Chapter 274: The Next Step
The Empress was ill, unable to sleep all night, her head splitting with pain.
She threw the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician onto the ground, utterly disgusted by its bitterness. To her, taking medicine was more painful than being killed.
She ordered someone to summon Wen Mingqian, saying, “I only trust you now. Find a way to let me sleep for a while.”
Wen Mingqian knelt and said, “Your Ladyship, if the incense I usually make is not effective, then only increasing the dosage will work. However, I fear it might harm your imperial body.”
“You don’t need to worry about anything; this is what I’m asking you to do. Besides, it’s just incense. Even if it has some adverse effects, they will be limited. Wouldn’t taking those medicines also harm me?” the Empress said with a frown. “My head is splitting with pain right now. If I don’t get some sleep soon, I fear I’ll go mad.”
“If the dosage of the incense I use for you is increased, it might make Your Ladyship feel a bit fatigued, and your appetite might be affected, but nothing else,” Wen Mingqian said. “However, it would be best to have an imperial physician examine you first before I dare to use it.”
“You are being overly cautious. Fine, given your position, there’s no other way. Then please invite an imperial physician over,” the Empress said, urging someone to fetch one.
Imperial Physician Wu carefully examined the incense Wen Mingqian used and said, “This incense is fine, but Her Ladyship cannot use it frequently. Using it once or twice occasionally is acceptable.”
Wen Mingqian washed her hands, lit the incense, and then went to the Empress’s side, saying, “Your Ladyship, allow me to massage you a bit to relax you, so you can fall asleep faster.”
The Empress closed her eyes and nodded.
Just as Wen Mingqian had been massaging for a moment, Yu Lu entered and informed the Empress, “Your Ladyship, the Grand Princess just sent word that she will be leaving the palace to return to Bowang Mountain this afternoon.”
The Empress knew that with the current chaos in the palace, the Grand Princess naturally wouldn’t want to get involved. So she said, “I understand. However, I am ill and cannot see her off. Mingqian, you will have to see the Grand Princess off for me!”
Wen Mingqian softly agreed.
About fifteen minutes later, the Empress finally fell asleep. Wen Mingqian quietly retreated to the side. Since the Empress had finally managed to sleep, no one could be by her side; the attendants were all waiting outside.
Wen Mingqian left the Empress’s palace and went to Ming Cui Palace to see the Grand Princess.
At that time, Princess Duanmin was also present.
“Mingqian, Prince Zhao and Prince Chu are in conflict to this extent. Although the outcome is not yet decided, the general trend has already taken shape by seven or eight parts,” the Grand Princess said. “You are increasingly trusted by the Empress now, so I don’t need to stay in the palace much longer. After I return to the mountain, I will write to Wu Chou and inform him of the situation in the Capital City so he can be prepared.”
“Thank you for your concern. Everything has proceeded largely according to the plan we set earlier. With the assistance of Princess Duanmin, it has been even faster than we anticipated,” Wen Mingqian had already made grand plans with the Grand Princess and Prince Changliu before entering the palace.
“The conflict between Prince Zhao and Prince Chu, resulting in mutual destruction, has also weakened the Dong family’s influence,” Princess Duanmin said with great pleasure. “I can finally exhale some of the oppressive air that has been weighing on my heart.”
“Grand Tutor Dong will be arriving in the Capital City soon. He will surely find a way to help Prince Zhao recover,” Wen Mingqian said.
“Our previous discussion was to try and get both Prince Chu and Prince Zhao to leave the Capital City, further dispersing the Dong family’s influence. But they will certainly not be willing to leave the Capital, especially Prince Zhao,” the Grand Princess said. “Mingqian, what do you think we should do?”
“His Majesty has likely decided to move Ying Tong and Ying Bai out of the palace and bring the Young Prince of Chu into the palace. Even if the Empress and the Dong family are unwilling, they have no grounds to refuse and must make concessions.
But they are still unwilling to give up and are still thinking of making Ying Tong the Crown Prince.
Therefore, to persuade Prince Chu to leave the Capital, we must give him hope. This requires you, Princess Duanmin, to reveal through the King of Fenye that you are still willing to betroth Princess Zhuolahhan to Ying Tong, and to suggest that Prince Zhao be stationed at the Northern Frontier, so they can join forces in military action if anything arises.”
Princess Duanmin smiled upon hearing this: “This idea is brilliant. To persuade Prince Zhao to leave the Capital, the lure of his son becoming the Crown Prince is the most effective.
Don’t worry! King of Fenye originally intended to choose Ying Tong as his son-in-law. The Prince of Chu’s Heir Apparent is too far apart in age from Zhuolahhan; a marriage is impossible.”
“As for Prince Chu, since his young son has entered the palace, the Dong family will absolutely not allow him to remain in the Capital. This would effectively empower him, and he would inevitably threaten the Empress and others in the future.
However, the Empress will never allow Prince Chu to be out of control. Therefore, even if he is moved out of the Capital, it will be to a place where he can be managed,” Wen Mingqian continued to analyze. “If someone can suggest to her that Prince Chu be moved to where Prince Changliu is, he can be controlled through Prince Changliu. I think the Empress will most likely agree.”
“Indeed, if Prince Chu goes to Wu Chou, Wu Chou can win him over. After all, Prince Chu and his wife hate the Dong family to the bone, but they haven’t turned against them due to their own interests,” the Grand Princess nodded. “To eliminate the Dong family, it is impossible to avoid using force in the end. When the time comes for open conflict, it will depend on whose army is stronger.”
The Dong family’s influence is deeply rooted and intricately intertwined. To completely eradicate it requires great effort, as well as favorable timing, location, and human support.
“Mingqian, you always appear so gentle and quiet, I never imagined you harbored such strategic depth,” Princess Duanmin had known Wen Mingqian for a short time and didn’t understand her deeply. They were only allied due to shared interests.
However, each interaction deepened her admiration for Wen Mingqian.
“Your Highness is too kind. I am merely applying what I have learned,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile, lowering her head. “For the past few years, I have only read history books repeatedly, copying and applying the strategies of ancient people.”
“Reading is indeed useful. Look at you, you possess the forbearance of Goujian enduring hardship and biding his time, as well as the sincerity of Cheng Ying entrusting his child. How rare!” Princess Duanmin said. “History books will surely record your deeds in the future.”
“How dare I aspire to such things? For this matter to succeed, it is not within my power alone. It also requires the assistance of noble ladies like yourselves, Your Highnesses. Otherwise, it would be like a mayfly trying to shake a tree, only to be laughed at,” Wen Mingqian always understood these principles.
“In a few more days, it will be His Majesty’s birthday. My grand gift should be sent out by then,” Princess Duanmin smiled. “Regardless, as long as it can cause trouble for the Empress, I will be happy.”
“Once those two beauties are by His Majesty’s side, the Empress will likely be even more unable to sleep,” the Grand Princess said. “However, she has more pressing matters to attend to now. Speaking of which, among the Dong family, only Grand Tutor Dong is truly cunning; the others are merely riding on his coattails.
We have taken advantage of Grand Tutor Dong’s absence from the Capital to stir up this storm. When he returns, His Majesty will still show him considerable respect.”
