Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 267

The autumn hunt ended three days earlier than originally planned.

With such a major event occurring, although the emperor did not explicitly state it to the public, everyone basically had a feeling that it was happening, so no one really had the mind to go hunting anymore.

Upon returning to the palace, Zhao Xingjin's first act was to visit the Empress Dowager at Fukang Palace.

What the mother and son said is unknown to outsiders.

However, it's most likely still about the Empress.

After the two met, there was still no movement from Weiyang Palace, which gave Xie Jiu a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Empress will likely be unable to leave Weiyang Palace for the next six months.

But this is not enough.

Xie Jiu lowered his eyes, a sharp, cold light flashing in them.

She dislikes anyone who wants to take her life, and anyone with such thoughts must be firmly trampled under her feet, with no chance of turning the tables.

Or perhaps, death.

However, given her status as Empress, it was extremely difficult to make her disappear.

Thinking of this, Xie Jiu turned over on the couch, closed her eyes slightly, and pondered how to completely eliminate the threat posed by the Empress to her.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived!"

Chunrong's voice forced Xie Jiu to open his eyes.

She actually wanted to sleep a little longer.

However, at this moment, they had no choice but to get up and greet the emperor.

Zhao Xingjin was striding towards the main hall of Jingming Palace when Xie Jiu's figure slowly appeared as he approached the entrance.

"No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I've been waiting to hear that.

Xie Jiu smiled slightly and smoothly got up.

"How is your wound healing these past few days?" Zhao Xingjin's gaze fell on her injured right arm.

"The weather is getting brighter and less humid. The wound is healing well, but the imperial physician said that I have to avoid certain foods until the injury is fully healed." Xie Jiu sighed, her face full of helplessness. "I can't eat many of the foods I used to love for the time being."

Zhao Xingjin never expected that she had been troubled by such a thing for the past few days. He tried to find some flaws in her acting, but in the end, he found that there were no flaws.

"you"

For a moment, Zhao Xingjin didn't know what to say.

Actually, he came with a purpose: to see if Xie Jiu would complain to him and ask him to severely punish the Empress.

This was the Empress Dowager's intention just now at Fukang Palace.

The Empress Dowager's original words were that the Empress was indeed wrong in this matter, but the excessive favor shown to Consort Jin made the Empress feel too insecure, which was also a more important reason. Consort Jin may have intended to force the Empress to take action against her. If that were the case, then Consort Jin could not be allowed to live.

Zhao Xingjin couldn't completely ignore the logic in the Empress Dowager's words, but in his heart he actually felt that Xie Jiu wouldn't do such a thing, nor would he deign to.

Sure enough, now that she's here, Xie Jiu seems to have completely disregarded the Empress's matter.

At least that's how he appears to be.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty?" Xie Jiu looked at Zhao Xingjin with suspicion, raising her hand to touch her face. "Could it be that my complexion isn't as good as before after these past few days of bed rest?"

Zhao Xingjin snapped out of his reverie and shook his head. "No, I just think you've lost some weight. It seems you really don't have a good appetite. But there's nothing we can do about it; you need to heal your wounds. Once you're healed, whatever you want to eat, I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare it for you."

"Okay!" Xie Jiu smiled, her smile shining brightly in the autumn afternoon sun.

When Zhao Xingjin left Jingming Palace, it was already after dinner.

He had actually intended to stay overnight, but Xie Jiu was injured, and he was worried that sleeping together would put pressure on Xie Jiu's wound, so he left instead.

Back at Chengming Hall, I felt an emptiness in my heart for some reason.

The image of the two of them having dinner together keeps flashing through my mind. After a short separation, missing each other is only natural.

Especially since they can't get close to each other even after meeting.

Zhao Xingjin tossed and turned, and it took him a long time to fall asleep. As a result, he was still a little sleepy when he got up the next morning, not having had enough sleep.

However, after the morning court session, when he met Wei Zhang in the Imperial Study, he became quite spirited.

"Done?"

"Yes, it's a letter delivered by express courier. Gao Sui has succeeded." Wei Zhang handed over a secret memorial. "The new emperor of Xichi Kingdom will ascend the throne in about a month."

In June of this year, Zhao Xingjin received a secret letter from the Western Chi Kingdom, informing him that Gao Sui was preparing to start a rebellion and wanted to borrow troops from Zhao Xingjin.

This was naturally the situation that Da Jing wanted to see. So, while Zhao Xingjin replied to Gao Sui, he also secretly issued orders to the border, informing Marquis Wuxin to prepare.

In fact, Zhao Xingjin did not expect Gao Sui to act so quickly.

After all, the other party was just a sixteen-year-old boy, yet he managed to accomplish it.

Although the military assistance from Da Jing provided him with great help, Gao Sui's own internal planning within Xichi was also very important.

The fact that the new ruler of the neighboring country is young is a good thing for Zhao Xingjin. After all, he is certainly more experienced than Gao Sui. This contest between monarchs is also a contest between two countries, especially since Gao Sui was able to obtain the throne of Xichi by relying on him.

Therefore, as things stand, the national strength of the Great Jing is indeed superior to that of the Western Chi.

However, Zhao Xingjin did not intend to attack Xichi. He was still willing to be an ally of Xichi, at least for now.

War always slows down the pace of national development. He has only been on the throne for a short time, and it is not the time to wage war and expand the territory.

"Princess Heyi, has she been made Empress?" Zhao Xingjin asked.

Wei Zhang nodded. "Xi Chi's letter already mentioned that the princess has been brought into the palace alone by the new emperor to take charge of the overall situation."

"Good." Zhao Xingjin looked satisfied. "Have the Ministry of Rites prepare a generous gift to send to Xichi. Also, prepare a separate gift for the princess, as a way for your elder brother, the Emperor, to make up for her."

It really just meant to support Princess Heyi.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhang said, "I was thinking, should we send a few new concubines to the new Emperor of Xichi? Princess Yu would also be a helpful asset."

Zhao Xingjin pondered for a moment, then spoke.

"I will give this matter further consideration."

It would be unwise to send the concubine immediately, otherwise it would be like sending her as a spy to keep an eye on Gao Sui, which would only create unnecessary rifts and suspicion between the two countries.

However, it would be acceptable if it were to help Princess Heyi consolidate her power in the harem.

So he still needs to think about how to arrange it.

Wei Zhang didn't say much, just nodded, reported some other matters, and then withdrew.

After Zhao Xingjin finished dealing with other matters in the court, it was almost lunchtime.

"Your Majesty, would you mind having the kitchen prepare it immediately?"

"No need." Zhao Xingjin stood up. "I'm going to Consort Jin's place. She hasn't been eating properly lately. With me watching over her, she'll at least eat a little more."

Yang Zhian responded and immediately went to prepare a sedan chair.

Soon, news that the Emperor had visited Chengming Hall again spread throughout the inner palace.

Yesterday, after returning to the palace, I stayed at Consort Jin's place until dinner before leaving, and now I'm going there again.

The other concubines who remained in the harem had yet to see Zhao Xingjin's face.

Inevitably, some people became displeased.

"It's just an injury, she's not dead, and it's not a serious injury. She's being dramatic, deliberately playing the victim to trick the Emperor into going to keep her company. What a vixen!"

In Yanqing Palace, Consort Zhuang was the first to complain.

During the time Zhao Xingjin was away from the palace, she really kept a close eye on the affairs of the inner palace. She had hoped to receive a reward when Zhao Xingjin returned, but two days had passed and she hadn't seen him at all.

Naturally, he was both anxious and angry.