Chapter Fifty-Two Kidnapping
Consort Jia has been confined to her quarters for several days. Her palace doors are tightly shut, and even the concubines who used to visit her are not allowed to enter.
Although she couldn't go out, she didn't miss any of the information she needed to gather.
At this moment, Consort Jia leaned against the chaise lounge, listening to the news reported by the people around her, her face so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it.
"Has His Majesty summoned that wretched woman to serve him meals again recently?"
The palace maid, who was trying to gather information, knelt on the ground, trembling, with a layer of cold sweat seeping from her forehead.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty even... even personally cooked for Consort Zhuang..."
The palace maid's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible, as she feared that her answer would provoke even greater anger from Consort Jia.
"Speak louder, continue speaking for me."
Consort Jia picked up her teacup and asked through gritted teeth, "What else has Your Majesty done?"
"I heard that the Emperor bestowed a jasmine-shaped jade hairpin upon you..."
Snap—
Before the palace maid could finish speaking, the teacup burst open at her feet, and the scalding tea splashed onto her skirt.
"Fine, fine, Consort Zhuang." Consort Jia laughed in anger.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" All the palace servants knelt down in unison.
Consort Jia's nails dug deeply into her palms, and a vicious undercurrent surged in her eyes.
During the days she was confined, the Emperor not only did not come to see her, but he also became increasingly close to Jiang Huan!
She hadn't heard any news of the Emperor staying overnight at another concubine's place for a long time, and now a mere Jiang Huan had managed to bewitch the Emperor to this extent.
She was careless about the hot spring incident, which allowed Jiang Huan to take advantage of the situation.
She originally thought that even if the plan failed, it would at least create some discord between the Emperor and Jiang Huan.
After all, the guard had actually gone inside.
But to her surprise, things didn't go as she expected.
The Emperor actually took pity on Jiang Huan because of this and treated her even better.
If things continue like this, when Jiang Huan gives birth to a prince, the emperor will be so pleased that he will bestow upon her the title of Imperial Concubine.
In this harem, is there still a place for him to stand?
A ruthless glint flashed in Consort Jia's eyes.
Jiang Huan cannot be allowed to live!
Only by completely eliminating the hidden dangers can she regain the emperor's attention.
Even if the emperor doesn't move around the harem for a while, he won't be particularly close to any one person.
Consort Jia took a deep breath, having already made up her mind.
"Bring me pen and ink." Her voice was cold, filled with murderous intent.
Upon hearing this, her personal maid immediately brought paper and pen.
Consort Jia sat at her desk and wrote down recent events in the palace, as well as the tasks she needed to complete.
After finishing writing, Consort Jia put down her pen and sealed the letter.
In the dead of night, the letter was secretly delivered through a hidden path and fell into the hands of another person.
Three days later, a palace maid with an unfamiliar face came to Consort Jia's palace.
She bowed respectfully and said, "This servant is Chun Tao from the laundry department. The other day when I was tidying up the clothes, I found that Your Highness's handkerchief had somehow fallen in there, so I specially scented it with incense and brought it back."
Consort Jia slightly raised her eyelids and took the handkerchief from Chun Tao's hand.
The handkerchief is the style she would have used before entering the palace, and there is a small swallow pattern in the lower left corner of the handkerchief.
This is someone sent by my elder brother.
Her gaze swept over Chun Tao, and she gestured for the palace maids around her to leave.
After everyone had left the hall, she slowly stood up and walked to Chun Tao herself.
Chuntao immediately took out a letter from her bosom and respectfully handed it to Consort Jia.
Consort Jia took the letter and opened it; there were only a few words on the letter.
This woman is skilled in assassination and can help her sister succeed.
Consort Jia held the letter in her hand, a sinister smile curving her red lips.
"My brother really understands me."
To avoid leaving any evidence against her, Consort Jia took out a tinderbox, flicked it gently, and lit the letter.
The flames spread rapidly across the letter, engulfing the paper and turning it to ashes.
Only after dealing with these matters did she have time to carefully examine the person in front of her.
Chun Tao was a woman who did not appear strong and had an unremarkable face; she was the kind of person you would forget after just one glance.
However, appearances can be deceiving; her brother would not harm her.
Consort Jia calmed herself down and asked, "I want you to take action tonight. Is that possible?"
The faster they act, the more they catch people off guard.
This time, we absolutely cannot give Jiang Huan a chance to stall for time like last time.
Chun Tao smiled confidently, "Of course, I will obey Your Highness's orders. However, I am alone, so I need Your Highness's help to lure away the guards outside."
Consort Jia nodded in satisfaction and tapped the table lightly with her fingertips.
"At midnight tonight, I will send someone to lure the guards away. You must succeed on this mission!"
"yes."
Time slipped away silently, and the night was as dark as ink.
Jiang Huan's palace was quiet. She had just turned off the light and lay down on the bed when she suddenly felt something unusual happening outside the window.
"Who? Is it Xiao Zhao?" Jiang Huan asked in a low voice, but no one answered.
I listened intently again, but all I could hear was the sound of the wind and cicadas.
No, something's definitely fishy.
As the saying goes, a dark and windy night is the perfect time for murder and arson.
Jiang Huan was instantly wide awake, sat up, and was about to call for help.
At that moment, a dark figure suddenly jumped in through the window and covered her mouth.
Her cries for help turned into faint sobs, and Jiang Huan's pupils constricted sharply.
She struggled desperately, but the other person was extremely strong, holding her tightly like an iron clamp, making her unable to move and not even having a chance to call for help.
Chuntao quickly gagged Jiang Huan with a strip of cloth, tied Jiang Huan's hands behind her back, and dragged Jiang Huan outside.
The Imperial Concubine had instructed her to kidnap the person tonight and then kill him.
Only in this way will the Imperial Concubine's subsequent arrangements be effective.
Jiang Huan was in a state of utter confusion, and fear surged up like a tidal wave, completely overwhelming her.
She could feel her heart pounding violently, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.
I've seen kidnapping scenes countless times in TV dramas, and this time I'm putting it into practice myself.
She had a strong feeling that this person was there to kill the hostage!
No, we have to think of something.
Jiang Huan kicked and struggled desperately, trying to break free of her restraints.
But her strength was too weak for Chun Tao, and in the blink of an eye she was taken out of the bedchamber.
"Hmm..."
Jiang Huan's voice was tightly blocked by the strip of cloth, and could only echo in her throat.
Is there anyone who can save her?
She still had so many things she wanted to do; she didn't want to die.
Her legs kicked futilely in the air, and her embroidered shoes had long since been thrown away.
The cool air seeped into her skin through her thin clothes, and she realized with a start that she had been taken outside the palace.
She's dying...
The thought slithered into her mind like a venomous snake, and a bitter, sour taste of bile rose in her throat, while her limbs became weak and limp from excessive fear.
Will she die if no one comes to save her?
There might still be a chance to save ourselves, we must pull ourselves together!
Just as she was forcing herself to calm down and think things through, she suddenly felt her body lurch.
Suddenly, Chuntao swayed, and a cold light flashed towards her.
Clang—
The clanging of metal was particularly jarring in the night.
Chun Tao stared at the person who appeared in front of her with an unfriendly expression.
The man dressed in black held a short blade and stared coldly at Chun Tao.
"Put down Consort Zhuang."
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