Chapter 1271 Consort Dowager Qing’s True Identity
Commandery Prince Cheng had been very annoyed recently. Locked up in the mansion, he could not even go out. He had thought this situation would only last for a few days. Unexpectedly, the Emperor never softened his attitude after so many days. He heard that the Emperor was sick, so he was not in the mood to care about him now. But would the Emperor lock him up until the new emperor ascended the throne? If that were the case, everything would be too late.
In the study, Commandery Prince Cheng paced up and down in agitation. He mustn’t be confined here like this. The Emperor fell ill. This was probably the best time for him to achieve his wild ambition. If he operated adequately, he would get the chance he had longed for over the years.
For such an opportunity, he chose not to marry. Finally, his chance came after years of waiting. But he was abruptly imprisoned because of Shao Jing. He would have stayed far away from Shao Jing if he had known this. Never would he help Shao Jing keep his secrets from the people in the capital city.
Sending Shao Jing to the position of Duke Xing was a secret trick he had set up and a backup plan. The Duke Xing’s Mansion was powerful and trusted by the Emperor, his elder brother. Once Shao Jing won the position of Duke Xing, he would take his side. Unexpectedly, Shao Jing ruined such a brilliant plan. When he thought about this matter, its failure always surprised Commandery Prince Cheng. It was initially not a big deal. How could it cause such a sensation?
“Master, there is news from Master Jieyan.” A guard came in and reported.
“What’s the matter?” Commandery Prince Cheng asked with a grim look.
“Master Jieyan wanted to know if things about the Commandery Prince Qing’s Mansion would continue.” The guard said. The Commandery Prince Cheng’s Mansion was under strict surveillance, but a few messages could leak in.
The Commandery Prince Qing’s Mansion had been in a mess for a period. After finding out something, Commandery Prince Cheng asked them to stop. But since this small matter wouldn’t cause great damage to Chu Qing, there was nothing to be alarmed about.
If it weren’t for Chu Qing, Commandery Prince Cheng would remain untouched and keep his advantage. Just because of this, Commandery Prince Cheng wouldn’t let go of Chu Qing. However, he wouldn’t crack down on Chu Qing, who was still of great use to him. At least he could distract his imperial brother’s attention.
He had underestimated Chu Qing and never considered him as a possible threat. Even after he was locked up, Commandery Prince Cheng didn’t change his opinion. But surprisingly, he discovered something unusual after these so-called ghosts haunted Chu Qing’s house a few times. Commandery Prince Cheng had come into contact with some surviving evils of the previous dynasty, and Chu Qing had something to do with them. Because of this news, Commandery Prince Cheng immediately suspended all actions against Chu Qing.
To get some extra help, he did have dealings with the remaining evildoers of the former dynasty. Those people said they would help him ascend the throne as long as he secured a place for them in his newly-established imperial court. In other words, once he ruled the country, he couldn’t hunt them down. Instead, he would have to give them the title of nobility so that they could have a foothold in the new dynasty.
Since it would not be a big deal to shake the country’s very foundations, Commandery Prince Cheng agreed quickly.
The surviving dregs of the previous dynasty had some power. It would be best if he could use it. The more hidden strength he had, the more likely he would achieve his dream. The leftover evils of the former dynasty could survive until now and had great strength. They would be a great help to Commandery Prince Cheng.
It had been decades since the previous dynasty ended. Making tremendous changes was impossible for them, not to mention overthrowing the rule of his eldest and second imperial brothers. The surviving evildoers of the former dynasty must have seen this possibility. Thus, they turned to him, their only choice. In Commandery Prince Cheng’s opinion, he was more thoughtful and had a better chance to win than his nephews.
With this in mind, Commandery Prince Cheng was very proud. But in the Commandery Prince Qing’s Mansion, he was quite surprised to see the remaining evildoers of the previous dynasty. These people, not in a small number, seemed to be more respectful to Chu Qing than to him. In particular, Chu Qing had just entrapped him. An idea suddenly came to Commandery Prince Cheng.
These remaining evildoers were Chu Qing’s real supporters determined to send him to the throne. He was just their backup plan, a dispensable diversion from Chu Qing. These people only approved of Chu Qing.
Because Commandery Prince Cheng figured this out, he ordered his people to stop harassing Commandery Prince Qing’s Mansion.
They were dealing with symptoms and not the root cause.
“Have you discovered the relationship between Chu Qing and the former dynasty?” Commandery Prince Cheng said after composing himself.
“Master Jieyan hasn’t found out the truth about the relationship of Prince Qing with the remaining evildoers of the former dynasty. But Master Jieyan said Commandery Prince Qing has close ties with these people of the former dynasty. Consort Dowager Qing in the Commandery Prince Qing’s Mansion was used to be a collateral relative of one of the eight aristocratic families in the former dynasty. He is not quite clear about other things,” the guard reported.
Commandery Prince Cheng took a deep breath and pressed his forehead, struggling to control his emotions. Chu Qing? How could it be Chu Qing? Commandery Prince Cheng had despised him the most. Unexpectedly, Chu Qing might be his most potent rival.
“Tell Master Jieyan to spread the news: Chu Qing may have something to do with the former dynasty!” Commandery Prince Cheng ordered.
“Should we release all the information we have discovered?”
“Let’s take our time to spread what we have learned about and even our guesses. Consort Dowager Qing? When that woman entered the Palace, my imperial brother had fallen ill. Besides, she was not found to be pregnant when my brother passed away… As for Shao Yanru, ask her to hurry up. The schedule for Chu Liuzhou progresses too slowly!”
Consort Dowager Qing was related to remaining evildoers and was said to be a Miss of one of the eight aristocratic families in the previous dynasty. As soon as the shocking news was released, it immediately caused a sensation in the capital city.
The previous dynasty came to an end long ago, and lots of things had been forgotten. The people had lived and worked in peace and contentment for many years. Much of the information about the previous dynasty was hearsay. Now, it seemed this matter might be true. More shockingly, Commandery Prince Qing might be a descendant of the previous dynasty. In the former dynasty, the eight aristocratic families and the imperial family had always been close and tightly connected by marriage.
Another rumor came out. When Consort Dowager Qing married into the Palace, the previous emperor was still ill. How could he be intimate with her? She had just stayed a few months in the Palace, and the deceased emperor passed away. No one could tell Consort Dowager Qing was pregnant when she entered the Yuhui Nunnery. Here came the question: was Commandery Prince Qing really the deceased emperor’s son?
If so, why didn’t Consort Dowager Qing say it then? She might not have found it at the beginning. But when in the Yuhui Nunnery, she could tell others the truth. Was she afraid that the Emperor would harm her son with the deceased emperor?
But it didn’t make sense. Even as the deceased emperor’s eldest legitimate son, Prince Chen was safe and sound. Commandery Prince Qing was merely a concubine’s son. In this case, he had no reason to be afraid at all!
Some words sounded reasonable back then but seemed farfetched now. Could Commandery Prince Qing’s previous explanation convince others?
These rumors got out. Before Consort Dowager Qing and her son could discuss it, they were summoned to the Palace together. Commandery Prince Qing went to the Emperor’s Imperial Study, while Consort Dowager Qing headed for the Empress Dowager’s place.
Shao Wanru happened to be with Empress Dowager. Thus, she sat aside and quietly watched Consort Dowager Qing.
This was the second time she had seen Consort Dowager Qing. When Commandery Prince Qing got married, she took a look at her from a distance and only felt she was a dazzling beauty. No wonder she could strive for the deceased emperor’s favor with the previous empress, who was said to be unequaled in beauty. Even after so many years, she was still a real beauty with delicate skin and a fair complexion — she didn’t seem to have suffered a lot in the Yuhui Nunnery.
When observing Consort Dowager Qing nearby, Shao Wanru found her pretty face glowing with health. She was more convinced that Consort Dowager Qing had lived a wonderful life in the Yuhui Nunnery.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Consort Dowager Qing knelt to salute the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager let her eyes settle upon her, not show her feelings. Then she slowly asked, “Are you from one of the eight aristocratic families in the former dynasty?”
“Your Majesty, my family is related to the eight aristocratic families in the previous dynasty, but it is a distant collateral branch. I am not even the daughter of an aristocratic family but a nobody!” Consort Dowager Qing smiled bitterly and kowtowed again to the Empress Dowager, “If I had come from a suspicious background, the deceased emperor wouldn’t have brought me into the Palace.”
At the mention of her eldest son, the Empress Dowager looked a little upset and sighed heavily. She did not want such a thing to happen. It was unfair to her eldest son, but when recalling the Emperor’s words last night, she had to inquire deeply into this matter.
“Can we get to the bottom of your family background?” The Empress Dowager drawled her words.
With a nod, Consort Dowager Qing said, “Sure. Please check it out. I never lie about this. Otherwise, I would be too ashamed to meet the deceased emperor after my death.” Speaking of this, Consort Dowager Qing burst out crying and wiped away her tears hard. But a while later, her eyes turned red again.
The Empress Dowager stopped talking. Consort Dowager Qing was still kneeling on the ground. Looking at her, she couldn’t help smiling bitterly. There were some things she didn’t want to think about or ask. However, she was now the only one in charge of the imperial Palace. Since the Empress had not handled affairs lately, she said, “Go to the Empress’s Phoenix Palace and let her ask you about these things.”
“Go to see the Empress in the Phoenix Palace?” Consort Dowager Qing was stunned and looked awful.
She used to be the deceased emperor’s favorite consort, while the Empress was just a Prince’s wife. Consort Dowager Qing had a much high status than the Empress, but now the situation was reversed. Therefore, she was unwilling to see the Empress.
“Yes, go ahead!” The Empress Dowager waved her hand.
“Your Majesty…” Consort Dowager Qing still wanted to say something. But Nanny Wei, who had been standing aside, came over with a smile and helped her up. “Your Grace, you’d better go to see the Empress first. Her Majesty is not feeling well and doesn’t have much energy to deal with this.”
Seeing the Empress Dowager sit in repose with her eyes closed, Consort Dowager Qing had to lower her head and leave. Nanny Wei accompanied her to the gate and asked a palace maid to take her to the Empress. Then, she turned around and returned to the main hall.
The hall was very quiet. With a haggard look, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes and leaned against the back of the chair. Shao Wanru lowered her head and quietly straightened the handkerchief in her hand.
Hearing Nanny Wei’s footsteps, the Empress Dowager asked, “Has she left?”
“Please rest assured. She is away!” Nanny Wei smiled and stepped forward. Standing behind the Empress Dowager, she gently massaged her back and said, “What a pitiful lady. She has to deal with such a mess.”
“It is said that Commandery Prince Qing may not be the deceased emperor’s son… Do you believe it?” Since there were no outsiders here, the Empress Dowager asked straightforwardly.
Stunned, Nanny Wei subconsciously looked toward Shao Wanru. Seeing that she just lowered her head in silence, she smiled, “Your Majesty, I don’t dare to comment on such things. It would be best if you could discuss it with the Empress or the Emperor. Frankly, I am merely a servant looking after you.”
Nanny Wei was merely a Nanny in the Palace. How dare she say whether or not Commandery Prince Qing was the deceased emperor’s son? In particular, Princess Chen was here. Though she did not say a word, Nanny Wei still felt under a lot of pressure.
“You know what happened. Because he had an argument with the former empress, he let that woman enter the Palace…” The Empress Dowager whispered in a low voice. When Shao Wanru heard it, she stopped pinching the handkerchief in her hand…
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