Chapter 1077: Chapter 1067: Five Steps (4)
The Marquis Taiping was not tall, just over thirty years of age, his appearance was not outstanding, but his demeanor was steady, and his expression was solemn all day and spoke little. He knew that the Emperor was asking not merely because he was indirectly involved, but to test his stance on the selection of the Crown Prince.
He thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, at the time, I was preoccupied with other matters and did not attend. It was only afterward that I learned from Lord Zhang, the Taiping County Magistrate, that the group was indeed the infamous local water bandits without a doubt..." Upon hearing his explanation, the Emperor was momentarily stunned and then gazed deeply at him. The Marquis Taiping paused and continued, "However, half a month before Lord Chen arrived, they had already been pacified by Lord Zhang. Official documents were in his office, awaiting issuance. I do not know why they clashed with Lord Chen, as I was not present and dare not make assumptions."
He cleverly provided a neutral statement, acknowledging those people as water bandits, which was not wrong. It was just that Lord Chen was unaware they had accepted the government’s pacification. As for how the altercation occurred and why they were killed, these were details only the parties involved knew. As for the Emperor’s commendation of Lord Chen, there was no error since the pacification was only verbally agreed upon, the documents had not been issued nor sent to the Capital City. Hence, it was normal and correct for the Emperor to commend Lord Chen.
Furthermore, if strictly assessed, those people were still water bandits at the time... It would be a matter to be judged.
He redirected the question back to the Emperor, conveniently providing him with an escape route.
The Emperor, however, asked in an indifferent tone, "Is there such a matter? Why did the Taiping County Magistrate not remind him?"
"Your Majesty may not know, but within the Taiping Realm, two groups of water bandits have been lurking for nearly half a year. At the time, Lord Zhang assumed Lord Chen encountered the other stubborn and unyielding group that refused pacification, hence this unfortunate outcome," the Marquis Taiping explained slowly.
The Emperor’s expression eased slightly as the Marquis Taiping added, "As for the details, Your Majesty may wish to question Lord Chen."
The Emperor nodded slightly, just about to speak, when Chief Chang hesitated to speak through the door with a stiff expression. The Emperor noticed him and asked, "What is it?"
Chief Chang awkwardly glanced at the Marquis Taiping and answered, "It’s just a trivial matter. Your Majesty and the Marquis are discussing state affairs, I will report back later." Saying this, he was about to step back, but the Emperor did not pay him any mind and continued speaking with the Marquis Taiping about other matters. After a long while, when the Marquis Taiping left, Chief Chang wiped his sweat and came in to report, "Your Majesty, just now the Imperial Hospital reported that Princess Consort Ying is ill... It seems quite severe."
The Emperor frowned slightly, waved his hand casually, and said, "I know." Then he said nothing more.
More than half a month later, as the New Year approached, Fourth Master Xiao had been pretending to be ill for two months, with no end in sight, so he discussed with the Grand Dowager to have the New Year’s Eve dinner at the new mansion. After the small year cleaning, the Grand Dowager and the First Madam settled the affairs of the Marquis Mansion and brought Xing over.
The court also quieted down, as if the string that had been tense for more than a month had slackened due to the festival. The Second Prince returned to the Imperial Palace from the Imperial Mausoleum and seemed like a changed person. He spoke with the Emperor and Min with lowered eyes and utmost humility, treating everyone warmly and kindly. For a time, rumors spread within the palace that after injuring his arm, the Second Prince had become much more approachable.
Observing the drastic change in his son, the Emperor’s own emotions also underwent a subtle transformation.
During the New Year, at the palace reunion dinner, the Second Prince and Min sat on either side of the Emperor harmoniously and orderly.
That night, the Emperor coughed continuously, canceling the customary night vigil.
The next day, the Emperor summoned the Second Prince for a private conversation, the content of which was unknown, but it was noted that when the Second Prince emerged from the Imperial Study Room, his face was ashen, his steps were unsteady, and he seemed weak.
Nanny Cen smiled and reported back to Xiqiu, "Su Da’s mentioned that everything is up to Madam, and he also said it was Su Quansheng’s fortune to be aided by Madam. He urged Su Quansheng to serve Madam well and to treat Miss Bihuai properly." After speaking, she gave Bihuai an ambiguous look.
Bihuai blushed and lowered her head even more.
The Grand Dowager smiled and asked, "Is this about Bihuai’s marriage? Who is it?" Xiqiu smiled and explained the whole matter to the Grand Dowager in detail.
Embracing Ying, the Grand Dowager smiled happily and said, "This is indeed a great joy." She continued, "Since that’s the case, I think the second day of the second month is very good, no need to pick another date."
Xiqiu laughed and agreed, "Then I’ll follow your advice." She then told Bihuai, "Get the wedding dress from the embroidery shop of Fourth Aunt, and if you’re unsure about anything else, you can ask Nanny Cen and Chunliu."
"Madam..." Bihuai blushed even deeper, like a cooked shrimp, stomped her foot in embarrassment, and ran out.
The Grand Dowager laughed heartily and then remembered Fourth Master Xiao, asking, "Where’s Fourth, haven’t seen him all morning?"
"In the outer courtyard," Xiqiu replied with a smile. As soon as she finished speaking, Fourth Master Xiao entered from outside, greeted the Grand Dowager, and sat down after Nanny Cen served tea. The Grand Dowager asked, "The year has just passed, and you’re already busy again?"
"There’s nothing much to be busy with, only Marquis Ruan and Qian Zhong have come." Saying this, he paused and looked at Xiqiu, "Find time to send Nanny Cen to Qin Mansion to inquire about the situation, and arrange Tongxuan Hall as soon as possible."
Xiqiu’s eyes lit up, and she asked, "...Is the Emperor going to deal with Count Dingyuan?"
Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, "Seems like there will be results after the New Year."
Xiqiu and the Grand Dowager exchanged a glance, feeling at ease.
In the afternoon, Nanny Cen visited the Qin Mansion and only returned after a long while. Xiqiu asked, "What did they say?" Nanny Cen replied, "Just happened to meet Second Master Qin coming back. According to him, it seems almost certain, and we shouldn’t worry, Fourth Master and Madam."
Qin Yuanfeng always handled matters with prudence. Since he said so, there must be assurance, so they nodded in relief.
After the first month passed, the tension that had relaxed in the court before the new year gradually tightened again. Everyone felt a sense of impending storm. Although Fourth Master Xiao remained at home, he was not idle. Many people and matters came and went in the outer courtyard. Xiqiu felt that if the Emperor didn’t approve Fourth Master Xiao’s resignation letter soon, her fictitious illness would truly become real.
Pretending to be ill every day was indeed uncomfortable.
One day near dusk, after coaxing the two children to sleep, Chunliu rushed in nervously and whispered, "Madam, the Emperor has arrived." Xiqiu was taken aback but felt it was reasonable. Given the Emperor’s behavior in the past six months, it was expected that he would come to test the truth.
"In Fourth Master’s study?" Xiqiu steadied herself and asked. Chunliu replied affirmatively with a strange expression, "Nanny Mao has come."
Xiqiu was surprised, not expecting Nanny Mao’s arrival. She knew that Nanny Mao left the Imperial Palace after the Empress passed away, but didn’t expect her to come here, and with the Emperor no less.
"Invite her in," Xiqiu frowned slightly, lying back down again.
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