Chapter 30: First Release Actually, you also know it well...
"Aunt, please spare me, Aunt..." The maid burst into tears. Aunt rarely lost her temper. "Aunt, please spare me, I was wrong. I won't do it again. It was him, he begged me. I had no choice..."
Zhao Changning let her cry and beg without moving an inch.
"I've given you a chance," she crouched down, calmly looking at the tear-stained face. "Besides, you were easily deceived by a few sweet words. I'll give you a beating to wake you up. Drag you away..."
"Yes, Auntie." Yunsheng had her dragged away with a serious expression. His eyes were devoid of sympathy, only accusation. "Drag her away and beat her."
These days, he watched his aunt busying herself day and night, working so hard that she even wolfed down her meals, feeling extremely tired.
Unfortunately, he can't read many words, so he can't help his aunt with much worry for the time being. These people have such a good opportunity and can read, but they just don't cherish it.
He deserves a beating.
Zhao Changning watched the people being dragged out, her eyes sliding across the faces of the people below. Looking at the frightened looks in their eyes, she felt calm.
"You better be careful. If the job is done well, even if there are some flaws, I won't mind. Everyone will be happy. If it's not done well, then I'm sorry. No matter how much you have taken, no matter how much you have taken, you will have to give it back. The result will be—"
She pointed at the palace maid being beaten with a stick outside and shouted, "It's even worse than hers. Do you hear me?"
"I heard it, aunt." Everyone responded in unison.
Zhao Changning immediately pointed at someone and said, "You, Xixinsi's mission will be under your control from now on."
Of course, she was not pointing at random people. She had been in the palace for many years and served the emperor. The list of these people was in her mind. After working with them for many days, she knew what each person was like.
The palace maid who was pointed out was full of joy. Working under her aunt, as long as she was serious and responsible, she would always be able to make a name for herself. It was better than being suppressed by the eunuchs all day long.
By the time I had finished giving instructions, it was already dawn and I had to deal with many masters in the palace. I really hoped that this period would pass quickly.
Seeing his aunt sitting down tiredly, Yunsheng quickly brought a cup of tea and whispered, "This is the ginseng tea Xiaoshun asked me to bring. Please drink it quickly, aunt."
Zhao Changning took the tea and took a sip, and his dry and astringent throat felt much better.
She warned, "Tell them not to run around, and don't leave my side for the time being. If you bump into someone, I can't save you."
Yunsheng thought of the violent Third Princess who had beaten a palace maid to death last night, and he immediately shuddered. "Aunt, I will definitely stay with you."
Seeing that he still had a bitter face, Zhao Changning suddenly remembered, "Don't worry about Yun Pei for now. It's not safe for her to leave the palace now. I've already paid for the doctor, and someone will take care of her."
Yunsheng nodded gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. When Yunpei gets better, I will definitely bring her to kowtow to you."
Zhao Changning glanced at him silently, then stood up and went to report to the queen.
Although the enthronement ceremony had not yet taken place, the title was set in stone and everyone was generous in calling it out.
The new emperor's empress was the daughter of a minor official, and Zhao Changning was not familiar with her. The fourteenth prince had not entered the palace often, let alone an inconspicuous prince's consort. Zhao Changning could hardly remember her face.
"Aunt is here?" The Queen, dressed in casual attire, stood up to greet her. "Is there something you want to discuss?"
Seeing that she was still being treated so politely, Zhao Changning quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please don't embarrass me anymore. Just call me Changning."
She knew very well that today's courtesy was not out of courtesy, but out of gratitude for her supporting the Fourteenth Prince with her life that day.
The queen smiled on her pretty face and took her into the inner room. "Changning, please sit down."
Zhao Changning sat down calmly, waiting for the maid to serve tea before speaking, "Changning would like to ask Her Majesty to quickly appoint a master to perform the ritual for the former Crown Prince. The master from the Huguo Temple is currently traveling, and their return date is unknown. There's also a master named Jiechen in Yujing. It would be wise to invite him to the palace to perform the ritual for the former Crown Prince."
The Empress did not hesitate upon hearing this and immediately responded, "You have given it much thought. Let's choose this Master."
Zhao Changning told her some more things in the palace, especially about the third princess, and was about to say goodbye. Unexpectedly, he happened to meet the new emperor coming to Kunning Palace.
"Changning is here." The new emperor had lost some weight, and a faint sadness was hard to conceal on his handsome face. "You've worked hard these days."
Zhao Changning saw that although he was a little thinner, his eyes were bright and his face was resolute. It seemed that he had adapted well to the throne.
"Your Majesty, please forgive Changning. This is what I should do."
The Queen stopped Zhao Changning from leaving and said, "Last night, another maid was beaten to death by my Third Sister. Now no one dares to serve her. Given Changning's status, it's not easy for me to bring this up. Your Majesty, please..."
The new emperor's eyes flashed with anger when he heard this, and he said coldly: "They won't be able to lord it over the palace for long."
Seeing that Zhao Changning's eyes were blue and bloodshot, he couldn't help but say in a gentle voice, "The ministers in the cabinet have already discussed it. After the emperor's immortal body is transferred to the Shouhuang Palace in the Jingshan Palace, you will continue to serve in the Qinzheng Palace."
When the old is replaced by the new, one must be more cautious in employing people. He is not orthodox and there are few people around him who can be used.
Everyone can see Zhao Changning's loyalty and ability. Besides, after that day, she is the most suitable person.
Zhao Changning remained calm and bowed respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."
She waited until she left Kunning Palace before she felt relieved. Looking back, she saw that this palace, which had been vacant for a long time, was once again magnificent. It went from being empty to luxurious in just one night.
None of this can avoid power.
Zhao Changning smiled slightly. Everything she had done before was not in vain. She also thanked God for his kindness. All these coincidences made it possible for her to have the opportunity she has now.
Before leaving Kunning Gate, I saw the tall, green Albizia Julibrissin trees in the imperial garden, their thin, flat leaves swaying in the wind. Suddenly, two people came running from the corridor, plopped down, and knelt at the door.
"Changning, Changning, save me, save us..."
Yunsheng was so frightened that he quickly stood in front of Zhao Changning, stretched out his hand to stop the woman who rushed over, and bravely scolded her, "What are you doing? Ouch, don't tickle me..."
Seeing how useless he was, Anyi frowned, walked forward, and knocked all of them over.
Zhao Changning wasn't surprised at all. He quietly looked at Concubine Sun and Concubine Xiang, who were acting like crazy. After seeing enough, he said softly, "I wonder what the two ladies want from me?"
Xiangpin and Sun Jieyu, as if they had found a lifeline, knelt forward and kowtowed profusely, "Changning, for the sake of our past friendship, please save us. We don't want to die yet..."
After receiving the decree to be buried alive, the two had been seeking ways to save their lives in the palace, begging everyone for help. After so many days, they finally found Zhao Changning.
Zhao Changning's eyes showed sympathy, but then turned to helplessness and guilt. "I'm just a little palace maid. I really don't have such ability..."
"No, no..." Xiangpin grabbed Zhao Changning's hand, tears streaming down her face. "Changning, I know you have a close relationship with the new emperor. Please beg for us. We are still young, we..."
Concubine Sun was afraid that Concubine Xiang would say something unpleasant, so she interrupted her quickly, "Changning, we would like to go to the temple to practice and pray for the late emperor and the new emperor. Please, help us..."
Zhao Changning was twisted and turned by the two of them, and finally agreed with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Okay, I can go and talk to you, but I can't guarantee it will work, so don't get your hopes up."
Seeing that she was willing to speak, Concubine Sun quickly expressed her gratitude, "Of course, of course, Changning, you're the best. You're always so capable. We sisters are always together, so we can look after each other..."
When Zhao Changning heard her mention sisters, a cold look flashed in his eyes, but he still smiled.
After she sent the two of them away, she found that she had some rare free time, so she returned to her residence.
Tomorrow the late emperor's immortal body will be sent to the Shouhuang Palace in the Jingshan Palace. After the sacrifices are completed, it will be sent to the mausoleum, where the late crown prince will be buried. Then the new emperor will ascend the throne, and the most troublesome things in the palace will be almost over. Of course, it will take a long time.
However, the best thing is to be able to return to the Qinzheng Hall.
"I've been tired for so many days. I need to soak it properly and take out the largest ginseng." Zhao Changning said with a smile: "Add two more dishes tonight and open a pot of wine."
Xiao Shun smiled and said, "Aunt, what are you so happy about?"
Seeing his aunt walk straight into the room, Yunsheng shook his head after catching her gaze. He had been following her, but it didn't seem like there was anything happy going on.
Xiao Bian muttered, "This is the first time I've seen Auntie smile like this since Sister Xiaowei passed away..."
Zhao Changning saw the lame cat nestled in the treetops through the latticed window, its dark blue eyes staring at her without blinking.
Seeing that he had been discovered, the lame cat swaggered down the tree and squatted skillfully on the bluestone slab...
"Oh, bad cat, bad cat, this bad cat is so bad, it's here to poop again, so bad..."
Zhao Changning watched the people and the cat chasing each other, and thought of the past, and couldn't help laughing.
She couldn't help but call out to the lame cat twice, "Xiaobai, come here..."
When the lame cat heard the call, he just turned his head and looked at her steadily, then turned his head without hesitation and climbed up the tree, disappearing among the green branches and leaves.
Zhao Changning sighed and stood in front of the lattice window in a daze for a long time.
The next morning, golden light splashed on the glazed tiles, flowing slowly along the sixteen bright windows of the Qinzheng Hall, and silently printed a five-clawed golden dragon on the ground, magnificent and brilliant.
Zhao Changning arrived at the Qinzheng Hall early. Looking at everything familiar, he felt very close and full of energy. He picked up the duster and cleaned it carefully.
The little palace maid beside her was very frightened and said, "Auntie, let me do it."
Zhao Changning smiled and waved his hand, "No need."
This day is destined to be different.
After the new emperor finished discussing with the cabinet, the old emperor's immortal body was about to be sent to the Shouhuang Palace. This was a big deal and could not be taken lightly. If there was any mistake, those censors would not tolerate it.
"Changning, have you prepared the names of those who will be buried alive with you on that day?" The new emperor looked over. "Now that my father's immortal body is about to go to Shouhuang Palace, his funeral and burial will take place soon. We must prepare the names of those who will be buried alive with him as well. Don't let my father down."
Zhao Changning bowed his head respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will do it right away."
She called herself "I", just as before, and the new emperor did not correct her, as if they had some kind of tacit understanding.
"Aunt?" Yunsheng ran over, holding his hat, panting and his face flushed. "Just now I ran into Concubine Xiang and Concubine Sun again. We had a big fight before we sent them away."
Zhao Changning held the decree he had just obtained from the cabinet in his hand and couldn't help but smile. Such good weather was perfect for sending away some annoying people.
"Since they both want to see me so much, let's go and meet them."
She called Anyi and a dozen other people who had been more capable and obedient recently, including palace maids and eunuchs.
"You guys, take charge of these people. Find them..." Zhao Changning assigned people and instructed Anyi, "Take them there yourself. Just give them a glass of poisoned wine. Don't let them suffer..."
Thinking that her name was almost on it, she couldn't help but pause and said, "They have a bad fate in this life. I hope they will be reborn into a good family in the next life. Tell them that I will give more subsidies to the family."
She gave the money.
Anyi pursed his lips upon hearing this, and looked at his aunt with some recognition in his eyes. There were many ruthless people in the palace, and it was good enough to die with dignity and have someone remember him.
"Aunt, I'm going now."
Yunsheng was eager to try, "Aunt, where should I go?"
There are many things he can't help with, but this is one thing he can do.
Zhao Changning glanced at him and sneered, "They are going to kill people. What? Aren't you afraid?"
Yunsheng still shuddered, but he said honestly, "This is to be buried alive with the late emperor. It's different. It's the highest honor, bringing glory to the family. They won't be unwilling, aunt, don't you agree?"
Zhao Changning narrowed his eyes in disbelief, looking at Yunsheng's innocent face. He was speechless. This kid clearly cherished his life, so how could he have such thoughts? Then why didn't he let Yunpei be buried with him? Why did he even hire a doctor?
"If I remember correctly, before you came to serve the Emperor, you were the Little Fire Master, right?"
Yunsheng nodded, "Yes, aunt, I deliver charcoal to each palace at a fixed time every day. It's not that hard."
He has been in the palace for several years, but he is still a small-time official. He can't even get a eunuch position, and he was sent to the emperor. No wonder Yun Pei looked down on him. It seems that the eunuch who trained him is very responsible, and he is the most "loyal" person in this imperial city.
"Since this is such a good thing, why not let Yun Pei be buried with him? It will bring honor to our family."
Yunsheng was stunned when he heard this, and his mouth opened and closed, unable to respond for a while.
Seeing that he was speechless, Zhao Changning was too lazy to pay any more attention to him.
Yunsheng saw his aunt starting to walk away, and hurriedly chased after her, "Aunt, where are we going?"
Zhao Changning said calmly, "Go and do something that you think will bring honor to your family and bring supreme glory to you."
The two soon arrived at Xiangpin's Xiefang Palace, and sure enough, Concubine Sun was there.
Both of them were dressed in plain clothes, without any makeup, with a white silk flower pinned on their temples. They were elegant in plain clothes, with fair skin and black hair, and could be called beauties.
Especially Concubine Xiang, who has almond eyes and rosy cheeks, a moving voice, and is gentle and charming, so it is normal that her position was promoted quickly.
"Both ladies are here, so I don't have to make another trip."
Xiangpin looked at Zhao Changning expectantly, "Sister, are you here today because of that matter?"
Zhao Changning looked at her hesitantly, his eyes full of anticipation, and nodded with a smile, "Yes."
She looked at Yunsheng and said, "You come and read the emperor's decree."
Concubine Xiang and Concubine Sun quickly knelt down to receive the order. Both of them looked at Zhao Changning with gratitude, as if she was a savior sent from the sky, a piece of drifting wood in the torrent.
Zhao Changning couldn't help but smile.
As the decree was read out, she carefully admired the panicked and disbelieving expressions on the two men's faces, and an overwhelming and difficult-to-conceal joy rose in her heart. This joy even surpassed the moment when she gained power.
After enduring for so long and feeling hopeless for so many days, everything finally came back to me at this moment.
No one would understand how happy she felt at this moment. All her old friends were gone, and she had almost no one to share how comfortable she felt at this moment.
"Come in." Zhao Changning clapped his hands, and Xiaoshun, holding the lacquer tray, walked into Xiefang Palace step by step.
There were a few things in the lacquer tray: two cups of poisoned wine, two white silks, and two daggers.
Yunsheng was a little surprised. Didn’t his aunt just say that giving everyone a cup of poisoned wine would help them leave more peacefully?
Xiangpin was so frightened that she couldn't speak. She collapsed to the ground, crying bitterly.
But Concubine Sun was different. She looked at the contents of the lacquer tray in disbelief, then looked at the imperial edict in Yunsheng's hand with disgust, shaking her head repeatedly.
"Impossible, impossible..." She fell at Zhao Changning's feet, "Changning, you will help us, right? Changning, help us, we don't want to die, we don't want to die..."
Yunsheng finally wised up after receiving his aunt's gaze. He stammered, "Being buried alive with the late emperor is a matter of honor for the family. Your Majesty, please do not speak nonsense."
Sun Jieyu pretended not to hear and lay at Zhao Changning's feet, begging, "Changning, we've begged everyone, there's no other way. You're the only one left. We're sisters, you wouldn't be so cruel, right? Changning..."
Zhao Changning let her pull him, remained motionless, and watched her kowtow quietly.
Sun Jieyu crawled over and looked at Xiangpin, "Yao'er, come and beg Changning with me. She is the only one who can help us. Come here quickly..."
Xiangpin finally came to her senses and rolled over in front of Zhao Changning, "Changning, please save me and Sister Yue. We are sisters after all, and we have been through hard times together. You can't just stand by and watch us die..."
Zhao Changning found it funny. Regardless of whether she had the ability to do so, these two people had stepped on her to get close to the rich and powerful. How could they have the nerve to say these things today?
"Don't blame me, sister. It's me who is useless. I am just a little palace maid. I really can't do it."
Xiangpin was still crying and begging, but Concubine Sun had already heard the sarcasm in her words. Death was approaching, and she could not think calmly.
She pulled Concubine Xiang up and angrily accused Zhao Changning, "I didn't expect you to be so heartless and ungrateful. What did Yao'er and I do to deserve this? We've been sisters for so many years, living together in the palace, supporting each other, and you won't lend a hand?"
Zhao Changning put away the false sympathy on his face and said coldly, "Don't you know what you have done?"
Sun Jieyu gnashed her teeth, her pretty face twisted into a distorted expression, and she became even more furious. "It's just a cat, and you've been holding a grudge against it for so many years? Besides, we didn't kill the cat..."
"Look, look, you know it all too well, but sister, is this just a cat between us?" Zhao Changning interrupted her gently, laughing softly, but his eyes were cold. "Don't worry, I won't let anyone who kills Xiao Hei go either."
"Crazy, crazy..." Concubine Sun couldn't help cursing, "You're crazy, you lunatic! You're just a cat, how can you compare to the love we have as sisters? Yao'er and I have taken care of you over the years..."
-----------------------
Author's Comment: Changning: Hunting Time! [Milk Tea]
Babies, remember to leave a message! Red envelope feedback, thank you for following us! [kiss][kiss][heart]
Thank you for the nutrient solution for the babies!!
Reader "sleep when sleepy", irrigate nutrient solution +1
Reader "Glimmer", irrigation nutrient solution +20
Reader "feise2000", irrigation nutrient solution +50
Reader "", irrigation nutrient solution +3
Reader "sleep when sleepy", irrigate nutrient solution +1
Reader "Cat King", irrigation nutrient solution +10
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
