The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1159 - 1159 563 Perfect (two updates)_4

Chapter 1159: 563 Perfect (two updates)_4 Chapter 1159: 563 Perfect (two updates)_4 She thought the emperor had truly let bygones be bygones with her, and even gave up the control of state affairs that she had held for many years.

Who knew the emperor has recently been secretly plotting to get rid of her.

If the emperor is unkind, then she won’t blame herself for being unrighteous.

She wanted the emperor’s life!

Everything was arranged so ingeniously that, had Minister Xing not known it was a trap set for him, he might have believed it himself.

All these letters were written by the Empress Dowager Zhuang; there were no replies from Minister Xing, which was understandable.

Minister Xing’s replies must certainly be in the hands of Empress Dowager Zhuang. If they could not be found there, there was an explanation—given Empress Dowager Zhuang’s cunning, she wouldn’t leave any evidence behind and would surely burn everything after reading.

“Then why would I keep any evidence? Am I not afraid of a scandal breaking out?” Minister Xing questioned Minister Li.

Minister Li, covering his swollen face, replied calmly, “That’s because, sir, you understand that being a puppet to the Empress Dowager is like seeking skin from a tiger; if one day the Empress Dowager decides to kill the donkey once the grinding is done, at least you still retain a trump card to threaten the Empress Dowager and protect yourself!”

This reasoning was simply impeccable.

Minister Xing should have been angry, yet his first reaction was to give an inward thumbs-up—perfect crime!

Empress Dowager Zhuang was once the most powerful woman in Zhan Country, having been appointed as the regent by the former emperor before his death.

It was the former emperor who had legitimately passed the power into her hands; what did it matter if she ruled from behind the curtains? As long as she did not plot a rebellion, no one could do anything to her, right?

But now, with the regicide done, everything had changed.

Empress Xiao had always been wary of Empress Dowager Zhuang, but even a cornered rabbit will bite; Empress Dowager Zhuang had done something as treacherous as plotting regicide, should Empress Xiao continue to swallow her anger silently?

“At worst, it’s just death. If I die, my brother will come back and avenge me!”

The Commandant of the Imperial Guards was a confidant of Marquis Xuanping, so with the token given to her by Marquis Xuanping, Empress Xiao ordered the Commandant to confine Empress Dowager Zhuang to Renshou Palace.

Empress Xiao had no right to deal with the Empress Dowager; she could only wait for the emperor to wake up and decide. Therefore, after secretly confining the Empress Dowager, Empress Xiao returned to Kunning Palace to deal with official duties.

After the emperor was assassinated, the Imperial Palace was in turmoil, and the air was thick with tension. Where the palace gates used to bustle with activity at mealtimes, today they were unusually solemn.

The palace maids carrying meal boxes came out from the Imperial Kitchen; no longer greeting each other with laughter, they silently paid their respects if required, or simply passed like the air if not.

Inside Huaqing Palace, a young eunuch also brought the emperor’s meals.

“You may all leave; I’ll take care of this,” Eunuch Wei instructed the palace maids.

“Yes.”

One by one, they filed out.

Eunuch Wei looked around to ensure there was no third person in the Sleeping Palace before he approached the Dragon Bed and gently called out, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

The emperor did not respond.

“Your Majesty, your servant must offend you,” said Eunuch Wei as he pulled a fresh fish swim bladder from his bosom. He had soaked it in medicine to remove the fishy smell.

He cut a small slit in the swim bladder and, prying the emperor’s mouth open, forced it in with his finger.

No sooner had he finished than a nonchalant voice sounded from behind, “Eunuch Wei, what are you doing?”

Eunuch Wei shuddered so hard he nearly poked the swim bladder into the emperor’s throat!

Forcing himself to remain calm, he turned around and exhaled in relief, “You scared me to death. It’s just the princess; I thought it was the empress who had come.”

Princess Ning An approached, giving him a suspicious look, “Why are you so nervous if the empress comes?”

While pretending to tidy the emperor’s blanket, Eunuch Wei inconspicuously tucked the small piece of swim bladder into the emperor’s underwear.

Eunuch Wei’s eyes flickered as he sheepishly said, “Your servant is now at your command, so seeing the empress naturally makes me a bit apprehensive.”

Princess Ning An scoffed, “That makes sense. If the empress discovers your betrayal of His Majesty, even I wouldn’t be able to save your life, so you’d better be careful. Don’t let me spare your life only for the empress to take it.”

Eunuch Wei obsequiously agreed, “Yes, yes.”

“How is His Majesty faring?” Princess Ning An haughtily inquired.

Eunuch Wei thought to himself, the facade has indeed been torn, no pretense to maintain; where was the inkling of sibling affection in that attitude? Even Princess Xinyang treated His Majesty far better than you!

Eunuch Wei answered, “He’s still in a comatose state.”

Princess Ning An produced a vial of medicine from her wide sleeves.

“Allow your servant to do it!” said Eunuch Wei eagerly.