Chapter 1098 - Chapter 1098 Some People Walking Together Parted
Chapter 1098 Some People Walking Together Parted
The assassination was so significant that the Emperor would not let Chu Liuchen intervene.
Even if Chu Liuchen had been clear of all suspicion, the Emperor would not let him get involved. However, the thing about the table screen was different. Obviously, it was a frame-up that happened before Shao Wanru was injured.
Wei Dahai was not simple. Shao Wanru had a hunch that such an unimportant person, who appeared inconspicuous, was related to many events.
If Chu Liuchen investigated such a person, he seemed excessively mean and made people feel strange. But if there were a reason, it would be another matter…
On the day of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Palace of Benevolent Peace was permeated with a jubilant atmosphere.
There would be a great feast for everyone present in the main hall. It was still early, and no one had come yet. From time to time, those busy imperial servants would go to the Palace to fetch something. Nanny Wei was responsible for many things and was terribly busy.
When the womenfolk came later, they would go to the flower platform first and only come to the main hall at the start of the banquet.
The Palace gate opened early, and carriages were parked one after another. The palace sedan chairs were ready at the door of the inner part of the Palace. Madams whose husbands were officials above the fourth-rank official got off the carriage with the Misses of their mansions and walked through the long passageway behind the Palace gate. The elders could get on the imperial sedan chairs. Others walked to the Empress Dowager’s Palace of Benevolent Peace while chatting.
When some people met those close to them, they would chat and walk in together.
In previous years, the atmosphere in the Palace was the most relaxed at this time. This day could be the most relaxing day for everyone in the entire Palace.
But today was not like before. The dull atmosphere in the Palace seemed to have faded a lot, but it was not the case. Although the Empress had been released and was accompanying the Empress Dowager, everyone could tell that this matter was not over.
In the past years, Prince Zhou and Prince Yue would enter the Palace early to spend some time with the Empress Dowager. However, at this time of this year, several princes were still detained outside by the Emperor. Later, the Emperor would come in with a group of officials and several princes to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. After that, the banquet would begin.
A tall flower terrace was in a garden outside the Palace of Benevolent Peace.
Many rare flowers surrounded the high platform. The flowers were in garish colors, and even the air had a faint floral fragrance, which was very pleasing.
The weather was nice. When it was neither cold nor hot, Misses dressed up very brightly. Those who had failed in the Pageant or had not participated in it before wanted to take this chance.
At that time, the princes only chose their legal wives and picked up only a few consorts. Notably, there was Prince Xin, who had not even chosen a legal wife. Today, Consort Ming was here, so there might be an opportunity for those Young Madams.
Something bad seemed to have happened to Prince Yue and Prince Zhou. Therefore, many people aimed at Prince Xin, who had been unnoticed by all. At least Prince Xin was also the Emperor’s son.
It was unclear to all who could win the position of crown prince. Before the final result came to be obvious, anyone might get it. Who could be sure that Prince Xin had no chance?
Even if Prince Yue and Prince Zhou did something unforgivable, the throne wouldn’t be passed down to Prince Chen anyway.
Many people thought so in their hearts. After receiving instructions from their parents, Misses were also waiting with joy. If Consort Ming or Prince Xin liked one of them, she might be the future Princess Xin!
Of course, some people had been thinking highly of Prince Yue or Prince Zhou, so they wanted to marry into their mansions as their consorts.
Some Young Madams who were not interested in getting married would make efforts to please the Empress Dowager. No matter what their purposes were, the Misses sitting before the flower platform were all well-dressed.
On the flower platform were several rows of tables filled with fruits and snacks. Chairs were placed beside the tables for the Madams and Misses to rest and sit down.
There were several gauze curtains set up right opposite the flower platform. The one in the middle was the largest, which undoubtedly belonged to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and several highest-ranking imperial consorts.
On the right was a much smaller curtain for other titled imperial consorts to rest.
The tent on the left was reserved for the princesses born in the Palace, their daughters-in-law, and granddaughters-in-law.
Some sharp-eyed people noticed a particularly small tent near the Empress Dowager’s big tent, and some people were in it. They were recognized as maids of Rui’an Great Elder Princess.
It was said that Princess Chen, who was seriously injured, also came and stayed to rest in that tent. It was the first time that Princess Chen celebrated the birthday of the Empress Dowager, so she came here, though she wasn’t fully recovered. After she presented her gift, she would go back home to rest without attending the banquet.
Everyone knew Princess Chen was severely wounded. It was said that she had been close to death. Unexpectedly, Princess Chen would come over.
This matter had not been settled yet. The Emperor’s attitude was ambiguous. The Empress and three Princes had been punished all because of Princess Chen. If any other accidents happened to her, some people would have to take the blame.
There were all kinds of comments about this.
Zhang Qilan couldn’t sit still beside Madam of Prime Minister Zhang. Luo Xiaowan had come to sit with her, so she pushed her face toward Luo Xiaowan’s ear and said, “Let’s go and see Princess Chen?”
Luo Xiaowan intended to see Prince Chen long ago, but people in her mansion didn’t allow her to, saying that Prince Chen’s Mansion wouldn’t receive any guests for the time being. Rui’an Great Elder Princess had been watching over her in Prince Chen’s Mansion, and she only wanted Princess Chen to rest well.
Hearing Zhang Qilan’s words, she nodded.
They walked to the most inconspicuous small tent together. As soon as they arrived at the tent’s entrance, they saw that Nanny Gao, the trusted maid of Rui’an Great Elder Princess, was guarding the tent, so they hurried forward to salute.
Nanny Gao returned the salute politely.
“Nanny Gao, is Princess Chen inside?” Zhang Qilan asked in a low voice, pointing to the tent’s inside.
“Her Highness is in poor health, so she struggled to be here. Rui’an Great Elder Princess asked her to rest. She was resting in repose with her eyes closed at this moment. When the Empress Dowager comes over, she will present her gift and go back,” Nanny Gao said.
“There is a bed inside?” Zhang Qilan asked in astonishment.
“The Empress Dowager offered this favor and even prepared a bed for Princess Chen. Otherwise, Princess Chen wouldn’t be able to hold on there. Princess Chen is filial. Her Majesty originally asked her not to come, but she didn’t listen. She will have to watch someone present her gift to Her Majesty.” Nanny Gao sighed and said helplessly,
“Is Princess Chen badly hurt?” Luo Xiaowan asked anxiously.
“She was seriously injured and almost died. Fortunately, she was blessed with good luck and survived.” Nanny Gao put her palms together devoutly and kept making bows to the air with gratitude.
Zhang Qilan looked deeply at Nanny Gao, who appeared excited and frightened after the accident. Then, lightly frowning her arched eyebrows, she said, “Nanny Gao, can we go in and see Princess Chen?”
Nanny Gao looked awkward. She looked at Zhang Qilan and Luo Xiaowan as if she had no right to agree to her request.
Luo Xiaowan didn’t want to push Nanny Gao into an awkward situation, so she pulled Zhang Qilan’s hand and said, “Nanny Gao, then we’ll come to see Princess Chen next time. Please tell her to take good care of herself and recover without any aftereffects.”
“I will. Thank you, Miss Zhang and Miss Luo!” Nanny Gao nodded repeatedly and put down her hands that she had put together to pray.
Luo Xiaowan pulled Zhang Qilan’s hand and motioned for her to go, but Zhang Qilan was unwilling to go. She deliberately tilted her head to look into the tent from the part that was slightly lifted up.
Seeing Nanny Gao look slightly displeased, Luo Xiaowan forcefully pulled Zhang Qilan away. They had been too rude just now.
When they reached a place far away from the tent, Zhang Qilan shook off Luo Xiaowan’s hand unhappily and said, “Xiaowan, I just wanted to see if Princess Chen was okay and only needed to glance at her from a distance. I wouldn’t disturb her. Why wouldn’t Rui’an Great Elder Princess let me see her no matter what?”
“Qilan, Princess Chen is injured and has been forcing herself to struggle up and send her gift to Her Majesty. Without the part of sending gifts, Princess Chen might not even come here.”
Luo Xiaowan said.
“So what? Since she is here, we should go and see her. It’s rare for us to have such a chance to meet her. Maybe she needs our help!” Zhang Qilan said with displeasure.
“But Rui’an Great Elder Princess doesn’t allow us to go over…” Luo Xiaowan murmured. Nanny Gao was guarding the entrance, which explained everything. “Princess Chen is so seriously hurt that she doesn’t have the strength to talk to us now. We can’t help her and may even waste her energy.”
“But I’m worried if I can’t see her!” Zhang Qilan said.
“Then… then what should we do?” Luo Xiaowan looked around and asked, not knowing what to do.
“How about we go to see her secretly?” Zhang Qilan rolled her eyes and said with a smile, pointing to the back of the tent.
“There’s no one behind.” Luo Xiaowan looked at that place and said helplessly.
“Let’s gently ask Princess Chen a few questions. I’ll ask her how she is doing to make sure she is fine. I don’t want to do anything else. We can’t rest assured until we get to the bottom of it,” Zhang Qilan said.
What she said did make sense. Although Luo Xiaowan was timid, it should not be a big deal to say a few words across the tent. Eventually, she agreed with a nod, then shook her head. “No. Rui’an Great Elder Princess is there. It’s useless for us to go there. We will be discovered.”
“What are you worried about? Rui’an Great Elder Princess will go to meet the other princesses later. Princess Chen is not feeling well, so she can’t stay with her all the time. She doesn’t want to disturb Princess Chen’s rest, does she?” Zhang Qilan pointed to the tents prepared for the princesses and said, feeling very pleased with her idea.
“Then… OK!” Luo Xiaowan agreed with profound resignation.
They didn’t return to their seats and had been waiting there. After a while, they saw Rui’an Great Elder Princess come out, but Nanny Gao still stood at the entrance. Obviously, she was afraid that someone would break Shao Wanru’s rest.
After Rui’an Great Elder Princess left, the two looked at each other and turned to the back of the tent. There was indeed no one in the shady area. It was a quiet place with no one around.
They didn’t take their servant girls with them and walked to the back of the tent hand in hand. When they arrived at the small tent, they moved about more and more softly.
It wasn’t winter, so the tent was not tightly set up. They could even hear some people talking inside. For fear of being noticed by others inside, they were very cautious.
Suddenly, Zhang Qilan stopped and pulled Luo Xiaowan hard. Luo Xiaowan was drawn to the right side fast. If she hadn’t reacted quickly, she would have fallen.
“Qilan…” Luo Xiaowan was about to say something but saw Zhang Qilan nervously put her finger before her mouth, intending to hush her. Immediately, her footsteps became lighter…