Shen Qing could more or less guess some of Ji Junye's arrangements. She didn't intend to inquire either. If it were up to her, she might not do better than Ji Junye.
After waking up from her afternoon nap, someone came to ask her who would take charge of the household affairs in the mansion and who should raise Xu Chenghui.
Shen Qing told them to send everything to Mingyue Pavilion. Didn't Jiang Chan suffer day and night since losing the power to manage the household? She was giving the power back to her. And with Shen Mian out of the way, she should be very happy, right?
No need to thank her.
Jiang Chan looked at the things sent by the servants. Her face wasn't looking too good, but it wasn't that bad either. The good thing was that the power to manage the household was back in her hands, but the bad thing was that Xu Chenghui had also come to her.
Who wanted to raise Shen Mian's child?!
Her aunt said the medicine was very effective. Maybe she was already pregnant. How could she take care of someone else's child?
Jiang Chan went to find Shen Qing, but Shen Qing refused to see her.
Then she turned to Xu Yanchi. Xu Yanchi was silent for a while, but still told her to raise the child.
Jiang Chan ran back and forth several times but got nothing done. She was so angry.
Thinking of the child, Xu Yanchi couldn't help but think of Shen Qing again.
She was actually pregnant with Ji Junye's child.
Thinking of his family's ruin while Ji Junye, Shen Qing, and their child were living happily, Xu Yanchi's hostility got out of control.
It was clearly Ji Junye who was the thief and the third party who destroyed their marital relationship!
As Xu Yanchi was thinking like this, he unconsciously came to the gate of Zhuoying Courtyard.
This time, the gate of Zhuoying Courtyard wasn't closed, but Yu Zhen, who was scolding a little maid in the yard, saw him. She quickly walked to the gate and closed it before he could get close.
The people around Shen Qing were so disrespectful!
Xu Yanchi's anger welled up. He couldn't help but cough twice. With this cough, his whole body ached. The pain made his eyes blood - red and his face contorted.
Yu Zhen originally wanted to report this to Shen Qing, but was stopped by a secret guard.
As a qualified secret guard, he had to vow to protect his master's love!
-
Ji Junye was busy until late at night. When he looked up from the desk, lanterns had been lit everywhere in the harem.
"What time is it?" Ji Junye rubbed his temples wearily.
Wei Chun replied respectfully, "It's the hai hour, Your Majesty."
Hearing the voice, Ji Junye glanced at him. "Why is it you? Isn't Li Quan better yet?"
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that Eunuch Li is old and his waist was sprained badly this time. He still needs some time to recuperate. If Your Majesty is looking for Eunuch Li, I'll go and call him right away."
"No need. Let him recuperate."
Among the people around him, Li Quan had been with him the longest. He wasn't so heartless as to force him to be on duty at this time.
Ji Junye stood up and walked outside. "Prepare the carriage to Ganquan Palace."
It was time to settle some scores.
After Ji Junye took control of the court, Ganquan Palace was immediately under his control. When Concubine Xiao first heard that Ji Junye had returned, she was very happy. But as Ganquan Palace was surrounded, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
The emperor was back. What about Shen Qing? Was Shen Qing back too?
But thinking of what she had prepared, Concubine Xiao calmed down again. Once that thing entered the human body, it was extremely difficult to be detected and removed. After so many days, the traces on the sachet had long disappeared. Even if Shen Qing came back, she was doomed!
She wouldn't tolerate anyone threatening her status!
Wei Chun finally got the chance to gain some power. He wanted to pass a message to Concubine Xiao, but Ganquan Palace was surrounded by the imperial guards like an iron barrel. And it was late at night. The message couldn't be sent out. He could only let Concubine Xiao fend for herself.
"His Majesty is coming!"
Hearing the familiar voice in the palace, Concubine Xiao's heart skipped a beat. If it were before, she would have been overjoyed if the emperor came at this time. But under the current situation, this voice sounded like a death knell to her.
"Go and bring the Seventh Prince here!"
Ji Junye strode into the palace. Concubine Xiao knelt down to pay her respects and greet him. There was also a little boy behind her.
Since Ji Junye ascended the throne, it was the first time for the Seventh Prince to see this elder brother. Although he had never met him, he had heard a lot of rumors. Coupled with the sudden siege of Ganquan Palace, the seven - or eight - year - old child was trembling with fear.
Ji Junye looked at the Seventh Prince. "Why are you here?"
The Seventh Prince was already scared. Being asked this question, his face turned pale and he couldn't even speak properly.
"I, I..."
Wei Chun reminded him, "Seventh Prince, when His Majesty asks a question, you should use a respectful title when replying."
The Seventh Prince was not only scared but also felt a bit embarrassed and at a loss. "The nanny didn't teach me..."
Ji Junye intended to spare the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince. Although he didn't pay much attention to them, he didn't expect these people to be so bold as to treat the princes like this!
Looking at the Seventh Prince, who was as thin as a bean sprout and timid, he couldn't help but think of his younger self.
Concubine Xiao protected the Seventh Prince behind her. "Your Majesty, I met the Seventh Prince being mistreated by a servant when I went out. I felt so sorry for him that I brought him back to Ganquan Palace for a few days. If Your Majesty wants to blame someone, blame me."
Although the Seventh Prince was young and hadn't been crowned a king yet, he was still the son of the late emperor. It was always improper for him to live in the harem.
Looking at the Seventh Prince, who obviously relied on Concubine Xiao a bit, Ji Junye sneered. "Send the Seventh Prince back to Guangji Hall."
Guangji Hall was the residence for the princes after they started their education. Of course, those who didn't have a birth mother or a foster mother had to live in Guangji Hall since childhood.
When the Seventh Prince was being sent away, he kept looking back at Concubine Xiao.
Concubine Xiao gave him a reassuring smile.
After the Seventh Prince was sent away, the maids in the palace were also taken out.
Concubine Xiao took a deep breath. "If Your Majesty wants to punish me for the matter of the Seventh Prince, I have no complaints."
Ji Junye didn't waste any words with her. He directly threw the sachet in front of her.
"Do you recognize this thing?"
The sachet made a sound when it hit the ground, making Concubine Xiao's heart tremble violently.
But she didn't show anything on her face. Pretending not to know anything, she said, "Wasn't this sachet the one I had someone distribute to the ladies and young misses at the hunting ground to drive away snakes, insects, rats, and ants? Why is it in Your Majesty's hands?"
Ji Junye looked down at her condescendingly, his tone cold and sarcastic. "You know very well what's inside. Do you really think you've done it flawlessly?"
Concubine Xiao held her breath. She forced herself to calm down and said, "I don't know what Your Majesty is talking about."
"It doesn't matter if you don't admit it. The servants in Ganquan Palace have all been taken away for interrogation. There will always be someone who admits it."
Suddenly, Ji Junye leaned forward and grabbed Concubine Xiao's neck. There was a storm brewing in his eyes. He tightened his five fingers, and the fear of suffocation instantly engulfed Concubine Xiao.
Ji Junye used all his strength. Soon, Concubine Xiao's face turned red and her eyes bulged. The instinct to survive made her subconsciously grab Ji Junye's hand, but no matter how hard she tried, that hand was like a pair of iron pincers, firmly holding her.
Your Majesty... Really wants to kill her!