GBP Chapter 176 The Threat of King Li
Chapter 176 The Threat of King Li
After the two gave their orders, they were alone in the palace again. He Lingyi wanted to drink some wine to calm her heart, and the emperor agreed. Seeing that she didn't look very relaxed, he stepped forward and continued to speak.
"When the people from the Bureau of Astronomy arrive later, I will ask them carefully whether you have safely passed through this tribulation in your life now that Madam Qiao has given birth. I still hope to grow old with you."
He Lingyi was also very moved at this point.
After all, she was also quite apprehensive. Her mother had given birth to a boy instead of a daughter, so did that mean she had a chance to stay?
Xia Jing was quick on his feet and soon summoned the head of the Bureau of Astronomy. As soon as the man saw the Emperor and Empress sitting together, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I have met you. Your ...."
"I dislike nonsense, so let's get straight to the point: has the Empress passed her August calamity?"
He Lingyi wasn't quite sure what the so-called "August Calamity" meant, but since it concerned her own fate, she listened attentively.
The chief official glanced at the Emperor and Empress's expressions, then nodded calmly and said.
"Before Your Majesty summoned her, I had already calculated that Her Majesty's calamity in August had passed, and everything would be smooth sailing from now on."
Hearing this, the two of them were clearly relieved. The emperor and He Lingyi exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement of their love. Then, in high spirits, the emperor spoke to the chief official.
"Rewards! Everyone will be rewarded!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Although the others had no idea what had happened, they were all happy to receive a reward, and the entire Han Dan Palace was filled with jubilation.
It was late at night when He Lingyi and the emperor began their evening meal.
Because they were in a good mood today, the two of them ate more than usual, and with fine wine to accompany them, their eyes were filled with love.
"Your Majesty, thank you."
He Lingyi's words of thanks were heartfelt. In the past, she was always resolute about her fate and was not afraid to die with them. But now, because of the ties that bind her to them, her greatest hope is to survive.
There's no need for thanks between us.
The two already had feelings for each other, but He Lingyi had been deliberately avoiding it.
Now that there is no longer any barrier between them, their relationship has naturally become much more intimate. With the help of the mild alcohol, they finally experienced their first joy since the late emperor's passing.
Xingluo and the others withdrew and stood guard outside, watching the moon gradually become fuller. They were all filled with emotion, thinking that even God was helping them.
The Emperor and Empress were affectionate, but the palace where Consort Tong was located was tense and on the verge of conflict.
In the darkness, the lights flickered.
Looking at Prince Li, who was disguised as a palace maid but showed no awkwardness, Consort Tong felt a resolute desire to perish together with him.
"You're threatening me?"
"It's not that, it's just that I feel Your Highness's movements are a bit too slow. If this continues, I might not be able to protect you!"
Protect her? We'd be lucky if we didn't lead her to her death.
Now she truly regrets it deeply. If only she hadn't had that wicked idea in the first place. Although she's going to be sent outside the palace for spiritual cultivation, it's still better than living in constant fear here.
Perhaps due to her excessive worry, the baby in her womb had been barely moving lately, so when she saw the King of Li's sinister expression, she couldn't help but feel a little scared.
King Le's disguise skills were truly superb.
Not only does a person's appearance change, but even their height, voice, and even their movements and expressions can change accordingly, so it is perfectly natural for them to dress up as a palace maid.
After taking two steps forward, Prince Li placed his hand on Consort Tong's stomach and smiled in a somewhat eerie manner.
"I only have one son. If the child in your womb is a prince, then he will be my second son. Even if he doesn't ascend to the highest position in the future, he will still be a powerful ruler who is granted a region. For his sake, don't you want to fight for it again?"
Consort Tong was tired of hearing his words.
She didn't want to fight; all she wanted at that moment was to save her life!
But faced with King Li's threat, she couldn't say anything to refute it, and could only try to appease him.
"In a few days, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone in the harem will attend the palace banquet. You can go with me disguised as a palace maid. As for the matter of drugging me, you can handle it yourself. I'm pregnant, so I can only help you cover for me."
"Row."
King Le answered quite readily.
He was already very familiar with the palace, and had even sneaked in to the old emperor's side. But after the new emperor entered the palace, he seemed to be hampered. He couldn't get close to the new emperor, and he couldn't even sneak into the empress's Han Dan Palace.
That's why they pinned their hopes of poisoning on Consort Tong.
The two share common interests, and he is not afraid of being stabbed in the back by Consort Tong, so disguising himself as a palace maid by her side is the most reliable method at present.
Having gotten the answer he wanted, he slipped away.
As for where he went, Consort Tong didn't know. After he left, she collapsed onto the bed like water, shedding tears of deep regret.
The next day, when the emperor woke up, He Lingyi was still asleep.
Therefore, he put on his court robes in a side hall, with Xia Jing serving him and Xing Luo and others assisting him. After a quick breakfast, he left, giving a final word of advice as he departed.
"If the Empress wakes up, tell her to wait for me so we can have breakfast together."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor then strode away, and the inner palace remained peaceful.
He Lingyi didn't get up too late, but compared to the emperor, she was still a bit sleepy. So when she got up, she touched the bed next to her, which was no longer warm, indicating that the emperor had been gone for a long time.
"Star Luo".
"The servant is here."
After answering, she came in carrying water for washing up. In Yunzhi's hand, there was still a bowl of bitter medicine on the lacquer tray. He Lingyi frowned a little when she saw it.
"Did His Majesty send you to deliver this?"
"Yes, but the prescription was newly devised by Chen Sha, and it will greatly benefit the Empress's health. His Majesty said that it is not too late to talk about having children after the Empress's health has recovered."
He Lingyi thought this medicine was the kind used for contraception, but she didn't expect it to be for conditioning the body. Thinking about what happened between the two of them last night, she couldn't help but blush.
Even though they've been married for almost a year, she still acts like a newlywed bride, and Xingluo and Yunzhi exchange a glance, both happy for the harmonious relationship between the Emperor and Empress.
Therefore, after washing up, He Lingyi drank the medicine in one go, then ate something to fill her stomach, and waited for the emperor to come down from court to dine with her.
After waiting and waiting, no one came. Instead, a young eunuch who was with Xia Jing hurried over and said with a serious expression.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty sent me to inform you that he is delayed by matters at court and will not be able to come. Please eat your meals as usual and do not go hungry."
"Something's happened in court? Is it serious?"
"Taizhou and several neighboring prefectures and counties have rebelled together. The news was delivered by express courier, and it only arrived today."