Chapter 103 The Flames of Revenge
A few days later, at Kunning Palace.
The calming sandalwood incense burning in the bedroom could not dispel the oppressive atmosphere that filled the room.
Empress Hesheli leaned against the phoenix couch, her face still looking haggard.
However, the collapse and despair of the previous days faded away, replaced by an endless surge of hatred in his heart.
The palace maid held the bowl and carefully brought the warm, nourishing medicinal food to her lips.
She mechanically opened her mouth and swallowed, the bitterness of the medicine spreading on her tongue, but she was completely unaware.
Only one thought was growing wildly in my mind.
Get well soon. Only when you are fully recovered will you have enough strength to make your enemies pay for their crimes.
Jiang Nan's past humiliations were merely embarrassing on her face, and the fear that grew in her heart made her unwilling to face Jiang Nan.
However, the real poisonous fire that gnawed at her heart and lungs was the daily suffering of her own flesh and blood, Chenghu, who was on the verge of death.
Just after they finished their meal, hurried footsteps could be heard outside the bedroom.
The nanny, looking panicked, came to report, clutching the swaddled baby.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The little prince has vomited again. He threw up most of the milk we just fed him, and his cries are as weak as a kitten's..."
This has become the norm recently.
The Empress had heard far too much.
But every time she heard about it, her heart ached as if it were being pricked by needles, though she didn't show the slightest anxiety on her face.
She had already instructed the wet nurses to administer the medicine according to the imperial physician's prescription every day, and then personally breastfed Chenghu.
But the child was pitifully weak; spitting up milk and crying weakly became a daily occurrence.
After several days, instead of showing any improvement, he became increasingly listless, as if he were about to breathe his last.
She watched her son suffer every day, and sometimes she even thought about throwing the baby out with her.
It would be better to just let Chenghu go like this, so as to save him from this endless suffering.
But this thought was quickly suppressed by her deeper maternal instincts and resentment.
"waste!"
Hesheli raised her voice and rebuked him, her phoenix eyes blazing with anger.
"If the baby spits up, try to soothe him carefully and try feeding him again after half an hour. If that doesn't work, go to the Imperial Hospital and ask the imperial physicians for help."
She paused, her tone devoid of emotion.
"In short, if anything happens to Chenghu, all of you who serve him will be buried with him."
The wet nurse was so frightened that she immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.
"This servant understands. This servant will do everything in his power to take good care of the young prince and will not dare to be negligent in the slightest."
After saying that, she hugged the swaddled baby and practically scrambled away, not daring to even breathe.
Silence returned to the palace. Hesheli slowly closed her eyes, and the hatred in her heart grew wildly like weeds.
Mother, you told me to lie low and endure, but look at my child, suffering such torment, and destined not to live long...
Meanwhile, that vile woman, Niohuru, who harmed him, is probably enjoying herself in the Yikun Palace right now, eating, drinking, and having fun.
How can I tolerate such a deep-seated blood feud? How can I live in peace?
The flames of revenge consumed her last shred of sanity.
She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling on Granny Jing, who was standing beside her.
This nanny was her mother's dowry maid. Although she was loyal, she was too conservative and advised her every day to prioritize the overall situation.
The Empress composed herself and spoke.
“Granny, I need to rest and recuperate now, and these maids are enough to serve me. You don’t need to follow me all the time anymore. Go to the side hall and keep a close eye on the little prince for me. Be sure to take strict precautions and never let anyone take advantage of the situation to harm him.”
Upon hearing this, Granny Jing had no suspicions whatsoever, assuming that the Empress was simply too worried about the young prince, and immediately bowed in response.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant will obey your command. From now on, I will stay by your side at all times and never allow any unauthorized persons to get close."
Watching Granny Jing's retreating figure as she accepted the order, a resolute glint flashed in the Empress's eyes.
She then whispered instructions to a quiet, taciturn palace maid beside her, in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Go, quietly summon Qin Huai'an to me. Remember, bypass Granny Jing and don't let her know anything."
A knowing glint flashed in the palace maid's eyes, and she bowed respectfully.
Then they tiptoed out, as if they had never been there.
Before long, Qin Huai'an, the chief eunuch of Kunning Palace, bowed and quietly entered the hall.
He knelt down properly and respectfully greeted the emperor.
"Your humble servant Qin Huai'an greets Your Majesty the Empress. May I ask what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"
Empress Hesheli waved her hand, signaling all the other palace maids and eunuchs in the hall to leave.
When the palace doors were gently closed, leaving only the two of them inside.
The Empress scrutinized the eunuch before her with a sharp gaze.
She knew that Qin Huai'an was quite capable and ambitious.
However, because she trusted Granny Jing more, she was always marginalized and had no real power, which must have accumulated a lot of resentment in her heart.
Now, in order to get revenge and bypass Granny Jing, she realized that she had no one else to use but Qin Huai'an, who might be a useful weapon.
"Qin Huai'an."
The Queen broke the silence and spoke slowly.
"I know that you haven't had a good time in Kunning Palace all these years. You've been the head eunuch in name only, and you've been hindered at every turn. You must be resentful that I don't value or trust you, right?"
Qin Huai'an felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that the Empress's tone was unusual today, and he quickly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed.
"This servant dares not. My loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as day and night, and I have no resentment whatsoever. It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."
"Don't panic."
The Empress waved her hand, her tone inscrutable.
"I have summoned you here today not to interrogate you, but to give you an opportunity—an opportunity to truly become my confidant and wield great power in the Kunning Palace."
Upon hearing this, Qin Huai'an's heart began to race.
It stems from both a desire for power and a fear of unknown risks.
He suppressed his excitement, kowtowed again, and expressed his loyalty.
"This servant is willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, even unto death. Please give your orders, Your Majesty."
The queen leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and spoke slowly and deliberately, each word laced with madness.
"I need you to find a way to kill Niohuru!"
Qin Huai'an's pupils suddenly contracted, and his body, which was lying on the ground, stiffened for a moment.
He never expected the Empress to make such a ruthless demand.
This must be because she hated Consort Niohuru to the extreme.
After a brief moment of shock, he quickly calmed down and began to make his plans.
He tentatively stood up without being called, but kept his head bowed.
She took small steps closer to the phoenix bed and responded in a very low voice.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Killing a person is not difficult, but killing a concubine is as difficult as ascending to heaven. This servant is not making excuses, but to act outside the palace, whether by creating an accident or sending assassins, requires a large number of people. The commotion is too great, there are too many variables, it is easy to be exposed, the success rate is too low, and the consequences are endless."
Hesheli looked at his calm and analytical demeanor.
Knowing that he wasn't afraid of difficulties, but rather seeking a more reliable solution, I patiently pressed him for answers.
"Then, in your opinion, do you have a better idea?"
A glint of light flashed in Qin Huai'an's eyes, and a sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
“Your Majesty, as the head of the six palaces, it is your duty to instruct the concubines and inquire about palace affairs. You could find a pretext, such as checking the expenses of Yikun Palace, to summon Consort Niohuru to Kunning Palace for questioning. Once she enters the gates of Kunning Palace…”
He paused meaningfully.
"Then it's up to you, Your Majesty. Whether it's round or flat, it's all up to you."
The Empress's eyes lit up.
"You mean, trick her into going to the palace, and then..."
She made a throat-slitting gesture.
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I barely made it past the deadline yesterday and this morning with all the book reviews. Consider this chapter an extra update. It's also a thank-you chapter for everyone who has supported me.
Are you all losing patience?
However, the Empress is indeed preparing for a fight.
In short, don't rush things. The Empress is either currently in a fight or on her way to one.
I will add more chapters based on the number of book reviews. I will also do my best to help you out.
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