Chapter 135 Breaking Off Dou Mingyan's Engagement
Three days after Dou Bochang was inexplicably detained in the palace, the emperor issued an imperial edict summoning Old Madam Dou.
Dou Wenyi had already received the news from Shen Yanzhou that the 'evidence' had indeed been placed on the emperor's desk.
According to her agreement with Pei Siyan, he would send her a message as soon as the truth came out. However, there was no word from the Crown Prince. This could only mean one thing: Pei Siyan's situation was much more dangerous than she had imagined.
Dou Wenyi had already made preparations.
She took out a lustrous jade bottle from the drawer, poured out two pills that had been wrapped in paper, and hid them in a hidden pocket in her sleeve. She also adjusted the gold hairpin in her hair, which contained a silver needle.
She picked up the pastries from the plate and ate a few more bites before getting up and leaving.
This trip to the palace is going to be a tough battle, and we have to be careful in everything we do and take precautions.
She and Madam Dou boarded a carriage and went to the palace together.
Madam Dou changed into a bright and elegant imperial robe, looking radiant and full of energy.
Her wrinkled eyes held a wisdom born of experience. "Yi'er, are you scared?"
Dou Wenyi shook her head. Death is like a lamp going out. She had already died once, so she was not afraid of life and death. However, she felt a tightness in her heart and was inexplicably worried about Pei Siyan.
In his previous life, Prince Rui never framed the Dou family.
General Zong Rui was impeached and suspected by the emperor two years later. What caused these events to happen so sooner?
Could it be that Xie Guidu revealed a secret to Prince Rui?
The carriage stopped at the palace gate. Old Madam Dou went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to meet Emperor Muzong. Due to the delicate relationship with the Crown Prince, Dou Wenyi did not go to find Consort Zhang, but went to Zhongcui Palace to inquire about the news.
After Consort Jiang's pregnancy with the emperor's child alarmed Emperor Muzong, she was promoted to the rank of Consort. She then "cleverly" tripped and fell, and subsequently suffered a miscarriage.
After spending these days with her, Emperor Muzong seemed to be captivated by her, spending every night in Zhongcui Palace, with all sorts of treasures flowing to her like a river.
The Emperor's favor was indeed beneficial; Consort Jiang had an excellent complexion, her hair adorned with jewels, and she wore a gorgeous, shimmering brocade dress. Her figure was graceful and elegant, showing signs of the 'femme fatale' from her previous life.
Dou Wenyi couldn't help but recall the first time she met her, when Consort Zhang made her kneel as punishment for wearing shimmering brocade. Now, no matter what she wears, probably no one would dare to question it.
The interior of the hall was richly decorated and filled with a subtle fragrance. By the window stood a jade vase containing several precious begonias.
Consort Jiang gestured to dismiss the servants around her, her eyes smiling. "These begonias were just sent over by the Imperial Household Department. Aren't they beautiful?"
Dou Wenyi nodded.
"The few bottles of Eight Treasures Nourishing Pills you gave me a while ago have really worked well. When the imperial physicians came to take my pulse, they were all amazed and said that I was recovering well and that I had a good chance of having children!"
"Could you take my pulse again?"
Dou Wenyi respectfully stood up, placed her hand three inches from the woman's wrist, and carefully took her pulse. She then smiled and complimented, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you are indeed out of danger. Continue taking the health-preserving pills for a while longer, and I will prescribe another formula for you."
"That's great!"
Consort Jiang sighed softly, lowered her eyes and said, "The Crown Prince found the wet nurse who switched me a while ago. She admitted to the switch herself. You really didn't lie to me. Fourth Miss, you saved my life. If you ever have any difficulties in the future, just ask."
She actually recognized her enemy as her father for more than ten years, willingly becoming a pawn in the battle for the Jiang family, who leeched off their relatives.
Thinking about it now, it seems absurd and ridiculous!
Even though she and Dou Wenyi had only met a few times, she went to her rescue without hesitation. If she had to say who she trusted most now, it would be Dou Wenyi.
Dou Wenyi's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she lowered her voice, "Your Highness, what's the situation now?"
Consort Jiang's expression shifted unpredictably. She glanced around uneasily and lowered her voice, "His Majesty issued a secret decree today, ordering him to be imprisoned in the Eastern Palace to reflect on his mistakes. No one is allowed to enter or leave. The news has not yet spread."
Dou Wenyi's heart tightened suddenly. Sure enough, Emperor Muzong had indeed become suspicious of the Crown Prince.
......
As people age, they become more nostalgic, and even Emperor Muzong, who was the Son of Heaven, was no exception.
Lady Dou was Emperor Muzong's cousin, and Emperor Muzong never forgot the kindness shown to Marquis Zhongxin.
He sighed, "My cousin hasn't visited the palace in recent years; she's become quite distant from me."
The eunuch brought a stool for Madam Dou. After sitting down, Madam Dou replied with a smile, "Thanks to His Majesty's blessing, this old woman is living a comfortable life. I just wonder if His Majesty has eaten well and rested well?"
Over the years, few people have dared to show concern for him so openly. Emperor Muzong was not offended by these words; on the contrary, he felt quite pleased.
"My cousin still cares about me as much as before! Speaking of which, if I had ascended the throne back then, Marquis Zhongxin would have made a great contribution! Now that you've come to the palace, what do you wish to ask for? Why don't you tell me?"
The reason for Dou Bochang's detention was not revealed. Emperor Muzong spoke in a calm and casual tone, as if he were having a casual chat with her.
However, Old Madam Dou knew perfectly well that the emperor's butcher's knife could fall at any moment.
"I don't have many years left to live. I'm really worried about my unfilial sons. They're all unlucky and cause me so much trouble."
Emperor Muzong deeply agreed, sighing, "My sons are also a headache."
Madam Dou paused for a moment and then said, "My cousin does have a few words she would like to say to His Majesty. Everyone says that children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and these things are not my concern. But recently, my third daughter was betrothed to the Crown Prince. This is such a great blessing, I just can't understand it. It was just a life-saving grace, couldn't it have been given in some other way?"
"Your Majesty, my aunt is short-sighted. If His Highness the Crown Prince meets someone he truly loves, how will Mingyan conduct herself?"
"Mingyan, you should never have taken advantage of my kindness!"
Emperor Muzong's smile remained unchanged. "This marriage was requested by the Crown Prince himself, so it's not Miss Dou's fault."
Old Madam Dou looked aggrieved, her eyes reddening. "Your Majesty, the Dou family really doesn't have the fortune. That girl Mingyan is petty and stubborn, and can't tolerate anyone. What if she causes trouble in His Highness the Crown Prince's household in the future?"
"Although she is not of Dou family blood, blood is thicker than water. I'm afraid that if she causes trouble in the future, she will be a disgrace to the Dou family!"
Her words, seemingly self-deprecating, clearly indicated her desire to break off the engagement.
Under heaven, no one dared to ask the emperor to annul their engagement.
Emperor Muzong's expression changed drastically. "You're all complaining about my crown prince?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
