Chapter 77
Before Gan Yongfu could come up with a new plan to kill the child of the Wei family, he returned in disgrace to report to Emperor Changde about the events outside the palace.
After listening, Emperor Changde was momentarily stunned. "Say it again!"
Gan Yongfu had no choice but to cautiously repeat himself. Emperor Changde’s face gradually darkened, and he slammed his brush heavily on the table. "How dare they! They even dare to chew their tongues about me. It seems I’ve been too lenient, allowing these reckless grasshoppers in late autumn to hop around for too long."
[嚼舌根子 (jiáo shé gēn zi): lit. To chew tongue; fig. To gossip or spreading rumors]
[秋后蚂蚱 (qiū hòu mà zha): lit. Grasshoppers after autumn; fig. Refers to people who are nearing their end or are powerless, like grasshoppers in late autumn]
Without even asking, Emperor Changde concluded that it was Wei Yunzhao’s doing. He directly ordered Gan Yongfu, "Summon Wei Yunzhao to the palace. I want to see how many heads he has for me to chop off!"
"Your Majesty, this servant has something to say, but I’m not sure if I should speak," Gan Yongfu said, his head lowered, appearing more cautious and submissive than usual.
The marks on his neck from being choked were clearly visible and had already changed color. Emperor Changde glanced at him dismissively. "What? You failed to kill the Wei family’s little brat, and now you want to plead for Wei Yunzhao?"
Gan Yongfu hurriedly knelt. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This servant would never dare."
Emperor Changde kicked him, causing Gan Yongfu to fall on his backside. Then, the Emperor coldly told him to get up. "What do you want to say?"
Gan Yongfu said, "Your Majesty, today, Qiu Xi, the chief maid of Lady Cao, left the palace."
With just this one sentence, Emperor Changde shifted his suspicion. "The deposed Empress, Lady Cao," Emperor Changde’s eyes grew dangerous. "I almost forgot about her. The current Lady Cao is no longer on the same side as me."
"Then go and investigate. Is it the deposed Empress or the Wei family? I want to see who has the greater audacity."
"Yes, this servant will have someone look into it immediately."
Just as Gan Yongfu was about to leave, Emperor Changde spoke again. "The cold palace should look like the cold palace. Not just anyone can come and go as they please. Gan Yongfu, I shouldn’t have to remind you of this."
The dangerous tone made Gan Yongfu feel as if he were being choked again, the suffocating sensation from earlier returning. He braced himself and replied, "Yes, this servant will definitely discipline those below and ensure such a thing never happens again."
The cold palace was guarded by imperial guards. Those inside were not allowed to leave, and while maids could move around to fetch meals, they were absolutely forbidden from leaving the palace.
Although Cao Lan’er had been deposed, she was once the Empress and still had the Crown Prince. The imperial guards’ attitude toward her hadn’t changed much. Qiu Xi, as Cao Lan’er’s chief maid, had often helped her with tasks outside the palace and was familiar with the guards at the palace gates. When she left the palace, no one thought anything of it at the time.
Only after Gan Yongfu conveyed Emperor Changde’s orders to the imperial guard commander did they realize that Cao Lan’er was no longer the Empress and her status was far from what it once was. Her maids no longer had the privilege of leaving the palace, and their attitudes began to shift.
Gan Yongfu quickly investigated the rumors and soon confirmed that it was indeed the deposed Empress Cao who had instructed Qiu Xi to arrange everything. Qiu Xi was brought directly before Emperor Changde.
Emperor Changde spoke, "Qiu Xi, do you know your crime?"
Qiu Xi had served Cao Lan’er for many years and was naturally familiar with Emperor Changde. But she had never been as afraid of him as she was today. It was only at this moment that she realized her mistress was no longer the Empress but merely a concubine confined to the cold palace.
The Emperor might not be able to do anything to her mistress, but dealing with a maid like her no longer required consideration for her mistress’s face.
Qiu Xi wasn’t sure whether she should admit her guilt. She couldn’t betray her mistress, but since the Emperor was asking, he must already know what she had done. From the moment her mistress ordered her to spread the rumors, she knew it couldn’t be kept secret, but she hadn’t expected it to come to light so quickly.
Moreover, this matter involved the Crown Prince. Qiu Xi was afraid that this was a plan her mistress had come up with on impulse, so she secretly went to the Eastern Palace to ask for the Crown Prince’s opinion. Not only did the Crown Prince not see anything wrong with it, but he also actively encouraged her to act quickly and even arranged people to help her. That was why the rumors had spread so smoothly.
"Audacious! The Emperor is asking you a question. Speak quickly!"
When Qiu Xi remained silent for a long time, Gan Yongfu scolded her.
Qiu Xi kowtowed repeatedly. "This servant knows her crime. I beg Your Majesty for mercy. Please spare me this time. I will never dare to do it again."
Emperor Changde seemed to enjoy watching Qiu Xi kowtow. Only after her forehead was bleeding and the blood had flowed down to her nose did he casually say, "Get up."
Qiu Xi naturally did not dare to get up, so Gan Yongfu urged her to explain everything that had happened.
Qiu Xi didn't mention the Crown Prince or the deposed Empress, only saying that it was her own idea. After finishing, she began kowtowing again. She wanted to show her loyalty. In the palace, those who remained loyal to their masters might have a chance to survive, but those who were disloyal would meet a bad end, no matter whose hands they fell into.
Emperor Changde had no patience to watch further. He waved his hand and ordered Gan Yongfu, "Take her outside to kowtow. Since she refuses to tell the truth, let her kowtow until she dies."
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