RPAGF Chapter 397
Chapter 397
"Okay, I got it. Dad, you go ahead and do your work, I will definitely pass on the message." Zhou Baozhu achieved his goal and asked all the questions he needed to ask. He then said goodbye to Zhou Duhu and turned to leave.
.........
The next day, notices were posted throughout the city, and the people gathered at the city gates, staring at the notices on the wall and whispering to each other. Someone murmured, "Your Majesty already has few children, and now these two most capable princes have become like this. So, to whom will the throne of our Great Zhou be passed?"
Someone nearby glanced at him and said, "We're just ordinary people, why should we worry about this? Your Majesty is so wise and powerful, he must have made arrangements long ago."
Someone murmured, "There was quite a stir in the capital last night. I figured something had happened, but I never imagined it would be something as serious as General Wuwei's betrayal! Thankfully, he was apprehended early, and we weren't affected."
Someone responded, "Don't worry, the Hidden Dragon Guards are here. They are all highly capable and loyal to Your Majesty. How could they allow the rebellion to succeed?"
Some people said, "General Wuwei should have died long ago. His entire family was tyrannical and arrogant. Exterminating three clans now is terrifying, but it serves as a warning to others. From now on, those powerful figures will be more cautious in their actions, and our lives will be much better."
Although this was the Emperor's feet, at the gates of the Imperial City, it was not uncommon for the powerful to act arrogantly and oppress the common people. Now that someone had fallen from power, the nobles and the wealthy young men in the capital would surely restrain themselves. This would only benefit the common people.
As discussions swirled throughout the capital, Luo Shuiyao learned the truth from Chun Xing. Unlike ordinary people, she had read numerous films, television series, and novels in her past life, and based on the events surrounding the events, she had a rough idea of what was going on. After hearing Chun Xing's words, she pondered for a moment, then chuckled to herself. Regardless, this matter seemed too far away for her, so why should she dwell on it?
Then she instructed Chun Xing, "Go tell Yang Wei and the others to put their things away for the time being. Wait a few days before we set off for Qingshui Town."
Although the notice had already made a final decision, at this critical juncture, there was no guarantee that no one would slip through the net. The situation outside was turbulent, and Luo Shuiyao weighed the pros and cons again and again before deciding to listen to Ye Yunzhou and postpone the trip for a few days.
"Yes, miss, I'll go right away." Chun Xing took the order and went out again.
Luo Shuiyao watched her leave, then looked back toward the Hidden Dragon Division. After a moment of turmoil, she forced herself to suppress her uneasiness. Thinking about it, she realized Ye Yunzhou hadn't even had time to reply to her letter yesterday, likely because he was preoccupied with this matter. Although she was worried, she felt powerless and could only turn back to her room.
Recently she has become very interested in embroidery. Before, when Chuntao was embroidering, she often watched from the side. Now that it is inconvenient for her to go out, she might as well take this opportunity to practice. It would be very interesting to be able to sew a set of clothes for herself by herself.
.........
In the palace, due to the news blackout last night, most of the concubines were unaware of what had happened. Although they did sense something was amiss, they remained in their chambers, some fidgeting, some feigning composure, their ears perked up to listen to the noises outside, yet never daring to step out of the palace, fearing they would be caught up in the storm.
Of course, there were exceptions, such as Concubine Cheng, who had barely slept the previous night. However, palace regulations prohibited concubines from leaving their homes at night unless absolutely necessary, and her son had repeatedly warned her not to venture out, no matter what noise she heard, fearing she might be endangered. The situation was complex, involving multiple forces. Any rash action would only increase the danger. The only way to stay safe was to remain within the palace and wait it out.
Of course, there was more to it than that. Although she never left the palace, she had been operating within it for years, employing numerous spies. One of her spies reported that everything was proceeding as planned, with no changes. Upon hearing this, her heart finally relaxed slightly. While she still felt anxious, she was no longer as worried.
At this moment, she was dressed in a dress far exceeding the norms for imperial concubines, sitting before a priceless glass mirror. Gazing at her clear reflection, her fingertips, stained with blood-red cardamom, slowly stroked the fine lines around her eyes, and she sighed softly, "I am old after all."
The nanny who combed her hair had been with her for years, having watched her rise from a young girl to a highly respected imperial concubine in the palace. Naturally, she knew how much she valued her appearance. Upon hearing this, she examined her carefully and said with a smile, "I think your Majesty is no different from before. She is still as beautiful as she was in her youth!"
Her words weren't entirely flattering. In Mammy's eyes, Concubine Cheng was indeed the same as she had been back then, only to become even more dazzling and gorgeous under the influence of power. The subtle wrinkles around her eyes, far from diminishing her beauty, actually added a touch of maturity to her.
Concubine Cheng slowly withdrew her hand, a slight smile appeared on the corner of her lips, and the corners of her eyes raised: "After so many years, you are still as sweet as ever."
Nanny quickly said, "Every word this servant said is true!"
The nanny had a sincere look on her face, and Concubine Cheng could see it clearly. The melancholy that had just arisen in her heart also dissipated, and she let the nanny insert the Nine Phoenix Hairpin into her hair.
In the past, even as the most favored imperial concubine, bound by palace rules, she couldn't wear the Nine Phoenix Hairpin, no matter how much she loved it. Now, seeing her son's plan about to succeed, a glimmer of satisfaction shone in her eyes - there was nothing in the world that Cheng Ruyu couldn't wear or use.
Eyebrows drawn, powder applied, lipstick applied. Her desk was filled with expensive rouge and powder, which were hard to come by outside. With her expert hand, the nanny meticulously applied the powder to her cheeks. This makeover made her already dazzling face even more radiant.
When everything was ready, she gazed at herself in the mirror. The pattern of the phoenix bird embroidered with gold and silver thread gleamed in the candlelight, each stitch and thread a testament to supreme honor. She raised her hand and firmly inserted the Nine Phoenix hairpin into her bun. Gazing at her elegant self in the bronze mirror, an unconscious smile curled her lips. For so many years, the honor that had been out of reach was finally within her grasp. Even if she could only wear this empress's palace dress for a day, she would hold on to this honor and savor this long-awaited moment of dignity.
After a while, Concubine Cheng withdrew her thoughts, maintained the same graceful smile as usual, and slowly walked out of the room.
Upon seeing this, the nanny hurriedly bent down to adjust her skirt, her eyes filled with joy. "Your Highness, let me congratulate you first! After all these years, you finally..."
Before he could finish his words, the palace door was violently pushed open, and two teams of guards filed in from both sides. Seeing this, the palace servants in the palace turned pale with fear, subconsciously retreated, and huddled in a corner.
Concubine Cheng looked at this group of arrogant and rude guards and put away her smile. "Which commander are you under? You are so rude, are you trying to lose your heads?"
Because she was too confident that her and her son's plan would succeed, and she also believed what the spy who brought back the message said, so although she was dissatisfied with these people's rudeness at the moment, she did not think much of it. After all, the Imperial Guards were not under her control like eunuchs and palace maids, and were mostly directly managed by the emperor.
In the past, in order to avoid arousing the emperor's suspicion, she had rarely been involved in matters related to the Imperial Guards and paid little attention to them. However, she had heard from other palace officials that the Imperial Guards were known for their brutality.