Jiang Wan felt she really should leave now. She took a few steps back, intending to slip away first. Unexpectedly, the voice of the person leading the group drifted over calmly, “Since you’re already here, Your Majesty, wouldn’t you like to see the emperor?”
Jiang Wan: “…”
What’s so interesting about the emperor? This Xie Changlin definitely has ulterior motives.
Thinking this, she still followed them in, her actions betraying her reluctance.
It’s said women shouldn’t involve themselves in politics, but as the mother of the nation, listening in shouldn’t be a big deal. Besides, she could see how Xie Changlin and Jiang Wenshan usually clashed.
As soon as they entered, before even catching sight of the unconscious Huan Cheng, one of the ministers snorted coldly, “It seems the Ceremonial Directorate is increasingly becoming useless. They can’t even manage the four bureaus and six offices properly, and now they’re even skimping on the empress’s clothes and jewelry? Where are her ceremonial attendants and maids? How does this resemble the mother of a nation at all!”
So he disliked her overly pink attire?
Jiang Wan silently glanced at her own clothes, her lips twitching. She shouldn’t have gone out today!
Jiang Wenshan, knowing his daughter well, couldn’t help but chuckle softly, yet he joined in the criticism, “My daughter has just married into the palace. Seal Keeper, don’t forget what you promised me back then!”
Please, say less…
Jiang Wan didn’t want them using her to criticize Xie Changlin, but she also couldn’t jump out to explain and contradict her father.
She wished she could bury herself in the ground.
But compared to her inner turmoil, Xie Changlin was clearly much more straightforward.
“What kind of temperament your daughter has, don’t you, as her father, know? Stop wasting my time. I haven’t even complained about her failing to learn proper etiquette and causing nothing but trouble.”
The group: “…”
Upon reaching the inner chamber and seeing Huan Cheng, they quieted down for a moment, bowing in unison.
The man on the dragon bed had regained normal color in his lips. His eyes were half-open, and he turned his head at the sound, his voice hoarse, “You’ve all come?”
His gaze fell on Jiang Wan. “The empress is here too.”
Jiang Wan nodded, asking perfunctorily, “Is Your Majesty feeling better?”
“Whether I’m better or not, doesn’t the empress know?”
As soon as Huan Cheng said this, everyone present reacted differently.
Jiang Wenshan looked at her questioningly, while Jiang Wan wore an innocent expression.
Xie Changlin glanced at her. “Thanks to Her Majesty’s decisive action, swiftly pulling out the silver needle without a second thought, causing the poison to spread rapidly and nearly costing the emperor his life.”
Jiang Wan: “……” Did that happen?
No wonder they wanted her to come in and see.
Knowing she should kneel now, she dropped to the floor with a thud, her beautiful eyes instantly welling with tears. “This consort… this consort…”
Jiang Wenshan frowned, his mind racing as he searched for the right words to exonerate Jiang Wan, when suddenly he heard Xie Changlin interrupt her.
“Your Majesty, if you can’t come up with an excuse, just rest.”
Clearly having no intention of pursuing Jiang Wan, he scanned the ministers behind him, his brow slightly furrowed, adding a touch of impatience. “I know you’re here today for funds, but the treasury is depleted. The emperor truly cannot approve it. You may all leave.”
“Right now, Sui City’s walls are about to collapse, the situation is precarious! If the court delays funding and reinforcements any longer, it will soon fall!”
“Chancellor Jiang has men at his disposal. Why not send them for reinforcements?” Xie Changlin grew increasingly impatient, scoffing. “Last month, it was you clamoring to build a palace. The funds were just allocated. Should the emperor risk his life to allocate more silver for you?”
He paused, his smile deepening. “Or perhaps, increase taxes?”
Jiang Wenshan’s face darkened. “Impossible! Taxes have already increased considerably over the past two years, and the people have long been groaning in discontent. Does the Seal Keeper intend to completely lose the people’s hearts?”
Did he even have any people’s hearts left to lose?
Xie Changlin spread his hands. “Then ask the Ministry of Revenue how much silver remains in the national treasury. Or better yet, ask the Privy Treasurer how much is left in the emperor’s private coffers?”
“How could so much silver have been allocated for building palaces? Could it be that the Seal Keeper is abusing his power for personal gain?”
“If you suspect something, go audit the accounts yourselves. If you’re truly so concerned for the nation and its people, dig into your own pockets to support the cause. Would I ever stop you?”
They began to argue back and forth, but burdened by their positions, they were no match for Xie Changlin’s twisted logic, leaving them red-faced and fuming.
Jiang Wan understood a little of what was happening. Currently, the Ceremonial Directorate held great power in the palace, and many matters still required the emperor’s explicit approval. Yet, without Xie Changlin’s nod, Huan Cheng could not make decisions either.
Jiang Wenshan mostly wielded influence outside the palace. When major issues arose, he was easily and thoroughly suppressed by Xie Changlin.
Now, the war required funds, but Xie Changlin had no money.
Or rather, he refused to provide it.
In the end, Jiang Wenshan left with a cold expression, unwilling to waste any more words.
As for Jiang Wan’s accidental blunder, he was certain Xie Changlin would not move against her for the time being, so he did not dwell on the needle-pulling incident.
Those who had come with him naturally left with him, cursing Xie Changlin as they went. Only Jiang Wan remained kneeling there, utterly bewildered.
“Empress, have you nothing to say to me?” Huan Cheng, who had been feigning death, finally spoke up. “You nearly sent me to my grave, Empress.”
Jiang Wan lowered her head and pouted slightly, muttering softly, “How was I to know, Your Majesty, that those needles were suppressing the poison?”
Huan Cheng let out a bitter laugh, coughing heavily several times. His gaze turned icy and venomous, fixed on Jiang Wan like a snake. “Your father poisoned me. Did you not know?”
Jiang Wenshan had covered his tracks cleanly, leaving no evidence or leverage—only a few of them knew the truth.
He had thought Jiang Wan innocent, but her actions last night had clearly betrayed her.
Last night, the needles in Huan Cheng’s body had immobilized him, so when the needles were pulled, he had felt a moment of despair. Later, when he pinned Jiang Wan beneath him, he had genuinely wanted to drag her down with him, but he lacked the strength.
Fortunately, before losing consciousness, he knew Xie Changlin would save him.
If he died, it would be far too troublesome.
Xie Changlin hated trouble most of all.
But Jiang Wan was truly clueless! Jiang Wenshan had poisoned the emperor?
Why? Wasn’t he on Huan Cheng’s side? Everyone outside said he served the emperor with utmost dedication…
Her little brain simply couldn’t grasp the intricate twists and turns of court politics among you men!
Giving up on thinking, she slumped in resignation. “Fine, Your Majesty, Your Eminence, just say it outright. How do you want me to die?”
Xie Changlin’s dark eyes, deep as ink, stared at her for a moment before he lazily turned to leave. “Your death would be troublesome too, Your Highness. For now, live in peace.”
The Jiang family felt indebted to this daughter and had always wanted to cherish and make amends to her. She might prove useful in the future. Killing her now would indeed be troublesome.
Jiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief, tears welling in her eyes as she weakly kowtowed. “Then, Your Majesty, this humble consort shall return to the palace to reflect on her mistakes.”
Seizing the moment while Huan Cheng was coughing and unable to respond, she scrambled to her feet and hurried out. There, she saw Qiaoqiao and the people from Eternal Joy Palace who had rushed over, along with a prepared palanquin. Their eyes were red, likely from being scolded.
After Rong Qing brought the people over, he retreated to Xie Changlin’s side.
Jiang Wan decided she wouldn’t act recklessly anymore in the future. Just wearing clothes that didn’t suit her status as empress had implicated so many people.
From now on, she would endure a bit of suffering—if she had to wear layer upon layer of hot clothing, then so be it.
With that thought, she caught up to Xie Changlin and, mustering her courage, tugged pitifully at the hem of his robe. “Your Eminence…”
Xie Changlin: “?”
“My hand hurts again…” She hadn’t forgotten the real matter at hand!
Xie Changlin: “…”