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Spring was in full bloom, with flowers blooming early in southern China. To honor the emperor, the Suzhou Palace held a banquet in honor of the hundred flowers. Empress Li, demonstrating her grace, not only allowed the ladies of the imperial court, both inside and outside the palace, to enjoy the flowers and feast together, but also the wives of the most prestigious families in Suzhou.
Prince Gong's concubine, Su, was ill and had submitted a memorial apologizing for failing Empress Li's kindness. Su was unfortunate and regretted not being able to enjoy the flowers and wine with the Empress. She hoped for her forgiveness.
Queen Li sneered at that time.
Sick? The real Concubine Su was probably still in the capital, but her carriage and servants had arrived in Suzhou City with the southern tour fleet.
Concubine Su had been ill for years, living in seclusion in Prince Gong's backyard, oblivious to worldly affairs. That lowly maidservant, Su, was quite bold, having frequently used Concubine Su's name in public. It was likely that Concubine Su had already completely controlled the entire household.
The one who is sick in Suzhou City now is not "Li Kui" but "Li Gui".
But… Empress Li lowered her eyes and twirled the jade bracelet on her wrist. "Do you think everything will be fine if you don't come? I just wish you wouldn't come."
"Since Prince Gong's 'concubine' is ill, her health is of course the most important thing. After all, I am the prince's legitimate mother, and the concubine is considered a half-wife, my daughter-in-law, as recorded in the imperial genealogy. I am not the kind of elder who would be so demanding, and I understand that 'concubine Su' has to work hard to serve Prince Gong day and night."
Empress Li lazily leaned on the couch and instructed the palace maids below, "Let this be. Pass on this imperial decree: From now on, Prince Gong's 'Concubine Su' is exempt from all formalities of greeting. A quiet place will be set aside in the palace for 'Concubine Su' to recuperate. No one is allowed to disturb her."
Aren't you sick? Then I'll give you a place to recuperate. But I can't say how long you'll be able to recover.
"Also have the accompanying imperial physicians take turns on duty day and night. The Concubine's health is precious, so don't let her illness get any worse."
"As for Concubine Su's maids and eunuchs, the master has been ill for so long and hasn't recovered. It's obvious that they haven't served her wholeheartedly. Take them all away and don't have to serve. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will assign someone else to serve her."
Empress Li explained the imperial decree word by word, and the palace was so quiet that the only sound could be heard of Huixin making tea.
She stroked the mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist, her voice as light as the wings of a butterfly brushing against a hundred flowers, yet every word was hooked:
"I have made sure to remember everything—
The imperial physicians who took turns accompanying her were not there to treat her illness, but to prevent her from biting her tongue, swallowing gold, taking poison, or hanging herself.
Newly assigned personnel from the Imperial Household Department don't need to be overly clever; they just need to be sharp-eyed, quick-handed, and careful-mouthed. If she dares to glance out the window even once, it will be considered a sign of 'worsening' and she needs 'more time to recuperate'. The servants must be made to 'work their hearts out' even harder.
The palace maids knelt on the ground and answered "yes" in unison.
Empress Li then picked up the teacup and took a slow sip, a cold arc curling up at the corner of her lips. "A lowly servant who has taken on an imposter status dares to use the prince's concubine as a cover to try to manipulate the traitor in the capital. If I don't personally pull out her tongue and break her wings, she will really think she is someone important."
The teacup was put down, and the jade cup collided with the sandalwood table, making a very light and crisp "ding" sound.
"Go ahead. Tell the imperial physician—you can use medicine, you can give me acupuncture, but you cannot let her die. I want her to live well, to live until we return to the capital, to live until the day when Prince Duan is living a life worse than death in the clan residence."
The Empress Dowager issued the decree openly, and the palace maids under Prince Gong did not doubt it and did not stop her. Su realized something was wrong and wanted to escape, but was captured by the Empress's men.
There was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps in the courtyard where Su was imprisoned. They were all palace maids who were newly assigned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for "rough work". They all had straight backs and calluses on their knuckles. It was obvious at first glance that they were trained maids.
Under the eaves of the main room, two imperial physicians sat facing each other day and night, their medicine chests open, their silver knives, gold needles, and cowhide ropes neatly arranged. The presence of these fellows was enough to make a person suffer but still hold on for dear life.
The medicine pot was bubbling, but what came out was not the usual bitter medicinal aroma, but a faint smell of sleeping powder - I guarantee that after drinking it, you won't even have the strength to bite your tongue.
The western courtyard of the Suzhou Palace has since become the most magnificent prison.
The "fake" in the cage doesn't even have the right to die.
After Su was executed, Empress Li issued another order to the outside world: "The 'concubine' has been ill for so long and has been serving Prince Gong for many days. I am worried, so I have asked the imperial physician to check on Prince Gong. I will tell him that he is also ill and to take good care of himself. He should not come out unless he is fine."
On the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet, the palace gardens were ablaze with blossoms. The ladies of state and the families of Suzhou officials gathered in twos and threes, covering their faces with fans, and whispered quietly:
"I heard that Prince Gong's concubine was ill, and the Empress even specially placed her in the temporary palace to recuperate."
"Your Majesty is kind-hearted. I heard that the concubine even infected Prince Gong with her illness, but Your Majesty didn't blame her at all. She just told her to recover first."
"Even the medicine is the best from the Imperial Hospital."
Listening to these words praising the Empress's kindness, Concubine Yi felt uneasy. She had a feeling something was amiss, but Empress Li acted so openly and honestly, and the Emperor had sent someone to see Prince Gong, confirming he was truly ill, so she couldn't point fingers.
But, but why is my heart beating so fast?
On the night of the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Empress Li received a letter stating that Prince Daoduan had received a secret letter from "Su" stating that security at the palace had been relaxed. The letter stated that the salt transport envoy and the general of the army from Jiangnan were to be summoned for a surprise attack on the Suzhou palace in three days. Prince Duan then replied with a pretentious reply, stating that the grain transport from Huzhou had been inspected and that he would return to the palace the next day to report.
Little did they know, the secret letter was copied from Su's handwriting by someone specially commissioned by Emperor Yongping, and the seal was also forged. The imperial consort Zhou Tiansheng and other trusted confidants on this southern tour had already made preparations, waiting for Prince Duan to fall into their trap.
Zhou Tiansheng was not on guard against Yuxi, and his actions could not be hidden from Yuxi. When Yuxi asked with a cold face, Zhou Tiansheng refused to say anything at first, so Yuxi dragged Yujin and went to find Emperor Yongping and Empress Li in tears.
"If he is planning a rebellion, then the Emperor and Empress do not need to worry about their daughters. Kill him if he deserves it!"
Emperor Yongping and Empress Li burst out laughing.
"What are you talking about, kid?" Emperor Yongping raised his hand and touched a hairpin on Yuxi's bun lovingly: "Did your husband pick this for you? He's a rough man, but he has good taste."
Yuxi knew she had guessed wrong by looking at the expressions of Emperor Yongping and Empress Li. She didn't get angry, but just said angrily, "He's been meeting with those generals and subordinates these days and has no time to talk to me."
"The prince consort did not rebel, but there were other people who wanted to rebel." Emperor Yongping paused for a long time before sneering.
Yuxi was horrified after hearing this. Yujin managed to remain calm, but gnashed his teeth: "He has such great ambitions!"
"Yurong once told me that her brother was prone to getting stuck in a rut. I didn't expect him to be so incompetent that he would foolishly desire something that doesn't belong to him." Yu Jin said coldly, "These corrupt officials in Jiangnan are all the same. They don't even look at who is sitting at the top yet dare to commit such a treasonous act!"
Seeing that his two daughters were alternately frightened and angry, Emperor Yongping's expression calmed down and he asked them to go back and wait for news.
Yuxi was frightened and felt dizzy, so Queen Li asked her husband to send the princess back.
Everything was arranged outside. Zhou Tiansheng came to pick people up when he had time. When he returned to the room, he sighed, "I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would be scared."
Not long after the marriage, Zhou Tiansheng understood the temperament of Princess Long'an. She had been spoiled since childhood, so it was inevitable that she was naive and arrogant. Anyway, there were people inside and outside the palace to take the responsibility for her even if the sky fell.
"I'm not afraid of Prince Duan! He can't get in even if you're all prepared."
Yuxi sniffed and said anxiously, "I'm worried about Mother. Was Mother afraid when she first found out in the capital? What if there are traitors in the capital too? What should Mother do? I haven't even had time to tell Mother that she's going to be a grandmother... What should I do if something bad happens?"
"With Prince Yue, Prince E, and Prince Yong guarding the capital, Mother will be fine. Besides, you already know how Mother reacted. She's more resourceful than you think—" Zhou Tiansheng paused, then asked uncertainly, "Cancan, what did you just say?"
Yuxi: “…”
So annoying.
She quickly turned around and wiped her tears: "I didn't say anything! You heard it wrong!"
Zhou Tiansheng stood up immediately. Yuxi glared at him and turned to shout outside, "Call the doctor! Call the doctor!"
Capital city.
The events outside did not affect other people in the palace. Li Qingping waited in Yonghe Palace for a few days. The messages sent by Prince Yong said that there was no unusual movement among Empress Qianyuan, Princess Yurong and others in the capital.
It seems that these people are sensible and have a broad perspective.
"Has there been any news from Suzhou City?" she asked Yunsu. They'd received a letter a few days ago saying they'd captured the Su family and were waiting for Prince Duan to fall into their trap. Why was there still no news?
Before Yun Su could even finish her "No," Yun Zao rushed in beaming with joy, "Master, Master! Eagle Slave has sent a letter!"
Li Qingping couldn't wait to open the note.
"Prince Duan Hesheng is guilty of treason and regicide, a crime unforgivable. He will be brought to the capital by Prince Dun and his consort Zhao Fengming, and handed over to the Imperial Clan Court for a rigorous trial. The Jiangnan Salt Transport Commissioner, the leaders of the grain transport gangs in Huzhou and other places, and other officials implicated in the case will be beheaded on the spot, and their property confiscated. The soldiers who were forced to follow him will be sent to the Lingnan exiles, and will never be pardoned or returned."
"As for Empress Qianyuan and others in the capital, they will be kept under strict surveillance for the time being. We will make further arrangements upon the emperor's return to the capital."
Li Qingping exhaled: "It's over."
"Master, here's another normal letter from home." Yun Zao said with a smile, "Our Princess Long An is one month pregnant. It's great news."
Li Qingping suddenly raised his eyes, his expression filled with joy, "Really? Cancan is pregnant?"
"Yes! The princess will stay in Suzhou to take care of her pregnancy. She will not join the southern tour. She will be accompanied by her husband, and will return to the capital once the pregnancy is stable."
Li Qingping couldn't hide the smile in his eyes: "Rewards, there are rewards for everyone in Yonghe Palace! Quickly go to Cining Palace and the Loyalty Marquis' Mansion to announce the good news!"
"Also, pack up the ten rolls of auspicious tribute satin sent from Jiangnan last year, the four baskets of gold-threaded blood swallows, and my pair of red gold rocking bracelets. Open the warehouse! Take out all the best treasures I've kept and send them all to the Princess's residence!"
Yun Su and Yun Zao laughed at her: "Master, the princess is only one month old, you are too anxious."
Li Qingping pointed at the two palace maids with his fan through the air and said, "What do you know? Our Yuxi's pregnancy came at a perfect time. The Emperor just apprehended the traitor. It's a double blessing!"
Turning back, he ordered, "I remember there's a Qilin Fertility-Bonding Jade Ruyi in the storeroom. I'll have it, along with some supplements, sent to Suzhou as quickly as possible to calm the princess and help with her pregnancy."
It happened that the convoy escorting He Sheng was entering the capital, and the palace was about to send rewards to Princess Long'an.
Common people lined the streets, and a military general held up a flag, shouting "Congratulations on the capture of the rebels" while shouting "Congratulations on the princess's pregnancy." The contrast between the two was quite ironic.
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