Chapter 210: Speculation
At noon, Zhang Ze arrived at Hanliang Palace. Many officials were already waiting outside the hall where the Emperor was.
Because of the Empress’s funeral, the Emperor had stopped holding court, but state affairs could not be completely neglected, especially with the spring plowing approaching, and many urgent matters had piled up.
“Is His Majesty still not interested in state affairs?” Zhang Ze asked.
Is that why everyone is not allowed to see him?
“No, it’s Princess Jinyu and Li Yu who are inside.” An official said, then turned around and saw that it was Zhang Ze. His expression was slightly stiff.
Zhang Ze frowned: “Li Yu? Isn’t he at the Imperial Tombs?” He said with a smile, “What? He couldn’t stay at the Imperial Tombs after hearing that a prince was born?”
These words were truly vicious. The official’s body stiffened, and he couldn’t answer at all.
Zhang Ze didn’t ask him to answer, and he flicked his sleeves and left with a faint smile, leaving the officials with complicated expressions.
In fact, everyone had privately discussed that if the Emperor really couldn’t have a son, it would be reasonable for this former Grandson of the Emperor to inherit the throne…
And this former Grandson of the Emperor only appeared after His Majesty ascended the throne for five years and stabilized his reign, and after the Former Crown Prince was exonerated. I’m afraid his intentions are not so simple.
Of course, these speculations and discussions all dissipated after Consort Bai gave birth to a prince.
The Emperor has his own son now, so naturally he wouldn’t pass the throne to his nephew. It wouldn’t be so reasonable for his nephew to inherit the throne.
But why did Zhang Ze not hide his malice towards Li Yu?
Although Zhang Ze is the kind of person who will bite anyone he catches, he is suddenly so vicious to this Li Yu. Could it be that His Majesty instructed him?
Is His Majesty suspicious of this nephew?
Although he has a prince now, the prince is still young, and this Li Yu has already grown up…
The officials looked at each other, communicating with their eyes. It seems that they should keep a distance from this Li Yu in the future, so as not to be misunderstood by His Majesty.
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“That Li Yu is trying to please His Majesty, crying about his good aunt, the Empress.”
In the side hall, Bai Ying was lying down, looking at the prince who the palace maid and wet nurse had placed on the bed. She reached out and poked the baby’s face, and said to Zhang Ze.
“He was crying his heart out, and said that he came back this time to pick up the Empress, and that he would personally keep vigil for the Empress for a hundred days.”
“Princess Jinyu was also there, putting on airs as the elder sister and reprimanding His Majesty, saying that he couldn’t delay state affairs for the Empress, that the Yang family just wanted to confuse His Majesty, and that if His Majesty was overly sad, he would be falling for their scheme.”
“These two are putting on a show, they have bad intentions.”
As she spoke, Bai Ying sat up from the bed and picked up the baby lying beside her. She sneered.
“His Majesty is kind-hearted and soft-eared, and greedy for family affection, so he can’t say anything harsh. You said it well just now, it’s also a warning to the court officials, to let them not be confused, to see clearly, His Majesty has his own little prince.”
She said as she rocked the baby.
But I don’t know if it was because he was uncomfortable being rocked, or what, the baby started crying loudly.
Bai Ying frowned.
Children really cry at the drop of a hat, it’s annoying.
But some children don’t like to cry, which is even more frightening, like Bai Li.
When Bai Li was just born, her mother died, and the whole family was crying their hearts out. On the contrary, this baby didn’t make a sound for a long time. They thought she was dead, so they shook her, and she opened her eyes and moved, then closed her eyes again.
How can a newborn baby not cry? The elders said that she didn’t look like a normal baby, and probably wouldn’t live long.
Later, when she took this child, she was afraid that the child would suddenly die, and she felt that it would be good if she died. She had killed her mother, so she should die too.
But, if she really died, her mother’s sacrifice would have been in vain, and her mother would have been too unworthy.
She hates children.
Disgust appeared in Bai Ying’s eyes.
Seeing her expression, Wang Degui hurriedly stepped forward: “Your Ladyship, you are weak now, you can’t hold the child.”
He said, giving the wet nurse a look.
The wet nurse hurriedly stepped forward: “Your Ladyship, the little prince is hungry, it’s time for him to be fed.”
Bai Ying handed the child over. The wet nurse took him and retreated to the next room to feed him. She didn’t bother to look at him again. She turned her head and saw that Zhang Ze seemed to be lost in thought.
It seemed that he hadn’t responded since she started speaking.
“What’s wrong?” Bai Ying asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Zhang Ze said, “Thinking about that child.”
Which child? Bai Ying was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted, that child she gave birth to.
That night, Wang Degui was under a spell, and the child was taken away by the remnants of Empress Jiang’s faction.
Zhang Ze searched all night but couldn’t find him.
“Since that child was taken out of the palace by them, and didn’t testify against me at that time, then it’s meaningless.” Bai Ying said.
And the Imperial Bell didn’t react at that time, which shows that Heaven’s will also followed the will of the people.
Zhang Ze shook his head: “I’m not worried about that, that child is no threat, I’m just thinking…” His voice slightly choked, “Empress Jiang, remnants.”
Bai Ying sneered even more: “What’s there to worry about the remnants of Empress Jiang? It’s been so many years, they can’t stir up any trouble.” She frowned, “What we should be worried about is Princess Jinyu and this Li Yu. Now that His Majesty has just recognized his relative and lost the Empress, he will be close to them, both in his heart and for the sake of appearances. The Former Crown Prince also had many followers back then, that little brat will definitely not be content…”
She looked at Zhang Ze as she spoke, and found that he seemed to be lost in thought again.
“Zhang Ze!” She raised her voice, somewhat dissatisfied, “Are you listening to me?”
Zhang Ze looked at her: “That little brat is indeed restless, he’s hiding a lot of people, and it’s indeed not easy to deal with him now. Even if we find an opportunity, I’m afraid we won’t be able to kill him with one blow. But Your Ladyship doesn’t need to worry, you just take care of the little prince, currently these people are not a threat.”
Bai Ying nodded with a smile: “With Inspector General here, I’m not worried at all.” She looked at him again and asked with concern, “Inspector General has worked hard these days, haven’t you been resting well? I’ll keep an eye on the palace affairs, Inspector General should rest well when you need to.”
She then called Wang Degui.
“Send the tonics that His Majesty bestowed yesterday to Inspector General’s residence.”
Wang Degui bowed and agreed. Zhang Ze didn’t refuse, and bowed to express his thanks.
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A young eunuch who was eavesdropping on the conversation in the main hall from the next room came out and whispered: “Princess Jinyu and Li Yu have taken their leave. His Majesty said he’s tired and won’t see anyone else.”
“His Majesty should be coming to see Your Ladyship.” Zhang Ze said.
Bai Ying hurriedly ordered Wang Degui: “Quickly bring the child over to me.”
Wang Degui answered yes and hurried to get the child. Zhang Ze took his leave and left through the side door.
When the Emperor walked in, he saw Bai Ying changing the little prince’s diaper. He exclaimed: “A’ying, why did you get out of bed?” He then scolded the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall, “What are you doing!”
The palace maids and eunuchs immediately knelt down.
“I wanted to take care of the child myself.” Bai Ying said, giving the Emperor a reproachful look, “Your Majesty knows that I’ve always been restless.”
She then gestured for the palace maids and eunuchs to get up. Wang Degui waved his hand, signaling for everyone to withdraw.
“You haven’t finished your confinement period yet.” The Emperor said with concern, “Don’t tire yourself out.” He sighed, “Now that you’re not demoted and away from the palace, there are so many people in the palace, you don’t have to do it yourself.”
Bai Ying nodded: “I know, Your Majesty, I will take care of myself.” She said, holding the Emperor’s hand and looking at him, “We have endured so many hard days, we must live to a hundred years old, so Your Majesty must also take care of yourself. You have done your duty to your sister, don’t wear yourself out.”
The Emperor embraced her in his arms and sighed deeply: “I know, don’t worry, I won’t wear myself out.”
Bai Ying didn’t snuggle up to him like she usually did, but pushed him away: “Your Majesty, wait until I’m done changing the child.”
The Emperor laughed, watching Bai Ying change the little prince’s diaper on the bed. Seeing her skillful movements, he said with a smile: “How come you know everything?”
“Has Your Majesty forgotten? My mother died in childbirth when giving birth to my younger sister, and my elder sister was married, so I raised that younger sister.” Bai Ying said, deftly changing the diaper and picking up the child, “I started taking care of children when I was ten years old.”
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she pressed her face against the child. Her voice became choked with sobs.
“I was able to give birth to a child safely, and the child has a mother by his side. I really have nothing else to ask for in this life.”
The Emperor hurriedly embraced her and the child in his arms, comforting her: “Don’t cry, you can’t cry during your confinement period, be careful not to hurt your eyes. You just said that we should take good care of ourselves.”
Bai Ying smiled again, and with a hint of playfulness, she stuffed the child into the Emperor’s arms: “Then Your Majesty should also come and take care of the child personally.”
The Emperor laughed: “You can’t stump me with this, I’ve actually taken care of children.”
When he was young, his concubine gave birth to a daughter very early, and he also held her personally. However, Yang Yuan didn’t like it and made a fuss many times. In addition, the Previous Emperor was moody, and life was difficult and precarious. Later, when he was demoted, he didn’t let his two children follow him, and entrusted them to the Yang family to take care of.
“No wonder the princesses are so close to Your Majesty even though they didn’t grow up by your side.” Bai Ying said, “It’s all because Your Majesty personally took care of them when they were young.”
She leaned against the Emperor, looking at the prince he was holding, and sighed with tears in her eyes.
“This child is blessed to be able to be taken care of by Your Majesty all the time, without having to worry about the pain of separation.”
The Emperor laughed and urged Bai Ying to lie down: “I’ll let you see, I’m even better at taking care of children than you are.”
Bai Ying obediently lay down, watching the Emperor pace around the room holding the child, talking to the baby from time to time.
The smile on her face grew wider and wider. The closer His Majesty was to this child, the more likely it would be that even if someone pointed out that the prince was fake, His Majesty would be the first to not believe it.
She understood the Emperor, he was cowardly, sentimental, and sensitive. If he personally watched and raised his son, and invested his feelings in him, anyone who dared to say anything would surely incur the Emperor’s wrath and meet a terrible end.
“Your Ladyship, it’s time to take your medicine.” Wang Degui brought a bowl of medicine.
Although the prince was fake, her childbirth was real, and her body was exhausted. Bai Ying took the medicine bowl, and then thought of something and whispered to Wang Degui: “See what Zhang Ze is doing.”
Wang Degui was stunned. Didn’t Zhang Ze just leave? Does Her Ladyship want to keep an eye on Zhang Ze? This has never happened before, could it be that Her Ladyship doesn’t trust Zhang Ze…
Wang Degui was lost in thought for a moment.
“What are you thinking about?” Bai Ying glared at him and whispered, “I saw that he was absent-minded, I wonder if something’s wrong.”
Wang Degui suddenly understood, and nodded: “Inspector General does seem different from before, I’ll go and inquire about it.”
After saying that, he withdrew.
When Wang Degui came back, the Emperor had already personally taken the baby to the next room to sleep.
“Inspector General returned to the Censorate, and immediately had all the files related to the remnants of Empress Jiang from these years sent over. He closed the door and didn’t let anyone disturb him, and is carefully reviewing them.” He whispered, “The guards at the Censorate said that Inspector General has been like this for the past two days, working day and night without rest.”
So he was exhausted and lost in thought.
Bai Ying breathed a sigh of relief. That’s good. In the past, he would listen attentively to everything she said, but now he seemed indifferent, she thought he had some other ideas.
The Empress had already been killed by her with one blow, and she also had a prince, her position was even more secure, would he really abandon her and turn to someone else?
Bai Ying laughed.
That’s too funny, who is more worthy of allegiance than her now?
That stupid woman Princess Jinyu?
…
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As dusk deepened, the attendants began to light the lamps. The light and shadow flickered. Zhang Ze looked up from the files and closed his eyes, gently massaging them.
In these years, there weren’t many people from Empress Jiang’s faction who were actually caught, and those who were caught either died under torture or committed suicide before being captured. There wasn’t much useful information obtained, but there was one thing in common, these people seemed to really believe that Empress Jiang would come back.
If it had been before, he would have thought that those people were just driven mad by Empress Jiang’s wild talk before her death.
But now, especially that night, he had seen it with his own eyes…
No, Zhang Ze took a deep breath and opened his eyes, his hands on the desk clenched tightly. That was an illusion, a hallucination.
But, the ritual specialist said that to present such a real illusion, someone needs to be used as a medium. Of course, that person was definitely not Empress Jiang, but was made to look very much like her…
Zhang Ze loosened his clenched hands and looked at the outdoors, gradually enveloped by the night.
Then, where is that person who was made to look very much like her?
New plot in progress, writing a bit slower.
