Two precious booklets, yet only one was retrieved, and those sent back were all dejected. Seeing this, the Empress's face fell, and her expression turned displeased.
"Useless things!"
The eunuch dared not speak. Upon hearing this, he merely lowered his head and retreated, adding fuel to the fire.
"Your Majesty, please forgive my transgressions. We eunuchs acted precisely according to your instructions and clearly stated our purpose, but Consort Rong refused to yield. I truly had no other recourse..."
The Empress let out a cold snort and said no more.
Seeing this, Qin Rulian's eyes flickered. She subtly gestured to the eunuch and stepped forward.
"Aunt, there's no need to be angry. Consort Rong was a bit overbearing this time, but the harem is now entirely under your control. Even if she acts out, she won't be able to be arrogant for much longer."
Her voice, originally poisoned by Feng Yinwan with elixirs, had become hoarse even after the Empress spent considerable effort to heal it. It sounded like an elderly crone.
The Empress's gaze shifted slightly towards her. After a pause, she spoke again, "How is the Imperial Bedchamber?"
Qin Rulian's eyes flashed. "The Imperial Guards have been watching outside the Imperial Bedchamber. If there's any disturbance, they will report it immediately. Since there has been no movement, I fear... it hasn't reached that point yet."
The Empress frowned deeply.
Last night, when she went, the Emperor was already on the verge of death. Now, after a night has passed, there has been no news of his demise. By rights, this was unexpected.
Frowning, she was about to order Qin Rulian to send someone to check the situation at the Imperial Bedchamber again when Qin Rulian, as if struck by a thought, spoke first.
"Aunt, do you think someone might have tampered with things in secret?"
She did not know Feng Yinwan's identity, but she hated her to the bone. Everything she had endured at the Prince Mo's mansion and after entering the palace was like a poisonous thorn piercing her heart, making her wish she could flay her alive, draw out her tendons, and drink her blood!
With boundless resentment surging in her eyes, Qin Rulian lowered her gaze and said gloomily, "Those from the Xuanmen are cruel and ruthless, but not devoid of intelligence. Rulian does not believe she would die so easily in prison."
The matter of Ye Tingyu was complex, with Ye Tingyan and that蛊师 (gu master) also fanning the flames from behind. To suggest that someone from the Xuanmen would easily die from poison was truly laughable.
Recalling the person who had opposed her several times before, the Empress narrowed her eyes and spoke in a deep voice.
"What is your suggestion?"
Qin Rulian nodded. "Aunt, didn't you say the poison is incurable? If so, death is merely a matter of sooner or later."
"Now that Aunt has the imperial edict in hand, there is no need to be afraid. In Rulian's opinion, why not take this opportunity to round them all up and cut the weeds and eliminate the roots, thereby eradicating future troubles!"
The Empress intended to help Ye Tingzhu ascend the throne and naturally would not allow other forces to remain in the palace. This suggestion suited her perfectly.
Squinting her eyes, she gave an order, "Announce to the harem that the Emperor is gravely ill and his life is hanging by a thread. All concubines are to immediately proceed to Linghua Palace to pray for the Emperor with the Empress Dowager."
"Yes."
Qin Rulian nodded in response. As she leaned back, a hint of pleasure flickered in her eyes.
The Empress's order was sudden. Ye Tingyun, upon arriving at Yongshou Palace, saw many concubines hurrying towards Linghua Palace.
Frowning, he stepped forward but found the palace empty. A twitch at his temple made him feel a sense of foreboding.
He withdrew and grabbed a nearby eunuch to inquire.
The eunuch glanced at him and timidly replied, "Your Highness, you may not know, but people from Changle Palace arrived early this morning. The Empress Dowager has already been invited to Linghua Palace."