Chapter 384: Chapter 379: Imperial Concubine
Imperial Censor Zhang remained in place, unable to decide whether to leave or stay. If he truly ran into a pillar and died today, even if the Emperor granted his family mercy, what then? If he just walked away like this, was he certain the Emperor wouldn’t bear a grudge?
The Evil Concubine leads the country astray! Imperial Censor Zhang sighed internally.
"I have matters to attend to at home, so I will take my leave first." Seeing that Imperial Censor Zhang remained silent for a long time, another Imperial Censor could no longer restrain himself. With the green hills left intact, one need not worry about firewood, and the Emperor had yet to sentence anyone. What if His mood worsens later? It’s better to return home first.
Since one person started to back down, others followed. Gradually, the once noisy group of Imperial Censors dwindled down to only Zhang and a colleague close to him.
"Perhaps we should let it be too," his colleague cautiously advised him. "Look, the Emperor hasn’t neglected the state affairs, he just hasn’t attended court for ten days. Perhaps His novelty will wear off in a couple days!"
Imperial Censor Zhang’s face turned ashen: "But that is the Imperial Concubine who had been immensely favored for two years; if the Emperor’s novelty was to fade it would have happened long ago."
The colleague gradually grew impatient, never having seen such a stubborn man, thus spoke bluntly: "What’s the point of making a fuss here? Even if the Emperor doesn’t listen, aren’t you afraid of offending the Ye Family?"
"From the day I became an Imperial Censor, I have never been afraid of anyone," declared Imperial Censor Zhang forthrightly.
"Don’t you think about your family?"
Imperial Censor Zhang’s expression stiffened: "His Majesty said he would treat my family kindly."
"You believe him just like that? If the Emperor or the Imperial Concubine prosecute your family, who will speak for you?"
The more his colleague spoke, the uglier Zhang’s expression became. Over the years, his frank admonitions had offended many, and now he realized that if he died, his family indeed had no one to rely on.
"Let’s go, the palace gate is about to be locked, we won’t make it if we don’t leave now."
Imperial Censor Zhang, having nothing more to say, followed his colleague’s lead and left.
Anfu sneered watching them leave; even he, an eunuch, could see the situation clearly. These learned men were confused. The present Imperial Concubine was not like those of the past; if they knew that today’s memorials were all approved by her, who knows what they would think? It’s likely another fierce storm of bloodshed awaits.
But now he understood; the Imperial Concubine was no ordinary concubine secluded deep within the palace, her ambition was vast!
Yet, he was just an eunuch, what does it have to do with him? He just needed to serve his two masters, the Emperor and Imperial Concubine well. Previously, he thought Qiao Zhaoyi would be the final victor, but it turned out the Imperial Concubine had the upper hand. He must not make another mistake in the future.
Having sent away the troublesome Imperial Censors, Anfu was on his way back to Changchun Palace when he was stopped midway by Qiao Qingyue.
She too was truly helpless. No matter how much she schemed, Ji Fei used to visit her every few days, but since their last meeting at Cining Palace, it had been almost a month since she last saw the Emperor. Her grandfather’s actions in the previous dynasty were also heavily obstructed, how could she not feel anxious? Hence, she came to block Anfu on the inevitable path to Changchun Palace.
"Greetings to father-in-law Anfu," Qiao Qingyue said with a look of goodwill.
"This servant pays respect to Lady Qiao Zhaoyi." Anfu knelt to give his respects.
"You may rise." After saying this, Qiao Qingyue hesitated, she had always been proud, only responding after the Emperor had professed his love. But this time, she was about to inquire about the Emperor’s current situation from an eunuch? Even Qiao Qingyue began to retreat.
"My Lady, did you stop this servant for a reason?" An Fu asked, while inwardly holding some contempt.
Who in the palace is more noble than whom among the concubines? Qiao Zhaoyi might have been favored by the Emperor before, but she is too indifferent, always so cold. If I were the Emperor, I would be tired of it too!
No wonder the Emperor now favors the Imperial Concubine more. Not only is the Imperial Concubine beautiful, but her emotional intelligence and intelligence are both high. She has not only tightly bound the Emperor to her, but she also manages the harem and the previous dynasty very well, even I, a senior eunuch, am sincerely convinced!
"Has the Emperor been well recently?" Qiao Qingyue hesitated for a long time, and finally her inner worries overcame her pride. Without the Emperor’s favor and trust, what would she count for? What about the plans she and her grandfather had devised?
"The Emperor is all well with the Imperial Concubine now," An Fu replied respectfully.
Qiao Qingyue took a deep breath, feeling that An Fu was too insensitive. The memorials from the previous dynasty were reported daily, she of course knew that the Emperor was well, otherwise who would handle these affairs? What she wanted to know was why the Emperor spent every day in Changchun Palace. Had the Emperor already forgotten the promises he had once made to her?
But these were not words she could say to an eunuch, so she took out a wallet: "Could you bother to give this wallet to His Majesty?" She also secretly handed An Fu a gold ingot.
An Fu secretly weighed it and then his face filled with smiles: "I will deliver the item to His Majesty, but whether His Majesty will accept it, I do not know." He was smart enough not to make a definite promise.
But what else could Qiao Qingyue say? An Fu was her hope now.
"I certainly will not blame you."
"Lady," only after returning to Changchun Palace did An Fu find that the Emperor had fallen asleep again. The Emperor’s sleep had been increasing lately, but his spirit was always off. The Imperial Physician had been called to examine but also said it was nothing serious, only prescribed tonics, as if the Emperor had kidney deficiency.
"An Fu, is there anything you need?" Ye Qiu asked while reviewing memorials. Nowadays, Ji Fei was staying everyday in Changchun Palace, some things could be hidden from others, but not from An Fu, a senior eunuch. So this scene had become a common one.
An Fu hesitated for a while, but finally decided to speak out: "On the way back to the palace just now, Qiao Zhaoyi stopped this servant and asked this servant to give this wallet to the Emperor."
Ye Qiu took the wallet, which was embroidered with a pair of lovebirds and also contained a few acacia seeds.
Ye Qiu scoffed and carelessly tossed it aside. It’s pretty straightforward, Qiao Qingyue must be panicking now!
However, she decided not to give the wallet to Ji Fei. Speaking of which, Ji Fei might truly love Qiao Qingyue; sometimes it was her own Skill that confused him, but every time something related to Qiao Qingyue came up, he could sober up a bit.
Is this the power of true love?
Ye Qiu scoffed, can true love justify sacrificing others at will?
"Take it down and burn it," Ye Qiu said to An Fu, with an undeniable resolution in her eyes.
"Chirp, your servant obeys!"
"My Lady, Young Master Mu has arrived," Xiao Guizi came in from outside, not even glancing at the Emperor, and whispered to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu put down her pen and stood up: "I know."