It was midnight and Qianqing Palace was still brightly lit. Emperor Zhouwu sat behind the imperial desk and perused the morials and imperial decrees issued by Shen Huiru in recent months. Because of the heavy workload, Yan Junwei and two subordinates helped on the side. Gripping the handle of the knife in his hand, The guard outside the door stood upright in dimness of the night, guarding Qianqing Palace like a wall of stone[1].
The servants of Qianqing Palace were killed indiscriminately by the secret guards during the outing to visit relatives. When the Empress Dowager returned, she used the fact that the Emperor was injured as a pretext to clear out the servants on the grounds of poor service. The present Qianqing Palace was under Emperor Zhouwus complete control.
As he looked through the morials and imperial decrees, Emperor Zhouwu made notes on a sheet of paper. Finally, he picked up the list of nas he had written and sneered.
In five months, there have been so many officials who have been misled. Should Zhen be ashad of Our poor governance or should Zhen lant that Shen Zhongliangs thods are so skillful? Putting down the list, he grabbed a red brush[2]and circled specific nas, then handed it to Yan Junwei.
These people occupy important positions and need to be removed as soon as possible. Do it discreetly, Zhen will slowly take care of the rest. The future of this place depends on it. Without this rebellion, Zhen would not have been able to know this court so clearly. From now on, other than Shen Zhongliang, the court must be replaced by new blood so that Zhen can further weaken the influence of the prominent noble families. Oh~ When Zhen looks at it this way, Zhen ought to thank Shen Zhongliang. He leaned back in his chair with a murderous grin on his face.
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It looked like a bloodbath would happen in the future! Yan Junwei hid a sigh, took the list, then took out two imperial decrees and placed them in front of the Emperor. These two imperial decrees have not been issued yet. Your Majesty needs to look over them.
Emperor Zhouwu picked up the first imperial decree and quickly read it through.
This was the imperial decree that Shen Huiru had drafted to eliminate the Li family, execute Chancellor Li and Imperial Noble Consort Li, and demote the Second Prince to a commoner. Although most of the charges she used to bring down Chancellor Li were true, many were also fabricated out of thin air. Chancellor Li and Imperial Noble Consort Lis cris did not rit death, but the Second Prince had been badly beaten by scores of planks because the executioner had dealt his own cruel punishnt in secret. Afterwards, he had not received dical treatnt and his legs had beco deford. Demoting him to a commoner would be tantamount to cutting off his ans to survive.
Although he didnt like the Li family, he hated the thought of Shen Huirus poisonous sche succeeding even more.
After pondering for a mont, he said to Yan Junwei, Tomorrow you will leak the news of the Empress Dowagers return to Imperial Noble Consort Li in the Cold Palace. Then, clear out the guards and let her escape. She is a smart person and will definitely run to the Empress Dowager to demand justice. Zhen will borrow the Empress Dowagers hand to reopen Chancellor Lis case. What kind of punishnt the Li family and Imperial Noble Consort Li ought to receive will depend on the Investigation Bureaus verdict after due process[3].
Yan Junwei nodded in acknowledgent and watched him pick up the other imperial decree with anticipation.
Hmph! The imperial decree was violently slamd against the imperial desk, causing an alarming and oppressive noise. The subordinates who were organizing the official docunts jumped in surprise. Yan Junwei raised his eyebrows as if he was watching a performance.
That black-hearted woman! She intends to destroy Yanzhou and the ng family! Its a pity that Shen Xiyan is dead, otherwise Zhen would make him divorce his wife to marry another and give the Shen family a taste of their own dicine! Emperor Zhouwu burst with rage. He picked up the imperial decree and threw it into the brazier at his feet. His pair of pitch-black eyes glinted darkly under the light of the fire.
This was ng Yanzhous Marriage Proclamation! The other party was Huainan Wangs second daughter from his first wife, whom he had left behind as a hostage. This woman was licentious by nature and had deceitful thods. She had caused countless scandals before she was even married! Beating her servant to death was one of the lighter scandals, and there were even rumours that she had been pregnant before marriage!! Even if she was a high and noble Princess of the Third Rank, there were few people interested in her by the ripe age of nineteen[4].
A marriage bestowed by the Emperor could not be annulled. If this imperial decree was issued, ng Yanzhou and even the entire ng clan would have beco the laughing stock of the capital and would have never been able to recover their reputation. Emperor Zhouwu closed his eyes, his heart pounding. It was lucky that he had returned before this had been issued, otherwise, who knew how bitter and furious Sangyu would be!
Exhaling a tense breath, he sullenly looked at Yan Junwei and prudently instructed, Go and find out what kind of person Fu Guangdas eldest daughter is, as well as all of the capitals ritorious noble families unmarried daughters of the right age. Pick out a few good ones. If Sangyu asks about this in the future, then Zhen will be able to explain Ourselves.
Youre the Emperor, yet you still need to explain yourself to Her Ladyship Virtuous Consort? Yan Junwei inwardly questionedwhile he acknowledged the order.
At this mont, Changxi swished his horsetail whisk as he entered and softly greeted the two.
Get up. What did she call you over for? Emperor Zhouwu asked in a low voice. Recently, the servants in Zhongcui Palace and Qianqing Palace were all Empress Dowagers people. Shen Huiru was unable to pass through the secret passageway to manage governntal affairs, so in the afternoon she would hand over a slip of paper asking Emperor Zhouwu to send Changxi over as she had an important matter to discuss.
Changxi took out a small porcelain bottle from his clothes and half-kneeled in front of Emperor Zhouwu. His voice returned to its deep timbre, Gracious Consort handed over the bottle of dicine to this subordinate for this subordinate to secretly hand it to Nianci tomorrow. She will add it to the incense that the Empress Dowager lights for Buddha every day.
Emperor Zhouwu opened the cork and sniffed lightly. A murderous look flashed across his pitch-black eyes.
Yan Junwei took the porcelain bottle, slled it, and said coldly, Its Soul Resting incense. The sll is exactly the sa as Buddha incense. If you keep lighting it for ten days, a persons vitality will wane and theyll die. Shen Huiru really dared to think and go this far. A woman like this once pleased him, but how did the Emperor feel now?
Emperor Zhouwu showed no emotion. He took back the porcelain bottle, placed it in his palm and played with it carefully. The corners of his mouth raised into a smile, looking very satisfied. The harder it was to tell what he was thinking, the more apprehensive Yan Junwei felt.
Give the dicine to the Empress Dowager and let her take care of it herself. Then go fetch a bottle of Jealous Woman incense and light it for Shen Huiru tomorrow. He spoke indifferently and threw the bottle to Yan Junwei.
Jealous Woman incense was colourless and odourless. If added with other perfus, it would kill the fetus inside a pregnant woman and render her infertile. This incense was so potent and effective that it was banned in the Zhou Dynasty.
Yan Junwei nodded solemnly. Those who jump into the pit of death cant be pulled back, even by ten horses[5]Shen Huiru shall be left to face her own consequences.
Did she say anything else? Emperor Zhouwu tapped a finger against the table.
Replying to the Emperor, Gracious Consort sent this subordinate to give this to your honoured self. Changxi handed over a few sheets of paper.
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The papers detailed the governnt affairs that the Fake Emperor had to deal with in the next ten days. Shen Huiru had written a detailed explanation and attached a list of nas, asking him to draw up the imperial decrees as soon as possible and assign these people to her designated positions. They had been hastily assigned a post a year ago.
Seeing this, Emperor Zhouwu laughed and handed the list to Yan Junwei, Deal with this together as well. Shen Huiru is really generous, handing out such high positions. Serving under her must be so glorious.
Indeed, its glorious, and itll beco even more glorious after crossing into the underworld.[6]Yan Junwei revealed a murderous smile. It was still like the old saying, those who jump into the pit of death cant be pulled back, even by ten horses!
After all the urgent docunts were dealt with, Emperor Zhouwu dismissed his subordinates and went to bed full of excitent. He closed his eyes, thinking that when he woke up he would get to see Sangyu! He squeezed the sachet in his hand and thought about it in silence.
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The next day, ng Sangyu was also full of anticipation as she made her way to Qianqing Palace. Although she had had her suspicions yesterday, without any close interactions, she couldnt be certain.
At 6 am[7], the sky was only dimly lit and there were still a few hazy stars in the sky. The bone-chilling wind scraped against peoples cheeks painfully and even an exhaled breath could freeze instantly. Qianqing Palace was lit with an orange hue, giving one warmth from afar.
ng Sangyu held the small hand brazier in her hand and stood outside Qianqing Palace, looking into the distance for a while before walking in slowly. Yincui and Bishui followed behind her with lowered eyes and bowed heads. They didnt dare to carelessly look around.
Her Ladyship Virtuous Consort seeks an audience! Twenty ters away from the palace doors, the eunuchs who guarded the entrance chorused in unison.
Granted! called a deep male voice.
ng Sangyu paused. She detected a hint of urgency in that voice. She shook her head, brushed the thought aside, and leisurely walked in. She curtsied with the utmost reverence and paid her respects. Her knees had only bent halfway before she heard that voice again, speaking quickly, No need for the formalities. Co over and help Zhen change.
Yes, replied ng Sangyu softly. She walked to the side of the bed to help the man up. She t the mans deep eyes and was montarily stricken with fear. Those eyes were as unfathomable as an abyss. When they looked towards her, they seed to be fixed on her as if they wanted to absorb her entire person whole. There was no coldness, no indifference, only a pitch-black darkness that she couldnt recognize. It was as if so kind of intense emotion was surging within.
Was this the real Emperor Zhouwu? She lowered her head, feeling a little uncertain.
Sang-Whats wrong, Virtuous Consort? Will you not help Zhen change? Emperor Zhouwu extended his arms and brought her into his embrace. He wanted to hug her tightly but endured because he felt Sangyu go stiff for a mont. She was rejecting him!
First, Your Majesty, please release his concubine, then this concubine will imdiately help Your Majesty change. It is cold in the morning, so be careful of catching a chill. ng Sangyu smiled softly and broke free from Emperor Zhou Wus embrace very naturally.
The corners of his mouth are clearly smiling, but his eyes are cold; He is obviously looking at attentively, but his eyes are empty.
Emperor Zhouwu suddenly rembered these two sentences that Sangyu once used to describe him, but in reality, when did Sangyu ever treat him any differently? The curves of his smile gradually flattened into a straight line and he stared at the beautiful smiling woman in front of him with cheerless eyes.
Is sothing the matter, Your Majesty? ng Sangyus heart jumped slightly when she saw his unfathomable, gloomy gaze, and she imdiately cast away her doubts. Was this the real Emperor or not? For a mont, she actually couldnt tell the difference.
Its nothing, help Zhen get dressed. After stroking the corner of the womans slightly curved eyes, Emperor Zhouwu smiled again and spread his arms. One day, his eyes would reflect his true self.
ng Sangyu blinked and suppressed her unsettled feelings. Carefully avoiding the wound on his shoulder, she changed his clothes. She wrung a wet handkerchief to clean his face and hands. During this ti, the mans deep and serene gaze kept encircling her, making her scalp tingle.
A steaming hot breakfast had been arranged just as they finished. ng Sangyu helped Emperor Zhouwu to his seat at the table while standing beside him, preparing to serve him the dishes.[8]
Beloved Concubine, sit down and feed Zhen. Emperor Zhouwu pulled the woman to sit down beside him.
Ah? ng Sangyus eyes widened as she desperately tried to clear her ears.
Beloved Concubine, feed Zhen. Zhen is injured and cannot move easily. Emperor Zhouwu stared at her and opened his mouth. Sangyu used to quite enjoy feeding him food.
Jeez, you hurt your shoulder, not your hand, okay?! You must be doing this to on purpose! This man is definitely the Fake Emperor!
ng Sangyu forced a stiff smile, but the voice inside her was roaring.
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