kvmb Chapter 297: Blockade of Ciyun Palace
Chapter 297: Blockade of Ciyun Palace
"Concubine Hui, are you crazy?"
The Queen Mother sat up with the help of the pillow and glared at Concubine Hui angrily.
She just felt that the black sign in the other party's hand was very ugly. A long-lost feeling of depression surged into her heart and rushed to her forehead, making her feel dizzy.
"I'm not crazy." Concubine Hui's eyes were as cold as stars, sharp and aggressive, yet also frank and clear. She spoke in a clear voice, "The Empress Dowager issued an order to kill the concubines without reason, disturbing the peace of the palace and violating the rules set by the Emperor Taizu. If you are not crazy, then you have been confused by long-term illness. I beg the Empress Dowager to admit her mistakes and repent as soon as possible."
"Concubine Hui, kneel down!"
"Empress Dowager, I cannot kneel!"
Concubine Hui pushed the plaque forward, fearing the other party wouldn't be able to read it clearly. "Here is the handwritten letter from the late emperor, but the empress dowager ignored it and continued to sit on the bed to meet with the late emperor. After persecuting the concubines, is she no longer respectful to the late emperor?"
"Concubine Hui...you are so brave!"
The Queen Mother covered her chest with her hands, feeling as if she was being choked by a breath and her vision went dark.
Nanny Shixiang led people into the hall. She was jogging at first, but when she saw the sign, she knelt down immediately and crawled to the bed to support the empress dowager.
She urged anxiously, "Empress Hui, the Queen Mother was worried about Ying Ronghua last night and didn't sleep well. She's feeling uncomfortable today. Could you please be more understanding?"
He then advised the Empress Dowager, "Please don't get angry yet. Concubine Hui has always been blunt and outspoken, as you know. Sometimes Your Majesty is utterly enraged by her. Come, let me help you out of bed. Be careful not to get a backache from sitting for too long."
It was like giving her a way out, coaxing the Queen Mother to slowly get out of bed.
Concubine Hui took two steps back, which was considered as giving face to the other party.
At this time, Zhishu, who lived in the side hall, came over after hearing the noise, supported by a palace maid and Yu Sujin on both sides.
Yu Sujin was ordered to visit Zhishu and did not leave after breakfast. Zheng Zhuyi had left and was not present at this time.
"What happened?" Yu Sujin had clearly heard Concubine Hui's words, but she pretended not to know and looked surprised.
Concubine Hui glanced at her and ignored her.
Madam Shixiang introduced the two young ladies: "Your Majesty holds the handwritten letter of the late Emperor. Seeing this letter is like seeing the late Emperor in person. Please pay your respects, young ladies."
Yu Sujin was shocked and opened her mouth so wide that it looked like she could swallow an egg raw.
He hurriedly pulled Zhishu to pay his respects.
It is not a blessing ceremony, but a kneeling ceremony of worship and kowtow in a proper manner.
The Queen Mother just felt that the two of them were an eyesore.
With the help of Tohka, he reluctantly bowed to the sign as a courtesy.
In an instant, he adjusted his mood and suppressed his anger.
And a smile appeared on his face.
"The badge was bestowed by the late emperor. The bearer of the badge cannot take advantage of the emperor's power and do whatever they want. Concubine Hui, you are using your position as a concubine to coerce me. This is insubordination. The rules set by our great grandfather are not meant for you to use in this way. I consider you young and ignorant, so I will forgive you this time. You should withdraw and reflect on your actions when you return home."
Concubine Hui's expression suddenly turned cold. "So the Empress Dowager doesn't even take the late Emperor seriously. There's nothing we can do about it."
She took the sign, turned around and left.
He stepped out of the palace, stood on the steps, raised the iron certificate, and issued an order: "The Empress Dowager has disrespected the late emperor, abused her power and disturbed the harem. From now on, she will be confined for six months to reflect on her mistakes. She will be released only after she repents. Come, immediately order a team of palace guards to come and seal off Ciyun Palace!"
One of the palace maids she brought with her immediately responded and went to convey the order.
The Queen Mother's expression changed in the hall, and she walked out quickly without Shixiang's support.
"Concubine Hui, you are so audacious! I will see which guard dares to block this place!"
Concubine Hui stopped talking and just stood there.
In the bright sunshine of autumn noon, her skin was light wheat-colored and radiant, her nose was high, her chin was slightly raised, and she exuded a heroic spirit from head to toe that was no less than that of a man, like a sword that could be unsheathed at any time.
The empress dowager standing aside had a gaze as cold as an eagle's, and the wrinkles on her face were as deep as if they were carved by a knife. She seemed to have a more oppressive aura than Concubine Hui, but her cloudy eyes revealed the impatience of being offended.
This hint of impatience made him fall into inferiority.
Yu Sujin and Zhishu followed out one after another, and seeing the two men confronting each other, they both nodded in silence.
The other palace maids didn't dare to say a word.
For a moment, the huge Ciyu Palace courtyard was as quiet as an empty house.
The royal carriage's entry was also a surprise.
A huge group of people surrounded the emperor, silently.
"Queen Mother."
The emperor came forward and nodded slightly to the empress dowager, which was considered as all courtesy.
This carelessness made the Queen Mother's eyes even colder.
"Why is the emperor here? Is he going to take Concubine Hui away and discipline her strictly?" She said majestically and indifferently.
The emperor did not answer, but only looked at Concubine Hui: "What's going on here? What happened?"
As he spoke, it seemed as if he had just seen the sign in her hand.
After a pause, he was stunned and then bowed down with great respect.
"Son meets father!"
Everyone in the yard knelt down.
No one dared to stand when the emperor knelt, except Concubine Hui who was holding the card.
In the blink of an eye, the Queen Mother was left alone, standing facing the "late emperor".
Seeing the emperor like this, the empress dowager's face naturally became even more gloomy.
After the emperor finished his greeting, he stood up again and asked the reason.
Nanny Shixiang briefly explained what had happened: "...Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is old and can no longer bear the wrath. Please allow Concubine Hui to leave."
The emperor looked at the token and looked embarrassed.
Just as he tried to speak, Concubine Hui's men arrived quickly with a team of guards.
Concubine Hui said bluntly: "Your Majesty, please leave. The palace is about to be sealed!"
"Concubine Hui, you..."
"His Majesty!"
Concubine Hui held up a sign and forced the emperor to leave Ciyu Palace.
It took him only a moment from entering the door to leaving.
"You go too!" Concubine Hui looked at Yu Sujin and Zhishu again.
Yu Sujin nodded: "Your Majesty, Sister Zhishu just moved here to recuperate..."
"Go out. There's no place you can't rest. Don't get in the way of the Queen Mother's reflection!"
The two of them quickly left with their maid.
The Queen Mother's face had turned blue.
"Concubine Hui, you are really bold."
There was already a strong threat in the words.
Concubine Hui had already led her men to the palace gate. Upon hearing the voice, she turned and glared coldly: "If the Queen Mother is unwilling to seriously reflect on her actions, I can be even more bold."
"Seal the palace!"
"From now on, no one is allowed to enter or leave Ciyun Palace at will. Violators will be executed!"
"All the necessary medicines and foods for the palace are supplied daily."
Concubine Hui led the crowd away, and the heavy gate of Ciyu Palace slowly closed with a dull creaking sound.
This time, it was locked from the outside instead of being bolted from the inside.
The Queen Mother swayed and almost fainted from anger.
All I heard was the emperor's loud call coming from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, please be patient. Let me find a way to open the door for you as soon as possible—"
The Queen Mother held onto Tohka's arm tightly.
"Listen, he's really proud of himself."
Shixiang advised, "The late emperor's token has appeared, and Your Majesty is probably at a loss for the time being. If you don't obey the order, I'm afraid you will be overwhelmed by the memorials of the old ministers tomorrow..."
The Queen Mother sneered.
"How can it be that simple? He is clearly..."