The first to learn of everything on this side was naturally Li Hong Yuan’s old man, Le Cheng Emperor. As one can well imagine, just how furious he was when he found out about this matter. It hadn’t even been a day, and his son, who had finally been driven away by him, already met with mishap, getting attacked by assassins, falling off a cliff, falling into the river, his life or death unknown? It was to the extent that he overlooked Jing Wan and the others’ incident altogether.
At the time, Le Cheng Emperor had already finished taking care of governmental affairs, and was in the inner palace with a beauty in arm, drinking wine and admiring dance. When he learned of the news, he had everything in front of him all smashed, and the beauties at his side were also thrown out. As a result, not even fifteen minutes later, the entire inner palace all became aware of Jin Qinwang’s assassination incident. The inner palace learned of it, and afterwards, the front court naturally also learned of it very quickly.
The flower market incident still haven’t been figured out yet, and another even more serious disaster arises on this side. Furthermore, just as Jin Qinwang sets foot into White Dragon Temple, he’s immediately attacked by assassins from behind. It’s very difficult to not have these two matters linked together. Then, carefully considering again the reason why Jin Qinwang got punished, was it also a part of the plan? Did someone purposefully schemed against him? If these really were long plotted by someone, then there would always be the illusion of the entire situation being controlled by an invisible hand. Seems like the situation really is bad!
And the most prominent few princes were all guessing, just who did it this time, and what the reason for doing it was? Even though each and every one of them all hated Li Hong Yuan to death, practically cursing every day for him to fall to the eighteenth circle of hell sooner, but, Li Hong Yuan didn’t have any conflicting interests with them. Regardless of how hateful he is, they all can’t do anything against him. With imperial father shielding, dealing with him, wasn’t that just looking for death? They merely just wait for him to commit a blunder himself, and then get sorted out by imperial father. If not, then they would just keep waiting, waiting until they themselves ascend the throne, and then come sort him out.
This was something everyone all knew, yet someone did just that, then the purpose was very obvious—to frame someone else!
The princes all couldn’t help but tense up. This matter wasn’t done by them, could it be that the one that the person who did this wants to deal with is them?
The other side wants to frame them, so the other side will certainly have to manufacture unfavorable evidence against themselves. If their own side doesn’t have any leaks, then the so called ‘framing’ won’t succeed. But, with such meticulousness like this, it’s hard to say that they don’t already have a well thought out plan? As soon as they thought about how in certain part of their plan, a problem definitely occurred, and they themselves were unaware, fear and anger interweaved. Investigate, must investigate clearly.
At the same time, they also had no choice but to dispatch people to go investigate over at White Dragon Temple too. Even though they clearly know that taking action at this time was a stupid move, but hardly any news have returned from that side. If they can’t grasp any definitive information, then they’ll inevitably be very susceptible. This won’t be the same as those things at the flower market, and be over with by just abandoning the tail. If they don’t do anything, then when the poop basin gets pinned on their head, they can just exit this battle for the throne in advance.
Noble Consort Su, as the consort-mother, rushed to Le Cheng Emperor’s side first thing, attempting to learn a bit more news.
Noble Consort Su did’t loudly wail or cry. In fact, she didn’t even drop a single tear. But her silent endurance, restlessness, and nonstop panic, Le Cheng Emperor all took to heart. “Beloved consort don’t worry, all say that calamity lasts for thousands of years, that bastard is precisely the calamity among calamities. He won’t die that easily.”
“Emperor, who speaks of their own son like this?” Noble Consort Su glared at him.
“Alright, alright, alright, it’s this emperor that has misspoken. That is this emperor’s son, son of a dragon, naturally he has the heaven’s protection, naturally able to turn misfortune into blessings, turning disaster into good fortune.”
Noble Consort Su softly replied, using her handkerchief to light press the corner of her eyes. “Although Yuan’er’s temper isn’t good, he is the most filial. Hearing that this consort misses the vegetarian dishes of White Dragon Temple, at noon, he had someone hastily send some back. He has always been spoiled, and although this consort doesn’t say, but inside, this consort just fears he’ll suffer hardship. But, but…….” Noble Consort Su’s voice was somewhat choked up, “Have to say this matter is all this consort’s fault, if not for letting Yuan’er go to White Dragon Temple, perhaps there wouldn’t have been this incident. When it comes to praying, where can’t it be done, why did I just had to insist he go to White Dragon Temple? If elder sister were to know, she would certainly blame me……….” Perhaps because of her stirred up emotions, Noble Consort Su began somewhat rambling as she spoke.
(T/N: Her speak also goes from the more deferential self-address of ‘this consort’ to the more casual ‘I’)
Le Cheng Emperor’s facial expression changed, “No, nothing will happen to Yuan’er. If anything were to happen to him, this emperor will definitely have the perpetrator regret ever existing in this world.”
Noble Consort Su sensed his coldness and murderous aura, and couldn’t help getting somewhat startled. She was very clear, Le Cheng Emperor perhaps never thought of giving the throne to Yuan’er, but Yuan’er’s position in his heart was definitely the most special among the numerous princes; special to the extent of irreplaceable; special to the point that he can abandon an imperial son he rather liked for him.
Things that those officials could think of, even if Le Cheng Emperor reacted a bit slow, he would still have certain doubts towards.
Also at this time, Le Cheng Emperor’s close attendant returned, “Your Majesty, this servant has inquired.”
Noble Consort Su rather skeptically glanced at Le Cheng Emperor. Actually, she was also looking to him for instruction, as to whether or not she needed to withdraw.
Le Cheng Emperor gave her a reassuring glance. “Talk.”
“Chen gengyi (Imperial Concubine Li, maiden name Chen) said, before she entered the palace, she was already not a virgin. That palace mama that examined the bodies had connection with her maiden family, thus helped her conceal it. Yet unexpectedly, this matter unknowingly got found out by someone, and they blackmailed her in secret. A few days ago, they told her that her maiden family, because she’d entered the palace and received favor, became even more haughty, accepting brides, forcibly occupying fertile land, and harming lives, with each and every matter all unpardonable. If Chen gengyi doesn’t obey, they’ll have her maiden family’s crimes reported before your Majesty. Last night, she’d received news from that side again, wanting her to seduce Jin Qinwang. And after the matter, not only will they help her keep the secret, they’ll even help restore her innocence in front of your Majesty. And they’ll further help her cleanly take care of her maiden family’s crimes, not leaving behind any future troubles.”
That attendant had his head lowered, replying as asked, not daring to have the slightest bit concealed.
Noble Consort Su was very shocked. Perhaps remembering that Le Cheng Emperor was right next to her, and fearing that she would hurt his face, she hurriedly used her handkerchief to cover her mouth, concealing her own expression.
“Beloved consort rather doesn’t need to cover up, this emperor is also very surprised.” Le Cheng Emperor weakly said.
In comparison, Le Cheng Emeror’s temper was still rather good. In these years, every time he got angry, at least seven or eight times out of ten were because of Li Hong Yuan, practically exploding like thunder every time. But when he truly explodes in anger, he was actually very calm. Each time he is like this, meant that the aftermath will be very serious. His most furious moment was also his calmest, he’d personally strangled to death……
Even someone like Noble Consort Su, at this time, had their heart beating faster and faster. The so called ‘thundering rainstorms are all a ruler’s grace’. This saying, really wasn’t false. No matter how skillful you are, and no matter how unmatched in favor, just one word from him can make you lose everything. When you are unable to have him grasped in your palm, then you are destined to be grasped in his. Don’t blame Noble Consort Su for still being scared of him, despite being the most favored in the harem for more than twenty years, and don’t blame those people for all wanting to have that seat of his either.
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