Chapter 106, Part 10...
In the afternoon, the sun suddenly peeked out. The clouds hadn't yet dispersed, and the sunlight still carried a damp scent. Although it was already late afternoon and the sun was setting, the chilly wind and rain had finally lifted, and a touch of warmth seeped in, instantly invigorating the spirit.
As usual, official documents were sent to the Eastern Palace. Yan Chao read them quickly but processed them slowly, sometimes causing delays. She remained unhurried, only handling the most important ones first.
As for the court officials, they were all refused to see him. Even when Chen Xiu came several times, he was unable to see the Crown Prince and was only dealt with by eunuchs.
It's not that she listens to the emperor too much. The emperor's suspicions haven't subsided yet, and if she doesn't behave herself, she might end up like those who came before her.
Inside the study, Yan Chao was about to leave when he glanced at the nine-linked rings on the chair beside him. He got up, picked them up, and casually fiddled with them. He lifted them, and they became a jumbled mess.
She suddenly remembered how anxiously Yan Fei had scratched his head earlier, and couldn't help but smile. She then ordered someone to come in and return the Nine-Linked Rings to Zhaoyang Palace. Recently, Yan Fei had been having nothing to do and often liked to go to the East Palace. Whenever asked about it, he would only answer that Wenhua Palace was nearby.
It's been almost a year since Yan Fei started studying at the Wenhua Hall. From being granted the title of Prince to entering the Wenhua Hall, Yan Chao wasn't entirely without doubt, but there was no need for him to stop him.
In terms of lineage, both uncle and nephew were legitimate children. Whether she and Madam Sun had a falling out or not, it had nothing to do with a mere child like Yan Fei. It was just a matter of going to school, and besides, the teacher was someone she had recommended.
She turned around, her gaze falling on the eunuch who had just left with the nine-linked rings. Her breathing became slightly heavier, and she casually gave him another instruction: "Send the things over, and while you're at it, inquire about the situation of Lady Liu and the imperial grandson Yantang."
"Yes," the eunuch bowed and replied before withdrawing.
Just as Yan Chao was about to leave, she heard a series of footsteps, and Liang Lu entered. Seeing that she was about to leave, Liang Lu paused, the words he had prepared caught in his throat, and hastily changed his question: "...Where is Your Highness going?"
Yan Chao nodded: "Is there anything else?"
"...Eunuch Lan has kept many memorials and reports in the document room, but Chief Minister Yang has not made any statement on this. Some people are already dissatisfied, thinking that the Chief Minister is condoning treacherous officials. Some have even said the words 'to go along with the corrupt'..." He deliberately lowered his voice, and the last syllable of his voice gradually faded. Even he himself couldn't help but frown, quite puzzled.
"I knew the chaos in the Imperial Library was related to Lan Huaien!" Yan Chao spat lightly and sneered. Lan Huaien acted recklessly and never considered the consequences, but those memorials probably weren't directed at him, so Yan Chao couldn't quite figure out his intentions.
In recent months, one incident after another has occurred: high-ranking officials have fallen from power, princes have been imprisoned, and the emperor has suspended court sessions, causing turmoil in the court. Naturally, the most panicked person should be the chief minister, Yang Ren.
He was always able to resolve conflicts quietly, and even if he couldn't be completely impartial, he could ensure that nothing would spill over. A few days ago, Yang Ren advised the Crown Prince, earnestly explaining the principles and then subtly mentioning brotherly affection.
Chen Xiu had inadvertently mentioned to Yan Chao that Yang Ren was extremely anxious about the power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince, and hoped to find a balance where both sides would uphold their virtues, and where the ruler was wise, the ministers were virtuous, and the brothers were friendly and respectful. However, this could not be achieved in the end, and now one side has lost its balance, causing the other faction to fall.
Yan Chao had never found an opportunity to discuss this in detail with Yang Ren, and she didn't know how to bring it up either, as they hadn't yet reached the point of being completely open with each other. She just found it ridiculous that Yang Ren wanted to avoid conflict and infighting, yet he was worried about one faction losing power—wasn't that a contradiction?
Hesitating until now, he has ended up colluding with treacherous officials.
Her brows furrowed deeply as she pondered for a moment before asking Liang Lu, "What did Chen Xiu say?" Right now, he was the only person she could truly rely on in the cabinet.
"Grand Secretary Chen has not taken any action, but several of his protégés have submitted memorials vehemently criticizing the fourth son of the Emperor for his lack of loyalty and filial piety, requesting that he be executed as a warning to the world. However, most of these memorials have been kept in the palace..." He paused, then lowered his head and said, "Recently, Lord Chen has been requesting an audience with Your Highness, and I suspect it is related to this, but you have consistently refused to see him..."
Yan Chao chuckled: "If it's truly an emergency, he will surely find another way to tell me."
For example, the handwritten scroll from last time.
"He's very busy right now, trying to gauge His Majesty's attitude on one hand, and openly challenging the Grand Secretary on the other."
Liang Lu suddenly hesitated: "But if Lord Chen opposes Eunuch Lan, what about you..."
Yan Chao curled her lip and clicked her tongue: "If it really comes to that, I won't care about Lan Huaien anymore. He deserves it."
Her tone was rather sarcastic, then her smile froze, and she said in a deep voice, "His Majesty is still recuperating in the Western Garden. If the Eastern Depot were to fight with the Cabinet at this time, neither side would fare well. Therefore, Yang Ren chose to compromise, while Chen Xiu secretly competed. As for Lan Huaien, he was indeed too flamboyant."
A person like him is probably never going to settle down.
Liang Lu scrutinized her expression, trying to glean something different from her conversation with Lan Huaien, but to no avail. After a long pause, just as he was about to ask her what was going on between her and Lan Huaien, she strode out before he could even open his mouth.
He sighed inwardly and had no choice but to give up.
Watching her retreating figure, Liang Lu inexplicably recalled a painting he had inadvertently seen long ago while tidying up his study. It was a simple painting with few strokes, yet not carelessly done.
The person depicted was a smug eunuch; it was easy to guess who he was. The painting was tucked inside a book called "Pearl and Jade Lyrics," with only half a line of inscription in the corner: "My eyes are filled with mountains and rivers, yet I yearn for distant places."
Liang Lu never asked her. But from then on, he became more wary of Lan Huaien.
Half-jokingly, Granny Ying secretly told him, "Next time you look into His Highness's eyes, the way he looks at Lord Shen is different from how he looks at others."
What exactly is the difference? She wouldn't say.
But when Yan Chao was with Lan Huaien, he acted differently. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt a vague sense of unease.
.
The afternoon passed quickly, and before we knew it, the sky had silently darkened. As dusk settled, the palace lights were gradually lit, twinkling in the distance and at varying heights, making it as bright as day.
The Emperor remained in the Western Garden, as he was not yet fully recovered from his illness and it was inappropriate for him to summon anyone to his bedchamber. However, from yesterday until now, Consort Ming had been by his side, but only to attend to his illness and keep him company.
Some time ago, the emperor was indulging in pleasure with palace maids, neglecting Consort Ming. Now that he is ill, he suddenly misses her again. The emperor craves the youthful vitality of young women, and Consort Ming remains as lively as ever when serving him. When the two are inseparable without any restraint, the emperor feels that his illness has lessened.
Yan Chao received confirmation that the emperor would not be going to the inner palace tonight, so he disguised himself, changed into eunuch clothes, and kept his head down, so that no one could tell that he was hiding his true identity.
She took the waist token of number fifteen and followed behind Xiao Jiu, entering the six palaces under the pretext of going to Yongning Palace. The corridors where the palace servants walked were a bit dark, and the two of them carried palace lanterns, walking almost close to the walls. Apart from being questioned a few times, they were relatively safe.
Wan'an Palace, once the most bustling place in the inner palace, became desolate for more than half a year due to Lady Li's situation. Her loss of favor dragged down several lower-ranking concubines who also became depressed. The palace servants, always opportunistic, also paid little attention to Wan'an Palace.
Without much effort from Xiao Jiu, the two of them easily slipped inside. Their task was to deliver a quilt to the dying, deposed concubine, Lady Li.
Looking into the palace from outside, it was pitch black. Yan Chao frowned almost imperceptibly. Indeed, the rise and fall of dynasties were unpredictable. When she was favored, her eyes had captured the emperor's heart, and the entire palace was brightly lit day and night. Now that she had fallen out of favor, her blindness was an incurable despair, and she was not even allowed to light a lamp at night.
Just as the two were about to enter, the palace door suddenly creaked open. A palace maid stepped out, quickly made way for them, gave a deep bow, and said humbly, "Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen."
The palace maid's voice was weak and hoarse, with a slight tremor, as if she were afraid. Yan Chao recognized her voice as that of Li Shi's personal maid, and guessed that she must have suffered a lot these past few months.
Xiao Jiu didn't speak, but led Yan Chao inside. The two put their things down, and the palace maid followed in. Shang Qian took the bedding and turned to spread it out for Li Shi when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck, lost consciousness, and collapsed limply.
Since Li was blind, her hearing was more acute. Hearing the sound, she awoke from her drowsy state and tentatively asked, "Is Qiu Niang back? Is His Majesty coming again tonight...?"
Her words abruptly stopped. A chilling knife was pressed against her neck, its sharp point seemingly capable of slicing through her weak, soft skin in an instant. Even though she knew she wouldn't survive the next few days, she still trembled at the prospect of death.
Her lips were dry, and she managed to utter a single sentence through her breath: "I was going to die anyway, so there's no point in taking my life now."
Xiao Jiu was guarding the door in the outer room, and had only taken a few steps away. Yan Chao withdrew his gaze, silently loosened his grip on the dagger, and uttered two words in a low but clear voice: "Yan Chao."
Suddenly, Li trembled all over, forcing herself to sit up. She grabbed wildly and, sure enough, seized her arm, pulling it tightly. Her breathing became rapid, and she began to cough intermittently: "...You...what have you done to Li'er! Cough..."
Yan Chao lowered his head, pried open her fingers, and, by the moonlight outside the palace, saw her pale, terrified face. At this time last year, she was vibrant and radiant; the emperor said she would be just as beautiful no matter her age.
"In this entire world, only His Majesty can touch him," she said calmly. Even though the question was expected, she was still somewhat impatient. She didn't want to waste any more words with her.
"you……"
"I've come tonight to ask Your Majesty a few questions," Yan Chao said directly. Through the light filtering through the curtains, he could see her pale, weak face, her eyes covered by a white cloth. Perhaps because she couldn't see, her hands kept waving unconsciously.
"Was Empress Wenhui's death related to you?"
“I knew you would doubt me,” Li scoffed hoarsely, turning her head toward the direction of the voice. She coughed twice and slowly began, “I do want the Empress’s position, and I also want to fight for my son’s future. In terms of seniority, I have served His Majesty the longest, and the Li family are also pillars of the state. Why shouldn’t I be worthy of the position of Empress? Empress Wenshu is one thing, but what is Cui Shi? Just an ordinary family from a humble background. She only had the opportunity to enter the capital because her daughter, who became Empress, was granted the title of Earl. Her children and grandchildren were useless, and her glory lasted only a few years before she was humiliatingly driven out, making a laughingstock of herself.”
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