Chapter 961: Chapter 957: The End of the Story (1)
"Your Majesty, Fourth Madam has fainted." Nanny Mao caught Xiqiu in her arms and looked up at the Empress. "Should we call for the Imperial Physician?"
The Empress struggled to stay upright. These days, her health had deteriorated severely. Leaning against the headboard, with a hint of joy on her face but urgency in her voice, she called out, "Someone, come." Then she pointed to a female official who entered from outside, "Help Fourth Madam to the side hall to rest."
With everyone lending a hand, Xiqiu was supported into the side hall next door. The Imperial Physician hurried in and checked Xiqiu’s pulse, then went to report to the Empress, "Fourth Madam is somewhat physically weak, temporarily fainted due to the shock. Resting a bit should do no harm." He paused and continued, "I have prescribed a calming medication, and someone has gone to brew it. Once administered, there should be no issues."
Through the curtain, the Empress calmly leaned against the bedhead and spoke slowly, "You may go."
The Imperial Physician bowed his head and exited the room.
The Empress turned to Nanny Mao, who was waiting at the side, and instructed, "Go over and check. Return after she has taken her medicine."
Nanny Mao acknowledged and turned towards the side hall.
Upon entering the room, she saw Xiqiu lying on the bed, her thin figure and pale skin. She went to the side of the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, took a felt blanket, and covered Xiqiu with it, glanced silently at her, then stood aside without speaking.
The room was quiet.
After a while, a female official came in with the medicine. Nanny Mao personally took the bowl and fed it to Xiqiu with a spoon. She then gently wiped Xiqiu’s mouth with a handkerchief, taking quite a while to finish feeding the medicine. Putting the medicine cup down, she turned to the female official and said, "Everyone out, let Fourth Madam rest well."
With that, everyone withdrew and closed the door. Nanny Mao instructed four female officials to guard the door and went to report back to the Empress.
Once everyone had left, Xiqiu, who had been lying in a coma on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes. Her gaze slowly moved to the doorway, finding the room empty, yet she remained still.
The eunuch’s words lingered in her mind.
Min is gone?
The Empress had no reason to test her with such false news. When Shen Ning was captured by Shen Ji back then, she had prepared herself mentally. Old Madam Shen and the Empress had long known about Fujian and Xiao Yanyi’s involvement, and naturally knew Min’s identity. Up until now, everyone cautiously maintained a peaceful facade, just a breath away from tearing the paper-thin window between them; there was no need for such actions.
Moreover, once she left the palace, nothing could be concealed.
So, this news must be true, the message sent back by the Holy Emperor’s accompanying army. Min and the Eldest Prince truly encountered an assassin and were injured?
Min is truly dead?
She recalled how the Empress had not shown a trace of tension or surprise when first hearing the news of the Eldest Prince’s unconsciousness, instead showing concern over Min’s life and death... Her brows slightly furrowed as a hypothesis leapt to mind...
Could it be that the Empress had known about the assassin incident and its outcome long before or even arranged it?
If this were so, there would be only one explanation: this was orchestrated by her and Old Madam Shen, eager to eliminate him upon discovering Min’s true identity!
What boldness, to act against Min in front of the Emperor.
Her heart constricted; then what about Min now, is he alive or dead?
She couldn’t believe Min would die, just as he trusted Xiao Yanyi. By this stage, he must have planned and prepared everything meticulously, ensuring Min would not die.
Suddenly, she thought of the letter Xiao Yanyi had sent, which arrived just before the palace messenger, coincidentally synced with the military news. Could that letter contain Min’s status and Xiao Yanyi’s plans?
She tightly furrowed her brow, staring motionlessly at the ceiling. One thing puzzled her: according to the eunuch, the Eldest Prince was also injured and unconscious. If this was orchestrated by the Empress and Old Madam Shen, they couldn’t have intended to harm the Eldest Prince. Yet, the military report clearly stated his severe injuries.
Why would the Empress and Old Madam Shen do such a thing? Did the executor get injured by accident? Or was there a mistake in the military report?
She shook her head; neither seemed likely. With Old Madam Shen’s cautiousness, such a mistake was improbable. Furthermore, the military report, sent to the Cabinet and relayed back from the Emperor’s hands, was unlikely to be erroneous.
Upon pondering, she sat up... Yes, that was the explanation.
So, what should she do? How could she align with Xiao Yanyi’s forthcoming actions? She understood Xiao Yanyi; if he had planned and prepared for this from beginning to end, then he must have arranged everything. Moreover, the military report luring Shen Ji to Fujian was indeed fake, a situation potentially significant; Old Madam Shen wouldn’t overlook such a loophole. How would he remedy it?
If she were involved in such a scenario, the only option would be to leave Shen’s faction completely powerless, leaving their allies no room to retaliate, thereby eradicating this matter completely. As for the Emperor being aware, he might not inquire beforehand, and unlikely pursue afterward, provided Xiao Yanyi handled it seamlessly without traces for review.
How would Xiao Yanyi act to render Shen powerless?
First Master... Xiao Yanyi... Lord Wu?
Her gaze shifted to the window, where moonlight thinned and fragmented onto the floor...
Then, what was the Empress’s intent inviting her to the palace? She pursed her lips, pondering every possibility. The Empress couldn’t intend to kill her; given Xiao Yanyi’s current influence and power, they wouldn’t dare harm her even if they wanted. The only possibility was to use her as leverage to pressure Xiao Yanyi!
To force him to relinquish his authority, or be sent away, distancing him from the Capital’s political center?
As long as Xiao Yanyi wasn’t in the Capital, it would be Shen’s domain. Even without Shen Ji now, Old Madam Shen could easily support an Imperial Uncle from the clan to rise. Yet, as long as Xiao Yanyi remained, whatever they did wouldn’t proceed smoothly. Moreover, now in their eyes, they were already irreconcilable foes, unable to coexist peacefully under the same sky.
As long as Xiao Yanyi was sent away or resigned, no longer in the Capital, Old Madam Shen would have countless ways to quietly dispose of his family, and she could resolve the court’s officials one by one... This would be the most prudent and safest method.
Yes, only this explanation made sense. Her gaze turned toward the doorway again. If her predictions weren’t wrong, soon, the Empress would express her plan and intentions to her.
Being Empress, she couldn’t defy imperial orders, but...
In the main hall, the Empress carefully inquired of the eunuch who had just reported back, "The military report mentioned the Eldest Prince’s injuries and unconsciousness? What did the Imperial Physician say?" How could he be unconscious; his injuries should be minor.
The eunuch, not daring to lift his head behind the curtain, replied, "Yes, Lord Wu indeed said so. He mentioned that the Eldest Prince suffered an arrow wound in his left shoulder, with the arrow deeply embedded, causing a continuous fever, and he has not yet awakened."
