The First Empress - Chapter 106

Chapter 106 Imperial Edict Secret
In the old court system of the Dali Dynasty, the emperor’s imperial edict could only be viewed by the emperor alone. Even the eunuch who announced the imperial edict did not know the contents of the imperial edict until the last moment, let alone Linglong, the concubine of the harem.

Linglong was anxious, but she could only guess. The Heavenly Heart Level 9 and Sacred Will were also very difficult to guess. However, she knew that there must be a reason for her to go. Otherwise, it would not be like this. Linglong naively thought that it was just for her to talk to Concubine De, so that the two of them would become intimate, so she didn’t think too much about it.

The imperial edict was tied with red curly blessings, so Linglong naturally could not pry into it.

Just as he walked out of the Arrow Ground, the bridge in front of him stood alone. The figure was like a green bamboo. In his hand was a green umbrella from Meng Zongzhu. Under the green umbrella, he looked a little funny. It did not rain, nor was it a blazing sun.

Linglong naturally knew who that person was. She took two steps to the bridge and prepared to cross his gaze.

Eunuch Lu nodded and bowed as he followed Linglong, but as soon as the two of them stepped onto the bridge, Mu Qianzhi said, “Qian has been waiting for the Empress here for a long time.”

Eunuch Lu nodded and took two steps forward. After all, it was the concubines who talked to the officials, so he was not qualified to listen.

On Mu Qianzhi’s exquisite corridor face was a faint pear whirlpool. “It’s going to rain soon. Qian Qian is here to give the Empress an umbrella.” Linglong’s heart was beating, but she maintained the calm expression on her face. Looking at the sky, it was as clear as blue agate stones that Dayuan had paid tribute to. The sunlight on the clouds was swimming, without the slightest sign of rain.

“Your Excellency, you must be joking. This palace is going ahead to deliver a decree, not to Yunluan Palace. However, there is no need to take three or two steps.” Linglong categorically refused, “There are pairs of eyes everywhere in the inner courtyard of the Deep Palace. Lord Mu, please be wary of this palace’s safety.” Linglong nodded and was about to leave. Mu Qianzhi was reluctant to let go, “Take it, it’s going to rain.”

With a serious tone, Linglong smiled instead of being angry, “Where is the rain in the blue sky and the white sun?”

Mu Qianzhi smiled and a pear vortex appeared on his cheek. “I won’t lie to you.”

Linglong waved her hand and called Eunuch Lu over. “Lord Mu said that it will rain soon. Give us an umbrella. Eunuch, take it.” Eunuch Lu nodded, “Then this old servant will keep it for Your Highness.”

Mu Qianzhi’s eyes were full of vigor as he looked at the ebony golden box in Linglong’s hand, “Are you really going to preach an imperial edict?”

Linglong nodded, “What’s wrong?”

Mu Qianzhi didn’t know what to say. He glanced at Eunuch Lu and then at Linglong. His eyes were like clear water. “Isn’t this the matter of the Superintendent of Rites?” Linglong remembered that she and Concubine De couldn’t say a word clearly, so she could only nod in anticipation, “If Lord Mu is fine, this palace will take a step forward.”

Mu Qianzhi smiled elegantly and said, “Your Highness, please go ahead.”

Linglong hurriedly went to the front, and from behind her came his voice of reciting poems. It was actually “Fake Way to Annihilate Guo”.

The smile on Linglong’s lips deepened. What did he mean? Could the Emperor still have that intention? Or was Mu Qianzhi just reminding Linglong to pay attention? Naturally, Linglong would pay attention, but she didn’t expect that the sky would actually begin to be covered with dark clouds. Before she could reach Concubine De’s palace, a rain pearl the size of a copper coin had already fallen. Linglong was already loosely wrapped in her bun. If a heavy rain came, Linglong would naturally be beaten to the point of drowning her entire body. Fortunately, she had this umbrella.

Linglong opened the green umbrella and Mu Qianzhi turned around on the bridge. Linglong stood in the rain mist that had just enveloped her. The green smoke and green mist cover was light, like floating threads. Mu Qianzhi’s eyes were uncertain. He looked through the rain for a long time and smiled gratefully.

Mu Qianzhi seemed to have sensed Linglong’s smile before walking down the bridge.

Seeing each other as if they didn’t see each other? There was no emotion as if there was no emotion.

Linglong sighed and went to the front. In the end, it was a warm and cold season. Soon, the autumn rain would continue.

Liu Yaotai pavilion east wind is soft, the curtain is quiet, You Qin adjusts the tongue. It was very quiet here. Linglong felt that it was as if she was in a temple when she arrived at Concubine De. There was an inexplicable sense of silence and peace. She could smell the faint fragrance of sandalwood before she entered. It had been a long time since she had come here after the last banquet. Linglong was also a little nervous.

When Eunuch Lu arrived at the second door, the girl who opened the door the last time came over with the same bright smile that resembled a bright moon, “Your Highness, come in.”

Linglong followed her lead to the front. After a while, she arrived at the inner hall. Concubine De knew that she was here to deliver a decree and knelt on the ground.

Seeing that the imperial edict was like a noodle king, Linglong hurriedly took out the imperial edict from the box, removed the vermillion seal, and handed it to Eunuch Lu. Eunuch Lu received it. He first glanced at it, then cleared his throat. “Imperial Concubine De, receive the decree.”

“This concubine respectfully greets the imperial edict. Long live my emperor.”

‘”Time is September, age is three autumn. I, Imperial Concubine Mu De, will work hard to arrange this autumn banquet. If there is anything wrong with my efforts, I will cooperate with Bu Jieyu and the others to arrange it. I admire this!” Eunuch Lu’s chanting of the imperial edict made the vast palace seem to have a sharp blade. Linglong did not expect that the contents of the imperial edict would be like this.

Linglong’s face was as pale as a piece of golden paper.

Concubine De had always been unfazed, but today, she became trembling and did not receive the decree. Instead, she asked, “Does father-in-law have any omissions? In the past, the Empress was responsible for all of these matters. This year …”

“The Emperor said that this time is different from the past, and the imperial edict has been issued. There is no false rumor. The Empress will accept the edict.” Eunuch Lu’s expression was expressionless. Eunuch Bi Lu must have already understood this content. Imperial Concubine De’s eyes swept over Linglong. She thought that Linglong was helping her, but only nodded her head. She was quite understanding.

Linglong felt as if she had fallen into a five-mile fog. Her feet were soft, and she almost fell down. She didn’t have any strength in her hands. The ebony box that was embedded in gold fell to the ground, and Linglong hurriedly picked it up.

No wonder Mu Qianzhi had such a look. Now, she finally understood.

After Eunuch Lu finished reading the imperial edict, he said, “This old servant wants to go to the Emperor’s side to repeat the edict, so I’ll leave first.”

Concubine De nodded without saying a word.

After Linglong saw Eunuch Lu leave, her blood started to flow. This matter was really a little out of place. Usually, the Empress was the one who arranged it. Was this also the Emperor’s intention to take over the Empress? There was still another plan. Linglong felt a slight pain in her head. De Fei read the imperial edict from beginning to end. Eunuch Lu did not mispronounce a single word. Only then did De Fei put away the imperial edict.

Linglong looked at Concubine De and said, “I don’t know anything. Your Highness, you have to believe me.”

Concubine De smiled faintly. The smile on her lips was so ethereal, as if she was looking at the scenery through the mirror. “This palace naturally trusts you. There is the Emperor’s meaning in this. You can understand it after careful consideration.”

Linglong had thought too much just now, but she had ignored a lot of problems. Now that she thought about it carefully, her heart was beating so hard that she blurted out, “Yes …”

Imperial Concubine De smiled and waved her hand, “It’s good that you know. Don’t say it out loud. It’ll be good if you fulfill it one by one.”

Linglong sighed helplessly, “Then wouldn’t I be …”

Imperial Concubine De continued to laugh. “Huang Ming is the son of heaven, and he won’t be left behind because of his concubines. So this is just a tactful way to tell her not to act rashly. There are three or two other reasons. It’s not hard to imagine, what do you think?”

Every time Linglong faced Concubine De alone, she felt that Concubine De was not sick, but every time Concubine De came to the public, she was sick. Could it be that she was also pretending to be sick? How many secrets did he not know in the palace? Linglong grabbed the handkerchief in her hand and looked at Concubine De, “Does that mean she won’t blame me?”

“No, she’s also smart.”

It seemed that the gap between Concubine De and Linglong no longer existed. Even if there was one, it was only a sliver of it.

Linglong stumbled back, The patter of rain continued outside, Just like a never-ending ritual, Linglong slowly carried the green umbrella into the Cloud Phoenix Hall. She felt that her fate was becoming more and more unbelonging to her. She thought of what the owner of the green umbrella had said, “I just regretted that I didn’t bring you to that clean paradise to cultivate and weave for women.”

But …

Linglong shook her head and shattered all these messy thoughts. After a while, she entered the Cloud Phoenix Hall disappointedly. It was already after lunch time, Qin’er and Sheng were busy giving Linglong cloth dishes. Linglong’s taste was not good, so they only ate two small mouthfuls and finished.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Qin’er had already noticed the abnormality.

“It’s fine. There are some things that won’t work even if you say them.” Linglong held her forehead and said, “I’ll go to the inner hall and order a Chenshui incense for me.”

“Is Concubine sick? Was it the storm just now? How about this servant cook a bowl of ginger soup for Your Highness? What does Your Highness think?” Qin’er said. Linglong nodded, “Go.” She waved her hand weakly, The servants and maids went to clean up the leftover soup. After a while, Li Sheng arrived at the inner hall. Seeing Linglong’s disappointed expression, he couldn’t help but sigh slightly. “What exactly happened to Concubine? Can you tell me? Although this servant is dull, I still understand the principle of scheming by myself. Let this servant help the Empress analyze it.”

“Sheng,” Linglong bowed slightly and sat up. “You are also an old man in the palace. Do you know what this means?”

Linglong briefly explained what had happened today. Qin’er also brought Jiang Tang to the inner hall. After hearing this, she couldn’t help but sigh, “The Emperor is going to sow discord.”

Linglong frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense. How could the Emperor be the True Dragon Son of Heaven? How could he use such an obvious method to sow discord?”

On the other hand, Li Sheng was rather old and dignified. He sighed slightly and said, “This is not trying to sow discord. This servant thinks that this is just trying to shake the tiger from the mountain. The Emperor wants Concubine De to arrange an autumn banquet. I estimate that Concubine De and Mu Qianzhi should have done something at the banquet. There is no intention to sow discord.”

Of course, Linglong knew that Concubine De and Mu Qianzhi would cooperate better, but this would clearly make Empress Ji Zhuhua think that he had requested the Emperor to empty her position. Wouldn’t that make her a bellows mouse and both of them be enraged?

“At this time, there must already be someone on the Empress’ side who is talking too much. How does the Empress think this matter will be resolved?” Li Sheng asked.

Linglong looked in front of her with an unfocused gaze. “I thought it would be better if the Empress asked the truth about this matter. After all, it’s not my job to cheat.”

Sheng sighed, “This is the end of the matter. I guess this is the only way. However, the Empress should not have any grudges.”

Linglong covered the quilt.