Palace Fighting: Naive Concubines' Ascent to Power-Chapter 552: Retire from the Court

Xue Ping’s men silently breathed a sigh of relief, quietly fell back into rank, and the military general dared not cause further trouble, shrinking back into the queue as well.

The Vice Minister of Revenue came out of the line, his liver trembling; it was not that he wanted to speak at this time, but the edict returned by His Majesty earlier had set today as the deadline.

He swallowed hard and said, "Your servant has a matter to report: the preparation for the autumn harvest has been completed, and I humbly request that His Majesty review it..."

The Emperor flipped through the submitted memorial, glancing over it hurriedly, and slammed it down, scolding, "Impractical, full of empty talk; has the Ministry of Revenue no competent people? Would it not be better for Us to grant each of you an acre of land, to make all ministers of the Ministry of Revenue roll up their trouser legs, work in the fields, and see for themselves the reality of the autumn harvest?"

The Vice Minister of Revenue was struck on the forehead, leaving a mark; his forehead broke out in cold sweat, he hastily kneeled down, crawling to confess his fault, promising to go back and revise, to bring back a satisfactory plan.

The Emperor did not tell anyone to rise, casting a cold glance around the hall; where his gaze passed, the court officials bent their heads even lower.

He rose up, flung his sleeves, and said directly, "If there is nothing else to report, court is adjourned."

With that said, he had already left the throne, striding toward the exit of the hall.

The ordinarily busy morning court, unexpectedly, ended in less than one Shichen.

The court officials, a beat too slow, conducted the retiring ceremony, collectively crying out long live the Emperor, may the Emperor live forever.

Xue Ping, kneeling, stealthily watched the departing figure, pondered over the recent events carefully, and only then did he let go of his worries.

If the Emperor had only approved the soldiers’ request to return to the capital, he still would not have felt at ease; but after the Emperor had also rebuked the proposal from the Ministry of Revenue, his heart settled back down, knowing that it was merely an affair of the Harem, a coincidence of facing the Emperor’s ire.

After the Emperor dismissed court, in a departure from usual practice, he did not return to Star Palace but went straight through the Imperial Garden toward Canglan Court, and it was exceedingly rare for him not to take memorials back with him, hastening toward Canglan Court with an urgent expression.

Within the Harem, a stream of precious medicinal materials was continuously carried from Star Palace by eunuchs toward Canglan Court; the Imperial Medical Bureau had arrived from outside the palace yesterday, working through the night in Canglan Court, alongside Huang Zude, staying there.

Consort Liu of Huafu Hall, waking from a groggy sleep, received the news that Consort Xu De had schemed against Beauty Lian.

She started coughing violently in her agitation, coughing intermittently with a harsh voice, "Ridiculous, who would believe that... cough... it must have been that vile woman’s doing, cough cough cough..."

She knew full well what this situation implied.

Just as things were looking up, before she had the chance to add fuel to the fire, it had been broken up, how could she resign herself to this.

She would never allow Xue Wanjun to rise, never!

Qing Ya quickly helped to soothe her back, and a lozenge was given to stop the coughing.

Consort Liu, weakly let Qing Ya help her sit up at the table, spit out the lozenge, and looked at the bowl of thick medicinal soup on the table. She shook off Qing Ya’s hand, tremblingly held up the bowl, and started drinking directly.

She drank in haste, choked on a big gulp, coughed until tears came out, yet still stubbornly attempted to finish the medicinal soup.

She had to cling to life; until Xue Wanjun was dead before her, she absolutely couldn’t die.

"Continue, I can handle it," Consort Liu said, muffling her mouth with the handkerchief, her eyes full of venom.

"Yes," Qing Ya replied, hiding the sourness in her eyes, becoming calm again: "This matter is doubtful, and it’s uncertain whether it was Consort Xu De’s handiwork. The news from Huaqing Palace says Xue Wanjun did not intervene this time; however, earlier, there was a stranger entering Huaqing Palace, highly concealed, who saw only a silhouette."

Consort Liu scoffed, "Doubtful? Consort Xu De’s heart is set on Shen Ming, she does not covet the petty power of the Harem. His Majesty has never laid a hand on her, why would she take action?"

Qing Ya was startled, having followed Consort Liu for many years, she had never known of this matter.

Consort Liu looked at her and softened her voice, "This is something I intended to take to my grave. Now that you know, you must never reveal it," otherwise, no one could protect Qing Ya.

Not even Xue Wanjun was aware of this affair, besides the Emperor and Xu Rongying, it was likely that all others privy to it were dead.

She had learned of it unintentionally that year but had almost lost her life because of it, which showed how seriously the Emperor took this matter.

In the palace, the role of Xu Rongying was undeniably significant, balancing Noble Consort Xue in the harem, while Xu Hu from the former court loyally checked Xue Ping, leaving her no reason to leak any information.

Previously, she could deduce the truth from the slightest clues, but now her vision was clouded. Recently, His Majesty had been frequently visiting Huaying Hall, and had elevated Consort Xu De’s power and status, she could no longer see through the situation.

But she believed that the Emperor was still that cold-hearted and detached person, lofty and unfeeling, who would not be swayed by the past or future.

"Yes," Qing Ya responded.

Consort Liu coughed twice and then resumed speaking, "Qing Ya, after associating with Xue Wanjun for so many years, this vile woman bears boundless ambition, regards power as life, and harbors delusions about His Majesty. Even if her scheme this time is flawless, I can ascertain it was her doing. To kill two birds with one stone, I have some admiration for her. But does she think that by doing this she can topple Consort Xu De? Even if His Majesty favors Beauty Lian again, for the sake of the former court, he would never allow Xue Wanjun’s family to prevail alone."

After pondering for a moment, Qing Ya nodded in understanding.

She looked up admiringly at Consort Liu, feeling a pang of sorrow in her heart, her own mistress was more intelligent than others, but unfortunately, she had been poisoned, otherwise, the harem would not have been dominated by Xue Wanjun for so many years.

She then said, "The palace is now in chaos like a pot of stew, all the servants from each bureau have been investigated once, and some say it might be our turn next, those of us who serve our masters."

Consort Liu said, "It does not matter, you all are innocent, what is there to fear?"

The people in her court were utterly loyal to her and no one could infiltrate their ranks, and they conducted their affairs discreetly, imperceptible to outsiders.

Not like that wretched Consort Zhen, all her servants had been dealt with.

Consort Liu looked at Qing Ya, her gaze turning tender, "Qing Ya, after this matter is over, let someone release a hint about that affair. Even if it does not hurt Xue Wanjun, I still want to have it recorded in front of His Majesty, to disgust her once."

Qing Ya hesitated, it was too risky, and she could not help but advise, "Mr. Wu said..."

Consort Liu gently shook her head, "It’s very well to keep still and safe, but the situation has now changed, and moreover..."

Her gaze landed on the thick curtains of the palace door and she said distantly, "I cannot wait any longer..."

Inside Lanyue Palace, Concubine Fang Pin’s tears soaked the handkerchief, her eyes swollen.

Yesterday, she received the news of Sister Lian’s misfortune, and it was already late, no one could pay a visit.

All night long, she wept intermittently, grieving for Sister Lian’s bitter fate, lamenting how hard it is to find a true confidante.

Touching the painting scroll under her hand, she became sentimental, lost in thoughts of the absent one, "The painting is finished, but Sister Lian has met with misfortune. What’s the point of keeping this painting? I might as well tear it up."

With that, she covered her face and wept bitterly.

Jin Xi, standing to the side, couldn’t help but sigh. She felt some fondness for Beauty Lian, but had not expected such a tragedy to occur.

Seeing that her own mistress was genuinely heartbroken, not feigning grief as before, she sighed and consoled, "Mistress, Beauty Lian has a fortunate destiny. With Doctor Huang and the Imperial Medical Bureau on the case, it is likely that she will turn the peril into safety."

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