Chapter 728: 338 Affection (Third Watch of the Night) Chapter 728: 338 Affection (Third Watch of the Night) The matter of Grand Consort Jing was so significant that in but a day, everyone in the royal court knew of the two attempts on her life.
“Who do you think… could have done it?”
In a corner of the royal court, a group of minor maids and eunuchs gathered, speculating quietly on the issue of Grand Consort Jing.
“Who else could it be? Think about who in the entire palace would be least happy to see Consort Jing return?”
“Could it be the Grand… of Renshou palace?”
“Hush! Lower your voice! Do you want to be beheaded? Don’t even mention her title, bury it deep in your heart and don’t even dream about it! Otherwise, you’ll be waiting for your head to be chopped off! There have been hundreds, if not thousands of maids and eunuchs who died at her hands.”
The new palace maid was terrified.
Not only the maids and eunuchs thought so, even her Majesty’s own niece, Consort Zhuang, believed that the serial attempts on Consort Jing’s life were orchestrated by her aunt.
“Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Jing was targeted again. Your Majesty, do you already have someone suspected in mind?” Inside the study room of Huaqing Palace, Queen Xiao looked at the Emperor with profound meanings in her eyes.
Her implications were clear, it was the Grand Empress Dowager Zhuang’s doing.
Much to her surprise, the Emperor flatly refuted: “Don’t speculate indiscriminately, it’s not the Grand Empress Dowager.”
Queen Xiao was stunned as if struck by lightning, staring blankly at the Emperor.
What did His Majesty say?
It wasn’t the Empress Dowager’s doing?
When did His Majesty start making excuses for the Empress Dowager?
Wasn’t he the man who wished for every accident to be blamed on the Empress Dowager?
“Your Majesty…” Queen Xiao began.
The Emperor interrupted her: “Enough, don’t mind the affairs of Consort Jing, I have my plans. You go back and tell the palace maids to stop gossiping.”
Queen Xiao incredulously agreed, “…Yes.”
Consort Zhuang walked into the study room of the Empress Dowager at the Renshou Palace with a smile on her lips, “Aunt! You’re so amazing! How did you do it? You reprimanded that fox spirit Consort Jing and left no traces behind! I heard that His Majesty hasn’t suspected you at all! A few little eunuchs in Kunning Palace were gossiping, guess what happened next? They were all dealt with by the Queen! Aunt, you are really ——”
Consort Zhuang froze mid-sentence, as she saw the icy gaze of the Dowager Empress.
“Your, your majesty!”
“Do you have too much time on your hands?” Empress Dowager Zhuang sternly said.
Under the intimidating aura of the Empress Dowager, Consort Zhuang became breathless. She dared not meet her aunt’s eyes any longer and quickly lowered her head to pay her respects, “I have come to greet your majesty.”
The Dowager Empress replied curtly: “I am very busy, don’t bother me if there’s nothing important!”
“Yes!” Consort Zhuang left, feeling vexed.
No sooner had she left, than Royal Mentor Qin came in with tea.
Looking at the letters in her hand, Empress Dowager Zhuang casually asked, “Were the people sent off?”
“Yes, they were sent on a horse carriage right to the entrance of Bishui Alley.” Royal Mentor Qin said with a smile.
“Hmm.” Empress Dowager Zhuang replied indifferently, and continued reading her letters.
Royal Mentor Qin placed the tea on the table, barely concealing his smile.
“Why are you laughing?” Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at him curiously.
Royal Mentor Qin said: “Your humble servant is happy for Your Majesty.”
Empress Dowager Zhuang grunted, “What is there to be happy about? These two insolent fools have grown fearless!”
How could her Majesty be unaware of the truth when Gu Jiao, dressed as a little eunuch, escaped into Renshou Palace as if reincarnated?
“Make sure no words leak from the servants.” Grand Empress Dowager Zhuang ordered.
Royal Mentor Qin replied, “Your Majesty can rest assured, I’ve taken care of everything – Today, Little Chuanzi went out to make purchases and encountered Xiao Xiuzhuan on the way when his carriage broke down. The guard saw that the little eunuch was Little Chuanzi.”
Indeed, Little Chuanzi did go out for shopping today. However, after the incident, even before he could return, Mentor Qin had sent someone to intercept him.
The identity Gu Jiao used to leave the palace was still as Little Chuanzi.
The reason was to exchange a faulty batch of fabrics that Little Chuanzi had purchased.
At night, the real Little Chuanzi would return to the royal palace with the exchanged batch of fabrics.
Royal Mentor Qin continued, “There are also witnesses. A guard from the Forbidden Army, Liu, and Mamasan Zhou from the Cold Palace have reported sightings of a woman in a green outfit, with a small basket on her back, loitering nearby. They suspect that she might have entered over the walls of the Cold Palace.”
The mess was not the result of demands from Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao for the Empress Dowager to act, the two had simply set the trap and smartly retreated!