Song Tangli dared not refute, fell silent, and breathed weakly.
Soon the imperial physician arrived; he was brought in by Zhao Mama to examine the Empress's pulse.
"Your Majesty is fine. If you are feeling unwell, I can prescribe some medicine to calm your mind and soothe your nerves." The imperial physician glanced at Song Tangli, who was still kneeling. This woman was on the verge of death.
However, he dared not say much; being cautious in his words and actions within the palace was the best way to save his life.
"Go," the Queen waved for him to leave.
Ru Hua gently pressed the Empress's forehead from behind. The Empress was still annoyed. That wretched girl Song Tangxue would transfer all the property in her hands sooner or later!
Let's see how arrogant and domineering she is without these advantages!
"Thump." Song Tangli fainted. The Empress's palace was in complete chaos, and the imperial physician who had just left was pulled back.
The Empress stood in front of the hall with a displeased expression. Zhao Mama whispered, "When the Crown Princess wakes up later, we must remind her to be careful and not let her gossip in front of the Crown Prince, which could affect the relationship between the Empress and the Crown Prince."
The Empress's eyes were deep and brooding. Song Tangli would cause trouble. She had only been kneeling for a short while when she collapsed. How could someone with such a weak constitution have a child?
The Empress Dowager pulled Song Tangxue into the Cining Palace and cautiously asked, "Has anyone bullied you in the mansion?"
"No," Song Tangxue replied obediently. Although she didn't know why the Empress Dowager was so kind to her, it didn't stop Song Tangxue from taking advantage of this kindness.
The Empress Dowager nodded with relief, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes. If only she could be as strong as that woman.
"If anyone bullies you, just come to the palace and tell me, and I will stand up for you!" The Empress Dowager handed her a waist token, which was the symbol of Cining Palace. With it, she could freely enter and leave the palace.
Song Tangxue accepted the gift with a somewhat complicated expression, a vague emotion welling up inside her—the affection she had longed for for two lifetimes, the care from her elders.
A touch of emotion stopped when he looked up and saw the Empress Dowager's head full of pearls and jade. This was the Empress Dowager, truly above all others.
Song Tangxue accepted the waist token from the Empress Dowager and said respectfully, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager nodded, slightly disappointed: "There's no need to be so formal. Now that you've married Xian'er, just call me Imperial Grandmother."
"I am not the principal wife, so this is improper." Song Tangxue did not want to get involved further, so she politely declined.
"Song Tangli?" The Empress Dowager sneered, "If it weren't for the Song family interfering, the Crown Princess would never have become her."
Judging from this tone, things aren't going to be easy for the Song family. Song Tangxue raised an eyebrow slightly. That's really great.
The Empress Dowager held Song Tangli in utter contempt. She thought that the Emperor had probably already taken action against the Song family in the Imperial Study. Surely the Song family wouldn't think that this matter was over and done with.
"I truly love you. I am the Empress Dowager; no one dares to speak ill of me." The Empress Dowager's words gave Song Tangxue confidence. Song Tangxue blinked a few times and tentatively called out, "Grandmother..."
"Eh." The Empress Dowager's eyebrows curved, and fine wrinkles crept onto her face, indelible marks of time.
A woman who has wasted half her life in the harem, no matter how well she is taken care of, cannot hide the marks of time.
"Tangxue, my good child." The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with emotions that Song Tangxue could not understand.
Inside the Imperial Study.
Song's father stood anxiously in front of the imperial desk, glancing at the emperor every now and then. The emperor summoned him and dismissed everyone around him, leaving only his personal attendant, Eunuch Sheng.
He had been standing there for almost half an hour without saying a word, and he was really worried about him.
In the silence, a report came from outside: "The Left Prime Minister requests an audience."
"Announce!"
Eunuch Sheng then arrived at the palace gate and said, "Summon the Left Prime Minister."
Song's father was completely baffled by this move, wondering if it meant he had something to discuss with the Left Prime Minister.
Xie Qianzhong strode over, bowed, and stood beside Song's father: "Your Majesty, the construction of a waterproof project in Mozhou is of utmost urgency. Autumn is approaching, and winter will be rainy. Last year, Mozhou suffered a major flood, and many refugees were displaced. This year's situation is even more urgent."
Mozhou was the farthest place from the imperial court and also the most difficult to govern. Its terrain was rugged and complex, and years of poor governance had led to a fierce and unruly populace, resulting in several rebellions.
During last year's great flood, some people took the opportunity to rebel. Although they were eventually brought down by the imperial court, the leader disappeared without a trace. When Mozhou is mentioned, everyone in the imperial court shakes their heads.
"What are your thoughts, Right Chancellor?" The Emperor put down the memorial in his hand, looked up and asked Song's father, catching him off guard and leaving him at a loss for words.
"I believe..."
"The project must be carried out, and once the personnel are selected, we must go there as soon as possible!" Xie Qianzhong interrupted Song's father, "Otherwise, we may repeat the same mistakes as last year."
Mr. Song was a little confused and couldn't understand what this had to do with him, but he didn't dare to ask and just stood there obediently.
"Then who do you think should be chosen?" the emperor asked Xie Qianzhong.
Xie Qianzhong looked at Song's father with his dark and heavy gaze: "What do you think, Lord Song?"
The father of Song, whose name was mentioned, swallowed hard, a sudden unease flashing through his mind: "His Majesty should have already made a decision on this. Perhaps he can give the young people more opportunities to train."
As long as it doesn't involve him, he's an old minister, and with his aging body, going to that poor, remote place in Mo Zhou would be incredibly tough.
Even dogs wouldn't want to go to Mozhou. Anyone in the court who could avoid it would do so, and he was no exception.
The troubles in Mozhou are no longer just a distant concern; it's common knowledge that the region is already in disarray and poised for rebellion.
Furthermore, Mozhou is remote, so sending troops to suppress it would be a waste, especially since they haven't even rebelled yet.
"I do indeed have someone I prefer," the emperor said slowly.
Father Song finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Majesty is wise. The person you have chosen must be exceptionally talented and able to solve this cancer in Mozhou for Your Majesty!"
The emperor chuckled, while Xie Qianzhong stood to the side with cold eyes, a mocking glint in them. Song's father was truly a fool; he still didn't understand even after being told so much.
He obtained the position of Right Chancellor through his own daughter, but in the end, he kicked her aside. He was ungrateful and disrespectful, which displeased His Majesty.
"Yes, he can definitely solve my problems." The emperor looked at Song's father meaningfully: "You agree, Right Chancellor."
Song's father's face changed drastically, and he knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty! I am old and have developed many ailments over the years. Mo Zhou is far away and I am afraid I will fail Your Majesty's trust!"
"I didn't know that living a life of luxury could lead to health problems." The emperor looked at Song's father with a half-smile, and Song's father didn't dare to look up.
"Didn't Minister Song just praise my brilliant decision?" A cold glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes. "Or does Minister Song think his scheme is even more ingenious?"
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