Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 438: The Empress Dowager’s Plan

Listening to this, Consort Qian, despite her reluctance, had no choice.

In the end, she could only accept this reality.

But she always felt that how could the Empress Dowager suddenly become so strong-willed?

After all, she had conscientiously cared for her for quite a long time.

Even if there was no meritorious service, there was hard work.

Driving them mother and son out of the palace, could there be other motives?

It’s just that she didn’t understand for the moment.

But the Empress Dowager’s thoughts, she could gauge.

Just thinking, dragging it on for another day is a day, after all, her sickness hasn’t completely passed.

Surely she wouldn’t be driven out while sick, right?

She couldn’t read the Empress Dowager’s mind, but that didn’t mean the Empress Dowager couldn’t read hers.

So, she cleared her throat and addressed Consort Qian with a stern attitude.

"Alright, your body isn’t well either, go down and rest more. I’ve been in this harem longer than you, seen more of human nature, so there’s a saying I’d like to pass to you before you leave."

Consort Qian didn’t understand but still obediently lowered her head.

"I am all ears."

"Do not treat others as fools, nor think yourself exceptionally wise. Sometimes people act, but heaven watches too, so it’s best to accumulate virtue for yourself and your child."

Upon hearing this, Consort Qian shivered thoroughly.

She remained silent for a long time before fearfully replying.

"Yes."

She was unclear how she finally left Cining Palace.

It was only after she left that Nanny Wen spoke.

"Empress Dowager, do not be angry. She isn’t worth your fury."

"Hmph, she’s lucky indeed. Even after such heavy medicine she didn’t die. Perhaps it’s heaven’s mercy. But she should know, not anyone can harm my grandson and walk away unscathed."

A flicker flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes but was soon concealed.

Her mention of grandson naturally referred to the Second Prince.

Back then, the Second Prince had suffered severely from illnesses, largely due to Princess Consort Lan’s indulgence, the bullying of traitorous servants, but it couldn’t exclude Consort Qian’s machinations.

Originally from the palace herself, she naturally knew a few people up and down within it.

So when they were caught off guard, she added many dirty things to the water the palace maids used to wash the Second Prince’s clothes.

So much so that no result came from the investigations at that time.

Later, he was taken to Yihua Palace, nurtured by Nanny Du, and once they started making and washing their clothes themselves, the Second Prince’s health began to improve.

"Noble Consort sure can act; those unaware might truly believe she doesn’t know her own son is the Third Prince."

Nanny Wen’s sentence revealed all the reasons.

In the past, the Empress Dowager indeed intended to have the Fourth Prince raised by Consort Qian.

Thus, she started secretly investigating this seemingly "pure as water" Consort Qian.

Initially believed she was straightforward like Lin Wanyi.

Unexpectedly discovered so many secrets.

Indeed stumbled upon them by accident.

If not for the preconceived notion to investigate her intentions, the Empress Dowager might not have been suspicious of Consort Qian.

After all, her disguise was truly convincing.

Completely unnoticeable.

Precisely because she knew this, she cut off her future.

Whether it’s Prince or Princess.

Even without obstacles for the Third Prince’s future, the Empress Dowager didn’t feel reassured to hand them over to her.

Who knows when such a venomous woman might use the children’s lives as her stepping stones.

She absolutely wouldn’t dare gamble!

Thus, the Empress Dowager coldly snorted and continued.

"How her plans are crafted, as if I wouldn’t see through it? Knowing she couldn’t elevate the Third Prince to great heights, she merely tolerated silently, seeking assistance from the Liu Family, and if indeed the Third Prince rose, who knows how Liu Xu’er might meet her demise at her hands."

Others leverage others’ strength.

She, however, is a cut above.

The Liu Family wants a son; she wants her son to have a bright future.

So she pretends to be innocent and oblivious.

Over all these years, no one in the palace realized.

Only when Liu Xu’er died, she probably didn’t anticipate being played like a puppet by a mere noble concubine, right?

The mind of a woman is truly unfathomable.

Now, the Empress Dowager issued a decree to make them leave Shengjing City.

Also to prevent future sibling rivalry things.

Ce State.

With wise scholars and ministers governing inside, and her Zhang Family Army’s nephews guarding the outside with armed forces.

Even if Consort Qian has any ulterior motives, she likely can’t execute them.

As long as she stays a day, she lives a day.

If one day she doesn’t make it, her good days will also come to an end.

"Consort Qian loves serving me, doesn’t she? Then let her serve me eternally."

In one sentence, she determined Consort Qian’s fate.

If not for the Third Prince still needing care due to his young age, the Empress Dowager would have long finished her.

A mind as venomous as a snake, outwardly seeming as timid as a rabbit, always was the Empress Dowager’s most despised.

Fortunately, now Lin Wanyi beside the Emperor is adept.

The Empress Dowager investigated for so long, yet found no flaw.

Therefore, she felt at ease allowing the Emperor’s exclusive favor towards her.

Her maternal clan also had some clever insights, knowing when to retreat.

Otherwise, anyone delaying Da Wei’s imperial power, she was adamant about eliminating.

She glanced up; the outside snow and wind stirred again.

Not only burying past sins in the ground but also paving the way for future renewal.

Inside the room, Yunluo Fragrance still burned, soothing thoughts.

The Empress Dowager picked up the scroll at hand and continued reading.

Calm as though all had no relation to her.

Once palace matters were settled, she planned to return to Wutai Mountain.

After all these years, she still preferred that tranquil place.

Unlike her composed and unhurried demeanor.

Upon returning to the palace, Consort Qian was in utter disarray.

She thought all she’d done over the years was seamless.

What did the Empress Dowager mean by those words, had she been found out?

It shouldn’t be.

Even she was unaware until accidentally discovering the Third Prince was her own.

At that time, she’d considered going to the Emperor to reveal the truth.

But upon reflection for her son’s future and her own, she held back.

And secretly paved the way for him inside the harem.

Coldly watched Lin Guifei and Princess Consort Lan eliminate the Eldest Prince, and later tampered with the Second Prince’s clothes for years of illness.

Even as the Fourth Prince’s rescue was delayed, she instigated the hindrance.

As for the Fifth Prince, were it not for Qiu Ming’s protection, she hadn’t found the chance yet.

He’d likely face her cruel hand as well!

Yet she didn’t anticipate the Empress Dowager would target Imperial Concubine Yi in the court.

Simultaneously making the Third Prince’s future unpredictable.