bookrandom Chapter 287 The Queen's Plan
Chapter 287 The Queen's Plan
"You're just like those three brats. They're always praising Zhuangzhuang, saying he's handsome. What's so handsome about him? He's just a little baby with his fuzz still on."
Wei Jianning looked at her with great surprise.
"Do all three of them like our son?"
Lan Zhi raised her hand to straighten the child's swaddle blanket and nodded:
"They all love him so much. They all say that when he grows up, they will buy him new clothes, teach him to read, and teach him kung fu. It's as if they have become adults in front of this little boy."
Wei Jianning let out a soft sigh and shook his head sadly.
“I feel like Ming’er has grown up a lot lately. He always looks at me with a shifty gaze. Do you think he has regained his memory?”
Lan Zhi didn't pay much attention to this, because she had been too busy lately and neglected her three children.
"I'll ask him later. If he regains his memory, that would be a good thing."
"But his memory is filled with hatred for you and me, I'm afraid..."
"Are you afraid he'll retaliate against us?"
Lan Zhi looked at him with a surprised expression.
"Husband, you're overthinking it. Even if he regains his previous memories, I believe he won't do anything to harm us."
Wei Jianning took a deep breath and nodded:
“I hope I’m overthinking it, but we still need to be careful. You should find an opportunity to have a good talk with him about his parents. He doesn’t know much about them, and with someone like Granny Tian by his side for so long, it’s inevitable that she might say something that contradicts the facts and slanders us.”
Thinking of Granny Tian, Lan Zhi nodded.
"I understand. By the way, Granny Tian is the Empress Dowager's person. She was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. Did the Empress Dowager intervene to protect her?"
"No, the Empress Dowager hasn't been feeling well lately, and she's also had a fight with the Emperor. It's said that she stays in the Longevity Palace all day and doesn't come out, as if she doesn't want to get involved in this kind of business anymore."
"She's getting on in years, let's take Ming'er to visit her for a few days!"
"Yes, I'll make the arrangements. By the way, I need to go to the palace. You stay at home and don't go running around outside anymore. I'll make you fish soup when I get back."
Lan Zhi looked at the man who loved her to the bone, raised her hand, pinched his chin, and nodded heavily.
"Okay, go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back."
Wei Jianning glanced once more at the sleeping baby in her arms, then lowered his lips to leave a kiss on her forehead before reluctantly turning away.
Brocade Palace
This is the palace that the Emperor arranged for Consort Jin. Since Lin Yuwei's death, Consort Jin no longer has any burdens to accompany the Emperor, and her days are much more relaxed and comfortable.
However, life isn't easy without anyone to look after you.
At this moment, she knelt on both knees, not daring to raise her head.
The Empress sat in the main seat, looking at Consort Jin kneeling on the ground. Although she was disgusted, she still chuckled and spoke:
"Sister, there's no need to be so polite, please get up!"
The maidservant stepped forward and helped her up, and she carefully sat down in the chair.
"I heard that His Majesty went to Zhenlan Garden these past few days, and your Jinxiu Palace has become quite deserted!"
"Your Majesty is right. The Emperor lingers in the Brocade Palace all day long, which terrifies me. I have repeatedly advised the Emperor that he should bestow his favors on all his subjects."
"Hmm, well done. You're destined for great things and quite sensible. But I've heard that you're quite famous at the Rao City Entertainment Garden..."
Upon hearing the name Raocheng, Consort Jin's face immediately turned deathly pale, but she still managed a composed smile.
"Rao City? It must be very far from the capital! I've never been there."
Seeing that she was unwilling to admit it directly, the Empress calmly said:
"The embroiderer from the Yuhongyuan Garden in Raocheng was redeemed by Lin Yuwei for a thousand taels of silver, and then sent to the palace, where she quickly became the Emperor's favorite concubine, Consort Jin..."
The Empress had correctly identified her entire identity. Consort Jin trembled in fright and hurriedly knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty, just tell me what you want me to do!"
"Aren't you afraid I'll reveal your identity to the Emperor?"
At this moment, Consort Jin was quite rational.
“If you wanted to tell me, you would have done so already. The fact that you came to me instead of telling the Emperor directly must mean that you want me to do something.”
"Well, you're very smart."
The Empress was surprised that a woman from a brothel could be so clear-headed. But that was good, because smart people are good at getting things done.
After a smile curved her lips, she raised her hand and said:
"Get up and answer!"
After Consort Jin stood up from the ground, the Empress rose and came to her side, leaning down to whisper a few words in her ear...
Consort Jin nodded knowingly, then took two steps back and bowed slightly, saying:
"Don't worry, sister. From now on, your affairs are my affairs. Whatever you want me to do, I will do without hesitation."
Her answer pleased the Empress. "As long as you are sensible and do as I say, you can stay in the Brocade Palace without worry."
"I understand, little sister. I'll be counting on you to take care of me in the future."
The Empress knew that if she went to the Emperor, he wouldn't give her the face, but if she let the currently favored Consort Jin whisper in her ear, it might work.
Just as the Empress was about to leave, a servant came to report.
"Your Majesty, Consort Jin, the Crown Prince has come looking for His Majesty. I told him that His Majesty was not here, but he did not believe me and insisted on forcing his way in."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's lips curved slightly, and she turned to look at Consort Jin.
"Look, no one will believe you if you say the Emperor isn't here. You should keep him in the Brocade Palace more often from now on. In the harem, it's not proper to spread the Emperor's favor evenly; you have to have exclusive favor."
After leaving those words, she stepped outside and happened to run into Wei Jianning, who had just come in.
When Wei Jianning saw her, his brows furrowed immediately, and he forced himself to bow.
"The Queen."
"Ning'er, what brings you to Jinxiu Palace in such a hurry?"
"I have come to see my father, the Emperor."
"He's not at Jinxiu Palace. I heard he went to Fangcaozhai. Go look for him there!"
Wei Jianning glanced at Consort Jin beside her, bowed to her in farewell, and turned to leave.
A smug glint flashed in the Empress's eyes, then she looked at Consort Jin.
"Isn't Consort Jin feeling unwell? Then quickly go and invite the Emperor back!"
She was implying something, and Consort Jin naturally understood the meaning behind her words.
She immediately covered her forehead with her hand and instructed the maid:
"Xiao Fang, quickly go and invite the Emperor. Tell him I have a headache and want to see him."
"Yes, master."
After receiving the order, the maid quickly withdrew, and the Empress left the Brocade Palace with a smug look on her face.
Wei Jianning mistakenly believed the Empress's words and went straight to Fangcaozhai.
At this moment, Consort Liang was sitting in the room, sulking. When she heard that Wei Jianning had come to see the Emperor, she became even angrier and immediately ordered her servants to tell him that the Emperor had not visited Fangcaozhai for half a year.
Upon receiving this news, Wei Jianning realized that he had been deceived by the Empress.
When he angrily returned to Jinxiu Palace, Qin Shun blocked her from entering.
"Eunuch Qin, please inform the Emperor that I have urgent business with him."