“Seeing Father Emperor’s strong reaction to Fifth Brother deposing the Crown Prince, Third Brother will surely reassess the deposed Crown Prince’s position in Father Emperor’s heart. I can use Li’s miscarriage as an excuse to feign withdrawal. This way, the threat Third Brother perceives will become the deposed Crown Prince…” Prince Qi explained his plan.
Noble Consort Xian nodded repeatedly, finally cautioning, “Don’t be too hasty. You must not let your father suspect your involvement…”
“Of course, Mother Consort can rest assured.”
Noble Consort Xian let out a long sigh of relief. “Seeing that you haven’t lost heart, I’m at ease.”
“Lose heart?” Prince Qi smiled. “Mother Consort need not worry. I won’t be so easily defeated.”
If an unformed child could discourage him, what was he fighting for? He might as well be content with a wife and children like Seventh Brother.
“His Majesty the Emperor arrives—”
As the eunuch announced loudly outside the door, Noble Consort Xian and Prince Qi immediately went out to greet him.
Emperor Jingming saw Prince Qi walking beside Noble Consort Xian and said, “Fourth Son is here too?”
Prince Qi greeted Emperor Jingming and said, “Mother Consort heard about Li’s miscarriage and was very worried, so she called me to inquire about Li’s condition.”
“How is your wife?” Emperor Jingming asked as he walked inside.
Although he felt at odds with Yuquan Palace, it was still necessary to visit when Noble Consort Xian’s daughter-in-law had miscarried.
“She had a rough night… but Father Emperor need not worry. This is common for women who miscarry. She just needs to rest and recover.” Prince Qi spoke calmly, trying his best to conceal his deep sorrow.
Emperor Jingming sighed, “There’s less to do during the first month of the year. Take good care of your wife.”
“Yes, son understands.”
“Then you may return.”
Prince Qi bowed and took his leave.
Emperor Jingming began to console Noble Consort Xian: “Children and parents are connected by fate. When the time is right, it will come.”
“I understand what Your Majesty says, it’s just that my heart still aches…” Noble Consort Xian seized the opportunity to gain sympathy.
It had been a long time since the Emperor had stayed overnight at Yuquan Palace.
Although at her age she no longer expected favor, staying overnight represented her status in the Emperor’s heart. For example, on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Emperor would certainly rest in Kunning Palace.
Emperor Jingming was not skilled at comforting others. He said, “Don’t be sad. Seventh Son’s wife will surely give you a plump, healthy grandson.”
Noble Consort Xian: “…” If she could slap the Emperor, she would have done so right then!
Suppressing her anger, Noble Consort Xian said with trembling lips, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s kind words.”
Emperor Jingming inwardly sighed: It seems Noble Consort Xian is truly heartbroken, forcing herself to hold back tears to the point her lips have turned white. Well, he’d better leave to allow Noble Consort Xian to cry in private.
Emperor Jingming left Yuquan Palace.
Noble Consort Xian, both heartbroken and newly angered, clutched her chest and rolled her eyes, even smashing the teacup whose lid she had already broken.
Emperor Jingming returned to the Imperial Study and casually flipped through a newly published novel. Just then, Pan Hai hurriedly entered.
“What’s the matter now?” Emperor Jingming had an ominous feeling.
Pan Hai lowered his head, avoiding Emperor Jingming’s eyes: “Matron Duo couldn’t withstand the torture and has passed away…”
Emperor Jingming closed his eyes, then opened them again. He grabbed the novel from the table and tore it to shreds.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger—” Seeing Emperor Jingming tear up the novel, Pan Hai’s liver trembled.
The Emperor was truly furious. This novel was a collector’s edition released just before the Six Petal Flower Studio closed for the year-end!
Throwing the torn novel to the ground, Emperor Jingming’s face regained its composure. “Summon the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.”
He had prepared himself for the possibility of not being able to extract information from Matron Duo. Upon hearing that she had died under torture, his anger wasn’t particularly intense. It was mainly frustration, extreme frustration!
The Wumiao tribe had always been seen as mysterious and best left unprovoked by successive emperors of the Great Zhou. Due to the constant warfare with the Southern Lan country, it was best not to offend this foreign tribe wedged between Great Zhou and Southern Lan if it could be avoided.
But now the other side had made the first move. If he just endured it, what authority did he have as an emperor?
The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial was visiting relatives and friends when he was found by servants who had run their legs off. He hurriedly entered the palace.
“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty.”
Looking at the Minister dressed in festive clothing, Emperor Jingming’s mood improved slightly. He asked, “Were you paying New Year’s visits?”
The Minister was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, “Ah, yes, paying New Year visits…”
It was the second day of the New Year. What else would he be doing if not pay visits? Why had the Emperor summoned him?
The dry conversation between the emperor and his minister made Pan Hai’s mouth twitch.
“The weather will warm up soon.”
“Yes.” The Minister began to sweat.
He didn’t know how quickly the weather would warm up, but he was already feeling hot enough to want to take off his clothes.
“When the river ice thaws, choose a group of clever subordinates and make a trip to Wumiao.”
The Minister’s eyes suddenly widened.
A diplomatic mission to Wumiao? This was not a good assignment. Deciding who to send and who not to send would immediately give him a headache. However, he could use this opportunity to make a small profit, as those subordinates would surely be willing to slip him some silver…
Just as he was thinking of the positive aspects, he heard Emperor Jingming say calmly, “When the time comes, you will go too, to show Great Zhou’s regard for the matter.”
The Minister swayed slightly, suppressing the urge to burst into tears as he agreed, trying to console himself: Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Once in Wumiao, being treated as an honored guest wouldn’t be bad.
Then he heard Emperor Jingming say nonchalantly, “You need not worry. People from the Jinlin Guard will accompany you.”
The Minister’s vision darkened as he despairingly accepted this cruel reality.
The entire first month passed under a faint cloud of gloom.
By the second month, as the weather began to warm, a delegation led by the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial left the capital for Wumiao.
Jiang Zhan was also set to leave the capital.
On the day of farewell, the long pavilion outside the city was packed with people.
“Second Brother, when you reach the south, don’t be reckless. Remember, nothing is more important than your safety.” Jiang Yi’s eyes reddened as she handed a bundle to Jiang Zhan.
Jiang Zhan smiled and asked, “What has Big Sister prepared for me?”
“Two sets of clothes and two pairs of shoes.”
“Those will certainly be useful. When I return from the south, I’ll bring you all some nice things too.”
“What nice things could come from such a place? Just make sure you come back safely!” Jiang An Cheng, irritated by his son’s carefree attitude, rolled his eyes and smacked him.
Jiang Zhan rubbed his arm where he’d been hit, caught between laughter and exasperation. “Father, I’m a fourth-rank military officer now. My subordinates are watching.”
Jiang An Cheng glanced at the troops waiting outside the pavilion and glared at Jiang Zhan, but refrained from further scolding.
Jiang Zhan looked at Jiang Si, raising his hand to pat her shoulder, but lowered it silently under someone’s murderous gaze.
“Fourth Sister, I’ll leave the family in your care. Remember to write to me if anything happens.”
“Don’t worry, Second Brother.”
Jiang Zhan’s gaze dropped slightly, and he smiled, “When my nephew is born, remember to write to me about that too.”
Jiang Si agreed and handed a small bundle to Jiang Zhan. “I’ve prepared some things Second Brother might find useful. Don’t lose them.”
“I definitely won’t lose them.”
Jiang Zhan was carefree by nature. Having said all that needed to be said, he took the reins handed to him by a servant, mounted his horse, waved to his family, and galloped away.