Chapter 1690: Chapter 1690: Empress

Inside Mingwei Palace, Emperor Jingyuan was unaware that the confidant minister he relied on was actually concealing treachery. At this moment, he was so exhausted that he sank into the chair.

The Chief Eunuch did not dare to interrupt, only gently replaced the warm tea for Emperor Jingyuan.

After more than half a ke, Emperor Jingyuan exhaled heavily, regaining himself, opened his eyes, picked up the warm tea, and gulped it down, while his stomach growled with hunger.

The Chief Eunuch said, "Your Majesty has been busy all day. Please have your meal first; the imperial dishes are already prepared."

Emperor Jingyuan looked at the sky outside the palace and said, "No need, call the Old Madam first, I have questions for her."

"Yes." The Chief Eunuch, having served Emperor Jingyuan for many years, understood his temper well. He hated it when others defied his wishes, and anyone who dared to contradict him would face his wrath.

Princess Consort Yi handled things very well, always going along with Emperor Jingyuan.

The Chief Eunuch went to the side hall and invited Duchess Yuan to come.

Duchess Yuan, after resting for some time, still appeared pale and fatigued, but she could manage not to faint.

"The Imperial Decree greets Your Majesty." Duchess Yuan, supported by palace maids, saluted Emperor Jingyuan.

Emperor Jingyuan waved his hand, and after letting the palace maids help Duchess Yuan to sit down, he directly asked about the Lei Family’s Trading Team.

Duchess Yuan explained one by one, "Elder Lei Wu of the Lei Family’s Trading Team comes from a military background and is very loyal to Great Chu. The Lei Family’s Trading Team contributed greatly by helping to resist the Rong bandits."

"... The connection with the Gu Family is due to the Jiang Family. County Captain Jiang and Elder Lei Wu became sworn brothers on the battlefield, and since the Gu Family made fragrant spices, Elder Lei Wu thought the business was promising and started the spice business with the Gu Family."

Duchess Yuan spoke cautiously about the relationship between the Lei Family’s Trading Team and the Gu Family... Emperor Jingyuan disliked people with too many entangled interests. The Lei Family’s Trading Team was both good and bad, daring to do business beyond the Longshan Mountain range; she feared Emperor Jingyuan might get angry and wipe out the Lei Family’s Trading Team because of this.

However, she worried too much; Emperor Jingyuan specifically kept her to ask about these matters just for show.

"Hmm, the Gu Family and the Lei Family’s Trading Team better stay loyal to the royal family." Emperor Jingyuan said coldly, then looked at Duchess Yuan, "You are familiar with Ms. Gao Lei, for the sake of the Lei Family’s Trading Team, warn them not to be too arrogant, or I won’t hesitate to treat them as bandits and eliminate them!"

These words were harsh, and Duchess Yuan was frightened, hurriedly getting up, "Yes, the Imperial Decree will surely warn the Lei Family’s Trading Team, please calm Your Majesty’s anger."

Although the Lei Family’s Trading Team went to Da Rong for business, their loyalty to Great Chu was true, and Ms. Gao Lei had once saved the descendants of Duke Yuan’s family; Duchess Yuan did not want anything to happen to the Lei Family’s Trading Team.

After hearing this, Emperor Jingyuan’s eyes flashed with killing intent, staring at Duchess Yuan, "You seem to be very protective of the Lei Family’s Trading Team? Don’t forget, Duke Yuan Mansion’s wealth is all bestowed by Great Chu!"

These words, Emperor Jingyuan intended them more for the Lei Family’s Trading Team.

The Lei Family’s Trading Team is much more important than Duke Yuan Mansion, and they must stay loyal only to the Great Chu Royal Family, avoiding too much involvement with the nobles!

"Your Majesty, calm down, everyone in Duke Yuan Mansion is grateful for the imperial grace~" Duchess Yuan hastily knelt down, too quickly, and fell to the ground, looking both funny and sad, unable to hold back tears.

Emperor Jingyuan regretted a bit upon seeing this, angrily scolding the palace attendants, "What are you doing? Do you want to die, quickly help the Old Madam up!"

The palace maids, frightened, quickly helped Duchess Yuan up.

The Chief Eunuch rushed over and said, "Is the Old Madam alright? It’s all because of these blind palace maids making you suffer, His Majesty will surely punish them, rest assured."

Having endured grievances for many years, Duchess Yuan got used to it, and after calming down, said, "No matter, it was my loss of decorum."

Then looked at Emperor Jingyuan, "Your Majesty, Duke Yuan Mansion..."

"Enough, I know Duke Yuan’s family loyalty." Emperor Jingyuan interrupted Duchess Yuan’s words and continued, "Old Madam hasn’t seen the Empress for a long time, tonight go stay in the Empress Palace and have a good talk with her."

"The Imperial Decree thanks Your Majesty for the generous favor." Duchess Yuan was very happy; Emperor Jingyuan actually allowed her to stay in the Empress Palace overnight, which was a great honor.

But she was happy too soon, not long later Emperor Jingyuan said, "Forget it, the Old Madam is tired today, first go back and rest for a few days, and visit the Empress later."

With such a pale face, disheveled attire and makeup, it wouldn’t be good if the Empress saw it.

"...The Imperial Decree complies." Duchess Yuan could only leave with regret.

The Chief Eunuch personally escorted her, and after more than two ke returned to report to Emperor Jingyuan, "The Old Madam asked about the Empress’s health, the old servant reported that the Empress is better recently, much better than last winter, making her reassure a lot."

Emperor Jingyuan asked instead, "Has the Empress’s condition worsened again?"

The Chief Eunuch nodded, "Two days ago, it rained heavily; after prolonged heat, the Empress was suddenly struck by chill causing a high fever, feeling a bit better yesterday."

Emperor Jingyuan frowned, silent... Since Brother Yuan died, the Empress’s health had been poor. Although he treated her coldly, he continuously sent Imperial Physicians for her diagnosis, yet she showed no improvement.

Emperor Jingyuan stood up, leaving Mingwei Palace.

The Chief Eunuch saw this and hurriedly led the palace attendants and guards to follow.

Emperor Jingyuan went to the harem, heading towards the direction of the Empress’s Palace.

The Chief Eunuch was shocked; tonight the Emperor was going to stay in the Empress’s Palace?

It had been many years since he last went there, the Chief Eunuch felt somewhat excited.

But when Emperor Jingyuan approached the Lingxiao Forest outside the Empress’s Palace, he stopped, paused for a moment, then turned and headed towards Princess Consort Yi’s Palace.

Inside Princess Consort Yi’s Palace, the lights were bright with laughter, the sound of teasing a child, and a child’s playful crying... Emperor Jingyuan heard these sounds, his mood improved considerably, and he stepped inside.

The Eighth Prince noticed him, toddled over, calling in a baby voice, "Fu Fu~"

"It’s Father Emperor, not Fu Fu, still can’t pronounce the father word?" Princess Consort Yi corrected the Eighth Prince while saluting Emperor Jingyuan, "Your servant greets Your Majesty."

She looked up, smiling brightly at Emperor Jingyuan, worried the Eighth Prince might fall, she glanced at him with concern, extending her hand slightly in protection, displaying a true motherly affection for her child.

... Years ago, the Empress was equally anxious, protecting Brother Yuan.

"Fu Fu!" The Eighth Prince rushed over, hugged Emperor Jingyuan’s leg, giggling at him, looking full of admiration.

Emperor Jingyuan returned to reality, bent down to hold the Eighth Prince, smiled and said, "He’s gotten fatter again."

"Pang Pang!" The Eighth Prince, fearless of Emperor Jingyuan, shouted waving his small fists.

Emperor Jingyuan said, "You meant to say fat, right?"

Princess Consort Yi’s eyes were bright, joyfully said, "Exactly, Your Majesty guesses so accurately, even I couldn’t guess it at first."

Emperor Jingyuan’s smile diminished slightly, he could guess because many years ago he meticulously cared for Brother Yuan... but everything was destroyed by the Rong bandits!

In this life, he vowed to obliterate the Rong bandits, slaughter every Rong person!

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