Chapter 995 Restricted Access to the Imperial Palace
Feng Yuheng could fully guarantee that there was a problem with the Emperor’s condition. Although this looked to be a happy and lively family of three, the Emperor’s words and actions were all abnormal.
Feng Yuheng believed that she had a very good understanding of the Emperor, or it could be said that she understood the Emperor previously. The old emperor only had Imperial Concubine Yun alone in his heart. Although he was considered a good father to these sons, he would be a little more biased toward Xuan Tianming. But right now? Not only did he promise Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu the position of noble imperial concubine, but he even said that he wanted to give the throne to old eighth. Though she could not see any signs of him having been threatened, this was not his normal way of doing things. It was just that this situation was too strange. Why had the Emperor’s mood suddenly swung 180 degrees in the other direction? Even if she expended all of her mental capacity, she could not figure it out.
After looking for a little while longer, Feng Yuheng could no longer bear to watch. The scenario between the three was too natural. It was too harmonious. The imperial physicians who had been circling around the Emperor had now backed out. It was as though a single extra person joining in would disrupt things. When she retreated, she heard many of the departing imperial physicians say: “His Majesty’s words were very clear. The throne will eventually be given to the eighth prince. It seems that the winds in court will be changing once more!”
“That’s right! The eighth prince, what sort of situation is this? Is this finding a way out of an impossible situation? This has gone a little too unexpectedly. His Majesty changed too quickly. I keep feeling that something is off, and it leaves one feeling unable to comprehend!”
“What is there to not comprehend?” Someone said: “Isn’t this just how the inner palace works. Today, you enjoy being favored, and she might enjoy it tomorrow. Which member of the imperial harem does not want to think of a way to make moves to get closer to His Majesty. It all depends on whose technique is on point. That person will be the one to obtain His Majesty’s favor. That Imperial Concubine Yun messed around for over 20 years. As I see it, His Majesty could no longer endure. When old, one would want someone with a good personality and can keep him happy, right? He can’t possibly just keep waiting bitterly for Imperial Concubine Yun for the rest of his life. With Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu obtaining favor, it’s natural that her son will also see his situation improve. This is all very natural.”
This person’s words were reasonable because this was how the Imperial Palace had worked since ancient times. The people did not feel that there was anything wrong. Like this, the topic ended, and the people carefully listened to the movements inside, fearing that something would suddenly go wrong with the Emperor’s health.
Feng Yuheng stealthily retreated and returned to Xuan Tianming’s side. When she returned, her brow was tightly furrowed, but she did not mention what had happened inside. She just said: “If there is no need for us here in the Imperial Palace, let’s go back! Or…” She thought for a bit then said, “Let’s go to Winter Moon Palace to visit imperial concubine mother. As for the situation inside Zhao He Hall, I will tell you in detail once we have left the palace.”
The situation in front of Zhao He Hall continued to remain lively, as the Empress led the other members of the imperial harem in criticizing Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. Unfortunately, criticizing was pointless. The people inside would not come out, and the people outside could not go in. With a divider separating the two sides, no matter how mean the words, their impact was lessened. Gradually people also began to lose interest. Since the imperial physician had said that there was nothing severely wrong with the Emperor, there was no reason for them to continue standing around here. For the Emperor to favor Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, that was Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s ability. For them to make a scene was improper.
There were also some who thought differently. During the over-20-year span where Imperial Concubine Yun reigned alone, they could not even catch a glimpse of the Emperor. Thinking about it, the old emperor was in his later years and must be unable to carry on, right? When people reached that age, they would hope for the people at their side to be a little more lively and warm. They would look for some familial warmth, and they would hope to prove themselves still vigorous in old age. This was true of normal people, much less a ruler. This was also good. Today, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu had broken the status quo that had been around for over 20 years. This meant that it could be them tomorrow. They had suffered all this time. It was time to recover.
The members of the imperial harem rejoiced. Thinking that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu would not have as strange a temperament as Imperial Concubine Yun, if they got a bit closer to Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, it might be possible that they would be given some benefits. This was a great thing.
Thus, people slowly stopped their criticisms. After a little while, there were people who began to speak on Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s behalf. There was even one who said to the Empress: “Your Highness the Empress, you should try and understand His Majesty! At this time, how can he stand to watch his own son be executed? That is a piece of himself! With him feeling distressed for his son, it’s natural that he would also feel distressed for his birth mother. You haven’t given birth to a child and would not know. Mother and child are connected at heart. Naturally, father and child are also connected.”
The Empress angrily trembled. She wanted to say that the reason she was angry was not a result of the feelings between father and child, nor was it because the Emperor had suddenly gotten close to Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. To her, all of the princes were the same. Either way, she as not the one to give birth to them. All members of the imperial harem were the same. Either way, she was the Empress. But Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu was different. That woman would threaten her. The eighth prince was different. That prince’s heart was too evil. Moreover, there was something very strange about today’s events. She faintly felt as though there was some sort of accident that had occurred in the palace; however, she did not know which way this accident would push. With this, she began to feel flustered.
She had no desire to pay any attention to these short-sighted women. Turning around, she wanted to look for Feng Yuheng. At a time like this, she felt that speaking with Feng Yuheng was rather reliable. In regards to the current situation, thinking about it, htat girl would definitely have her own thoughts and analysis.
But she could not even see Feng Yuheng’s shadow at a time like this. Those three were already on their way to Winter Moon Palace. Unfortunately, before they could even get halfway to Winter Moon Palace, they were stopped by a group of imperial guards- “Your Highness the ninth prince, Your Highness the seventh prince, Imperial Daughter Ji An, please excuse us. His Majesty gave the order. Movement in the palace has been restricted, aside from Zhao He Hall, no other places may be visited in private.”
Since the imperial guards had fallen into Xuan Tianmo’s hands for a long time, it was such that they had already been swapped out once. Although Xuan Tianming had regained control of them three days earlier, he did not have time to gain an understand and made adjustments to the imperial guards in such a short period of time. It was such that the Imperial Palace was still filled with Xuan Tianmo’s people. With them being stopped here, they felt that every step would be difficult.
In this Imperial Palace, since when had there been anyone who would stop them?
“When did His Majesty give this order?” Xuan Tianming coldly asked.
The imperial guard said: “It was just earlier, roughly one stick of incense earlier.”
The group frowned. That was to say that someone went to make this decree shortly after Zhang Yuan left Zhao He Hall to make his decree? They were moving this quickly?
Xuan Tianming was unhappy and moved his hand slightly, reflexively pulling out his whip to begin whipping; however, he was stopped by Xuan Tianhua. Xuan Tianhua then lowered his voice to say: “The palace will have its own arrangements. Let’s leave the palace for now and speak in my residence.”
Feng Yuheng also had such an intention. Pulling Xuan Tianming on both sides, they headed toward the entrance of the imperial palace. Just after exiting the gates, they found Wang Chuan standing there while trying to look inside the palace. She would even be occasionally reminded by the imperial guards to back up. Feng Yuheng frowned and stepped forward. Wang Chuan quickly said: “Princess, they said that entrance into the palace has been restricted. This servant could not get in.” As she said this, she handed the medicine kit over: “Nothing was delayed, right?”
Feng Yuheng shook her head and did not receive the medicine kit. She just followed Xuan Tianhua toward his imperial carriage. Behind them, Huang Quan told Wang Chuan: “Even if the medicine kit was brought in, it would have been useless. Young miss was not even able to go and check on His Majesty’s health.” After saying this, she quietly recounted what had happened inside the Imperial Palace. This caused Wang Chuan’s jaw to drop in shock.
The group climbed into Xuan Tianhua’s imperial carriage and headed toward the Chun Palace. It was only after they arrived at the Chun Palace that Feng Yuheng recounted what had happened inside Zhao He Hall. This caused everyone listening to furrow their brows tightly.
Wang Chuan and Huang Quan, as well as Bai Ze and Xuan Tianhua’s personal servant, exchanged glances. They all felt that there was something strange about the change in the Imperial Palace. As servants, it would not be good for them to speak up. They could only stand there in silence and wait for their masters to analyze things.
Xuan Tianming’s response to this was: “As I see it, the old man was most likely possessed.”
Xuan Tianhua, however, said: “It’s most likely an illness. As for what exactly this illness is, it must be considered.” As he said this, he looked toward Feng Yuheng. His intentions were very clear. He wanted her judgment on the Emperor’s illness. They were not professionals and needed Feng Yuheng to act.
Feng Yuheng, however, did not believe that she could enter the Imperial Palace openly any longer. For a while, she just stood there with her brows furrowed.
“We need to think of a way to get imperial concubine mother out.” Xuan Tianming suddenly said this, “I keep having this bad feeling. For there to be such a big change in the imperial palace, it’s impossible for there to be no cause. Based on what Heng Heng said, the old man should not be putting on a show, and there’s no need for him to put on this sort of a show for anyone to see. It’s possible that he has been controlled by someone else. It’s just that the other side’s control is exceptional, and we aren’t able to see through it. But for imperial concubine mother to continue living in the Imperial Palace, I keep feeling that it’s not safe. It would be best to get her out.”
“But movement around the palace is current restricted.” Feng Yuheng reminded Xuan Tianming, “Moving openly is impossible. Not to mention getting her out, but I fear that even getting will be impossible. I will think about how to handle it. I guarantee that imperial concubine mother will be brought out completely unharmed.”
“After she’s brought out, send her to this side.” Xuan Tianhua did not ask her what method she would use to get Imperial Concubine Yun out. He just carried on with making arrangements for what would happen next, “I will tidy up a courtyard for her. Either way, she has gotten used to living here. As long as she is safe, just let her do whatever she wants! As for Father Emperor… younger sister, it would be best to find a way to go in and take a look.”
Feng Yuheng nodded, “I will think of something.”
The group discussed this matter for a little longer then ate a meal at the Chun Palace. Only then did Xuan Tianming return home with his wife. On the way home, he saw that it was very lively in front of the Sheng Palace. There were many guards and palace servants working on something, as carriage after carriage of stuff was transported inside. The Sheng Palace’s housekeeper stood there with a glowing expression, as he loudly called out: “Everyone, be careful! These are all very nice things. You won’t be able to repay if you broke them! Hmph! So what if they were taken into the national treasury? Weren’t they all obediently brought back!”
These words made it clear to everyone. It turned out that these carriages transporting items were the things that had been transported into the national treasury a few days earlier.
Even Feng Yuheng was quite moved, “They really did move too quickly. It’s as though everything had been prepared ahead of time, and they were just waiting for the Emperor to make the decree, and they immediately set to work.”
Xuan Tianming did not say anything, as he quietly thought about who knew what. Just as the Yu Palace was coming into sight, he finally said: “Let’s go into the Imperial Palace tonight! If I don’t see it personally, I will not feel at ease.”
Feng Yuheng nodded, “Alright, tonight before midnight, I will bring you into the palace.”