Chapter 2668
Being an Empress Isn't Easy 14
Can't people just have some peace and quiet? Why can't we just live our lives properly?
Xi Ning slammed the storybook she was holding onto the coffee table beside her with a hint of annoyance, then said helplessly, "Qiu Shi, bring me the phoenix crown. Go and call the head of the Imperial Hospital to go to Consort Qian's place."
Donning the magnificent palace attire and a heavy phoenix crown, the phoenix palanquin outside the courtyard was already prepared when they left the palace.
When she arrived at Consort Qian's place, the emperor and several imperial physicians were there.
Xi Ning had already prepared herself emotionally, and she started shouting from the doorway: "Hurry up, faster!"
Upon seeing Qian Jieyu lying on the bed, covered with a thin silk quilt, her face pale and bluish, Qiu Shi immediately became extremely anxious and helped her over: "What happened? Didn't you always say the pregnancy was very stable? I repeatedly told you not to go to slippery places. Why did you start bleeding?"
He then asked the imperial physicians beside him, "How is it now? Has the pregnancy been saved?"
"Your Majesty the Empress!" The head of the Imperial Medical Academy bowed and said, "She is currently out of danger, but she is still far along in her pregnancy and needs to rest."
Oh dear, Cai Cai… She patted her chest lightly, feeling a sense of relief.
This pregnancy was finally achieved; it can't be lost. This is the Empress's achievement, the most effective proof that the original owner has rid herself of jealousy and malice!
Ignoring the emperor sitting there, she gracefully sat down beside Consort Qian's bed, put on a smile, and asked softly, "Why are you bleeding? That shouldn't be happening."
The palace maids who served Consort Qian immediately stepped forward, knelt in front, and said with tears and grievance, "Our mistress goes for a walk in the garden every day. Every time she goes out, we are very careful, supporting her on both sides, and there are people blocking her way in front and behind. As instructed by Her Majesty the Empress, we try to avoid people and not let anyone get close."
Xi Ning nodded. She had written the order herself, included it in the new palace rules, and even had the matrons teach the palace maids in each hall, explaining each rule clearly.
"But unexpectedly, halfway there, a cat darted out and pounced on the maid's mistress, startling her so much that she fell to the ground on the spot."
Xi Ning... This plot sounds so familiar. It's always cats, mice, or even snakes. Basically, these three small animals often appear when people are walking around. There are also a few cameos from crows, parrots, and the like.
“This…” she pretended to be hesitant: “If there are no cats in the palace, there will be a rat infestation.”
If it's just a stray cat, I'll just soothe it. I want to go back and lie down comfortably, eating pastries and candied fruits while reading stories.
"I recognize this cat!" Consort Qian cried out, "It belongs to Cui Zhaorong. She is so cruel. She doesn't want me to give birth to this prince. I beg Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress to make this decision."
Liu Cheng sat to one side, his face grim: "Empress, you manage the affairs of the palace, you should handle this."
Okay, okay, let me handle it. How should I handle it?
Cui Zhaorong's father was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Although the position of Vice Minister was not as high as that of Minister, it still held real power.
When Liu Cheng was the crown prince, in order not to be resented by his own father, he deliberately chose two daughters of high-ranking officials as his concubines. Only the father of the protagonist, who was so loyal to the late emperor, dared to marry his legitimate daughter as his principal wife.
If the punishment is too severe, Cui Zhaorong will be angry, and then Vice Minister Cui will tamper with the provisions and military pay sent to the border. The journey is long, and it's normal for delays of ten days to half a month due to wind or rain. It's also possible for the provisions to mold and spoil en route.
If the punishment is too lenient, Consort Qian will be dissatisfied, the Emperor will be dissatisfied, and who knows, even Cui Zhaorong might be dissatisfied. The Empress's punishment is unfair and the enforcement of the law is lax. Ministers who are close to Consort Qian or who are at odds with the Left Vice Minister of Revenue might impeach her at tomorrow's morning court session.
Xi Ning said calmly, "Qiu Shi, take two guards and go and invite Cui Zhaorong here."
Sigh, all for the pastries, candied fruit, and storybooks. Now it'll take some time to get things done.
They said they were inviting you, but they brought guards with them, which was clearly a way of saying, "Try it if you don't come!"
Qiu Shi immediately accepted the order and left.
Xi Ning sat by the bed, keeping herself very busy. She asked the imperial physician to prescribe a medicine, ordered someone to fetch some tonics from the storeroom, and instructed that some ingredients could be obtained from the imperial kitchen to prepare special meals for Consort Qian, adding an extra dish every day.
Soon after, Cui Zhaorong arrived. Upon arrival, she knelt before Liu Cheng, repeatedly pleading her innocence. "Yuanbao has always been gentle and mild-mannered, spending all its time eating and sleeping, and has never done anything to offend anyone. It has been with me all day and hasn't gone out at all. Could it be a mistake? There are other cats in the palace besides Yuanbao."
Gold ingots? That really fits the style of the Ministry of Revenue.
Cui Zhaorong vehemently denied it, but Qian Jieyu insisted it was true.
For a time, everyone had their own version of events, and it was impossible to distinguish the truth from the falsehood.
It's been almost half an hour, and they're still arguing. Everyone looks like they've suffered a great injustice. Actually, I'm the one who's most aggrieved. I'd rather not have a comfortable life than come here to listen to you all argue, and I can't even show the slightest impatience.
But they couldn't be prevented from speaking; if they made a decision immediately, they would be accused of being arbitrary and domineering.
Seeing that both sides were arguing until their throats were dry, Xi Ning finally spoke up: "You've talked for so long, have some tea and rest for a bit. Qiu Shi, send someone to bring Yuanbao over."
"What does Your Majesty intend to do?" Cui Zhaorong asked nervously. "Don't bring the cat here. Kill the cat and give Qian Jieyu an explanation."
"Didn't you say Yuanbao has always been mild-tempered? Then bring him here and see if what you said is true." Xi Ning picked up her tea and took a sip. Even if she didn't say anything, just listening was tiring.
An orange cat was brought over. It was so big and fat. To grow such a fat orange cat, you not only need to eat well, but you also need to be very sedentary.
Qian Jieyu, still shaken, hid inside the bed.
“It’s this cat! I swear on my life!” the palace maid immediately testified.
Xi Ning, however, became interested and reached out to pat the child, saying, "Let me hug you."
Qiu Shi took the gold ingot from the guard and handed it to her, saying, "Your Highness, please be careful."
Holding her on my lap is a bit too much for my legs; she really is chubby.
I reached out and touched it; its fur was glossy and very smooth. I gently pinched it; it was so fat I could feel the fat inside.
Yuanbao seemed to be enjoying the petting, making soft purrs as he obediently squatted on my lap, not moving at all.
"She's really well-behaved."
The Empress's words relieved Cui Zhaorong, who quickly echoed, "Your Majesty is wise. I know there is much gossip in the palace. Yuanbao was invited by my father. It is extremely lazy and never catches birds or butterflies. Once, a mouse passed by it, and it was still sleeping without even opening its eyes."
People at that time believed that cats could ward off evil spirits and catch mice, so they would hire them regardless of whether they paid for them, and sometimes even draw up contracts.
Xining wondered if she should get a cat too, to pet when she was bored and to keep the bed warm in winter.
Yuanbao's pink nose suddenly twitched, her eyes snapped open, and she jumped off her lap. She charged towards a certain spot!
This immediately caused Qian Jieyu's maidservant to scream, "Protect the imperial heir!"
But Yuanbao didn't rush towards Qian Jieyu, who was lying on the bed; instead, he stayed to the side.
There are clothes racks over there, with palace dresses and long robes hanging out to dry.
Before the guards could react, Yuanbao was already in front of the clothes rack. Amidst the cacophony of screams of "Protect the imperial heir!" echoing throughout the hall, he pounced on it, knocking down the magnificent robe embroidered with dogwood patterns, rack and all. (End of Chapter)