Jiang, that vixen, but they didn't expect the Empress Dowager to act so swiftly and decisively.

"emperor."

The imperial physician diagnosed a miscarriage, and Empress Dowager Shu, unusually, softened her stance.

After all, she wanted to show off her power, but not to be seen as a harsh person who punished the concubines so severely that the emperor's unborn child was endangered as soon as she returned to the palace.

Empress Dowager Shu began to try to minimize the seriousness of the matter and resolve it altogether.

"Since things have come to this, there's no point in saying anything more. Let Consort Jiang take good care of her health so that she can..."

"There's no point in saying more!"

Emperor Xuanpei, like a wounded tiger, exuded a fierce and aggressive aura. "Consort Jiang is carrying my prince, the Empress Dowager's own grandson!"

"Consort Jiang has been experiencing frequent discomfort due to morning sickness for the past few days, but she is always respectful and has always held you in high esteem."

“You made her kneel and recite scriptures, and she didn’t say a word.”

"Simply because she was pregnant and feeling unwell, these servants of Shou Kang Palace dared to beat her..."

Emperor Xuanpei closed his eyes, held Azhu's hand, and coldly ordered, "The palace servants of Shou Kang Palace have been disrespectful to Consort Jiang, and have committed insubordination and plotted to harm the imperial heir. Their crimes are unforgivable. They shall be beaten to death immediately."

"emperor!"

Empress Dowager Shu's expression changed drastically. She wanted to say something, but Emperor Xuanpei wouldn't listen. He simply carried Azhu in his arms and wanted to return to Guanju Palace.

Having received his orders, Eunuch Chen led the imperial guards into the palace without hesitation, and dragged all the palace servants who had carried out the executions that day into the front courtyard.

Seeing that Emperor Xuanpei was truly angry, no one dared to echo the Empress Dowager's plea to the Emperor.

On the contrary, the slightly guilty concubines began to try their best to appease Empress Dowager Shu, so that the emperor could vent his anger and let the matter pass quickly.

*

When A-Zhu opened her eyes again, feeling groggy as if she had just taken a nap, she saw the familiar brocade tent and Emperor Xuanpei standing guard beside her.

During this period of time, A-Zhu has "evolved" several times. When she is aggrieved and annoyed, her pitiful expression is a gift that can be described as extraordinary. She just looks at Emperor Xuanpei and before she can say anything, her nose tingles.

Her face was still a little pale, and tears were falling "plop plop". She came over with such a sad expression and tears in her eyes. Who could bear it?

Emperor Xuanpei felt as if his heart was twisted into a knot.

With slightly reddened eyes, he held Ah Zhu tightly, kissing her temples repeatedly, and subconsciously comforted her, "Ah Zhu, we will have children again."

? !

A-Zhu's heart skipped a beat. How could she have imagined that she could make up a story without even having to say a word and it would suit her wishes?

Just as A-Zhu was about to continue speaking following Emperor Xuanpei's words, he suddenly stopped.

The emperor, no, the emperor's trust... is like a venomous snake.

It hisses and flicks its tongue every moment, constantly scrutinizing you, as if it could bite you at any moment.

Even if you know this snake is venomous, vicious, and untrustworthy, you must ensure that it remains in your sight at all times.

After all, once you lose track of it and suddenly can't see it anymore... that would be an even more chilling disaster.

Don't gamble on things you're not sure about.

Ah Zhu, nine out of ten gamblers lose.

In this palace, by the emperor's side, you can gain tremendous benefits, but the price is also great; if you lose a few times, you might even lose your life!

Calm down and desperately try to "shut down" the resentment surging in your heart.

Azhu suppressed the urge to provoke Emperor Xuanpei into severely humiliating Empress Dowager Shu, and instead hugged Emperor Xuanpei back.

"Your Majesty, I have never been pregnant..."

As A-Zhu spoke these words softly, tears continued to fall in a steady stream, but she didn't stop talking.

"Your Highness, I'm so eager for a child that I've been experiencing morning sickness..."

"Your Majesty, I am truly embarrassed, which is why I begged the imperial physician to keep this matter a secret. I also feared you would laugh at me, so I didn't allow the palace servants to bother you with this..."

Emperor Xuanpei's hand, which was gently stroking Azhu's back to soothe her, suddenly stopped.

A-Zhu couldn't see Emperor Xuanpei's expression, but he suddenly said, "A-Zhu, even the imperial physician said you had a miscarriage."

"Ah Zhu, we'll have children in the future..."

"Your Majesty."

A-Zhu gently pushed away from Emperor Xuanpei's embrace, looked up at him, and shook her head softly, "Whether a child is there or not, a mother can feel it."

"No matter how much the concubines long for him, he has not yet arrived."

“What’s more…” A-Zhu threw herself back into Emperor Xuanpei’s arms, “If you think that our child is gone because of his grandmother… you will be even more heartbroken.”

Even with tears in her voice, Ah Zhu's voice was incredibly gentle.

"Your Majesty, I do not want you to feel sad or in pain."

"Our fate hasn't brought him here yet. He really didn't come this time. Next time, next time your concubine and I will definitely protect him well, okay?"

Emperor Xuanpei remained silent for a long time, and Azhu did not rush to speak either. She simply patted Emperor Xuanpei's back gently, one pat at a time.

“A-Zhu”.

"Your Majesty."

"I... I'll make you my concubine, okay?" Emperor Xuanpei's tone was unusually rapid. "It's not compensation, I... I just want to..."

Some things are better left unsaid, and with that thought in mind, A-Zhu kissed Emperor Xuanpei without hesitation.

After a long while, Emperor Xuanpei finally released Azhu. He pressed his forehead against Azhu's and kept rubbing his fingers against her dark red lips.

A-Zhu opened his eyes, his eyes filled with the image of Emperor Xuanpei.

If you can go along with the emperor's "stinginess," the rewards he will give you will be incredibly generous.

Once she truly ascends to the position of Empress, as long as she doesn't make any fundamental mistakes, even if the Emperor immediately replaces her with a new favorite concubine, A-Zhu won't be so afraid.

When it comes to exchanging loyalty for wealth and status, A-Zhu never hesitates.

She spoke each word gently yet firmly: "Your Majesty, as long as it doesn't put you in a difficult position, whatever decision you make, I will accept it with equanimity."

Emperor Xuanpei held Azhu in his arms, his eyes closed as he inhaled the faint sweet fragrance emanating from her. His ever-present, insatiable greed seemed to be gently soothed.

"Give me whatever I want."

Emperor Xuanpei murmured, "Whatever you want, I will give you. Just stay with me for the rest of your life."

“Alright, as long as Your Majesty doesn’t mind, I will stay with you for the rest of my life.”

*

The “tragic farce” that occurred in Shou Kang Palace spread like wildfire throughout the court and the country.

These past two days, passing by the front courtyard of Shou Kang Palace, one can almost smell the stench of blood.

The imperial child in the beloved concubine's womb was lost overnight.

In a fit of rage, the emperor ordered the execution of seven palace maids from Shou Kang Palace, including Jin Mama, who had served Empress Dowager Shu for over thirty years and held considerable influence. The Empress Dowager herself fell ill and refused to leave her residence.

In the past, Empress Dowager Shu's illness was a very useful tactic, as court officials who upheld "benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, and filial piety" would practically bang their heads against a pillar to offer their advice.

But this time, well... no one really dares to gossip in front of Emperor Xuanpei, who has just lost his heir.

Is Empress Dowager Shu ill?

Oh, she's had a long and tiring journey, and she's getting on in years, so it's inevitable that she'll get sick. Since she's sick, she should rest and recuperate.

Moreover, those who say such things are all well-intentioned, and some even whisper behind her back, saying that it's no wonder Empress Dowager Shu dared to be so ruthless, after all, he's not her own grandson... so why would she really feel sorry for him?

Other rumors in the palace are one thing, they'll pass after a while, but these hurtful words are what truly unsettle everyone in Shou Kang Palace.

Feeling utterly humiliated and filled with resentment, Empress Dowager Shu originally intended to feign illness, thinking that this time the illness would simply last longer.

She refused to believe that the emperor would willingly bear the reputation of being disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust.

But upon hearing this, she immediately got up from her pretense of resting on the bed.

"You bastard!"

"Who are these treacherous villains who are sowing discord like this?!"

After cursing a few gossipy people behind her back, Empress Dowager Shu directed her anger and dissatisfaction at Emperor Xuanpei.

"I knew it, I knew he was an ungrateful wretch."

Empress Dowager Shu beat her chest and stamped her feet, cursing Emperor Xuanpei for not coming to pay his respects and apologize or inquire about her condition for the past two days.

"If I hadn't taken him in back then and protected him wholeheartedly, how could he be where he is today?!"

“He was never close to me when we were young, and later he ran off to the border without a word, leaving me alone in this capital city. What a cold-hearted, heartless bastard!”

Empress Dowager Shu was overcome with grief, and she cried with tears streaming down her face, shaking her head and sighing repeatedly.

"I was truly blind to have raised such a wretched child."

Empress Dowager Shu cried bitterly, and Granny Li's eyes were also red. She kept wiping away Empress Dowager Shu's tears, and had to persuade Empress Dowager Shu to lower her head this time.

“Your Majesty, what’s done is done. His Majesty is still His Majesty… If we let the remnants of the Jiang clan cause you and His Majesty to drift apart again, it would only cause pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies.”

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," said Granny Li, her voice firm and resolute, "you must not fall for the treacherous schemes of such a villain!"

Empress Dowager Shu's sobbing immediately subsided.

The one who now holds power in the court is Emperor Xuanpei, her cold-hearted and ungrateful adopted son.

The Shu family has very few successful members; you can't find many useful ones, and the Consort Xian is even more useless.

You can't rely on any outsiders.

If she doesn't take advantage of this talent show to select a few people to give birth to imperial heirs with the Shu family bloodline, wouldn't she still have to endure all sorts of humiliation and suffer such indignities?

Empress Dowager Shu stopped crying and wailing. She wiped away her tears and, unusually, lowered her head.

"Go, go and invite His Majesty to this Shou Kang Palace."

"Yes." Seeing that Empress Dowager Shu had regained consciousness, Granny Li responded and left.

*

The people from Shou Kang Palace went to the Emperor's presence in person. Emperor Xuanpei, who had been delaying for a long time after court by reviewing memorials, finally came to Shou Kang Palace again.

Emperor Xuanpei paid his respects in a formal and respectful manner, and then extended his greetings to Empress Dowager Shu.

Empress Dowager Shu coughed and raised her hand. Granny Li quickly moved a stool and placed it in front of the bed.

Seeing Emperor Xuanpei's still somewhat cold expression, Empress Dowager Shu, feeling extremely aggrieved, vented her anger on Azhu again.

"Your Majesty, I never cared who you favored in the palace in the past. Even if Consort Zhang was not the best, she was still a lady from a prestigious family. But what about Consort Jiang?"

"She is a sinful slave and remnant left over from the Jiang family."

Empress Dowager Shu stated with absolute certainty, "She was pregnant but refused to make it public, secretly keeping it a secret from everyone..."

"Even if I look down on her status and do intend to make her kneel and recite scriptures, she just says she's pregnant. Can I force her to do that?"

"She is deliberately framing me and trying to sow discord!"

Emperor Xuanpei: ......

When people are speechless, they really don't want to talk.

But seeing Empress Dowager Shu's unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of Jiang Zhu, Emperor Xuanpei couldn't help but retort, "Consort Jiang has never met Your Majesty before, and this is only our first meeting. Yet, she's willing to sacrifice the imperial heir just to frame you?"

Empress Dowager Shu could say such things, but Emperor Xuanpei didn't even bother to listen.

The only words that kept echoing around him in the palace were, "Sinful slave, sinful slave, sinful slave..." Emperor Xuanpei had heard enough of them, and he planned to begin exonerating the Jiang family during the autumn hunt.

"Your Majesty, since you are currently unwell, please rest and recuperate peacefully in Shou Kang Palace."

"Although Lady Jiang suffered greatly this time, she was very understanding and repeatedly comforted me, fearing that it might damage my relationship with the Empress Dowager..."

Emperor Xuanpei stood up.

"I intend to confer the title of Consort on Lady Jiang. Once the Imperial Observatory has chosen an auspicious day, I will issue an edict to inform the six palaces. I hope that the Empress Dowager will be in good health at that time, and that she may come to Shou Kang Palace to pay her respects."

Empress Dowager Shu: !!!

"Your Majesty, please rest and recuperate. I am currently busy with state affairs, so I will take my leave now."

Seeing Emperor Xuanpei turn to leave, Empress Dowager Shu, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed the bowl of medicine beside her and smashed it.

"Smack—!"

As the jade bowl shattered, scattering fragments of jade across the ground, Empress Dowager Shu's voice rang out.

"The evidence of Crown Prince Chongde's collusion with the Jiang family in plotting rebellion was submitted by the Marquis of Chengen's family!"

Emperor Xuanpei suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Looking at Emperor Xuanpei's unpredictable expression as he turned to look at her, Empress Dowager Shu felt a surge of pleasure in her heart, a strange smile on her face, her voice both soft and sharp.

"If you hadn't been convicted of treason and Crown Prince Chongde hadn't died, would you have been able to ascend the throne?"

"You are my son, and the things the Shu family did, the things the Marquis of Chengen did... even if I did them, it was you who did them!"

"Female concubine..."

"Hahaha, what merit or ability does a sinner have to be worthy of the position of a palace master?"

"But if she is not a slave, then the Jiang family is innocent, and Crown Prince Chongde is innocent... My good son, are you still sitting securely in your position?"

Empress Dowager Shu, brimming with self-satisfaction, said calmly and with absolute certainty, "Your Majesty, the Jiang family instigated Crown Prince Chongde to plot a rebellion; their crime is unforgivable!"

What kind of character can the descendants of criminals possess?

"She is now risking her life to frame me with the imperial fetus and sow discord... I only stayed in the palace for a few days this time, and now that I think about it, it is truly shocking."

"Your Majesty, you'd better make a decision about these remnants of the Jiang clan who harbor treacherous intentions as soon as possible."

......

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Author's Note: Thank you so much for your support, my lovely readers! [heart][heart][heart]