Jiang Xinqin turned around and looked at the person behind her, letting out a sigh of relief, "You've finally appeared."
"Is there something?"
"Where is Xiu'er?" Jiang Xinqin asked.
"The Jiaofang Si."
"Let her out," Jiang Xinqin said urgently.
She watched as the person walked up to her and said coldly, "Madam Li, do you think you can send someone in just because you say so, and let them out just as easily?"
"I..."
"Madam Li, being soft-hearted towards enemies is cruelty to oneself. I hope you remember this."
Jiang Xinqin's gaze paused, and she slowly lowered her eyes, "Not anymore."
The day for Xue Zining's official enthronement was fast approaching. She received a letter from Yan Zhao, who would propose to her on the day of her coronation.
"Your Majesty, try on the new dragon robe," Xue Yan said, entering with the imperial garment.
Xue Zining nodded, "Alright."
Xue Yan helped her put on the dragon robe. The bright yellow robe, adorned with eight dragons, exuded nobility.
As Xue Yan placed the dragon crown on her head, she exclaimed, "Your Majesty, you look so majestic."
Xue Zining smiled, "Take it off, it's so heavy."
Xue Yan said, "Of course it's heavy. All these dragons are embroidered with gold thread, and their eyes are luminous pearls."
Xue Zining frowned, "Luminous pearls?"
Xue Yan smiled proudly, "This servant took the liberty of removing a few luminous pearls used to decorate the Zhaoyuan Palace from the Crown Prince's chambers. She had them polished by the imperial tailors to the size of dragon eyes and sewn onto the robe."
Xue Zining twitched her lips upon hearing this, "No wonder it's so heavy. Xue Yan, you've truly gone to great lengths for this dragon robe."
"Naturally, this servant wants Your Majesty to shine brilliantly on that day," Xue Yan said with great pride.
Seeing Xue Yan's excitement, Xue Zining didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm.
"On the occasion of my enthronement, I will grant a general amnesty to the realm. Xue Yan, do you have any other good ideas?" Xue Zining asked.
Xue Yan thought for a moment and replied, "Since there is a general amnesty, perhaps some leniency can be extended to the Jiaofang Si as well. Sometimes, those women are not truly guilty; their only fault is entering the wrong family and becoming sacrifices for their clans."
"I intend to abolish the Jiaofang Si after my enthronement, but its implementation might be difficult."
"Your Majesty, it is best to proceed cautiously and not rush," was Xue Yan's advice.
Xue Zining nodded. The Jiaofang Si had existed since the establishment of Huangze. Abolishing it would likely cause chaos in the court, but she was determined to see her plans through.
"Xue Yan, go summon Grand Tutor Lin and Minister Yu to the palace. I wish to discuss matters of my enthronement with them," Xue Zining commanded.
Xue Yan was about to leave when she suddenly turned back and asked, "Your Majesty, what about Minister Li? Are we not summoning him?"
Xue Zining paused, wondering when she had become accustomed to discussing matters without summoning Li Chenxuan.
"Summon him. Go and do it!" Xue Zining said.
Imperial Study
Xue Zining opened the palace's defense map and said, "The day after tomorrow is my enthronement. The defense arrangements on that day must be foolproof."
Li Chenxuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, leave this matter to me!"
Xue Zining looked at Li Chenxuan. Li Chenxuan met her gaze directly. After a long moment, she handed him the map, "Very well, I trust you!"
Li Chenxuan trembled slightly. These words carried immense weight.
He knew that the Empress truly trusted him, and he would not fail her.
Yu Ji seemed to want to speak but ultimately remained silent.
After leaving Zhaoyuan Palace, Grand Tutor Lin suddenly called out to Yu Ji, "Minister Yu, do you feel something is amiss?"
Yu Ji shook his head, "No, it's just that I feel Your Majesty's actions are somewhat ill-considered."
"In what way?" Grand Tutor Lin inquired.
Yu Ji smiled faintly, "A scholar undertaking tasks that should be performed by military men."
Grand Tutor Lin chuckled at this, "Minister Yu, you worry too much. Besides, you are also a scholar."
Yu Ji smiled in return, "However, the department I serve is the Tingwei."
Grand Tutor Lin's smile faded as he said, "I hope that day proceeds smoothly." Da Feng Novel Network
Li Mansion
During dinner, Jiang Xinqin noticed that Li Chenxuan was in a good mood and was even attentively inquiring about her while they ate.
His uncharacteristic behavior caught her attention. After the meal, Li Chenxuan went to his study. Jiang Xinqin summoned Chang Bai, Li Chenxuan's attendant, and asked, "What good news is there today that has the master so happy?"
Chang Bai replied, "Naturally, the master is happy to be heavily relied upon by the Empress."
"He wouldn't be this happy just for that," Jiang Xinqin commented.
Chang Bai shook his head, "This servant does not know."
"Alright, I understand. You may go!" Jiang Xinqin said.
"Cao'er, go to the kitchen and prepare a bowl of sweet soup," Jiang Xinqin instructed.
"Master, this is a sweet soup I personally brewed. Have a taste!" Jiang Xinqin stepped forward and happened to see a drawing. She was startled, as it was clearly the palace's defense map.
"What are you doing here?" Li Chenxuan's expression darkened as he looked up and saw her.
Jiang Xinqin placed the soup on the table and said, "Master, I've brought you soup."
"You may leave!" Li Chenxuan dismissed her.
Jiang Xinqin did not linger. She curtsied and walked out.
Returning to her room, Jiang Xinqin closed the door. Having learned from Xiu'er's ordeal, she dismissed everyone from the courtyard and made all necessary preparations before saying, "Are you there?"
"Is there something?"
Jiang Xinqin looked at the person before her and said, "I saw the palace's defense map."
"Oh? It seems Xue Zining truly trusts Li Chenxuan."
Jiang Xinqin nodded and asked, "Do you need me to steal it?"
"No need. The matter is far from that simple. I refuse to believe that Xue Zining would give it to Li Chenxuan without any reservations. There's no need to rush; there are still three days. Oh, and you must go to the palace again tomorrow."
Jiang Xinqin was taken aback, "Go to the palace? What for?"
"To beg for forgiveness!"
"Is that still necessary?" Jiang Xinqin did not wish to see the Empress. She felt as though the Empress could see right through her thoughts.
"It is necessary."
"Alright!" Jiang Xinqin said helplessly.
The Next Day
Jiang Xinqin entered the palace, but she did not see the Empress, as the Empress had no intention of meeting her.
After waiting for about half an hour and seeing that the Empress did not appear, she stood up to leave.
As she reached the doorway, she saw the Empress finally arrive.
The dragon robe she hadn't yet changed out of was dazzling and radiant. Her beauty was unparalleled, and one glance was enough to make her unforgettable.
Moreover, her eyes were bright and clear.
"Your subject, Madam Li, greets Your Majesty!" Jiang Xinqin lowered her gaze.
Wouldn't any man fall for such a woman, possessing both beauty and power?
"So it is Madam Li," Xue Zining said, walking forward.
Jiang Xinqin bowed her head in subservience, "It is indeed your subject."
"What is it?" Xue Zining asked indifferently.
Jiang Xinqin visited almost daily. She had someone investigate, and since Nangong Yue was sent away, Jiang Xinqin had not contacted anyone else.
"Your subject is here to congratulate Your Majesty and to beg for forgiveness for the offense caused to Your Majesty previously!" Jiang Xinqin knelt respectfully.
"I no longer hold you accountable. Rise!" Xue Zining turned and left.
Jiang Xinqin breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, as she had said, this Empress was not a cruel-hearted person.
She just wondered if she would regret it in the future.
Jiang Xinqin stood up and looked into the distance, knowing that the times were about to change.