Chapter 265 Conspiracy
The next day, in the Imperial Study.
Huo Lin was reviewing memorials, a hint of satisfaction in his expression, which made even reading the memorials seem less tedious.
Last night's compensation suited him well, except that she seemed a little tired later and kicked him.
Hmm, I need to speed up the grading today so I can spend more time with her.
As he was lost in thought, a commotion arose outside the palace, mixed with the eunuchs' attempts to dissuade him and a little girl's tearful wailing.
"Uncle! Uncle! Please let me in! I really have something urgent to discuss with you!"
Hearing the crying and wailing, Huo Lin's brows furrowed instantly, and his good mood vanished.
"Let her in." He put down his pen, his voice regaining its usual coldness.
Before she could finish speaking, Princess Mingzhu rushed in, her eyes red and her hair disheveled, showing how hurriedly she had come.
"Royal Uncle! Royal Uncle, save me!" She rushed to the imperial desk, almost knocking over the pen holder next to it.
Huo Lin quickly grabbed the pen holder and looked at her expressionlessly: "What kind of behavior is this, all flustered like this?"
Mingzhu shrank back in fright, but then, thinking of her situation, she mustered her courage.
"Uncle, if you don't save me, I'm going to be married off by the Empress Dowager! Waaaaah..."
She became more and more aggrieved as she spoke, and tears streamed down her face.
These past few days, someone has been whispering in her ear every day.
They either pressured me to get married like a tight rein, or they offered heartfelt advice.
She felt like she was living under a peach tree, constantly getting slapped in the face by its branches!
"Uncle, you're the best! Please grant me a marriage... please grant her one that she wouldn't dare to object to."
Huo Lin raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Who have you taken a fancy to? Tell me, if their family background and appearance are comparable, I will make the decision for you."
"ah?"
That's what she said, but when Huo Lin actually asked her, Mingzhu immediately got stuck.
Her eyes darted around, "Well... well... oh dear, I haven't decided who it is yet..."
She just didn't want to marry just anyone; she didn't have any specific choice.
Huo Lin: ...
He was in a good mood last night after a good meal, and patiently listened to her sobbing for a while, only to find out that she was just messing around.
"Since there is no one else to choose from, this is just making trouble." His voice was cold and hard. "Marriage is a serious matter, not a game. I have my own considerations. You may leave now."
"Uncle!" Mingzhu couldn't believe he was just dismissing her like that.
"Get out." Huo Lin's tone left no room for argument. "If you cause any more trouble, I'll assign you a rigid old scholar right now."
Mingzhu shuddered in fright, and seeing Huo Lin's cold face, she dared not argue any further.
She left the imperial study with a pout and tears welling up in her eyes.
Meanwhile, at the Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager leaned against the soft couch, her face displeased.
"The Emperor is increasingly disregarding me."
The Empress Dowager's voice was cold and deep, "He really protects those boys from the Xu family, and that girl Mingzhu, no matter how much I pleaded with her, she actually went to the Emperor to cry and complain. It's really outrageous."
“Princess Mingzhu is still young and simple-minded. Forcing her will only provoke her rebellious spirit, which will not be of any good.”
A man sat in the shadows opposite the Empress Dowager. He was dressed in a long black robe, and it would be difficult to notice him unless he spoke.
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly: "Then tell me what to do? We can't let her keep dragging this on. I promised them something, and we can't leave it hanging forever."
The man leaned forward slightly, his voice low and husky: "Since the obvious path is blocked, perhaps we can try another method to solve the problem once and for all."
"Oh?" The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. "Tell me about it."
"When there are many people around, it's easy to arrange an 'accident'. If the princess is frightened or injured, then naturally no one will mention the marriage again."
A glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes, and she sat up straight: "Continue."
"If this succeeds, firstly, it will completely solve the princess's marriage problem, and secondly..."
The man paused, then lowered his voice even further: "If the princess were to have an accident in the presence of both the Emperor and Consort Zhuang, they would be held responsible for their inadequate supervision."
"The Empress Dowager can then take advantage of the situation, feigning grief and demanding some compensation from the Emperor. Out of guilt and a desire to appease him, the Emperor will likely not refuse. This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone."
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager's gloomy expression eased slightly.
"Excellent, this plan is brilliant!" She clapped her hands and chuckled. "It satisfies my compassionate desire to avoid forcing Mingzhu into marriage, while also leaving the emperor with a bitter pill to swallow."
"That's the plan! Go and make the arrangements, and make sure it's done cleanly and efficiently!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured," the man replied with a bow.
On the other hand, the scene inside Weiyang Palace was quite different.
The afternoon sun shone warmly through the carved window lattice, bathing the soft couch by the window in its glow.
He Ling was holding a miscellaneous book she had collected and telling Jiang Huan the little stories inside, occasionally adding exaggerated expressions and gestures.
Jiang Huan was amused and covered her mouth to laugh, with a few tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
These days, He Ling goes to Weiyang Palace almost every day. The system panel shows that her favorability with Jiang Huan has risen to a considerable level, and their relationship has also improved accordingly.
"Did that scholar really wear fox fur as a scarf?" Jiang Huan asked, engrossed in the conversation.
Just as He Ling was about to reveal the answer, an electronic voice suddenly rang out.
"Beep! Urgent alert! Plot fluctuation detected!"
He Ling was a little confused at first. She had been living too comfortably lately and had almost forgotten about the plot-driven death.
Upon realizing what was happening, her face turned deathly pale, and she instinctively looked at Jiang Huan with a look of panic in her eyes.
The last time the system made this announcement, it was a major incident!
Source: Cining Palace.
The system coldly continued reporting.
"Target locked: Princess Mingzhu. Danger level: High. Recommendation: Take immediate intervention measures."
Although it wasn't explicitly stated what exactly happened, the constantly flashing red danger level was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Jiang Huan's heart sank suddenly, and the ease and comfort she had felt while listening to the story vanished.
In Cining Palace, there was no one else but the Empress Dowager.
Based on this reasoning, could it be that she intends to harm Mingzhu?
But wasn't the Empress Dowager's favorite daughter, Mingzhu?
He Ling was clearly startled by the sudden news, and her voice trembled slightly.
"Your Majesty, did you hear that? The system said... said the Empress Dowager..."
Jiang Huan frowned, her heart filled with anxiety.
However, she forcibly suppressed her surging emotions. She couldn't panic, at least not in front of He Ling.
The system only gave a warning, but no specific details. It's like knowing there's a knife hanging over your head, but not knowing when or where it will fall.
She steadied herself and looked at He Ling, asking directly, "System, could you be more specific? When and how does the Empress Dowager plan to take action against Mingzhu?"
She needs more precise intelligence to deal with the situation.
The system's cold, emotionless electronic voice rang out.
"Beep! The information is encrypted. Specific execution details cannot be obtained. Please make your own judgment and remain vigilant."
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