Baihe sighed, "Didn't I mention to Nanny Zhang a few days ago that I've been feeling particularly heavy these past few days?"
"Her Majesty the Empress's health cannot be taken lightly. This old servant shall not disturb you further." Nanny Zhang nodded. Baihe had indeed mentioned it when she visited a few days ago. It was just that she hadn't paid much attention at the time. However, if the Empress fell ill, Consort Xi would surely be delighted.
With this thought, Nanny Zhang happily left with her entourage.
Baihe watched them go with a smile. As soon as Nanny Zhang was out of sight, she and her attendants took the tonics to the storeroom.
While Nanny Zhang departed with a light heart, Emperor Xiaochang, hidden in a corner, was in no such good mood.
Once everyone in the courtyard had left, Emperor Xiaochang stepped out. He stared at the courtyard entrance where Nanny Zhang had just departed, his face as dark as ink.
What were those people from Huaqing Palace saying just now?
He knew the Empress had been unwell for days, yet he had been staying at Huaqing Palace all this time, and not a single person had informed him. What were they trying to do?
Knowing the Empress was unwell, they still sent tonics to her from Huaqing Palace. Wasn't this blatant flaunting and provocation?
If he hadn't come over on a whim today, he wouldn't have known!
Were these people planning to rebel in his absence?!
Feng Gu was waiting with his men about a hundred meters outside Fengyi Palace. As they waited, they saw the Emperor approaching, his face a thunderous storm.
Feng Gu: "..."
What's going on?
"Feng Gu!"
"This servant, this servant is here."
"The servants in Huaqing Palace are becoming increasingly unruly. Take your men to Huaqing Palace immediately and drag out Zhang Momo, Consort Xi's confidante, and give her twenty planks! Have her beaten right outside the gates of Huaqing Palace for everyone to see clearly!" Emperor Xiaochang commanded, still gasping for breath, indicating his extreme anger.
Feng Gu was baffled. Wasn't His Majesty going to see the Empress in Fengyi Palace? Why was Huaqing Palace involved now?
Seeing the Emperor fume and board his imperial carriage, Feng Gu could only brace himself and lead his men towards Huaqing Palace.
Hidden within the courtyard of Fengyi Palace, Baihe waited until the Emperor's entourage had completely disappeared in the distance before she hurried back to the sleeping quarters.
On the bed, Empress Zhong was leaning back, not showing any signs of sleepiness. "How did it go?"
"Your Majesty the Empress's divine calculations are truly remarkable. His Majesty has indeed ordered Zhang Momo from Huaqing Palace to be beaten." Baihe truly felt a sense of release. She had been so sick of Zhang Momo's ostentatious displays these past few days.
"It is not my divine calculations, but my intimate understanding of His Majesty." Empress Zhong smiled faintly. It was true that His Majesty doted on the one in Huaqing Palace, but among all the princes, Little Seven held the most weight in His Majesty's heart. With Little Seven gravely injured in Tonglin, and she, his mother, remaining silent, it would be strange if His Majesty didn't come to question her.
One could say that Consort Xi had brought this upon herself. She had become so arrogant while monopolizing His Majesty's favor that she didn't know her place. Did she truly believe that her repeated acceptance of those ostentatious gifts meant she was surrendering and showing deference?
If she hadn't acted this way, how could she have lulled Consort Xi into lowering her guard?
And how else could Nanny Zhang have walked right into the Emperor's trap!
Baihe nodded thankfully, "It's as if heaven has eyes to have His Majesty encounter Nanny Zhang. Otherwise, the grievances Your Majesty has endured these past few days would have been all for naught."
"Even if His Majesty hadn't encountered her, it wouldn't have mattered. There are so many people and so many eyes in the palace. As long as Consort Xi couldn't help but flaunt her good fortune to me, a little fanning of the flames would have surely reached His Majesty's ears." Empress Zhong smiled coldly. Consort Xi indeed possessed some cleverness, but after so many years, she still hadn't overcome her impatience.
In the past, when Consort Xi was young and loved to show off, His Majesty would indulge her due to her beauty. But to treat the present as the past was foolish. As people aged, they tended to cherish old affections more.
If His Majesty hadn't come today and heard of her grievances and complaints, he might not have acted even if he knew Consort Xi had been showing off. But now, it was different. His Majesty felt guilty towards her, yet he would never admit it. Thus, this fire would naturally burn onto someone else.
Consort Xi deserved it. Who told her to be infatuated with such a scumbag without realizing it?
If she still had breath left in her, Consort Xi could only dream of harming her son!
Empress Zhong, having been suppressed for so long, finally felt a sense of relief today. She even ate an extra bowl of rice for dinner.
Meanwhile, chaos was unfolding in Huaqing Palace.
Feng Gu, under the Emperor's orders, charged into Huaqing Palace with his men to apprehend people. By the time Consort Xi learned of the news, Nanny Zhang was already being beaten with planks at the entrance of Huaqing Palace. Palace attendants were coming and going. Consort Xi's face burned red, and she felt no chill despite the biting early spring wind.
His Majesty used to indulge her little tantrums, so why was he acting like this today?
As Consort Xi was still trying to figure out where things had gone wrong, another piece of news struck her like lightning.
His Majesty had just issued a decree summoning Zhang Shuzhong!
With the Seventh Prince gravely injured in Tonglin, everyone knew that His Majesty would have to choose between Zhang Shuzhong and Zou Li. Now, His Majesty had directly summoned Zhang Shuzhong for counsel. How could Consort Xi not understand the implication?
Indeed, by the time Ji Zizhao entered the palace for duty after her leave, the entire palace was already abuzz. His Majesty had ordered Zhang Shuzhong to lead troops to Tonglin.
This battle could be considered a complete victory for the Empress.
Ji Zizhao didn't know Consort Xi's expression, but looking at Zou Li's face as black as the bottom of a pot, she surmised that Consort Xi's complexion wouldn't be much better.
"Have you truly thought it through, deciding to go to Tonglin?" Zhang Shuzhong asked, looking at Ji Zizhao, who stood ramrod straight before him. He was still somewhat troubled.
The best way to remain in the palace for a long and stable time was to stay out of trouble. He had already committed himself to Empress Zhong's cause and could not turn back. However, he hoped his only disciple could extricate herself safely.
Ji Zizhao understood her master's good intentions, but she was never one to benefit without contributing. "Master, have you forgotten? This disciple is soon to be married to the Fourth Prince."
Zhang Shuzhong was taken aback, then seemed to recall something. "Did you offer to marry him yourself?"
"As the eldest, one should bear responsibility. The Ji family, which appears stable now, is merely a floating reed in this turbulent era. If they are to regain their footing, they must take root amidst the chaos."
And the most stable foundation was the merit of assisting the emperor.
As long as the Seventh Prince was enthroned as the new emperor, no one would be able to shake the Ji family's foundation.
Zhang Shuzhong listened, stunned.
Even a man would struggle to support a family in turmoil, yet the person standing before him was always carrying the burden, her gaze firm and unwavering, without a trace of complaint.
Such spirit and determination were perhaps lacking even in ordinary men.
Ji Zhengyong, your granddaughter is extraordinary.