Chapter 1912: 1909: Entering the Palace
Chapter 1912: Chapter 1909: Entering the Palace
Thinking that Chu Heng was right next to him, he felt so angry that his lungs were about to explode.
If the other party harbored any thoughts and went to seize his handle, wouldn’t that mean he’d have another fierce rival?
Minister Qi’s gaze toward Chu Heng instantly turned sour.
Watching the two quarrel, Chu Heng suddenly said, “Gentlemen, my apologies, but I promised to buy chestnuts to take home, so I’ll be on my way first.”
After saying this, he didn’t wait for the two to speak and left first.
With no audience left for their performance, Grand Tutor Deng and Minister Qi both snorted and distanced themselves from each other.
“Minister Qi, you still need consider, without Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi, does your Qi family have anyone else who can be sent into the palace?” Grand Tutor Deng directly mocked, nearly driving him mad with provocation.
Minister Qi, hearing this malicious remark, felt his heart skip a beat and no longer cared about defending against Chu Heng. He narrowed his eyes and said, “Grand Tutor Deng, leave some room for maneuver, the truth of the matter isn’t determined by your words alone. Even if you try to frame Lady Zhao Yi for something she didn’t do, it won’t work!”
Grand Tutor Deng hated Minister Qi’s threats the most.
Having finally turned things around and established himself in the capital, his actions were always hindered, mostly due to the Qi family’s interference, deepening the feud between the two.
“Whether it happened or not, the truth is known in one’s heart, the Emperor won’t be fooled by anyone.” Grand Tutor Deng confidently glanced at him, departing with deep implication.
After leaving the yamen, Chu Heng first went to buy roasted chestnuts and arranged for a servant boy to deliver them home.
Simultaneously, he assigned people to keep watch on several fronts, paying attention to Minister Qi’s activities.
Inside the yamen, he was pulled by his immediate superior to write a detailed analysis regarding certificates for medicinal herbs, only leaving later to handle cases.
In the palace.
After Grand Tutor Deng left, Minister Qi still felt uneasy.
He knew Grand Tutor Deng as someone with schemes, but definitely not as adept as himself, even carrying some characteristics of a petty person finding success. If the other dared to speak this way, he must have confidence.
Could it be that Lady Zhao Yi really did something in the Imperial Harem?
Thinking of Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi’s character, Minister Qi was startled and couldn’t calm down, quickly finding an excuse to enter the palace to see Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi.
Currently, Dowager Empress manages the Phoenix Seal in the Imperial Harem, so Minister Qi’s intention to see Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi would first be reported to the Dowager Empress.
The Dowager Empress was cutting flowers and, upon hearing this news, waved her hand, instructing a palace lady to respond that she agreed to the meeting.
Seeing that he could still visit Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi, Minister Qi’s anxiety lessened somewhat. At least, though Lady Zhao Yi was confined, it wasn’t forbidden to meet, indicating that the situation might still have a considerable turning point.
At least, it wasn’t a complete and obvious defeat.
Minister Qi entered the hall and saluted Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi through the screen, “This old minister pays respect to Lady Zhao Yi.”
“Father, please rise quickly.” Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi had just been in a fiery mood this morning, upon learning that her son, King Qi, was unable to obtain the privilege of welcoming the King of Huainan.
Instead, Prince Rong profited from it, despite being someone she had never valued.
A Prince who had been sent away from the palace since childhood, obviously not favored by Emperor Xuanming.
If he was sent away without receiving proper education, how could he ascend to the throne with public support?
“Lady Zhao Yi, I came today with an important matter to inquire about,” Minister Qi stated directly.
Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi immediately ordered all the palace ladies serving in the hall to leave, soon leaving only the two of them.
“Father, just speak directly, whatever the matter may be,” Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi also had words to say.