The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 864 - 864 396 Emperors Wrath (Second Update)

Chapter 864: 396 Emperor’s Wrath (Second Update) Chapter 864: 396 Emperor’s Wrath (Second Update) “`

Despite knowing the likelihood was slim, the Emperor still made a trip to Bishui Alley, not only to inquire about the whereabouts of Empress Dowager Zhuang, but also to warn Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang to be on guard.

If Empress Dowager Zhuang was an archenemy to Noble Consort Jing, then Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang, who repeatedly foiled Noble Consort Jing’s plans, were undoubtedly a thorn in her side.

Xiao Liulang had just returned from the Hanlin Academy and had not expected that such a thing would happen.

Gu Jiao was drying medicinal herbs in the front yard while the three children played in the backyard; the mansion was imbued with a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

He withdrew his gaze and said to the Emperor, “Auntie hasn’t been here… We will be careful.”

The Emperor nodded, “You must not run into any more trouble.”

Xiao Liulang looked at him intently, “Your Majesty, what are your plans?”

The Emperor clenched his fist tightly, “I will find the Empress Dowager.”

This was the second time Empress Dowager Zhuang had disappeared; the first time was because of him, for he had sent her to Mafeng Mountain, and it was he who had lost her.

This time, he would personally bring her back.

He muttered to himself, then turned around, his steps deeply sinking into the night.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Jiao came over.

Considering the gravity of the situation, Xiao Liulang did not keep it from her, “Aunt and Noble Consort Jing are missing, the Emperor suspects that Noble Consort Jing has abducted Aunt.”

“You just said… who was abducted?”

The voice of the old libationer suddenly rang out behind them.

The two of them turned their heads together to face him; the old libationer was holding a bowl of freshly made brown sugar glutinous rice cakes topped with freshly toasted white sesame seeds.

His hands started to tremble slightly, spilling the hot sugar syrup.

Gu Jiao walked over and reached out, “Grandfather, let me take it.”

“Ah?” His voice also shook, “You, you haven’t said who was abducted?”

“It’s Aunt,” said Gu Jiao.

The old libationer staggered.

Gu Jiao steadied him with one hand, and took the bowl with the other.

The bowl was very hot, and Xiao Liulang quickly took it from her and placed it on a nearby stone table, then said to the old libationer, “Noble Consort Jing won’t harm Aunt for the time being; if she wanted to kill Aunt, she would have done it in the Imperial Palace. Bringing Aunt out, she must have some other purpose.”

Gu Jiao looked at Xiao Liulang and said, “I’ll go look for Aunt, husband and grandfather stay home and wait for news.”

Xiao Liulang hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

The old libationer said with a trembling voice, “I, I will also go look.”

Xiao Liulang did not oppose and noticing his somewhat unsteady steps, his eyes flickered slightly as he said, “I will go with the teacher.”

The old libationer nodded in a flustered manner, “Good… good.”

Afterward, the two of them also left Bishui Alley.

The Imperial City was under lockdown, with the four big city gates only allowing entry, not exit.

On the winding path, two carriages advanced one after the other, each escorted by four mounted guards.

As evening fell, the last glimmer of the sunset faded away, the horizon a shade of grey-blue.

The carriages moved at a steady pace, and the person inside seemed to possess a face of calm composure.

“Honghong could never have imagined we’ve already left the city.”

If the Emperor were here, he would surely recognize the voice as belonging to Noble Consort Jing, the very woman he was desperately searching for.

Noble Consort Jing had changed into the clothes of a commoner woman, wearing a simple bun fixated with an inconspicuous silver hairpin.

At her age, she was no longer pursuing beauty, but it must be said that a woman who had come from the palace was indeed different from commoner women.

Opposite her sat Empress Dowager Zhuang, who had also shed her dark golden phoenix robe and was dressed in the plain clothes of a peasant woman.

However, upon closer inspection, the elegance in her eyes and brows was not something Noble Consort Jing could compare with.

Empress Dowager Zhuang closed her eyes to rest and did not respond to her.

“`

Empress Dowager Jing smiled. “Stop feigning sleep; I know you’re not asleep. How could you possibly be?”

“You’re very loud,” Empress Dowager Zhuang said with her eyes closed.

Empress Dowager Jing gazed steadily at her, a trace of a mocking smile curling her lips. “Zhuang Jinse, do you truly not fear death?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang continued to rest with closed eyes, clearly not intending to engage with the noisy woman.

Empress Dowager Jing wasn’t angry. She lowered her gaze to pick up a silver strand of hair from the hem of her robe and said with a smile, “Time flies. We’ve both aged; it feels like we haven’t been in the palace for long. Do you remember the first time I met you, in the Imperial Garden? My sister, dressed in the Empress’s phoenix robe, chatted with the other sisters in the pavilion. Unlike you, who became the Empress upon entering the palace, I was but a lowly Sixth-rank consort, unworthy even to approach and pay my respects to you. I could only bow from afar under the guidance of the palace maids. My sister didn’t even glance at me but had the maids reward me with a jade bracelet—the very one I’m wearing.”

As she spoke, she extended her left wrist, pulling back her sleeve to reveal an exquisite jade bracelet.

“My sister is the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family and the Empress of Zhan Country. Everything you use is of the finest quality, even a casually bestowed bracelet is of immeasurable value. Do you know what I was thinking at the time? How could there be someone so fortunate in this world? Born into prominence, dignified in status, with a countenance like blooming flowers, and incomparable beauty, receiving the Emperor’s favor all to oneself… What in this world could my sister not possess? I wasn’t even qualified to envy you.”

“Yet who could have expected that I, who am as lowly as dust, would catch my sister’s eye?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang said indifferently, “Who hasn’t been blind in their youth?”

Empress Dowager Jing burst into laughter. “My sister really has a sense of humor. In truth, I once felt grateful to you and even wanted us to be good sisters for life. But how could I, given my sister’s scheming nature? On the surface, you promoted me, yet behind my back, I was nothing but a stepping stone for you to climb higher!”

Finally, Empress Dowager Zhuang slowly opened her eyes, a touch of impatience in her gaze. “Empress Dowager Jing, are you the blind one, or is it me?”

When had she ever used her as a stepping stone?

Was she even worthy?

Empress Dowager Jing scoffed, “My sister knows full well that the late Emperor’s heart wanted only you, yet you always pushed me to serve him in bed. Those unaware might think I basked in your glory. But I knew; my sister was playing hard to get. The late Emperor visited my chamber solely to hear news of you. My sister is truly calculating; your ability to manipulate people is something I could only hope to match.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang couldn’t be bothered to contend with her senseless arguments. She could think whatever she wanted; some people just loved to act smart even after gaining an advantage.

But Empress Dowager Jing continued to speak mockingly, regardless of whether Empress Dowager Zhuang would respond, “There are countless consorts in the Imperial Harem, yet the late Emperor never visited my sister’s chamber. But how could my sister understand that no matter where the late Emperor went, his heart was not in it? He had already left his heart in my sister’s Kunning Palace.”

“Hmph,” Empress Dowager Zhuang scoffed coldly.

Empress Dowager Jing looked at her with a touch of confusion. “What? Am I wrong?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang gave her a pitying look. “Empress Dowager Jing, you really are pitiful.”

For a moment, a crack appeared in Empress Dowager Jing’s facade, but she quickly composed herself, her smile returning perfectly. “Sister, calling me ‘Empress Dowager Jing’ really reminds me of the old days.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang said coolly, “Stop talking about the past. If you want to reminisce, go talk to Nanny Cai in the carriage behind. I seek peace.”

Empress Dowager Jing lowered her gaze and tossed the broken strand of hair onto the ground. “Sister isn’t curious why I’m trying to drive a wedge between you and Honghong?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang really wasn’t curious. “Does one need a reason to commit countless evils? Must you taste all the bitterness of life and then claim you were forced, it was beyond your control? Are you trying to move me or yourself?”

The smile on Empress Dowager Jing’s face faded slightly. “My sister still speaks without mincing words.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang closed her eyes once more, this time determined to ignore Empress Dowager Jing.

Perhaps sensing the lack of interest, Empress Dowager Jing did not continue the topic. She parted the curtains and looked out, then spoke with a tinge of melancholy, “I want to go to the border to see Ning An. Sister, come with me. Ning An would surely be delighted to see Mother.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang’s brows twitched, but she didn’t open her eyes.

After all this, she just wanted to take her to the border to see Ning An? Who would believe such a reason?

Empress Dowager Jing murmured, “We will all go to see Ning An for the last time.”

There was something odd about that statement.

Empress Dowager Zhuang suspected that Empress Dowager Jing’s mind was becoming unhinged.

Empress Dowager Jing let the curtain fall and looked at Empress Dowager Zhuang with a smile. “After all, we’re getting on in years and can’t afford another struggle.”

It seemed like an explanation for her previous statement.

But the next second, she smiled and said, “Or perhaps, after seeing Ning An, I will kill you.”

Nightfall descended.

The search in Capital City yielded no progress.

The Emperor stood under the towering city gate, watching the guards scrutinize each civilian entering, his expression tenser than ever.

Eunuch Wei, seeing the Emperor’s chapped lips, spoke with concern, “Your Majesty, you’ve been on the move all day. Take a rest. Eunuch He will keep watch.”

A cold frost glazed the Emperor’s eyes. “The Empress Dowager is still in that woman’s hands… I am not tired. I won’t rest until the Empress Dowager is found.”

This time, he would not lose her again.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.