Chapter 101: Who is wrong?
The king and his minister had not seen each other for two years, and when their eyes met, they felt a little strange.
Zhao Changning looked at the emperor, whose majesty was growing day by day, and was startled by his sharp and aggressive eyes. For a moment, she seemed to see the late emperor. Thinking of what had happened in the court in the past two years, she felt that times shape people, and the throne would indeed change a person.
She took two steps back, bowed respectfully, and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, Changning has returned."
The emperor's eyes wandered, as if he was lost in thought. After a long moment, he sighed and asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you know everything that's going on in the palace?"
Zhao Changning nodded. "I understand everything. Your Majesty, I offer my condolences. Please take care of yourself."
"Zhang'er's death pains me deeply." The emperor suddenly heaved a long sigh, leaned back in his chair exhaustedly, raised his hand and pinched his brow, his whole body revealing a decadent look.
"Changning, what do you think I should do?"
The grief of losing his son left the emperor temporarily unable to think about anything else. Zhao Changning lowered his eyes, first breathed a sigh of relief, then his mind raced.
"Your Majesty, I heard that during the reign of the late Emperor, the princes and princesses quarreled, accidentally injured someone, and even caused a loss of life. The late Emperor imprisoned the Ninth Princess in a secret place. Rumor has it that the Ninth Princess was secretly executed."
The emperor shook his head. "She didn't die. Father sent her to the north, but she later fell ill and died from her injuries."
He raised his eyes dimly, "Changning, do you want me to execute my other son and daughter?"
Zhao Changning's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly knelt down, "Your Majesty, I spoke out of turn, and I beg for your forgiveness."
The emperor waved his hand, motioning her to stand up, and said in a nonchalant tone, "You are the only one who tells me this. I have to listen to countless accusations and complaints every day, and I am upset. Alas... Fortunately, you are back. This Qinzheng Palace is still too empty."
Zhao Changning heard his voice getting softer and softer, and saw that he looked exhausted, as if he had fallen asleep.
She was so shocked and confused that she could only remain motionless, staying by his side while thinking about the current situation.
Along the way, she had anticipated many scenarios, including being deposed as a female official by the emperor, dismissed from office, or being asked to be exchanged for an imperial concubine. She had thought of everything, but she had never imagined that the loss of her son would cause the emperor to change so much.
After two years away from Yujing, there were no urgent things to do. Her tense mind was able to relax and she could think about problems more comprehensively. Thinking carefully about why she left, she was also a little afraid of the emperor's eyes. That extremely aggressive and possessive look made her terrified.
Of course she didn't want to enter the harem.
Even this time when she came back, she was prepared for everything.
Fortunately, the death of the third prince put a temporary end to all these things. His death made the emperor's cold heart collapse a little.
Zhao Changning had an indescribable feeling in her heart, pity and sadness, but also a hint of relief. At least she didn't have to face the emperor's aggressive gaze for the time being.
This is how things are: one man's meat may be another man's poison.
"Changning." The emperor said hoarsely without opening his eyes, "Go see the Queen. She's been nagging you for a long time. Try to persuade her. I've let her down..."
He hesitated, "You comfort Yao'er. The child is frightened and doesn't want to see me..."
Zhao Changning heard a hint of vulnerability hidden in him. He was an emperor, but he was also a human being.
She knelt down and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, I will go then."
After she went out, she talked to Yunhui about many things, and then she met Anyi who had been guarding the door.
When Anyi saw her come out, his eyes changed several times, and finally he followed her.
"Where's Yunsheng? Where is he?" Zhao Changning's eyes were as cold as frost, even colder than the ice and snow. "Is he still alive?"
Anyi didn't say anything and avoided looking.
Zhao Changning closed his eyes, his heart burning with anger. "I asked you a question, answer me."
Anyi was obviously frightened, but he forced himself not to move. He said unconvincedly, "Aunt, the fighting in the palace has always been like this. You don't have to be so hypocritical. The number of people who died at your hands is no less than mine."
"Hahaha..." Zhao Changning laughed. "An Yi, I used to take you with me, killing people, setting fires, poisoning people, and doing everything in between. Do you think you can do it too?"
She narrowed her eyes. "I once told Yunsheng that killing is not difficult. The hard part is covering the consequences, dealing with it cleanly, and bearing the consequences of killing. If you can't do that, it's no different from suicide. Anyi, you want to act like a big shot after learning a little bit. You're courting death."
An Yi stumbled upon hearing this, and argued stubbornly, "I'm just following your path. How noble and powerful do you think you are? How can I know that I can't be the next you? The winner takes all."
Zhao Changning looked at him coldly without saying a word.
In fact, what Anyi said was not wrong. Hu Gou'er was not wrong back then, and she is not wrong now. So who is wrong?
Is this the only way to go?
At that moment, she suddenly understood why the emperor did this, as if everything had suddenly become clear to her. Wasn't the previous emperor the same? He was always afraid that those around him would join forces, deliberately making her ambitious, showing her claws, willingly fighting against Hu Gou'er, and could only rely on him.
The emperor is more direct than the previous emperor.
Her departure and the female officials she left behind were like knives in the emperor's hand. He remained calm and waited patiently, then acted quickly, accurately and ruthlessly to clean up the court. He also wanted to put her in the same position as him, alone and trustworthy, so that she would immediately become trustworthy.
Can the throne change a person to this extent?
Zhao Changning felt as if he had grasped the invisible hand.
That invisible hand is still stirring up the situation. That hand is called power.
Power is invisible, visible but intangible, and cannot be felt on a daily basis, but when something happens, it can always strangle you by the neck at certain times, preventing you from struggling.
Zhao Changning looked at the trembling Anyi and sighed, "As long as Yunsheng is alive, you can live. If he dies, I will not let any of you three, including your people, go."
She looked over calmly, "You know, I mean what I say."
Anyi watched her leave arrogantly with bloodshot eyes, his hands clenched tightly, veins bulging, but he finally let go.
He knew very well that he could not defeat her, and the time was too short. If he was given another year, he would definitely not let her come back alive, and perhaps he could continue the path of being her godfather.
But fortunately, I am alive.
Thinking of this, Anyi felt very confused. He didn't know what he was doing. It seemed that he was being pushed every step of the way, and he just followed along in a daze.
Zhao Changning walked hurriedly. The snow along the road had been cleared, revealing dry land and bluestone slabs. The white flags along the way became denser and denser. When he arrived at Kunning Palace, he could feel the desolation and helplessness more and more.
The white banners of Kunning Palace almost covered the palace gate. When the palace maids and eunuchs who were cleaning saw her coming back, they saluted nervously and then immediately returned to their seats, not daring to stop for a moment.
Zhao Changning sighed, but still spoke, "Come here, take down the white banners, and reveal the plaque of Kunning Palace."
The palace maids and eunuchs were a little hesitant. At this time, Chunyun came out and said, "Listen to my aunt and withdraw."
She walked up to Zhao Changning, her eyes red and swollen, her face haggard. "I knew you went to the Qinzheng Palace, so I've been waiting here, thinking you would come. Finally, you're here."
The palace maids and eunuchs gritted their teeth, set up a ladder, and removed some of the white flags.
Zhao Changning patted Chunyun's shoulder and pursed his lips, saying, "My condolences. This kind of thing is really unbelievable."
Chunyun nodded helplessly and said in a hoarse voice, "Since no one can persuade her, we can only let her do what she wants. I also know that this is wrong. It's not okay to have so much white in the palace. It's against the rules. But the Empress is still heartbroken, so I really can't bring myself to do this. Changning, it's good that you're back. Go and persuade her."
Zhao Changning took her hand, only to find it as cold as iron. "Tell me, what's going on?"
Chunyun wiped the corners of his eyes and said, "You know that the mother of those two little bastards is dead, right?"
Zhao Changning nodded. Shang Meir's death still made her feel a little emotional.
Chunyun choked up and said, "She must have said something before she died. These two little beasts were often kept in Kunning Palace. The Queen never treated them harshly, and the Third Prince had a good relationship with them. Who would have thought they were so cruel? In such a cold day, they secretly took the Third Prince to play in the water. If he fell into the water, his coat would be so heavy. Even if he could swim, he wouldn't be able to climb out. By the time someone saw him, he would have been dead..."
Zhao Changning asked doubtfully, "How can we be sure it's them? Are they still guarding there?"
Chunyun sniffed. "At first, I couldn't be sure. I just thought the Third Prince was being naughty and fell into the water after running around. But the Empress said, the Empress said..."
Zhao Changning saw the tears falling from her eyes and quickly took out his handkerchief. "Don't be impatient, talk slowly."
Chunyun's nose was red. "Those two little bastards ran up to the Empress, gloating about how Zhang'er was dead and that he would be the eldest prince in the future. They also said that the Empress had killed their mother and they wanted revenge..."
Zhao Changning frowned as he listened. No wonder the Queen was so heartbroken and almost crazy. How could she not go crazy with such excitement?
"Have you told the Emperor this?"
Chunyun nodded vigorously. "Why didn't you say anything? The Empress cried and begged, but the Emperor listened and said that the Empress was too sad to lose her son, so she was talking nonsense. Those two little beasts are just children, how could they have such vicious thoughts? Changning, I have never seen such vicious children, they are simply beasts..."
Seeing her heartbroken, Zhao Changning hurriedly helped her to straighten her back. "Don't cry, don't cry. It's too harmful to your health. It's all over, it's all over."
Chunyun closed her eyes, sorted out her thoughts, and managed to recover a little. "Okay, go see the Empress quickly. You must persuade her well. I can't persuade her anymore... After all, she is the Empress, and there is the Emperor. There are so many new people in the harem. Changning, you must persuade her well."
"Okay, I know." Zhao Changning agreed and walked deeper.
Kunning Palace is the residence of the queen. It is magnificent, elegant and profound, but it is also surrounded by high walls and the world around it.
She followed the palace maid and stepped into the queen's bedroom. The bedroom was all white, with no lights or stoves. The curtains were heavy and it was as cold as an ice cellar. For a moment, she didn't even know where the queen was.
This kind of weather is almost torture.
"Someone, come and light the stove quickly." Zhao Changning said, then went to close the window, took out a tinder, and lit the candles around.
The palace servants had obviously been prepared long ago and were very quick. In just a cup of tea, the room became a little warmer.
Zhao Changning blew into her palms, and white smoke curled up. She walked through the curtain, and behind the layers of white, there was still white.
She saw the queen kneeling by the window, dazed, dressed in white, with no blood on her skin and a deathly gray face.
When she got closer, she was surprised to find that there were some white spots among the queen's black hair. The pain of losing her son was so painful.
"Empress." Zhao Changning's voice trembled. He knelt to the side and said in a trembling voice: "Empress, I'm back."
The Queen turned her head like a zombie, her eyes empty, and she gave a strange smile, "Changning, why are you back?"
Zhao Changning nodded, "My Lady, please get up first. If you continue like this, your health will deteriorate."
The queen's tears suddenly fell, each one as big as soybeans, dripping.
"It's ruined, it's ruined. I didn't protect Zhang'er, and he froze to death or drowned. How painful must it be? I deserve to die. That damned girl Yao'er didn't even follow Zhang'er, letting those two little bastards bully their brother. Those two little bastards..."
Zhao Changning felt uneasy and pulled the queen to her feet. "The eldest princess certainly doesn't want this to happen. Don't blame her. She's also a child. Your Majesty, you have to cheer up..."
The queen sat on the bed like a puppet, and her eyes finally turned to Zhao Changning's face, as if the puppet had gained some popularity.
"Come on? Come on, can my son survive? Or should I go and beg the Emperor to grant me another child? After ten months of pregnancy and risking my life to give birth to a child, do I still have such a chance?"
Zhao Changning was speechless for a moment and could only forcefully comfort her, "You still have the eldest princess. She still needs you, Your Majesty, you can't go on like this. You are the queen, the mother of a country..."
When the queen heard this, she suddenly trembled, as if stimulated by something, and suddenly became crazy with a ferocious look on her face.
"Yes, I am the mother of a country, the head of the six palaces, I am the queen. I am not harsh, I am not jealous, I always remember my status and responsibilities, and I take it as my responsibility to be the mother of the country. So I have to endure it. I can't cry, I can't laugh, I have to live like a puppet. My child died, he died, and I can't even take revenge..."
She pulled Zhao Changning, tears streaming down her face, and cried out in pain, "Changning, I don't want to be the queen anymore. I just want Zhang'er to come back..."
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The author has something to say: [burst into tears]
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