Kong Yu"s death was a knot in Jing Xuan"s heart that she had always been unable to get rid of.
Jing Xuan knew that she should respect and love Concubine Xiao, since this was her Imperial Mother who was extremely concerned about her. However, even a vicious tiger would not eat its cubs. For the sake of Jing Yi, her Mother had not only murdered someone but also grounded her own daughter in the palace without hesitation. In order to prevent her from telling the truth to the Emperor, her Mother could even bear to marry her off to faraway Huyi.
How could she respect and love such a mother?
Concubine Xiao clenched Jing Xuan"s cold hand on the bedding again and said tearfully, "Xuan"er, Imperial Mother knows that you are upset but you must understand that Kong Yu committed suicide and others should not be blamed. What Imperial Mother has done is not only for your Imperial Brother, but also for your sake. That Third Prince is deeply loved by the King of Huyi and will surely inherit the throne as the rightful heir. At that time, you will be the Empress of Huyi."
Bah! These were words only hypocrites would say.
The Empress? Come on, she wasn"t even interested enough to give the position of the Queen Mother a second look.
A wisp of a cold and creepy smile slowly appeared on Jing Xuan"s pale lips as she propped herself up.
Concubine Xiao was about to stretch out her hands to help her up when Jing Xuan shook them away.
"Xuan"er?" Concubine Xiao was astonished.
"Do you really think that I know nothing? Do you take me for a fool? I may have been unruly and wilful since young, and appear to be a useless and mindless princess in the eyes of others, but it does not mean that I don"t understand anything. You had me married off to Huyi to keep me at a distance so that no one will ever know the secrets of you and Imperial Brother. "
Jing Xuan had seen through it all!
Concubine Xiao explained anxiously, "Xuan"er, how could you think like that?"
"Then what should I think? Facts are facts, isn"t that what Imperial Mother thinks in your heart? " There was hostility in Jing Xuan"s eyes.
Of course it"s like that.
"Xuan"er, what can Imperial Mother do to-- "
Jing Xuan snorted before finished speaking, "You did everything possible to have Sister Yu marry First Brother only to murder them. You are just too horrifying."
Ah! Her last sentence was practically shouting.
How could Concubine Xiao not grieve, hearing words coming from her daughter?
Her heart was practically bleeding!
"Why are you so insensible? You will always be my daughter. For the sake of your future and your brother"s, I am willing to do anything. Now that your Eldest Imperial Brother is dead, your Imperial Brother will one day become the next Emperor of the Great Lin. If you marry to Huyi, you will become the Empress. As long as you and your brother can live well, I can die in peace."
Jing Xuan met her Mother"s gaze and spoke haltingly with tears in her eyes, "Even now, Imperial Mother is still reluctant to speak a word of truth to me."
Jing Xuan had initially held a little hope towards her Imperial Mother but now she was in the depths of despair.
Her Imperial Mother, who had doted on her since young, had turned out to be a devil who would achieve her goals, by hook or by crook.
Concubine Xiao pursed her lips but couldn"t utter a single word in reply.
Jing Xuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and sneered, "Don"t you want to get rid of me? All right, I promise you that I will marry to Huyi and will never ever come back. Even if I die, I will not die in front of you."
Her heart was utterly shattered.
Jing Xuan"s voice echoed throughout the Inner Chamber and rolled into Concubine Xiao"s ears.
Two pairs of eyes met, one filled with helplessness and the other, with hatred.
After Concubine Xiao came out of the inner chamber, her whole bearing was rather disconsolate.
Sang Lan supported her. "My Lady, are you all right?"
There was no response.
"My Lady, you should not take what the Princess said to heart. Sooner or later, she will understand your good intentions."
That"s right! She truly did mean well.
Concubine Xiao stopped and stood on the cloister inside the palace wall, gazing at the path extending all the way in front of her, her eyes narrowing bit by bit.Then she gritted her teeth and said, "As long as it is for Yi"er, I can do anything."
She would even die for him.
"My Lady, does Eunuch Li"s words mean that Prince Yi is in trouble?"
"The Emperor only has suspicions and is not certain. Besides, considering Yi"er"s position in the Capital and the Imperial Court, even if the Emperor knew, he would still have to think twice, but..." Concubine Xiao frowned, "Just what is wrong with the Ministry of Personnel?"
She was confused.
The Ministry of Personnel had submitted a pet.i.tion that censured Prince Rong. If the pet.i.tion wasn"t done well, a fatal disaster may be the result! Could Peng Yuanhai, the newly appointed Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, truly be that bold?
He must have either been instigated or have the backing of someone powerful. Or perhaps it was actually a deliberate move by Jing Rong, to win the battle by backing himself into a corner? She shook her head. "No, no accident is allowed at this moment. It seems that some plans have to be brought forward."
Sang Lan did not understand, "My Lady, what do you mean?"
Concubine Xiao"s eyes curved into a sinister expression...
The next day, in Fuyang Hall.
Zhang Quan bowed and entered the chamber. "Your Majesty."
Qi Zhen Emperor had his head propped on one hand in repose. After hearing the sound, he gave a hum of acknowledgement and waved to dismiss all the people serving in the chamber.
He remained sitting motionlessly and asked "How is it?"
Zhang Quan replied, "Minister Peng, who had just taken office, has no contact with the Envoy of the Office of Transmission. There is no link between the Ministry of Personnel and the Office of Transmission."
"What else?"
"However, when Qiao Zheng, the former Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was in office, he was privately in contact with the Prince Yi"s Estate, and Lord Peng formerly worked for Lord Qiao, so...perhaps... the Ministry of Personnel is connected with the Prince Yi"s Estate. As for Lord Qu, the Envoy of the Office of Transmission, he obtained his position due to the recommendation letter submitted by Prince Yi three years ago."
That is to say, the Office of Transmission was also linked to the the Prince Yi"s Estate?
Hearing this, Qi Zhen Emperor opened his eyes and gazed at the smoking incense burner on the table. White mist spiralled upwards and reached his nose. Its scent should have been comfortable, but now it seemed pungent...
Qi Zhen Emperor frowned and pulled a long face before his light fist hit the table.
"At this time, what else could he be afraid of?"
Huh? Who? Zhang Quan looked up and saw Qi Zhen Emperor getting up slowly, so he quickly stepped forward to help him, but was pushed aside by the Emperor"s wide sleeve.
With his back bent over, Qi Zhen Emperor strenuously stepped towards the sword stand. On it, lay a long black sword.
Qi Zhen Emperor had claimed the sword from the King of Li thirty years ago and then bequeathed it to Jing Hua, but he never expected Jing Hua to use it to kill him the night he ambushed the palace.
He took down the sword and clenched the hilt, his eyes revealing sorrow and disappointment. He sighed, "Jing Hua is dead, Jing Xian is incompetent, and We exiled Jing Rong from the Capital by me. Have We made a mistake? Or are We muddled? "
"Your Majesty?"
"The previous Emperor was right. He said as long as the Great Lin exists, the conflict...will never stop." He drew out the sword as he finished speaking.
An imposing flash of silver light suddenly appeared. It was just like a spirited horse that was bound. Once it broke free from its ropes, the consequences could only be either death or injury.