latelenovela Chapter 252 Demanding an Explanation from the Emperor
Chapter 252 Demanding an Explanation from the Emperor
行宫
The Emperor and Empress received news of the Crown Prince's assassination attempt one after the other.
On the Emperor's side, the message came from the Dark Dragon Guards who were protecting the Crown Prince. On the Empress's side, in addition to the message from Canglan Jingyun, the message from the Phoenix Guards who were following in the shadows also came back.
This time, seeing that the Dark Dragon Guards were able to deal with the assassins, the Phoenix Guards did not intervene but continued to follow His Highness the Crown Prince to the Imperial Mausoleum.
The emperor was handling state affairs in his study when he learned of this news. His face instantly darkened, and flames of anger burned in his eyes. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Outrageous! How dare someone attempt to assassinate my crown prince! An Yi, order the Dark Dragon Guards to investigate this matter thoroughly immediately and bring the mastermind behind it to justice!"
"Yes." A voice rang out from an unknown location.
Meanwhile, in Fengyi Palace, the Empress sat elegantly at her table, brush in hand, intently painting a beautiful picture. When she heard Yingchun report the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, she only frowned slightly, but quickly regained her composure.
The Empress gently put down her paintbrush, looked up at Yingchun, and asked calmly, "How are things going?"
Yingchun quickly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, everything has been arranged according to your instructions, and no innocent person will be implicated."
The Empress nodded, a hint of satisfaction on her face, and said softly, "Very good. I hope that after this incident, she will behave herself. Otherwise, I'm afraid I will find it difficult to tolerate her any longer, and I might not be able to resist taking that child's life one day." After saying this, the Empress picked up her paintbrush again, lowered her head, and continued painting, as if what she had just discussed was nothing more than a trivial matter.
Watching the Empress intently focused on her painting, Yingchun couldn't help but sigh, "Your Majesty, you are truly too kind."
The Empress smiled slightly and replied without raising her head, "It's not that I'm merciful, but that I don't want to kill too many animals and create too much karma. Besides, I still have a son, and now Jingyun is the Crown Prince. I only hope that he can inherit the throne peacefully and smoothly, which can also be considered as accumulating some blessings for my child."
A moment later, the Empress finished the last stroke of the painting. She carefully examined her work, a relieved smile on her face, and said slowly, "I still stand by what I always say: as long as no one touches Jingyun's position as Crown Prince, I can turn a blind eye to everything else and will never easily hold a grudge against anyone."
"Yingchun, Yingqiu, come and take a look. How is my painting of wild geese?" The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, a smile playing on her lips as she gazed at the newly completed painting of wild geese before her, and softly asked the two palace maids beside her.
Yingqiu quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said with a troubled expression, "Your Majesty, you are really putting this servant in a difficult position. This servant knows absolutely nothing about painting." After saying that, she gently shook her head.
After hearing this, the Empress turned her gaze to Yingchun beside her and said with a half-smile, "I know that you, like Yingqiu, are completely unaware of this."
Yingchun quickly curtsied and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is indeed very perceptive. This servant truly does not understand these arts of calligraphy and painting."
The Empress slowly withdrew her gaze, returning it to the painting of wild geese. She couldn't help but sigh softly, murmuring to herself, "Wild geese are birds of loyalty, devoted to only one mate throughout their lives, never leaving or forsaking them. It is truly enviable. It's just a pity that I am not so fortunate..." As she spoke, a trace of melancholy flashed in her eyes.
After a brief pause, the Empress's expression suddenly turned serious, and she said in a deep voice, "Now that the Crown Prince has been assassinated, this matter is of utmost importance. As the Crown Prince's birth mother, I must demand an explanation from the Emperor no matter what. Yingqiu, carefully put this painting away and come with me to meet the Emperor."
"Yes." Ying Qiu responded crisply, then stretched out her hands and gently rolled up the wild goose painting drawn by the Empress.
The Empress turned to Yingchun and instructed her, "Yingchun, you go and watch the house."
Upon hearing this, Yingchun curtsied again and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Just as the Empress was rushing with Yingqiu to the Emperor's study, Consort Qin, who was in another palace, learned of the news. For a moment, she felt flustered, but she quickly composed herself.
She believed that her father would be able to handle the matter properly, and even if the emperor sent people to investigate, it would be impossible for her to be implicated.
At this moment, Canglan Jingxu looked at his mother with expectant eyes, his cautious manner as if afraid of being rejected, and asked softly, "Mother, may I go out and play for a while?"
Upon hearing her son's request, Consort Qin's expression instantly turned cold. She stared intently at Canglan Jingxu and sternly questioned, "Have you finished your homework for today?"
Although Canglan Jingxu was somewhat unwilling, he still answered honestly, "Your Majesty, I have finished everything." When he said this, his voice clearly carried a hint of dissatisfaction and grievance.
However, Consort Qin did not seem to soften her heart because of her son's answer. She still kept a straight face and said, "Since that's the case, then your mother will test you. If you can recite all the knowledge you have learned, your mother will not only allow you to play, but will also personally play with you."
Upon hearing his mother's words, Canglan Jingxu's previously dull eyes lit up instantly, and he excitedly asked, "Really, Mother? Are you really willing to play with your son?" At that moment, he was overjoyed, as if he had received the most precious gift in the world.
However, as he was immersed in this sudden joy, he suddenly realized that it had been a long time since he had played and frolicked with his mother. When exactly had their relationship become so distant and cold?
Cang Lan Jingxu frowned and pondered for a long time, but he still couldn't recall that exact moment. Finally, he shook his head helplessly and muttered to himself, "Forget it, I won't think about those troubling things anymore."
"Then recite the Thousand Character Classic once."
"Yes, Mother. Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless. The sun and moon wax and wane, the stars and constellations are arrayed. Cold comes and heat goes, autumn harvests and winter stores..." Canglan Jingxu began to recite.
“Ignorant and ignorant, foolish and ignorant, etc. This refers to auxiliary words such as ‘yan’, ‘zai’, ‘hu’, and ‘ye’.”
"Mother, I've finished reciting it." Canglan Jingxu said quickly as soon as he finished reciting it.
"It seems Xu'er has been working hard lately. Your mother keeps her word. What would you like to play?" Consort Qin asked Canglan Jingxu with a rare smile.
"Mother, may I fly a kite?"
"Handan, go and fetch the kite," Consort Qin instructed Handan.
A short while later, Handan returned with two kites.