Chapter 290: Extremely Stupid
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After the Emperor took his seat, Qin Zhenzhen leaned in and quietly addressed him, “Your Majesty, I couldn’t help but notice a slight change in your expression. Would you allow the imperial physician to examine your pulse?”
The Emperor had been engrossed in the company of a beautiful companion when the Empress Dowager unexpectedly summoned him. Naturally, he was not in the best of moods.
Upon hearing Qin Zhenzhen’s request, his irritation grew.
“How dare you question my well-being! I’m in excellent health; I could wrestle a tiger, for heaven’s sake! Why this unnecessary concern?”
Lately, he had been feeling rather courageous and had managed to charm the tears from Beauty Jiang.
Beauty Jiang, although initially anxious, couldn’t resist adding to the tension.
She scolded, “Do you believe that the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital are mere decorations? How could they overlook the Emperor’s discomfort?”
“You’re just a rustic from the countryside. Are you not afraid of losing your tongue?”
Imperial Concubine Jiang wanted to intervene, but Beauty Jiang, emboldened by the Emperor’s favor, had grown arrogant and dismissive. She had even forgotten who the Empress Dowager was.
The Empress Dowager cast a cold gaze at Beauty Jiang and asserted, “In my presence, you have no right to speak out of turn.”
Beauty Jiang appealed to the Emperor with a look of injustice.
In order to spare the beauty further discomfort, the Emperor quickly interjected, “Mother, let us not quarrel over this. What she says is not entirely unfounded…
The Empress Dowager had always been assertive, even daring to interrupt the Emperor, declaring, “It is not for her to determine the truth; that falls to the imperial physician!”
The Emperor’s anger was steadily rising. After suppressing it for a moment, he maintained his composure out of respect for the Empress Dowager, though he was resolved to address it later.
“Mother, we will revisit this matter in due time. I have another pressing issue to attend to at present.”
With that, the Emperor dismissed everyone unrelated, leaving only himself, the Empress Dowager, Qin Zhenzhen, and her grandmother.
“How dare you, Qin Zhenzhen! Did you orchestrate the spread of those rumors outside?”
Qin Zhenzhen feigned innocence, replying, “What rumors, Your Majesty? Please enlighten me.”
The Emperor’s anger flared, and he was on the verge of ordering someone to punish Qin Zhenzhen. However, the Empress Dowager intervened, saying, “I wish to have a private conversation with the Emperor.”
The two of them retreated to an inner chamber. The Empress Dowager inquired of her son, “Your Majesty, if these rumors were indeed spread by them, what should be their punishment?”
“Their crime warrants a public beheading! No, their entire family should face execution!”
“Then who will attend to my headache?”
The Emperor paused for a moment, taken aback.
Empress Dowager continued, “Clearly, they are aware that such actions will lead to their heads rolling, unless they have grown weary of life.”
The Emperor was greatly surprised. “Mother, are you suggesting that someone is framing them?”
Empress Dowager nodded, “We cannot dismiss that possibility.”
However, the Emperor shook his head. “The only ones who hold a grudge against them are the Jiang family, but the Jiangs are not fools. They know the consequences of such actions, yet they are still taking the risk.”
“Is it necessary to employ such a perilous strategy against the two of them?” Empress Dowager sighed.
“I initially shared your view. I believed that the Jiang family wouldn’t resort to this. ”
“But if it wasn’t them, then who?”
“The Jiang family possesses the most comprehensive knowledge of events from over 40 years ago! There are aspects even Jiang Fenglian remains ignorant of!”
“Furthermore, with the exception of Imperial Concubine Jiang, no one else is aware of my widowhood!”
At the mention of Imperial Concubine Jiang, the Empress Dowager clenched her teeth in frustration.
However, the Emperor remained unconvinced. “I believe, Mother, that you’ve been swayed by Qin Zhenzhen’s persuasive words. The Jiang family would never resort to such actions.”
“I now see it clearly. The rumors were indeed spread by Qin Zhenzhen and her associates.. It’s a strategy to undermine the Jiang family, which is quite shortsighted!”