20demayo Chapter 35 The Storm Is Brewing!
Chapter 35 The Storm Is Brewing!
Forbidden City.
Qianqing Palace.
"Your Majesty, it's time to choose a concubine."
Gu Dayong carried the tray and came to Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao said without looking up, "Take it away."
Gu Dayong glanced at Liu Jin beside him, and the two of them knelt down at the same time: "Your Majesty, you have not chosen any concubines to serve you in bed for half a month."
"Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, but you should also consider the well-being of the royal offspring."
Zhu Houzhao raised his head and stared coldly at Liu Jin and Gu Dayong: "Shut up!"
Liu Jin and Gu Dayong trembled with fright and immediately began slapping themselves in the face.
"This servant has spoken out of turn; this servant deserves to die!"
"Alright, stop acting."
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand impatiently: "I'm not in the mood for this lately."
Suddenly, Zhu Houzhao remembered the concubine who had shielded him from the sword.
"By the way, how is Consort Xia's injury?"
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has examined the wound. The blade is not poisoned; it is merely a penetrating wound. He will be fine after a few days of rest."
"Hmm." Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment, then stood up: "Let's go to Zhongcui Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Not long after, Zhu Houzhao's imperial carriage stopped at Zhongcui Palace.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
As Zhu Houzhao entered Zhongcui Palace, the palace maids and eunuchs along the way bowed in greeting.
Zhu Houzhao ignored him and went straight to Xia Tianxin's bedroom, Yushu Tower.
"His Majesty……"
Xia Tianxin, who was lying on the bed, tried to get up and bow, but Zhu Houzhao stopped her.
"No need for formalities."
Zhu Houzhao walked to Xia Tianxin's side, sat on the edge of the bed, and took Xia Tianxin's hand.
"How are you? Does it still hurt?"
Xia Tianxin shook her head with a smile: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My injury is nothing serious."
"The imperial physician said that as long as I recuperate properly, I will not suffer any long-term effects."
"That's good."
Zhu Houzhao nodded: "You saved my life that day, but I haven't yet rewarded you with anything."
"Speak, what do you want? I will grant it to you."
Xia Tian's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly lowered her head again: "I saved Your Majesty because I was worried about Your Majesty's safety, not for Your Majesty's reward."
"I don't want anything, as long as Your Majesty is safe and sound, I will be content."
Zhu Houzhao lowered his eyes and patted Xia Tianxin's hand: "You may refuse, but I cannot refuse to bestow this gift."
"Guards, heed my decree."
Zhu Houzhao spoke calmly: "Xia is promoted to the rank of Consort, given the courtesy name Kang, and included in the Imperial Register."
"Send more people to serve Consort Kang well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The accompanying female official noted down Zhu Houzhao's orders.
After that, Xia Tianxin became Zhu Houzhao's first official concubine.
The imperial harem had a strict hierarchy, with only three ranks: Empress, Consort, and Concubine. The latter could be considered a formal imperial concubine.
The remaining Zhaoyi, Jieyu, Meiren, Cairen... were merely the emperor's women.
These women weren't even qualified to be included in the royal register.
Only those of the rank of concubine or above could be considered to have their own status, and their names could be entered into the imperial register, thus truly entering the Zhu family.
Xia Tian was extremely excited, her eyes glistening with tears: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"
"Your Majesty is so kind to me, I truly do not know how to repay Your Majesty's kindness."
"Don't overthink it, just get some rest."
Zhu Houzhao comforted Xia Tianxin, saying, "I will summon you again once you have recovered from your injuries."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhu Houzhao spoke with Xia Tianxin for a while, then ordered the Imperial Kitchen to deliver dinner to Yushulou.
After having his meal with Xia Tianxin, Zhu Houzhao left Zhongcui Palace.
The news that Xia Tianxin had been promoted to the rank of concubine quickly spread throughout the entire palace.
Besides the concubines in Chuxiu Palace who hadn't yet served the emperor, Liu Ningwei in Yanxi Palace was extremely jealous.
They entered the palace at the same time, but Xia Tianxin had already become Consort Kang, leaving them far behind.
At this moment, Liu Ningwei and the other concubines all felt an urgent sense of crisis.
They couldn't continue like this, letting Xia Tianxin monopolize Zhu Houzhao's favor.
They want to fight too!
They also wanted to be favored by Zhu Houzhao!
……
Six doors.
Under Wuqing's leadership, the Four Great Constables changed the direction of their investigation and began to investigate the events that occurred a year before Zhu Youcheng's death.
After thoroughly investigating these matters, everyone had their own answer.
"Uncle, look at these... This imperial edict could never have been left by the late emperor!"
Wuqing handed the secret report to Zhuge Zhengwo. After reading it, Zhuge Zhengwo was both shocked and furious, and a chilling killing intent surrounded him.
"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!!"
"These civil officials are incredibly audacious! How dare they do such a thing?!"
Zhuge Zhengwo's eyes were bloodshot, and his hands, holding the secret report, were trembling.
Wuqing and the other three famous constables remained silent, offering no response to Zhuge Zhengwo's words.
After a long while, Wuqing finally asked, "Uncle, what do you plan to do?"
"Although we are 90% certain that this edict was forged by the cabinet, this matter involves many people. If we are not careful, thousands of officials in the capital will lose their heads."
Zhuge Zhengwo thought calmly for a moment and then said, "We must report this matter truthfully to His Majesty."
"We only need to carry out His Majesty's orders; as for what to do, that's His Majesty's business."
"Prepare my horse; I must go to the palace to report this matter to His Majesty in person!"
"Yes, Uncle!"
……
Dongji Factory.
After Cao Zhengchun tortured the actor who assassinated Zhu Houzhao to death—his parents, wife, and four children—the actor finally broke down and confessed.
The truth revealed by the actors was terrifying.
So terrifying that even though Cao Zhengchun had anticipated it, he was still horrified when he saw the secret report in his hand.
At the same time, this secret report also contains many hidden secrets unearthed by the Eastern Depot.
After reading this secret memorial, Cao Zhengchun felt a deep sense of fear from the bottom of his heart.
This secret report contains far too many secrets.
Every secret could lead to the execution of a Grand Secretary or Minister of State.
The most crucial point is that one of these secrets actually involves His Majesty himself.
Cao Zhengchun could foresee the bloodshed that would ensue once the memorial was sent to the Qianqing Palace.
Because this matter was of great importance, even Cao Zhengchun, who was used to seeing life and death, felt terrified.
When the emperor is enraged, millions will die!
Heaven knows how many more people will die in the court after His Majesty sees this secret memorial.
But in any case, he had to report these messages to Zhu Houzhao in person!
Cao Zhengchun, unusually, drank two cups of wine, then tucked the secret letter into his robes and ordered, "Prepare the sedan chair, proceed to the palace!"
Before long, a sedan chair emerged from the East Police Station and headed towards the Forbidden City.
A thunderous storm that will engulf the entire Ming Dynasty court is about to pass!