The news of Xie Jiayan interceding for the Wang clan in the Taiji Hall, which angered Consort Yao, spread that very day.
While some admired Xie Jiayan's solitary courage, others harbored deep resentment.
"Your Highness, Xie Jiayan's father was once an official in the Imperial Academy. It's possible he instigated the disturbance among the students and teachers. A mere stripling without any backing wouldn't dare to be so bold unless instructed. I shall send someone to eliminate him, and then who will dare to speak for the Wang family?" Yao Zhinian said indignantly.
"Killing Xie Jiayan is easy. What I worry about is Che'er. Xie Jiayan is someone the Sage left for him to utilize. If he investigates, it will only cause trouble. What you need to do now is to quickly resolve the Wang family's affairs. By then, even if the Sage awakens, it will be too late. Do you understand?" Consort Yao said meaningfully.
Once people are dead, nothing can be undone.
"Your Highness means..." Yao Zhinian made a gesture of killing.
"Let the Qianniu Guard do it," Consort Yao narrowed her eyes.
"But Song Wei has always been at odds with me." Yao Zhinian feared Song Wei would not obey.
Consort Yao stroked her freshly lacquered fingers. "You are to take the position of head of the Central Secretariat. Can you not even handle a mere Song Wei?"
"Yes!" Yao Zhinian replied with a grimace.
Song Wei was the Sage's confidant, always arrogant and looking down on everyone. This was another tough nut to crack.
Seeing Yao Zhinian's expression, Consort Yao said with disappointment, "This matter must be handled by the Qianniu Guard. Have you forgotten what happened at Qianshan Temple?"
That vixen died at Qianshan Temple, and the Sage did not hold Song Wei accountable for his mistakes, showing his trust in the Qianniu Guard.
If the Sage were to investigate this matter in the future, having the Qianniu Guard take the blame would help quell his anger.
"Your Highness is wise. I understand. I will go now." Yao Zhinian took his leave.
Consort Yao shifted her position, and the palace attendant massaging her legs immediately switched to the other leg. The Consort was very satisfied and asked, "Is the ginseng soup ready?"
"The Sage is currently unconscious. Your Highness has been caring for him day and night and has lost quite a bit of weight these past few days."
Consort Yao touched her forehead. "As long as the Sage does not awaken, how can I be at ease?"
Although Consort Yao said this, her face showed no signs of worry. As his consort, she understood the Sage's heartlessness best.
They all said she was the most favored consort in the harem, deeply loved by the Sage. At first, she believed it too. But these past ten years were enough to show her his fickle and unfeeling nature.
He had vomited blood and fallen unconscious twice because of that vixen. Since he loved her so much, he should have gone down to accompany her sooner, thus clearing the way for her Che'er.
He could abandon the woman he cared about most outside the palace for eighteen years. Now that she was dead, why pretend to be so affectionate? If he loved her so much, she would send the entire Wang clan to accompany them in death.
The palace attendant had already prepared the ginseng soup. Consort Yao then led her people towards the Taiji Hall. This soup was for her Che'er. Che'er had been working tirelessly these past few days, and he mustn't be exhausted.
Xiao Che heard that the Consort was coming and waved for General Fan to withdraw. As General Fan emerged, he bumped into the Consort.
Consort Yao saw General Fan and was about to inquire about something, but General Fan bowed and left.
A palace attendant beside Consort Yao snorted, "How dare he be so rude to Your Highness! Your Highness should tell His Highness later to punish him properly."
Consort Yao, however, did not care. "General Fan is a rough man. Don't say too much later."
He was someone Che'er relied on. In Che'er's heart, he carried much more weight than Xie Jiayan. If she were to complain, it would only displease Che'er.