Chapter 386: Chapter 381: Imperial Concubine
"They’re awake, they’re both awake," the palace maid joyfully broke the awkward silence with her report, prompting Lady and Fang Pin to leap up and rush into the inner chamber urgently. At this moment, no one seemed to care about their impoliteness.
Fortunately, both Princes were without serious harm; they were only feeling languid due to the fright from falling into the water. Ji Fei comforted them for a while and rewarded them with some items before he left.
Seeing that Ji Fei had no intention of speaking to her, Qiao Qingyue became anxious. How could he do this? In the past, even if he did not visit her palace, he would send messages to inform her of his arrangements, but now they hadn’t seen each other for several days. Could it be that his feelings had really changed?
Qiao Qingyue was unwilling to see her years of effort turn into a vain dream and, ignoring the odd looks of others, she chased after the carriages of Ji Fei and Ye Qiu.
"Lady, if you have any issues, just tell this servant. It’s late at night, and disturbing His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine would be inappropriate," An Fu stopped Qiao Qingyue before she got halfway.
Looking at An Fu, Qiao Qingyue was in disbelief. How dare this eunuch block her? Didn’t he know of the Emperor’s affection for her?
"I want to see His Majesty," Qiao Qingyue stated bluntly.
An Fu forced a distant smile on his face. Qiao Qingyue had seen him smile like this at others countless times but never imagined one day she would be the one looked down upon by an eunuch at the Emperor’s side.
"This servant will of course relay her Ladyship’s request. If His Majesty wishes to see you, this servant will come to notify you."
"You..." Qiao Qingyue had never felt so angry before. She was born in the Elders Mansion, praised as she grew up, and even the Princes and Princesses paled in her presence. Not to mention, the Emperor had also pleased her countless times. But when had it become the turn of a eunuch to be rude to her?
"His Majesty is waiting for this servant’s attendance. If Lady has nothing else, this servant will retire first."
Qiao Qingyue glared at him coldly. "Tell me truthfully, did you not give the wallet I asked you to deliver to His Majesty?"
"This servant would not dare delay the task given by her Ladyship and delivered it to Changchun Palace on the same day."
Qiao Qingyue clenched her handkerchief. "You didn’t hand it directly to His Majesty?"
"The Imperial Concubine said that the Emperor has not been in good spirits recently. To prevent harmful things from endangering His Majesty, everything he consumes or uses must be checked by the Imperial Physician. The Imperial Concubine mentioned that if there are any questions, you may ask during the morning greetings," An Fu explained.
If even the Imperial Concubine said so, how dare she have any doubts? So meticulous in her actions, truly fitting of the title of the nation-ruining Evil Concubine!
What should she do now? The Emperor was now enchanted by the Imperial Concubine, and the Imperial Censors from the previous dynasty had also quieted down. Would the arrangement made by her grandfather truly work?
Qiao Qingyue internally bolstered her confidence; it must be fine. Her grandfather, having served as a minister for so many years and risen from a Scholar to an elder, would surely not make a wrong decision or strategy.
Just wait, the Ye Family will soon fall. Without the Imperial Concubine, who else in the harem would be her rival? Since His Majesty had once said that the position of Empress was hers, it belongs to her! No one can snatch it away, and she would not allow him to break his promise.
However, Ye Qiu would not take heed of Qiao Qingyue’s convoluted schemes. She never imagined that just as she was plotting to gain control over the Imperial Army, the Wang family offered her a leverage.
When Ji Fei ascended the throne, in order to express his gratitude and trust towards Empress Dowager Wang and also to empower the Wang family to rival the Ye Family, the command of the Imperial Army was given to the brother of Empress Dowager Wang, Marquis Cheng’en.
The legitimate daughter of Marquis Cheng’en is suspected of plotting against the Heir. If this accusation is established, can Marquis Cheng’en continue to hold military power?
Besides this matter, there was another that pleasantly surprised Ye Qiu. After more than a month’s journey, her father, mother, and uncle and aunt finally returned to the capital, which was also a major event in the city.
Almost everyone thought that the Emperor’s summoning of the Grand Marshal and the Pingyang Marquis back to the capital was to diminish the Ye Family’s military power, but they didn’t know that the Emperor’s authority had already been hollowed out.
Whether the military power will be diminished depends on whether Ye Qiu agrees. While the ministers throughout the city were rejoicing, only Mr. Zhang and the newly appointed Minister of Revenue had inscrutable expressions. They knew the ambition of the Imperial Concubine and while they couldn’t believe it, they also didn’t know what to do.
They understood that as ministers they must be loyal to the Emperor, but the livelihood of the common people and the lives of their own families were equally important.
Actually, their anxiety stems from their subconscious recognition of Ye Qiu’s strength; otherwise, why would a man heed the commands of a woman?
Moreover, Mr. Zhang was not a stickler for traditions and even had a bit of a wicked sense of humor. The first woman Empress in history would certainly shock the world and be a topic of delighted discussion for generations, wouldn’t it!
"Old Ye of the Ye Family is really blessed!" Zhang Zhongyuan sipped his strong tea, feeling somewhat guilty about the Royal Family, yet his actions faithfully supported Ye Qiu.
"This humble official pays respects to Your Majesty!" Ye Xiuting and Ye Xiuming knelt halfway in the Jinluan Palace, saluting vigorously. Thanks to the good fortune of the Ye Family, the courtiers finally saw Ji Fei, who had not attended court for a long time.
However, his condition did not look good; he was yawning when the two brothers Ye were saluting, his eyes ringed with dark circles, his body languidly leaning on the armrest of the Dragon Throne without proper upright posture.
Not just other ministers, even Mr. Zhang suspected whether the Imperial Concubine had drugged His Majesty.
"My subjects, please rise." His voice carried with it a hint of both lethargy and weakness.
Qiao Zhenglian looked at him with deep concern. No wonder his granddaughter recently mentioned that it had been a long time since His Majesty visited her. The Imperial Concubine certainly used tricks to turn the Emperor into this state.
"Tonight, I have prepared a reception banquet for Marshal Ye and the Pingyang Marquis. Both of you should return to your mansions to wash up before entering the palace. If there is nothing else, you are dismissed from the court." Ji Fei was somewhat distracted, his mind still on the warmth the Imperial Concubine showed him when he left the palace. Surely, if she met his parents tonight, she would be even more enthusiastic towards him!
Seeing that Ji Fei had no intention of questioning whether the Ye brothers were overstepping their bounds by controlling the army, Qiao Zhenglian couldn’t sit still but didn’t dare to speak directly. Instead, he tactfully said: "Your Majesty, aren’t you going to ask Marshal Ye and the Pingyang Marquis about the military situation at the border?"
Ji Fei, impatient with his interruption to see Ye Qiu, responded bluntly: "Isn’t the military situation reported monthly? Since both valued ministers have just returned from the border, of course, you should rest well first."
Qiao Zhenglian’s expression stiffened, and he even saw his old rival Mr. Zhang mockingly smiling at him, causing his old face to redden.
"It is my short-sightedness."
"If there is nothing else, then the court is dismissed!"
Ye Xiuting and Ye Xiuming brothers exchanged bewildered glances. That’s it? Although his daughter/niece reassured them not to worry, they had never expected the court to be in such a state.