Chapter 296: The Move

Ruan Shurong looked at her, seeing she was not in good spirits, hurriedly stopped her, "Don't be in a hurry; sit down first, it won't be late to leave later."

Gou Jing shook her head, "Sister Ruan, I want to go back and sleep for a while; when I wake up I'll know what to do."

Ruan Shurong couldn't stop her, so she let her go, noticing none of the palace attendants followed, and sent someone nearby to see her off.

Gou Jing waved her hand in refusal, "It's only a few steps; I'll be there in a moment. I can go back on my own."

Gou Jing left Yongle Palace and unexpectedly ran into Mu Thus we output: Mu Guang, who had just returned, so she stepped aside to pay her respects.

Mu Thus we output: Mu Guang smiled at her, then entered Yongle Palace.

Gou Jing looked back at Mu Thus we output: Mu Guang; this woman's family background was inferior, her looks were not as good, yet she managed to become a third consort precisely because she worked with the Empress.

Even if her father was an Inspector, it still meant she had to serve Virtuous Consort Su, pamper her, coax her; in these days Gou Jing has seen Virtuous Consort Su's temperament clearly—she is not a person who tolerates others.

Can one have a future following someone like that?

Can Virtuous Consort Su really overthrow the Empress and take the throne herself?

Gou Jing didn't know.

She walked a few steps, feeling the sun scorching, and regretted not having the palace attendants follow; she couldn't complain now, so she quickened her pace toward Yongyan Hall.

Because His Majesty never visited the Hou Gong for leisure, the concubines there had no interest in dressing up to stroll the garden, so the vast Imperial Garden remained desolate all day, with only occasional palace attendants passing by.

Gou Jing, sweltering, took a side path intending to cut across; this path was rarely used, extremely secluded and quiet, but when she passed a faux rock forest, she suddenly heard voices and instinctively slowed her steps.

"Did you do the task I gave you?"

Gou Jing's face darkened at the words; she guessed she had stumbled onto something, was instantly frightened and felt her legs go weak, leaning against the fake rock without daring to move, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, fearing she might make a sound.

The voice was unfamiliar; she was sure she had never heard it before.

Then another female voice said, "What are you hurrying for? Such a big matter can't be done casually. You always delay when asked to prepare things; now you're suddenly quick."

That voice sounded a bit familiar.

Gou Jing couldn't immediately recall where she had heard it, but she keenly caught the words "prepare the items," wondering what items were being prepared.

What were they planning to do?

"What's the situation? Give me a straight answer."

"It's already being prepared, but are you sure the wet nurse is okay on your side?"

Wet nurse?

Gou Jing's heart leapt.

"Of course, I'm leaving now; remember not to delay any longer."

Gou Jing heard rapid footsteps departing, still dared not move; another set of footsteps left, then she finally gasped, still leaning against the fake rock, unable to move.

Where in the Hou Gong would there be a wet nurse?

One is Fengyi Palace, the other is Dongming Hall.

Which wet nurse has been bribed?

Gou Jing took uneven steps, walking back slowly, feeling her head heavy and legs light, daring not to think further.

And that somewhat familiar voice earlier—where had she heard it? The more she panicked, the less she could recall, and the less she could recall made her panic more.

When she returned to Yongyan Hall, she realized a dense layer of sweat covered her back, and she felt faint.

"Master, are you all right?"

Gou Jing heard someone beside her speak, snapped back to herself, suppressed her uneasy feelings, waved her hand and said, "I'm fine, bring me a cup of tea."

"Yes."

A palace attendant quickly poured tea, and after drinking it Gou Jing still couldn't decide what to do.

She had no dealings with Dongming Hall; there lived two Grand Consorts and Princess Yile, and honestly, whatever happened there had nothing to do with her.

The other side was the Young Prince's side, where the Empress was…

Who could make a move against Fengyi Palace?

Gou Jing didn't need to think; it had to be someone opposing the Empress, and she herself belonged to that camp.

Empress Dowager, Virtuous Consort Su, Consort Song Hui…

No matter which one strikes, if successful, their side wins.

Yet the Young Prince was still so young; Gou Jing felt restless, could barely eat a few bites of dinner, the sky darkened, the palace gates were locked, and she almost mechanically washed, changed, and went to bed.

That night she slept poorly; her dreams were filled with children's silhouettes. She had seen the Young Prince twice in Fengyi Palace—chubby, soft, and his laugh was bright.

What does adult conflict have to do with a child?

Even if Gou Jing knew that without the Young Prince the Empress would be severely hurt; the Young Prince is essentially the basis of her becoming Empress, and if that foundation is shaken, her future position could be jeopardized.

That scheme, whoever devised it, was indeed effective.

If she were to report it, she didn't know how many would be implicated; could she bear the consequences?

Her own family was also on this ship, meaning she would be stabbing herself.

But…

On one hand she couldn't bear for such a small child to die in palace intrigue; on the other hand she could use the chance to show loyalty to the Empress and pave another path for herself.

Gou Jing stared at the dark circles under her eyes, sat up, lifted the curtain and strode out; through the window she could see the sky outside had begun to lighten slightly.

"Master, why are you up so early?" a palace attendant asked as soon as they heard movement.

"I just lost the sleepiness." Gou Jing tried not to show any oddity; among those she served in the palace she didn't know how many she could trust, but she was always cautious.

Gou Jing, as usual, began changing, washing, and grooming before the mirror; after breakfast she said to the attendants, "You don't need to follow me; I'm going to talk to Ruan Shurong."

"Yes."

Gou Jing then walked out slowly, following the palace corridor, her steps steady; she told herself not to panic, not to show weakness, just as usual, and not to let anyone notice any clue.

Virtuous Consort Su and Consort Song Hui were hard to get along with; if they learned she was the informant, they might tear her apart alive.

When she kept walking until the fork in the road, her steps paused; she quickly looked around, and waited until no palace personnel passed by, then she quickly turned onto the path to Phoenix Etiquette Palace.

Rong Xin was attending to the Empress as she changed clothes, listening to Que Cai come in and report that Concubine Gou Shuyi requested to see the Empress; she also said rather strangely, 'How did Concubine Gou Shuyi come so early?'

Rong Luoge was preparing to go to the Weaving Workshop, hearing Que Cai's words she asked, 'Did Concubine Gou Shuyi say what she came for?'

'Concubine Gou Shuyi said there is an urgent matter to see the Empress; please Empress, no matter what, see her once.' Que Cai said, 'Otherwise she refuses to say anything else.'