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The commotion surrounding Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing was so huge that within a day, everyone in the palace knew that she had been the victim of two assassination attempts.
In a corner of the palace, a group of palace maids and eunuchs whispered to each other about the situation.
"Who do you think did it?" They asked.
"Who else could it be? Think about it, who in the palace would not want Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing to return?" Someone replied.
"Could it be that person from Renshou Palace——” Another one whispered.
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Don't even mention that person's name. Keep it to yourself or else you'll end up losing your head. Hundreds of palace maids and eunuchs have already died by that person's hand." Someone else warned.
"How brutal."
The new palace maids shivered in fear.
It wasn't just the palace maids and eunuchs who suspected Empress Dowager Zhuang, but even her own niece, Imperial Consort Zhuang, also believed that her aunt was behind the repeated attempts on Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing's life.
Empress Xiao went to the imperial study at Huaqing Palace, "Your Majesty, this Empress has heard that imperial concubine dowager has been attacked again. Do you have any suspects in mind?" She asked with a deep expression on her face.
Her insinuation was clear—— she suspected Empress Dowager Zhuang was behind it.
To her surprise, the Emperor dismissed her suspicions, "Don't speculate. It's not the Empress Dowager."
Empress Xiao was thunderstruck, looking at the Emperor in disbelief.
What did the Emperor just say?
Empress Dowager Zhuang was not responsible?
Since when did he start defending her?
He had been the one who wished that every thunderbolt would strike Empress Dowager Zhuang!
"Your Majesty." Empress Xiao opened her mouth.
The Emperor interrupted her, "That's enough. Zhen has his own plan for Imperial Concubine Mother Jing's situation. You go back and keep your palace people in check. Tell them not to gossip blindly."
Empress Xiao responded incredulously, "Yes."
Meanwhile, Imperial Consort Zhuang walked into Renshou Palace with a smile on her face, and entered Empress Dowager Zhuang's study. As she walked, she said with a smile, "Aunt! You're amazing! How did you do it? You taught Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing a lesson without leaving any handle for her to use! I heard that His Majesty didn't even suspect you! Several young eunuchs in the Kunning Palace were gossiping indiscriminately, but guess what? The Empress just put them in their place! Aunt, you really are——"
Imperial Consort Zhuang stopped halfway through her sentence when she saw Empress Dowager Zhuang's icy glare. She trembled and said, "Aunt..."
"Are you that idle?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked sternly.
Imperial Consort Zhuang was so overwhelmed by her aunt's powerful aura that she couldn't catch her breath. She dared not look Empress Dowager Zhuang in the eye, and quickly bowed, saying, "Paying respects to Aunt."
Empress Dowager Zhuang said coldly, "Aijia is busy. Don't disturb Aijia if you have nothing to do."
"Yes!" Imperial Consort Zhuang retreated sullenly.
As she left, Eunuch Qin came in with a tray of tea.
Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at the documents in her hand and asked indifferently, "Did you send the people?"
"Yes, they got off the carriage at the entrance of Bishui Alley." Eunuch Qin replied with a smile.
"Hm." Empress Dowager Zhuang replied casually and continued to read the documents.
Eunuch Qin walked over and placed the tray of tea on the table, unable to hide his smile.
"What are you laughing at?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked him strangely.
Eunuch Qin said, "This servant is just happy for Your Majesty!"
"What's there to be happy about?” Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted. ”Those two little brats simply don't know the immensity of heaven and earth, they’re really too bold!"
How could Empress Dowager Zhuang not know what had really happened when Gu Jiao had escaped to Renshou Palace disguised as a eunuch?
"Make sure the servants keep their mouths shut." Empress Dowager Zhuang ordered.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. This servant has taken care of everything. Today, Little Guan went out of the palace to buy things and the carriage broke down halfway. He happened to meet Senior Compiler Xiao and returned to the palace with him. The junior eunuch that the guards saw in Senior Compiler Xiao's carriage was Little Guan." Eunuch Qin explained.
Little Guan did go out to buy things today, but after what happened, Eunuch Qin had sent an imperial expert to intercept him before he could even return.
Gu Jiao also used Little Guan’s identity when she left the palace.
The reason was that there was a problem with the fabric purchased, so Little Guan had to go replace it.
At night, the real Little Guan would bring the exchanged fabric back to the palace.
Eunuch Qin continued, "There are also eyewitnesses. Imperial Guard Liu of the Imperial Guard Army, and Grannie Zhou, a servant in the cold palace, saw a woman dressed in dark and carrying a back basket lurking nearby. It is speculated that she entered from the cold palace by climbing over the wall."
Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao didn't ask Empress Dowager Zhuang to do these things. They simply left after teaching people a lesson.
Empress Dowager Zhuang's face was stern, and she harrumphed, "Humph! Simply not afraid of being exposed! Do they really think they did everything seamlessly?"
Eunuch Qin laughed heartily.
She clearly liked them very much and appreciated their fearlessness, but had to pretend to be disdainful.
Eunuch Qin said, "Isn't it because they know that Empress Dowager will take care of things for them? Empress Dowager trusts them, and they also entrust their backs to Empress Dowager!"
"Humph!"
It was unclear how many times she had snorted today.
Trust between people was never expressed through words, but through actions and mutual understanding. It was trusting the person’s sincerity and ability.
To be honest… It felt quite good.
Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted again.
……
Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang returned to Bishui Alley.
Tonight, the owner of the orchard invited an opera troupe and set up a stage in the orchard. The neighbors all went to listen to the opera, and Yao Shi and several children in the family also went.
The house was empty.
Although they had already had dinner, after causing a commotion in the palace, both of them were a little hungry now.
"Let's go out to eat." Xiao Liulang said. He couldn't bear to let her cook again so late at night, and besides, they were close to the bustling streets and could easily find something to eat.
"Okay." Gu Jiao agreed.
They went to Xuanwu Street.
The capital was always bustling on summer nights, with shops lined up one after another, and street vendors' stalls stretching like a long dragon. Carriages and horses occasionally passed through the central street, while pedestrians flowed incessantly and jostled each other on both sides of the street.
Gu Jiao used to walk on the outside lane, protecting her husband, but today, Xiao Liulang placed her on the inside.
With a crutch in hand, Xiao Liulang, with a body noticeably stronger than last year, shielded her from the torrent of crowds.
However, there happened to be a hawker carrying a burden who insisted on not walking on the side of the road but instead cut through to the middle road, nearly bumping into Gu Jiao.
Xiao Liulang pulled her arm, and then his hand did not immediately let go. After hesitating for a moment, it slid down and held her hand. "Don't get lost."
Gu Jiao was stunned for a moment before smiling, "Okay.”
I won't get lost, husband.
Xiao Liulang was almost blinded by her smile and looked ahead, "What do you want to eat?"
"I'm fine with anything!" She asked back, "What do you want to eat?"
"I'm good with anything too." He replied.
Neither of them were picky eaters.
Xiao Liulang looked towards the east and said, "There's a new noodle restaurant over there, do you want to try it? Their braised noodles are delicious."
"Have you tried it?" Gu Jiao turned her head to ask him.
"Yes." He nodded, "I had it when I was young. At the time their restaurant wasn't in such a bustling area. You had to go to a remote suburb to try it. In recent years, their business seems to be doing well and opened several branches."
He wouldn't talk about his previous identity unless asked, but if mentioned, he wouldn't avoid it either.
However, he still had never admitted who he really was.
Xiao Liulang, the illegitimate son of Marquis Xuanping, was the only identity he could disclose to those close to him for now.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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