Chapter 91: The Gao Family

Today, the Emperor, citing the need to show consideration for Prime Minister Gao's poor health, granted him a six-month leave and ordered him to return to his residence to recuperate. On the surface, this was a favor, but in reality, it was a stripping of power. With Prime Minister Gao gone, the Gao family's influence in court was like a spine pulled out, teetering on the brink of collapse. Lady Gao sneered inwardly; how could she not know the Emperor's intentions?

Lady Gao sat on the soft couch in Liulidian, holding an exquisite green porcelain teacup. The tea was slightly cool, yet she was completely unaware of it. The hall was so quiet that the faint crackling of the candle flame could be heard, casting her face in shifting light and shadow. Her gaze rested on the teacup, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the rim, while her thoughts had long since drifted far away.

The fate of the Gao family and hers were already tightly bound. In fact, ever since Empress Wang went missing five years ago, the Emperor had almost never stepped into the harem.

Her ability to sit securely in the position of Noble Consort did not rely on the Emperor's favor; although she had given birth to the Third Imperial Prince, it was more due to the Gao family's power in court.

Now that Prime Minister Gao had been sent home, the Gao family's power was weakened, and her own position was consequently precarious. She lightly stroked the window lattice, her fingertips growing slightly cold.

"Niangniang, the matter of Prime Minister Gao..." The maid beside her stepped forward cautiously, wanting to speak but stopping short.

Lady Gao raised her eyes, her gaze as cold as a blade, which frightened the maid into immediate silence.

She waved her hand, signaling everyone to withdraw. With only herself left in the hall, she slowly rose and walked to the window.

Outside, the moonlight was like water, sprinkling over the flowers and trees in the courtyard, casting a cold, clear radiance. A cold wind blew, causing Lady Gao to shiver involuntarily, yet she did not leave the window.

"Gao Gao Shanshan..."

Lady Gao murmured softly, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. If not for that fool, even if the Emperor intended to attack the Gao family, there would be no suitable opportunity today.

Gao Gao Shanshan was the illegitimate daughter of Prime Minister Gao, born of Zhou Zhou Yiniang, who had been arrogant and domineering since childhood, knowing neither the height of the sky nor the depth of the earth. Indeed, what good did it do for a child born of a lowly woman to be born with a fate of wealth and nobility?

Lady Gao let out a cold sneer, her disgust for Gao Gao Shanshan growing even stronger. But she feared Quan Quan Aoyu and Seeing Jun Jun Zijin even more.

"It seems some plans must be set in motion ahead of schedule."

Lady Gao spoke softly to herself, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes. She turned and walked back to the soft couch, taking a secret letter sent by the Gao family from a hidden compartment. She had already memorized the contents of the letter by heart. This was evidence of the Gao family's contact with the foreign tribes on the border, and also the back door the Gao family had left for themselves and for her.

She placed the letter paper over the candle flame, letting it turn into a wisp of green smoke. She watched that wisp of smoke slowly dissipate, yet there was not a single ripple in her eyes. She had long been accustomed to struggling in the vortex of power and knew deeply that in this deep palace, only ruthlessness could allow one to stand in an unbeatable position.

"Someone come," she called softly.

Immediately, a maid from outside the hall responded and entered, standing respectfully before her.

"Deliver my words: have the people of the Gao family come to the palace tomorrow." She gave the order lightly, her tone carrying an imperious authority that brooked no denial.

The maid responded and withdrew. Lady Gao sat back down on the soft couch, her gaze once again falling on the moonlight outside the window. She knew that every step from now on would determine the survival or destruction of the Gao family. And she would absolutely not let the Gao family fall like this.

On the side of Prime Minister Gao's residence.

The main gate of the Gao residence was shoved open violently. Several Retainers rushed in, hurriedly carrying two people. One old, one young: it was Prime Minister Gao and his treasure daughter, Gao Gao Shanshan, who only brought disaster. Prime Minister Gao's face was iron-green, muttering to himself: "Half a year... half a year I cannot attend court..."

Gao Gao Shanshan was obviously in much worse condition. The crowd carefully placed her on the bed. Her face was as pale as paper; the excruciating pain of her broken sternum made it almost impossible for her to breathe, and the gruesome whip mark on her face was even more shocking. She kept her eyes tightly shut, her heart filled with humiliation and hatred.

Seeing this, the maids in the residence immediately became frantic. Medicine bowls, gauze, and hot water appeared; for a moment, the whole room was filled with busy figures. The Physicians were even busier than they could handle, one moment taking Prime Minister Gao's pulse, the next going to check Gao Gao Shanshan's injuries. The entire Prime Minister's residence seemed to have become a temporary clinic, chaotic and noisy, quite lively indeed.

"Child, what has happened to you?" Lady Gao, the matriarch, rushed over the moment she received the news. Seeing Prime Minister Gao's state, her heart ached so much that tears streamed down her face.

Prime Minister Gao waved his hand and said weakly: "Don't mention it, don't mention it... The Emperor said to grant me a three-month leave to return home and accompany the children well, then said my health was poor and granted me another three months leave. Half a year I cannot attend court..."

How could Lady Gao not understand? She was instantly stunned: "How could this be... did that wicked daughter cause trouble again?"

Prime Minister Gao sighed and shook his head: "Gao Shanshan provoked Lady Lady Qingping and the Crown Prince. The Emperor did this on purpose; he did this to make me look bad..."

Lady Gao's eyes darkened: How could she not know that Gao Gao Shanshan, that wicked daughter, had been spoiled out of control by Prime Minister Gao and that lowly woman Wu? A child born of a concubine brought up from an art house was inherently unfit for the public stage, yet Prime Minister Gao insisted on spoiling her.

"Foolish!" Lady Gao struck the ground hard with her cane.

"What did I say? I said back then that that mother and daughter were not peaceful types. Gao Gao Shanshan has only been back in the residence for a few days; causing trouble for Lady Quan Qingle was not enough, so she went and provoked Lady Lady Qingping. Is Lady Lady Qingping someone she can provoke now? But that wasn't enough; she provoked the Crown Prince right in front of the Emperor. What difference is there between that and provoking the Emperor directly? She is trying to put the entire Gao family on the fire to roast..."

Zhou Zhou Yiniang, who had been listening outside the door for a long time, could not stand it anymore. She stepped in with a few quick strides:

"Lady, how can you speak of your granddaughter like that? Our Gao Shanshan was born with a fate of wealth and nobility. What does 'born with a fate of wealth' mean? It means she is the future Empress! Who should not yield three steps to her? What is Lady Lady Qingping? A wild child from the countryside. Are you taking her too seriously..."

"Shut up!" The matriarch no longer wanted to hear this woman speak.

Before Wu's words had even finished, a dull "Bang" sound was heard. Lady Gao suddenly struck forward with her cane, using all her strength. This blow struck Zhou Zhou Yiniang directly on the head. Zhou Zhou Yiniang did not even have time to cry out; she simply fainted.

"Lock this woman in her room!" Lady Gao roared.

Prime Minister Gao sighed helplessly and said:

"Mother, do not be anxious. The most urgent matter is to first cure Gao Shanshan's injuries."