If Zhang Chu still didn't know what Zhao Shu was up to after all this, he would be incredibly foolish. She had been with the Empress Dowager since she was fourteen, and decades had passed; she had long since become a master of manipulation.
Zhao Shu's words and actions all contained the character "王" (Wang), and she even named her Wang Jize. Why "王"? Coupled with the actions of the Dowager Princess, everything was enough to prove that the Wang family was doomed!
Back then, the Empress Dowager issued an edict ordering the concubines who had no children to enter the Biyou Palace to cultivate themselves. No one knew why. Dayong was more inclined to believe in Buddhism, but he did not suppress Taoism. There were rumors that the Empress Dowager wanted to pursue the path of immortality.
Now she finally understood that the Empress Dowager wanted her enemies to live well, hoping that these concubines who disregarded her and plotted to replace her would live long and healthy lives, so that they could see her ascend to the throne of Empress Dowager, receive the homage of the noblewomen of the world, and look down upon them, these ants, from their high position.
Death is nothing to be afraid of; what is truly terrifying is living, and the agony of living!
"Yes." Zhang Chu finally compromised. Even if the Empress Dowager punished her today, she would listen to the princess and make the Wang family lose face!
However, what she didn't know was that Zhao Shu wanted more than just the Wang family to lose face.
After Zhang Chu left, he first announced the imperial decree to the imperial concubines, bestowing upon them the gifts given by the Empress Dowager. Then, he led his men to announce the decree to each of the concubines, allowing them to enter the Biyou Palace to visit the imperial concubines.
Zhihai is a trusted confidant of the Empress Dowager, and he is naturally not lacking in wisdom and resourcefulness. Although he was punished by the Empress Dowager and sent here, his heart is still with the Empress Dowager.
Zhao Shu's words had just inspired him. Were the Empress Dowager the enemy of the imperial concubines? No. Were they the mothers of the princes? No. They were their relatives who sent them into the palace but never came to visit them at Biyou Palace, and who still enjoyed the wealth and glory they brought outside the palace.
"Princess, please allow me to return shortly." He stood up and bowed.
Zhao Shu nodded, "Eunuch Hai, go ahead and get busy. I just came to take a look around." She held Wang Jize's hand and smiled.
Zhihai withdrew, inwardly admiring her; she truly was the Empress Dowager's grandson, as intelligent as she was.
After Zhang Chu and Zhi Hai left, Xiao Guozi asked, "Princess, what should we do with the Dowager Princess?"
"Keep a close eye on her and don't let her try to kill herself again. Shengxia, go to the Jingzhao Prefecture and find Liu Ren'an. Tell him to take some men to the streets to find the murderer who kidnapped Lüluo Xinwei. Make sure the Dowager Consort's family comes through the East Gate." After giving the order, Zhao Shu calmly sat in front of the Three Pure Ones statue and waited for Lüluo to return.
I wonder if Xiao Zhuzi has returned yet. It probably won't be that soon. But Xiao Zhuzi has never failed before. It's just a family temple, not an impregnable fortress. He should be able to make it in time.
The Wang and Yang families are powerful, and the Yongwang Mansion is certainly no match for them now. However, tonight, she will make the Wang and Yang faction abandon their pawns to save the king!
That's still achievable.
"Are you a god?" Wang Jize asked Zhao Shu timidly. His aunt used to beat him and said, "Scream! Unless a god comes, no one can save you." So he thought that gods must be very powerful.
Zhao Shu looked at him, shook her head, and said with a smile, "No, I am a person, just like you."
Looking down at the hand holding hers, she saw that it was as thin as a chopstick, just skin and bones. Lifting up the tattered sleeve of his arm revealed a series of red scars, both new and old, densely packed together.
The higher the sleeve was rolled up, the more horrifying the scars became; there wasn't a single patch of unblemished flesh on the entire arm. Seeing this, Zhao Shu felt a surge of anger mixed with heartache. A teenager, subjected to abuse since childhood. She couldn't help but turn to look at the Dowager Princess, wondering if this woman had a heart of stone.
The Dowager Consort had been in a frenzy for a while, but now she was somewhat sober. Although Xiao Guozi had managed to stop her, he couldn't stop her from staring at Zhao Shu and letting out a maniacal laugh.
"You little bitch, I'll beat you to death, beat you to death!" she roared, trying to rush over.
Wang Jize hid behind Zhao Shu in fear. Zhao Shu pulled Wang Jize and said softly, "Don't be afraid. She can't hurt you now. Don't be afraid. Go over and hit her. After you hit her, you won't be afraid anymore."
Zhao Shu pushed him slowly toward the Princess Consort's place. He was terrified, his whole body trembling, and he desperately tried to hide behind her.
“She can’t hurt you anymore, don’t be afraid. From now on, you’re the one who can bully her. She can’t bully you anymore. So, don’t be afraid. Go over there, hit her, and return everything she hit you with!” Zhao Shu said firmly, constantly encouraging her.
Wang Jize looked at Zhao Shu, who winked at him. "Go ahead, after you beat them up, you'll never be bullied again."
Zhao Shu pushed him, and he moved slowly, his whole body trembling, his teeth chattering with fear.
"Hahahaha, you bastard, a bastard's offspring is a bastard!" Consort Wang laughed maniacally. Just now Zhao Shu thought she was still a little angry, but now it seems she has gone mad.
When they were just a few steps away from the Dowager Princess, Wang Jize dared not go any further. Zhao Shu grabbed his hand tightly, took a step forward, and slapped the Dowager Princess.
Xiao Guozi moved quickly, and with a forceful slap, the Dowager Consort Wang knelt down. Zhao Shu pulled Wang Jize away, but before Wang Jize could react, Zhao Shu grabbed his hand again and slapped him across the face.
Are you still scared?
Wang Jize stared blankly at his hand. He was overjoyed to realize that he could hit his aunt. Tears streamed down his face as he walked up to the Dowager Princess and raised his hand.
"You dare! You little bastard! Believe me or not, I'll beat you to death!" The Dowager Princess glared at him, her voice shrill and threatening.
Wang Jize paused, and Zhao Shu stopped talking and looked at him. He turned to look at Zhao Shu, and she smiled at him.
It was only a few breaths, but it felt like an eternity to Wang Jize. With a "slap," he slapped her across the face. He was finally free from his aunt's beatings, and he was no longer afraid of her.
Before she knew it, he raised his hand again and slapped her several times. The Dowager Princess was stunned by the slaps and angrily cursed, "You little bastard, how dare you hit me! You little bastard, I'll beat you to death! I'll beat you to death!" She tried to swing her hands, but she was no match for Xiao Guozi.
A smile appeared on Wang Jize's face. It was great. He really felt that he was not afraid now. He raised his hand again, but Zhao Shu grabbed it. He looked at Zhao Shu with questioning eyes full of tears.
"She abused you; she's not human, she's an animal. But you are human, you're not an animal. She's your blood aunt, so you can't hit her. People will be punished by heaven for their evil deeds. Remember, you are human, not an animal. Don't be like her. There are a million ways to make someone wish they were dead, but doing it yourself is the stupidest way."
In Dayong, unfilial people are despised by the world, even if the elders are in the wrong.
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