Chapter 436: Chapter 436: As Expected, the Imperial Palace Has No Room for Idlers

Their opponents had clearly not expected them to be so thoroughly prepared; their foolproof fire attack had been rendered useless! It was impossible not to panic, and in an instant, they fell into disarray.

Coupled with a pincer attack from the Golden Feather Guards and Chi Xiao, the men sent by Consort Zhao Hui gradually lost ground and were ultimately all subdued.

Zhou Junlin intended to go question them, but every single one of them decisively bit down on the poison hidden in their teeth and committed suicide.

After inspecting them, Gu Ha reported, "Your Highness, they are all Death Warriors!"

Before Zhou Junlin could speak, Song Lianhe stepped forward. After examining the bodies, she said, "Their state at death is identical to that of the Death Warriors we encountered in Sishui City. They must be from the Nanchen Kingdom."

Zhou Junlin nodded, then said softly, "In any case, they were completely loyal in life. They deserve a dignified end." He then gave the order: "Send them to Yu Wan Palace."

Yu Wan Palace, Consort Zhao Hui’s personal residence.

Song Lianhe turned her head to look at the elegant, scholarly man before her. ’His eyes are filled with such gentleness and warmth, yet he’s so full of wicked ideas!’

’Indeed, the Imperial Palace is no place for the idle.’

Dozens of corpses lay in various states. For those who had committed suicide, the poison acted swiftly. To conceal their identities, their faces would be almost completely disfigured within an hour, a truly gruesome sight.

With a command from Zhou Junlin, dozens of Golden Feather Guards wrapped the bodies in shrouds, tied them securely, and hoisted them onto their backs. In the blink of an eye, they were all gone.

Their speed was such that Shen Fu couldn’t help but nod in approval. He even turned to praise Gu Ha, who stood beside him. "I have to say, when it comes to dealing with corpses, you guys are the true experts!"

Gu Ha shot him a look, clearly not wanting to engage with him.

According to reports from within the palace, Consort Zhao Hui was just about to retire for the night when she suddenly heard that countless corpses had "fallen from the sky"...

That same night, Consort Zhao Hui fell ill from fright. Unable to publicize the matter, she had no choice but to order her people to secretly move the corpses out of the Imperial Palace before dawn.

But how could such a major incident be concealed? In no time, all sorts of rumors were flying around the Imperial Palace. One story claimed it was a divine punishment, that she must have done something against the will of the heavens for so many corpses to appear at once! It was enough to scare one to death!

When Chun De heard the news, she roared with laughter, bending back and forth.

"Sister, did you hear? Isn’t Consort Zhao Hui the one who’s always going on about karma? Well, this is her ’consequence’!"

Sitting opposite her was Consort Qi, holding a hand warmer. Even in the mild weather of the fifth month, she felt the cold keenly.

She sat upright at Chun De’s side, her temperament as serene as a chrysanthemum. Even upon hearing such news, her expression remained unchanged. "Besides Ziyin and Biwu," she said, "I can think of no one else who would dare do such a thing."

Once Chun De had laughed her fill, she took a handkerchief and dabbed at her tears. "I have more good news for you, Sister! Biwu sent a messenger to report..." She lowered her voice. "The Holy Emperor has been rescued!"

"Oh."

Consort Qi’s reaction remained tepid, as if whether Emperor Cheng Xiao was there or not, dead or alive, had nothing whatsoever to do with her.

Seeing this, Chun De sighed softly. "Sister, do you still hold a grudge?"

Consort Qi did not evade the question. Instead, she lifted her gaze to meet the Empress’s. "And you hold no grudge, Sister?"

Chun De froze, then silently bowed her head. "How could I not hold a grudge? If not for him, Chaoyan would never have died, nor would she have left Biwu behind to struggle through life."

"I am the same," Consort Qi said bluntly. "If the Holy Emperor hadn’t favored Consort Zhao Hui, would my own sister have become so grief-stricken and drunk that she knocked over a candlestick and burned to death in her own palace hall? Would I have had to take her place as a mother? To abandon the man I loved to marry into this palace? It might seem like a heavenly blessing from the Holy Emperor, but it’s a blessing I never wanted!"

In all these years, it was the first time Chun De had ever seen her lose control.

Consort Qi took a deep breath, slowly composing herself. "So, whether the Holy Emperor returns or not," she said, "is of no importance to me."

Her head palace maid, Jin Shu, frantically tried to stop her. "Your Highness, you must watch your words!"

"Watch my words? The Empress may not say it aloud, but I’m sure she’s cursing him in her heart just as much as I am."

Chun De was taken aback for a moment, then she started to laugh. "Oh, you..."

Gradually, her laughter died down. She then said slowly, "You’re not wrong."

’In this harem, who hasn’t felt resentment and hatred?’

’Don’t be fooled by how favored Consort Zhao Hui seems now. When she first came to Ling’an, she also suffered greatly in the palace. Her beauty led the other consorts to ostracize and frame her. It was only after several such ordeals that she learned her place. She transformed from the arrogant and domineering Princess Nanchen into the quiet, obedient Consort Zhao Hui everyone sees today, a woman who seems above worldly competition.’

’And what was the result?’

’The most docile one turned out to be the most vicious.’

’And whose fault was all of this?’

"Sigh... regardless, for Consort Zhao Hui and her son, the Holy Emperor’s return is the last thing they want."

"Which is the one thing about this situation that brings some small comfort."

’Consort Qi resented Emperor Cheng Xiao, but she utterly loathed Consort Zhao Hui and Prince Hang! That mother and son had always regarded Ziyin as a thorn in their side. Though they never showed it openly, they had used no shortage of despicable schemes against him in private!’

’Who could have imagined they would manage to cajole the Holy Emperor into suddenly appointing an heir apparent! How could this not fill Consort Qi with rage?’

’Her sister’s dying wish was to see her son ascend the throne. Right or wrong, she only wanted to help her sister fulfill that wish. At the very least, even if the throne went to the Empress’s son, Prince Wei, it would be far better than it going to Prince Hang! If he were to become emperor, none of them could ever hope for a peaceful day again.’

Just then, a commotion erupted outside.

Chun De frowned. "Go and see what’s happening outside."

"Yes."

Fang Xiu went out and returned a moment later. "Reporting to the Empress, it’s Commander Cao."

Soon after, Cao Jin strode into the room.

He was here on King Qing’s orders, leading the imperial guard to secure Kunning Palace.

"Is... something happening outside?"

"Your Majesty," Cao Jin replied, "Prince Qing has given his word that no matter what happens, he and his men will handle it. I have also sent men to find Prince Wei. You need not worry."

Chun De was visibly moved and nodded repeatedly. "Thank you for your hard work, Commander Cao."

Cao Jin added, "I must also trouble Princess Consort Qi to remain in Kunning Palace for the time being. These are Prince Ling’s instructions."

"Mm, I understand."

As soon as Consort Qi heard that the order came from Zhou Junlin, she said nothing more.

After Cao Jin withdrew, the two women looked at each other. They both guessed what was coming next—a palace coup.

"I have a jar of excellent pear blossom wine," said Chun De. "Why don’t we have a drink?"

Consort Qi nodded. "And we can have Jin Shu prepare a few side dishes."

"Haha, that would be wonderful. I’ve long heard that your Jin Shu is an excellent cook. It seems I’m in for a treat."

Ignoring the tempests and tremors surely raging outside the palace walls, Chun De and Consort Qi sat across from one another, drinking at ease for the very first time. With Zhou Junlin and Zhou Cangyan in charge, they knew that worrying was futile. It was better to relax and not add to the troubles of the younger generation.

Hearing the laughter coming from inside the hall, Commander Cao turned his head, his dark eyes filled with vigilance. The dozens of corpses delivered by Prince Ling, he feared, would force Consort Zhao Hui and Prince Hang to take a desperate and dangerous gamble.