Chapter 1265 - 1265 Selected Secrets in the Palace
Chapter 1265 Selected Secrets in the Palace
“I heard you have been the director of the Imperial Clan for many years, right? You have been in this position since the deceased emperor was still alive. You must have encountered a lot of things over the years. May I ask you something about the former Empress?” Chu Liuchen said with a gloomy and dark look, and his beautiful eyes seemed bottomless.
Grand Prince’s fat face turned deathly pale. His lips trembled, but he managed not to cry out in alarm.
After a long while, he finally found his voice. “What… What do you mean?”
“The deceased empress was poisoned when she was pregnant. I want to know about it. Could you please tell me the details, Grand Prince?” Chu Liuchen finally cracked a smile. His sullen face brightened up. However, this weird scene made Grand Prince even more terrified. Even the rolls of fat under his clothes began to tremble. He was quite scared when hearing anything about the former empress.
“I’ve checked it. Originally, the deceased emperor selected you to be the director of the Imperial Clan. But after Uncle the Emperor took the throne, many people opposed you taking the position. Then, the Empress repeatedly pleaded with my Uncle the Emperor and invited many Madams of the Imperial Clan to come over. Only then she kept your position as the director of the Imperial Clan. Am I right?”
Chu Liuchen continued, ignoring Grand Prince’s ashen face.
“Grand Prince, the Empress is indeed your understanding and appreciative patron! Also, I found out you were not merely the director of the Imperial Clan but also in charge of the Imperial Household Department long ago. You handled all the daily affairs. But after Uncle the Emperor ascended the throne, you no longer managed the Imperial Household Department. My Imperial Grandmother’s younger brother took it over.”
Chu Liuchen said at a slack pace.
Grand Prince felt stifled as if someone had grabbed his neck. He tried to stretch his neck up again and again. But still, he could hardly breathe. Then, he eagerly seized the chair’s armrest, intending to sit up straight. However, he slid down instead.
“Grand Prince, when did you become so close to the Empress? The Empress took such good care of you and even let you be the director of the Imperial Clan for so many years. Then, what have you done for her? ” Chu Liuchen was all smiles. “After the former empress gave birth to me, they said I suffered from an inherent shortage and was born with the toxin inherited from my mother. But in fact…”
Speaking of this, Chu Liuchen paused again and looked at Grand Prince meaningfully.
“It’s not me… not me. It has nothing to do with me.” Grand Prince finally managed to say something. He braced his hands against the chair’s armrests for support and panted heavily.
“Not you? Then was it the Empress?” Chu Liuchen asked in a gentle voice with a bit of coldness and indifference. Yet, Grand Prince could hear him clearly.
Grand Prince was so scared that he slipped off his chair and fell heavily to the ground.
He was very fat, so it didn’t hurt much when he fell to the ground. He was now scared and flustered. Though he fell onto the ground, he didn’t care if it hurt. He just shook his head subconsciously and said, “I… really don’t know. I don’t know anything.”
“Do you want Uncle the Emperor to ask in person?” Chu Liuchen raised his eyebrows and asked meaningfully.
Grand Prince trembled all over and looked at Chu Liuchen in horror. Chu Liuchen didn’t say these words casually.
“I don’t know, Prince Chen. Back then… the Empress treated me well, but that was all. I didn’t do anything,” Grand Prince explained anxiously.
“But haven’t you ever suspected anything?” Chu Liuchen raised the corner of his mouth and said, “I found something interesting recently and wanted to tell you. But since you don’t want to hear it, I’ll share it with Uncle the Emperor.”
“Wh-what’s the matter?” Grand Prince gasped hard, like a fish thrown ashore.
“Something happened many years ago. Haven’t you ever suspected it? If I go to see Uncle the Emperor now, how long do you think you can remain in your current position?” Chu Liuchen said lazily. His words didn’t sound like a threat but more like a joke.
However, Grand Prince didn’t dare to take it as a joke. With difficulty, he pulled the chair, slowly got up, and sat back in it. Then, he picked up the teacup on the table and downed the tea. Looking straight at Chu Liuchen, he suppressed the fear in his heart and said, ” Prince Chen, I didn’t know anything then. The Empress just asked me to accept a few people.”
The Imperial Household Department needed a lot of people. At that time, the Empress was still a Prince’s legal wife. It was not a big deal for her to send a few people over. The deceased emperor was in poor health and had no children. Many people speculated that his brother should ascend the throne after his death. Thus, his brother’s wife would be the future Empress.
Many people had the same idea. That was why Grand Prince readily agreed to accept the people she sent over.
When the former empress gave birth to the eldest legitimate son, the whole country celebrated it. However, it was said that the prince almost died when he was born. After that, people in the Palace frantically searched for those who plotted against the former empress. Only then did Grand Prince notice something seriously wrong, but those people had already left the Imperial Household Department.
Later, the current Empress sent someone to drop a hint to him — he was asked to cover up these people’s crimes. Grand Prince was in a great panic. He planned to reveal the Empress’s unusual movements if he was found out. Unexpectedly, not long after this investigation started, the deceased emperor fell seriously ill and had no time to deal with it. Then, he passed away, and the current Emperor ascended the throne. Finally, Grand Prince breathed a sigh of relief.
After that, the matter was left unsettled. Both the deceased emperor and the former Empress had died. Their son, Chu Liuchen, was sick and on the verge of death. Who would care about him? At that time, he was just the Emperor’s nephew, and his death would even benefit the Emperor.
As a result, this matter became Grand Prince’s deep-hidden secret. For so many years, he never dared to talk much about this topic. He just wanted to be an idle Prince who cared about nothing but his position and title.
“Grand Prince, how about we talk about what happened that year?” Chu Liuchen was smiling, but Grand Prince couldn’t. He held the armrests tightly to prevent himself from falling again.
“Chu Liuchen, will he be the one to win the final victory?”
Chu Qing stomped angrily back to his mansion and went straight to the Consort Dowager Qing’s Buddha hall. The Buddha hall was not big but very quiet. Consort Dowager Qing sat cross-legged on a rush cushion and quietly knocked on the wooden fish with a peaceful look. It was hard to believe that the woman in such a scene harbored wild ambitions.
Hearing Chu Qing coming in, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him with a frown. “What’s wrong? Whatever happens, you should always stay calm and peaceful. Don’t you remember?”
“Mother, is Shao Jie’er my consort?” Chu Qing sat down on a chair aside and growled.
“No!” Consort Dowager Qing shook her head. “Why would you think so? You know my attitude!”
She loathed Shao Jie’er. In the past, she could bear her for the sake of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion, but now it was not necessary to endure her.
“Then why would someone go to record Shao Jie’er as my consort in the Grand Prince’s Mansion with my visiting card?” Chu Qing questioned.
“What?” Consort Dowager Qing did not understand for a moment.
“Mother, did you do it? Tell me the truth honestly,” Chu Qing asked impatiently.
Consort Dowager Qing slammed the wooden fish down, and her face instantly fell. She snapped, “How dare you talk to me like that? Are you here to vent your anger on me?”
“Mother, I didn’t mean that!” Chu Qing was annoyed, but he had to explain.
“Then what do you mean? You questioned me right after you came in. Do you think I did it?” Consort Dowager Qing was annoyed.
“Mother, it’s not like that. How could someone take my visiting card away? Isn’t it with you? Why would Shao Jie’er be recorded as a consort? We agreed we would keep her in our mansion at most,” Chu Qing said impatiently. He didn’t understand why this was happening.
Her mother didn’t say that. Then why would such a thing happen? Just now, he was stumped by the words from Grand Prince and Chu Liuchen and remained tongue-tied for a good while. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
“What do you mean? Say it clearly.” Consort Dowager Qing asked coldly.
Chu Qing took a deep breath and told her what had happened in the Palace. When he finished, he saw the anger on Consort Dowager Qing’s face.
“Mo Qiuyi had used your visiting card!”
“Wh-what?” Chu Qing was stunned.
“Yes, your fiancee, Mo Qiuyi.” Consort Dowager Qing sneered, “She performs her duties as the hostess even before marrying into our mansion. She directly made Shao Jie’er a consort. What was her purpose?”
“Mother… Did… did you make a mistake?” Chu Qing calmed down at this time and asked hesitantly.
“In your mind, I could do this. Then, why is it impossible for her to do this?” Consort Dowager Qing was so furious that she laughed. “I used to think that she was smart and sensible. Now, it turns out that she is overly thoughtful!”
Consort Dowager Qing didn’t stay in the Palace for a long time. But she successfully became the deceased emperor’s favorite consort in a short time. Later, she even gave birth to a son in the Yuhui Nunnery. She protected and raised him. How could an ordinary woman achieve all of this?
“Mother, is it really her?” Chu Qing asked uncertainly. He firmly believed Mo Qiuyi and sometimes trusted her more than his mother.
Of course, he never shared such a mystic and inexplicable feeling with anyone.
“Who else could it be? Great. She becomes overweeningly ambitious before she marries into our mansion,” Consort Dowager Qing reproached harshly with a stern look. Mo Qiuyi challenged her authority, which made her very annoyed. “You can go back now. I’ll deal with it.”
Consort Dowager Qing stood up.
“Mother, there may be something else we haven’t noticed. Qiuyi is not that kind of person,” Chu Qing said worriedly.
“I know what to do,” Consort Dowager Qing replied coldly. Then she turned around and walked out of the door. Chu Qing followed her uneasily and finally stopped outside the Buddha hall.
“Why would Mo Qiuyi do that?” The matter about Shao Jie’er sounded not simple. Just now, he was so well pissed off that he had never reflected on this matter. Now he became uneasy. He took a deep breath and quickly followed behind. He was really worried about letting his mother take over the whole thing!
When Mo Qiuyi was called over, she saw Consort Dowager Qing sitting in the main seat with a gloomy face. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurried forward to salute, “Greetings, Your Grace!”
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Chapter 1266 Going Back on His Word, Chu Qing Was Beaten up
“Tell me, why did you make Shao Jie’er as consort?” Consort Dowager Qing asked, and her face suddenly clouded over.
“Do you mean… the matter that she was recorded as a consort?” Mo Qiuyi asked and looked at Chu Qing uneasily. He was sitting aside with a gloomy face, but he looked concerned. Then she was relieved.
“Why would you make this decision you were not in a position to make?” Consort Dowager Qing said coldly.
“It was my fault, but I didn’t mean to let Shao Jie’er become the consort.” Mo Qiuyi had guessed it when she came over. With Chu Qing around, she was less nervous.
“What do you mean?” Chu Qing was also surprised to hear that.
“Don’t worry. She hasn’t officially completed the act of worship, so she can’t be considered a real consort.” Mo Qiuyi replied. “Although she hasn’t officially become a consort, her status proof has been recorded. Besides, the Emperor has agreed to it. That means no one can let her escape without permission.”
“Escape?” Consort Dowager Qing repeated the word because she didn’t understand its meaning.
“Yes, she escaped. After returning to the mansion, Shao Jie’er and her Eldest Brother were driven out together. Princess Chen will go to see her. If Shao Jie’er disappears, Princess Chen must have helped her escape.” Mo Qiuyi said softly with a smile.
“What’s the use of it?” Chu Qing was still quite at a loss.
“Of course, it is useful. I heard Prince Chen treated Princess Chen very well. Because of her, your consort is missing. Then, she has to give you an explanation. Princess Chen may not offer any help, but Prince Chen will know they are in the wrong. When you confront him, Prince Chen will have to bow down to you,” Mo Qiuyi said unhurriedly.
“Make Chu Liuchen give in to me?” Chu Qing thought it was a good idea and looked better. He pointed to the chair aside and motioned for Mo Qiuyi to sit down.
“Tell me more details.” Consort Dowager Qing did not intend to let Mo Qiuyi go so easily.
“Your Grace, I only have myself to blame. I didn’t tell you in advance. I planned to come over in the next two days and tell you about Shao Jie’er. Then you and His highness can send someone to investigate it. After finding out the truth, you can go to the Prince Chen’s Mansion. They lose a consort of our mansion. It will be sensational news. If Prince Chen intends to protect Princess Chen, he must agree to your requests.”
Mo Qiuyi said with a smile.
In fact, she had taken action long ago, but she suddenly bumped into Shao Wanru. After that, Shao Jie’er was missing, and Mo Qiuyi couldn’t find her. Then she took action according to her plan. She had to find Shao Jie’er, kill her, and make a big deal out of it. Shao Wanru would find it hard to vindicate herself. Then it would be easier for her to frame Shao Wanru.
But she didn’t expect that Shao Jie’er could not be found. What was worse, Consort Dowager Qing called her over here.
After the matter was done, Mo Qiuyi was not afraid of being questioned by Consort Dowager Qing. However, she felt a little guilty when Consort Dowager Qing summoned her to come here. Fortunately, she was eloquent. This plan had been put off until now, but she glossed over her error by mentioning the whole thing vaguely.
“What will Prince Chen promise Qing’er?” Consort Dowager Qing’s face softened a little. Thinking for a while, she asked.
“His Majesty is ill, but His highness has never had the chance to visit him. However, Prince Chen can go in from time to time. Your highness, you don’t have to ask for anything else. Just let Prince Chen take you in to meet the Emperor. This way, others would think you and Prince Chen are getting along well. And…”
Mo Qiuyi paused and looked around.
Although the people around them were their trusted subordinates, the fewer people knew about some things, the better.
Consort Dowager Qing understood and ordered the people on both sides, “You can leave now!”
These servant girls, old maids, and Chu Qing’s servants waiting on them nearby retreated to the door together. There were only the three of them left in the room.
“Say it. What on earth do you want to do?” Consort Dowager Qing said coolly, deep eyes on Mo Qiuyi. This daughter-in-law was domineering, and it displeased her.
But now they had to ask Mo Qiuyi’s family for help.
“Your Grace, the Emperor is seriously ill. Isn’t it a good time for us to do something? If we stir up trouble, the Emperor may die of anger. It will be good for us. Your Highness has endured hardships for many years, and it’s time for you to amaze the world with your first achievements. You can use Prince Chen to approach the Emperor and seize the chance to attack him. Then, try to shift the blame onto Prince Chen or other princes…”
Speaking of this, Mo Qiuyi became complacent.
“It is not easy to get close to the Emperor.” Consort Dowager Qing pondered this plot for a while and shook her head. “And it will be too risky for Qing’er.”
“Your Grace, no one can find out what His highness will do. He only needs to follow Prince Chen to visit His Majesty a few times.” Mo Qiuyi took out a sachet from the pocket before her chest. “There are some medicinal materials mutually reinforcing and neutralizing each other. Your highness can wear it and stay near the Emperor as long as possible. Then, it will take effect.”
Consort Dowager Qing was greatly startled and turned her head away for fear of being contaminated by evil things. “Since it’s so dangerous, take it away right now.”
“Your Grace, rest assured. It’s not dangerous, and the things inside are not poisonous. There is more than one kind of thing that could react. Another kind is needed, which has been sent to the Emperor. When His highness wears this sachet to meet him, his condition will inevitably worsen,” Mo Qiuyi said proudly.
Consort Dowager Qing turned around and frowned deeply. She looked at Mo Qiuyi and pursed her lips. After a long time, she asked, “Are you sure?”
“Of course. So, I want His highness to go with Prince Chen. Your Grace, please think about it. Prince Chen asks His highness to go there. If something happens to the Emperor, His highness will stay safe, no matter how thoroughly others investigate this matter. Prince Chen or any other Prince will take the blame for us. Anyway, no one can track us down.”
Mo Qiuyi said implicitly.
“You have even planted some people in the Palace? Is there anyone serving the Emperor? Who is it?” Consort Dowager Qing lowered her voice and asked.
“Your Grace, please forgive me for not being able to tell you about this now. When His highness achieves what he wishes, you will know everything.” Mo Qiuyi did not reveal the ins and outs of the matter.
Consort Dowager Qing stared at Mo Qiuyi coldly with an unpleasant look.
Chu Qing coughed in a low voice and said, “Mother, I think it’s feasible.”
Seeing her son believe Mo Qiuyi’s words without hesitation, Consort Dowager Qing was pissed off. She raised her head and rebuked her son coldly, “Feasible? Are you serious? Prince Chen has come to you. How can you explain it? But now Chu Liuchen has brought trouble on you before you start scheming against him.”
Thinking of this, Chu Qing felt very helpless. Chu Liuchen didn’t seem to be willing to let it go.
“Qiuyi, what should we do now? Chu Liuchen has taken the initiative to provoke me and even came along with Grand Prince. Worse still, I have no idea about this. Shao Jie’er is not and will never be my consort.” Chu Qing felt that this matter was difficult to deal with. Chu Liuchen was different from others — his ever-changing behaviors could never be predicted by common sense.
“There is no need to be afraid. You can even say you don’t know anything about it. Her Grace is always there to support you, right? Just say Her Grace wanted to do it. Could Prince Chen object to it?” Mo Qiuyi kept her head and answered.
“So, are you going to let me take the blame?” Consort Dowager Qing snorted and became even more unhappy.
“Mother, now… It seems only you can help me out!” Chu Qing thought it over and felt this was a good idea. However, he feared Consort Dowager Qing would be angry. So, he said cautiously with a smile.
“I will take the blame. Then you will investigate the case of Shao Jie’er. If this issue gets out of hand, it will be my fault. Mo Qiuyi, let’s forget it!” Consort Dowager Qing was irritated by their decision. She had always been the one who took advantage of others. Much to her surprise, she would be used by a little girl one day, and she couldn’t refuse it.
“Your Grace, if you add fuel to the flame, His highness will profit from it.” Mo Qiuyi sheepishly reminded Consort Dowager Qing.
With her face darkening, Consort Dowager Qing stopped talking. It was indeed a workable plan very likely to succeed. Chu Qing showed up before the Emperor, who would soon face his doom. Because Consort Dowager Qing knew what would happen long ago, she could be resourceful enough to rise to the occasion in time. It would be easy for them to seize the throne.
“Mother, what do you think…” Knowing Consort Dowager Qing was angry, Chu Qing asked tentatively again, adding, “Mother, if you feel uncomfortable about this idea, then forget it. We’ve waited for so many years and can wait longer.”
“So many years of waiting?” Consort Dowager Qing felt suffocated in her heart. How could she wait any longer? She had been locked up in the Yuhui Nunnery for many days and nights, so she experienced hopelessness and despair. But the people with her repeatedly promised that she and her son would be fine. Besides, her son would be helped to ascend to the throne. Gradually, she accepted the reality.
Consort Dowager Qing had left the Yuhui Nunnery, but she could no longer bear such hard days.
“Okay, I’ll do as you say, but are you sure Prince Chen will suppress this matter?” Consort Dowager Qing gritted her teeth with determination. She had to do this even only for her son.
“If Prince Chen wants to protect Princess Chen, he must do this,” Mo Qiuyi said complacently with a trace of sarcasm across her eyes. So many years had slipped away, but Consort Dowager Qing never did anything really worthwhile. She was really timid and lacked courage. If it were her, she would not land herself in a passive position for so many years. Though she had a son of the deceased emperor, Consort Dowager Qing lived a miserable life. She was indeed useless.
That was what Mo Qiuyi thought, and she persuaded Consort Dowager Qing and Chu Qing. They all felt it was not a big deal. After a brief discussion, Mo Qiuyi stayed in the mansion. Chu Qing got himself ready and went to “confess” before Chu Liuchen in Prince Chen’s Mansion. He knew Chu Liuchen must have returned to his mansion at this time.
When he arrived at the gate of Prince Chen’s Mansion, the gatekeeper went in to report and soon invited him in with a smile.
Chu Qing followed a servant inside.
Chu Liuchen received Chu Qing on the second floor of his study.
Seeing Chu Qing come in, Xiao Xuanzi bowed to him with a smile and stepped back behind Chu Liuchen. On the large chair made of luxurious nanmu, Chu Liuchen looked at Chu Qing coldly and said, “You came back so fast? You and your people must have set up a trap. For my wife or me?”
He tapped his fingers gently on the table. Sunlight came in through the window and fell on his pretty face, leaving bizarre, mottled shadows.
Chu Qing’s heart wildly thumped twice. Never had he thought Chu Liuchen would be so blunt. He came straight to the point, tearing away the veil of false affection between them.
“I just learned about this matter too. It was my mother’s idea…” Chu Qing composed himself and answered primly as they had discussed.
“Commandery Prince Qing!” Chu Liuchen suddenly crooked his finger at Commandery Prince Qing.
Subconsciously, Chu Qing popped his head and looked over — Chu Liuchen was going to tell him some secrets. But the next moment, he was slapped hard in the face, and Chu Qing was immediately stunned…Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you very much!