Chapter 396: Chapter 391: Imperial Concubine
"Empress Mother, I want to return to the capital as well." Princess Yuhua was anxious upon seeing her mother, the Empress Dowager, only taking Lady and the Second Prince back with her.
"You are not allowed to return." Empress Dowager Wang now loathed this daughter of hers. If it weren’t for her, perhaps the Imperial Concubine wouldn’t have dealt such a heavy blow to the Wang family, all for the sake of a man, causing their family’s foundation to crumble!
"Nanny Gui, keep a close watch on Princess Yuhua. If she takes even one step out of the summer resort, your head will answer to me."
"This servant obeys the command."
Princess Yuhua watched Nanny Gui shiver a bit; she had seen how many palace maids had fallen at the hands of this nanny, such methods that would haunt her with nightmares for days to come.
Just look at Lady now. When she first arrived at the summer resort, she was a proud and spirited woman, but not much time had passed before she became lifeless, like a walking corpse.
Although I am the Empress Mother’s own daughter and Nanny Gui dares not treat me in such a manner, how can there be any fun leaving this place? It would be better to wait for Empress Mother to leave before I sneak out secretly.
Empress Dowager Wang saw through her daughter’s little tricks in an instant. After so much experience, she was still a fool, laying everything out in the open. How could she dare let her go to the Imperial Palace, that place of turbulent intrigue?
Therefore, she instructed, "Switch out all the palace maids and eunuchs by the Princess’ side, and assign four additional guards to follow her. If she escapes this summer resort, I want the heads of all who serve her."
"Yes!"
"Empress Mother!" Hearing the arrangement from Empress Dowager Wang, Princess Yuhua couldn’t help but exclaim in shock.
"Return to the palace."
"Lady, Empress Dowager has returned from the summer resort with Lady and the Second Prince." Inside Changchun Palace, Ye Qiu was just finishing reviewing yesterday’s memorials when someone came to report.
Ye Qiu breathed a sigh of relief, shaking her sore arms. The system established by Daxin was still too backward—every trivial matter had to be reported to her. What were those officials there for? In another two years, once the overall situation was settled, she could proceed with her plans.
"I understand. Go find out where Qiao Zhaoyi has recently sent messages, and then deliver this imperial decree to Mr. Zhang."
"Understood!"
The summer resort wasn’t far from the capital. With Empress Dowager Wang’s carriage, it took only two days to arrive. Consort Hui had already arranged for people to be ready to receive them. Both Cining Palace for Lady and Yonghe Palace for Lady had been cleaned up early. Ye Qiu’s initial assessment wasn’t wrong; Consort Hui was indeed an efficient person, having arranged everything in perfect order.
She had already decided that once Consort Hui gave birth to the child, she would elevate her to the status of Princess Consort Hui. As long as Hui’s father, Marquis Weiyuan, knew his place, after the important matters were settled, she wouldn’t mind granting some special honors to the Han Family, to Consort Hui, and her child.
"Greetings to Empress Dowager." Although Ye Qiu now held the reins of power, Empress Dowager Wang was still her elder. If she didn’t show up to welcome her, she might unavoidably be criticized by the courtiers at this critical time. It wasn’t the first time she had shown weakness since coming to this world. Empress Dowager Wang was merely a paper tiger. Does Qiao Qingyue really think she can count on Empress Dowager Wang?
Ye Qiu glanced at Qiao Qingyue, who seemed somewhat excited, and let out a contemptuous snort. The original Qiao Qingyue had hidden herself pretty well, but ever since Ji Fei refused to see her and Qiao Zhenglian fell ill in bed, she seemed to have lost her composure, appearing somewhat impatient.
"Where’s the Emperor?" Empress Dowager Wang asked calmly, seemingly without the intention to oppose Ye Qiu.
"The Emperor is not in good health, and the Imperial Physician said he needs to focus on recuperation, so I did not inform the Emperor of Empress Dowager’s return to the palace," Ye Qiu replied as she rose.
"Is the Emperor recuperating in the Imperial Concubine’s Changchun Palace?"
"Indeed. The Emperor finds my Changchun Palace comfortable to stay in, so he does not wish to move out."
"It just so happens that I am not tired yet, so I will take the opportunity to visit Changchun Palace."
Hearing what Empress Dowager Wang said, Qiao Qingyue curved her lips into a satisfied smile. She didn’t believe that the Imperial Concubine could refuse. She was determined to rescue the Emperor from the clutches of the Evil Concubine.
"There are too many people; I’m afraid it might disturb His Majesty," Ye Qiu said, seemingly in refusal.
"No matter, everyone else go back to your palaces first. I will accompany the Imperial Concubine for a visit," Empress Dowager Wang said with an air of indisputability.
Although Qiao Qingyue was annoyed that she couldn’t accompany them, it was still good for Empress Dowager Wang to take a look first. If something was truly amiss, it wouldn’t be too late for her to visit the Emperor afterwards.
"Since Empress Mother cares so much about His Majesty, it’s not proper for me to refuse. I will assist the Empress Mother onto the palanquin."
Isn’t she afraid? Qiao Qingyue looked at Ye Qiu with a suspicious gaze, pondering.
Of course Ye Qiu wasn’t afraid. How could people of this world understand something as high-tech as the System? She hadn’t bribed anyone from the Imperial Hospital, yet those most skilled doctors from Daxin couldn’t determine what was wrong with Ji Fei’s health. No matter how many people went to visit, she wasn’t worried.
Moreover, Ji Fei was just in poor health and not unconscious; he was now very reliant on her. How could he listen to others? Even if Qiao Qingyue stood before him now, Ye Qiu was confident that Ji Fei wouldn’t come back to his senses.
"Has His Majesty awakened?" Upon her return to Changchun Palace, Ye Qiu first questioned An Fu, who served Ji Fei closely every day.
An Fu was surprised for a moment and glanced at Empress Dowager Wang, keeping her gaze steady and not averting her eyes. After bowing to both Ye Qiu and Empress Dowager Wang, she responded, "To report to the Imperial Concubine and the Empress Dowager, His Majesty has just woken up, feels a bit better, and is looking for you, Imperial Concubine!"
Ye Qiu smiled towards Empress Dowager Wang, "Let’s go in together and have a look then."
A trace of suspicion flickered in Empress Dowager Wang’s eyes. The gaze of the Imperial Concubine didn’t show any guilt; could it be that she truly isn’t controlling the Emperor?
"Beloved concubine!" Ji Fei was very excited to see Ye Qiu, his pale face flushing with an unhealthy tint, "Why are you only just arriving? I’ve been looking for you for so long."
Ye Qiu stepped forward to hold Ji Fei’s fluttering hand, softly laughing, "This concubine was welcoming the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty, look, the Empress Mother has personally come to see you."
Upon seeing Empress Dowager Wang, Ji Fei’s mind went blank momentarily, then he smiled weakly, "How dare I trouble the Empress Mother to see me personally? Empress Mother, please take a seat."
Empress Dowager Wang sat down on the chair brought over by a little eunuch, personally preparing medicine to feed him, "How has Your Majesty’s health turned out like this? What do the Imperial Physicians say?"
After tasting a sip, Ji Fei frowned disapprovingly, "I dare not trouble the Empress Mother to feed me, please let the Imperial Concubine do it."
Saying this, he smiled dependently at Ye Qiu before continuing, "The Imperial Physicians simply said that I am overtaxed. A good rest is all that is needed, nothing serious."
Empress Dowager Wang’s hand hidden in her sleeve grew tense, but her face still wore a look of concerned smile, "Is that so? That’s good then."
After Ji Fei finished a bowl of supplemental soup and chatted with Empress Dowager Wang for a few moments, he grew tired again and fell asleep with the assistance of Palace Attendants.
Seeing this, Empress Dowager Wang said, "Since His Majesty is alright, I will return first. It’s hard on you, Imperial Concubine, to take care of His Majesty."
Ye Qiu bowed respectfully, "It is this concubine’s duty."