Chapter 762 The Little Eunuch Lets Spill
The young eunuch scoffed disdainfully, "Madam, you are mistaken. Among those summoned to the palace by His Majesty was indeed Madam Zheng from the Duke of Jin's mansion."
"It's just that I wasn't the one who went to the Duke of Jin's mansion to summon him."
"Now that I've met Madam Zheng, it wouldn't hurt for me to bring her into the palace as well."
Qiao Qinghe frowned, but Madam Zheng nodded slightly. "In that case, I will go to the palace with Madam Qinghe."
The young eunuch smiled and said, "That's excellent."
Qiao Qinghe thought for a moment and said to the eunuch, "I made an appointment with Madam Zheng to go out to watch a play today, and I'm dressed very casually."
"We are now going to the palace to meet the Emperor. Please allow us to go back and change our clothes before entering the palace."
The young eunuch looked at Qiao Qinghe with a half-smile: "No need. Time is of the essence, Madam, you should hurry and come with us to the palace."
"If His Majesty gets impatient and blames us, it won't be something you or I can bear."
Qiao Qinghe and Madam Zheng exchanged a glance, both seeing solemnity in each other's eyes.
Qiao Qinghe said to the young eunuch again, "Then I'll tell the people in the mansion and leave."
The young eunuch looked impatient and was about to refuse when Qiao Qinghe spoke first: "Just a few words, then I'll leave."
The young eunuch frowned, then reluctantly nodded. "Then hurry up."
Qiao Qinghe quickly turned to Wei Jia and said, "I'll leave the affairs of the manor to you. In a little while, send someone to the Duke of Jin's manor to deliver a message, saying that Madam Zheng has entered the palace with me. Don't let the Duke and Duchess of Jin worry."
"Also, please keep an eye on Rongrong's situation as well."
Qiao Qinghe glanced at the little eunuch who had been staring at her, and then winked at Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng understood and quickly walked towards the young eunuch.
"You look unfamiliar, sir. How should I address you?"
As she spoke, Madam Zheng took a purse from the maid behind her and skillfully stuffed it into the little eunuch's hand, saying softly, "There are one hundred taels of silver notes in here. Don't think it's too little, sir. Take it and have some wine."
A glint of greed flashed in the young eunuch's eyes. He quickly stuffed the purse into his sleeve, his expression softening slightly. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you for the gift, Madam."
Madam Zheng smiled and waved her hand, "I wonder what His Majesty has summoned us to the palace for this matter?"
Before the young eunuch could speak, she quickly added understandingly, "Of course, if it's difficult for you, sir, you don't have to say anything. We'll find out once we're in the palace anyway."
The young eunuch hesitated.
At this moment, Madam Zheng slipped another purse into his hand, smiling as she said, "There's another hundred taels in here. Since you gave me this information, I can't let you take the risk for nothing, can I?"
"The weather is getting colder, so let's use this money to buy two winter coats for Father-in-law."
Finally, the young eunuch took the purse and said in a low voice, "It's about the matter of deposing the crown prince."
"Several officials from the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate are currently in the palace."
"The King of Qi, the King of Chu, Princess Huaiyang, Princess Liyang, the Yongchang Marquis's residence, the Yongning Marquis's residence... many people have been summoned to the palace by His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng's heart skipped a beat.
The matter of deposing the crown prince has been unresolved for almost a year, and now they're suddenly summoning so many people to the palace in such a grand manner...
There's a chance of major upheaval in the palace.
Madam Zheng subconsciously looked at Qiao Qinghe.
Qiao Qinghe was also looking in her direction with a complicated expression.
Qiao Qinghe originally only wanted Madam Zheng to divert the eunuch's attention so that she could have some free time to quietly instruct Wei Jia on some matters.
Before she could finish instructing Weijia, she overheard the news revealed by the little eunuch.
She really didn't expect that the arrogant and unapproachable little eunuch would be so easily bribed with a little silver.
Upon learning the purpose of Emperor Xiaozhao's summons to the palace, Qiao Qinghe felt somewhat relieved, but a moment later, she felt a chill run down her spine.
First, the matter of deposing the crown prince had nothing to do with the Qiao family or the Duke of Jin's family from beginning to end.
Why did the Emperor summon both of them to the palace?
Secondly, even if they were summoned to the palace to observe, there was no need to send a team of imperial guards to "escort" them.
To put it nicely, it's called escorting; to put it bluntly, it's called deportation.
Moreover, judging from the eunuch's attitude, this group of imperial guards was clearly there to escort them into the palace.
But why?
Third, the young eunuch's attitude.
As someone who served Emperor Xiaozhao, he must have known her and Lady Zheng.
But what was the purpose of the little eunuch's arrogant attitude at the beginning?
Could it be that Emperor Xiaozhao angered them for some reason?
That's why even the eunuchs treated them so rudely.
Fourth, the matter of deposing the crown prince is not a glorious thing. Even if Emperor Xiaozhao was furious and cared about the deposed crown prince, he should not have made such a big fuss and summoned so many people to the palace.
According to the eunuch, Emperor Xiaozhao was about to escalate the situation.
Fifth, and most importantly, the timing was too coincidental!
Today is the day that the people who plotted against them are holding a secret gathering, and Emperor Xiaozhao also happened to choose today to summon everyone to the palace to make a final decision on the case of deposing the crown prince.
Was this a coincidence? Or was it premeditated?
If it was premeditated, then who was truly plotting behind the scenes—Min Ji or Emperor Xiaozhao?
Qiao Qinghe's mind was in turmoil, but she couldn't make sense of it.
But one thing is certain: something is about to happen in the palace.
Will the changes in the palace affect those outside?
Qiao Qinghe tried to calm her racing heart and instructed Wei Jia in a low voice: "After we enter the palace, keep a close watch on the gates. If possible, go to the Marquis of Enping's residence and bring back some people."
"Have Chen San and the others keep an eye on what each family is doing. Tell them not to do anything, just to keep an eye out for any unusual behavior from each family."
"Also, if we haven't returned by dark, you should have the people from the Marquis of Enping's residence protect you and the children and hide in the village on the outskirts of the city before the city gates close."
"If anything happens to us, you should leave the capital immediately..."
"Mother!" Wei Jia couldn't help but interrupt Qiao Qinghe, "You'll be alright!"
"With Marquis Enping here, you and Madam Zheng will both return safely."
Qiao Qinghe nodded solemnly: "I hope so."
I can only hope that when the time comes, Marquis Enping will be able to respond.
To reassure Qiao Qinghe, Wei Jia added, "Mother, don't worry, I will arrange everything you asked me to do."
"If you haven't left the palace by evening, I will send Yue Rou and the children out of the capital."
"As for me, I will stay in the manor and wait for your return."
Seeing Wei Jia's determined look, Qiao Qinghe swallowed back the words she wanted to use to persuade Wei Jia to leave with her.
She squeezed Wei Jia's hand, nodded emphatically, and said in a hoarse voice, "Okay, wait for me to come back."
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