Chapter 185 A Bolt from the Blue
In the imperial city, in a study in Changchun Palace.
The palace maid Qiao'er laboriously piled the scrolls in her arms on the table, then bowed to Mei Dai, who was reading, and said, "Madam, I have brought the books you requested."
Mei Dai kept her eyes on the book and said, "Well, go down."
In Qiao'er's eyes, Consort Xian was truly remarkable. She had spent most of the night drinking with His Majesty, then helped him to sleep, and then tossed and turned until the latter part of the night before she finally went to sleep. She had risen at dawn to escort His Majesty to court, and then practiced dancing, playing the piano, and painting in the palace.
It was just past noon. After taking a bath and changing clothes, without even having lunch, the virtuous concubine began to read again.
I heard that before entering the palace, when she lived in Jingxin Garden in Yongwei City, she read every day. It wasn't like some concubines just going through the motions. She was truly dedicated to her studies.
It would be fine if it was just one or two days, but the Empress has been like this all the time. She has never been lazy since she entered the palace. She is simply a superman.
No wonder His Majesty is so bewitched by her.
In terms of appearance, the Empress is a beauty of the country. In terms of dancing, the Empress is second to none, and yet she works so hard. An old woman like Concubine De, who can only show off to the Second Prince, how could she have the courage to compete with Concubine Xian for favor?
If only De Fei could come to Changchun Palace in person to see the daily life of Xian Fei. She would immediately understand why she couldn't win the fight.
Just as she was thinking about it, a palace maid's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door: "My Lady, there's a messenger from Xiliang delivering a letter."
When Mei Dai heard the word Xiliang, she immediately put the book down, raised her head and smiled, saying, "Qiao'er, quickly bring the letter over."
Seeing Qiao'er leave, Mei Dai stood up and stretched lazily, which was a rare moment of ease.
It must be about his brother's wedding. Could it be that he came to urge her to prepare a grand gift?
Thinking of this, Mei Dai smiled and shook her head. Why would she need to send a letter to urge him? The gift prepared for her brother was already on the way.
Qiao'er entered the study and handed the wax-sealed letter to Mei Dai, saying with a smile, "Your Highness, please take your time reading this. I will have the kitchen prepare some food for you."
Mei Dai took the letter, her eyes fell on the sealing wax, and her heart suddenly tightened.
This sealing wax did not come from his father or brother, but from a secret outpost located southwest of Longsheng Town, at the border between Liangzhou and Jingzhou.
That secret outpost was built by Grandpa during his lifetime. Grandpa did not tell her father and brother, but only told her. She was only thirteen years old at the time, and she foolishly asked Grandpa:
"Grandpa, why don't you tell Daddy this?"
"Oh...you can't tell your father. If you tell him," Grandpa tapped the ash from his pipe on the table, "your father will definitely tear it down."
"Daddy won't do that. He knows Grandpa is doing this for his own good."
"No, I know my son's character best. Granddaughter, you are a sensible child. You must remember that this secret sentry is very important..."
Grandfather's words still echoed in her ears. Because she hadn't told her father and brother about this secret sentry, she had been supporting him with her own salary.
Did the sentry discover something?
Seeing that there was no one in the study, she quickly removed the sealing wax, opened the letter, and looked at it carefully under the light.
As soon as she looked at it, she was suddenly overwhelmed by a severe feeling of dizziness, and the words on the paper seemed to start spinning.
There was only one sentence in the letter: Jingzhou sent 200,000 troops to attack Yongwei.
Man proposes, God disposes, and he was still a step too late. Before his plan could be realized, Jingzhou had already taken the initiative.
Grandfather had long anticipated Jingzhou's evil ambitions and had taken precautions. But now they had sent an army of 200,000, clearly aiming to crush Xiliang. Xiliang was doomed to fall.
Drops of tears flowed from her eyes, dripping onto the trembling letter paper, blurring the words.
The thing she had spent her entire life trying to protect was suddenly about to be lost.
Can't be dazed, now is not the time to be dazed.
Mei Dai kept reminding herself in her heart. She suddenly raised her head and looked around vigilantly.
Qiao'er went to arrange food and hasn't come back yet.
It didn't matter what she ate, she had to take action.
As a weak woman, she could do nothing. Her only support was Emperor Yongde. She had to go to Emperor Yongde and ask him to send troops to rescue Xiliang.
Mei Dai wiped away her tears, sat down at the table and began to put on makeup in front of the mirror. She just picked up the eyebrow pencil and put it down again.
Do you want to meet Emperor Yongde in this miserable state?
This morning, Emperor Yongde went to court. It was said that a large number of memorials had accumulated and remained unprocessed. Prime Minister Shen Guogong repeatedly pleaded with His Majesty to attend court. Emperor Yongde, reluctant to leave her and unwilling to listen to Shen Guogong's nagging, agreed to attend for a day.
What reason should Emperor Yongde use to send troops?
Emperor Yongde had never dared to offend Prince Jing and Prince Qi. Previously, he had sent Zhao Mu to attack, but he had only managed to stop Xiao Beiheng's army from advancing westward. Even if he knew Jingzhou was sending troops to attack Xiliang, he would probably have stood by and watched.
Kneeling on the ground and hugging Emperor Yongde's thighs and crying bitterly might make him soften his heart... but I still think it's impossible.
Mei Dai thought of several solutions, but none of them seemed feasible.
Emperor Yongde had absolutely no reason to take action against Prince Jing, or rather, he didn't dare. His empire still needed Prince Jing and Prince Qi to maintain it. When Prince Qi Xiao Ming tore up his imperial edict, he didn't dare to say anything.
What should I do? What should I do?
Mei Dai clenched her fists tightly, her nails piercing into her palms, and a trickle of bright red blood dripped from the edge of her white palms onto the table.
"Your Majesty, Prince Jing has arrived and brought you a generous gift," Qiao'er said with a smile as she walked into the study. "The gift we gave will be taken back immediately."
"Prince Jing?" Mei Dai turned around and looked at Qiao'er.
By the way, during the autumn hunt, Qiao'er told her that Prince Jing had come to the capital.
How could he possibly come here to give me such a generous gift? Jingzhou had already sent troops to attack Xiliang. How could Prince Jing not know that Mei Dai was the daughter of the Prince of Xiliang? What was the meaning of sending such a generous gift at this time?
Mei Dai said to Qiao'er calmly, "I understand. Is lunch ready?"
Qiao'er said, "I have already instructed the imperial kitchen to start cooking. It will be ready in a quarter of an hour. Prince Jing has arrived, and I am afraid of delaying important matters, so I came to inform the Empress first."
Mei Dai nodded, thinking rapidly in her mind.
There is only one explanation for Prince Jing's gift: Prince Jing was unaware that the Jingzhou army had already begun attacking Xiliang. The journey from Jingzhou to the capital was very long, so the Jingzhou army must have sent troops without informing him.
No matter why Prince Jing came to her, she was smart enough to think of a way to make Emperor Yongde send troops.
"Qiao'er, come and dress me up," Mei Dai sat up straight, "I want to go see Prince Jing."
Qiao Er was startled and said to Mei Dai, "Your Majesty, I'm not being nosy. Shouldn't we first let Prince Jing go see His Majesty and let His Majesty announce the decree..."
"His Majesty is currently attending court. Let's not disturb him," Mei Dai calmly interrupted her. "I'll go see Prince Jing first. Please send someone to inform His Majesty that Prince Jing has invited the virtuous concubine to a banquet."
Qiao'er was stunned for a moment. Prince Jing didn't say this.
But since the master had spoken, she, as a servant, had to do as she was told. Pondering the mystery was not something a servant should do.
The more you know, the faster you die.
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