Chapter 88: The Confrontation Between Two Women
As soon as Li Shilin finished speaking, Empress Guo eagerly nodded, affirming his words, “What Lord Li has said aligns perfectly with my own intentions. I believe this is indeed the most urgent and vital matter at hand! What do you all think?”
The assembled ministers, now understanding Empress Guo’s purpose, dared not oppose her. One after another, they voiced their agreement, “Lord Li speaks truly. We are all of the same mind!”
Empress Guo nodded and declared, “Since you are all united in opinion, let the Ministry of Rites select an auspicious day for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, thus fulfilling the late emperor’s wishes, inheriting the ancestral legacy, and stabilizing the hearts of the people!”
The ministers all bowed again, saying, “We shall respectfully obey Your Majesty’s decree!”
Empress Guo, pleased by their response, was about to turn and leave the Grand Harmony Gate when a cold snort rang out, followed by an arrogant voice, “How dare you, wretch? I hold the late emperor’s edict in my hand, which commands Prince Fu to inherit the throne! Yet you conspire here, misleading the ministers and defying the edict. Are you plotting rebellion?” As the voice fell, Dowager Consort Zheng strode out, her face contorted in fury.
Dowager Consort Zheng’s heart was ablaze with indignation. She had arrived at the Grand Harmony Gate confident of victory, only to be seized by the audacious Zhu Hao. Having barely escaped after much scheming, she intended to contact her allies outside the palace, bring troops to storm the gates, and exact revenge on Zhu Hao. Yet, before she could act, she heard that Empress Guo was already rallying the ministers to enthrone the Crown Prince.
Seeing her carefully laid plans about to benefit another, she could not accept it. Upon hearing the news, she ragefully overturned the table in her chamber and, consumed with wrath, rushed to the Grand Harmony Gate to halt Empress Guo’s actions.
Empress Guo, seeing that it was Dowager Consort Zheng, immediately glared with fury and retorted coldly, “If you hadn’t come, I would have sought you out myself. You and Fang Congzhe conspired to harm the late emperor—there is irrefutable evidence. Yet you dare appear here before the Grand Harmony Gate, insulting me. You truly do not know the meaning of death! Guards—”
She had barely uttered half her command when she abruptly swallowed her words, for she saw Dowager Consort Zheng holding a jade pendant, playing with it before her. Empress Guo recognized it instantly—it was the Crown Prince’s personal jade pendant.
Seeing Empress Guo halt her aggression, Dowager Consort Zheng sneered and said, “Empress, you surely recognize this object. Rest assured, I am a lover of jade and will cherish it well, as long as you do not meddle. If you provoke me, I promise this ‘jade pendant’ will remain intact. Otherwise, I will see it shattered, and its owner meet his end!”
Empress Guo, furious, coldly snorted, “You are truly bold, daring to threaten me by holding the heir hostage. You must have a death wish! Guards—”
Again, she stopped halfway, for Dowager Consort Zheng was poised to smash the jade pendant to the ground. The words “shattered jade and lost life” echoed through Empress Guo’s mind; she could not risk it, and with a final snort, forcibly restrained herself from ordering Zheng’s arrest.
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Dowager Consort Zheng, watching Empress Guo’s hesitation, smiled slightly and began her sophistry, “Empress, you are placing quite the burden upon me! First, you accuse me of poisoning the late emperor, now you claim I am holding the Crown Prince hostage. To slander your elder in such a way—have you any sense of propriety?”
Her words were not meant for Empress Guo but for all the ministers present, aiming to stand on moral high ground and judge Empress Guo’s actions.
Empress Guo, listening and understanding Zheng’s cunning, grew so angry she could only point and stammer, “You, you… I, I…”
Dowager Consort Zheng, seeing Empress Guo unable to form a coherent sentence, seized the moment and pressed on, “What are you trying to say? I know your intentions, but let me remind you—I only spoke of the jade pendant, never of any person. To say I am holding the Crown Prince hostage and threatening you is pure fabrication! Whatever you infer is your own concern, and has nothing to do with me. Still, your restraint is wise—otherwise, this fine jade would be destroyed at your hands!”
Zhu Hao, watching from the shadows, silently lamented, “This venomous old woman is indeed formidable. Though she speaks only of the jade pendant, everyone knows she refers to the Crown Prince. Yet, there’s no flaw in her words to exploit—a truly difficult adversary!”
Empress Guo understood this as well, but at this moment, she could do nothing about Dowager Consort Zheng, venting her frustration with a cold snort.
Seeing Empress Guo speechless, Dowager Consort Zheng smiled in triumph, produced the imperial edict from her bosom, and loudly announced to the ministers, “The late emperor’s edict is here! You must welcome Prince Fu to the capital to inherit the throne. Once the new sovereign is enthroned—” She was interrupted as a nervous palace servant hurried over and whispered in her ear. Suddenly, Dowager Consort Zheng’s face turned icy with rage, and she cursed, “Useless! All of you are useless! How did I end up surrounded by such incompetents?” Her outburst was loud, and everyone present heard it. The ministers were stunned, Empress Guo’s expression changed, and Zhu Hao in hiding was deeply puzzled.
Ignoring everyone’s reaction, Dowager Consort Zheng hastily left the Grand Harmony Gate with the servant. No sooner had she departed than Wei Xiaobao, out of breath, came running. Spotting Zhu Hao, he quickly said, “Your Highness, I’ve finally found you. ‘Top-level intelligence’—the Crown Prince has escaped from Qianqing Palace!”
Zhu Hao was instantly shocked. Now he understood why Dowager Consort Zheng had left so abruptly—she must have learned the news that the Crown Prince, her trump card, was no longer under her control. Without him, she would lose all leverage against the others. No wonder she had been so agitated and left in such haste.
Thinking this, Zhu Hao quickly asked Wei Xiaobao, “Why didn’t you have agents from the Central Intelligence Bureau meet the Crown Prince?”
Wei Xiaobao replied, “Your Highness, as soon as I learned of it, I sent agents to intercept the Crown Prince, but he trusts no one now! He refused to follow our people. Dowager Consort Zheng’s men are searching everywhere in Qianqing Palace, so I had our agents create distractions to prevent them from finding him, then rushed here to report!”
Zhu Hao said, “Enough talk! Take me to my royal brother at once—we must find him before Dowager Consort Zheng does!”
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Zhu Hao ordered Wei Xiaobao to lead the way to his elder brother, Zhu Youxiao. Along the way, Zhu Hao remembered Empress Guo was still at the Grand Harmony Gate and instructed, “Xiaobao, send someone to notify the Empress and tell her about the Crown Prince. She must come quickly!”
Wei Xiaobao quickly took out a wooden flute and blew it. Soon, a palace agent ran up and saluted, “Central Intelligence Bureau, Senior Agent 0092, reporting to the chief. What are your orders?”
Wei Xiaobao replied with authority, “Notify the Empress at once about the Crown Prince, and have her proceed to his location immediately!”
Agent 0092 immediately knelt, “Understood!” With that, he vanished on the spot, moving with uncanny swiftness, reminiscent of the legendary thief Shi Qian.
Zhu Hao, observing Wei Xiaobao’s impressive leadership, couldn’t help but laugh and teased, “Xiaobao, you’re quite something now! Even a servant like you has servants. You looked pretty commanding just now!”
Wei Xiaobao scratched his head sheepishly, “Your Highness, you jest. Everything I have is thanks to you, and my servants all serve you.”
He paused, then explained, “I had no choice. If I show them just a bit of kindness, they’ll become complacent and neglect their duties. If they delay your important affairs, it will be my fault!”
Zhu Hao, hearing this, silently marveled. No wonder Wei Xiaobao, once a mere street rogue, was ennobled as Duke of Deer-and-Ding—his emotional intelligence was remarkable. With a single casual remark, he could explain himself so thoroughly. Truly, he deserved the reputation of a three-star talent.
As they spoke, the two arrived beside a dilapidated palace. Wei Xiaobao stopped, and Zhu Hao stood staring at the ruins, amazed. He had never heard of such a desolate place within the imperial palace. Shocked, he frowned and asked Wei Xiaobao, “What is this place? Where is my royal brother, the Crown Prince?”