Chapter 99

Is that not so?0

The Xuanwu Emperor thought that his beloved Consort Jiang Xinyue was indeed adorable. Every emotion was etched on her face, as if inviting everyone to see right through her.0

He gently tapped on Jiang Xinyue's supposedly "innocent" head, "The Prefect of Qinzhou is but a minor official, I do not believe he has the audacity to act in such a high-profile manner on his own. There must be someone pulling the strings from behind. If Minister of Rites Jiang has any other evidence, he shouldn't fear retaliation. Simply hand it over, I am here, I won't allow wicked spirits to cause a commotion."0

What a bold move!0

It's as if he had the words "Targeting the Song Family" plastered on his face.0

Just as Jiang Xinyue thought! 0

During the miscarriage of Concubine Li, she forced the emperor to punish Consort Shu and brought up both Pei and Song families to pressurize the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Surely, she won't be ending up well.0

Looking through history, which influential nobility who fails to adopt a low profile, keeps their talents hidden and remains unabatedly arrogant ends well?0

None!0

Absolutely none!0

They all believe that their powers extend throughout the Great Yan Dynasty and even if the Emperor is unhappy, they can do nothing to them.0

But they have forgotten the ancient phrase: "If the monarch wants a minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die."0

Even without evidence, the Emperor would hint at his ministers to fabricate some.0

Jiang Xinyue nodded, "Your Majesty is correct. Unfortunately, I, as a concubine, cannot summon my father into the Palace. Otherwise, I would surely convey Your Majesty's words to him in full."0

Right, the Emperor forgot. Though Jiang Xinyue ascended to the rank of concubine within a year of entering the Palace, concubines below the position of consort do not have the privilege to summon their own family. Only with the Emperor or Empress's approval can this be done.0

"Do you miss home?" the Emperor asked, rubbing Jiang Xinyue's small hand, every bone massaged through thoroughly, "It's not difficult. The Empress's birthday is in the eighth lunar month, and the Tubo Royal Family sent us some gifts. The Ministry of Rites is due to discuss with me about the return gifts. Why don't you come with me to the Imperial Study tomorrow?"0

The Xuanwu Emperor did not wish to reveal his enmity with the Song Family and intended to push the Jiang Family to the forefront. 0

Being the Emperor of a country and saying she missed home, could she deny it?0

How to put it?0

It's a mix of good and bad, actually.0

It was pointless to pity them; she was the most pitiful one.0

Having seen how vast the world was, she was now trapped in this small world, her discontent greater than anyone else's.0

"Your Highness, Your Highness..." 0

Jiang Chuan ran over breathless, "The people of the Empress Dowager and Concubine Li are fighting in Changxin Palace. The Emperor has confined Concubine Li, and the Empress Dowager has forcibly taken Consort Shu back to Kunning Palace."0

Xi Que couldn't help laughing, "Concubine Li is getting increasingly impulsive, isn't she? She had just been released from confinement and now, she has landed herself back into trouble."0

Xi Que didn't understand, but Jiang Xinyue could empathize with Concubine Li.0

The person who didn't want her to conceive was the Xuanwu Emperor.0

From the moment she became the Emperor's wife, she was destined never to have her own child.0

One time, Jiang Xinyue had met Lady Pei, Concubine Li's mother in the palace. Accompanying Lady Pei was a woman carrying a medicine box who later appeared by Concubine Li's side.0

She guessed that the Song family, seeing that Concubine Li had not conceived for a long time and that she was getting older, sent a doctor into the palace.0

There were thousands of maids in the palace, with individuals being transferred daily. Even Empress Zhu, who was in charge of the harem, might not catch onto this.0

The medical woman was quite nondescript and usually did not attend to Concubine Li, Jiang Xinyue had just happened to see her once while passing by Changxin Palace.0

As a woman inspiringly determined to be a favored consort, and then to become a grand concubine after the death of the emperor, she is acquainted with all the maids in the palace who serve the noble imperial consorts.0

Of course, most importantly, she has met that medicine woman who serves Lady Pei.0

Concubine Li must have known it too!0

The reason she couldn't conceive was due to her physical impairment. Even if she managed to conceive, she would easily miscarry.0

Therefore, after all the hardships she went through to conceive this time, she still used the child to frame Consort Shu.0

She knew all too well that the child she carried was doomed to perish sooner or later!0

Yet, it is uncertain whether she would think that the person who shattered her dreams of becoming the queen was Empress Zhu.0

If that were the case, how wrongful it would be for Empress Zhu.0