Chapter 227: Getting Reinforcements

Chapter 227: Getting Reinforcements

Earlier, Wang Mama had boasted to Xin You that now, most of the servants in Shaoqing Mansion were siding with the Evening Serenity Abode, which shocked Xin You.

Aren’t the people at Shaoqing Mansion too easily swayed?

After listening to Wang Mama’s report, Xin You thanked her for her hard work and left the room.

The courtyard was filled with blooming flowers, lush greenery, and colorful butterflies fluttering gracefully.

The grogginess from her restless night faded away, and Xin You silently pondered in the direction of Ruyitang Courtyard: The matter of Miss Zhu’s complaint should have spread by now.

What will that person do?

The sun was sinking, casting a fiery glow across the sky. A servant approached and reported, “Cousin, a clerk from Qingsong Bookstore is here to see you.”

Xin You didn’t delay and headed to the front.

Liu Zhou was waiting in the small hall, and as soon as he saw Xin You, he quickly stood up and set down his teacup. “Boss.”

Xin You asked the tea-serving boy to leave and questioned Liu Zhou, “What’s the matter?”

Liu Zhou took a letter out of his bosom. “A Jinlin Guard who helped our bookstore deal with some riffraff sent this. It’s for you.”

Previously, some riffraff had broken into Qingsong Bookstore at night for money. He Qingxiao had sent fifty Jinlin Guards to help. After that, these guards frequently visited the bookstore, and Liu Zhou had become familiar with them.

Xin You took the letter and unfolded it.

She read it quickly, then read it again carefully, gripping the letter tightly.

“Boss, is something wrong?” Liu Zhou asked worriedly.

Xin You smiled. “It’s nothing. It’s getting late, you should head back to the bookstore.”

Liu Zhou was momentarily stunned.

He had never seen the boss smile so brightly before.

“What is it?” Xin You asked.

“You seem to be in a good mood, boss,” Liu Zhou said cautiously. “It must be more comfortable at home. I see that the people in the Shaoqing Mansion are very attentive to you.”

What if the boss decides to stay at Shaoqing Mansion and not return to the bookstore?

Xin You was amused by the clerk’s thoughts. “You’ve only been here and you already know that the people in Shaoqing Mansion are attentive to me?”

“Of course. From the gatekeepers to the tea-serving boys, everyone is extremely polite to me. It’s all because of the boss’s face, showing your weight in their hearts.”

Hearing this, Xin You thought of Wang Mama and Li Mama unintentionally winning over half of Shaoqing Mansion.

Seeing Xin You’s expression change, Liu Zhou scratched his head. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Not exactly wrong. Go back and tell Hu Boss to have the people at the bookstore not wander around these days, focus on their work, and I’ll return in a few more days.”

Hearing that Xin You would return soon, Liu Zhou felt relieved and left happily.

Xin You returned to the Evening Serenity Abode and asked Xiaolian to bring a basin so she could burn the letter. Xiaolian didn’t ask any questions and quickly cleaned up the ashes.

For Xin You, things were finally going her way, and she felt much better. But for Consort Shu, it was like a thunderbolt on a clear day.

In the Hall of Heavenly Purity, the eunuch whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort Shu has been kneeling for an hour."

Emperor Xingyuan's eyes flashed deep disgust. "Tell her to either kneel until she dies or go back to her quarters."

Outside the hall, Consort Shu's body trembled uncontrollably, her legs almost numb.

Though the sun had set, leaving only a few lingering rays of light, she felt as if she were still kneeling under the blazing sun, suffering a cruel and relentless torment.

Hearing footsteps, Consort Shu's eyes lit up. She eagerly asked the approaching eunuch, "Is the Emperor going to see me?"

"Consort Shu, you should return to your quarters," the eunuch advised, not daring to alter the message. "The Emperor said you can either kneel until you die or go back."

Consort Shu swayed unsteadily.

The palace maids on either side quickly supported her, softly urging, "Consort Shu, please go back."

The eunuch who delivered the message went back inside without looking back, while Consort Shu stared straight at the direction of the palace door, her eyes filled with hatred and resentment.

She had always known the Emperor had no affection for her, but after accompanying this man for twenty years, was there really no familial affection at all?

How could this man be so heartless?

But no matter how much hatred and resentment she had, it wouldn't bring her brother back, nor could it help her son.

As she thought of her brother's brutal death, Consort Shu bit her lip so hard it nearly drew blood.

She couldn't afford to sit idly by. Now that her son was imprisoned in the Imperial Clan House, at least he was still alive, and she still had a chance to try!

"Help me up," Consort Shu said, her voice weak from the ordeal.

The palace maid helped Consort Shu to her feet and supported her as they walked towards Hanhua Palace. After walking for a while, Consort Shu said, "To Cining Palace."

If there was one person who could persuade the Emperor, it was the Empress Dowager.

Of course, there was another person whose words might have been even more effective, but that woman was long dead.

Thinking of the death of Empress Xin, Consort Shu's lips curled into a smile, and suddenly she felt a surge of strength.

"Empress Dowager, Consort Shu begs for an audience."

The Empress Dowager was eating cherries.

The white porcelain bowl was filled with ruby-red cherries, their glossy skins glistening like jewels, making one's mouth water.

Even for the wealthy, cherries were a rare delicacy, but the Empress Dowager had a hearty appetite and ate them one after another without pause.

Her cherry-eating was interrupted, and she said indifferently, "Admit her."

Soon, Consort Shu entered, supported by palace maids. "Your servant greets the Empress Dowager."

Seeing Consort Shu's miserable state, the Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised. "What happened?"

Consort Shu fell to her knees with a thud. "Empress Dowager, please save Yier!"

The Empress Dowager didn't care much about Consort Shu's life or death, but when she heard that her precious grandson was in trouble, she sat up sharply, her attention now fully focused. "What happened to Yier?"

"Yier has been locked away in the Imperial Clan House," Consort Shu said, covering her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Empress Dowager frowned deeply. "What happened? Why was Yier locked up in the Imperial Clan House?"

"I'm not sure of the details, but I know His Majesty was really upset. I went to the Hall of Heavenly Purity to request an audience but knelt for a long time without being able to see him."

Consort Shu, of course, was well aware. After all, she had been in charge of the palace for over a decade and still maintained a network of connections and informants. The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, was content with her family and grandchildren, enjoying a life of comfort and luxury. She had a passing interest in the gossip from outside the palace but knew little and cared little about court matters. Moreover, Emperor Xingyuan had given orders that the Empress Dowager should not be disturbed by trivial matters, so such news rarely reached her.

"Empress Dowager, please save Yier. He’s in that place; who knows how much he’s suffering."

After Consort Shu’s emotional plea, the distressed Empress Dowager headed straight for the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is here."

Upon hearing the eunuch’s report, Emperor Xingyuan frowned and quickly rose to greet her.

"It's already dark. If you wanted to see me, Mother, you could have just sent word," said Emperor Xingyuan, reaching out to support the Empress Dowager, while the palace maids supporting her quietly stepped aside.

Knowing her son’s filial nature, the Empress Dowager got straight to the point. "I heard that Yier was imprisoned in the Imperial Clan House. Is there such a thing?"

Emperor Xingyuan nodded in acknowledgment.

The Empress Dowager's expression immediately darkened.