Chapter 277: The Storm Subsides
The Empress opened her eyes upon hearing this, “Achieve merit? What kind of merit do you want him to achieve?”
“Even if there is no merit to be achieved now, he will surely be useful in the future,” Wen Mingqian said vaguely. “I’ve heard that Imperial Physician Su is an expert in pediatrics. When the Second Young Master of Prince Chu’s Mansion enters the palace in a few days, perhaps you can have him attend to him.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress understood everything. The young son of Prince Chu entering the palace was a compromise made out of necessity.
But how could the Empress and the Dong family possibly allow him to become the Crown Prince? Naturally, they would get rid of him sooner or later.
The Imperial Harem has never lacked underhanded methods. The crucial thing is to think of a way out before acting, especially finding someone to take the blame.
“But I wonder if this Su Qingyun is willing?” the Empress hesitated. “If he were sensible, he wouldn’t have spoken up in the first place.”
Su Qingyun was considered young among the imperial physicians. He was not even assigned to take the Empress’s pulse usually, so the Empress was not very familiar with him.
“He regrets it deeply now and is trying to beg for mercy everywhere, but who dares to intercede for him?” Wen Mingqian said. “If he were to be exiled, it would be too easy. Let alone exile, even if he were punished more severely, what could he do?
However, if the punishment is too severe, it will inevitably lead to gossip. If nothing else, Zhu Hui and others in the court will definitely seize upon this matter. Even if he is exiled, it’s still possible that people will gossip. It’s not that Her Ladyship originally intended to downplay the matter.
It would be better to keep him under observation. If he is useful, it would be better than sending him outside the palace. If there is any trouble, he can be made to explain, wouldn’t that be more convenient?”
The Empress reached out and supported her forehead. Her head felt as if someone was constantly hammering it with a hammer: “What you said makes sense. This matter should not be escalated as much as possible. I will have Yu Lu ask him about it later. If he truly repents, then let him go!”
After lunch, the Empress ordered someone to summon Consort Yun.
Consort Yun was tall and slender, her body as delicate as a willow branch swaying in the wind when she walked. However, her complexion was too pale, and she looked sickly.
The moment the Empress saw her, she couldn’t help but think of Shen Fu, and her heart churned, making her very uncomfortable.
At that time, she and Shen Fu were almost inseparable and had the closest relationship among the consorts.
Initially, the Empress did not regard Shen Fu as a threat because she was gentle and polite, and very humble and obedient to her.
But gradually, the Empress sensed a crisis. Everyone praised Shen Fu, and the Emperor’s heart clearly leaned towards her.
What made the Empress most murderous was that a sorcerer had predicted Shen Fu would become the mother of the nation.
The Empress was imperious and could not tolerate such words! Moreover, Shen Fu was already pregnant at the time, and the rumors intensified because of it.
That autumn, Shen Fu escaped from the palace and died in Xijiang not long after.
Consort Yun has been feigning illness ever since, living like a living dead person in this palace.
“Greetings to Her Ladyship the Empress. May I know why Her Ladyship has summoned this subject?” Consort Yun stepped forward to pay her respects.
“Rise, sit down quickly,” the Empress said, uncharacteristically gentle towards her.
Consort Yun sat down cautiously, but her entire body was tense, as if she dared not even breathe heavily.
The palace maids brought tea and then quietly withdrew.
“How have you been lately? I see you are looking better than before,” the Empress asked slowly, stroking the jade and stone button on her cuff.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship the Empress. This subject has indeed recovered much these past few days,” Consort Yun replied quickly.
“What does Linglong do every day? She will be twelve years old after the New Year, how time flies! She will soon grow into a young lady, and in a few more years, she will be of age and should be married,” the Empress brought up the Ninth Princess again.
Consort Yun’s expression immediately became flustered. She knew that the Empress had arranged the marriages for the princesses before the Ninth Princess.
Those she favored were arranged well, while those she disliked were either married off for political alliances or sent to distant lands, neither of which were good outcomes.
“This child is a bit soft-hearted. I am truly afraid she will be bullied if she marries far away. Moreover, I am often ill, and I only hope she can marry in the Capital City so that I can see her often,” Consort Yun said, gathering her courage to express her thoughts.
“I understand how you feel. I also think Linglong should not marry far away; it’s better to keep her by our side,” the Empress smiled.
Consort Yun was greatly surprised but also very pleased. She said, “Thank you, Your Ladyship the Empress, for your compassion.”
The Empress looked at her and said slowly, “If you truly thank me, why not help this consort with a favor?”
The Empress’s request was not unexpected by Consort Yun. She knew that if the Empress didn’t ask her to do something, she wouldn’t give her benefits for no reason.
So she asked, “May I know what Her Ladyship wishes to instruct this subject to do?”
The Empress said, “You must know some of what goes on in the palace. Princess Duanmin is often with you, so you must have heard that King Fenye originally came to the Capital City to arrange a marriage for his daughter, Zhuola Han. Unfortunately, Tong’er and Bai’er have caused this situation. Ying Bai’s eyes are injured, so he naturally cannot be chosen.
Although Tong’er caused trouble, it was an unintentional mistake. Although he will be moved out of the palace, he is still Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent. A temporary setback is not a big deal; do not let it ruin a good marriage because of it.”
Consort Yun listened and said, “Does Her Ladyship mean for me to probe Princess Duanmin’s intentions?”
“Precisely. I know you are not foolish. Besides probing her intentions, you should do your best to facilitate this matter,” the Empress nodded. “If this matter can be settled, all previous transgressions will be wiped clean, and this consort will surely treat you and the Ninth Princess well.”
“This subject can only do her best; I dare not guarantee anything else,” Consort Yun replied.
Several days later, the dust settled.
Ying Tong and Ying Bai both left the Imperial Palace, and it was decided that the young son of Prince Chu, Ying Shan, would be brought into the palace after the New Year.
Prince Zhao would also leave the Capital City with his family after the New Year to guard the Northern Frontier.
He would travel with King Fenye, both escorting King Fenye and his party out of the Capital City and fulfilling his duties.
Prince Chu would also leave the Capital City for Longxi, where his post was very close to Yunmen, guarded by Prince Changliu.
Both Prince Chu’s and Prince Zhao’s families gained something and lost something, but the incident had finally subsided.
The most unfortunate were the Liu family of Prince Shou Shan Commandery. The matters that had been brought up previously were investigated together this time. Prince Shou Shan Commandery was stripped of his office and title, and his entire family was exiled.
Those who knew the situation understood that since the Dong family could not deal with Prince Chu, they used his accomplice, Prince Shou Shan Commandery, as a scapegoat.
However, Prince Chu did not want to lose more over minor issues at this time, so he refused to help the Liu family when they were in trouble.
As the end of the year approached, the Emperor’s birthday was also drawing near, and the palace was once again bustling with festive activity.
The Empress’s headaches had eased considerably, and she handed over the arrangements for the Emperor’s birthday banquet to Consort Hui and Consort Jing.
Su Qingyun was also released and was working normally at the Imperial Hospital.
The Empress not only did not punish him but even promoted him.
This was naturally with ulterior motives, Su Qingyun knew this, and the Empress knew it too.
