Chapter 382 It must not be spread out!

The maid quickly leaned over and whispered back, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Wang mentioned before that Concubine Zhao had visited the Emperor once after the Seven Stars extended her life."

"It turns out that Concubine Zhao already knew about the emperor's situation. Did she do anything unusual?"

The maid shook her head and said truthfully, "I don't know. Concubine Zhao has been staying in Tishun Hall, surrounded by people she trusts. Others have no chance to get close to her, so it is really difficult to know her movements."

After much thought, Concubine De finally made up her mind to finish writing the letter.

In any case, the maternal family must be informed of the emperor's illness in advance so that they can make preparations early and avoid being in a panic when the time comes.

She specifically emphasized in the letter that this was just to let them know in advance and they should not act rashly or have any other inappropriate thoughts.

After writing, Concubine De solemnly handed the letter to the palace maid and reminded her, "You must be careful and cautious when sending this letter. If you really can't find a safe way, don't take any risks. Safety is the most important thing."

Zhang Chengyan's accident happened not long ago, and it happened at such a special time as New Year's Eve. Perhaps there was not enough time to arrange special personnel to closely monitor the communications between the harem and the outside world.

"Yes, I understand." After receiving the order, the palace maid left quietly.

At the same time, several concubines secretly sent palace maids with letters to try to contact the outside world.

In the harem, only Bai Wutong seemed exceptionally calm, without any sign of panic.

After all, she has a prince, so no matter how the situation changes, her situation will not be too bad.

In fact, Bai Wutong hoped in her heart that Zhang Chengyan would really encounter an accident, so that her son Yunhe would be able to inherit the throne naturally.

And she could also rely on her status as the empress dowager to rule the country from behind the scenes and control the power of the court.

Bai Wutong suddenly thought of something and turned to ask Chan'er, "How has the emperor dealt with the memorials recently?"

Chan'er bowed slightly, "To answer your Majesty, it seems that Eunuch Wang is in charge. As for those non-urgent matters, they are all put on hold for the time being."

It is now the end of the year, and ministers generally will not disturb the emperor easily unless there is an extremely urgent matter.

After all, the emperor is going to celebrate the New Year, and the ministers themselves also want to have a good rest. They all hope to relax a little in this new year, and no one wants to cause trouble for themselves.

Thinking of this, Bai Wutong became more and more certain that this was most likely a drama carefully planned by Zhang Chengyan.

After all, even if he relaxed a little in the past one or two months, the court would not fall into chaos with the previous preparations and arrangements.

I believe that Zhang Chengyan had already dealt with many matters in advance before planning this matter.

He only needs to declare to the outside world that he wants to spend the New Year peacefully. Such an excuse is reasonable and no one will suspect the reason why he suddenly neglected government affairs.

The end of the year has become an excellent excuse to cover up many plans.

At the same time, in the Yangxin Palace.

Zhang Chengyan received several more intercepted letters.

He quickly read the contents of the letter and said, "Send these letters along the original route. From now on, all letters entering the palace must be submitted to me for review first. After confirmation, they will be forwarded to the recipient."

Wang Decai quickly responded, "As ordered, but... Your Majesty, how do we deal with the three letters?"

Especially the one written by Jin Weige.

Zhang Chengyan didn't want to release Jin Weige's letter, but then he thought, this is a good opportunity to test Jin Zhi's reaction, "Send them out together."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Decai took the order and quickly made arrangements.

Soon, letters were sent to various family mansions.

Inside the Jin Mansion.

It has only been two days since Jin Zhi returned.

Zhang Chengyan went to the canal in person to look for him. Under such circumstances, it would be unreasonable for him not to follow him back to Beijing.

Fortunately, he did not mention the arranged marriage again this time, which made Jin Zhi feel relieved.

However, on the way back, he keenly noticed that Zhang Chengyan was in a bad mood and seemed to be troubled by something, but he had no idea what it was.

Just as he was thinking about it, a servant from the mansion came running in, looking anxious, "Sir, there is a letter from the palace."

Jin Zhi took the letter and opened it carelessly.

He thought it was Jin Weige urging him to deal with Bai Wutong again, but the words on the letter made his face change instantly!

He stood up suddenly and read the contents of the letter again and again in disbelief. It clearly stated that the emperor had been in an accident, seriously injured, and now unconscious, and his life or death was unknown!

"How could this happen?" Jin Zhi muttered to himself, full of confusion.

He clearly remembered that when he sent Zhang Chengyan back to Beijing, everything was fine. How could he encounter such a disaster in the blink of an eye?

But... Jin Weige would never dare to lie about such a thing!

He sat in a chair, lost in thought.

About an hour passed.

There was an unexpected knock on the door.

It’s so late, and it’s New Year’s Day, who would come?

The doorman opened the door a crack, and when he saw the person outside, he hurried in to report, "Master, the Minister of Rites is here to visit."

Jin Zhi calmed down and recovered. He quickly went out and invited Shangshu into the house. "Sir Shangshu, what brings you to visit so late at night?"

The Minister of Rites looked solemn, "General Jin, have you heard? Something happened to the Emperor!"

Jin Zhi's expression remained calm, "Where did you get the news, sir?"

"It came from the palace."

"But it came from your daughter?"

Seeing the urgency of the situation, the Minister of Rites no longer concealed the truth and said frankly, "That's right. It is said that the emperor was hit on the head by a heavy object on New Year's Eve and has been in a coma ever since. His life or death is unknown. General Jin, what should we do?"

Jin Zhi frowned, "Don't panic, my lord. The emperor is blessed by heaven and will be safe. Moreover, the palace has kept the news of this matter secret and has not spread widely until now, which shows that the palace has its own arrangements. My lord, you must keep this matter strictly confidential and do not spread it outside. Do you understand?"

The Minister of Rites nodded quickly, "General, what you said is very true, but I guess that many people already know about this."

Ordinary officials might still be kept in the dark, but those of them who had daughters in the harem had probably already learned the news.

After all, as long as one person can send a letter from the palace, others will naturally be able to do it!

Moreover, such a letter could be sent out, so I'm afraid something really happened in the palace!

Jin Zhi also understood this. "In short, don't say too much. But go and find out tomorrow which houses left the lights on all night last night, and then make a list and give it to me. I will have a good talk with them!"

No matter what the emperor’s condition is now, whether he is alive or dead!

The capital of Darong must not be in chaos!

This news must not be spread out!