Mu Tan nodded, feeling that her mistress was right, and stretched her neck to look outside again: "The eunuchs from the Internal Affairs Office have already moved Xiao Ronghua's belongings to Zhong Cui Palace. Just now, when I passed by the gate of Zhong Cui Palace, I heard Consort Zhang throwing a tantrum!"
"What was she throwing a tantrum about?"
Consort Jiang rolled her eyes: "Zhong Cui Palace has become a cold palace. Isn't it good to have someone to keep her company?"
Ever since the Imperial Noble Consort became pregnant, apart from Hexi Palace, which palace in the harem still receives favor?
They are all synonymous with cold palaces.
"It's because the Emperor ordered Xiao Ronghua to live in the main hall of Zhong Cui Palace."
Mu Tan stood beside Consort Jiang: "Consort Zhang was previously a Consort, and she has always lived in the main hall of Zhong Cui Palace. Unfortunately, she lost her sense and insisted on opposing the Imperial Noble Consort, which led to her being demoted by the Emperor and moving to the side hall. Once you've lived in the best, how can you be content with second best? I reckon she still wants to return to the main hall!"
"What did you just say?"
"I said, Consort Zhang has lived in the best, so..."
"No!"
"The previous sentence, you said Consort Zhang was demoted to Zhong Cui Palace because she offended the Imperial Noble Consort."
"Yes! Mistress, you already know that, don't you?"
When Concubine Li was still around, her mistress, Consort Jin, and Consort Zhang were the three protectors under Concubine Li's command.
Oh, and don't forget Concubine Chu.
But Concubine Chu was long ago demoted to a criminal servant in the Criminal Servants' Prison, and no one pays attention to her whereabouts anymore.
No one knows under which matron Chu is suffering now.
Anyway, it doesn't concern them.
Hexi Palace—
Just after the evening meal, the night breeze still carried a few traces of sultry heat. Wang Dequan handed a list of consorts to Jiang Xinyue: "Your Highness, this is the preliminary list of consorts who will accompany the Emperor to the Qinzhou Imperial Villa in two days. The Emperor asked me to bring it to you to see if there are any changes you'd like to make."
In essence, it was handed to Jiang Xinyue to let her remove anyone she dislikes.
The Emperor is willing to indulge her like this. Those who offend her don't end well, making their rise and fall entirely in Jiang Xinyue's hands.
"Who drafted this list? Has the Emperor seen it?"
Wang Dequan honestly replied: "The Internal Affairs Office drafted the list. The Emperor hasn't seen it yet; he immediately sent it to Your Highness."
He seemed eager to explain on the Emperor's behalf, fearing that Jiang Xinyue might see someone she dislikes on the list and blame the Emperor.
Jiang Xinyue nodded, opened the list, and scanned it. She found that the name of Consort De was not on it.
It seems she has chosen between attending the funeral of the Old Lady of Duke of Cheng's Mansion and accompanying the Emperor to the Qinzhou Imperial Villa.
It's not that she doesn't want to go, but with her family's sudden misfortune, if she still has the mood to accompany the Emperor to the villa, it would seem too cold-hearted.
This doesn't align with her persona.
Consort De doesn't know that rumors about her being cold-hearted and hypocritical have already spread throughout the harem.
However, the people in the palace understand the importance of self-preservation. Even if the rumors are fierce, they exclude Yanqing Palace. People discuss it privately, but no one wants to bring trouble upon themselves.
Jiang Xinyue drew a large cross over Consort Yu's name and handed the list back to Wang Dequan: "That's it."
Since the Emperor has given her this right, she won't be coy and pretend to be magnanimous. On a trip, she doesn't want to see people she dislikes, nor does she want to be constantly sniped at during the trip.
Wang Dequan glanced at it and couldn't help but smile. The Imperial Noble Consort's temperament hasn't changed at all.
She likes who she likes and dislikes who she dislikes, always putting it out in the open, never stooping to underhanded tactics. No wonder the Emperor always says she has a genuine character, making him feel alive.
In Chengqian Palace, when the Xuanwu Emperor received the list, his reaction was the same as Wang Dequan's. He pointed at the large cross over Consort Yu's name: "Look, I said she's vengeful, and it's true."
Wang Dequan also smiled: "The Imperial Noble Consort is concerned about Your Majesty. When I left Hexi Palace, she asked if Your Majesty's hand had been treated by the Imperial Hospital."
The Emperor's lips curled up, and the soft light in his eyes flickered: "She always thinks of me."
As if thinking of something, his smile quickly faded: "Have the Imperial Hospital's doctors quickly develop the best scar removal medicine. Xinyue likes the lively girl, Sparrow, and I like her too. We must ensure her leg doesn't leave any lasting damage."
Wang Dequan nodded: "What about Consort De?"
The Emperor's eyes flashed with an inscrutable light, filled with coldness: "My harem cannot tolerate such a vicious woman."
Raising such a large man-eating fish, how many people's flesh must it have consumed to grow so big?
He couldn't help but suspect that many people disappear in the palace every year, all related to Consort De.
"After Consort De leaves the palace, have the Investigative Bureau investigate thoroughly. I want to see how many more surprises my beloved consort has in store for me."
Wang Dequan noted it all down: "The assassins who attempted to kill the Old Lady of Duke of Cheng's Mansion have all been captured. They are from the Zhu family of Chang'an. How does Your Majesty plan to handle this?"
A decision must be made before heading to the Qinzhou Imperial Villa, otherwise, the trip will last three months, and it will be autumn by the time they return.
The Xuanwu Emperor pondered for a moment: "Prepare the ink and paper for me."
Out of consideration for the loyalty of the Empress, he only ordered the execution of a few of Zhu Jianshen's most influential advisors and officials who incited the rebellion. As for the other Zhu family members, they were to be stripped of their titles, their property confiscated, and all demoted to commoners, immediately sent to the capital.
From then on, the Zhu family could only live in the poorest, narrowest alleys of the capital, leading the most impoverished lives.
Leaving them with their lives was already enough for them to be grateful for the Emperor's magnanimity.
Otherwise, the crime of rebellion would warrant the extermination of the entire clan.
The Empress's death not only gave the Emperor a reason to deal with the Zhu family but also made the Emperor feel guilty towards the Empress, thereby saving the Zhu family's lives.
The Zhu family of Chang'an, a local tyrant, was suddenly surrounded by soldiers, and all men, women, and children were driven out, left to wander the streets.
If not for their large numbers, the ladies and young misses would have been harassed by street ruffians.
"Sir, one person is missing."
"Who is missing?"
"Zhu Qianyi, the eldest son of the Zhu family's main branch."
Once a palace guard, Zhu's second son was said to be highly skilled in martial arts, so it's not surprising he could escape the encirclement.
The official in charge of the confiscation narrowed his eyes: "First, escort these Zhu family members on their way. Issue a wanted order to all prefectures and counties, and make every effort to capture Zhu Qianyi."
In the darkness, a badly injured young man with sharp eyes quietly disappeared.
He was once a proud son of heaven, arrogant and willful, until the news of his sister's death from the palace and his father's subsequent assassination reached him.
The Zhu family suddenly became traitors, and the family faced a huge upheaval. He had no choice but to escape and lie low, seeking an opportunity to bring his clan out of the narrow alleys and back into the light.
