Chapter 397: Chapter 392: Imperial Concubine
After leaving Changchun Palace, Empress Dowager Wang walked away with a belly full of relief. It was fortunate that she hadn’t acted according to what Qiao Zhaoyi insinuated in her message. Given the current power of Imperial Concubine and the Ye Family, had she really done something, it might have been truly hopeless!
Although the Emperor was weak and very reliant on the Imperial Concubine, at least he was lucid and recognized people. She had just carefully inspected Changchun Palace; the doors and windows were all open, the ventilation inside was good, and the Emperor’s body was clean, without any strange odors. It appeared he was just seriously ill.
She had thought that the Emperor had indeed been controlled by medicine administered by the Imperial Concubine, but now it seemed Qiao Zhaoyi couldn’t contain herself anymore and wanted to use someone else to achieve her murderous scheme! Quite a clever calculation—did she really think she would fall for it?
Why was there no movement at all? Qiao Qingyue had been patiently waiting all day, but since the Empress Dowager left Changchun Palace, there had been no action. What exactly happened to the Emperor?
Qiao Qingyue was restless all night long and decided to take advantage of the next day’s visit to ask for clarity.
"Consort Hui’s belly is becoming even bigger. Did the Imperial Physician say when she will give birth?" Empress Dowager Wang no longer harbored her previous guardedness and jealousy towards Consort Hui. Although she was called the Empress Dowager, it was but a hollow title. Whether for the Wang family or for the Second Prince, she had to endure. Only by keeping herself healthy and living a long life could she protect them.
Consort Hui caressed her belly, her face lighting up with a maternal radiance. Though she was not particularly beautiful, at this moment she looked exceptionally captivating: "The Imperial Physician mentioned it would be next month, but it’s uncertain."
Empress Dowager Wang smiled slightly: "That’s true, giving birth is seldom on the expected day. Taking good care of yourself is what truly matters."
"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager."
Watching Consort Hui like this, Qiao Qingyue’s fingernails dug into her flesh. She used to be so happily content with the Emperor’s consideration for her, but now she was extremely jealous. Even Consort Hui was able to keep her child—if only she had insisted a little bit more, would she have a child by now?
Ye Qiu had many matters to attend to nowadays, and she did not attend today’s court visit. Empress Dowager Wang just asked once and nodded without further comment, showing no intention of blaming her.
Now heavy with child, Consort Hui stayed only a while before returning to her palace. Given the uncertain situation in the court, Fang Pin was also anxious about the safety of her Eldest Prince and eager to return. As for Lady, no one knew what she had experienced in the summer resort, but she had become quite despondent, only showing a spark of life when the Second Prince called for her.
With the disruptive individuals gone, Qiao Qingyue hesitated for a moment before finally saying in the face of Empress Dowager Wang’s indifferent gaze, "Empress Dowager..."
"If Qiao Zhaoyi has nothing else, you may leave. I am tired as well," replied the Empress Dowager, with no interest in continuing the conversation.
"Empress Dowager." Qiao Qingyue stood up, "Did you see the Emperor yesterday? How is he?"
"With the care of Imperial Concubine, the Emperor is naturally fine," Empress Dowager Wang said before leaving, uninterested in further discussion.
But Qiao Qingyue naturally did not believe this explanation from Empress Dowager Wang. She felt that the Empress Dowager either did not dare to oppose the Imperial Concubine or had discovered something that she did not wish to share.
She refused to believe that the Emperor was fine. If he truly were, even if not seeking her out, he would certainly have summoned her.
To this day, Qiao Qingyue could still clearly feel the love the Emperor had for her. She did not believe such affection could fade so easily. After all, there was a time when even a wallet made by her for him was dearly cherished.
No more waiting to meet one’s fate; she couldn’t continue to be passive. Her father had sent word that the Qiao Family had been losing influence in the court, and her grandfather’s condition was still unknown. Even if he recovered, they would not be able to withstand the Ye Family’s power.
She must rescue the Emperor; only by rescuing the Emperor could she bring down the Imperial Concubine!
"Lady, Qiao Zhaoyi has bribed several palace maids in our palace," whispered Qing E as she approached Ye Qiu, who had just managed to take a brief rest after dealing with recent state affairs.
"Oh? How do you know that?" Ye Qiu replied with interest.
"It was a palace maid named Caiqing who first pretended to be bribed, then reported to me. She also said her family was controlled by the Qiao Family and hoped Lady could help her."
"This Caiqing is quite astute, knowing who her real support is," Ye Qiu scoffed with a hum, "Tell her to go along with Qiao Zhaoyi’s actions and say that I will save her family."
"Yes."
Qiao Qingyue had some cunning. She made her move on the day when Consort Hui was giving birth. Several masters, including Ye Qiu, all went to Consort Hui’s Yijing Palace, so the defenses at Changchun Palace were naturally not as tight as before.
Perhaps eager to see Ji Fei sooner, Qiao Qingyue actually went to Changchun Palace herself, disguised as a palace maid as if she was delivering tonic to Ji Fei.
Looking at Ji Fei lying on the bed, Qiao Qingyue’s heart ached, and tears almost flowed out. She gently nudged Ji Fei’s arm, whispering, "Your Majesty, wake up, I’m Qingyue, your Little Moon!"
In the past, Qiao Qingyue would be embarrassed to hear "Little Moon," a term of endearment Ji Fei used for her, but now she couldn’t care less. Thirty minutes had passed, and she feared the longer she stayed, the more likely an accident would occur.
Usually, although Ji Fei spent most of his time in a drowsy state, aside from taking the medicine given by Ye Qiu, he could still wake up for a while when called by palace attendants. However, today for some reason, he remained unconscious.
Looking at the unconscious Emperor with an eerie flush on his face, Qiao Qingyue was even more convinced that the Emperor had been drugged by Ye Qiu, strengthening her resolve to take him away and rescue him from the blazing inferno.
"Your Majesty, I will rescue you now," Qiao Qingyue said with determined eyes, and hope also ignited at the bottom of her eyes. As long as the Emperor could wake up, the Imperial Concubine was finished!
Qiao Qingyue did not choose to take the Emperor to her own Xianyue Pavilion. Nowadays, the whole harem was under the control of the Imperial Concubine. Taking the Emperor to Xianyue Pavilion would be a waste, wouldn’t it?
Therefore, she had already contacted her father beforehand. She would take the Emperor out of the palace, and she would follow along. After the Emperor recovered, they would return to expose the true colors of the Imperial Concubine.
Marquis Weiyuan always felt uneasy today. Ever since news from the palace about his daughter’s attack, he attributed this uneasiness to it, personally leading the City Protection Army to patrol outside the Imperial City.
Immediately after the news from the palace, his Lady was summoned to the palace. Being an external official, he could not enter, so he vowed to protect this Palace City well, hoping that the Imperial Concubine would spare his daughter and ensure her safety for the sake of his past merits and his daughter’s good behavior.
"Lady, Qiao Zhaoyi has made her move," Xiao Guizi relayed to Ye Qiu who was in Yijing Palace waiting for Consort Hui to give birth.
Ye Qiu curled her lips, if Qiao Qingyue sought her own death, she could not blame her: "Very well, lure Marquis Weiyuan to patrol toward the western gate."
"Chirp!"