allonlinenovel Who is in Chapter 109?
Who is in Chapter 109?
Xishan Imperial Palace, Chunhui Hall, where the Empress Dowager resided.
Empress Dowager Wang lay on the soft couch, leaning against the bright yellow cushion behind her, and squinted at the young emperor sitting in front of her: "I thought Your Majesty was too busy with trivial matters to come."
"Your Majesty, you flatter me. How could I not come when you are unwell?" Pei Yuanling said respectfully, but his eyes were indifferent.
Both of them knew perfectly well that they were merely maintaining a facade of harmony.
"The imperial physician has already examined me. I only have a recurrence of an old headache, nothing serious."
As she spoke, Empress Dowager Wang slowly looked at Pei Yuanling, her expression solemn: "He only reminded me not to worry too much about His Majesty."
The Empress Dowager's meaning was clear, and Pei Yuanling certainly understood it.
He replied in a low voice, "Then Mother should follow the doctor's advice."
Empress Dowager Wang was startled. She hadn't expected Pei Yuanling to ignore her and embarrass her so openly. Her expression darkened, tinged with anger: "Your Majesty, stop beating around the bush. You understand what I mean."
"But please, Your Majesty, explain further."
Pei Yuanling maintained his usual attitude, his face calm and indifferent.
Empress Dowager Wang felt a surge of anger welling up inside her, but she couldn't vent it. After a long while, she could only sigh and tell him frankly, "I have heard that you have been particularly fond of Consort Qiao lately, and have neglected state affairs because of it. You have not discussed politics for three days."
Pei Yuanling pursed his thin lips but did not speak, as if waiting for what would come next.
Empress Dowager Wang glanced at him before continuing, "As a monarch, the emperor should not indulge in beautiful women and forget the importance of state affairs."
"If Your Majesty truly cherishes Consort Qiao, you should also understand that the constant strife in the harem is all about vying for the Emperor's favor. Consort Qiao's exclusive favor is likely to bring disaster upon herself."
"I suppose the Emperor wouldn't want the same thing that happened with Consort Chu to happen again, would he?" The Empress Dowager spoke those last words with great emphasis.
Upon hearing Chu Qingyin's name, Pei Yuanling's calm gaze suddenly darkened.
The Empress Dowager's words were clearly a threat to him, warning him not to let Consort Qiao follow in the footsteps of Consort Chu.
His hands, hanging from his sleeves, clenched into fists, but his face had regained its composure, and his voice was deep: "The Empress Dowager's words are reasonable, I have learned my lesson."
After saying this, he stood up, bowed, and turned to leave without waiting for the Empress Dowager's reply.
But just before reaching the door, he suddenly stopped.
He turned to look at the Empress Dowager, his eyes filled with undisguised sternness: "Your Majesty is unwell. In the future, it would be best to follow the imperial physician's advice and worry less."
Wang Taihou's expression stiffened slightly. Looking at the tall, upright figure that had disappeared through the doorway, she raised her hand and slammed it hard on the soft cup beside her. Her eyes were fierce: "My son has soared to great heights and forgotten how he begged my Wang family to achieve his current status."
Seeing this, Granny Wan immediately stepped forward to comfort him, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. His Majesty's temperament still needs some tempering, and he needs your supervision. You must not let this upset you and make him a laughingstock."
"Do you think he'll listen to a word I say now? He's only just taken charge of the government, yet he dares to be so disrespectful to me. If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have chosen him in the first place..."
"Your Majesty, be careful what you say!" Granny Wan interrupted her, looked around, waved for the maids attending her to leave, and then continued, "Now that the situation in the court is settled, if you continue to say these things, you will only be distressed for no reason and harm your health."
"Besides, no matter what His Majesty thinks, as the Empress Dowager, he has to listen to you on the surface. Children will always have disagreements with their parents, it's perfectly normal."
Empress Dowager Wang had also come to her senses and slowly suppressed her anger: "You are right, I was just too hasty."
"However, this Consort Qiao's background is indeed rather strange." The Empress Dowager's eyes darkened as she stared ahead, seemingly deep in thought, her brows furrowed.
Granny Wan nodded in agreement, saying, "She has just entered the palace and has already won His Majesty's favor. She is a fourth-rank Noble Consort. I suppose she hasn't learned many palace rules. Perhaps I should teach her some manners and etiquette."
"No."
Empress Dowager Wang slowly shook her head: "Now that His Majesty is enjoying great favor, if I were to interfere again, wouldn't I be walking into a trap and only create more discord between us?"
As long as the Empress does not have an heir, the foundation of her royal family will not be stable.
If they openly embarrass the emperor, who knows what he might do to embarrass the Wang family.
In the past, she still felt that she could control this seemingly weak sixth prince, but now, she understands this young emperor even less.
For the sake of the Wang family, there are some things that must be tolerated, even if it means enduring them.
After a long while, Empress Dowager Wang raised her head, looked at Granny Wan, and continued, "He is a smart man. He knows what I mean today and knows what to do. Let's not push him too far, lest things backfire."
Granny Wan bowed: "The Empress Dowager is wise."
***
That night, as soon as it got dark, Pei Yuanling went to Empress Wang's palace.
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin's first reaction was to breathe a sigh of relief. After being tormented by him for several days in a row, she was sore and exhausted that she had no energy left to serve him.
His visit to Empress Wang would actually allow her to catch her breath.
However, Chu Qingyin frowned and looked at Kang Luhai: "Why would His Majesty suddenly go to the Empress's palace?"
He had never liked Empress Wang, not only because she was backed by the Wang family, but also because of her personality—too dignified and proper, which was really boring.
"Upon hearing that the Empress Dowager's headache had flared up, His Majesty made a special trip during the day to visit her."
It turned out to be the case.
If not for being forced by the Wang family, Pei Yuanling would never have compromised his principles.
Chu Qingyin raised her hand, beckoning Kang Luhai to take two steps forward: "How's your sister's situation?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Lord Cui has thoroughly investigated this matter and not only ordered that unscrupulous merchant to compensate my brother-in-law for his losses, but the county magistrate also personally came to apologize." Kang Luhai said with a radiant smile, very proud of himself, and his gaze toward Chu Qingyin became even more respectful.
He knew that all of this was because Lord Cui was helping out of respect for Consort Qiao.
"That's good then." Chu Qingyin nodded, then added, "I also have something I need you to do."
As she spoke, she turned to the side and took out a letter from under the pillow and handed it over.
Kang Luhai took it with a puzzled look: "Your Majesty, what is this?"
Chu Qingyin said calmly, "I would like to trouble you to pass on the letter I wrote to Lord Cui."
"Yes."
"Remember, this matter must be handled by you personally. Go to pay your respects under the guise of expressing your gratitude, and be sure to deliver this letter to Lord Cui in your own hands."
Chu Qingyin's tone was unusually serious, and Kang Luhai naturally understood the importance of the matter. He nodded vigorously and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will certainly handle this matter properly."
The night deepened before our eyes, and the Xingyue Palace was as still as water.
Chu Qingyin was already lying on the bed, sound asleep.
Suddenly, she felt a cold wind blow across her back, and before she could react, she felt a pair of strong arms binding her waist.
She was startled and instinctively cried out, "Who is it!"