Chapter 32 Going to find Empress Dowager Xia "I will protect myself and not delay..."
"What nonsense are they talking about?" Banban's pupils reflected the deep darkness of the night, as if flames were rising from the darkness. She jumped to her feet. "Who spread this rumor?!"
As soon as she finished asking the question, she immediately realized who it was. She had asked a stupid question in her anger, but the answer was clearly right there in the question.
Empress Dowager Huayang of the Chu dynasty.
"How could Empress Dowager Huayang do such a thing?!"
In the nearly three years she had been in Qin, she had never had any close contact with Prince Chengjiao. She only knew that Chengjiao was three years younger than her cousin. Lady Han did not allow Chengjiao to get too close to the Crown Prince's faction. Her daughter, Princess Yingyue, had only occasionally flattered the Crown Prince because of Meng Tian.
why is that?
So this plan has been brewing for many years, and you've been wanting to use it against your cousin for a long time?
Therefore, there's no need to pander or deliberately target anyone!
Suddenly, a warm hand gently grasped hers. She turned around proudly, only to find that her cousin was not as angry as she had expected. His dark face only lasted for a few breaths, and now he was calm and even smiling.
Banban was taken aback, then slowly sat back down next to him.
—He seems to have a solution.
"What was the Prime Minister's reaction?" Ying Zheng asked Wang Jian.
Wang Jian shook his head and said, "The Prime Minister's residence neither sees anything in nor out; we can't tell anything yet."
Ying Zheng's gaze passed through the group's vision, landing on the distant night. After a moment of silence, he slowly stood up without turning around. "Banban, bring me my sword."
Banban had no doubts. She quickly got up from the soft couch, walked over barefoot, and took the Qin King's sword that was being held up with both hands. The sword tassel that she had embroidered herself years ago was still hanging on the hilt. She personally put the Qin King's sword on her cousin.
Ying Zheng gently stroked her face, "Get a good night's sleep tonight, and you'll be fine when you wake up tomorrow."
Banban gently rubbed his palm and nodded firmly, "I will protect myself and not hold my cousin back."
Ying Zheng chuckled, "Alright."
"Meng Tian, you will lead a group of men to escort Princess Chaoyang to Kangning Palace. Qin Ju will follow along and stay with her at all times. Do you understand?"
Qin Ju bowed deeply, "Yes."
Kangning Palace was where Empress Dowager Xia resided. Banban had almost forgotten about her, and was somewhat taken aback when her cousin suddenly mentioned Empress Dowager Xia.
In the past, Prince Chu of Qin recognized Empress Dowager Huayang as his mother, which allowed him to return to Qin and be named Crown Prince. His birth mother, Xia Ji, remained unknown. Even after being granted the title of Empress Dowager, she lived a life of leisure, rarely venturing out. She was not seen at major palace banquets, seemingly avoiding the limelight of Empress Dowager Huayang.
In fact, Empress Dowager Xia was Ying Zheng's grandmother, with whom he shared a deep blood bond.
Qian Yin sat beside Ji Xiaoniang and suddenly remembered something that happened three years ago.
At that time, the Crown Prince ordered her to stay by Ji Xiaoniang's side and serve her. He required her to report to him every day what Xiaoniang did and who she met. The Crown Prince was ruthless and inhumane. Anyone who looked down on Xiaoniang was dealt with silently.
The only one she hesitated to mention was Princess Yang Jiang, whom he has yet to punish to this day. At the time, Qian Yin thought that Princess Yang Jiang was, after all, the Crown Prince's own sister, but now that she thinks about it, is it possible that that's not the case at all?
Princess Yang Jiang's mother was Xia Ba Zi, who was a relative of Empress Dowager Xia. They were the Han family, the royal family's maternal relatives!
Empress Dowager Xia was a princess of Korea! Xia Ba Zi was a noblewoman of the Korean royal family!
As for Lady Han, the birth mother of Prince Chengjiao, Han is not her surname. She is from the State of Chu and belongs to the Chu faction. She and Empress Dowager Huayang form their own faction. Empress Dowager Huayang wanted to support Chengjiao, which was naturally for the benefit of the Chu faction. She wanted the Chu faction to become dominant and regain its former glory.
Ke Zichu is the biological son of Empress Dowager Xia, who is from the Han faction. Empress Dowager Huayang is only his adoptive mother. Empress Dowager Xia wants to support Xia Ba Zi.
Unexpectedly, Ji Changyue from the Zhao faction emerged, and neither the Han nor the Chu factions succeeded. The position of queen fell to the Zhao faction.
How ridiculous!
Thinking about it carefully, was Zichu's decision to make Ji Changyue his queen truly out of love for her?
Princess Yang Jiang took the initiative to get close to Ji Xiaoniang several times. Did she really want to be friends with her, or was it at the behest of the Crown Prince?
Did the Crown Prince foresee this crisis so early on?
Qian Yin dared not speculate and quickly banished all these disrespectful thoughts from her mind.
Kangning Palace is just a stone's throw away.
Banban got off the carriage and looked up at the brightly lit house.
Qin Ju knocked on the palace gate three times, two long knocks and one short knock. Soon the gate opened and an older palace servant came out. She hurriedly welcomed Banban into the palace and then closed the gate again.
Princess Yang Jiang was also there. She ran out first, looked around and seemed to confirm that Banban was alright before she said with a smirk, "I had the palace servants make a new kind of crispy mountain. Try it."
Banban rolled her eyes at her, "Eat, eat, all you know is eating. I still have to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."
Princess Yang Jiang's eyes widened immediately, "You..."
She chased after him for a couple of steps but couldn't catch up. She stopped and stared straight at Banban's back.
“Princess…” The maidservant beside her stepped forward to greet her.
Yang Jiang snorted loudly through her nostrils, "Then I'll eat two bowls myself! What's so great about that!"
Following the palace servants to the main hall, Banban saw Empress Dowager Xia resting with her head propped up on her hand. An elderly palace servant walked over and whispered something in her ear. Empress Dowager Xia opened her eyes as if she had just woken up.
Banban obediently knelt down to pay his respects, saying, "Chaoyang greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and endless happiness."
"Good child, get up quickly." Empress Dowager Xia smiled kindly. "Were you not frightened? The Qin Palace was in chaos tonight, but it doesn't matter."
"No." Banban had a sudden realization since her cousin asked her to come to Kangning Palace. "With the Empress Dowager's protection, Chaoyang feels very safe. She even saw Yang Jiang just now."
Empress Dowager Xia pointed outside the palace and teased, "That child Yang Jiang heard that you would be coming tonight, so she started tidying up her side hall early this morning, filling it with toys, picture books and food."
Banban chuckled, "I am closer to Yang Jiang. I haven't seen her for many days, so I naturally miss her. But she's just being hypocritical and never admits it. She even rolls her eyes at me." As she said this, Banban's tone became resentful, and she let out a low hum.
"That's just her nature; she's easily embarrassed," Empress Dowager Xia said with a smile.
The two had nothing to say to each other, as they were not familiar with each other. After exchanging only a few words, Empress Dowager Xia sent Banban to find Yang Jiang to play with.
Upon closer inspection, Yang Jiang had actually finished both bowls of crispy mountain delicacies.
"Didn't you say you wanted me to try it?"
"I was just saying." Yang Jiang lay down lazily, chuckling dismissively.
Whatever.
Banban slapped her on the head, "Eating so much will make you catch a cold and get sick, are you stupid?"
Yang Jiang never expected this to happen. She jumped up, clutching her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You...you...you dare to hit me?"
"I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of the King." Banban, feigning a smile, said, "You shameless Princess Yang Jiang, why don't you bow to me? You have no respect for hierarchy! I'll punish you by making sure all your 'sushan' is gone, and you're never allowed to eat it again!"
Yang Jiang's face flushed red, and she covered her head, screaming in a hoarse voice, "Ji Chengyin!! I'm not done with you yet!"
He made a gesture and raised his hand again.
Yang Jiang immediately shut her mouth.
Fifteen minutes later.
Yang Jiang knelt on the soft carpet, where someone had taken over her bed, drinking her favorite beverage, and eating all the dried fruit she had peeled and filled a bowl with.
He's like a tyrant, truly hateful and despicable!
Her eyes widened, but strangely, her anger subsided slightly after the man praised the dried fruit as delicious.
Banban waved his hand and said, "Bring out all your sketchbooks!"
Yang Jiang: "..."
He got up and went to get it himself.
In truth, Banban couldn't concentrate on reading the picture book, and when she did, she skimmed through it without really understanding what she was reading. She was filled with worry, and her deliberate bullying of Yang Jiang was just a way to vent some of her anxieties. She happened to learn from Empress Dowager Xia that Yang Jiang did indeed like her very much, but the reason behind it was unknown.
There must be a reason why her cousin encouraged her to associate with Korean culture.
She was destined to have a sleepless night, so Yang Jiang stayed up with her. The two leaned against each other on the bed, and she fell asleep quickly.
I don't know how long I've been up, but my eyelids started to tremble. I kept thinking, why isn't it tomorrow yet?
Suddenly, a deep, distant sound startled her awake; it sounded just like a battle signal.
She immediately sat up, and the voice seemed to disappear again.
Unable to sleep any longer, she simply pushed open the curtain and sat down on the porch.
The moon is bright and the stars are few, atop the lookout tower.
The young King of Qin climbed to a high place and looked out at the vast night sky.
As Lü Buwei stepped onto the last step, the first thing he saw was the new king's jet-black robes and the Qin King's sword at his waist, with thick black blood seeping from the gaps in the scabbard.
He stood with his hands behind his back, and when he heard the sound, he turned his head and his eyes met Lü Buwei's in mid-air.
Lü Buwei bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am late in coming to your aid. I hope you will punish me."
Ying Zheng smiled casually, "What crime has the Prime Minister committed? Who could have predicted the Huayang Palace coup? After midnight is the time for rest. Some people are in a deep sleep and may even be beheaded in their dreams."
"Your Majesty still blames me," Lü Buwei said regretfully. "The late king has already issued an edict abdicating the throne to Your Majesty. I believe there is no room for maneuver. However, my greed is insatiable, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. It is truly pathetic and lamentable!"
When Ying Zheng saw him bowing his head in apology, the smile in his eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling gaze. "What the Prime Minister says is true," he said, his tone one of deep agreement, offering him a way out.
When Lü Buwei raised his head, the coldness in Ying Zheng's eyes turned into sincerity. He sighed and explained, "I originally wanted to send someone to the Prime Minister's residence to ask for help. The Prime Minister is my father, and you and I are the closest ruler and subject in the world. It's not that I don't trust you, but I was intercepted at the palace gate."
Lü Buwei quickly replied, "It is wonderful that Your Majesty thinks this way. The late King entrusted Your Majesty to my care, and I will certainly do my utmost to assist Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "I have already witnessed your talent, Father Chancellor."
Before he could finish speaking, heavy footsteps broke into the conversation. Lü Buwei turned his head and saw that the newcomer was General Meng Ao, with his grandson Meng Tian, also dressed in armor, following behind.
“Minister Meng,” Lü Buwei said, glancing at Meng Tian.
Meng Ao nodded to him, then turned to Ying Zheng respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, the ringleader of the rebellion has been captured alive and is being held outside the Xianyang Palace."
"Then let's go take a look, Prime Minister, please come along." Ying Zheng extended his arms and greeted him with a smile.
"Yes, yes, I must go." Lü Buwei bowed. "Your Majesty, please go first."
Upon arriving outside Xianyang Palace, one is greeted by a scene of fierce warfare, with long spears stained with blood, and an overwhelming stench of blood that is nauseating. The bloodstains on the stone slabs linger for a long time.
Out of the corner of his eye, Lü Buwei spotted a Han faction official... who was working for Empress Dowager Xia, and was currently ordering an investigation to check for any remaining errors or omissions.
We've arrived at the palace gates.
The one pinned at the very top was none other than Lord Yangquan, Mi Chen. He struggled violently, crying out, "Your Majesty, I have been wronged! Your Majesty must not be deceived by Meng Ao. He fears me and wants to get rid of me as soon as possible!"
Meng Ao ignored him, "Your Majesty, according to the confession of General Chen Xi, the mastermind behind this palace coup is none other than Lord Yangquan. Lord Yangquan has a very close relationship with Empress Dowager Huayang. I hope Your Majesty will..."
Ying Zheng suddenly interrupted him, "Alas, General Meng, you are mistaken."
He looked down at Lord Yangquan, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Although Lord Yangquan and Empress Dowager Huayang are siblings, they are not a single entity. Lord Yangquan’s residence is far outside Xianyang City, while Empress Dowager Huayang resides in the Qin Palace.”
"Empress Dowager Huayang is my grandmother, how could she do such a rebellious thing?"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a soft hiss, and then silence.
The Qin King's sword trembled as it was swung, the new king frowned deeply, and there was even a hint of a smile in his eyes. Chen Xi's head fell to the ground, rolled twice, and the white cloth stuffed in his mouth fell out.
The still-open eyes were directed at Lord Yangquan, no more than a foot away from him.
Yangquan Jun was terrified, his eyes wide with horror. "Ah!!" he screamed and crawled to the side on his knees, getting covered in mud and blood.
Chen Xi's blood boiled on his collar and face.
The young King of Qin slowly sheathed his sword, leaned closer to Lord Yangquan, and said, "Lord Yangquan and Empress Dowager Huayang are indeed brothers. Now that you have been bewitched and committed such a heinous crime, what punishment should be given to the Empress Dowager if she is implicated?"
Lord Yangquan's trembling pupils reflected the image of the thirteen-year-old king. He instinctively felt that it wasn't just because of the Huayang Palace Coup, but also because he had led people to surround him and prevent him from entering the palace.
This matter is not over!
“I will not kill you.” He straightened up and smiled gently. “I will cut off his arm and leg and personally sever this disloyal and unfilial brother on behalf of Empress Dowager Huayang.”
After saying that, he turned his head to the side and said, "Send the severed arm and leg to Empress Dowager Huayang for a look."
With a long sword swung, Lord Yangquan screamed in agony.
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