Emperor Jingming had no objection to the Empress Dowager’s wish for two granddaughters to keep her company. He promptly brought up the matter with the Empress.
The Empress hesitated for a moment before smiling, “It’s a blessing for Fuqing and the others to accompany Mother Empress.”
Ever since learning that Princess Fuqing’s eye condition was caused by foul play and that she had nearly lost her life at that banquet, the Empress had become extraordinarily protective of her daughter. Although accompanying the Empress Dowager was an honor, it wasn’t what she wanted in her heart.
However, regardless of her personal feelings, she couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s suggestion. The Crown Prince’s affair had been a tremendous blow to the Emperor, and no one dared to go against his wishes at this time.
“Your Majesty, please rest,” the Empress gently urged, her heart aching at the sight of the bloodshot eyes of Emperor Jingming.
Emperor Jingming forced a slight smile, “Empress, you should rest. I’ll return to Qianqing Palace.”
The Empress wanted to persuade him further but silently swallowed her words.
At times like these, what the Emperor needed was peace, not persuasion.
After Emperor Jingming left, the Empress summoned Princess Fuqing and instructed, “From now on, you and the Fourteenth Sister will accompany the Empress Dowager together. Remember to enter and leave with Fourteenth Sister.”
Princess Fuqing looked puzzled, “Do I need to enter and leave with Fourteenth Sister?”
Her mother’s request seemed strange.
The Empress smiled and stroked Princess Fuqing’s sleek black hair, “The Empress Dowager is imposing, and your Fourteenth Sister is timid. As the elder sister, you should take care of her more.”
Princess Fuqing’s confusion cleared, and she earnestly replied, “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll take good care of Fourteenth Sister.”
The Empress gazed at her daughter and secretly sighed.
She shouldn’t be overthinking, but Fuqing was her life. In her anxiety, she couldn’t help but consider every possibility.
Nanny Duo had been in the Empress Dowager’s palace for years, who knew if there weren’t other questionable individuals in Cining Palace? Moreover, the palace maid who incited the Crown Prince to commit treason with figurines was not simple, and it was still unknown if there was someone behind her.
The palace was now full of intrigue, and she had no choice but to be cautious.
The Empress was also furious about this situation.
She was supposed to be the mistress of the inner palace, yet she found herself passive at every turn, becoming an easy target.
After sending Princess Fuqing away, the Empress summoned the Fourteenth Princess.
Since using herself as bait to catch Nanny Duo, the Fourteenth Princess has resolved her inner conflict. After these days of recuperation, her health had improved significantly, and her face gradually regained the rosy glow of youth.
After paying her respects to the Empress, the Fourteenth Princess quietly waited for her to speak.
“I’ve called you here today because there’s a matter I need to discuss with you.”
“Please speak, Mother.”
“The Empress Dowager finds Cining Palace too quiet and wants you and Fuqing to keep her company often.”
The Fourteenth Princess was taken aback and looked at the Empress.
There were many princesses in the palace. It was normal for the Empress Dowager to name Thirteenth Sister for companionship, but it was unexpected that she had also named her. Her mother’s transgression was, after all, a stain on her reputation.
“Being able to accompany the Empress Dowager is a supreme honor and will greatly benefit your future. However, you experienced the incident with Nanny Duo, so you should know that Cining Palace might not be as peaceful as it appears on the surface. You must be cautious.”
The Fourteenth Princess shuddered and slowly nodded, “I understand, Mother.”
The Empress sighed, “Fourteenth, Fuqing is naive. When you go to Cining Palace together, you must be more vigilant…”
“Rest assured, Mother. I will be,” the Fourteenth Princess agreed without hesitation.
This world was inherently unfair. She couldn’t choose her birth, nor could she blame her mother who only thought of her well-being. All she could do was to live more cautiously and work harder than others.
The only consolation was that the Empress didn’t act solely based on likes and dislikes. As long as she adhered to her duties, she could at least survive well. If she could meet a prince consort of decent character in the future, it would be her good fortune.
The Empress smiled, “I know you’re a good child. You may go now.”
After the Fourteenth Princess left, the Empress’s mood was still somewhat unsettled.
Concubine Chen was the culprit who harmed Fuqing, so she couldn’t bring herself to be particularly fond of Concubine Chen’s daughter. However, from the perspective of being the Empress, she appreciated children like the Fourteenth Princess.
Intelligent, dutiful, aware of what she wanted, and knew how to maintain the bottom line of being a person.
If everyone in the inner palace were like this, it would save her a lot of worry.
In any case, having the Fourteenth Princess accompany Fuqing to Cining Palace would give her some peace of mind. It was better to be safe than sorry.
Emperor Jingming returned to Qianqing Palace and sat motionless in his chair, lost in thought.
At this moment, he wasn’t thinking about suitable candidates for the heir apparent, nor about the turmoil that the Crown Prince’s execution had brought to the court. His mind was blank.
“Your Majesty, please have some tea.”
Emperor Jingming looked at Pan Hai and suddenly asked, “Was it Erniu who found that figurine?”
Pan Hai was momentarily stunned before quickly responding, “Yes, it was.”
Emperor Jingming remained silent for a long time, his voice heavy with exhaustion, “I’ve always said, merit should be rewarded and fault should be punished. Erniu—”
Pan Hai interjected, “The Empress has rewarded General Xiaotian with a golden collar.”
“Is that so?” Emperor Jingming paused, then murmured, “That’s good, then.”
At this juncture, if he were to heavily reward Erniu, it might give rise to various speculations, and he had no desire to consider the matter of selecting an heir at present.
Emperor Jingming stared intently at Pan Hai, feeling as though he had many questions to ask, yet unable to voice them.
Pan Hai lowered his gaze, avoiding Emperor Jingming’s scrutiny, and inwardly heaved a deep sigh.
He could guess what the Emperor wanted to ask.
The Emperor probably wanted to inquire about the circumstances of the Crown Prince’s death, didn’t he?
From the Crown Prince’s loud cries to see the Emperor, to his drinking the poisoned wine and succumbing to its effects, he had witnessed the entire process.
In his opinion, good riddance!
Having served the Emperor for so many years, he had lost count of how many times the Emperor had been angered by the Crown Prince. It could be said that the Emperor’s white hair was all caused by the Crown Prince’s actions.
With the Crown Prince gone, the Emperor was no longer bound by the obligation to establish the eldest son as heir. Choosing a virtuous and capable prince from among the remaining princes as the heir apparent would be a blessing for the empire and its people.
Of course, as a mere palace servant, he couldn’t concern himself with matters of state. He simply hoped that the Emperor would be in good spirits and live a few years longer, which would be a blessing for all of them.
After hesitating for a while, Pan Hai spoke up, “Your Majesty, I’ve received word from the south. The envoys to the Wumiao, including the Minister of Ceremonies, are about to return to the capital.”
Earlier, to investigate whether Nanny Duo’s machinations in the inner palace were related to the Wumiao tribe, Emperor Jingming had dispatched the Minister of Ceremonies and others as envoys to Wumiao in February. Now, almost half a year had passed, and it was time for their return.
Pan Hai brought this up now to divert the Emperor’s attention from dwelling too much on the Crown Prince’s treason, which could be detrimental to his health.
As expected, Emperor Jingming’s focus shifted, “When are they expected to arrive?”
“It should be within the next three to five days.”
“As soon as they return, have them come to see me.”
Pan Hai quickly acknowledged the order.
The imperial palace momentarily returned to a state of cold silence. The palace inhabitants barely dared to breathe, anxiously waiting for the dark cloud of the Crown Prince’s treason and execution to dissipate with time.
Jiang Si, in a rare moment of relaxation, took Ahuan back to visit her maiden family.