Chapter 345: The Empress in Trouble

The night is cool as water.

The doors of Kunning Palace swung open quickly, then were hurriedly shut.

Nanzhu was entirely cloaked in a wide black robe.

The scars on her body were completely concealed.

Xiao Luzi's expression was tense: "You have suffered!"

Nanzhu shook her head and whispered, "She sent me to tell you that she intends to strike the Empress."

"The Empress truly is clever; even the words she intends to say were expected."

Nanzhu trembled briefly, then bit her lower lip hard.

Xiao Luzi watched everything, hurriedly thrust a sack of gold into Nanzhu's hands: "These coins were given by the Empress."

"Hmm!" Nanzhu nodded.

She turned to leave.

Xiao Luzi quickly called after her: "The Empress said that once this matter passes, she will certainly fulfill your wish."

"You have suffered during this time."

Hearing that, Nanzhu smiled sincerely: "Father, I was sold into the palace like an animal. If it weren't for the Empress, I wouldn't know how to struggle in this harem to keep a single life."

"Please, Father, convey to the Empress that she may rest assured; I will certainly risk everything to fulfill the Empress's command."

"I only ask the Empress to reward my 'family' well. Make sure they are proud of me."

Xiao Luzi gave a slight smile: "That is natural."

"It's hard to guard against hidden eyes outside the gate, so I won't escort you," Xiao Luzi waved his hand.

Nanzhu tugged at her heavy cloak and walked outward.

But after turning a few corners, Nanzhu startled.

Bai Li was standing in the shadows with someone, without a lantern.

"Empress, I have seen you," she said.

Seeing the person clearly, Nanzhu hurriedly knelt, knocked three respectful bows, raised both hands, and held the gold that Xiao Luzi had given.

"I, following the Empress's orders, convey her words verbatim; this is what they rewarded me with."

The old matron beside Bai Li stepped forward, took the gold from the sack, weighed it, and said, "Empress, at least five taels of gold."

"Hmph!" Bai Li's face turned cold: "That wretched woman does act quite generously."

"It seems the harem's riches are abundant, feeding her to such a plumpness."

The old matron slipped the gold into her own pocket, stepped forward and kicked Nanzhu: "Speak quickly—what did they say over there?"

Nanzhu dared not lift her head.

She kept her head bowed, trembling, and said, "Those over there heard this and only see hatred in their eyes."

"They were not surprised."

"They even said I need not continue following you; I can find an excuse to return."

"Oh?" Bai Li's voice stretched, a smile rising on her brows.

The old matron hurried forward: "We also received news from the eldest son's side that one of his envoys has returned, saying the plan succeeded."

"That wretched woman was badly wounded and locked in the courtyard."

"As long as no medicine enters, it won't be long before her life is in danger."

"When the time comes, there will be no trace of assassination; after all, the wound is small—at worst a bruise that rots and leads to feverish death."

Hearing this, Bai Li burst into laughter.

She smoothed her cuff, pride shining in her eyes: "Very good."

"As long as that wretched woman is in my hands, what can those outside do even if they find out? Would they still dare act rashly?"

"Moreover, that wretched woman is a spinster; who could possibly help her?"

"The Mo Family Army belongs to the Emperor; she is merely a woman with an empty title."

The old matron beside her kept echoing in agreement.

Seeing the moment ripe, she hurriedly said, "Empress, the senior madam has been having constant headaches lately."

"She never sleeps well!"

Bai Li's face showed unmistakable disgust, and she impatiently said, "Order Bai Zijun to handle my affairs properly."

"When the time comes, his advantages are indispensable."

"Tell him, if anything happens again at Jingxin An, this palace will no longer have his brother."

The old matron's expression changed.

She hurriedly said, "Yes!"

"Your old servant will certainly convey the Empress's wishes back."

Bai Li let out a light snort and ignored the old matron.

Instead she looked at Nanzhu, her smile sickening: "Didn't I just allow you to leave my palace?"

"That's perfect; this palace also needs someone to go to Baoguo Temple and take a good look at the Empress."

"I know you're clever. You'll find a way to get there, won't you?"

Nanzhu lowered her head, unwilling to answer.

Bai Li's smile vanished.

The old matron let out a cold snort and placed a tray on the ground.

The white cloth was lifted, revealing a severed finger on the tray, its tip bearing a conspicuous black mole.

With a single glance, Nanzhu recognized it.

"Ah!" she let out a broken roar, tears streaming down.

Trembling, she cupped the severed finger in her shaking hands, crying so that her whole body quivered, nearly fainting.

"Enough, looking at it like this irritates people," Bai Li said impatiently. "Don't worry, they're still alive."

"This is merely a gift from this palace to you."

"As long as you obediently follow orders, they won't have any trouble."

Nanzhu slowly lifted her head, her whole face washed by tears, her voice trembling hoarsely: "Madam, I (serving woman) have been serving you all along!"

"I understand."

Bai Li smiled brightly: "It's just that I, this palace, am afraid of you and don't believe I can find your family."

Nanzhu's mouth slightly opened, yet she couldn't utter a single word.

Yangxin Hall.

Even though it was already early morning, those stubborn ministers were still kneeling outside.

The mountain of memorials piled on the desk almost drowned Chu Yunzheng.

He sat there, slowly reaching out, and took out three Tiger Tallies.

In the past, these three Tiger Tallies had filled him with dread.

One was held by Huang Hu in the Mo Family Army, another was in Xu Chengyuan's hand, and the third belonged to the Duke of Ning.

"Emperor, please rest a while," Xiao Dongzi said, watching anxiously from beside, comforting in a low voice.

"Ha!" Chu Yunzheng sneered, sounding more like talking to himself: "In the past, what I most desired was to hold these three in my hand."

"I didn't expect that today the Duke of Ning would voluntarily surrender the Tiger Tally, preferring to disband the Ning Family Army and save military wages for disaster relief."

"They are my subjects; do they think I don't want to save them?"

"How could they understand the significance of these Tiger Tallies!"

Chu Yunzheng's voice carried a hint of sorrow.

Xiao Dongzi only listened, yet dared not offer any opinion.

"Ridiculous," Chu Yunzheng chuckled self‑derisively, watching the crackling candlelight, his voice tinged with melancholy: "Has the Empress returned?"

"The Empress is still praying at Baoguo Temple and hasn't returned," Xiao Dongzi hurriedly replied.

"I truly didn't expect that, with her absent, the anguish in my heart has nowhere to confide."

Xiao Luzi, hearing this, pretended to be clever.

He hurriedly said, "As for Consort Bai Li, the Emperor hasn't visited for several days."

"Consort Bai Li is exceptionally wise and has solved so many troubles for the Emperor; perhaps she could also relieve his worries and difficulties."

"Her?" Chu Yunzheng asked, his tone full of hesitation: "Bai Li is ultimately just a woman of the household."

Having said that, he waved his hands repeatedly.

He looked at the Tiger Tally on the desk.

He put it away.

After rising and sitting several times, as if finally deciding, he said, "Fine, praying for the people is indeed my duty."

"I will go to Baoguo Temple to see the Empress."

"As for those old stubborn ones outside, let them keep kneeling!"

Chu Yunzheng made his decision, his mood considerably improved: "Change clothes."

"Leave the palace!"