The Empress, Lu Linlang, was adorned in a short, ochre-colored jacket embroidered with golden thread in the auspicious "wanzi" (万字) pattern, paired with a brown skirt of twelve panels, styled like an eagle's back. Though her age was comparable to Consort An, her attire… to put it kindly, was dignified and grand; to put it bluntly, it was dowdy.
"Could Eunuch Jixiang repeat that?" Lu Linlang asked slowly.
"Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, His Majesty sent this old servant to convey a message: Masters ranked above the Four Consorts are permitted to return home to visit their families. As for the scheduling, that is entirely for Your Majesty to discuss with the Ministry of Rites," Jixiang replied respectfully.
"Our Great Feng dynasty has never had such a rule since its founding," the Empress stated.
"It is His Majesty's grace," Jixiang replied.
Grace? Historically, only the Empress received such grace. All above the Four Consorts could visit their families? It was likely that Consort An, that wretched woman, wished to visit her family, and to silence her, this rule was created, allowing everyone above the Four Consorts this favor. His Majesty truly went to great lengths for that wretch.
"Empress?"
The Empress snapped back to attention. "I understand. You may inform His Majesty that I will make the necessary arrangements."
"Yes."
After Jixiang departed, the Empress smashed a blue and white patterned teacup on her table. The servants attending her dared not breathe, lest they incur the Empress's displeasure at this critical juncture. The shattered teacup was cleared with utmost speed, and the servants resumed their positions, heads bowed, silent.
"Prepare brush and ink," Lu Linlang commanded in a deep voice.
His Majesty favored the son born to that wretch. Clearly, she was the Empress, and her son was the legitimate heir. According to the ancestral rules, her son was the undisputed candidate for Crown Prince. Yet, for so many years, His Majesty had never once mentioned making her son the Crown Prince.
That wretch's son, relying on being the eldest, had been personally tutored by His Majesty for two years. By the time her son was born, His Majesty was too busy with state affairs to spare any time.
To become Crown Prince, to inherit the throne, one would have to see if she agreed.
Over the years, His Majesty had employed various tactics, both overt and covert, against the old aristocratic families. Without the support of these old families in the past, where would their Zhao dynasty's empire be? Kicking the donkey after it had served its purpose – even then, the donkey had to agree to it.
With a heart full of resentment, Lu Linlang finished writing her letter and handed it to her trusted senior palace maid. There were Lu family informants within the palace, facilitating the transmission of messages.
If His Majesty was unwilling to appoint a Crown Prince, she would give him a push. In any case, she would not allow the throne to fall into anyone else's hands, nor would the Lu family permit it.
The secret guards placed the letter before Emperor Chongwen. The Emperor read it without a change in his expression. Sixi then refolded the letter and handed it back to the secret guard, nodding to him.
This meant the letter was to be sent out, to be seen by the Lu family.
"What about the others?" Emperor Chongwen asked.
"Currently, they are all behaving themselves and have not sent any letters outside. Perhaps because Her Majesty the Empress has not yet formally notified them!" Sixi replied.
"Keep a close watch on all of them," Emperor Chongwen instructed.
"Your Majesty can rest assured, they are all being watched," Sixi assured him.
Emperor Chongwen rubbed his temples. These people, one and all, were a constant source of worry. He had always known the Lu family harbored great ambitions. He had never expected that his dear Empress, his Empress with whom he had shared a bed for twenty years, the Empress who had always appeared gentle and virtuous, would give him such a grand surprise. Considering her previous correspondence with the Lu family, the head of the Lu family, his father-in-law, would undoubtedly agree without hesitation. Da Feng Novel Network.
"Your Majesty, regarding the Lu family, how should we proceed?"
"Then let us start with the Lu family," Emperor Chongwen said expressionlessly.