Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 195 It's her! The mastermind behind this will eventually slip up! [Bonus Chapter 19 for Monthly Tickets]

Prince Yan's Mansion, study.

The flickering candlelight cast Zhu Gaochi's obese figure onto the wall, making it appear even more somber.

He had just finished listening to Zhu Gaosui's stammering yet excited narration, and seeing the sweet potato, still covered in mud, that Zhu Gaosui had presented like a treasure.

The study was deathly silent.

Zhu Gaoxu stared wide-eyed at the unremarkable clod of earth, his breathing heavy.

"A thousand catties per mu? Third brother, are you sure Zhang Biao isn't just spouting nonsense again because he's lost his mind?!"

He suddenly looked at Zhu Gaosui, his voice distorted with excitement.

Zhu Gaosui shrank back, but still insisted:

"Second Brother, although Brother Biao is... a bit crazy, he wouldn't lie to us about something like this, would he?"

"He said it's sweet and soft when roasted, and can be eaten as a main dish when boiled! If that's true, then our Beiping..."

"enough!"

Zhu Gaochi suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority that instantly suppressed Zhu Gaoxu's agitation.

His fat face showed no surprise, only a deep, unfathomable solemnity and a hint of suppressed anger.

His gaze was like a knife, scraping across Zhu Gaosui's face:

"Didn't I strictly forbid you from going out? And even more so, I forbade you from having any further involvement with that Zhang Biao?! Are you ignoring my words?!"

"Brother, I..."

Zhu Gaosui trembled with fright and hurriedly explained:
"I just couldn't resist the urge to buy some pickles, and who knew it would happen like this..."

"coincide?"

Zhu Gaochi sneered and interrupted him:
"There are no coincidences in this world! Who is Zhang Biao? He's the kind of person who can cause chaos in prison and still make the Emperor wary of him after he gets out, so that he doesn't dare to easily touch this monster!"

"He'll 'just happen' to appear there when you sneak out? Third brother, you've been tricked!"

"I"

Zhu Gaosui's face turned pale, and he stammered, not daring to speak.

"Does Big Brother mean... Zhang Biao deliberately approached Third Brother?"

Zhu Gaoxu also realized what was happening, his brows furrowing: "He's got his eye on our Prince Yan's residence? What does he want?"

"What?"

Zhu Gaochi picked up the sweet potato, weighed it in his hand, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's:
"He didn't say anything explicitly, only throwing out this 'thousand-jin-per-acre' miracle product as bait, trying to 'cooperate' with us... That's the scariest part!"

As he spoke, he stood up and paced slowly around the study, his fingers unconsciously twirling the prayer beads.

"He is now in dire straits himself, under close surveillance by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, yet he still tries every means to contact us princes and heirs. His ambitions must be enormous! It is by no means a trivial matter!"

"He dared to audit the Six Ministries before, causing the Princes of Qin, Jin, and Zhou to suffer, and even the late Prince Luhuang was not spared. He also caused Consort Guo Ning to be killed by the Emperor!"

"His next move will only be bigger and more dangerous!"

"He's come to us now to drag our Prince Yan's Mansion down with him, to share in his monstrous misdeeds with us!"

"This sweet potato..."

Zhu Gaochi placed the sweet potato heavily on the table, squinted, and said:

"It's like arsenic coated in honey! It looks sweet, but once you eat it, it might be the death warrant for my Prince Yan's mansion!"

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this.

They then realized that behind this seemingly auspicious omen lay such a dangerous scheme.

"Then...then what should we do?"

Zhu Gaosui asked in a low voice, "Should we refuse him?"

"reject?"

Zhu Gaochi stopped in his tracks, a hint of helplessness and coldness flashing in his eyes: "He has come to us now. We know his intentions, but we don't report it. In the Emperor's eyes, that's harboring rebellious intentions and failing to report what we know!"

"If we refuse, given his madness, what if he turns around and accuses us of having colluded with him beforehand, or even claims that this 'sweet potato' is an auspicious omen of our Prince Yan's treacherous schemes?"

"and……"

Zhu Gaochi stopped in his tracks, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Grandfather's attitude toward the matter of choosing an heir is ambiguous. If Yunwen ascends the throne, given his temperament, he will surely rely heavily on civil officials and be even more suspicious of us princes."

"If Yunhu ascends to the throne... given his hatred for his father's killer, he will likely be even more ruthless. In any case, the future of my Prince Yan's mansion is not optimistic."

"This won't work, and that won't work either!"

Zhu Gaoxu asked anxiously, "Are we really going to cooperate with that madman and do something that will get us killed?"

Zhu Gaochi remained silent for a long time, a look of solemnity flashing across his face.

He walked back to his desk, carefully wrapped the sweet potato in brocade, and placed it in a hidden compartment.

"This matter concerns the life and death of my Prince Yan's mansion, and it is beyond our ability to decide."

He said in a deep voice, looking north, "We must immediately report to my father and let him make the decision!"

After saying that, he looked at Zhu Gaoxu and said:
"Second son, immediately contact the mute old man and, through the most urgent channels, report this matter in detail to Father, including Zhang Biao's suggestion, the existence of the sweet potato, and my analysis! Seek Father's instructions on the next course of action! Understand?"

"Understood, brother!"

Zhu Gaoxu realized the gravity of the matter and accepted the order without hesitation.

Zhu Gaochi then looked at the anxious Zhu Gaosui and said sternly, "Third brother! From this moment on, you will stay obediently in the mansion. Without my permission, you are not allowed to step out of the mansion even once!"

"You are absolutely forbidden from having any contact with Zhang Biao in any form! If you dare to act without authorization again, you will be punished according to family rules!"

"I...I understand, big brother."

Zhu Gaosui hung his head and became completely obedient.

"As for Zhang Biao's contact..."

Zhu Gaochi pondered for a moment, then said in an unquestionable manner:

"Delay it for now. If he sends a message through the City God Temple, do not reply. Await Father's instructions!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui exchanged glances and said in unison, "Yes, elder brother!"

Zhu Gaochi looked out the window at the deep night, his fat face filled with worry and determination.

What Zhang Biao offered was a dangerous invitation with unknown contents and an irresistible lure.

Agreeing could mean utter ruin.

Refusing could backfire.

This decision, which concerns the fate of the family, is far too heavy a burden.

The final decision must be made by their father, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan who reigns supreme in Beiping.

The study in the Prince of Yan's mansion fell into a heavy silence once again.

Only the crackling candlelight illuminated three faces, each with a different expression, yet all equally solemn.

On the other side, in a side hall of the Kunning Palace.

Dozens of concubines sat in order of rank.

They were all impeccably made up and dressed in luxurious clothes, but their eyes and brows betrayed a hint of surprise, calculation, and a barely perceptible fear.

[The Emperor's actions are highly unusual!]

At this sensitive time—with the Crown Prince's mystery still unresolved, the three regional princes punished, and Consort Guo Ning recently murdered—are we suddenly being asked to elect a new head of the harem?

This is far from a simple matter of harem affairs; it's more like a meticulously planned test, or rather... a trap!

Before we knew it, the atmosphere had become so heavy it was almost dripping with tension.

Yunming stood expressionless at the head of the table, followed by several eunuchs holding paper and pens, responsible for taking notes.

His shrill voice broke the deathly silence:
"His Majesty has decreed that all the ladies should discuss and recommend a person of both virtue and talent who can manage the affairs of the six palaces. Please, ladies, express your opinions and state your reasons. We, your servants, must record them truthfully and report them to His Majesty."

After he finished speaking, there was still an awkward silence.

Everyone knows that the first person to speak up is most likely to become the target of criticism.

However, we can't let no one speak up forever.

Then, Consort Guo, mother of Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, cleared her throat and spoke first:

"You sisters are all aware of His Majesty's decree. We are all sisters, so please speak freely and tell us who you are fond of, and... why."

She deliberately emphasized the word 'reason'.

After a brief silence, Lady Yang, the mother of Prince Ning (Zhu Quan), stood up, gave a slight bow to Consort Guo and the others, and began to speak:

"Since His Majesty and Consort Hui have asked me to speak, then I will humbly speak frankly. I believe that Consort Hui, who has managed palace affairs for many years, is fair in her dealings, and is highly respected, is the most suitable candidate."

Her words seemed to be praising Consort Guo, but her eyes flickered.

Consort Guo smiled slightly, but did not reply. She simply picked up her teacup and took a sip, her gaze sweeping thoughtfully over Consort Yang.

【Yang, oh Yang, my son has been enfeoffed for many years longer than yours. Are you now recommending me to put me in a difficult position, or are you trying to absolve yourself of any responsibility?】

"Ah!"

Consort Dading, mother of Prince Qi Zhu Fu, chuckled softly, her laughter carrying a hint of languor and mockery.

She didn't even get up, but merely adjusted her posture slightly, and said casually:
“Sister Huifei is naturally very good. However… over the years, she has assisted Consort Guo Ning in handling palace affairs, which has been very hard work for us all.”

"Now that His Majesty has allowed the recommendation, perhaps he also wants to give my elder sister a rest and have a younger, more energetic sister share the burden?" Her words were laced with barbs, both rejecting Consort Yang's suggestion and implying that Consort Guo Hui, who had not been selected before, was now too old to be expected to be chosen.

Consort Guo Hui's expression remained unchanged, but the fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly.

Consort Hu, mother of Prince Zhu Bai of Xiang, upon hearing Consort Da Ding's words, felt as if she had found a lifeline and quickly echoed Consort Da Ding, her voice filled with urgency and flattery:
“Consort Ding is right! Consort Hui should rest well. This concubine…this concubine believes that Consort Ding, with her noble birth and extraordinary insight, might be capable of undertaking this task!”

She just wanted to quickly nominate someone to end this suffocating process so she could go back and find out about her son.

Consort Dading glanced sideways at Consort Hu Shun, her sarcasm deepening, but she did not reply.

"Recommend me? That fool Hu is probably panicking and making rash decisions. My son, the Prince of Qi, has been enfeoffed in another region for many years. If he were to step forward now, wouldn't he be inviting trouble?"

The situation became somewhat tense for a moment.

The lower-ranking concubines remained silent, too terrified to speak.

After a long while, Consort Hu, the mother of Prince Zhu Zhen of Chu, who was sitting in the second seat, coughed softly, attracting everyone's attention.

She was older and more experienced, and spoke calmly and deliberately.

"Since my sisters are so modest, then I will start by offering my humble opinion."

Consort Hu's voice was gentle, yet her tone carried an undeniable force:
"To preside over the six palaces is no small matter. One must be highly qualified, virtuous, and... well, one must have a prince who has come of age, so that he can share the burden and stabilize the foundation of the country."

Her words seemed fair, but in reality, they implicitly excluded those concubines whose sons were young or who had not yet been enfeoffed.

But as soon as she finished speaking, Yang, who was sitting opposite her, frowned slightly.

"Sister Hu is right."

Yang replied, his tone neither warm nor cold:

"However, while seniority and virtue are important, one must be meticulous, fair in dealing with matters, and considerate of all the sisters. After all, only when the six palaces are in harmony can the Emperor be at ease in the court."

Her words implied that Consort Hu was not 'considerate' enough in daily life.

Consort Hu smiled noncommittally, then looked at Consort Dading:

"Sister Dingfei just mentioned that she needs someone young and energetic. I have thought of someone. Sister Dingfei is always intelligent and quick-witted, and well-versed in etiquette. Perhaps she would be a good candidate?"

Consort Dading's face darkened slightly, and she said coldly:
"You flatter me, Consort Chong. What merit do I possess? Besides, I have heard that things have been rather unsettled outside the palace lately, with some rumors even involving banned drugs... At such a time, it is best to avoid suspicion."

She brought up the taboo topic of 'banned drugs' on her own initiative, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over her sons and the concubines who might be involved with medicine or local tributes.

Upon hearing this, the temperature inside the hall plummeted.

Everyone remembered the old litigious lawyer who beat the petition drum and the palace secrets that might be involved in the iron box.

Consort Hu cursed Consort Da Ding inwardly for her wickedness in daring to uncover this secret at this moment, but on the surface she had to maintain her composure:

“Consort Ding, be careful what you say! How can you believe the rumors circulating outside the palace? His Majesty is discerning and will make his own judgment.”

After speaking, she glanced around and, seeing that Consort Dading had made the atmosphere even more tense, turned to Consort Guo Hui and said:
"Sister Huifei, please take the presiding position!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Guo slowly rose, faced the crowd, and said in a solemn tone, "Since all of you sisters have your own considerations and cannot reach a consensus, how about this?"

She paused for a moment and then said, "I recommend... Consort Chong to temporarily take over the palace duties."

"what?"

Consort Hu was taken aback.

Ignoring her surprise, Consort Guo continued:
"There are three reasons: First, Consort Chong is straightforward, decisive, and can keep the situation under control."

"Secondly, his son is enfeoffed in a remote area and has less involvement in matters of the capital, so he may be more able to handle things impartially; thirdly..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Consort Dading, Consort Hushun, and Consort Yang, before saying meaningfully:

"Consort Chong is neither involved in medicine nor in perfumes, and has no connection whatsoever with the recent rumors. She is the most innocent of all! Having her temporarily take over may be the best way to quell public opinion, stabilize the palace, and await the Emperor's final decision!"

These words were incredibly shrewd and insightful.

It not only provided a scapegoat but also subtly implied the suspicions of Consort Dading and Consort Hushun, while also putting the issues of stability and avoiding suspicion on the surface.

Consort Hu opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but under Consort Guo Hui's sharp gaze and the strange situation at hand, she swallowed her words, her face turning pale and then red.

Consort Dading snorted coldly, turned her head away, and said no more.

Yang's face was expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Consort Hu was completely submissive and dared not voice any objections.

Seeing that the high-ranking concubines had already done so, the other concubines echoed, "Sister Huifei's considerations are thorough, and we have no objections."

A seemingly democratic election meeting, which was actually fraught with intrigue and backstabbing, was hastily concluded thanks to Consort Guo Hui's swift and decisive actions.

When Zhu looked at the records presented by Yunming, especially the scene of Consort Hu being 'recommended' and Consort Guo Hui's 'wise and righteous' statement, he let out a cold snort.

[Hu Shi...seemingly innocent, is hard to quantify. The King of Chu was enfeoffed in Wuchang, which served as a regional stronghold. If she were to manage the inner palace, her son's influence would likely be even greater.]

[Da Shi...a Mongolian noblewoman, quite shrewd. Did she deliberately expose the matter of the forbidden drugs to muddy the waters, or to clear herself of any wrongdoing? Or was she using this opportunity to put pressure on Hu Shi, or even to subtly hint at something to others?]

Old Zhu tapped the words "banned drug" heavily with his finger, his eyes flashing with cold light.

This undoubtedly touched his most sensitive nerve.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Consort Guo Hui's 'wise and righteous' statement.

Consort Guo's words appeared humble and showed consideration for the overall situation.

But in Lao Zhu's view, isn't this also a very clever way to protect himself and fight back?

She skillfully deflated her own momentum, placing herself in a detached and 'public-minded' position.

[Guo... Guo Zixing's daughter...]

Old Zhu silently recited it in his heart.

Guo Huifei's background, and her unassuming manner in managing palace affairs for many years, came to mind at this moment.

Her son has been enfeoffed for many years, but he has always kept a low profile, unlike his second and third sons who are more flamboyant.

In this nomination process, she neither actively sought to compete nor clearly formed a faction...

Old Zhu's brows furrowed tightly.

He suspected that the mastermind might be related to the mother of the prince who had been enfeoffed, and hoped to find out the clues through this election.

Hu Chongfei's xenophobia and Da Dingfei's ruthlessness made him wary.

However, Consort Guo's performance left Emperor Zhu somewhat uncertain.

Is she truly indifferent to power and simply choosing to protect herself? Or... is she more adept at hiding her abilities and biding her time?

This uncertainty made Lao Zhu feel irritable.

He despises anything or anyone that is outside his control.

However, given the current situation, he must stabilize the harem as soon as possible and prevent the turmoil in the court from causing even greater waves in the harem.

Consort Hu's son, the Prince of Chu, also wields considerable power. Using her now might embolden him and violate the principle of 'avoiding suspicion'.

Consort Dading is unpredictable and speaks with a sharp tongue; she is not a suitable candidate to stabilize the harem.

Consort Yang, Consort Hu, and others were even more cowardly and incompetent, utterly unfit for important responsibilities.

In comparison, Consort Guo Hui is the most senior, comes from a special background, and generally behaves with composure.

As for her reasons?

A cold glint flashed in Old Zhu's eyes.

[Hmph, when did we ever stand up for you?]

Whoever it is, we believe in you. Sooner or later, you'll be exposed! And then...

Having thought this through, Old Zhu had already made up his mind.

He picked up his vermilion brush and, next to Consort Guo's name, slowly wrote a single word on the record: 【Approved.】

The brushstrokes are sharp and carry an undeniable authority.

He put down his pen and said indifferently to Yunming, who stood with his hands at his sides:
"Issue the imperial decree: The affairs of the six palaces shall be temporarily managed by Consort Hui, née Guo. I expect her to be impartial, diligent, and harmonious within the palace, and not to disappoint my expectations."

"The slaves obey the order."

Yunming quickly bowed and replied.

"besides!"

Old Zhu's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a strong warning:
"Tell Lady Guo, and tell everyone in the harem! Stay quietly in your own palaces, eat and sleep as usual!"

"If anyone dares to spread rumors, inquire about the previous dynasty, or pass on any messages to those outside the palace..."

He paused, each word like a shard of ice:

"We don't care who she is or what sons she has; she will be treated as someone who spied on the forbidden palace and plotted treason! We will show absolutely no leniency!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will certainly convey the decree clearly to every concubine!"

Yunming trembled with fright and quickly assured him.

The imperial decree quickly spread throughout the palace.

Before long, the old woman went to the Buddhist hall and repeated Old Zhu's decree.

The woman kneeling before the Buddhist altar smiled a fleeting, knowing smile, before calmly saying:
"Understood, remember to prepare a generous gift."

That's all for today's update! Please vote with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)