in2ebook Chapter 341 What else did Consort Zhuang say?
Chapter 341 What else did Consort Zhuang say?
"Zhixiang, wait a moment, I'll help Her Majesty back to rest first," Jinse said softly.
Su Nuannuan waved her hand and replied, "No need, you can all go about your business. Oh, right, first find a few large round winnowing baskets, pour out these blueberries, and then place them in a cool place. I will deal with them after lunch."
She paused briefly, then added, "We can share some with the people on the estate so they can also try these fresh blueberries. Also, those who helped out earlier should each receive an extra month's pay."
Jinse and Zhixiang exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
Su Nuannuan turned to Tingxue and said, "Tingxue, help me back to my room to rest. Jinse, you and Qin Ruyun go and take care of the blueberry matter. Zhixiang, you just need to focus on preparing lunch."
"Yes." The three answered in unison.
The three people who were named quickly sprang into action, each fulfilling their assigned duties. Meanwhile, the servants who hadn't yet left were overjoyed to hear that Su Nuannuan was going to give them an extra month's pay, and happy smiles appeared on their faces.
After handing the blueberry tree to Li Desheng, who had just changed his clothes and returned, Tingxue carefully helped Su Nuannuan back to her room so that she could rest in peace.
Seeing that Su Nuannuan had left, Zhixiang's curiosity grew stronger. She quickly walked to Jinse's side and asked in a low voice, "Sister Jinse, what exactly happened? Her Majesty used to be so happy when she came back from the mountain! Why is she unhappy today?"
After learning from Jinse the reason for the Empress's displeasure, countless thoughts flashed through Zhixiang's mind. She knew that the troublemaker had been sent to the Emperor by the Dark Dragon Guard, and she had absolutely no way to interfere. But then she thought, weren't the troublemaker's family members still around? Wouldn't it be perfect to use them to vent the Empress's anger?
However, Zhixiang also understood that this matter needed to be considered carefully and must not involve the Empress. So, she secretly pondered how to appease the Empress without causing trouble for herself or the Empress.
Having made up her mind, Zhixiang carried the ingredients she had bought from the farmers and walked briskly toward the small kitchen.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the imperial study within the palace was unusually heavy.
The Dark Dragon Guards who escorted the person back did not take him directly to the Imperial Study as usual, but instead handed him over to other Dark Dragon Guards for safekeeping, while they themselves hurriedly went to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report," the Dark Dragon Guard said, kneeling on one knee with a solemn expression.
"What is it?" Upon seeing this, the Emperor frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, Prince Chen's son has been disrespectful to Consort Zhuang. Not only did he forcibly abduct a woman from her estate, but he also spoke rudely and attempted to demand that Jinse, a lady-in-waiting by the Consort's side, become her tenth concubine." The Dark Dragon Guard dared not conceal anything and reported the whole story to the Emperor.
"What?!" Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face instantly turned extremely gloomy. He widened his eyes and roared angrily, "This is utterly outrageous!"
Before he could finish speaking, the emperor slammed the memorial in his hand onto the dragon desk.
"Prince Chen is guarding the late emperor's tomb. How did he educate his sons?" the emperor asked with a puzzled look. "By the way, which son of Prince Chen is he?"
"Your Majesty, it is the sixth son," the Dark Dragon Guard replied respectfully. "This sixth prince was born to one of Prince Chen's most favored concubines. He has been raised by that concubine since birth and was not sent to the Princess Consort for upbringing."
When the Emperor heard that the child had been raised by a concubine, he couldn't help but feel a little contemptuous. He was about to say, "What good thing could a concubine raise?" But before he could finish speaking, he suddenly remembered Consort Zhuang.
Although Consort Zhuang was also one of the Emperor's concubines, she had raised the two children exceptionally well, and she was also his teacher. Thinking of this, the Emperor quickly stopped himself from saying those words.
"Hmm," the Emperor nodded thoughtfully, muttering to himself, "This is indeed not a one-size-fits-all situation; some concubines can also raise their children very well."
"Furthermore, the Noble Consort instructed Your Majesty to take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate Prince Chen. After all, to raise a son with such an arrogant and domineering personality, Prince Chen must have some source of confidence. However, the source of that confidence remains unknown," the Dark Dragon Guard continued to report.
The Dark Dragon Guards did not relay Su Nuannuan's exact words to the Emperor. Instead, they added some embellishments and euphemisms to avoid making the Emperor too agitated after hearing Consort Zhuang's original words, or even causing him to take his anger out on them.
He knew the Emperor's temper well. If he reported Consort Zhuang's words verbatim, the Emperor would probably fly into a rage, and he, an innocent person, might suffer inexplicable harm.
However, he didn't know that if someone else said that Prince Chen had a problem, the Emperor might not believe it, but the Emperor would believe what Su Nuannuan said.
The reason he lost his temper was simply because he felt that his royal uncle was being unruly.
Upon hearing the report from the Dark Dragon Guard, the Emperor first closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down. After a while, he slowly opened his eyes and said to the Dark Dragon Guard, "You may leave now!"
However, just as the Dark Dragon Guard turned to leave, he suddenly remembered that Consort Zhuang had left a message, so he quickly turned back, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang also said that if it is inconvenient for Your Majesty to handle this, then Consort Zhuang should do it herself."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was so angry that he gritted his teeth. He glared at the Dark Dragon Guards and said sternly, "Can't you just finish what you're saying? What else did Consort Zhuang say?"
The Dark Dragon Guard trembled with fear at the Emperor's imposing manner and quickly bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, there is none left."
Upon seeing this, the Emperor's anger subsided slightly, but he was still furious and ordered, "Go down! Keep an eye on him for me, treat him to good food and drink, but do not let him leave the room."
No matter how much he causes trouble or makes a scene, there's absolutely no need to pay him any attention; just pretend he doesn't exist. Once I've properly dealt with everything, I will naturally release him.
As for how it was placed, that's not up to him; it all depends on whether Prince Chen has any shady dealings.
"Yes, Your subordinate obeys." The Dark Dragon Guard responded respectfully, then vanished from the spot as swiftly as a ghost, as if he had never been there at all.
"Empress Dowager Zhuang, you really know how to give me too much to do!" the Emperor sighed helplessly.