met free Chapter 36 The Empress Dowager's Summoning
Chapter 36 The Empress Dowager's Summoning
The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall, imposing young official slowly walking out from the crowd.
This man, dressed in a red official robe and wearing a black gauze hat, with a handsome face, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, was none other than the highly regarded Grand Secretary of the current court—Lu Zhiheng.
Inside the Golden Hall, Lu Zhiheng raised his imperial tablet, his clear, cold voice unhurried: "Your Majesty, Chu Tianheng has fought for the country for many years, achieving remarkable feats and enjoying high prestige in the army. To sentence him before he confesses would inevitably invite criticism from the people and be seen as coercing a confession. In my humble opinion, we should continue to detain the Northern Di spy who colluded with Chu Tianheng until we capture him. Once we have sufficient evidence and witnesses, he will have no reason to deny it."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.
After all, it was Lu Zhiheng who submitted a memorial accusing the Duke of Chu of having a secret passage in his mansion, and found a large number of weapons, gunpowder, armor, and letters between the Duke and the Northern Di people. Why is he now speaking up for Chu Tianheng?
"Aren't those letters and secret passages evidence enough?" some objected, insisting on immediate execution.
Lu Zhiheng glanced at the man indifferently. It was General Wei Biao, who had always been at odds with the Duke of Chu's mansion.
“General Wei, it is true that there is a secret passage in the Duke’s mansion, but the weapons and armor inside may have been secretly transported by someone to frame someone. As for the letter, I know a master of handwriting who is very skilled in this area. If General Wei does not mind, I can have him write a ‘secret letter’ in the next few days, imitating General Wei’s handwriting.”
"You!" Wei Biao choked, his face also looking very ugly.
"Alright, stop arguing."
The emperor's majestic and calm voice came from the head of the table: "I am aware of what you, my esteemed ministers, have said. This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided hastily. As Minister Lu suggested, continue to detain Chu Tianheng and make a decision after further investigation."
As soon as he finished speaking, another murmur arose in the hall.
Pei Yuanling surveyed the assembled officials and said in a deep voice, "This matter is settled. Court is adjourned!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the emperor stood up, put his hands behind his back, and left.
The ministers shouted in unison, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty," and filed out, gathering in twos and threes to discuss the day's court assembly in hushed tones.
"The evidence against Chu Tianheng for treason is conclusive, yet His Majesty has been delaying his punishment for nearly three months. Does His Majesty intend to let Chu Tianheng retire in the Ministry of Justice prison?"
"Alas, what can we do? Who told Chu Tianheng to be His Majesty's brother-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, a knowing look flashing in their eyes.
An elderly minister sighed, "It seems His Majesty still can't let go of the Imperial Concubine."
"Hey, it's more than just that she can't let go." The young official lowered his voice: "Haven't you heard that among the new concubines who entered the palace, the most favored one is the one who looks very similar to the Imperial Concubine. That's why she won the Emperor's favor and left everyone else in the dust."
These words instantly evoked even more感慨 (feelings of deep emotion), for if the emperor acted on emotion in this way, it would inevitably affect the affairs of the state.
Just then, a clear, cold voice interrupted: "It is best that you gentlemen refrain from making unwarranted speculations about matters of the harem."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Grand Secretary Lu Zhiheng walking slowly towards them.
His expression remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with an unfathomable darkness. "If someone with ulterior motives were to overhear this and report it to His Majesty, I doubt any of you would fare well."
“Lord Lu is right.” The young official looked sullen. “We have learned our lesson.”
The group quickly dispersed like birds, each returning to their respective offices.
Not long after Lu Zhiheng arrived at the cabinet, a gray-robed eunuch approached him and whispered, "Sir, His Majesty did indeed stay overnight at Master Qiao's Diecui Pavilion last night."
Lu Zhiheng frowned slightly. Although he knew that as a concubine in the harem, it was only a matter of time before she would be summoned to the emperor's bedchamber, hearing this now made his chest feel inexplicably tight.
He let out a deep breath, suppressing the inexplicable emotion, and said, "Anything else?"
"And..." the eunuch hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But it is said that His Majesty did not order water last night."
As soon as he finished speaking, a strange light flashed in Lu Zhiheng's eyes. "Is the information accurate?"
The eunuch nodded: "Absolutely true."
Lu Zhiheng pursed his thin lips, and after a long while, he said, "Understood. Keep an eye on things and report any news immediately."
The eunuch responded and left.
Lu Zhiheng returned to his desk and sat down as if nothing had happened, his long, well-defined fingers tapping lightly on the rosewood tabletop.
The fact that she didn't call for water meant that the emperor hadn't actually slept with her last night.
But she was clearly promoted to Noble Consort this morning...
What exactly happened last night? And what was the emperor's attitude towards her?
He sat in quiet contemplation, the afternoon sun warm and languid, shining on the glazed tiles of the palace and reflecting a dazzling light.
Two flowers bloom, one branch each.
Inside the inner palace walls, Chu Qingyin was quietly sewing boots in her palace when suddenly, Qiu Zhu hurriedly walked in from outside.
"My lord," Qiu Zhu said breathlessly, "someone from Cining Palace has come and said that the Empress Dowager summons you."
"Empress Dowager?" Chu Qingyin put down her embroidery and frowned slightly.
The Empress Dowager's visit to her at this time is probably not for anything good.
Moreover, the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace has never been one to be trifled with. The child she tragically lost in her past life was likely also partly due to the Empress Dowager's machinations.
After all, someone who values power and status so much would never allow the eldest prince to be born to someone else.
"I understand," she said calmly. "I'll go right away."
After summoning palace maids to help her dress up, Chu Qingyin took Xianglan with her and went out.
She had just been promoted to Noble Consort today, and along the way, the eunuchs and palace maids all bowed to her with utmost respect.
Chu Qingyin nodded slightly in response, but her steps did not falter at all.
We soon arrived at Cining Palace. The interior was decorated in a simple and solemn style. The landscape paintings on the walls complemented the palace lanterns, and the air was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Chu Qingyin's voice was gentle as she slightly curtsied, performing a standard courtly salute.
The Empress Dowager sat regally in the main seat, dressed in a magnificent palace gown embroidered with golden phoenixes, her head adorned with a phoenix crown, her pearls and jade swaying in the breeze, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. Though the years had left their mark on her face, her eyes remained bright and spirited. When she saw Chu Qingyin, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes softened with boundless kindness: "No need for formalities, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Qingyin straightened up.
The Empress Dowager looked her up and down, then beckoned, "She is indeed a beautiful woman, no wonder she has won the Emperor's favor. Come, sit next to me."
Chu Qingyin rose as instructed, walked slowly to sit down beside the Empress Dowager, her face respectful yet not shy, "Your Majesty flatters me."
The Empress Dowager stared at her and said, "You've been in the palace for some time now, are you getting used to it?"
Chu Qingyin said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am gradually getting used to life in the palace."
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Now you are the first among the newly promoted concubines to be promoted, such honor is truly extraordinary. I summoned you here today to see what kind of pleasing person you are that the Emperor treats you with such special favor."
As she spoke, she took Chu Qingyin's hand, her gaze lingering on the face that resembled the imperial concubine for a long time before she said softly, "So alike, it really is so alike."