Outside the Yuhua Palace, the commoners were displaced. The refugees from Jiangzhou had not been properly resettled, and the situation had even spiraled out of control after Wang Yanli had set off with the relief grain.
The refugees rebelled!
They not only rushed into the Jiangzhou government office to seize food and silver but also accidentally killed quite a few officials!
Among them, the first to bear the brunt was none other than Wang Yanli, the imperial envoy!
The news of the rebellion in Jiangzhou and the deaths of Wang Yanli and other imperial envoys spread like wildfire as the refugees flooded into Chang'an, shocking everyone in the Yuhua Palace.
In the magnificent Yaotai Hall, the Queen Mother received an urgent letter from Grand Tutor Wang. In her shock, she accidentally knocked over a cup of hot tea.
Concubine Ning frowned in pain but did not utter a single sound.
Even though the scalding tea burned her hand and thigh, the etiquette and manners instilled in her since childhood as a noblewoman of the aristocratic family prevented her from losing her composure in front of the Queen Mother.
While maintaining a stoic expression on her face, her mind raced.
She wondered what kind of news the Queen Mother had received that had caused her to lose her composure like this.
It seemed that something truly extraordinary had happened, so much so that the Queen Mother did not even have the time to put on an act in front of her.
What could it be?
The Queen Mother's phoenix eyes seethed with a dark and menacing anger. He was her younger brother!
How could he have died in Jiangzhou like this?
This so - called riot of the refugees that had accidentally killed Yanli and other officials was clearly a premeditated act!
Previously, the Wang family had lost several young members of their direct line. Now, it was the turn of the future head of the Wang family!
The eldest son of Grand Tutor Wang and the younger brother of the Queen Mother!
No one in their right mind would believe that there was no foul play involved.
Could it be that the Wang family was just unlucky and kept losing members of their direct line?
Jun Wuyuan!
The Queen Mother repeated his name over and over again in her heart, as if she were casting a venomous curse.
After muttering a few times, she managed to suppress the anger and hatred in her heart for a moment. She quickly composed herself and pretended to be a sick woman who had absent - mindedly knocked over the tea cup.
"Yin'er, did you get burned? It's all my fault. I'm so muddled - headed from my illness that I can't even hold a cup of tea properly. Someone, quickly summon the imperial physician..."
Concubine Ning gave a gentle smile and quickly took the Queen Mother's hand, saying:
"Your Majesty, please don't blame yourself. It's all my fault for being clumsy and not holding the teacup steady. Fortunately, the tea didn't touch Your Majesty. I'm tough - skinned. There's no need to summon the imperial physician. I'm fine. Your Majesty, please don't worry."
"My dear child..."
A look of approval flashed across the Queen Mother's eyes. She gently patted Concubine Ning's hand and said affectionately:
"Alright. Yin'er is so beautiful and delicate. How could I be so heartless? Someone, bring the royal snow - skin cream!"
"Your Majesty, I'm not worthy..."
"Yin'er, don't underestimate yourself. You've been so filial to me these days. You're a kind and filial person. Now that the Emperor has no heirs, I hope a beauty as clever as you will accompany the Emperor so that you can bear children for the royal family and the Great Yan Dynasty soon."
Concubine Ning blushed: "Your Majesty~ I just want to stay by your side~"
"Silly girl, I don't want to keep you by my side all day. A beauty like you should accompany the Emperor and add charm to his life."
The Queen Mother hinted meaningfully: "Yin'er, don't be shy. You've served me well during my illness and you're so kind - hearted. The title of Concubine Zhao is not worthy of you. You know, I've always had you in mind."
Concubine Ning's heart skipped a beat. Her face seemed to turn even redder as she lowered her head and looked at the Queen Mother.
During their light - hearted conversation, they reached a tacit understanding. Concubine Ning was very sensible and found an excuse to leave the Cining Palace.
After she left, the palace servants in the hall were also waved away.
After the last caning, Nanny Dou, being old, was still lying on the couch even though she had been treated with medicine and examined by the imperial physician.
For a moment, only Zhuju was serving in the inner hall.
This was a surprise that had fallen from the sky. Usually, only Zhumei and a few others were qualified for such good opportunities.
Now, all her efforts to show herself since coming to the palace had finally paid off. The Queen Mother had finally noticed her and left her by her side.
But before the smile on Zhuju's lips could fully spread, there was a sudden crashing sound as a porcelain object shattered. Frightened, she quickly knelt on the ground, her heart filled with panic.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
The Queen Mother's face was as dark as ink, and her chest heaved violently.
Before she could explode in anger, a sudden fit of coughing interrupted her. Her face instantly turned purple.
Zhuju suddenly realized that something truly extraordinary must have happened.
Otherwise, why would the Queen Mother be so angry?
She had thought this was a good thing, but it turned out...
After the earth - shattering coughing finally stopped, the Queen Mother's face was shrouded in a dark and menacing shadow.
"I have something to tell you. Remember, you must never let anyone else know..."
The extremely soft voice drifted into her ear, but it felt like a cold - edged sword stabbing into her heart.
A chill spread across her back, but Zhuju dared not show the slightest sign of it.
If only she had known...
---
The imperial censor, having caught wind of the matter, submitted a memorial to the throne. Grand Tutor Wang, who had suddenly lost his beloved son, spat out a mouthful of blood.
After sending a message to the Queen Mother, he fainted. As soon as he woke up, he immediately ordered his subordinates to remonstrate with the Emperor like madmen, forcing Jun Wuyuan to issue an order to thoroughly investigate the rebellion in Jiangzhou.
Moreover, a group of Grand Tutor Wang's followers, on the grounds that the mob had rebelled against the monarch and showed disrespect, requested that Jun Wuyuan send troops to suppress them.
This time, even the Liangzhou Garrison was willing to show its fangs, vowing to avenge their beloved son.
It was evident how enraged Grand Tutor Wang was!
Jun Wuyuan sat high on his throne, occasionally dropping a few hints, which made Grand Tutor Wang lose his temper and make a series of stupid mistakes.
Just when Grand Tutor Wang thought he could finally take action to avenge his son, the refugees from Jiangzhou sounded the drum of grievances. A plea signed in blood by ten thousand people, each word dripping with blood, exposed the corruption and bribery of the Jiangzhou officials and the imperial envoys!
This blood - signed plea quickly spread throughout Chang'an like a winged bird, dealing a heavy blow to Grand Tutor Wang's faction.
In Jiangzhou, the fields were littered with the corpses of the starving, and the people were living in dire straits. The officials had embezzled the relief grain, and the commoners had been forced to rise up in rebellion just to survive.
Good, law - abiding citizens had been driven to rebellion by corrupt officials. It was a great disgrace!
Jun Wuyuan was immediately enraged. In front of all the important ministers, he threw a document in Grand Tutor Wang's face.
"Grand Tutor, is this the so - called rebellion of the mob and disrespect for the monarch you were talking about? Or is this the honest and loyal son you boasted about?"
"Good! Receiving the court's salary and acting in my name, how dare they be so bold as to oppress the common people and feast on their blood!"
"Someone! Take Grand Tutor Wang back to his mansion. The Three Judicial Departments will thoroughly investigate the case in Jiangzhou. If anyone dares to bend the law for personal gain or take risks, I won't hesitate to behead his entire family to pay tribute to the innocent and brutally killed commoners!"