Chapter 142 Making the Most of Everything

Hershey's Residence, Study.

The doors and windows were tightly shut, and the candlelight flickered, illuminating three ashen faces.

The head of the family, Gabula, slumped in his armchair, looking as if he had aged ten years overnight.

He held in his hand the imperial edict recording the day's events.

"Harming imperial concubines and secretly harming the imperial heir; the evidence is irrefutable..."

These twelve words struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

He inquired in detail about the colleagues who attended the banquet that day, and pieced together the detailed events of the full moon celebration.

How did Niohuru publicly accuse herself of lifelong infertility?

How was the daughter driven to the brink of despair by Consort Jin's words of retaliation?

How the family lost face in front of everyone.

"Father... your son is so sorry..."

Gabula let out a painful sigh, filled with endless exhaustion and powerlessness.

He was cautious and conscientious, fearing that he would fail his father Sony's trust and lead the family to decline.

But now, all those efforts have come to naught.

Her daughter's position as empress was merely nominal, and her life was in danger.

He lost the position of Grand Minister that he had painstakingly earned.

The hereditary position of Zuo Ling, which the family relied on for their livelihood in the Bordered Yellow Banner, was also uprooted.

The backbone of the Hesheri family has been completely broken.

Soetu paced anxiously in his study, his face full of resentment and anger.

"Brother, are we just going to let this go like this? My niece is still in her position as empress, but the crime is known throughout the land. Our family has become a laughing stock in the entire capital. You have lost your official position and the foundation of our family. All that's left is me, a mere empty-handed vice minister, and your honorary title of first-class duke. What good are those?"

Gabula waved his hand weakly, his voice hoarse.

"Things have come to this point, the Emperor's decree has been issued, and both thunder and rain are acts of imperial grace. What else can we do but confess our guilt, cooperate, and keep a low profile? In the end, it is the Empress... who has given them a handle against us."

He ultimately couldn't bring himself to say that his daughter deserved what she got.

"Confess? Cooperate?"

Suo'etu suddenly stopped, veins bulging on his forehead.

“Brother, you’ve been too lenient. Isn’t all of this the work of the Guarjia clan? Ever since she appeared, our Hesheli family hasn’t had a single day of peace. And that Magia clan, she’s just the daughter of a fifth-rank official, yet she dares to slander the Empress and the Hesheli family in the palace. Do they all think that our Hesheli family is declining and can be trampled on at will?”

This time, Gabula did not immediately rebuke his brother's radicalism.

A suppressed rage, mixed with humiliation and resentment, surged within him.

He looked at the silent Madame Heseri with a serious expression, his voice low and authoritative.

"Fujin (wife)".

Lady Hershey trembled and quickly responded.

"My lord, I am here."

Gabula's eyes turned sinister.

"Our family has been operating in the palace for many years; surely we still have some manpower there?"

Madame Hesherry felt a pang of anxiety and nodded.

"Yes, there are also some... who have been supported by their families for many years and are hidden in inconspicuous places."

"An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one."

Gabula's voice was devoid of any warmth.

"Empress... let's not talk about it. The family probably won't need these people anymore. Now, it's time for them to do one last thing for the family."

He paused, his eyes lowered, each word seemingly laced with coldness, forced out through clenched teeth.

"The Guarjia clan... must pay the price, and that Majia clan who kicked us when we were down... the daughter of a mere official in the Ministry of Works, how dare she bully the Hesheli family? Do they really think the Hesheli family is made of paper?"

He stared at his wife and gave her the order, word by word.

"You have these people in the palace use every means at their disposal to keep a close eye on the Guarjia and Magia clans. Don't worry about the consequences; use any method that will cause them suffering, but..."

His tone suddenly turned stern, revealing a clear-headedness.

"People must be absolutely reliable, their hands and feet must be clean, and under no circumstances can they leave even the slightest trace that could bring fire to the Hesheli family, understand?"

Mrs. Hershey nodded emphatically.

"Don't worry, sir, I understand. I will make sure everything is arranged perfectly."

Silence fell over the study once again.

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Two days later, just as dawn was breaking, everyone in Yongshou Palace was already busy.

The palace servants prepared everything needed for the trip with great efficiency.

Although it was said to be a summer retreat at Yingtai in Zhongnanhai, which is not far from the Forbidden City.

However, since it was the Empress Dowager's imperial procession, the regulations and decorum could not be compromised in the slightest.

The Imperial Household Department spent two days making preparations, and everything from carriages and ceremonial guards to daily necessities was ready.

Jiang Nan got up and was helped by Fang Ruo and Chun Lan to wash and change her clothes. She chose a palace dress in a refreshing color.

It maintained the dignity of a concubine while also ensuring comfort.

Little Erhe was also wrapped in soft swaddling clothes by his wet nurse and was sleeping soundly.

"Be careful, make sure you don't forget anything you need to bring."

Jiang Nan tidied her sideburns in front of the mirror while giving instructions.

"Especially those things that the young prince uses daily, it's better to bring too much than to be lacking."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, everything has been checked repeatedly."

Fangruo responded softly.

When it was almost time, the group left the Yongshou Palace.

The carriages were already prepared in front of the palace gates.

Following Consort Jiang Nan's carriage were the main carriages, then those of Consort Niohuru, Consort Wang, and others.

The regulations decreased in order, and the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids stood with their hands at their sides, waiting for instructions.

Jiang Nan carried her son to her carriage, but did not get in immediately.

She carefully examined the ornately decorated carriage.

"Zhao Deyi," she called out.

"Your servant is here!"

Zhao Deyi immediately jogged forward and bowed to receive the order.

"Go again and take a closer look at this car."

Jiang Nan pointed to the carriage, her tone serious.

"Is the shaft sturdy? Are there any cracks in the axle? Are all the pins at the joints secure? Don't cause any trouble for me halfway there."

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will go immediately."

Seeing how much his master valued him, Zhao dared not be negligent.

He personally went up and circled the carriage several times, knocking here and touching there.

He then squatted down and carefully inspected the connection between the wheels and the axle, leaving no detail overlooked.

After he finished inspecting the carriage, Jiang Nan pointed to the spirited horse next to him, which was properly saddled.

"And these horses, were they all fed well this morning? Did they drink enough water? How are they feeling? Don't let them buck up or run out of energy halfway there."

Zhao Deyi quickly went to ask the eunuch in charge of the horses, and only after confirming that everything was correct did he turn back to report.

"Your Majesty, the carriage is secure. I have checked it carefully and there are absolutely no problems. The horses are also well-fed and watered, and are in good spirits. Please rest assured."

"Okay, that's good."

Jiang Nan nodded in satisfaction, carefully holding her son, with Fang Ruo's support.

We boarded the spacious and comfortable main vehicle.

Consort Niohuru followed closely behind and boarded her own carriage.

Behind them, Consort Wang, carrying little Princess Ruixue, boarded the slightly less luxurious but equally exquisite carriage with Lady Daijia.

The palace maids and eunuchs who accompanied them also took their places.

After Jiang Nan settled into the car, she gave the instructions.

"Let's set off now and meet the Empress Dowager at the palace gate."

The driver obeyed and gave a soft shout, the whip cracking in the air, and the well-trained horse began to move.

The wheels turned slowly, and the group of people, escorted by guards, steadily made their way towards the palace gate.

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Are there any book reviews? It's so quiet! I'm starting to question my existence.