Chapter 0260: Sudden Change

Chapter 0260: Sudden Change

Missing a month's pay didn't bother her.

It was Consort Hui who was infuriated to the point of chest pain.

After being beaten and aggrieved, this was the other party's only consequence? The Emperor's bias was blatantly obvious.

However, many in the harem were pleased, especially those consorts who entered the palace with Consort Hui, who were virtually clapping their hands in delight.

After her initial joy, Consort Yu felt a chill: "Tsk, Consort Qiong really is something. She doesn't react immediately but saves it up for a big blow. If I keep acting up, won't I end up beaten to death by her? Luckily, I was just pretending from the start."

Chisu couldn't help but laugh at her: "My lady, please stop joking."

Having served her these years, Chisu truly admired her mistress for her good nature.

The matter was thus resolved.

Regardless of how much Hui Meiren resisted, she could only feign illness to rest for a few days.

The slap left no lasting marks.

The kick only resulted in a bruise.

She even dared not miss the Dragon Boat Festival.

This year's Dragon Boat Festival was celebrated in the Imperial Garden with a feast and opera performance.

A day filled with laughter and joy.

Everyone went to bed early as night fell.

Almost simultaneously, on the Yuanzheng grasslands, a gathering place with tents linked to the royal tent was ablaze with a massive fire.

Cries of battle echoed, intertwined with pained screams piercing the darkness.

The clash of metal and galloping steeds tore through flesh and bone.

In the distance, more warhorses continuously charged, their elite archers drawing their bows to full tension.

Everything happened too abruptly.

Hanwu's general revolted, joining forces with his youngest uncle. Now, their lives hang by a thread, with only a thousand loyal soldiers swearing to resist to the death.

The rebelling army outside couldn't breach their defenses.

There was no way out. Hunyin and Muzha were covered in blood, barely able to hold onto their curved swords.

They were dragged behind the king's tent, engulfed in flames.

The Grand Empress Dowager of Hanwu was here; she handed her youngest son to Hunyin and pushed a son by concubinage towards him: "Go! To the Great Jin, find your aunt. Find the Emperor of Great Jin. Hurry!"

"No, Mother!" How could Hunyin agree?

"Hurry! Do you want us to die together? If we all die, who will seek revenge?"

The Grand Empress Dowager scolded.

Hunyin looked at the great fire nearby, his father Khan and the loyal soldiers resisting unto death, and his mother, also covered in blood.

"Mother!" He and Muzha knelt: "Your son will surely avenge you, certainly will."

"Good, now go, protect your brothers. Go!" The Grand Empress Dowager shouted.

A dozen loyal soldiers came over, pulling them away through a hidden path on the back side.

Hunyin turned for one last look and saw his mother charging towards his father Khan with a long sword.

That was the last glimpse, the silhouette of his parents illuminated by the great fire.

The calamity in Yuanzheng was only reported in the capital in early June.

Inside Zhengyang Palace, He Jinli angrily said: "Is Zharu rebelling?"

"Your Majesty, it appears he truly harbors rebellious intentions. He has killed Khan Hanwu and the Grand Empress Dowager. Apart from the missing Crown Prince, the Second, Fourth, and Ninth Princes, the other six princes and eleven princesses have all been killed. Khan Hanwu's secondary Empress was killed. Several concubines have been awarded to military generals. Only Princess Jingning and others they dare not touch yet. Also, the Dowager Empress of Yuanzheng is still alive," a minister reported.

"Issue my decree, order the border guards to assemble immediately, ready to defend against external enemies. Command the north, search along the way for the sons of Khan Hanwu. Once found, rescue them at all costs, they must not be harmed."

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, Consort Mei has arrived. We couldn't stop her," Li Mu entered and said.

He Jinli waved his hand: "Let her in."

With such significant news, Consort Mei naturally knew.

"Your Majesty! Please seek justice for my brother, avenge him for me, Your Majesty," Consort Mei knelt as soon as she entered, her forehead hitting the ground as she cried.

"My dear, rest assured, I have already sent word to search for your nephews," He Jinli said.

In truth, as long as Yuanzheng doesn't provoke us, there's no need for war.

Consort Mei's words carry no weight.

So He Jinli could only bring this up first.

"They're still alive?" Consort Mei was surprised.

"Consort Mei, please restrain your grief. According to the current news, four princes of Khan Hanwu managed to escape on the night of the calamity. But given the current chaos in Yuanzheng and the rebels running rampant, they're likely hard-pressed to hide. Their journey must be difficult. However, if I'm not mistaken, they should be heading south," the Minister of War said.

Consort Mei nodded: "Yes, they should head south. I beg Your Majesty to search along the way, I implore you," she added.

"My dear, please stand up. Khan Hanwu was a friend of mine. His misfortune means his sons are my nephews. Besides, you are here. Rest assured, I will search diligently. If necessary, we will send someone to Yuanzheng," He Jinli assured.

Consort Mei kowtowed again before standing up: "I thank Your Majesty profoundly."

"Send my message to Zharu, if he doesn't wish for immediate armed conflict, then he must stop the slaughter," He Jinli ordered.

Someone was dispatched immediately.

Consort Mei was deeply distressed, yet she understood the gravity of the situation.

She was led out in a daze by Meng Chang.

Just outside Yue Xian Pavilion, she saw Yunli.

"Greetings to Consort Qiong," Meng Chang said.

Yunli nodded: "Let me escort Consort Mei."

Meng Chang acknowledged and returned inside.

Yunli approached, supporting Consort Mei: "Sister, you must stay strong. With you here, there is hope for your mother."

"Yes, His Majesty said my nephews have fled and might come to Da Jin. I cannot fall," Mei Shu Consort wiped away her tears.

"That's good. As long as they are alive, there is hope for the future. Steady yourself," Yunli escorted her back.

"Sister, you're wise. If Zhalu doesn't plan to wage war, did my brother, sister-in-law, and so many nephews and nieces die in vain?" Mei Shu Consort grasped Yunli's hand.

Mei Shu Consort implored Yunli.

"I don't know at this moment, but regardless, finding your nephews is crucial. Otherwise, there will be no one to follow," Yunli said.

Mei Shu Consort nodded: "I'm just afraid he might have gone after my mother as well..."

After all, Zhalu was not her mother's son.

"Sister, be strong. With you, a princess here, they still have something to fear," Yunli said.

Mei Shu Consort nodded and embraced Yunli, crying.

Her family was destroyed; since coming to Da Jin, she had not seen her parents or siblings.

How could she not weep upon hearing such news suddenly?

Yunli thought of the bold and fiery Dowager Consort, who had now perished.

In this life, she would never see her again.

Fortunately, she died in battle.

Even in death, she died gloriously.

Yunli wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, wishing in her heart that in her next life, she could still be bold and beautiful, living freely and unrestrained.

Friend, farewell.

[So, what happens next? Courtly jade liquor for one hundred and eighty-one a cup, what comes next, listen as I tell the tale.]