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At this moment, Shen Yu was immersed in joy when she saw Madam Jia and Rong Mama approaching. Only then did she remember that she had made a promise to someone before she lost her memory.
She grabbed Rong Mama's sleeve anxiously and asked, "Mama, how is my elder brother's concubine, Mo Sheng, doing now?"
Alas! Three years ago, on the day the young lady had her accident in the palace, Mo Xiaoniang disappeared without a trace. Perhaps she fled back to the northern frontier.
[Don't worry about her, Yu'er. You and Cuiwei come with me to offer incense. That way, we can have Granny stay and look after An'er and Ping'er.]
As she spoke, Madam Jia took Chen Yu's hand.
Chenyu and Cuiwei helped Madam Jia out of the sedan chair.
Madam Jia beamed, leaning close to Chen Yu and whispering in her ear: "The Emperor summoned Yu'er to the palace to bestow a title and reward; it must be a mansion. From now on, the six of us will live together and never be separated again."
[Mother, the country is in trouble right now. We should refuse the Emperor's rewards. Our family will continue to live in the Hundred Herbs Garden, growing cotton and making flower tea. We can still live comfortably.]
Okay, let's do as the fish says.
The two exchanged a glance, then looked towards the entrance of Putuo Temple, where Hongyu, supported by two maids, walked out of the temple.
Hongyu slowly descended the stone steps. The reason she came to offer incense today was because everything was going wrong:
In these three years, the number of concubines in the harem has reached one hundred, and there are five princes.
Gulinafei gave birth to the eldest prince, Xiuhua gave birth to the second prince, and Kong He'er gave birth to the third prince.
As agreed, she raised Xiuhua's son in the Jiaofang Palace, but the Emperor preferred the third prince born to Kong He'er.
It is not hard to see that the Emperor needs Kong Xiang's support even more.
Indeed, as the head of all officials, Kong Xiang held great power and commanded all officials. He could not only call on them to pay taxes, but also help the emperor solve problems and handle thorny issues.
Even most of the concubines in the harem were sent to the palace by Prime Minister Kong.
Although Hongyu was the Empress, her maternal family had long since disappeared, and she was unable to bear children. It was already an extraordinary act of mercy that the Emperor was able to keep her as Empress.
She wiped her blurry eyes and looked up to see Chen Yu pulling Madam Jia to the side of the road.
Lady Jia broke free from Chen Yu's hand, brushed past Hong Yu, and entered Putuo Temple.
Hongyu couldn't help but feel embarrassed, and nodded to Chenyu in a gesture of goodwill.
Shen Yu bowed slightly and said softly, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
I'm traveling in plain clothes, so there's no need for formalities, sister. I heard the Emperor is going to bestow an official title upon Brother Yu; you're sure to have a good life ahead of you.
Shen Yu shook her head, took out the token, and handed it to Hong Yu.
Seeing that Chenyu's hand was wrapped in gauze, Hongyu guessed the reason:
It is said that Shen Yu executed the wife of the prefect of Taizhou and the county magistrate. The emperor was greatly displeased upon hearing this, and Prime Minister Kong even rebuked the Mu family for their disregard for the law, saying that a woman dared to enforce the law.
Hongyu took the token, leaned closer to Chenyu, and whispered a reminder, "Sister, you mustn't show off your skills again, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."
Chen Yu stepped back, looking at Hong Yu with surprise, and asked in return, "The people of the world are suffering terribly. Are we just going to let corrupt officials and treacherous ministers do whatever they want? As the Empress, you should be working for the well-being of the people. How can you turn a blind eye to this?"
Hongyu was speechless. Now that Prime Minister Kong held absolute power, she feared that if she said even one word, it would be considered interference in politics by the inner palace. Alas! It was all because she had no family to support her, and even her son was not her own.
At that moment, Jade rushed over and whispered, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Second Prince has been poisoned! You must go back and see him immediately."
Hongyu was shocked and quickly got into the sedan chair and left.
As Chen Yu entered the Guanyin Hall, her eyes were already filled with tears, and her lips were tightly pressed together.
Five years ago, her mother brought her here to have her birth chart analyzed.
Master Suiyuan said: She and Liu Yu are a match made in heaven. Although Liu Yu is destined to suffer calamities, she is born with a benefactor. The two of them will surely turn bad luck into good and grow old together.
Thinking of this, she knelt down and kowtowed, thanking the Bodhisattva for protecting her. After many hardships and separations, her family of four was finally reunited.
She drew lots to predict her future, and went to the inner hall to present the lots to the master with both hands.
[This young woman is kind and generous, and cares deeply for the people; she is destined for great things.]
Shen Yu looked closely and saw that it was Master Suiyuan.
Five years later, upon seeing each other again, Shen Yu's eyes were filled with tears, and her voice choked with emotion: "Master, I pray... for my marriage. My husband and I have been separated for many years, but we have finally reunited. I want to know if we can spend the rest of our lives together peacefully?"
Master Suiyuan's expression remained calm, but he lowered his eyes to avoid Chenyu's gaze.
Shen Yu asked again, "Master, my husband and I are a match made in heaven. Will we be able to grow old together?"
Master Suiyuan looked up at Chenyu and replied softly, "Young lady, you are an intelligent person, naturally insightful. The reason you sought a divination must be because you sensed something amiss—a change in fate, an end to your destiny."
Chen Yu was terrified and left Putuo Temple in a hurry without even saying goodbye to Master Suiyuan.
Why did the Emperor bestow honors upon Liu Yu? How could the Second Prince have been poisoned? There must be some unrest in the palace, and someone is targeting Liu Yu.
Seeing Shen Lan and Chi Yan approaching, she continued walking briskly and ordered, "Go quickly to the palace to protect Liu Yu. Someone might be trying to harm him. Go now!"
【yes! 】
Shen Lan and Chi Yan rode away.
at this time.
Consort Hua knelt outside the Ziji Palace, holding the lifeless body of the Second Prince, and wept bitterly: "Your Majesty, the Second Prince has been poisoned to death! Please, Your Majesty, do justice for the Second Prince..."
The Emperor led Prime Minister Kong and Liu Yu out of the Ziji Palace.
Suddenly, a group of dark figures flashed by, and dozens of sharp arrows shot over, all aimed at Liu Yu.
Liu Yu tried to dodge, but before he could even lift his foot, the tendons in his ankle throbbed with intense pain, as if they were snapping one by one. It must have been the result of his travels over the past two days, causing his old injury to suddenly flare up.
【Well! 】
Liu Yu, riddled with arrows, knelt on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of black blood. He looked up and saw the Emperor pointing at the wall, ordering the guards to give chase, while Prime Minister Kong calmly watched him.
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