kvmb Chapter 316 The Final Plot (1)
Chapter 316 The Final Plot (1)
"Xia Qie, have your men keep an eye on the Queen Mother and Sun Zhuxi day and night."
"If they take any action, stop them secretly."
The Empress Dowager was very stubborn when she was a concubine, and the Emperor had already anticipated that she would blame herself for the death of the Fourteenth Prince.
Since Tong E'niang passed away, he had suffered such treatment from the Empress Dowager too many times.
The Queen Mother should bear a great deal of responsibility for the fact that their brothers, who were born of the same mother, became like enemies.
But it’s meaningless to say this now.
The emperor did not want to go too far because the empress dowager had given birth to and raised him.
It was a dark night, and the Queen Mother's eyelids trembled as she lay in bed. She spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Zhu Xi, I just had a nightmare. I dreamed that Xiao Shisi left me and went away first."
"When I was a palace maid, I heard people say that dreams are the opposite of reality. Don't you agree?"
"My lady, you are right. It is still dark outside. You should sleep a little longer."
Sun Zhuxi comforted carefully.
The master was severely traumatized physically and mentally, and was so sad that even his tears had dried up.
"Okay, I'll sleep a little longer. Maybe I can meet Little Fourteen in my dreams."
"Zhuxi, please ask the Emperor to come to Shoukang Palace tomorrow. I have something to discuss with him."
"The slaves obey."
Sun Zhuxi gently tucked the quilt for the empress dowager, turned around and went out to convey his master's intention to the guards standing outside.
She knew that the Empress was not in good condition, but unfortunately Canglan, who was skilled in medicine, had an accident.
Let’s wait until the emperor comes tomorrow and then summon the imperial physician.
Sun Zhuxi sighed softly and hurried back into the house. Looking at her master who was frowning even in his sleep, her eyes couldn't help but turn red.
The Empress Dowager now only has the Emperor as her son. I hope she can figure it out.
The night gradually fades away and the morning light begins to appear.
Sun Zhuxi stood up from the footstool, glanced at the closed curtains, tiptoed out of the bedroom, and ordered someone to prepare breakfast for the empress dowager.
After half an hour, she helped the empress dowager, who had finished washing, to the main hall.
"Madam, the kitchen has prepared breakfast. Would you like to have some?"
The Queen Mother glanced at the table indifferently, showing no appetite at all.
"Zhuxi, I can't eat anymore. Please go and ask the emperor to come over."
Her voice was hoarse and weak, but her tone was filled with an unquestionable firmness.
The empress dowager was awakened by the sound of sweeping outside in the morning, and she remembered what the emperor said: her little fourteenth was gone.
The second dream last night should have been about the filial little Fourteen coming to say goodbye to his mother.
Whenever she thought of her son lying alone in the farm, her heart ached.
Little Fourteen suffered a lot during his lifetime, and the Empress Dowager did not want him to be buried with a stigma.
After the emperor paid his respects, he asked directly.
"The Empress Dowager summoned me here early this morning. What are your instructions?"
The Queen Mother suppressed her dissatisfaction and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Your Majesty, I'd like to ask how to handle Little Fourteen's affairs after his death."
"He is now a commoner and no longer has any connection to the royal family. It is extremely inappropriate for the Ministry of Rites to handle his funeral. However, for the Empress Dowager's sake, I will allow Hongchun to accompany the Fourteenth Prince."
This was an arrangement the emperor had planned long ago.
When he left the Yangxin Palace, he had already sent someone to inform Hongchun.
"The late emperor doted on Hongchun. He has been staying at home in the palace for many years. I would like to confer him the title of Beizi. What do you think, Empress Dowager?"
When the Queen Mother heard the Emperor's words, her eyes flashed slightly. She knew that the Emperor was putting pressure on her.
If the Empress Dowager had any objections to the Fourteenth Prince's funeral and insisted on having the Ministry of Rites handle it, then who knows what would happen to the children he left behind.
"Your Majesty, I know that the late Emperor doted on Hongchun. I am very pleased that he has behaved himself these years. I think it is very appropriate to confer the title of Beizi upon him."
The Queen Mother gritted her teeth and expressed her thoughts.
Hongchun grew up under her care, and the empress dowager had to consider him.
The emperor nodded with satisfaction.
"I am deeply comforted that the Empress Dowager is so understanding. As for the Fourteenth Prince's funeral arrangements, I will leave them to Hongchun."
"Everyone in Zhuangzi who knew the cause of the Fourteenth Old Man's death has been dealt with by me. Please rest assured, Queen Dowager."
Before leaving, he did not forget to threaten the empress dowager whose hair was half white.
As long as the Empress Dowager behaves herself, the Emperor is happy to let her be a mascot in the palace and live in glory until her old age.
"When the emperor is doing things, I am naturally relieved."
"Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. You still have to offer sacrifices to heaven, ancestors, and other important matters to attend to. I will not keep you here."
The Queen Mother, having received her approval, ordered them to leave.
When only the master and servant were left in the room, the empress dowager covered her mouth with a handkerchief, wiped it fiercely, and then threw the blood-stained handkerchief into the charcoal brazier as if nothing had happened.
"Zhu Xi, I once promised Xiao Shisi that I would make his wish come true. Even though he abandoned me early, I don't blame him."
"If one day I unfortunately follow Little Fourteen, please stick to the original plan."
The Queen Mother stood up and bowed to Sun Zhuxi.
She was so frightened that she hurriedly helped the man up. "Master, you are mistreating me. You gave me this life, and I swore to be loyal to you for the rest of my life."
"Zhuxi, listen to me. My body is getting weaker and weaker. I'm afraid even the gods can't save me."
This time, Xiao Shisi's departure was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
"My lady, you..."
"Zhuxi, you must promise me."
The Queen Mother held Sun Zhuxi's hand tightly, her words full of pleading.
Sun Zhuxi nodded in agreement with tears in her eyes.
"My Lady, I will obey you. Please take good care of yourself and I will take care of you..."
She wanted to say that the emperor was also very filial, but she really couldn't say it at this moment.
The Queen Mother patted her hands in understanding and gave instructions in a gentle voice.
"Zhuxi, today is the first day of the new year. Ask the kitchen to cook a few more dishes so we can have some fun."
"Okay, I'll do it now, slave."
While Sun Zhuxi was busy in the small kitchen, the empress dowager summoned several old people who had been following her.
Finally, she casually pointed at a palace maid holding a flower pot and gave instructions tiredly.
"Please help me to go to where Canglan lives."
The Queen Mother walked around Canglan's room, as if she was missing something.
"Keep this room locked from now on."
After she gave the instructions, she casually walked around Shoukang Palace, and finally returned to the small Buddhist temple, where she respectfully lit three incense sticks.
"Little Fourteen, Mother really can't hold on any longer this time."
"Don't worry, Mother will have Hongchun well taken care of. The late Emperor once said that he is the child who looks most like you."
"Little Fourteen, let mother make one last plan for you."
The Queen Mother could not bear the fact that her most beloved son could not have a grand funeral, and even more so that he could not enjoy the royal incense.
She straightened her back and walked into the study with determination.