Kong Xingzhu stood listlessly behind the Emperor, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.
Seeing the Emperor remain silent, Kong Xingzhu bit his lip and hesitated before saying, "Your... Your Majesty, this is the situation in Dashui Village. The Crown Prince and Princess are currently safe. If you miss them, you can visit them at the Chu residence!"
The Emperor's mood worsened upon hearing this. He turned and shot a cold glance at Kong Xingzhu, "These two unfilial children! So, if I miss them, I have to condescend and go out of the palace to see them?"
Hmph, Heng'er, that brat, sneaking out of the palace and leaving without a word, he probably has no face to see him now...
And Xin Ling, that little rascal, old enough to be married, still running around with her younger brother. If the Emperor had known she was so disobedient, he should have married her off long ago.
Kong Xingzhu wiped away his cold sweat and lowered his gaze, "Your Majesty, it's not that the Crown Prince refuses to return to the palace, but rather he doesn't want to reveal his whereabouts. To be frank, the Crown Prince returned to the capital this time to join forces with Your Majesty to overthrow Consort Xian. This way, the old Yun family will also be spared from implication..."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor slowly withdrew his gaze and walked to the desk to sit down.
Kong Xingzhu breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Now that Prince Ming has fallen out with Consort Xian, his character and transformation are beyond even the Crown Prince's expectations. Consort Xian not only threatens the Crown Prince's safety but is also a thorn in Your Majesty's side. If she is not removed quickly, there may be unforeseen complications..."
The Emperor responded with an "Mm," and nodded gently, "I have already dispatched the Censorate to secretly gather evidence. Removing Consort Xian is not difficult. What is difficult are the various forces surrounding her. I intend to cast a long line to catch a big fish. Before Consort Xian and all the treacherous officials are apprehended, remember not to let any wind leak!"
"This humble subject understands..." Kong Xingzhu cupped his hands.
The Emperor stood up and suddenly remembered something, asking, "By the way, is that Princess Han still being held by Marquis Pingyang?"
Kong Xingzhu: "..."
That Han Chijiao was now like a piece of sticky plaster, completely entrenched in the old Yun family.
There had been many opportunities to escape before, but Han Chijiao stubbornly refused to leave. She claimed that the Yun family's heated kang was warm, the food was delicious, and the sorghum liquor was strong enough. Living here felt more comfortable than her own home...
"Your, Your Majesty, Princess Han has also come to the capital this time!" Kong Xingzhu twitched the corner of his mouth.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor said irritably, "You people are running around with a hostage, aren't you afraid she'll escape? Although I know Marquis Pingyang has his own plans, he alone cannot control the war situation. If necessary, you can send Princess Han to the palace. With me watching her, she'll never escape!"
Kong Xingzhu: "..."
Your Majesty, the current situation isn't about her escaping, but about whether she can be driven away.
"Your Majesty, Princess Han is under the Crown Prince's watch and cannot escape even with wings. You can rest assured of this!" Kong Xingzhu stated confidently.
The Emperor nodded, "That's good. After you return, tell Heng'er that I will visit him tomorrow and also see the elders of the Yun family. This is their first time in the capital, so take some time to show them around..."
Stinking brat, in the end, it's still me who has to go see him.
"Understood, Your Majesty!" Kong Xingzhu replied.
The Emperor asked him a few more questions and chatted briefly. Kong Xingzhu then took his leave...
Shortly after he left, Eunuch Zhao, flicking his horsetail whisk and mincing his steps, entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Seeing the Emperor looking tired and sitting in his chair, rubbing his old waist, Eunuch Zhao lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Xian has come to bring you medicinal soup..."
Alas, the Consort has been personally cooking lately, making chicken soup one day and fish broth the next. The taste isn't great, but His Majesty has been drinking it.
A cold glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and he curved his lips slightly, "Let her in!"
"Your Majesty!" Eunuch Zhao did not move, hesitating for a long time before softly reminding, "Your Majesty, your health has been declining day by day recently. You should rest well. That medicinal soup has minimal nourishing effects. Must you drink it?"
"Hmm?" The Emperor frowned and suddenly looked at Eunuch Zhao, "Old Zhao, what do you mean? Are you suspecting Consort Xian of poisoning the soup?"
Eunuch Zhao: "..."
If you know, why are you asking? At least find a royal physician or something to test for poison before drinking it.
Look at yourself in the mirror. Ever since you started drinking that medicinal soup, your eyes have been dark, you cough incessantly, and sometimes you even have nosebleeds. This is simply not normal...
"Your servant, your servant didn't mean that!" Eunuch Zhao was sweating profusely, his head buried low.
The Emperor smiled faintly, leaned close to Eunuch Zhao's ear, and whispered a few words, finally patting his shoulder, "This is called playing hard to get. Don't worry, I'm not so foolish as to drink poison every day..."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhao was overjoyed, his eyes shining, "Your servant knew Your Majesty wouldn't fall into her trap. Yes, your servant will call the Consort in now!"
With that, Eunuch Zhao scurried out.
A moment later, Consort Xian, carrying a food box, swayed her willow waist and walked in gracefully...
She was wearing a goose-yellow, floor-sweeping long dress today, with exquisite makeup and a peach-red floral hairpin. Her lotus-like steps moved lightly, exuding a heart-stopping beauty.
Although her beautiful eyes were smiling, they were filled with coldness and indifference as they flickered. Upon seeing the Emperor, she curtsied, "Your humble concubine greets Your Majesty!"
The Emperor suppressed his inner anger and dissatisfaction, raised his hand, and feigned support, "My beloved concubine, please rise..."
Consort Xian straightened up, handed the food box with both hands, "Your Majesty, I began simmering this chicken soup over a low heat before dawn. I added goji berries, cardamom, white Angelica, and galangal. It has a fragrant aroma. Please taste it quickly!"
The Emperor glanced at the food box with his eyes and chuckled, "Why must my beloved concubine go to such trouble? If I want soup, I can have the imperial kitchen prepare it. If my beloved concubine is tired, I will be distressed..."
Distressed my foot. Every time the Emperor saw Consort Xian putting on a show in front of him, he felt disgusted.
He hoped that Censor Zhang could quickly find results, and that the hidden guards sent to Dashui Village could bring back Shen Ducai as soon as possible. He was a strong witness...
"It is my honor to make soup for Your Majesty. Please drink it while it's hot!" Consort Xian opened the food box and served a bowl of soup for the Emperor, "I will watch Your Majesty drink it!"
The Emperor picked up the soup bowl, blew on it gently, and was about to take a sip when a loud shout came from outside the hall, "The Empress has arrived!"