Chapter 93 The Queen Mother
On this side, the frightened Li Ma was blindfolded and taken to the carriage by several men in black.
The man in black glanced at the starving Li Ma and said, "Your Majesty is merciful and will spare your life. Do you know what to say to the Empress Dowager when you return?"
Li Ma, whose eyes were blurry from hunger, said weakly, "I know, I know!"
"If you don't know, beware of your nephew's life!"
Nanny Li was shocked. Even her nephew had been found by the prince. She was so frightened that she immediately begged for mercy: "I will go back and report to the Queen Mother the truth about Cuihong framing me and assassinating the prince! Please, your Highness, spare my nephew's life."
"Stop talking nonsense and just remember what to say and what not to say."
The horse galloped along the way and almost shook Li Ma to death.
When they arrived in the capital three days later, Nanny Li's face had turned blue and her body was falling apart.
She endured the discomfort and went to the inn, then quickly sent a message to the empress dowager through a secret line. Soon the empress dowager sent someone to the inn to pick her up.
Seeing the visitor, Matron Li burst into tears.
The person who came was Nanny Chang, who served in the Empress Dowager's palace and was acquainted with Nanny Li before.
She was also shocked when she saw Li Ma. She didn't expect that Li Ma, who was once plump and rosy, would become so miserable now.
"Old sister, what happened? How did it become like this?"
"Madame Chang, I...I want to see the Queen Mother. This is a matter of great importance. I want to see her immediately!"
When Nanny Chang heard that this was a serious matter, she quickly took her into the palace.
In the small Buddhist hall of Yongshou Palace, a kind-hearted white jade Guanyin is enshrined high up, with smoke rising from the altar.
The Empress Dowager knelt on the prayer mat with her hands folded and worshipped Buddha devoutly.
The door creaked open and a maid whispered something in the Queen Mother's ear.
The middle-aged woman in gorgeous robes opened her eyes, looked at the statue of Guanyin for a moment, and slowly stood up.
In the side hall of Shoukang Palace, Nanny Li sat weakly on a stool, waiting for the Empress Dowager.
Suddenly, there was a sound of dense footsteps, and Nanny Li hurriedly tried to get up.
The Queen Mother glanced at the haggard Matron Li and said gently, "Matron Li, there's no need to be so polite. You've worked so hard."
"I never dared to forget the Majesty's instructions in the Northern Territory. The young prince is so smart and clever that I don't have to worry about him. If it weren't for that bitch Cui Hong who failed to assassinate the prince and the prince and even slandered me as the one who ordered it, I would have died by his side!"
The Queen Mother looked coldly at Li Ma who was crying below.
"Madame Li, I know your loyalty. You've worked hard these years, and I will never treat you unfairly."
The Queen Mother glanced at the maid beside her and said, "Take Matron Li down and take good care of her."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Li Ma Ma expressed her gratitude excitedly with tears in her eyes.
She was helped back away by two maids.
Not long after Nanny Li left, the previously silent Queen Mother suddenly smashed the teacup on the table and angrily shouted, "Is that Cuihong crazy? How dare she act on her own without my order..."
The Queen Mother was also stunned after she said this. Yes, how dare she do that without her order?
Who else, it's obvious.
Nanny Chang didn't dare to speak either. She was an old nanny beside the empress dowager and had been serving her since she was a young lady. Later, the young lady entered the palace and was favored. She was made a concubine when she became pregnant with the eldest son. She overcame many obstacles along the way and later gave birth to the second son. However, the second son's horoscope was incompatible with the young lady's. Not only did the young lady almost lose her life when he was born, but she was also criticized for bringing unlucky luck to her relatives.
Not long after, the late emperor passed away, and soon after, the young lady was demoted to concubine because of the second son. If it weren't for the benefit of her mother's family and her own efforts, she would not have reached the position of empress dowager now.
"Madame Chang, do you think I have done something wrong to give birth to these two sons who are so disloyal that they are coming to me to collect their debts?"
The Queen Mother held her forehead and asked softly.
Nanny Chang looked at her nose with her eyes, and then her heart with her nose: "Your Majesty, perhaps the eldest and second young masters are... just misunderstandings."
Nanny Chang felt guilty about saying this.
In fact, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the Second Young Master had been like a wild child since he was little, and even his name was given randomly, which showed how little he was valued. After finally growing up and earning such great military merits, he was still granted the fiefdom of the most dangerous and barren northern border. But she couldn't say this.
"I didn't expect Yu'er to hate him so much, to the point of wanting to kill him."
"But I just don't like him. After all, he is also my flesh and blood. Now he is capable enough to send someone to beat me up!
"Forget it, I can't control it anymore, let them do whatever they want!"
The Queen Mother covered her heart and said with a look of sorrow.
"Your Majesty, you can't just ignore it. The Emperor needs someone to protect his kingdom. If these brothers kill each other, wouldn't that be a loophole for them?"
Nanny Chang supported the empress dowager and whispered to her.
"I'm sure the palace will be cleaned out this time. Well, Yu'er and I will just turn a blind eye!"
"But Chi'er must not be harmed in any way. Yu'er has really gone too far this time. He even wants to kill Chi'er. It seems he doesn't listen to what I say."
After a long while, the Queen Mother sighed and ordered:
"Madame Chang, I think Tuan'er is so cute. Please bring her over to me tomorrow to show her!"
Nanny Chang said calmly, "I obey your command!"
After breakfast the next day, the usual laughter disappeared from Muhua Palace. Concubine Li Shu held her son in her arms and cried while looking at Nanny Chang in front of her:
"Madame Chang, Tuan'er is still young. He's weak and hasn't recovered from the cold he caught two days ago. How can he survive without me? I hope your majesty will forgive me!"
Nanny Chang smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager just wants to see her grandson and take him to stay for a few days. Don't worry, the Empress Dowager will definitely take good care of the little grandson. Could it be that the Empress Dowager would harm her own grandson?"
Concubine Li Shu was horrified and said, "How could it be? Why would I miss my mother so much? It's just that Tuan'er is still so young..."
Her heart broke as she looked at the child in her arms, whose red blood was from crying. Concubine Li was originally weak, and now she was even more weak after crying, so weak that even Nanny Chang softened her heart a little.
She hurried forward to help Concubine Li Shu up, and whispered: "Your Majesty, please be at ease. I will definitely take the child away today. Why don't you go and ask the Emperor for help?"
Concubine Li Shu was not stupid. She understood the hint and handed the child carefully to Madam Li with tears in her eyes. She looked at the child with reluctance and said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Please take good care of Tuan'er."
Nanny Chang held the child in her arms and said with a gentle expression, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will take good care of the little prince!"
Nanny Chang took the child and left with the group.
Concubine Li Shu stood up suddenly, wiped the tears from her face, and said to the maid beside her: "Quick, let's go to the Qinzheng Palace. I want to see the emperor! Only the emperor can save my son!"
The maids were terrified and hurried to persuade her: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Queen Mother is just checking on the little prince. You need to calm down first!"
Concubine Li Shu calmed herself down and said, "Follow me to see the emperor!"
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