The Imperial Palace.
The Emperor had been unwell for several days, confined to his bed. He had not attended court for consecutive days. The Empress personally attended to him by his bedside, busying herself with fetching water and delivering medicine, fulfilling her duty as a wife. The imperial concubines visited daily, hoping to catch the Emperor's attention, but were all turned away at the door.
"Your Majesty, it's time for your medicine," the Empress said, entering with a steaming bowl of dark, bitter liquid.
"Tomorrow is the New Year banquet, yet I feel so weak," the Emperor refused the medicine. "I've been taking this for days and have seen no improvement, clearly it's useless."
"Your Majesty, good medicine is bitter. The imperial physicians are concerned that the dosage might be too strong for Your Majesty's body, so the medicine is quite mild. Two more doses will show results," the Empress earnestly persuaded.
The old Emperor quietly observed the Empress, gentle and considerate, managing the affairs of the inner palace with perfect order. She was a qualified Empress.
"Empress, you have worked hard these years."
The Empress's expression shifted slightly, her gaze lowered. "As Empress, I have failed to properly care for Your Majesty's health. This is my dereliction of duty."
"Everyone eats grains, who doesn't fall ill? This has nothing to do with you," the Emperor said softly. "I will handle the Crown Prince's matter with discretion. You need not worry too much."
"How does Your Majesty intend to deal with the Crown Prince?" the Empress asked tentatively.
"We must placate the public's anger and the court officials' grievances. After some time, once the dust settles, we can release him," the Emperor sighed. "As Crown Prince, what he did was truly foolish. I wish to protect him, but I don't know how."
"Your Majesty has been most thoughtful," the Empress said, her eyes downcast. Protecting him. If it weren't for the Crown Prince being the eldest son of the Empress, and the backing of the Duke's mansion behind them, this position of Crown Prince would never have fallen to her son!
Now that the Crown Prince had erred, how could the Emperor let go of this opportunity to bring him down and elevate his beloved son? But would she allow him such a chance!
Her son, she would protect him herself. The position of heir apparent belonged to her son, and the throne also belonged to her son. She would never allow anyone to snatch what belonged to her son!
"Your Majesty, please drink your medicine," the Empress brought the bowl to the Emperor's lips, her smile gentle yet unyielding. "Without taking medicine, the illness will not heal. Your Majesty, please drink your medicine quickly."
The Emperor gazed deeply at the Empress, opened his mouth, and drank the medicine. The light in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a creeping chill. In the end, he finished the bowl of medicine without saying another word.
Seeing the Emperor finish his medicine and fall into a deep sleep, the Empress's lips curved into a triumphant smile. "Guards, secure Chengan Hall. No one is to enter or leave."
The second day of the eighth month was the last day of court. After the New Year banquet, civil and military officials would begin their holiday until the sixth day of the new year, when court would resume.
At the palace gate, officials and their families entered sequentially. The guards at the palace gate today were exceptionally strict. He Qingyi whispered to Xiao Man.
"The guards at the palace gate are unusually strict today."
"Not only are the guards strict, but they are all unfamiliar faces," Xiao Man said softly. "The usual guards are not here, and even the squad leader has been replaced."
"Perhaps it's a shift change."
"After all these years, I've entered and exited the imperial palace more than a hundred times. Which squad leader don't I know?" Xiao Man's voice was low but clear enough for He Qingyi to hear. "I suspect these guards are not from the Imperial Guards."
"How could that be?" He Qingyi exclaimed, disbelief evident. The imperial palace guards were directly under the Emperor's command, the Imperial Guards. But Xiao Man claimed they weren't part of the direct forces. Would something happen at today's banquet?
"My dear young lady, it seems today's banquet will not be pleasant."
"When have palace banquets ever been pleasant?" Xiao Man gestured for He Qingyi to calm down. "Later, no matter what happens, do not step forward. Stay quietly among the honored ladies. If you can find a place to hide, that would be best."
He Qingyi immediately understood that something would indeed happen at today's palace banquet.
"Eldest Sister, Father doesn't seem to be here?"
"As the commander of the Divine Capital Camp, and it being the last day of the year for roll call, Father naturally has to make proper arrangements for the duty and patrols during the holiday period. He will likely arrive later," Xiao Man said calmly.
Xiao Man and her entourage arrived at the palace gate. The guards at the gate glanced at Xiao Man and then allowed them to enter.
A knowing smile flickered across Xiao Man's lips. It seemed the Empress was aware that her father might not attend the banquet, so she had to ensure her own entry. Once she was captured, it would be equivalent to capturing her father's weakness, and he would have no choice but to yield.
"Eldest Sister, I feel the atmosphere in the palace is a bit strange today."
"You haven't been to the palace in a long time, so it's natural to feel unfamiliar," Xiao Man patted her hand. "Don't worry, I am here for everything."
Xiao Ling nodded and followed behind Xiao Man.
"Madam Xiao."
"Madam Wen." He Qingyi quickly returned the greeting upon seeing the Prime Minister Wen's wife.
"Auntie." Xiao Man immediately paid her respects.
Prime Minister Wen's wife quickly took Xiao Man's hand. "Child, why aren't you wearing hand warmers? Look at your hands, so cold."
As she spoke, she placed her own hand warmer into Xiao Man's hand. "Your constitution is weaker than others. Your maids clearly aren't serving you well. What if you catch a cold?"
Ying Xue quickly lowered her head, afraid that Madam Wen would hold her accountable.
Xiao Man smiled and explained, "Ying Xue prepared them, but I found them cumbersome and left them in the carriage."
"In such cold weather, and who knows how long today's banquet will last, you must have everything prepared. What if you get sick from the cold?" As she spoke, she took off the fox fur scarf around her neck and wrapped it around Xiao Man.
In a short while, Xiao Man was so tightly bundled by Madam Wen that she could barely move. He Qingyi chuckled. "Young Miss, quickly thank Madam Wen."
"Thank you, Auntie. I'm not cold..."
"I know, you're worried I'm cold. Don't worry, I'm not cold. I've already sent Mo Han to get another one." Madam Wen held Xiao Man's hand and walked alongside He Qingyi. "There are quite a few people attending the palace banquet today. I see the families of officials ranked third grade and above have all come."
"The Empress has bestowed a favor, allowing the families of officials ranked third grade and above to attend the palace banquet this year, so naturally there are many people." Su Dan Fiction Network.
Madam Wen scoffed. "She probably wants to use this opportunity to win hearts and have people plead for the Crown Prince."
"Auntie," Xiao Man squeezed her hand, signaling her to speak more softly. After all, they were in the palace. Offending the Empress would be detrimental to them, especially since the Empress was likely preparing for a final gamble.
"Others may fear her, but I do not," Madam Wen said coldly. "The Crown Prince defiled the ancestral temple, incurring heavenly wrath, and nearly harmed my family..."
"Mother!" Wen Mohan's voice rang out, and Madam Wen immediately fell silent.