“Report anything, or retreat!”
Seeing that no one came forward to report, Xue Zining stood up from the dragon throne and walked outside.
“Grand Tutor Lin, Minister Yu, you two follow me to the imperial study.” Xue Zining said faintly as she passed Grand Tutor Lin and Minister Yu.
Only after the Empress disappeared did the ministers dare to rise. Li Chenxuan lowered his gaze.
After the court session, he walked out alone.
“Minister Li…”
Li Chenxuan turned around. It was Jiang Xiaochuan, the Right Imperial Censor.
He asked, “Does Lord Jiang have something to say?”
Jiang Xiaochuan rubbed his hands and said, “I heard that Madam Li is ill?”
Li Chenxuan narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Lord Jiang is indeed well-informed.”
Jiang Xiaochuan smiled uncomfortably. “Minister Li, it was my fault before, but you must also understand. After all, there are quite a few people who come to me every year to acknowledge kinship. I cannot verify them carefully, so I hope you will not take offense to any neglect.”
Li Chenxuan said coldly, “Lord Jiang, you are mistaken. You did not neglect this official, but rather my wife.”
“Yes, yes. I heard Madam Li is ill, and my wife and I are very worried. Therefore, my wife and I hope to visit Madam at your residence. May I ask, sir…”
“Lord Jiang, this official is not petty.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaochuan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “Thank you, sir. I shall return home at once to bring my wife to visit Madam at your residence.”
Li Chenxuan turned to leave.
Jiang Xiaochuan asked, “Sir, do you have some conflict with His Majesty?”
Li Chenxuan turned back and looked coldly at Jiang Xiaochuan. Jiang Xiaochuan felt a chill all over his body. He shrunk his neck and said, “Please do not misunderstand, sir. Everyone thinks you are no longer favored by His Majesty, so there must be some conflict between you and His Majesty.”
“Lord Jiang, you speak of His Majesty carelessly. That is a crime!” Li Chenxuan said coldly.
Jiang Xiaochuan said in a low voice, “I am worried about you, sir.”
“Worried about me? Lord Jiang, you are meddling too much. This official does not need anyone’s worry. Lord Jiang, do not forget that this official is the Grand Imperial Censor personally appointed by His Majesty. This time, I shall overlook it as it is your first offense. If there is a next time, discussing His Majesty will indeed be punishable.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xiaochuan broke out in a sweat. He had almost forgotten that Li Chenxuan was the Grand Imperial Censor who supervised all officials.
“Thank you, sir,” Jiang Xiaochuan said quickly.
Li Chenxuan turned and left.
The Imperial Study
Xue Zining’s gaze was somewhat cold, her expression exceptionally aloof.
Minister Yu said, “I have also heard these rumors, but there are none in the capital at the moment.”
Grand Tutor Lin said, “Your Majesty, we must apprehend such rumor-mongers as soon as possible, otherwise, it will easily shake the hearts of the court officials.”
“I know, and I will make arrangements soon.” Xue Zining said.
“Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now!”
Grand Tutor Lin and Minister Yu left the imperial study.
Xue Zining opened the map. The four major passes of Huangze were Dongling Pass, currently defended by Wu Dakang; Xiling Pass, defended by Gu Shaoyun, the deputy general of the Gu family army; Nanling Pass, defended by the veteran general Leng Yunfeng; and Beiling Pass, defended by Cheng Jieqing.
The news that she was not the rightful successor originated from Nanling Pass, defended by the veteran general.
Who could it be?
Xue Zining felt that the power was getting closer and closer.
“Xue Yan.”
Xue Yan walked out. “Does Your Majesty have any orders for this servant?”
Xue Zining nodded. “Go and instruct Feng Wu to go to Nanling Pass and investigate who is spreading these rumors.”
Xue Yan heard this and said, “Your Majesty, next month is your coming-of-age ceremony, the day you officially ascend the throne and announce it to the world. This servant believes it is not suitable for Feng Wu to leave your side at this time.”
“Tell Feng Wu to be quick, and try to return by the time of my coming-of-age ceremony. It doesn’t matter if she can’t make it back; I will make proper arrangements.” Xue Zining said.
Seeing this, Xue Yan nodded. “This servant will inform Feng Wu now.”
Xue Yan walked out and saw Xue Ling sweeping the ground. She walked up and said, “Where is Hong Yan? Why are you doing such menial work? Go back and rest!”
Xue Ling shook her head. “I’m fine. If I don’t do anything, I can’t help but think of…”
As she spoke, she choked up.
Xue Yan sighed. “If you want to do it, then do it, but don’t overwork yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Sister Xue Yan, I’m fine. Let me do more work!” Xue Ling said, choking back tears.
Xue Yan nodded. “As you wish!”
Xue Yan left. The previously choked-up Xue Ling’s eyes flashed with disdain and mockery.
Putting down her work, she returned to her room, wrote a note, just five characters: Feng Wu Nanling Pass, placed it on the roof beam, and then walked out.
She looked up at the Zhaoyuan Palace and sneered, Xue Zining, one day you will be kneeling before her. She eagerly awaits that day.
In the evening, Xue Yan came in and said, “Your Majesty, Madam Li wishes to see you.”
Xue Zining did not look up. “Do not see her. Tell her to go back.”
Xue Yan said, “Yes.”
A moment later, Xue Yan walked in again. “Your Majesty, Madam Li is kneeling there and refuses to leave.”
Xue Zining looked up. “Is Minister Li also here?”
Xue Yan nodded. “Yes…”
“Let them in!” Without Li Chenxuan, Jiang Xinqin could not enter the palace.
Xue Zining saw the two people slowly walking towards the door.
Li Chenxuan bowed. “Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
Xue Zining looked at Li Chenxuan indifferently and said coldly, “Minister Li, what urgent matter brings you to see me?”
“Your Majesty, it is my wife who wishes to see Your Majesty.” Li Chenxuan said without raising his head, lowering his gaze.
Jiang Xinqin pushed away the maidservant beside her and knelt on the ground, kowtowing respectfully. Due to her attempted suicide yesterday, her body was still very weak. After one kowtow, her face was already pale.
“Xue Yan, fetch a chair for Madam Li.” Xue Zining said.
Soon, Xue Yan brought a chair and was about to help Jiang Xinqin up. Jiang Xinqin refused and said with a weak voice, “This subject is guilty. This subject cannot sit.”
Xue Yan said unceremoniously, “If Madam Li does not sit, does she wish for rumors to spread outside that Your Majesty mistreats the wives of court officials?”
Jiang Xinqin trembled all over. “This subject… this subject did not mean that.”
Xue Yan lifted Jiang Xinqin with one hand and pressed her onto the chair. Jiang Xinqin had no strength to resist.
“Since you do not mean that, please sit, Madam Li, otherwise if you fall, it will be this servant’s fault.” Xue Yan’s voice was very cold.
Jiang Xinqin bit her lower lip. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration.”
“Madam Li, what is it you wish to tell me?” Xue Zining asked indifferently.
Jiang Xinqin looked up, biting her lower lip. “This subject knows that she has done many things to make Your Majesty embarrassed. This subject knows she was wrong and begs Your Majesty for forgiveness!”
“Madam Li, you speak too seriously. I have not been affected by this. On the contrary, Minister Li has been quite troubled recently.” Xue Zining said coldly.
“This subject now knows she was wrong and hopes Your Majesty will not take offense. This subject will certainly uphold her duties in the future.” Jiang Xinqin said sincerely.
“It is gratifying that Madam Li has this awareness, Your Majesty,” Xue Zining said indifferently, looking at Jiang Xinqin.