Chapter 364: Volume 1, Chapter 364 The Empress Is Deliberately Targeting Her

Ming Yuhua thought seriously, looked at the Empress and said, "I haven't heard of anything else, but after Marquis Ningyuan's incident, Prime Minister Su and Madam Su have been going out visiting relatives and friends a lot." She paused, "I'm not clear on the others, but I know Madam Su and the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort have been in close contact for a while, yet after Prince Shou's incident I haven't seen them move together again."

Now Prince Shou is still locked in the main prison, even during the New Year they haven't been able to release him; it seems His Majesty has finally resolved to deal with this matter.

Rong Luoge nodded, thinking that if the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort and Madam Su really have any dealings, and if Prime Minister Su watches Prince Shou's imprisonment without rescuing him, perhaps the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort would do something.

Indeed, Rong Luoge was actually quite looking forward to it.

"Your Majesty, the ladies have already gathered," Rong Xin entered, bowed at the Empress's side and whispered.

Ming Yuhua heard this and immediately rose, "Your Majesty, then I will take my leave."

Rong Luoge also tidied her makeup and clothes, and said, "Very well, you go first; there's good news today."

"Then the lady will wait." Ming Yuhua smiled, saluted, took her leave and turned to walk out.

Ming Yuhua slowly walked out and saw that the main hall outside was already full of people; today's New Year's Eve banquet was set in the main hall of the Phoenix Ritual Palace. As soon as she emerged, everyone's gaze fell on her, and the hall instantly fell silent.

They said the Empress had not yet appeared, apparently she was speaking with Madam Xiao; the crowd's eyes darted around, and Ming Yuhua kept a calm face, pretending not to notice anything.

Chu Ke waved at Ming Yuhua, "Madam Xiao, come sit here."

Ming Yuhua did not refuse, stepped over and sat beside Chu Ke, greeting with a smile, "Madam Chu, have you been well?"

Chu Ke smiled brightly and said, "Thanks to the Empress's blessings, I am doing very well."

Rong Ling Shan sat obediently nearby; with so many people today she could not embarrass her elder sister. Yet her ears were perked, listening to the surrounding chatter, thinking to herself that these people truly speak differently to different faces.

"The Empress has arrived!"

The hall fell silent at once; everyone rose together and looked toward the hall doors, where they saw the Empress wearing a phoenix crown and a phoenix robe, walking in slowly. Seeing the current Empress, people could barely recall what the young lady of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu looked like back then.

The Empress before them was radiant and beautiful, her eyes clear black and white, shining like fallen stars on earth; although she had already borne a child, she now seemed even more beautiful than before.

She possessed a dazzling, charming appearance, yet the Empress's temperament was cold and domineering, making one not dare to underestimate her.

"I, your servant, pay my respects to the Empress, may the Empress enjoy boundless blessings."

"Ladies, please rise." Rong Luoge looked at the crowd, smiled and said.

After the ladies returned to their seats, the concubines of the inner palace rose to salute the Empress. The Empress smiled and nodded, letting everyone sit, then delivered the official speech. In short, the procedure was similar to Han Xinglan's: summarizing last year, looking ahead to this year, and subtly reminding everyone that His Majesty's waist has become stout, so you all must keep your glasses bright and not stray.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Rong Luoge was very satisfied; now they, as a couple, were no longer the pitiable ones from when Han Xinglan first ascended the throne.

Just as the atmosphere was subtle, Yuan Bao hurried in, bowed at the Empress's side and said, "Your Majesty, a message has been passed from the front hall; in a quarter hour we will fire the ceremonial cannon."

Rong Luoge nodded, and Yuan Bao bowed and stepped back.

The crowd stared at the Empress, unsure what had happened; Madam Su felt uneasy, having not slept well last night, and after entering the palace today she kept her heart uneasy.

The daughter sat far away among the concubines; mother and daughter could only gaze from afar, unable to say a word.

Looking at Consort Song and Madam Su, a wave of frustration rose; seeing her get along harmoniously with the other concubines was a stark contrast to what she told her daughter.

Consort Song had always been arrogant and overbearing; weren't there people in the inner palace who were close to her? Yet now it was completely different. Thinking of Marquis Ningyuan's betrayal of his clan to join the emperor, even personally going to Suizhou to deal with the Song family, Madam Su's mind was even more unsettled.

At that moment, the Empress suddenly stood and said, "Ladies, today I have good news to share. You probably already know that the Military Works Bureau has forged cannons as divine weapons; today His Majesty will use a cannon as a ceremonial salute, firing it to show the world. Weapons are ominous. His Majesty's use of a cannon as a ceremonial salute is a heartfelt effort, hoping for peace across the land and for the people to live happily."

After finishing, the Empress scanned the faces in the hall, gave a slight smile, "Ladies, accompany me out of the hall to listen to the sound of the ceremonial cannon."

"Yes." the crowd answered in unison; no matter what they thought inside, who would dare disobey the Empress now.

Rong Luoge led the group out of the main hall and had just steadied herself when, before anyone could prepare, a cannon blast rang out, the sound soaring into the clouds, piercing everyone's ears, causing their faces to turn slightly pale.

One cannon after another boomed, the sound of fire reverberated inside and outside the Phoenix Ritual Palace.

Madam Su's complexion had turned as pale as a ghost; they in the inner palace felt the cannon's power was already overwhelming. Such a cannon striking the city wall—how great a force could split the wall?

Could a noble clan withstand it?

Could such a cannon overcome it?

How many soldiers' lives would be needed to match the emperor's cannon?

Madam Su only felt darkness flashing before her eyes, her fingertips clenched hard on her palm to keep herself from fainting.

It was terrifying.

"Is this a cannon? The sound is too loud." Someone whispered.

"Indeed, the Empress said it's a cannon, there's no mistake; it's truly magnificent."

The crowd's chatter continued; whether Madam Su or other noble ladies, their faces were truly dreadful at this moment.

The emperor and empress were clearly acting on purpose, deliberately showing them their power!

It's unclear how long the cannon fire lasted before stopping, but the echo lingered; everyone felt their ears thrum, as if the fire still continued.

Someone shouted, "Thirty‑nine blasts."

Rong Luoge turned at the words, meeting Ming Yuhua's smile, nodded and said, "Madam Xiao said it is indeed thirty‑nine blasts. His Majesty said the Late Emperor reigned for thirty‑nine years, and the thirty‑nine blasts are a tribute to the Late Emperor."

The crowd's expression hardened, and they almost simultaneously said, "His Majesty is benevolent and filial."

Rong Luoge's eyes fell on Madam Su, and with a worried face asked, "Madam Su, your complexion is off; are you feeling unwell?"

Madam Su hadn't expected the Empress to single her out; with so many people present, whose complexion could be normal?

With so many cannon blasts, it was enough to frighten one to death!

The Empress is deliberately targeting her!