Chapter 142 A Thunderbolt from the Heart In July, the Empress Dowager's coffin emerged from purple...

In July, the Empress Dowager's coffin was taken out of the Forbidden City and buried in the East Xiaoling Mausoleum. The mournful music and chanting of lamas that had filled the palace for more than three months gradually ceased. In the height of summer, only the chirping of cicadas could be heard in the palace.

Yinreng arrived at Jingren Palace in the evening. The Imperial Clan Court had reported that the Empress Dowager had been laid to rest and the funeral procession would soon return. He remembered how devoted the Empress had been to the Empress Dowager's funeral, so he came to check on things. Upon arriving, the Empress, as usual, stood to serve him his meal, but after he gestured, she sat down.

Yinreng took a couple of sips of soup, then picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and placed it on the Empress's plate, saying, "The Empress has been working very hard lately."

The Empress rose and bowed, saying, "This servant dares not."

Yinreng was used to the Empress's respectful demeanor and casually said, "Alright, get up." After the Empress sat down again, he asked about the eldest princess, "The weather has been hot lately. How is Wulinzhu's appetite? She is already weak, and after experiencing a funeral, if she doesn't eat well, she might fall ill again one day."

Mentioning Wulinzhu, the Empress's expression softened. "A while ago, Wulinzhu had a cough, and the imperial physician said it was due to mental strain. So I instructed someone to prepare a bowl of bird's nest for her every day to nourish her. I also asked the wet nurse these past few days, and she said that Wulinzhu's diet is quite good."

Yinreng nodded in relief, "That's very good."

The Empress smiled, but after a while, her smile slowly faded, unsure whether she should say what she was about to say. Finally, she couldn't help but whisper, "Speaking of Wulinzhu, the Dowager Consorts have been frequently concerned about her these past few days." She paused, "Especially the Dowager Consort Tongjia of Yanxi Palace, who gave Wulinzhu many calming and soothing items, such as coral."

Yinreng paused in his chopsticks, his brows furrowing immediately. "The Noble Consort Tongjia?"

"yes."

Yinreng sneered inwardly and said unhappily, "It's still hot. There's no need to make Wulinzhu go out, lest she get heatstroke."

The Empress choked on her words. The Noble Consort was, after all, an elder, and it was only right for a junior to express gratitude for a gift from an elder. To not go would be a breach of etiquette.

Yinreng knew that Consort Tongjia's actions were not without reason, but he was unwilling to tell the Empress the truth. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Wulinzhu is sixteen this year, but I'm thinking of keeping her for two more years. One is the mourning period for the Empress Dowager, and the other is that she is in poor health, and I am not at ease letting her marry too early."

Although the reasons were all legitimate, the Empress was still somewhat uneasy. A woman's life is such that before marriage she depends on her maternal family, and after marriage on her husband's family. Wulinzhu still doesn't have the title of a Princess of the First Rank; if her husband's family isn't good, how will she cope? She said softly, "Your Majesty is absolutely right, but I think we should still make some initial arrangements." Even if she doesn't marry due to mourning, she can still arrange a marriage in advance.

in addition......

The Empress recalled his earlier attitude and thought that the Emperor seemed to dislike the Tong family. However, what the Noble Consort had told her earlier might not have been unfounded. The Empress wanted to ask him if the late Emperor had left an edict for the marriage, but Yinreng had accumulated considerable power in the past two years, and she did her best to restrain herself as a servant, so she swallowed her question.

Yinreng patted the Empress's hand and said, "Don't worry, Wulinzhu is my daughter, so naturally I will choose a good one for her." The Empress bit her lip and helplessly said yes.

"Alright, you must be tired these past few days, get some rest," Yinreng said, putting down his chopsticks. The Empress immediately rose from her seat, bowed, and respectfully saw him off. But after Yinreng left, the Empress couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

She thought that since the Emperor had said so, he would probably find a good family for Wulinzhu.

As Yinreng walked back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the lantern carried by the young eunuch ahead swayed precariously, attracting a steady stream of small flying insects. He recalled the Empress's words and a surge of anger rose within him. Back at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, while wiping his face, he asked in a low voice, "What's going on? Has Consort Tongjia been sending things to the First Princess so frequently lately?"

Chen He hurriedly stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, it seems that the Noble Consort has sent gifts to the Eldest Princess twice this month. The Eldest Princess will go to Yanxi Palace to pay her respects to the Noble Consort that evening or the next morning."

Yinreng suddenly scoffed and tossed the handkerchief in his hand into the basin of water. The Tong family, ha! Two-faced scoundrels! Now they dare to set their sights on the royal princess?!

No one knew better than him what kind of people Tong Guowei and Longkodo of the Tong family were. How had their father treated them when he was alive? Not only had he produced an empress and a concubine in the harem, but the court had also promoted them, granting them high positions. And how had they repaid the emperor's favor? Years ago, if he hadn't sent the fourth prince to warn Longkodo, the position of Commander of the Nine Gates would likely have fallen into the hands of the eighth prince. Then, a few years ago, their father and he had staged a play, maintaining a facade of invincibility. The result was not only the eighth prince's downfall, but also a whole host of his cronies, including members of the Tong family.

The Tong family, huh? On the surface, they feign loyalty to the emperor, but in reality, they're currying favor with both sides. He had originally intended to thoroughly investigate and punish such a despicable family at the beginning of his reign, but ultimately refrained from harsh measures because they were the late emperor's maternal family. Little did he know, they harbored treacherous intentions, even plotting against the palace. Little did they know, the situation above had already changed. He did indeed want to win over and divide the Eighth Prince's former supporters, but the Tong family was definitely not among those he would extend favors to!

Yes, so what if the late emperor intended to marry Wulinzhu to the Tong family? So what if he hinted at it? In the end, it was just the late emperor's suggestion; he never made a definitive statement, nor did he issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage. Moreover, in his eyes, the late emperor was clearly deceived by them, which was why he had this intention. Now that the late emperor has passed away, the matter of the princess's marriage has naturally become an empty promise.

Furthermore, Wulinzhu's personality was completely unsuitable for marrying into such a materialistic family.

Thinking of this daughter, Yinreng couldn't help but sigh, and even his anger towards the Tong family's delusional desires spread to the Empress. This was because Wulinzhu had been taught to be far too obedient, and in some ways, she even resembled the Empress in some ways.

Empress...

The Empress, after all, was born a servant and had spent a long time in the palace, so her rigid adherence to rules and regulations was understandable, since she had him above her to keep her in check. But Wulinzhu was different; she was of royal blood, a princess, and he placed high hopes on her, just like on her brothers and sisters. However, Wulinzhu's personality was somewhat unsuitable for such a role, precisely because she lacked any temper. While they were still in the palace, with him and the Empress around, everything seemed safe and sound. But once they left the palace, not only would it be difficult to control the Prince Consort and his family, but the servants below might also become increasingly arrogant and unruly over time.

Although parents who love their children will surely plan far ahead for them, he could not protect Wulinzhu for a lifetime.

Thinking about this, Yinreng felt a headache coming on. He thought he should keep Wulinzhu for another two years; he had to find a way to change her temper. Also, he needed to choose a good consort. A family like the Tong family? Humph, not even a thought!

——

Time passed quickly, and the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived soon. Although the palace was still decorated in white, and the festival was not celebrated in a grand manner, it still added some festive atmosphere. First, the Emperor hosted a banquet for the important officials, and then the Empress hosted a banquet for the various noble ladies. Not many people came today; only about ten tables were set up in Jingren Palace, with the rest going to the palaces of the Noble Consorts, and others to the palaces of Consort Ke and Consort Jing. After the banquet, the noble ladies all took their leave, except for the Countess of the Shi family, who stayed behind. This lady was the wife of the Empress's elder brother, Fu Dali. To outsiders, she was called Madam Shi, but because Fu Dali inherited the title of Countess, she could also be addressed as Countess.

Madam Shi said, "The eldest master and the others have been thinking of Your Highness. How have you been in the palace?"

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, the Shi family was no longer as cautious as before. Apart from the three major festivals and two birthdays, they would send invitations to Jingren Palace on other occasions. However, the Empress followed the old customs and did not often invite her family members over. In addition, it was also because the old lady of the Shi family, the Empress's mother, had passed away, and the Empress was not as close to the other women in the Shi family.

The Empress nodded slightly: "Everything has been fine. How is things at home?"

Madam Shi quickly replied, "Thanks to the Emperor and Empress, there is nothing wrong. It's just that the eldest master and his family often lament that they are merely occupying positions without fulfilling their duties and are unable to serve the Emperor."

The empress felt a little guilty and breathless when this was mentioned. After a long while, she said, "As long as you are loyal, the emperor will definitely see it."

Madam Shi said "yes," and after a while, she tentatively said, "There is another matter I don't know Your Majesty's opinion on." She paused and said, "My younger sister is now fifteen years old, and it is time for her to be selected for the imperial concubine selection. I wonder if His Majesty will hold a selection next year."

After the late emperor's death, the current emperor said there would be no selection of concubines for three years. This year, the Empress Dowager passed away, but the mourning period overlaps. Therefore, the emperor should hold a selection of concubines next year. If a selection is held, their youngest daughter will be of marriageable age. If the emperor still doesn't select a concubine and orders everyone's children to marry on their own, they will have to make arrangements. But no matter what, they must consult the empress. Firstly, the empress is the highest-ranking member of the Shi family, and secondly, the whole family is counting on their youngest daughter's future.

The Empress was also considering this matter, not for her own family, but simply for the imperial concubine selection. She had no idea what the Emperor meant, so it was her duty to ask. However, considering that the Empress Dowager had only recently passed away, she decided to wait until the Golden Festival to ask for instructions.

"Your Majesty?" Madam Shi gently reminded the Empress, who was deep in thought.

The Empress came to her senses and said, "I understand. You just need to see if the Emperor issues an edict."

Madam Shi sighed and then changed the subject, "Speaking of age, the eldest princess is about the same age as the young lady. The master also said that if the eldest princess is willing, the family will gladly welcome her to visit her ancestral home."

The Empress frowned. She had been preoccupied with the matter of the First Princess lately, so hearing anyone mention her immediately raised alarm bells. With a stern face, she said, "The First Princess's marriage is naturally to be decided by His Majesty."

Madam Shi awkwardly replied, "Yes, we also think that you are the eldest princess's mother, so..." As her mother, couldn't she even mention the eldest princess's marriage to the Emperor? Besides, if the eldest princess really married into the Shi family, they would definitely treat her well. A marriage between cousins ​​would strengthen their bond—what a wonderful thing!

Upon hearing this, the Empress understood immediately and, unusually, flew into a rage. "Is this your idea, or theirs?" she demanded sharply. "Go back and ask Fudali and the others if they still remember the Guarjia clan's family precepts. Servants have no choice but to obey their masters. Now that they've become so powerful, they're scheming against their masters with the status of servants!"

After being scolded, Madam Shi dared not speak, but in her heart she thought that the Empress was no longer the former Crown Princess, but was still a mistress.

The Empress didn't want to see her at all at that moment, and waved her hand to have her escorted out. After Madam Shi left, she couldn't help but slam her hand heavily on the kang table. One reason was that the Shi family had big ambitions, and the other was that although she was the mother, she couldn't control the eldest princess's marriage, which made her feel sad.

But soon, the Empress forgot her anger and grief, because during the Golden Festival, the Emperor suddenly brought up Wulinzhu's marriage, saying that he intended to marry Wulinzhu to the Fucha family.

Empress: !!!