Chapter 191 Su Tingwan Leaves for the Border
Two days passed, and Su Tingwan still hadn't returned. In the end, she followed the path of her previous life and chased after Xie Shang to the border. Ironically, Empress Cheng herself told her this news.
Empress Cheng said, "Consort Su went to the border to help Shang'er fight the war. Shang'er also needs a woman to take care of her. Since you are pregnant, I allowed it. I hope Ruan Ruan won't blame me."
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "Mother is indeed very thoughtful. It's good for the Prince to have a caring person by his side. However, it's freezing cold outside, and the New Year is just around the corner. Is it safe for Consort Su to travel alone like this?"
"She knows martial arts and has the protection of the Su family army, so it's fine. I don't think she's that delicate."
"That's good." Jiang Fenghua said gently. The Empress really changes her mind quickly. She used to strongly oppose Xie Shang taking a woman to war, saying it would be unlucky and even damage the commander's dignity. Now she can't wait for Su Tingwan to go.
Her relationship with the Su family aunt and niece was extremely hostile, so what made the Empress's attitude towards Su Tingwan change so drastically?
Jiang Fenghua glanced at Granny Xi, who was the Empress's most trusted person, after hearing what Su Tingwan had told her. She should know something!
Granny Xi also glanced at Jiang Fenghua unintentionally, a strange look flashing in her eyes.
Before leaving, Granny Xi helped Jiang Fenghua put on a cloak, saying, "The road outside is slippery, let me escort the Princess out!"
Empress Cheng also said, "I'll take a nap. Granny Xi, please take Ruan Ruan back for me. The road is slippery, so please help her along the way."
"Yes," said Granny Xi respectfully.
"Thank you for your trouble, Granny Xi," Jiang Fenghua said calmly and gently.
The road was covered in snow. Granny Xi helped Jiang Fenghua up, and she said, "I am very grateful to Granny Xi for taking care of me during my time in the palace. She has been sending me all sorts of delicious food, and my belly has gotten bigger and bigger. I feel like I have become round and plump."
"It is my honor to take care of the Princess. I didn't actually do much; it was all thanks to Granny Xu," Granny Xi said politely. "The Princess is beautiful no matter what."
The two chatted idly.
Jiang Fenghua added, "When I'm not in the palace, Consort Su should often come to serve the Empress Dowager!"
Having served the Empress for so many years and being valued by her, Xi Mama was not without brains. She said softly, "During those days, when the Empress met with Consort Su, she would dismiss all the palace maids and only be alone with Consort Su in the inner palace."
She and Granny Wang had always been the Empress's right-hand women. The Empress never hid anything from her, and Granny Xi became increasingly anxious because she couldn't figure out her mistress's intentions.
"Even Granny Xi has fallen out of favor?" Jiang Fenghua asked with a smile.
"Alas, we servants are only trying to please our masters. Who knows when we might fall out of favor?" Granny Xi said with a pointed smile.
"How could that be? I can tell that Mother is very dependent on Granny Xi. She has been taken care of by Granny Xi for so many years. The bond between mistress and servant can never be erased."
"Actually, neither I nor Granny Wang have served Her Majesty the Empress all along. We weren't the ones who followed Her Majesty from beginning to end. We also did our best to make our mistress comfortable." Granny Xi was telling the truth. When they first started serving the Empress, they were all terrified, and the Empress's temper was unpredictable.
Jiang Fenghua listened quietly without making a sound.
Granny Xi continued, "I once offended Consort Su, and now that she has gained Her Majesty's favor, I feel like my head is about to fall off."
"Granny Xi is overthinking it. Consort Su is not capable of killing people in the palace, and the Empress Dowager will not be swayed by her..."
Suddenly, Granny Xi grabbed Jiang Fenghua's hand and whispered, "To be honest, Your Highness, once I overheard Consort Su and the Empress talking in the inner room. They seemed to be talking about a dream, and they said that Your Highness is about to become the Crown Prince and will be the Emperor in the future..."
Jiang Fenghua quickly covered Xi Mama's mouth and glanced around. Fortunately, the area was empty and there was no one in sight.
"We'll be at Chenxi Palace soon. I brought some pastries from outside the palace. Please take some back for Mother to try, nanny!" Jiang Fenghua said calmly.
Granny Xi was so frightened that she trembled all over and immediately shut her mouth.
Upon arriving at Chenxi Palace, Jiang Fenghua instructed Lianye to close the door, leaving only Granny Xi inside.
Her expression turned slightly cold as she said in a deep voice, "Granny Xi, do you know that what you just said is a capital offense? Now that Father is in good health and the Crown Prince has not yet been established, you are spreading these words in private. Not only will you lose your head, but Mother, the Prince, and even I, the Princess Consort, will be implicated by your words."
Granny Xi was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. "I know, that's why I've been keeping it to myself. I'm worried about not saying anything, so I wanted to tell the Princess Consort so that she could persuade Her Highness."
Jiang Fenghua deliberately said, "What you just said were said by Consort Su and Her Majesty the Empress. You really weren't lying."
Granny Xi said in detail, "These words were not spoken by this servant, how could this servant dare to say them? Nor were they spoken by Her Majesty the Empress. These words were indeed spoken by Consort Su. Her Majesty the Empress really believed her words, saying that after the Prince returns from his victory in this battle, the Emperor will make the Prince the Crown Prince, and he will soon sit on the throne."
Jiang Fenghua felt as if her heart was churning with emotions. No wonder Empress Cheng was so happy and doted on Su Tingwan, even letting her go to the border.
How could Su Tingwan have known that Xie Shang would be made crown prince upon his return, and even ascend the throne in two years? Did she also know that she would become Xie Shang's empress?
Jiang Fenghua was filled with mixed emotions. Had Su Tingwan also been reborn?
No, Granny Xi just said it was just a dream; she must have dreamt about some things.
Judging from Su Tingwan's recent attitude, there are still many things she doesn't know. She only knows that Xie Shang will become the emperor and she will become the empress.
Seeing that she remained silent, Granny Xi said, "Your Highness."
She called out several times before Jiang Fenghua came to her senses. "Granny Xi, did anyone else in Kunning Palace hear these words? For example, Granny Wang, or other palace maids?"
Granny Xi shook her head repeatedly, "No one knows. I only overheard it because Consort Su was acting so mysteriously. I was terrified at the time. How could I dare to speak of such things? Wouldn't that be tantamount to rebellion? I'm worried that Her Majesty the Empress might be swayed by Consort Su's influence. Now that the Prince has gone to the border, will Consort Su also incite him to rebel? With the support of the Su family army, the Prince wouldn't be afraid..."
Granny Xi's imagination ran wild. Jiang Fenghua's eyes widened involuntarily after hearing this. Granny Xi's explanation made sense. Xie Shang now held military power and had the Su family's support, so it was plausible that he wanted to rebel at this time.
Jiang Fenghua didn't want to be killed by Su Tingwan's or Granny Xi's remarks.
She exuded an imposing aura, her gaze sharp and piercing, her entire being radiating a chilling presence. She said in a deep voice, "Granny Xi, do you know what the consequences would be if these words reached His Majesty's ears?"
Granny Xi was startled and immediately knelt on the ground, saying, "This servant knows her crime."
Jiang Fenghua stepped forward and helped her up personally. “The prince went to repel the thieves who attempted to invade our Great Zhou, not to collude with the Su family to rebel. His Majesty is in his prime, in good health, and will live to be a hundred years old. The prince has no such shady intentions. I will pretend I didn’t hear about this, and you should pretend you didn’t hear about it either, otherwise we will all lose our heads.”
"Yes, this servant obeys and will not say it again." Of course, Granny Xi did not want to die. "It is really Consort Su's fault. It is all her fault for bewitching the Empress and making her believe it."
"Now that the Empress hasn't told anyone, you should pretend you don't know either, otherwise I'm really worried..." She hesitated, worried that she would be killed to silence her.
Granny Xi naturally understood. "Your Highness, please save me! I will never say another word. I once offended Consort Su. I only ask that if she ever gains power, Your Highness will spare my life."
"Don't worry, Granny. You truly care about Her Majesty the Empress. As long as you remain loyal to her, I guarantee no one will dare to harm you, and you can live out your days in peace in the palace." Even in her past life, Granny Xi was truly loyal only to Empress Cheng.
"Thank you, Your Highness. This servant knows what to do," said Granny Xi respectfully.
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