The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 1659 - 801 third watch

The Han Family had long possessed the means to deal with the emperor. The reason for their hesitation, apart from considering the risk involved, was that she still harbored some feelings for the emperor.

She hated the emperor but also yearned for him to crown her empress, allowing her to rule the land alongside him as a true couple.

Unfortunately, the emperor’s repetitive actions had completely chilled the Han Family’s heart.

Calling the emperor to the Cold Palace was likely to give him one final chance; as long as he showed a bit of affection for her, she would wait.

Regrettably, she was disillusioned.

In the emperor’s heart, there was never a place for her.

A woman dedicated to her career is most fearsome; now the Emperor of Dayan would face consequences.

Meanwhile, Chengfeng, who went to the palace to gather information, had returned.

He reported the news he had gathered to the Duke Residence group: "... His Majesty went to attend morning court, there wasn’t any news, but Zhang Dequan... It’s said he was caught secretly meeting a palace maid called Yue. Fearing punishment, he escaped from the palace overnight."

Just arriving at the entrance, Zhang Dequan heard this: "...!!"

Zhang Dequan: "His Majesty already knew about me and Qiuyue! It’s openly acknowledged! His Majesty wouldn’t punish me! There’s no way I’d run away because of this!"

Everyone’s mouths twitched: "... "

You really did secretly meet with someone.

This matter was so discreet that no one besides the emperor knew of it.

Zhang Dequan was so shocked that upon seeing the people in the room—including two patients he had seen in the National Master Hall—he forgot to be surprised.

He anxiously asked, "Damn, Qiuyue fell into their hands; she’s in danger!"

Everyone looked at him sympathetically.

Zhang Dequan asked, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

The old wine priest pushed the teacup forward: "Have a cup of green tea."

Xiao Hen offered the plate of snacks to him: "Have a piece of Green Bean Cake."

Gu Yan extended his palm: "I’ll give you a jade bottle."

Zhang Dequan: "..."

-

The emperor was knocked out by Noble Consort Han overnight, and in the morning, Han Family released him to attend morning court. This seemed suspicious.

From the events concerning Qiuyue and Zhang Dequan, it could be inferred that the Imperial Harem was under the Han Family’s control.

But according to Chengfeng’s gathered information, Han Family hadn’t been released from the Cold Palace.

In short, all of this was orchestrated by the Han Family using the emperor as their tool.

Why would the emperor follow Han Family’s orders?

Did he have some leverage over Han Family? Or... was he controlled by Han Family?

Xiao Hen said, "My mother entered the palace to see the emperor. We’ll hear what she says when she returns."

Shangguan Yun, after more than half a month of "rest," had recovered enough to stand and walk but chose to enter the palace in a wheelchair to show her frailty.

She went to the emperor’s Sleeping Palace to wait.

However, surprisingly, the palace maids didn’t permit her entry.

Being a legitimate daughter and the emperor’s precious one, even though dethroned, they dared to block her entrance?

"What’s your name? I haven’t seen you before," Shangguan Yun asked faintly, sitting in her wheelchair.

The young eunuch smiled: "My name is Huanxi, just transferred here."

"Where’s Zhang Dequan?" Shangguan Yun asked.

Huanxi replied with a smile: "Zhang Dequan was caught secretly meeting a palace maid and escaped overnight. Now it’s Manager Ya Changpo attending to His Majesty."

Shangguan Yun frowned: "Which Manager Ya Changpo?"

Huanxi said: "Manager Ya Changpo."

She seemed to have some impression, previously serving by the emperor’s side but wasn’t very favored.

How did he get promoted?

"Where’s Xiaozhao?" she asked again.

Huanxi sighed: "Xiaozhao, being close with Zhang Dequan, was implicated and punished, moved to the laundry room."

Shangguan Yun asked about several palace maids who were usually favored, but none were present; the reasons were similar to Xiaozhao’s—implicated and punished.

This wasn’t unusual in the Imperial Harem but, combined with her being blocked at the door, it became extraordinary.

Whether new or old, they should have heard about her recent favor.

Shangguan Yun said indifferently: "Blocking me outside, aren’t you afraid my father will blame you when he returns?"

Huanxi knelt and reported: "This is His Majesty’s command, no one should trespass. I am following orders, please understand, Princess."

Shangguan Yun didn’t see the emperor; even seeking him later at Zhonghe Hall after court wasn’t successful.

Shangguan Yun was puzzled: "What’s the emperor up to? Did Noble Consort Wang and the others betray me? That’s not right. I’m not afraid of death, they must be."

Shangguan Yun left the palace with doubts.

Meanwhile, Gu Jiao finished her duties at the Military Camp and rode the Black Wind King back to the Duke Residence.

Xiao Hen had gone to pick up Xiao Jingkong.

Gu Chengfeng and Gu Yan relayed the events.

Upon hearing the emperor’s ordeal occurred in the Cold Palace, Gu Jiao realized it was inevitable.

In the dream, the emperor was also schemed against by Noble Consort Han in the Cold Palace, the perpetrator being the Dark Soul. Under Noble Consort Han and the Han Family’s manipulation, Dayan fell into a far worse turmoil than fifteen years ago.

Jin and Liang countries seized the opportunity to wage war against Dayan.

Under internal and external strife, Dayan suffered a devastating blow, losing twelve cities and countless noble offspring.

Mu Qingchen, died in battle!

Taoist Qingchen, died in battle!

Xuanyuan Seven Sons, died in battle!

...

The over-exhausted Xuanyuan Jun, ravaged by three years of civil war, couldn’t turn the tide, ultimately wiped out!

In the dream, Noble Consort Han imprisoned the emperor six years later, but unexpectedly, it happened much earlier.

Gu Jiao solemnly looked at Xiao Hen: "The emperor is not the same as before.

Xiao Hen’s expression turned grave: "What do you mean?"

Gu Jiao didn’t explain how she knew, instead narrating everything from the dream: "He has been replaced."

The person replacing the emperor was carefully selected by the Dark Soul under the Han Family’s orders, not only physically resembling the emperor but also mimicking his voice and habits.

This was Han Family’s biggest trump card aside from the Dark Soul.

The day the Dark Soul went to the outer city, he was likely meeting this person.

Xiao Hen didn’t question Gu Jiao’s source of information. He trusted her implicitly and wouldn’t press her for details she didn’t wish to reveal.

"I didn’t expect Noble Consort Han to have such a move in her hands," he said gravely, "What about the emperor?"

Gu Jiao said: "The real emperor isn’t dead."

The Han Family couldn’t bring themselves to kill the emperor, only imprisoning him.

At this moment, the Han Family didn’t know that three months later, the emperor would die of illness in a sunless cellar.

The Han Family would eventually lose him.

This marked the beginning of nightmares; without the emperor stabilizing the Han Family, they and the Han Family would fully initiate rebellion.

"We must rescue the emperor," Gu Jiao said.

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