Emperor Mingde, looking unwell, left Cining Palace with the help of Liang Yunsi. After stepping out of the gate, Liang Yunsi said, "Your Majesty, the ground is slippery, please watch your step."
"Why hasn't Physician Peng returned yet? I have a splitting headache." Just now, he was able to stand up in front of the Empress Dowager, but now he was supporting Liang Yunsi, looking like he was about to collapse.
Liang Yunsi had been working exceptionally hard lately and had lost weight. Upon hearing this, he summoned a palace maid to help Emperor Mingde up. "I have already sent someone to inform him. Your Majesty, please rest assured. Physician Peng is highly skilled. Once he returns, you will be well."
The eunuchs had already brought the imperial palanquin over, and Emperor Mingde was helped onto it. He slumped on it, looking as if he were terminally ill, unlike when he was in front of the Empress Dowager.
Along the winding palace path, Emperor Mingde watched the palace walls recede into the distance, his heart filled with anguish.
"Achoo!" Zhao Shu, who was lying in the cradle listening to the Sun family's songstresses singing, dancing, and playing instruments with captivating charm, sneezed.
"Princess, the weather is so hot and cold, you might get chilly. Let's go back inside." Sheng Xia stood beside Zhao Shu, carefully serving her, her voice soft and gentle.
That's quite contradictory. Zhao Shu rubbed her eyes, got off the rocking bed, and asked softly, "Has the Fourth Prince's Consort sent a message?"
Shengxia glanced at the singers who were still performing, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Zhao Shu waved her hand, very generous and bold, like a talented young man who frequents brothels, endlessly romantic, "Go down, give them all the rewards."
The dozen or so singing girls, who were well-versed in music theory, were overjoyed. Being able to show their faces in front of the princess was more prestigious than showing their faces in front of the other masters of the Sun family, except for Sun Yun. The rewards would also be more generous, so naturally, they all showed their delight.
Zhao Shu was very relaxed, not even lifting her eyelids, but she thought of the singing girls in the Yongwang Mansion. The Yongwang never gave any reward to the women he favored... Not only did he not give any reward, but he also didn't remember them after sleeping with them. He didn't remember their names, and he didn't even remember their faces.
Is there any man more despicable than this? Zhao Shu stated that, for the concubines, her father's level of despicable behavior was unprecedented and unparalleled.
After the courtesans left like flowing water, Shengxia sent someone to fetch Xiao Zhuzi. Soon Xiao Zhuzi arrived, and the two of them, one on each side, helped Zhao Shu into the room. They lay down on a chaise lounge by the window, next to a basket of ice. Shengxia picked up a palm-leaf fan and began to fan herself, sending gusts of cool air through the room. Zhao Shu said, "The rich feast while the poor freeze to death; that's what they mean by 'the rich feast while the poor freeze to death.' Where's A-Yun?"
"I just heard from Banshu that Miss Sun took the Sun family to the Fourth Prince's residence to seek justice," Shengxia replied.
Zhao Shu sneered. She wondered who had given Zhao Bi this idea. He was doomed this time. He had brought it on himself. She had originally kept him around for a great purpose and hoped he would live long enough for her to use him.
“The gang has made a lot of money lately. Let’s donate a portion of the income to the national treasury and open the granaries to distribute grain. There will definitely be many people going hungry when there is a war. If money comes in like water but doesn’t go out, sooner or later we will capsize in a ditch.”
Xiao Zhu and Sheng Xia exchanged a glance. Having followed Zhao Shu for many years, they naturally understood the meaning behind her words. Zhao Shu often said that sharing food and money was the way to survive; those who ate alone would not last long.
"Yes, this servant will go and tell Miss Sun about this matter. By the way, Princess, the Fourth Prince is interested in Yan Ruyu of the Yan family, but Lord Yan will definitely refuse. The Empress Dowager just sent someone to the Yang family. I guess the Yang family will hate the Fourth Prince to death. What do you think we should do?"
Xiao Zhu Zi always felt that the Fourth Prince was in big trouble, and wondered which expert had tricked him.
Hearing him say that, Sheng Xia chuckled. Just then, Bi Qiao came in and, after hearing his words, said with a smile, "The Fourth Prince must be feeling quite uneasy now."
Upon hearing this, the master and servants all laughed. Shengxia chimed in, "This servant thought someone in the palace was trying to deal with the Fourth Prince, but I don't know who it is. Little Zhu, how come you haven't found out yet?"
Xiao Zhuzi immediately apologized, saying, "This servant is incompetent."
"No need to investigate, just think about it and you'll know. It's nothing more than dogs fighting each other. Is there any movement from Consort Ning's side?" Zhao Shu drank a cup of double-skin milk made by Xing'er without caring at all. This girl's skills are becoming more and more exquisite. The double-skin milk she makes tastes better than before, and there are many varieties. You can never get tired of it.
Just as Zhao Shu and the others had said, Zhao Bi was pacing back and forth in the courtyard. He didn't even dare to go out now. Outside, Sun Yun and his family were blocking the gate. Memorials were being sent into the palace one after another, but the Empress Dowager was holding them back and hadn't read them. Emperor Mingde looked like he was terminally ill, so he didn't read them either.
Therefore, Zhao Bi was at a loss. "Your Highness, what should we do?" Xiao Ruanzi asked anxiously.
Zhao Bi kicked him to the ground in frustration, "Useless! Keeping a bunch of useless people around is no use at a crucial moment!"
Little Ruanzi scrambled to his feet in a panic, his face contorted with resentment, not daring to utter a word. In truth, he was filled with hatred. Just then, Liaoyuan turned the corner from the covered walkway, and he hurriedly greeted him with a smile, "Master, Master, please help His Highness!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Bi turned around and looked expectantly at Liao Yuan. Liao Yuan had just slipped in through a side door to help Zhao Bi solve his troubles. He gave a slight Buddhist salute and said, "This humble monk greets Your Highness."
"Master, please don't be so polite. Little Ruan, bring some tea."
Zhao Bi led Liao Yuan to his seat in the courtyard, where they were seated according to their status as host and guest. Xiao Ruanzi hurriedly served tea. "Master, what do you think we should do now?"
The idea of slapping the Sun family in the face was Liao Yuan's. He originally thought that since the Sun family was run by a woman, it would be fine to bully them. However, he did not expect that the Sun family would dare to block his doorstep. Moreover, there was no one in the palace to stand up for him. At this time, he was in a dilemma.
Xiao Ruanzi served tea, and Liaoyuan took a sip to moisten his throat. He then said unhurriedly, "Your Highness, Her Majesty has already found out where Lord Wei is being held. In today's world, who can surpass the Wei family in power? Don't you agree?"
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