Chapter 8: The Fury of the Imperial Concubine

"Second Master, what should we do next!" Jianxi threw down the knife and asked, at this moment he was covered in blood, looking as if he had just come from a bloody battle.

"You said you stabbed the assassin seven or eight times, yet he only has two wounds on him. Who would believe that?" Zhao Cheng said as he thrust the knife into Jianxi's hand. Jianxi now realized he was completely on the prince's ship of thieves. Gritting his teeth, he took the knife, approached the corpse, closed his eyes, and with a 'thud thud,' stabbed several times. The blade scraped against the bone, producing a sound that made one's teeth ache, and the still unfrozen blood splattered all over his face.

Sigh, does Cheng'er not like to read books

"Your Highness, Grand Official Huang has returned to the palace and is waiting outside!" A young eunuch reported from outside the room.

"Second Master, the assassin is clearly you..."

Thank you, Your Highness! Ning An bowed and withdrew.

"Your Highness, this old servant is guilty and has failed your great trust!" As Huang Jingchen entered, he immediately knelt down. An assassin had infiltrated the residence, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. After careful consideration, Huang Jingchen chose not to alert the local authorities. Instead, he immediately placed the entire residence under lockdown, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving, and swiftly returned to the capital to report.

"I do not wish for him to be embroiled in the palace's disputes, which is why I reluctantly allowed him to leave the palace. I hope he will live a long life and become a leisurely and wealthy prince, so that when I grow old, I will have someone to rely on and enjoy the joys of family. Yet, there are those who insist on thwarting my wishes. Do they truly believe that my words hold less weight than the nonsensical ramblings of two Taoist priests?" said Consort Zheng.

Your Highness, everyone in the palace is saying that the Second Prince mingles with the village farmers, wearing coarse clothes and straw sandals every day. He has been studying for a year but has yet to finish "The Hundred Family Surnames." The tutor is so furious that he has threatened to resign, and he even smashed things in the study, nearly setting the place on fire and endangering his own life. They all say the Second Prince is a... a prodigy. A young eunuch replied submissively to Consort Zheng.

"Please take care of that matter with the officials, I will handle the situation in the palace myself. I will ensure that those who gossip and secretly create obstacles, speaking nonsense in front of the emperor, will be silenced!" The favored concubine Zheng said sternly, her expression grave. She was determined to protect her son at all costs and would show no mercy to those who schemed in the shadows. Her usually calm and dignified face was now filled with hostility, sending a chill down the spine of Huang Jingchen, who was well-versed in palace intrigues.

The prince indeed does not love reading, but he enjoys various clever crafts and games in the countryside. Huang Jingchen replied cautiously; he had secretly seen the items brought by Jianxi, which were all intricately made. He knew it was at Zhao Cheng's behest, but he did not know what they were for.

"Please, please!" exclaimed Consort Zheng with delight, repeating herself.

In the past, he had served Empress Dowager Xiang alongside Consort Zheng, who was also a member of the inner palace. Although later one became a master and the other remained a servant, there was still some lingering affection between them. Due to the matter concerning Empress Wang, Huang Jingchen found himself without a foothold in the palace. Ultimately, it was Consort Zheng who took him in. After Zhao Cheng left the palace, he brought Huang Jingchen along, allowing him to escape the persecution within the palace and providing him with a peaceful place to spend his old age

"Have you heard the rumors in the palace? Is it true that Cheng'er spoke so ungraciously?" The favored concubine Zheng's expression softened slightly as she sat down and spoke

... ...

"That old scoundrel Yang Jian dares to act this way; I will not spare him!" Empress Zheng waved her hand, instructing those in the room to withdraw.

Your Highness, this matter is not simple and should not be taken lightly. Yang Jian currently wields immense power in the palace, and he dares to conspire with foreign officials against even the Empress. How much more so against you and me? There must be others behind the scenes stirring the pot, and the stewards in the residence are all arranged by them

Hehe, you are quite impressive, m.hetushu.com. How did those two little yellow doors die? Fool, you reveal the truth as soon as someone asks you. Think again! Zhao Cheng laughed and scolded, seeing Xi droop his head, looking distressed as he pondered for a moment before recounting the story again, but it still had numerous flaws. Zhao Cheng had to repeatedly help him arrange the details to make the entire incident seem reasonable.

"It wasn't me; it was you who killed him. At my young age and with my frail body, how could I possibly have killed him? Tell me how you managed to kill the assassin and save this prince!" Zhao Cheng said, picking up the short knife from the ground and fiddling with it.

Does the lady wish to take this opportunity to have the prince return to the palace? Huang Jingchen detected the underlying meaning and asked tentatively

"Why is the Second Master like this?" Seeing the corpse with wide-open eyes and a fierce expression, Jianxi timidly said.

Sigh, I am doing this to save your life! Zhao Cheng looked at Jianxi, who was forced by him, and sighed softly, thinking to himself. A discerning person would quickly understand the course of events; the entire incident was meticulously orchestrated, with Jianxi being a crucial part of it. If Jianxi had not unhesitatingly shielded him from the assassin, Zhao Cheng would have considered him a significant suspect. At that time, even if he survived, he would have suffered greatly. By doing this, he felt he had extricated himself from the situation.

Your Highness, ever since the Empress's major incident in the palace, she has been reclusive, and her health is deteriorating day by day. To speak bluntly, her days are numbered. Given the Emperor's favor towards the Concubine, the Empress's position will soon belong to you. Why must you now antagonize them and jeopardize the greater plan?

The Emperor is fond of calligraphy and painting, enjoys poetry and literature, is well-versed in music, dance, and various recreational activities. This artistic Emperor, who pursues a multifaceted spiritual life, seeks a kindred spirit. Concubine Zheng Hongmei possesses extraordinary beauty, is dignified and elegant, and has followed Empress Dowager Xiang for many years, acquiring considerable knowledge of etiquette and education. She is well-versed in both ancient and modern affairs, understands the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is witty and lively. She often substitutes for the Emperor in reviewing memorials, which makes Concubine Zheng very much to the Emperor's liking, earning his deep affection.

After leaving the palace, the prince's temperament has indeed changed, but it is not as dire as the rumors suggest. Huang Jingchen smiled and said, "The prince has mostly interacted with rural villagers in the countryside, so it is inevitable that he has picked up some of their habits."

Where are the guards in the residence? What have they been doing to allow an assassin to infiltrate the premises

Your Highness, this humble servant believes that the Imperial City Division is currently under the control of Yang Jian. If we were to send guards from the palace, there would inevitably be some oversights. It would be better for us to maneuver from within and completely replace the people inside the Wang residence. I earnestly request that the National Uncle arrange for some trustworthy individuals from the outer court; this would be more secure

There is no need to trouble His Majesty over such trivial matters, Zheng Guifei said, shaking her head

"It was I who killed him. We were playing in the garden when suddenly an assassin appeared to attack the prince. I stepped forward, shouted loudly, seized the knife from his hand, and killed him!" Seeing this, Xi was immediately convinced and proudly declared.

Your Highness, a significant incident occurred in the capital the day before yesterday; someone attempted to assassinate the prince

After saying it more than ten times, Zhao Cheng finally nodded in satisfaction. At this moment, Jianxi believed that he was the one who had killed the person, considering himself a loyal servant who bravely risked his life to save the prince

Do not worry, Your Highness. The prince has only been startled and is not injured; however, he often wakes from his dreams, calling for you!" Huang Jingchen stepped forward to support her as he spoke.

Return immediately, do not alert the people in the garden, that old Zhang might also be one of them! Zhao Cheng said, hearing the gunfire, not a single gardener came to check, which made him suspicious; it is better to be cautious, let's hide in the nest and discuss further

"Hmph, the Crown Prince has already been forced out of the palace by them, and now they still won't let him go. Do they really think that we, mother and daughter, are easy to bully?" Empress Zheng, being exceptionally intelligent and having spent so many years in the palace, is fully aware of the intrigues within. Upon hearing the secret report from the young eunuch, she realized that someone had planted spies around Zhao Cheng, relaying information back to the palace and spreading rumors to tarnish her son's reputation. Otherwise, how could the palace be aware of matters happening hundreds of miles away?

"Hmm!" said Consort Zheng, nodding her head, "However, the tree wishes to be still, yet the wind does not cease. There are always some individuals in the palace who secretly engage in schemes. I worry that a child like Cheng'er cannot escape their machinations"

Your Highness, this is not a rumor I have spread; it has circulated throughout the palace, even the sweepers are aware of the Second Prince...

With a crisp sound of "pa," a white jade paperweight on the desk shattered into two pieces. "Who did you hear that from? It's just a rumor!" The usually dignified and composed Consort Zheng pointed at a young eunuch and shouted with her brows furrowed.

Your Highness, as I see it, it would be best for the Prince to temporarily withdraw. Currently, there are six or seven princes of various ages in the palace, and with no crown prince established, not all of them will share Your Highness's desire for the Second Prince to become a peaceful prince. It is inevitable that some may harbor ambitions for the throne, and I fear that Your Highness's wishes may be difficult to realize. It would be better to allow the Prince to grow outside the palace, away from these sordid matters

Looking at the prince's gaze and the knife in his hand, Jianxi, who had just regained his composure, began to tremble again. However, he was not foolish; otherwise, he would not have stood out among the hundreds of young eunuchs and become the prince's chief attendant. Soon, he realized that the prince did not want others to know he had killed the assassin and wanted him to take the blame. If he refused, he dared not imagine the consequences. Such a formidable assassin could be dispatched by the prince with a mere gesture, and killing him would be even simpler.

"It is best this way, Your Highness; I can rest assured!" Huang Jingchen, seeing the noble consort's agreement, felt delighted and nodded in response.

"Here, go stab him a few times, and remember to make the original wounds worse!" Zhao Cheng handed the knife to Jianxi and pointed at the corpse.

Hmph, I am no longer the Zheng beauty of yesteryear, allowing them to scheme against my child!

"Quick, open the door! The prince has been assassinated!" Rounding the side gate connecting the garden and the winter garden, Xi saw the prince, who seemed on the verge of 'dying' at any moment, being supported by one hand while with the other he pounded on the courtyard door, shouting hoarsely. All of this had been instructed by the prince in advance

"Lord Huang, please get up quickly. What has happened?" Zheng Guifei was startled, but she maintained her composure, instructing her personal maid to help him up and to bring a cushioned stool for him to sit down.

"Your Highness, are you going to report to the Emperor?" Cui Zhu inquired

The official is considering this, so I will write a letter to my father to have him arrange it! Zheng Hongmei's father, Zheng Shen, was a direct official of the royal court before his rise to prominence. In today's terms, he would be akin to a minor civil servant who drinks tea and reads newspapers. With some free time, he could also engage in a side business, running a tavern and making some profits. However, having spent a long time in the royal court, he is very familiar with the inner workings. Therefore, I can completely trust my father to handle this matter.

"Do not say anything more, just leave!" The noble consort stood up, then sat down again, waving her hand as she said, "Cuizhu, give Ning'an two guan of money!"

"How is Cher?" The favored concubine Zheng abruptly stood up, her floral beauty fading, losing the elegance she once possessed

"Is there any reason not to?" asked the Concubine Zheng, her brows slightly furrowed in confusion

Alas, Your Highness, when leaving the palace, this old servant requested the inner court to dispatch guards for protection, but they refused, claiming that the prince had not yet established his residence. Thus, this old servant could only assign strong servants and laborers from the household to take turns at night to ensure the safety of the residence. The inner courtyard was guarded by the young attendants, but they are all foolish individuals lacking martial skills. On that day, the assassination was carried out by the household manager, who killed two young attendants. Fortunately, the prince's companion was astute and seized an opportunity to kill the assassin, thereby saving the prince!