Emperor Jingming opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.
Thinking back on what the Seventh Prince had just said, it wasn’t directed at the Empress Dowager. How had he jumped to thinking about his mother?
While feeling remorseful, deep down Emperor Jingming had an inkling of an answer.
After Yu Jin returned from his southern journey and handed over the person who had secretly attacked Jiang Zhan to Emperor Jingming for handling, the Jinlin Guards uncovered some information over these past few days. That soldier called Huang Qi seemed ordinary, but his relationships with family and friends were unusual.
His wife was a distant cousin of Prince Qi’s consort. Though she likely had never even met the Princess Consort of Qi, this connection still stood out in the investigation. He also had a friend working in Prince Qin’s residence. On the surface, the two hadn’t been in contact for years, but the true nature of their relationship required further investigation.
Moreover, his elder sister had married a rather learned scholar, and this brother-in-law had once been a teacher at a clan school of a prominent family.
That noble clan was the Empress Dowager’s natal family.
When Emperor Jingming first saw this information presented by Han Ran, the commander of the Jinlin Guards, he was shocked. He never imagined that an unremarkable soldier could have such a complex network of relationships.
Fortunately, Han Ran had said that if they investigated deeply enough into any random peddler walking the streets of the capital, they might find connections to imperial relatives and noble families. This had calmed the Emperor’s startled heart.
Even so, the fact that the person who had secretly harmed Jiang Zhan had even a tenuous connection to the Empress Dowager had left a mark on Emperor Jingming’s mind. This was why, under Yu Jin’s subtle hints, he had blurted out a mention of the Empress Dowager.
Rather than being angry at Yu Jin for speaking nonsense, Emperor Jingming was more ashamed of his wild speculations.
How could he baselessly suspect his mother?
Emperor Jingming glared at Yu Jin with a dark face.
Yu Jin looked completely innocent.
Father Emperor had said it himself; he couldn’t blame others.
“State your conclusion,” Emperor Jingming urged impatiently, already intending to dismiss them.
Yu Jin’s expression turned serious as he said, “Son boldly guesses that there might still be villains like ‘Nanny Duo’ in Cining Palace. However, as to who exactly it might be, that’s for Father Emperor to investigate, since it’s Grandmother’s residence after all.”
Emperor Jingming frowned silently.
The Empress’s mind was already racing with countless thoughts, her face unable to hide her worry. “Your Majesty, even if not for Fuqing’s sake, you should investigate this thoroughly. If there are still traitors hidden in Cining Palace, wouldn’t the Empress Dowager be in danger—”
Yu Jin nodded secretly.
He had to admit, the Empress was quite astute.
After what he had said, he didn’t believe the Empress harbored any suspicions towards the Empress Dowager. However, voicing such suspicions would only provoke Father Emperor’s antipathy. Framing it as concern for the Empress Dowager’s safety wouldn’t stimulate the Father Emperor’s filial piety.
Yu Jin’s lengthy explanation today was not due to an obsession with solving cases, but rather to plant seeds of suspicion towards the Empress Dowager in the Emperor and Empress’s minds.
It was normal for Emperor Jingming to be unable to accept this immediately, but the Empress would likely be different.
Yu Jin and Jiang Si currently had no opportunity to investigate the Empress Dowager. Whether or not today’s danger to Princess Fuqing involved the Empress Dowager’s machinations, arousing the Empress’s suspicions towards her would be beneficial and harmless.
Who knew, the Empress might even take the initiative to investigate on her own?
The fact that someone wanted to harm Princess Fuqing was no longer something that could be casually glossed over. Emperor Jingming nodded slightly to the Empress, “Rest assured, I will investigate this thoroughly and uncover the traitors causing trouble.”
Nanny Duo must still have accomplices left. Those damned Wumiao people!
Thinking of how the Wumiao Holy Maiden had appeared and easily resolved the troubles he had created for the Wumiao tribe, Emperor Jingming felt somewhat frustrated.
How was it that others could turn misfortune into blessings and overcome difficulties, while he faced one problem after another?
Thinking this way, Emperor Jingming glanced at Jiang Si, inwardly grateful that the Seventh Prince’s wife occasionally received divine guidance, preventing outcomes from being too disastrous.
If something had happened to Fuqing now— Emperor Jingming dared not continue that train of thought.
“It’s getting late. You two should return now.”
Since Cining Palace was involved, Emperor Jingming couldn’t possibly let Yu Jin investigate further, so he began to dismiss them.
“Son (Daughter-in-law) takes leave,” they responded.
Yu Jin, pulling Jiang Si along, had walked a few steps toward the exit when he suddenly stopped.
“What is it?” Emperor Jingming asked.
“Father Emperor, son just remembered something.”
“Speak.”
“That person son brought back earlier – has anything been discovered about him?”
Emperor Jingming’s face turned serious, “We’re still investigating.”
You brat, you know how to bring up the wrong topics.
“If that’s all, son will take his leave.”
After Yu Jin and Jiang Si withdrew, Emperor Jingming comfortingly patted the Empress’s hand, “You should go rest as well.”
With others gone, the Empress let her guard down. Her eyes reddened as she choked out, “How can I rest? Just thinking about how Fuqing nearly met with disaster today, my heart feels like it’s fallen into an icy abyss.”
Emperor Jingming sighed, “How could I feel any different?”
The Empress inwardly scoffed.
How could His Majesty’s feelings possibly be the same as hers? Fuqing was her lifeline; without Fuqing, she would have no will to live. But His Majesty had many children; even if he loved Fuqing, it was limited.
“How can Fuqing be so unfortunate, to be targeted by villains again and again? Your Majesty, these misfortunes befalling Fuqing might be aimed at me…”
“Empress, don’t let your imagination run wild.”
The Empress gave a bitter laugh, “Otherwise, why is it that among so many princesses in the palace, only Fuqing suffers so much misfortune?”
Although Emperor Jingming felt the Empress’s concerns had some merit, he found it mostly incomprehensible. He said frankly, “If Fuqing were a prince, it would make sense. But she’s just a princess. Even if she’s the eldest legitimate princess, she’ll eventually have to marry. What benefit could there be in harming her?”
The Empress’s attention, however, was caught by the words “have to marry.” Her eyes brightened as she said, “Your Majesty, Fuqing is of marriageable age now. Why don’t we arrange her marriage soon? Perhaps once she’s married, she’ll be away from these villains’ schemes.”
Emperor Jingming dispelled the Empress’s notion with one sentence: “If we don’t root out these traitors, how do we know it won’t be even easier for them to act once she’s outside the palace?”
The Empress fell silent.
Who was the villain hiding in the shadows, harming Fuqing?
Could it be… the Empress Dowager?
She speculated discreetly, her suspicions growing stronger even as she returned to Kunning Palace.
When the Empress Dowager had suddenly proposed having Fuqing keep her company, she had felt vaguely uneasy. Later, she had dismissed it as overthinking. But now, looking back, perhaps it was the intuitive connection between mother and daughter giving her a warning.
What if it was the Empress Dowager?
The Empress picked up her teacup, took a sip, and gently set it down again.
Even if it was the Empress Dowager if His Majesty truly traced it back to her, would he punish the Empress Dowager for Fuqing’s sake?
Impossible. The Empress Dowager was His Majesty’s adoptive mother, the great benefactor who had helped him ascend to the throne. Whether out of filial piety or gratitude, His Majesty would never do anything to the Empress Dowager for the sake of a mere princess.
If the person behind all this was the Empress Dowager, then all the misfortunes Fuqing had suffered would have been in vain.
The Empress extended both hands, lowering her gaze to stare at them.
Her hands were still fair and soft, a pair of hands that had known nothing but privilege.
She was the Empress, the mistress of the inner palace, but when it came to the Empress Dowager, who was deeply respected by His Majesty, she amounted to nothing.
As a mother, how should she protect her daughter?
The Empress vaguely formed an idea, though she couldn’t yet see it.