strictlysupreme Chapter 101 Equal Distribution of Rain and Dew
Chapter 101 Equal Distribution of Rain and Dew
"Your Majesty, rest assured, His Majesty was not angered at all by your threats to kill Lord Lu."
Xianglan recalled yesterday, when His Majesty looked at the Empress with eyes full of doting affection, and he could not hide his joy.
Chu Qingyin was finally relieved.
Fortunately, her hatred for Lu Zhiheng was genuine. Otherwise, she would never have been able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
But when Pei Yuanling heard her say she wanted to kill Lu Zhiheng, did she really not have the slightest suspicion?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but furrow her brow.
Pei Yuanling is prone to suspicion. Although he didn't ask her directly at the moment, he might investigate privately. She should find a suitable reason to subtly reveal this to him and completely let the matter drop.
***
Meanwhile, at the palace banquet last night, Consort Qiao received the utmost favor and was the center of attention.
The concubines accompanying the emperor were filled with jealousy and resentment, but dared not do anything to her openly, fearing that it would backfire if it reached the emperor's ears. So they could only go to Empress Wang, plead their case with tears in their eyes, hoping that she would take charge.
"Don't cry and whine here. His Majesty is the emperor. Who dares to object to whom he chooses to favor?"
Empress Wang's delicate and dignified face was full of majesty.
The concubines, who were still wiping away tears and making accusations, suddenly choked up and dared not even breathe loudly anymore.
Only Lu Mingzhu, relying on her status as the Grand Secretary's cousin and having a fiery temper, spoke up with some reluctance: "Your Majesty is right. Of course, we cannot make decisions for His Majesty, but His Majesty is, after all, the Emperor. If he only favors one concubine, the officials would probably find it inappropriate."
That statement makes some sense and leaves no room for criticism.
But this Lu Mingzhu has always had a beautiful face but a stupid head. When did she become so intelligent?
Empress Wang looked at Lu Mingzhu with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
“What Consort Lu said makes some sense.” She pondered for a moment, then said, “I will speak to His Majesty about this matter. But you must all abide by the palace rules and behave yourselves.”
"Yes," the concubines replied obediently.
After they left, Lin Qing, the chief eunuch beside Empress Wang, stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "Your Majesty, would you like me to investigate Consort Lu?"
Empress Wang smiled suddenly: "You are quite shrewd; you know exactly what I'm thinking."
"This is my job, so I must understand Your Majesty's wishes in order to serve you well."
"You're just good at making me happy."
Empress Wang raised her hand, slowly stroking her slender fingers adorned with jeweled nail guards: "The people behind Lu Mingzhu are not to be feared. There are only a few who can instigate her and give her advice. I don't bother to know. But—"
She paused, then beckoned Lin Qing to come forward: "Come here."
Lin Qing immediately bowed forward and knelt before her, saying, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty."
"You should find a way to send a message to the third branch of the Lu family, letting them know that Lu Mingzhu is in a difficult situation in the palace and has not yet been favored by the emperor, so that she can think of a solution."
"Is Your Highness trying to use someone else's strength against you?" Lin Qing suddenly realized.
Empress Wang smiled and raised her hand to stroke the gold hairpin with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix in her hair: "To secure this position in the harem, one cannot do it alone. The power behind these concubines is not to be underestimated. Since they can be used by me, why should I play the villain?"
However, although her plan was well-thought-out, when the news of Chu Qingyin dancing and flattering her reached the Empress Dowager's ears, the Empress Dowager could no longer sit still.
That afternoon, the Empress Dowager summoned the Empress to her palace and gave her a severe dressing-down.
"No matter how much he favors Consort Qiao, he must not forget his duties as emperor. As empress, you must also fulfill your responsibilities and remind the emperor to prioritize offspring and to bestow his favor equally upon all his subjects!"
The Empress was severely reprimanded and had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to the Zichen Palace to find Pei Yuanling.
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."
Looking at the tall, handsome man standing before her, the Empress lowered her eyes to hide the love in them, and put on her usual dignified and quiet demeanor, bowing respectfully.
"What does the Empress want with me?" Pei Yuanling turned around and looked at her, his dark phoenix eyes calm and unwavering.
Empress Wang felt a pang of sadness. If she had never seen his affectionate way of treating others, she would not have felt so disappointed.
As a princess of the royal family, she was of noble birth from a young age. She could have become empress by marrying any prince.
If she hadn't fallen for him at first sight, how could she have mediated between them, leading the royal family to support his ascension to the throne?
But he only loved the Chu family girl.
She really couldn't understand how she was inferior to that Chu family girl in terms of family background, appearance, or character.
"The Empress?"
Seeing that Empress Wang had lowered her eyes and hadn't replied for a long time, Pei Yuanling suppressed his impatience and called out.
"Your Majesty, I have come here today for no other reason than to advise you to treat all the concubines in the harem equally and not to favor one of them alone."
Empress Wang raised her eyes, her calm and dignified face devoid of any emotion.
Pei Yuanling scrutinized the woman before him, his Empress. His clear eyes held an undisguised inquiry. After a long silence, he asked in a deep voice, "Is this your intention? Or the Empress Dowager's?"
The Empress felt a chill run down her spine.
The next moment, she quickly lowered her head and said, "It is your concubine's idea. Your Majesty has been on the throne for five years, but there is no heir. I am afraid that this will cause controversy in the court, so I came to offer my advice."
It's true that we have few descendants.
He used to dote on Chu Qingyin and secretly vowed that he would only make her child the crown prince.
However, ever since Chu Qingyin miscarried, her health has been poor, and she has had difficulty conceiving.
Furthermore, having just ascended the throne, he was not in a hurry and did not consider anything else.
Five years have passed, and although the court is now stable, his voice remains...
Even though she was resurrected in Qiao Qingyin's body, a rift still developed between them—
"Your Majesty?" Empress Wang called softly.
Pei Yuanling snapped out of his reverie and saw that she was still waiting for his answer. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and his deep voice spoke with icy coldness: "I will make my own decision on this matter, so there is no need for the Empress to worry about it."
These few words were a reminder not to cross his bottom line.
Empress Wang was startled, but quickly regained her composure: "In that case, I shall take my leave."
Pei Yuanling waved his hand.
Empress Wang turned to leave, but she forced herself to stay upright. Just as she reached the door, she felt she could no longer hold on, her body went limp, and she staggered forward a step.
"Your Majesty!" Lin Qing immediately rushed forward and helped her up.
Seeing the Empress's defeated expression, he asked with concern, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"It's alright, help me leave here."
Empress Wang forced herself to speak, her voice low and strained, though her exhaustion was palpable.
Lin Qing knew that only His Majesty could harm the Empress, so he didn't ask any more questions and helped her into the Empress's carriage.
Meanwhile, outside the imperial palace were the officials' villas.
Lu Zhiheng took the letter from Ling Xiao and slowly unfolded it. The letter read:
"Second Brother, I know you are unwilling to help your cousin. But now His Majesty is favoring Consort Qiao, and your cousin has been in the palace for many days without receiving his favor, which is a disgrace to the Lu family. Moreover, His Majesty has no heir, which may cause trouble. As the head of all officials, you should also offer some advice."
After reading it, Lu Zhiheng couldn't help but sneer, "They are truly audacious, daring to criticize state affairs, which is a capital offense!"
Ling Xiao immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "Should I go and give the Third Madam a warning?"
"No need." Lu Zhiheng pondered for a moment, and the woman's face, flushed with alcohol yet charming and alluring, involuntarily appeared in his mind.
If His Majesty could bestow his favors more evenly, he could touch her less often...
After a long while, he placed the letter beside the candle, watching the flames slowly devour the thin paper, the blazing firelight casting a half-light, half-shadow on his face.
"His Majesty's lack of a son is indeed a problem."
Lu Zhiheng said in a cold and indifferent tone, without revealing any emotion, "Give the order to have those two from the Censorate write a memorial to remonstrate tomorrow."