Chapter 70 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
Unconsciously, the entire winter passed quietly. As if overnight, the biting cold was dispelled by the warmth of spring, and the temperature gradually rose.
Zhang Xiaojia’s “sentence” will end tomorrow, which should be a happy thing, but when she saw the mountains of items piled up in the house, she couldn’t help but get a headache.
All the gorgeous silks and brocades, glittering jewels, and the food in the cellar that He Fei had preserved using a formation, all needed to be taken away.
These are all things that my mother specifically asked Nanny Qiao to tell me.
The mother said that it was because Zhang Xiaojia left something in the imperial mausoleum last time that she had the opportunity to come here again.
In order to prevent her from coming again, her mother asked her to take all the belongings back this time.
She looked at the items that had already filled two carriages and felt even more annoyed.
Nanny Qiao came over and whispered, "County Lady, the virtuous concubine has passed away..."
When Zhang Xiaojia heard that Concubine Xian had left, her heart tightened. She recalled Concubine Xian's usual gentleness and thoughtfulness, and a wave of sadness welled up in her heart.
She frowned slightly: "Xianfei is gone? When did it happen?"
Nanny Qiao nodded, her expression somewhat complicated. "Ten days ago, the young lady was very angry, feeling that the Emperor had gone too far this time. Last time, you asked me to monitor Consort Xian, and Consort Xian was actually also secretly monitoring the Emperor. But the young lady still felt... that the Emperor's methods this time were somewhat similar to those of the late Emperor. Now, the young lady and the Emperor are at odds, and they have argued several times..."
When Aunt Qiao reached this point, she seemed to be hesitant to continue.
Zhang Xiaojia understood her concerns and asked softly, "Does mother feel that the emperor is as ruthless as the late emperor?"
Nanny Qiao sighed and nodded. "The young lady was deeply hurt by the late emperor. She was doted on by him for over twenty years, but in the end, she discovered that she was just a shield used by the late emperor to protect other concubines. Now, seeing the emperor's attitude towards Concubine Xian, Concubine Chen will inevitably think of the late emperor."
Zhang Xiaojia was silent for a moment. She knew how deep her mother's resentment towards the late emperor was, and she also understood her worries about the emperor.
But she knew better that the emperor and the late emperor were completely different people. Although the emperor's methods were tough, he would never be as ruthless as the late emperor.
"Madame Qiao, the Emperor must have found out something, which is why he is so tolerant of Concubine Xian." Zhang Xiaojia said softly, "I believe my brother, he is not the kind of person the late emperor is."
Nanny Qiao nodded, a hint of relief in her eyes. "The county lady is right. Concubine Chen was just angry and said that. She also understands that the emperor is different from the late emperor."
Zhang Xiaojia thought it was a small matter. "Mammy, I'll tell my aunt when I get home."
She looked at the items in the room and said distressedly: "Forget it, since mother has ordered it, I will take everything back without missing anything. Anyway, I don't want to come here again in the future."
Nanny Qiao smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, County Lady. I have already arranged for the staff, and the remaining items will be loaded onto the truck soon."
The departure of Concubine Xian, the worry of her mother, and the decision of the emperor were all like stones weighing on her heart.
Leaving the imperial mausoleum was not so joyful.
After Zhang Xiaojia left the imperial mausoleum, he could not return to the imperial farm to find He Fei, so he had to go to the palace to thank the emperor first, and then seriously reflect on his mistakes. After all, thunder and rain are all the emperor's grace.
In the Chui Palace, the emperor sat, along with the Chief Censor, the Prime Minister, and the Three Officials.
She spoke seriously, her voice firm: "Your Majesty, I have seriously reflected on my mistakes. I will try to be better next time."
Then, she turned to the Chief Censor, nodded slightly, and said perfunctorily, "This time, I am the county lord's fault. I apologize for any offense."
Zhang Xiaojia was respectful to the emperor, but perfunctory to the Chief Censor. This was not because she was rude, but because she understood that in this court, she could not be polite to the Chief Censor, but could only be arrogant to him. This was the principle she had to adhere to in the power struggle.
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, his tone gentle yet filled with undeniable authority. "My dear, although Jia'er was somewhat rude at first, her intentions were good. I have already punished her, so let this matter rest here."
Although it was in the form of a question, the emperor's tone had already put an end to the matter and no further discussion was allowed.
The Chief Censor immediately bowed respectfully and said, "I obey your command, Your Majesty is wise."
The emperor tilted his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of concern: "Jia'er, go see your mother. She's been in a bad mood these past few days, so go and keep her company."
Zhang Xiaojia felt warm in his heart: "Yes, brother, I will go to see mother right away."
After she finished speaking, she bowed slightly, then turned and walked out of the hall. Her steps were light but revealed a hint of urgency, as she couldn't wait to see her mother and comfort her.
When he saw his aunt, Zhang Xiaojia rushed over and threw himself into her warm embrace.
Concubine Chen hugged Jiajia tightly, tears glistening in her eyes: "Jia'er, you love children so much, but Xiaofei has been poisoned by the living dead. Imperial Physician Hu said that Xiaofei will have difficulty having children in the future..."
Zhang Xiaojia was shocked and his thoughts were in a mess.
She originally thought that her mother would be heartbroken because of the death of Concubine Xian and the dispute with the Emperor, but she didn't expect that her mother's concern would fall on the issue of her and He Fei's offspring.
She was only twenty years old and felt that it was too early for her to be a mother and wanted to wait a few years. However, she had no idea that in order to protect her, He Fei teamed up with the imperial physician Hu to make up such a lie, saying that she had been poisoned by the living dead and would have no children.
Zhang Xiaojia felt warm in his heart, but also felt a little amused and helpless.
She gently wiped away the tears on her mother's face and comforted her softly, "Mother, don't worry. We really have no children. My brother has so many sons and daughters. If he wants one, just adopt him to me and the prince. It's no big deal."
A trace of heartache flashed in Concubine Chen's eyes, and she sighed softly: "I'm sorry, Jia'er."
Zhang Xiaojia shook her head, a gentle smile on her face: "Mother, don't feel wronged, the prince is very good, don't feel sad. What is destined to happen will happen, and what is not destined to happen should not be forced."
Zhang Xiaojia patiently comforted her for a long time, and he felt relieved when he saw his mother finally smile.
She took the opportunity to indirectly bring up the dispute between her mother and the emperor, her tone gentle but full of concern: "Mother, you and the emperor have been angry for over ten days. How can a mother and son hold grudges overnight? If you argue too much, it will inevitably damage the harmony."
Concubine Chen's expression froze for a moment, then she sighed, her tone filled with helplessness and self-blame. "Mother knows what you're trying to comfort. Mother also knows that I made the wrong statement that day. Mother knows in her heart that the Emperor won't be like the late Emperor... but Mother can't bring herself to apologize to the Emperor. Now that the Emperor's temper has gotten worse, and he doesn't even bother to appease Mother, do I really have to apologize to my son myself?"
Zhang Xiaojia was secretly delighted to see her mother's attitude soften. She quickly struck while the iron was hot and turned to instruct Nanny Qiao, "Nanny Qiao, send someone to the imperial farm to bring the prince back. Then, inform the emperor that he will have dinner with my mother tonight."
Nanny Qiao understood and replied with a smile, "Yes, Princess, I will arrange it right away."
Zhang Xiaojia turned around, gently held her mother's hand, and said softly, "Mother, the emperor must be thinking of you, but he is embarrassed to speak out because of his face."
Concubine Chen looked at Zhang Xiaojia, a trace of relief flashed in her eyes. She gently patted the back of her hand and whispered, "Jia'er, you are still sensible."
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