Chapter 404 – Hammered to Death, Considered

Chapter 404 - Hammered to Death, Considered

There was no way to keep this a secret.

The news quickly spread throughout the harem.

Upon hearing this, Yun Li shook her head and said, "It's alright, just a minor incident. Fifth Prince does have quite the ambitions. It's no wonder Madam Liao is uneasy."

"Yes, if those few hadn't acted recklessly, who knows, it might have eventually sown the seeds of disaster. Fortunately, Minister Qi has great blessings. Fifth Prince's intentions have been exposed," Zhuyu commented.

"Bad luck, I suppose. I do believe he didn't deliberately arrange for an assassination. Regardless, whether or not it was him, the fact that he attracted so many people from the jianghu is already suspicious. His love for martial arts is just an excuse," Yun Li replied.

"Yes, but with today's events, His Majesty will definitely take note," Zhuyu said.

"I'm starting to look forward to the morning greetings tomorrow. I wonder how furious Empress will be," Yun Li chuckled softly.

The Empress, naturally, was furious.

She scolded Fifth Prince in the same manner he had scolded the three men.

Yet, at this point, scolding would be futile.

She did convey the message, summoning Fifth Prince's Consort to the palace for an answer the following day.

Although Fifth Prince was under house arrest, the emperor didn't explicitly forbid visits, so the Fifth Prince's Consort could still be called in for questioning.

That very night, He Jinli came to Jade Stream Palace, wearing his enigmatic smile as usual.

But this mysterious smile was a riddle that others couldn't decipher—Yun Li knew it all too well.

He was delighted by Little Nine's smooth talk. Little Nine truly surpassed his father in this regard.

In terms of sweet-talking to please his father, he had a natural talent.

Moreover, Little Nine genuinely cared for his father.

He Jinli could feel it, and naturally, he was delighted.

Especially considering Little Nine's attitude that, as long as his father was happy, even his siblings could be set aside – though such words might not sound right when spoken aloud.

Undoubtedly, she was secretly pleased.

Thus, she maintained her smile throughout their encounter with Yun Li.

Yun Li, perceptive as always, pretended ignorance and played along with the emperor's charade.

As for the matter of the Fifth Prince, whether the emperor had simply forgotten or deliberately avoided the topic, it remained unspoken.

"Han Jinli, in another two years, Little Nine will be of marriageable age. Have you found any suitable candidates? If so, start considering them now," said Han Jinli.

Yun Li shook her head. "None."

Han Jinli...

"You, as a mother, why aren't you more concerned? You've been preparing Yixuan's dowry since she was young, but when it comes to your own son, you seem unconcerned?" Han Jinli frowned.

"The family status is for Your Majesty to decide. Can one truly judge a lady's worth with just a glance? Doesn't it require time to get to know them? It would be better to wait for the imperial selection process. I can choose a few promising candidates and invite them here for inspection. If Little Nine approves, then that would be fine," Yun Li replied.

Han Jinli studied her for a moment before nodding in agreement.

That's still far from the case.

To be honest, it was uncertain what status one would hold to be chosen as a concubine back then.

The two of them were merely discussing, and Hè Jǐnlí suggested that she should look at more young ladies. If she couldn't become the main wife, she could still be a concubine.

However, Yún Lì wasn't too keen on meddling in such matters.

In the future, if her son liked someone, she would let him have his way.

She would screen the main wife, but not the concubines.

The next day, during the customary greetings, Empress Concubine Mǐn asked, "Empress Concubine Xián, I wonder how Vizier Qī is doing? Was he unharmed?"

Yún Lì replied with a smile, "I've been told that he's fine, but I don't know any more than that. Although Vizier Qī is my uncle, I don't know much more than you do."

"Thankfully, he's alright. It was quite a scare," Empress Concubine Mǐn said politely, nodding her head.

"Sounds absurd, doesn't it? In the heart of the capital, they say Vizier Qī was ambushed shortly after leaving the palace," mocked Empress Concubine Guì. "What kind of martial artist or assassin? I don't believe for a second that there's no one pulling the strings behind this attack on the prime minister."

Indeed, why would a bunch of wandering warriors attempt to assassinate the prime minister? It's always rumored that they seek fame by defeating other martial artists, not by killing government officials," said Concubine Yu. "Prince Wu claimed he was interested in martial arts and thus gathered this group of people to the capital. Now it seems they've become nothing but trouble. I wonder if Prince Wu is aware of all this or not. If things escalate, it will be a major incident."

"Empress Yu, it's best you refrain from speaking those words further," the Empress's expression was far from pleasant.

"Your Majesty, I am at a loss to understand where I have spoken out of turn. To be frank, there is a constant murmur in the court these days about the establishment of a crown prince. Even my eleventh son, who is still young and lacks any real talent, has been mentioned. Although I dare not entertain such thoughts, and my son has no such ambitions, who is to say that someone might not perceive him as an obstacle? Today, it was the highly esteemed Prime Minister who was assassinated, and he was fortunate to have a group of loyal followers to protect him from harm."

"In the future, the other prince will also have to leave the palace for their duties. For convenience, they usually don't bring many attendants with them. What if they encounter assassins as well? Forgive this servant's straightforwardness, but as mothers, don't all the sisters feel fear in their hearts?"

"Indeed, why wouldn't I be afraid? I was already anxious when the Twelfth Prince left the palace. Given the current situation, there's no way I would dare let him go out," Concubine Hu replied.

"What could this concubine possibly think or feel about Prince Five? Nonetheless, I must still visit the Zhengyang Palace shortly to request His Majesty to order Prince Five to dismiss the wandering folk he has taken in at his residence. These people are difficult to control. If something were to happen again in the future, wouldn't it be detrimental to Prince Five as well?" Concubine Yu said.

"Imperial Concubine Yu, you speak in alarmist terms. What makes you say he is the one harboring them?" The Empress knitted her eyebrows, "His Majesty has yet to conclude the investigation; how can you prematurely pronounce guilt upon the Fifth Prince?"

"Empress Yu speaks rather straightforwardly, but Your Majesty's current state is also beyond this concubine's comprehension," Concubine Yun Li interjected with a smile.

While it is true that everyone in the palace knows of Her Majesty's particular fondness for Prince Five, shouldn't that affection not lead to indulgence? The assassination attempt on Lord Qi was indeed connected to Prince Five - a fact, not an exaggerated or baseless claim. As for what Concubine Yu said, Your Majesty, I must confess that it has also stirred my concerns.

"Indeed, those folks from the jianghu don't quite fit in the capital. Putting aside other matters, this alone is reason enough to send them away," Concubine Shu commented.

"The sisters have mistaken one thing. Whether to disband or not, that's His Majesty's decision. Even the Empress might not have the authority to interfere," the Concubine said abruptly.

While her words were truthful, they were also deeply hurtful.

The Empress's expression turned grim instantly.

But the Concubine didn't even glance at the Empress, revealing her resentment.

Seeing this, the Empress didn't press on and simply dismissed everyone.

"Fuyi, what was with her behavior today? She relentlessly targeted the Fifth Prince. Does she envy how much favor her son receives?" the Empress exclaimed in anger.

"This Fuyi has always been in cahoots with the Virtuous Consort and the Honorable Consort. I can't understand why, despite having a son herself, she still submits to the Virtuous Consort," Ruyi sighed.

The Empress took a deep breath. "Regardless, it's ultimately the Fifth Prince's fault. Liu should be arriving soon, right?"

"Yes, probably any moment now."

Sure enough, after some time, Liao entered the palace.

No one knew what they had discussed, but when Liao emerged from the palace, her face was pale, revealing a profound air of sorrow.