The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

59. The Emperor’s Message

Translator: Iris Guo

“Yes… Yes, I will bear that in mind.” stammered Imperial Concubine Zhao with trembling lips. She used to throw her weight around, but now she looks like an extremely frightened bird. “Your Grace, thank you very much for your instruction.”

“Alright. You two can go. I’m tired.” The Empress Dowager released Imperial Concubine Zhao’s chin, and then Biqiao passed a handkerchief immediately. She wiped her hand leisurely, lowered her head, and drank up the half cup of her tea.

“Yes, Your Grace, I’ll go.” Imperial Concubine Zhao stood up, and her face became paler in the light reflected by her various gleaming headwear. Imperial Consort Shu also stood up, helped Imperial Concubine Zhao, bowed, and left the chamber.

“Seriously? Mother, the Empress Dowager used exactly these words?” In the Zhongcui Palace, Zhong Ming’e looked at Imperial Consort Shu, astonished. “In front of you and Imperial Concubine Zhao?”

“Surely she did. She has a heart of gold, and never intervened in issues of your father’s harem. However, today as soon as she lectured us, Imperial Concubine Zhao got cold feet. Tut-tut!” Imperial Consort Shu thought of the scene with fear, “And so did I. I had been in the palace for many years, and it was the first time I saw her losing her temper. Eh… Precisely, she didn’t lose her temper, but her imposing manner was so intimidating.”

“She has spent most of her life in the palace, and of course she’s much more sophisticated than ordinary women. Besides, she watched the late Empress, her niece, grow up, so she must care about the woman.” Zhong Ming’e handed a cup of tea to Imperial Consort Shu, paused, and then continued: “What I don’t understand is why she scolded Imperial Concubine Zhao in front of you.”

“Maybe a coincidence,” Imperial Consort Shu fiddled with the cup lid while giving a snort of contempt, “If I had known that Imperial Concubine Zhao would go to the Cining Palace as well, I wouldn’t have gone there today. That snob even dared to speak ill of me in front of the Empress Dowager. Tut-tut! As soon as the Empress Dowager started to talk, that bitch’s legs went limp and she could hardly keep her feet without my help. Obviously, she’s just a coward.”

“I don’t think so,” Zhong Ming’e frowned and looked at his mother. He didn’t think it was about women’s competition. “In my opinion, the Empress Dowager wanted to teach everyone concerned a lesson.”

Imperial Consort Shu was stunned: “What?”

“Although the Crown Prince was deposed, he’s still His Majesty and the late Empress’ son. Anyone who harms Zhong Mingwei will be doomed,” said Zhong Ming’e slowly while stroking his teacup, “Anyone, no matter who, can’t be too careful when it comes to the deposed Crown Prince.”

“Was it the Empress Dowager’s idea or His Majesty’s?”

“Both.” said Zhong Ming’e slowly while staring at the bamboo forest drawn on a screen, “Although it was father’s idea to depose the Crown Prince, Imperial Concubine Zhao’s family strained every nerve to make sure it happened. Nevertheless, as soon as the deposed Crown Prince arrived at NingGuTa, father ordered others to cut down all the Magnolia liliflora in the palace. So father doesn’t trust her or her family that much, or perhaps he regrets making the deposed Crown Prince suffer. For whatever reason, father has clearly showed his attitude by holding the late Empress’ death memorial ceremony in a big way as usual. Wasn’t it the Empress Dowager that passed the message on behalf of father? Presumably, by now, all people in and out of the palace already know that the late Empress’ status hasn’t been affected at all by what her son did.”