Hibiscus Palace.
This palace was once magnificent a century ago, said to be the residence of a favored concubine who enjoyed great power and influence. However, it fell into disrepair after offending the Empress Dowager. Nowadays, fewer and fewer people visit it, and it has almost become synonymous with a desolate palace.
After the morning court session, Tao Rong was invited to meet Xue Huai'an here.
She arrived without her maids or servants, and was dressed very casually.
Xue Huai'an was still wearing his official robes. It made sense; he must have rushed over after the morning court session, so he didn't have time to change into his everyday clothes.
"Is Prince Xue looking for me about the Empress?" Tao Rong entered the inner palace, closed the door, and acted like a thief.
Xue Huai'an, dressed in a vermilion official robe, turned around when Tao Rong asked him about it.
"What exactly happened to the Empress?"
Tao Rong answered truthfully, "I haven't been feeling well these past few days, so I haven't attended the banquet or paid attention to the Empress. I've only heard that the Empress dislikes the Princess Consort of Chen and intends to use the little princess's life to harm the Princess Consort of Chen."
"The young master Xue should already know that the Empress has more than just this one life on her hands."
Xue Huai'an wasn't actually that clear about this matter, and he hadn't initially considered letting Tao Rong compete with the Empress for the position. Given her status, she could at most become a favored concubine, but the Empress? That was definitely out of the question.
I never expected that the seemingly quiet empress had so many lives on her hands.
“Now that the Empress has fallen, the position of Empress is vacant. Go and fight for it,” Xue Huai’an said.
Tao Rong was somewhat surprised. Someone as intelligent as Xue Huai'an would actually ask her to compete for the position of Empress.
"I'm afraid my status isn't high enough." Besides, she never thought about becoming empress. She entered the palace to repay Qin Su, and becoming empress would involve too many things.
To avoid having too many ties, she didn't even dare to have children.
"What is your identity?" Xue Huai'an glanced at her and said, "Aren't you the adopted daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyi?"
Everyone in the capital knows Tao Rong's origins, even though she's said to be an adopted daughter. The Marquis of Zhongyi adopted a young master from a collateral branch, but that was still a collateral branch. And her? She doesn't even bear the surname Qin. She simply appeared out of nowhere; how could she possibly be qualified to be the mother of a nation?
"Tao Rong, just because you're Consort Rong now doesn't mean you can disobey me. I still have leverage over you." Xue Huai'an wouldn't let Tao Rong get out of control, even if all her enemies were dead.
As long as he has something on her, Tao Rong has no choice but to obey.
Tao Rong lowered her eyes and said very respectfully, "I wouldn't dare, I will obey. I was able to take revenge because Prince Xue helped me a lot."
Xue Huai'an certainly didn't do this, but what does it matter? Tao Rong doesn't know anything about it anyway.
"Hmm." He responded, then stood up and said, "I heard that you gave the young princess a longevity lock last night?"
Tao Rong didn't panic, but said somewhat bewilderedly, "Nominally I'm the little princess's aunt, so I should at least show some appreciation."
"If I give His Majesty a longevity lock, he will think I am loyal and righteous, and I will be easier to control."
Xue Huai'an walked up to Tao Rong. He was usually gentle, but now his slightly cold eyes stared at her sternly. "You should know who you are. Don't really think that you and Qin Su are sisters."
Tao Rong lowered her head as if somewhat frightened and quickly said, "Yes, I... I know."
Xue Huai'an was very satisfied with her attitude. He knew that Tao Rong was quite capable, but if someone was capable but difficult to control, then he wouldn't like her.
"Stay a little further away from her."
After saying this, Xue Huai'an left the palace.
Tao Rong wiped her fingers, her eyes extremely cold.
Is this the kind of person who would fight with their benefactor?
hehe!
Even if she didn't have a benefactor, choosing Emperor Mingyang would be better than him, right?
To be his pawn, or to become Emperor Mingyang's most favored concubine at the height of his power—which is more alluring? Need I say more?
Tao Rong thought about the news she had received this morning, and a calculating look appeared in her eyes.
Back in the palace, she summoned a slender palace maid and said coldly, "Go and send an invitation to Prince Chen's residence, saying... I wish to see my sister."
The palace maid nodded, took the invitation, and quickly left.
She is from the Prince Chen's mansion, extremely skilled, and considered Tao Rong's confidante, at least someone she can trust.
...
When the palace maid arrived, she was greeted by Qin's mother. It was said that Qin Su was not in the palace. She didn't say anything, but handed the invitation to the steward and went back to report.
Qin's mother came to Prince Chen's residence to take care of the children. Her daughter and son-in-law went out as soon as she got up. She didn't know where they went, nor did she want to ask.
At this moment, Qin Su is in the southern suburbs of the capital. The area is spacious, and some officials of lower rank in the court choose to buy estates here. But most of the time, it is a place frequented by wealthy merchants.
Qin Su chose to come here entirely because a huge horse farm had been built here. It didn't exist before; Xue Huai'an bought the land here and started operating it after he rose to prominence.
On the surface, there seemed to be no problem, but in reality, the ledgers were full of evidence that he had sold horses to the Yuehai Kingdom.
"You stay here and keep watch, I'll go in and take a look," Qin Su said to Yu Shuo.
"Let's go together." How could Yu Shuo feel comfortable letting her go alone?
"Two people are likely to alert the enemy," Qin Su disagreed with his suggestion.
It's just a village; there shouldn't be any major problems.
"Let's go together," Yu Shuo insisted.
Qin Su had no choice but to agree.
Following the few memories she had from her previous life, Qin Su made her way through the mansion's hidden guards, eventually entering a study in the horse farm.
Qin Su lowered her voice to Yu Shuo, "I'll go look for it."
What she was looking for was the ledger, which would contain detailed discrepancies.
"who?"
Huo Wu, who was guarding outside, suddenly heard a slight noise. He immediately pushed open the door and came in. His hawk-like eyes barely missed any part of the room. His hand was on the hilt of his sword at his waist, as if he would draw his sword immediately if anything seemed amiss.
Qin Su and Yu Shuo huddled in a corner behind the screen. It was so cramped that they could feel each other's breath.
Qin Su kept a close eye on Huo Wu outside. She knew how troublesome this person was. Once a fight broke out, it would definitely attract attention, and it would be difficult to find the account book then.
"Killed".
Yu Shuo mouthed to Qin Su.
Qin Su was taken aback for a moment, and actually thought it was feasible, but there had to be some commotion outside.
"Go set it on fire." She mouthed the same words to Yu Shuo.
Time was of the essence, and they had no chance to hesitate.
Yu Shuo handed her a dagger and then lunged at Huo Wu, who was closing in. Huo Wu, who was prepared, immediately drew his sword. But Yu Shuo was just using a feint; while Huo Wu was distracted, Qin Su immediately pulled out a soft whip from her waist and lashed out fiercely.
During the break, Yu Shuo left through the window.
Huo Wu didn't have time to chase after her. Qin Su had almost recovered, and her movements were strong and powerful. If Huo Wu hadn't dodged her kick, he would have broken at least two ribs.
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