"What are you staring at? Go and fetch an imperial physician quickly. Although Princess Jing Yi disregards propriety and ethics, she is still a princess. Her beauty is like a flower and jade, and we cannot afford any blemishes."
"Yes, this servant will go now."
Several old women rushed forward to carry her to the small couch in the room. Jun Jiuli pinched her philtrum forcefully. Zhao Jing Yi was remarkably resilient, showing no signs of weakness.
Jun Jiuli ignored her and casually looked up at the roof beams above.
"Huh? Qiu Yue, quickly come and see, is there something up there?"
Qiu Yue walked slowly to her side, examining it with curiosity.
"Your Highness, there really is."
Jun Jiuli clutched her chest and said with a hint of melancholy, "His Majesty was already ill, and it seems he anticipated this. He left these things behind, truly a far-sighted move."
Zhao Jing Heng on the bed wished he could pop his eyeballs out.
Jun Jiuli casually pointed to a nearby Imperial Guard, "Quickly go and find a ladder to retrieve the item from the beam."
"Yes."
After saluting, the man hurried out. Before long, he returned with a ladder and successfully retrieved the item.
Jun Jiuli opened the item in front of everyone, and upon seeing the imperial decree in bright yellow.
Everyone gasped. Jun Jiuli delivered a lengthy, grand speech before directly opening it.
After reading its contents, she first showed disbelief, then solemnly summoned Eunuch Li.
"Can you confirm His Majesty's handwriting."
"This servant recognizes it."
Little Li Zi was very nervous. What exactly did this imperial decree say? With so many people present and the Empress's attitude, his life was on the line, and he could only tell the truth.
"Good, then examine it carefully."
Little Li Zi's hands trembled as he held the imperial decree. After reading every word, he was terrified. Trembling, he held the decree above his head, swallowed several times, and then said:
"This imperial decree was personally written by His Majesty, and this servant dares not utter a single false word."
"Then, please, Eunuch Li, read it aloud."
Little Li Zi stood up. All the palace servants knelt on the floor. He began to read in a steady, resonant voice: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."
Jun Jiuli's eyes turned red. She accepted the imperial decree with great dignity. The room was silent, and not a single person offered congratulations.
Jun Jiuli moved to Zhao Jing Heng's bedside, her nose turning red, tears flowing like pearls from a broken string.
"His Majesty trusts and cherishes this humble concubine so deeply, and this concubine will surely not fail His Majesty's expectations. This concubine will diligently accept advice and govern with care for the people, protecting the Jiangshan of our Zhao Kingdom until you recover!"
Qiu Yue led the others in a deep bow and shouted the slogan, and the group could only follow suit. Xiang Xiang also followed suit in confusion, a flicker of mixed emotions in her eyes.
She had never expected things to develop this way. Zhao Jing Yi, lying on the bed, wished she could jump up and curse Jun Jiuli.
How could her brother leave such an imperial decree? She had to remain calm. Seizing power was not that easy. She, Xiao Wen Xuan, was simply courting death.
Tomorrow, the verbal attacks from the civil officials would be enough to drown her. How dare she bribe Little Li Zi to forge an imperial decree.
The court officials would surely find flaws. They would never be content to be trampled upon by a woman.
Xiao Wen Xuan, oh Xiao Wen Xuan, it's hard to say if you are clever or foolish.
Why not remain a good Empress, but insist on playing with fire and courting disaster? Hmph, I'll just wait and see what your end will be.
Jun Jiuli ordered people to carry Zhao Jing Yi back to her palace and placed her under house arrest, guarded only by a few Imperial Guards.
The box that contained the imperial decree also held the Imperial Guard's deployment tokens and the imperial seal. Now, everyone in this palace had to listen to her.
She had kept her here earlier just to provoke her, not expecting her to be so composed.
Upon reaching her own territory, Zhao Jing Yi finally relaxed and woke up.
Xiang Xiang: "Mistress, what should we do now? The Empress is aggressively advancing. Our manpower is insufficient, and the scouts we sent out earlier cannot be contacted."
"A bunch of useless things, probably all captured in one swoop."
Xiang Xiang lowered her head and did not retort, not daring to breathe. Zhao Jing Yi was angered by her uselessness.
"Go and fetch a basin of hot water, and bring me a mirror and the Yu Rong paste I personally concocted."
"Yes, Mistress."
She washed off all the medicine the imperial physician had applied earlier. She dared not underestimate that woman, Xiao Wen Xuan. There were plenty of people eager to curry favor with her. Caution was the mother of safety.
Xiang Xiang meticulously applied the medicine for her and then began to change the bandages on her wounds. Her movements were exceptionally gentle, as if she feared angering her mistress.
"Xiang Xiang, you are sensible. You are the only one I can trust now, so please do not disappoint me!"
"This servant's life was given by her Mistress. This servant swears never to betray her. If this oath is broken, may she die a terrible death."
"Don't be afraid. Victory is still on our side. Let's wait until tomorrow. Xiao Wen Xuan, being overly eager, won't last long. Following me will not bring you any harm."
"This servant understands, thank you Mistress for your praise."
"You may go now, gather everyone, and tell them to be ready at all times. We must prepare for the worst."
"Yes, this servant takes her leave."
...
Qiu Ju swallowed. "Miss, are you really going to attend court tomorrow?"
"Can this be fake? The palace servants have already been sent to inform the ministers."
"But... this is too unbelievable. Miss, you are truly amazing. Aren't you afraid?"
"What is there to be afraid of? Can those ministers eat me alive?"
"That's true."
Qiu Ju pouted and nodded in agreement, while Qiu Yue, standing beside her, looked grim.
"Your Highness, what is His Majesty's intention this time? Could this be a trap? Perhaps we should consult with the Prime Minister first."
"There's no need for such a grand undertaking. He's already lying there, what tricks can he possibly play? Tomorrow is a good day, and I'll increase your monthly wages, both of you."
Qiu Ju was overjoyed, but Qiu Yue remained troubled.
Jun Jiuli patted her hand. "Your brows are almost knitted into one. We'll face the soldiers as they come and the water as it floods."
"Isn't Your Highness afraid? This concerns the affairs of state. Forgive this servant for her presumptuousness, but His Majesty did not favor Your Highness previously. This might be a plot by someone malicious. Your Highness should be cautious."
Shui Wa: "Telling you you are malicious..."
Jun Jiuli: "I think you're asking for a beating."
"We naturally cannot fathom His Majesty's thoughts, but I am acting on orders. They will not make things too difficult for me, and I can learn slowly. Even if I fail, I can ask my father for advice. Tonight, you should sleep well and don't think too much about it."
"Yes."
Qiu Yue did not sleep well all night, plagued by nightmares. In her dreams, court officials cursed Jun Jiuli and the Prime Minister, accusing them of attempting to usurp the throne.
Before Jun Jiuli could ascend the throne, Princess Jing Yi rushed in with a perfectly healthy Zhao Jing Heng. It turned out the person lying on the bed was a substitute. The Prime Minister's mansion was then executed.
Many commoners cheered loudly. As the dream reached this point, she immediately woke up, covered in cold sweat, panting heavily.
The next day, while assisting Jun Jiuli with her ablutions and dressing, she remained absent-minded. Those guarding Zhao Jing Yi kept sending her updates, which only slightly eased her worries.
Standing outside the Golden Imperial Hall, watching her young lady ascend to a high position step by step, she feared something might go wrong and stared intently outside the hall.
If anyone dared to force their way in, they would have to pass her first. Although she could not stop them for long, she would definitely buy time for her young lady and the Prime Minister to escape.