When Zhong Yuqing was appointed to investigate, the Empress, upon receiving the news in Kunde Palace, remained silent for a long moment.
Zhang Mingde, watching her cautiously, tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, if Zhong Yuqing is in charge, we may find it difficult to intervene.”
That man was rigid and stubborn, immune to both power and seduction, only concerned with building a legacy of righteousness.
If not for that, the Crown Prince wouldn’t have tried to use him as a weapon. But now…
The Emperor had wielded the sword before the Crown Prince could.
The Empress cast a cold glance at Zhang Mingde and sneered. “Do you really think this means I have no countermeasures?”
“Your Majesty is wise. This servant is foolish and humbly awaits your guidance,” Zhang Mingde responded, bowing deeply.
“Everyone has weaknesses. We just need to find his,” the Empress said coolly. “if Zhong Yuqing himself is beyond reproach, then surely someone in his family isn’t.”
Zhang Mingde’s eyes gleamed. “I will begin investigating immediately.”
“Wait,” the Empress said. “What is the Crown Prince’s response?”
“There’s been no word from him yet,” Zhang Mingde replied, lowering his head.
The Empress’s expression darkened. She waved a hand dismissively. “Go.”
Zhang Mingde quickly withdrew.
Once he was gone, Lu Momo finally spoke up. “Your Majesty, should I make a trip to the Eastern Palace?”
The Empress shook her head. “No. We don’t know how many eyes are watching Kunde Palace right now.”
The more dire the situation, the more she needed to remain composed.
She had held the position of Empress for decades—this was nothing.
She simply hadn’t expected Lu Zhiliang to leave behind so much evidence and for Huang Shao to have been biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
She shouldn’t have hesitated back then—she should have acted the moment he secured the position.
Lu Momo pondered for a moment before adding, “Your Majesty, tonight, Consort Gui sent a tonic to Chongzheng Hall, and His Majesty even granted her an audience.”
“Consort Gui?” The Empress scoffed. “She’s nothing but a fence-sitter. She can’t wait for me and the Crown Prince to fall so she and Jin Wang can rise. What a joke.”
“Jin Wang still has no heir, and His Majesty has long been displeased about it. When Side Consort Qian had a miscarriage last time, His Majesty even reprimanded Consort Gui. if she thinks she can seize the Eastern Palace, she’s dreaming—Jin Wang may not have that kind of fortune.” Lu Momo chuckled.
The Empress’s expression eased slightly as she absentmindedly flicked her fingernail, her gaze fixed ahead. After a long pause, she asked, “Any news from Madam Qian?”
“Your Majesty need not worry. After Side Consort Qian’s miscarriage, Jin Wang has been quite displeased with Jin Wangfei. it’s unlikely she’ll conceive again anytime soon.”
“At least she’s of some use,” the Empress said nonchalantly. “What about Yu Wang?”
“Yu Wang has been meeting Second Miss He in private several times. It won’t be long before she is officially taken as a side consort,” Lu Momo reported, frowning slightly. “But that girl is impulsive. if she enters Yu Wang’s residence, she may not be a match for Yu Wangfei.”
The Empress glanced at Lu Momo. “Does it matter? As long as she can be useful at the right moment, that’s all I need.”
“Your Majesty is right. Shall I give things a little push?” Lu Momo asked.
The Empress gazed at the sunlight outside the hall, lost in thought. After a long silence, she said, “Not yet. if we can’t suppress Lu Zhiliang’s case, we’ll use this to divert His Majesty’s attention.”
A mere He Wanyi—one tethering Jin Wangfei, another linking to Yu Wang—the bigger the commotion, the better. That way, His Majesty wouldn’t keep his eyes fixed solely on the Crown Prince.
As for Huang Shao…
A cold glint flashed in the Empress’s eyes. obstacles are meant to be kicked away.
