PDLP Chapter 287 Summoning
Chapter 287 Summoning
At the court session the next morning, Yongzheng ordered Longkodo to immediately hand over the four-dragon robe he had been given to him, accusing him of "forming a clique for personal gain and accepting bribes." He also deprived him of the right to use the double-eyed peacock feather, yellow belt, and purple bridle.
Unexpectedly, Yongzheng's punishment did not stop there. A few days later, he issued another decree to strip Longkodo of his title of Taibao and the first-class Adahahafan, and ordered him to immediately leave for Alanshan and other places to do the hard work of repairing cities and reclaiming land.
Listening to the news from Xiao Luzi, An Lingrong raised the corner of her mouth slightly, outlining a meaningful smile. The Queen Mother was determined to prevent Zhen Huan from returning to the palace, but the Emperor even used the Queen Mother's old lover to force the Queen Mother to give in. This mother and son were really competing for their respective loved ones, and they were really unambiguous in hurting each other!
However, now that the matter has developed to this point, I still need to think carefully about how to end it in the future.
Since her last serious illness, An Lingrong felt that her body had become much lighter, and she no longer walked as weakly as before. Every morning after getting up, she felt energetic and seemed to have endless energy, as if she had been reborn.
She was very happy and could not stop praising Su Ye and Wei Lin for their excellent medical skills. She did not stop until she was overjoyed.
On the other hand, Shen Meizhuang, who had already relinquished her power in the palace, lived a leisurely life. She spent every day with her two children, patiently teaching them to read and write. The scene was warm and peaceful, as if the many disputes in the palace had nothing to do with her.
The spring rain fell continuously on Yonghe Palace, like silk threads from heaven, shrouding the entire palace in a hazy mist.
Raindrops rhythmically hit the glazed tiles of the palace, echoing leisurely between the palace walls. Under the eaves, the rain gathered into strings and fell continuously, creating crystal clear water droplets on the bluestone slabs, splashing everywhere.
An Lingrong sat on the couch, while Su Ye and Cai Yue sat on the embroidered cushion beside her. She held a small silver hammer and gently smashed the walnuts open, then peeled out the walnut kernels and placed them on a plate.
Beside her, Shen Meizhuang was quietly reading a book. Seeing her rubbing her eyes, An Lingrong stretched out her body, snatched the book from her hand, and said, "Sister, can you please stop reading?"
"It's boring to just sit around doing nothing."
"But your eyes need a rest!"
Shen Meizhuang took the walnut kernels she handed over, took a few bites, and sighed: "Alas, it's been almost a month, and the emperor and the queen mother have been deadlocked. I don't know when Huan'er will be able to come back!"
An Lingrong didn't care: "The later the better!"
Shen Meizhuang nodded: "That's true. I haven't had a peaceful life since I came back. I'll enjoy every day outside the palace!"
Listening to her words, An Lingrong smiled secretly in her heart. This really hit the nail on the head!
"Now it depends on who will compromise first, the Emperor or the Queen Mother!"
As the two were talking, Xiao Shi came into the hall to report: "Your Majesties, Aunt Zhuxi from the Queen Mother's side is here!"
Zhuxi held a crucial position in the palace. She was the Queen Mother's most trusted nanny, and normally, she wouldn't come unless it was an urgent matter. The two exchanged a glance, both revealing a puzzled look.
Shen Meizhuang said: "Please!"
A moment later, Zhu Xi stepped into the palace with steady steps and saluted with dignified manners, saying, "This servant pays respects to Consort Hui and Consort Wen!"
Shen Meizhuang raised her hand slightly, a gentle and polite smile on her face, and said slowly: "Aunt, please stand up. It's raining, and I'm sorry to bother you to come here. Does the Queen Mother have any instructions?"
Zhuxi lowered his head and replied calmly, "Please tell the Empress Dowager that Concubine Wen should go to the Cining Palace to talk!"
Upon hearing this, An Lingrong's heart was immediately alarmed. Why did the Queen Mother summon her?
But since it was the Queen Mother who summoned her, she had no reason to refuse.
Shen Meizhuang was also a little puzzled and asked, "Is there something wrong with the Queen Mother?"
"The Queen Mother is bored during her illness and wants to summon Concubine Wen to talk and relieve her boredom."
Shen Meizhuang thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I'll go with Concubine Wen. I think the Empress Dowager will be happy to have someone to entertain her."
"The Queen Mother knows that Your Majesty is busy and does not want to disturb you!"
"I have nothing to do today. It has been a long time since I last paid my respects to the Empress Dowager!"
Zhuxi's voice suddenly became cold and hard, and there was no room for maneuver in his words: "Empress Hui, the Queen Mother only summoned Concubine Wen!"
While the two of them were talking, An Lingrong had already figured out some clues.
"It is an honor for me to be summoned by the Empress Dowager. Aunt, please wait for a moment. I will change my clothes and come back soon." An Lingrong said, then looked at Shen Meizhuang: "Sister, you have always understood the Empress Dowager's preferences. Why don't you help me pick out a dress?"
"it is good!"
The two of them arrived at the inner hall. An Lingrong remained calm as she unbuttoned her clothes, whispering a few words, "The Queen Mother wants to have sex with me!"
The tone was as calm as water, as if he was just talking about something insignificant that had nothing to do with him.
Shen Meizhuang, who was choosing clothes for her, paused when she heard this, then turned around, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, her eyes full of confusion, as if she had not really heard what she had just said clearly, and asked softly, "What did you just say?"
"Sister, the Queen Mother wants to kill me!"
This time, Shen Meizhuang heard it clearly, and the clothes in her hand suddenly lost their strength and fell to the ground.
An Lingrong quickly picked it up, shook it a few times, and said, "Sister, this dress is for best friends, I like it the most..."
However, Shen Meizhuang no longer cared about her clothes. She hurried forward and firmly grasped An Lingrong's arm. Her eyes were filled with anxiety, and her voice had changed its tone. "What do you mean? Why did the Queen Mother want to kill you?"
An Lingrong raised her eyes slightly, looked directly into Shen Meizhuang's eyes, and said slowly: "The Queen Mother is willing to compromise. She agrees to let Sister Zhen return to the palace, but she wants to kill me before Sister Zhen returns!"
"Why?"
"If Sister Zhen comes back, she, you and I, along with Sister Jingfei's assistance, the four of us together, although the position of Queen will remain, it will be just a nominal title, and she will no longer have the authority she once had. The Queen Mother is a deep-minded person, how could she tolerate such a situation? So she has to remove me, the thorn in her side, first to prevent future troubles. This is also a deterrent and warning to Sister Zhen, so that she knows that the road back to the palace is not smooth, and she should not try to stir up trouble in the future." An Lingrong analyzed the pros and cons clearly.
"Then... what should we do? What should we do now?" Shen Meizhuang was immediately confused when she heard this. Her body trembled slightly and her words had lost their usual calmness.
An Lingrong held her trembling hand and said, "Sister, don't be nervous. Listen to me!"
Shen Meizhuang finally calmed down and said, "If you have a solution, tell me now!"