The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 799

Chapter 799: Empress Dowager 372 (First Watch of the Night)

"Your Majesty..." Eunuch Wei tried to explain that Empress Dowager Jing did not push him. However, before he could speak, Emperor coldly said, "Silence!"

Eunuch Wei shut his mouth.

Looking at the wounded expression on Empress Dowager Jing’s face, the Emperor wasn’t sure why his previous feelings of compassion were replaced with a touch of resistance and doubt.

"I didn’t."

Empress Dowager Jing did not speak these words.

Because she understood the effects of this medicine better than anyone else.

"Empress Dowager Jing did not do it." The nun argued forcefully, "Eunuch Wei simply lost his footing."

The Emperor spoke coldly, "How did he just lose his footing out of nowhere?"

Eunuch Wei: Uh ... indeed it was me who stumbled!

The Empress Dowager Jing gave the Emperor one last look before abruptly turning around and leaving, clutching her handkerchief tightly!

"Empress Dowager Jing! Empress Dowager Jing!" The nun had no choice but to follow her. The nun kept looking back, hoping the Emperor would stop the Empress Dowager Jing; however the Emperor did not.

As the Emperor watched Empress Dowager Jing’s retreating figure, a moment of distraction appeared on his face. But it only lasted for a moment before he solemnly left for his study.

Eunuch Wei was utterly baffled. He dismissed the servants and asked Gu Jiao, "Miss Gu, you saw it all, didn’t you? Is there anything wrong with His Majesty? He wasn’t like this. Did he have a fight with Empress Dowager Jing? Or was he affected by something?"

Gu Jiao didn’t answer his question, instead she asked: "Did Empress Dowager Jing really not push you?"

Eunuch Wei replied, "No! His Majesty was mistaken! I really fell by myself. It’s not related to the Empress Dowager Jing! It’s so strange..."

"When did His Majesty become like this?"

"Miss Gu, do you mean..."

"He suddenly became indifferent to the Empress Dowager Jing."

Ah, Eunuch Wei had an epiphany. He’d been trying to find a word to describe His Majesty. After thinking for a long time, he couldn’t come up with one. So ’indifference’ was it.

He replied, "Not too long ago. Yesterday, His Majesty detained the wet nurse Cai in his anger to question her. In the evening, Hui An, who stays beside the Empress Dowager Jing, came to report that she did not eat or drink the whole day. His Majesty showed compassion and went to visit her. He’s been too laborious and fell asleep halfway through his meal. When he woke up, he became like this!"

It seemed like someone tampered with the medicine in the black bottle.

As expected, Godfather was right. There really were those who used their cleverness against themselves.

Watching Gu Jiao’s small, curling lips, Eunuch Wei felt a chill up his spine for some reason. "Miss Gu, why are you smiling?"

Gu Jiao blinked her eyes, "Nothing, it’s fine. His Majesty is fine, you don’t have to worry."

Eunuch Wei was still doubtful, "Really, should I stop worrying?"

Gu Jiao waved her hand, "No need, His Majesty is perfectly okay. I have to visit my godmother first!"

"Ah, let me send you, Miss Gu." Eunuch Wei accompanied her out of Huaqing Palace.

Gu Jiao visited Renshou Palace, Empress Dowager Zhuang had just finished her morning court and was reading reports in her study.

Her reports were different from the Emperor’s. What she read were first-hand reports from the six ministries. Only the reports she approved would be presented to the ministers and delivered to the Emperor. So the documents the Emperor reviews each day were in fact second-hand reports...

Poor Emperor.

Gu Jiao didn’t disturb her godmother and went to look for Eunuch Qin in the side hall.

Eunuch Qin was enjoying the sun on the grass with his little pet turtle. Seeing Gu Jiao come over, his first reaction was to protect his little pet turtle!

Gu Jiao: "..."

"Cough, cough!" Perhaps realizing that his reaction had been excessive, Eunuch Qin coughed awkwardly twice and surreptitiously put his pet turtle into a pond. He said to Gu Jiao, "Miss Gu, you’re here? It’s sunny today. Would you like to sit in the pavilion?"

I will never admit that I am worried Miss Gu will hurt my pet again.

Even though Miss Gu didn’t do it on purpose, the little turtle was scared - he sensed it deeply.

"That’s fine." Gu Jiao didn’t refuse.

They both moved to the pavilion where Eunuch Qin served tea and snacks.

Gu Jiao said, "Eunuch Qin, Empress Dowager and His Majesty started having disagreements before the late emperor’s death. It wasn’t until the late emperor passed away and His Majesty ascended to the throne – with Empress Dowager refusing to let go of her power – that their relationship completely deteriorated."

Eunuch Qin nodded, "Yes, that’s what happened."

It seemed that the medication started before His Majesty’s ascension, but the effect isn’t immediate. It has a fermenting process. It wasn’t until my godmother started ruling behind a curtain, touching His Majesty’s base line, did they have no way back.

If that’s the case, His Majesty’s dislike for Empress Dowager Jing also needed to deepen gradually through a series of "misunderstandings".

"No need." Gu Jiao curved her lips, "The old lady has been working hard these days. From now on, the old lady doesn’t have to force herself to act with His Majesty."

If it was someone else, they would ask why, but the Empress Dowager didn’t ask. She said: "Will the candied fruits still be given?"

Gu Jiao shrugged: "If we’re not acting, of course not."

The Empress Dowager’s face darkened instantly.

Act!

She will act!

Just for five candied fruits!

Then, the Empress Dowager picked up her phoenix robe and went to Huaqing Palace with a clatter!

Was this girl dissatisfied with her acting?

Humph, it’s not a big deal, she could just act harder!

The memorandums today were rather numerous.

The Empress Dowager called him to discuss matters last night and it was indeed important. The news of the Crown Princess’s violation of the Kun formation had been sent to the other five nations. Liang, Zhao, and Chen countries had all responded, expressing admiration for the Crown Princess and congratulating Zhan Country, and all three countries had sent invitations to the Crown Princess of Zhan Country.

The original intention of the Empress Dowager was for the two of them to reconcile first, in order to avoid disputes in court.

He didn’t go.

As a result, the Jinluan Hall was indeed in chaos during the court session this morning.

Some advocated going to Liang Country, as Liang Country is a superior country, having a good relationship with it would only benefit Zhan Country.

Some advocated for Zhao Country, because after all, the hometown of old Master Meng, Pu City, is located in Zhao Country, which is known as the city of chess.

There were also suggestions to go to Chen Country, because the king of Chen Country was about to confer a new queen, and the Crown Princess, along with the emissaries, could attend the queen’s coronation ceremony, killing two birds with one stone.

The Emperor was in a headache, when a palace maid reported that the Empress Dowager had arrived.

The Emperor didn’t think much of it, thinking it was to discuss this matter. He picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea, only to hear a forceful shout from the door: "Honyhong—"

The Emperor was shocked, and the tea cup in his hand flew right out!