"Alright, go back now. Without my decree, you are not allowed to leave Zhengyi Palace."
Upon hearing Feng Zixiao's order, Hai Ling's eyes flashed with a dark glint, and she withdrew from the main hall of Chunwan Palace.
As soon as I stepped outside the hall, I took a deep breath.
It seems she needs to leave this palace as soon as possible. Staying here and watching those women fawn over and flatter a man all day long is just too painful.
"Miss."
"Let's go back."
Hailin waved, and the group quickly left Chunwan Palace.
In the main hall of Chunwan Palace, Ye Xiuying saw the Emperor release Jiang Hailing and couldn't help but feel depressed: "Your Majesty."
Feng Zixiao had lost interest in staying any longer. The incident with the poisonous snakes in the palace tonight was indeed strange. It seemed he needed to send someone to investigate thoroughly to find out what went wrong. As for how Jiang Hailing could control the snakes, he also didn't believe in any witchcraft.
"Please rest well, Consort Yu. I will come to see you another day."
Feng Zixiao got up and walked out. Inside the main hall, Consort Yu was pale. She had been frightened by the poisonous snake earlier, and the thought of so many disgusting things crawling around in the palace made her feel nauseous and vomit again. Ye Xiuying was still muttering to herself, "Cousin."
"Alright, we'll deal with her later."
"yes."
Ye Xiuying stopped talking. If she wanted to enter the palace, she would have to rely on her cousin, so she could only endure it.
The next day, everyone in the palace knew that poisonous snakes had appeared in the palace the night before, and many people had been injured.
Early in the morning, Prince Jing went to the palace to visit Hailing.
Prince Jing is still the seventh prince. Since Feng Zixiao ascended the throne, the fifth prince was named Prince Kang, the sixth prince was named Prince Shou, and the seventh prince, Feng Zihe, was named Prince Jing.
Prince Jing, Feng Zihe, heard that there were poisonous snakes in the palace and that someone had died in Zhengyi Palace, so he was worried that something had happened to Hailing and came to the palace to visit her.
In the main hall, Feng Zihe looked Hai Ling over and, after confirming that she was alright, breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you're alright."
"Thank you for your concern, Prince Jing."
Hai Ling thanked him politely, but in front of everyone, she naturally couldn't speak to Prince Jing like a friend; she still had to maintain proper decorum.
"May I ask what brings His Highness Prince Jing to the palace?"
"Oh, the Empress Dowager has summoned me, my fifth brother, and my sixth brother to the palace."
The eunuch went to Prince Jing's residence early in the morning to deliver the imperial decree and also mentioned the situation in the palace. That's why he came to Zhengyi Palace to visit Hailing before entering the Empress Dowager's Qingxin Palace. He was relieved to see that she was alright.
I wonder why the Empress Dowager summoned them to the palace.
Hai Ling narrowed her eyes, understanding dawning on her. It must be that the Empress Dowager wanted to select candidates for the Emperor and, incidentally, resolve the marriages of Prince Kang, Prince Shou, and Prince Jing.
Although these princes were granted titles, they had never held real power. The Empress Dowager couldn't help but be wary of them, fearing they might do something bad in the future. Therefore, this marriage arrangement must be under her and the Emperor's control, and these princes had no right to disobey the decree.
“Then Prince Jing should go to Qingxin Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. If he is late and the Empress Dowager blames him, Hailing cannot bear the consequences.”
Upon hearing Hai Ling's words, Prince Jing, Feng Zihe, fearing he might cause her trouble, rose to take his leave and went to Qingxin Palace from Zhengyi Palace.
As Hai Ling had predicted, things turned out exactly as the Empress Dowager had intended. There were too many vacant concubine positions in the harem, so she wanted to select a consort for the Emperor as soon as possible. At the same time, she also arranged marriages for several princes. She summoned them to the palace to give them a heads-up.
Soon, the Empress Dowager's decree was issued to the Ministry of Rites, instructing them to begin preparations. Since it had not yet been a hundred days since the late Emperor's death, it was not advisable to make a big fuss. All that was needed was to send portraits of eligible young ladies from prominent families in the capital to the palace, where she and the Emperor would select some. These young ladies would then be invited to the palace to participate in a flower-viewing banquet. If the Emperor had any favorites, he would select a few to keep. As for the consorts of the princes, they had all been chosen, and the grand weddings would be held after the hundredth day since the late Emperor's death.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, the Ministry of Rites dared not be careless and immediately began preparations without delay.
The capital city was bustling again, though there were no lanterns or decorations, it was still very festive.
All the high-ranking officials in the court sent their daughters' portraits to the Ministry of Rites.
The emperor's harem has several concubines and several princes. Although they have no real power, they are still imperial relatives. As long as they behave themselves, the emperor will not mistreat them. Wouldn't it be a life of wealth and honor for his daughter to become a princess?
Kyoto was bustling with activity for a time.
The Ministry of Rites quickly sent the portraits of the beauties to the Empress Dowager's Qingxin Palace.
A thick stack of paintings, each one depicted with breathtaking beauty, a sight to behold.
In the Empress Dowager's Qingxin Palace, Consort Yu was accompanying the Empress Dowager in selecting young ladies. Although she felt uncomfortable, she had a smile on her face. Ever since she married into the Crown Prince's residence, she knew that this day was inevitable. She was now pregnant with the Emperor's child. If she gave birth to a prince, he would be the eldest son of the royal family, and she would have nothing to fear.
As Yufei pondered this, she spoke lightly, “Mother, should we call the Empress over to help the Emperor choose? After all, the Empress is the head of the six palaces.”
This is something the Empress should have done, but Consort Yu wouldn't be so kind.
Although the Empress Dowager knew her little scheme, she also knew that what she said was true, and ordered the eunuch beside her: "Go and invite the Empress over."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The young eunuch quickly went to Zhengyi Palace to invite Hailing.
These past few days, Hailing has been staying peacefully in Zhengyi Palace, spending her days either reading or sleeping.
She knew about the commotion inside Qingxin Palace, but since no one was looking for her, she was happy to have some peace and quiet.
Upon hearing the eunuch's report, she knew it was bad news. However, all she wanted now was to leave the palace. She had no interest in playing mind games with the women in the palace. They were after that high and mighty man. What was she after? She just wanted to leave the palace smoothly, preferably with the emperor banishing her. Then, the affairs of the Jiang family and the royal family would be none of her concern.
The large group of people from Zhengyi Palace headed towards Qingxin Palace.
At the palace gate, eunuchs and maids greeted Hailing. Although they knew the Empress was out of favor, it would be easy for her to cause trouble for a maid or eunuch.