The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1159

Chapter 1159: 563 Perfect (two updates)_4

She thought the emperor had truly let bygones be bygones with her, and even gave up the control of state affairs that she had held for many years.

Who knew the emperor has recently been secretly plotting to get rid of her.

If the emperor is unkind, then she won’t blame herself for being unrighteous.

She wanted the emperor’s life!

Everything was arranged so ingeniously that, had Minister Xing not known it was a trap set for him, he might have believed it himself.

All these letters were written by the Empress Dowager Zhuang; there were no replies from Minister Xing, which was understandable.

Minister Xing’s replies must certainly be in the hands of Empress Dowager Zhuang. If they could not be found there, there was an explanation—given Empress Dowager Zhuang’s cunning, she wouldn’t leave any evidence behind and would surely burn everything after reading.

"Then why would I keep any evidence? Am I not afraid of a scandal breaking out?" Minister Xing questioned Minister Li. _{freeweɓnovēl.coɱ}

Minister Li, covering his swollen face, replied calmly, "That’s because, sir, you understand that being a puppet to the Empress Dowager is like seeking skin from a tiger; if one day the Empress Dowager decides to kill the donkey once the grinding is done, at least you still retain a trump card to threaten the Empress Dowager and protect yourself!"

This reasoning was simply impeccable.

Minister Xing should have been angry, yet his first reaction was to give an inward thumbs-up—perfect crime!

Empress Dowager Zhuang was once the most powerful woman in Zhan Country, having been appointed as the regent by the former emperor before his death.

It was the former emperor who had legitimately passed the power into her hands; what did it matter if she ruled from behind the curtains? As long as she did not plot a rebellion, no one could do anything to her, right?

But now, with the regicide done, everything had changed.

Empress Xiao had always been wary of Empress Dowager Zhuang, but even a cornered rabbit will bite; Empress Dowager Zhuang had done something as treacherous as plotting regicide, should Empress Xiao continue to swallow her anger silently?

"At worst, it’s just death. If I die, my brother will come back and avenge me!"

The Commandant of the Imperial Guards was a confidant of Marquis Xuanping, so with the token given to her by Marquis Xuanping, Empress Xiao ordered the Commandant to confine Empress Dowager Zhuang to Renshou Palace.

Empress Xiao had no right to deal with the Empress Dowager; she could only wait for the emperor to wake up and decide. Therefore, after secretly confining the Empress Dowager, Empress Xiao returned to Kunning Palace to deal with official duties.

After the emperor was assassinated, the Imperial Palace was in turmoil, and the air was thick with tension. Where the palace gates used to bustle with activity at mealtimes, today they were unusually solemn.