Chapter 83 Clearing out the backyard of the Eastern Palace
She looked up and met Xiao Jingzhan's slightly bloodshot but still clear phoenix eyes, the worry and tension in them clearly visible. A warmth filled her heart, and she gently shook her head: "Your Highness, I'm alright. I'm sorry to have worried you." She could sense that he hadn't slept well.
Xiao Jingzhan didn't say anything. He checked her forehead temperature and touched her hand. Only after confirming that everything was normal did he breathe a sigh of relief.
He didn't let go of her, but instead pulled her closer, lowered his head to kiss her forehead and her lips, his voice hoarse: "It's good that you're alright."
It wasn't until Su Jingyu whispered in his arms that she was a little hungry that Xiao Jingzhan finally let go of her, got up and personally ordered breakfast to be served. He then held her and fed her some light porridge and side dishes, and ate some himself as well.
Seeing that her complexion had improved significantly and that she could talk and laugh, Xiao Jingzhan's tense nerves finally relaxed a little after a long night, but the cold determination deep in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest. He tucked her in and said gently, "Sweetie, rest a little longer. I have some things to take care of and will be back soon."
Su Jingyu nodded obediently.
Xiao Jingzhan stood up, turned around, and walked out of the bedchamber. As he stepped across the threshold of the Glazed Pavilion, the gentle aura around him instantly vanished, and the tenderness in his eyes was replaced by a chilling coldness.
"He Yong".
"Your servant is here."
"How is Zhang Liangyuan?"
"Your Highness, Consort Zhang is out of danger. She just choked on water and was frightened. The imperial physician said she will recover in a few days."
"How did she fall into the water? Find out every detail of what happened." Xiao Jingzhan's voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling undertone.
"Yes." He Yong's heart skipped a beat, and he accepted the order and left. His Highness the Crown Prince was truly enraged.
The investigation was not difficult, as there were many palace servants present at the time. Soon, the results were presented: Consort Zhang had "accidentally" slipped and fallen into the water, but according to a timid palace maid beside her, before falling into the water, Consort Zhang seemed to have deliberately taken a few steps towards the slippery artificial rocks by the pool and dismissed the palace maids following closely behind... As for the Crown Princess, it was absolutely true that she saved the person without hesitation.
Was it a foolish attempt to stage a "bitter trick" to gain the Crown Prince's pity? Or was it a more malicious attempt to frame the Crown Princess for "failing to save her" or "failing to provide adequate assistance"? Or perhaps both? Whichever it was, it touched Xiao Jingzhan's sore spot.
"Good, very good." Upon hearing the report, Xiao Jingzhan laughed in fury, his eyes flashing with a chilling light. He slammed the teacup in his hand onto the ground, shattering the fine imperial porcelain into pieces instantly!
"One Li isn't enough, there's also Zhang! Do they all think my Yu'er has a good nature, so they all dare to scheme against her? Even risking their own lives?!"
He stood up, his black robes fluttering even without wind, exuding an imposing aura: "By my decree: Consort Zhang has committed moral failings and acted inappropriately, disturbing the Emperor. Effective immediately, she is stripped of her title, removed from the Eastern Palace, and sent to the Jingxin Nunnery in the suburbs of the capital to practice Buddhism while keeping her hair. She is not to leave without an imperial edict! Her father has failed in his duty to educate his daughter and is hereby fined one year's salary!"
"The rest of the concubines in the Eastern Palace," he said coldly, sweeping his gaze over He Yong and the other stewards who were sitting below him, who were trembling with fear, "each of them will receive an additional half-year's allowance and be sent back to their families to marry as they see fit. Those who do not wish to return home may move to a separate palace in the Western Garden to live out their days in comfort, with all their benefits remaining the same, but they shall never set foot in the Eastern Palace again for the rest of their lives!"
This is to... completely clear out the backyard of the Eastern Palace, leaving only the Crown Princess!
He Yong was greatly shocked, but dared not say a word, and hurriedly replied, "This servant obeys the decree!"
"Furthermore," Xiao Jingzhan added, his voice carrying an undeniable killing intent, "all the eunuchs and palace maids who failed to perform their duties properly or were slow to provide assistance by the lotus pond today shall be punished with twenty strokes of the cane, have their salaries deducted for three months, and be transferred away from the Emperor's presence. From now on, those who serve the Crown Princess shall be carefully selected by me. If they are found to be negligent or fail to protect their mistress in the slightest, they will be beheaded!"
"yes!"
The imperial decree was issued swiftly, causing a stir in the Eastern Palace and the entire inner palace.
Consort Zhang cried and begged, claiming she was innocent, but the evidence was overwhelming. At the very least, she had fallen into a dangerous place, enraging the Crown Prince, and no one dared to plead for her.
The other concubines were even more anxious. Some of them, who were less scheming, were relieved to be able to return home; others, who were unwilling to accept their fate, knew that the Crown Prince's mind was made up and there was no turning back, so they could only pack their belongings with tears in their eyes.
Upon hearing the news, the Empress sighed. Knowing her son's temperament, she did not object. When the Emperor learned of this, he simply said, "Zhan'er knows what he's doing." He was well aware of his son's deep affection for Lady Su and also felt that fewer people in the Eastern Palace meant less trouble. Since the Eastern Palace had many heirs, a little peace and quiet was fine.
When Su Jingyu had rested for two days and was feeling better, she was shocked to learn of these actions.
"Your Highness, isn't this... going too far? I'm worried it might be detrimental to you..." She wasn't a saint, but she felt that such a resolute decision seemed...
Xiao Jingzhan sat on the edge of the bed, held her hand, and looked at her tenderly: "My dear, you are kind-hearted, but some people are not worthy of your kindness. Whether Zhang is stupid or vicious, I no longer care. I only know that because of her, you jumped into the cold pool, suffered from the cold, were frightened, and were injured."
He gently traced the scabbed marks on her arm with his fingertips, his eyes darkening. "I will never allow anyone or anything to put you in danger again, not even if it's just a possibility."
"As for the others," he said calmly, yet with an undeniable firmness, "the Eastern Palace is complete with you, Yu'er, Ye'er, and Anning. I do not wish for you to worry about these pointless people and things, or even to wrong yourself. Your heart only needs to be placed on me and the children, and on yourself. My heart has always belonged only to you, and the Eastern Palace only needs one mistress."
Su Jingyu looked at him, deeply moved. She knew she had truly frightened him this time. He was using the most direct and thorough method to clear away all potential dangers and troubles for her, giving her an absolutely safe and peaceful world.
She took his hand in her own and gently nestled into his embrace: "I understand. Thank you, Your Highness." Thank you for cherishing her so much, thank you for giving her this unique and pure love.
"Nonsense." Xiao Jingzhan hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "I should thank you for being safe and sound."
Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan's decree to clear out the Eastern Palace's rear courtyard, leaving only the Crown Princess, was like a boulder thrown into the seemingly calm lake of the imperial court, stirring up considerable ripples.
The news naturally shocked the families of the dismissed concubines. Although the Crown Prince offered them a dignified way out—increased allowances, permission to return home, or retirement—their families still felt ashamed to have their daughters dismissed in this way, and it meant that their families had completely lost any possibility of marrying into the future emperor's family through the harem.
Some families were secretly annoyed, but more were filled with doubt and uncertainty, as well as a hint of dissatisfaction that they dared not voice – was the Crown Prince's move too arbitrary?
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