frightfiction Chapter 1459 is not the time for excessive celebration.
Chapter 1459 is not the time for excessive celebration.
Consort Zhuang sat by the window, slowly fiddling with a string of Buddhist prayer beads.
Hearing Xiao Caizi's words, she showed no surprise and said calmly, "Su Quanye has been operating in the Shenxing Division for many years and is extremely cunning. There are only two possibilities for why he is so eager to make a final judgment."
"Or perhaps in his eyes, Bahargul was nothing more than an insignificant palace maid, dead and done with, not worth the Cautious Punishment Department's great effort and energy."
"Or..."
At this point, Consort Zhuang paused slightly, a glint of light flashing in her eyes: "Someone above gave the order to stop here. Su Quanye was merely following orders."
Xiao Cai's heart skipped a beat: "Does Your Highness mean... that someone instructed you to do this?"
Consort Zhuang remained noncommittal: "If the latter possibility is true, who else in the palace, besides His Majesty, could make Su Quanye so obedient?"
Xiao Cai gasped in shock, his eyes widening involuntarily: "Your Majesty?!"
"This servant does not understand why Your Majesty would do this?"
He simply couldn't understand how a court lady who had long since fallen out of favor could win the Emperor's favor and prompt him to deal with her in such a subtle way.
Consort Zhuang gently shook her head: "I was just guessing."
"His Majesty's mind is unpredictable. Perhaps Ba Shi inadvertently touched on something she shouldn't have, or perhaps His Majesty simply doesn't want to see this person anymore."
Xiao Caizi nodded as if he understood: "But it's good that Bahargul is dead. It saves the Empress some trouble, and she doesn't have to worry about her anymore."
Consort Zhuang was not most concerned about this matter; a thoughtful look flashed in her eyes.
After her father returned to court, his prestige among civil officials grew daily. Even though she had no biological children, as long as she didn't make any major mistakes, her position as a concubine was unshakeable.
The most important thing right now is the young members of the Zhuang family.
Now that they have embarked on their official careers, they cannot remain confined to insignificant government offices. They need to make early plans and place people in key positions such as the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and even those that they hope to eventually enter the cabinet.
Only when the foundation of the previous dynasty is solid can she truly rest easy in the harem.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
Li Changde bowed and said, "...Your Majesty, everything has been taken care of."
"All the spies and informants that Prince Jin planted in the palace in his early years are now in my hands."
"As for those who are out of touch with reality or know too much... they have all been cleaned up, and there will be no future trouble."
"Now, whatever the Prince of Jin wants to know about the palace is entirely up to His Majesty's will. Whatever His Majesty allows him to know, that's all he can know."
Nangong Xuanyu, sitting behind his desk, nodded upon hearing this.
Initially, he did indeed intend to keep the rather shrewd Bahargul as a hidden pawn to deal with Prince Jin in the future.
However, times change and plans can never keep up with changes.
Now that he has a more suitable and hidden piece in his hand, Bahargul, the discarded piece, seems superfluous and an eyesore.
If the Prince of Jin's spies continue to remain in the inner palace, there is no guarantee that something won't happen, and the emperor will naturally not allow such a hidden danger to exist.
At this moment, Xiao Huizi tiptoed in and reported, "Your Majesty, the officials are already waiting outside the hall."
Nangong Xuanyu concealed his thoughts and said solemnly, "Send it."
"Yes."
Several high-ranking officials filed in and reported important matters in turn.
The topic quickly shifted to the Prince of Jin, who was now in a weakened state and holed up in his residence.
Gu Jinxiao, holding a jade tablet, stepped forward and bowed. His tone was as strict and rigid as ever, but his analysis was very sharp: "...Your Majesty, after being suppressed repeatedly, Prince Jin's wings have been almost completely broken, and his reputation in the court and among the people has also plummeted."
"According to my observation, although Prince Jin appears to be well-behaved, he is actually secretly contacting his former subordinates and raising money, which is quite unusual."
"I believe that he has been forced to the edge of a cliff, and like a cornered beast, he will fight desperately. I fear that he will soon resort to desperate measures."
Nangong Xuanyu listened quietly, his face expressionless, but a chill gradually settled deep within his eyes.
He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the solemnly standing ministers below, a cold, sharp smile slowly curving his lips: "Since that's the case, I will give him this opportunity!"
The emperor's gaze first fell on a general with a resolute demeanor. With a few words, he gave instructions on subtle adjustments to the defenses of several key camps in the capital region, as well as the covert mobilization of an elite cavalry force.
The general's pupils contracted slightly, and he immediately lowered his head and said, "This subordinate understands!"
Immediately afterwards, Nangong Xuanyu gave a series of instructions.
Everyone respectfully agreed and immediately went to do it.
……
Yongshou Palace.
Hu Zhongcai, dressed in the uniform of a chief steward, stepped into the hall with light and respectful steps and gave Shen Zhinian a standard bow: "This servant greets Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. May Your Highness be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace!"
Shen Zhinian was being served a bowl of bird's nest soup by Han Dan when she heard this, and nodded slightly: "Steward Hu, there's no need for such formalities."
"You've come at this time, is it for the Fourth Prince's birthday?"
"Your Majesty, please understand."
Hu Zhongcai's face was full of smiles, which were both warm and polite.
He took a small step forward, took out a neatly rolled list from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands: "In half a month, it will be the fourth prince's second birthday. Following the old custom, this servant has drafted the preliminary details of the fourth prince's celebration, and has come to ask the Imperial Noble Consort for her approval."
Fuqu stepped forward, took the list, and handed it to Shen Zhinian.
As she looked at it, Hu Zhongcai reported clearly and logically: "This servant proposes to hold a banquet in the main hall of Yongshou Palace, inviting all the principal ladies and members of the imperial family to the banquet. The banquet will feature eight delicacies, with a total of thirty-six dishes including hot and cold dishes, meat and vegetarian dishes."
"As for the singing and dancing, I thought that the Fourth Prince is young and I was afraid of making noise, so I only arranged a small ensemble of elegant music from the Music Bureau to play some auspicious tunes."
"Then have the artisans make some colorful lanterns and ribbons with auspicious meanings to decorate the palace. It will be lively, but not too noisy."
"As for the congratulatory gifts, the Imperial Workshop has already used the finest Hetian jade to carve a pair of longevity locks and a pair of Qilin jade pendants, as well as a necklace inlaid with gold thread and jewels. In addition, ten bolts each of newly tribute Yun brocade and Shu satin have been prepared to make new clothes for the Fourth Prince."
At this point, Hu Zhongcai paused, his smile becoming even more eager: "In addition, this servant specially had a set of peach wood bow and arrows made to fit the size of the Fourth Prince's small hands. Presenting them to the Fourth Prince at the banquet will surely add some fun."
He described the preparations in great detail, from the banquet, decorations, and congratulatory gifts to the entertainment programs, leaving nothing out, clearly showing that he had put a lot of thought into it.
She not only adhered to the rules but also tried her best to please the favored Imperial Noble Consort and the Fourth Prince, whom the Emperor cherished most, in the details.
Shen Zhinian listened quietly, and only after Hu Zhongcai finished speaking did she raise her eyes to look at him: "Manager Hu, you've gone to a lot of trouble."
"But there are many matters to attend to in the court and the palace lately, so it is not the time for a grand celebration."