The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1606

Chapter 1606: 774 Auntie Came (Second Update)

In the dead of night, a crescent moon hung high, and the Renshou Palace was enveloped in silence.

"Jiaojiao—"

On the Phoenix Bed, Empress Dowager Zhuang woke up with a start from a nightmare. She opened her eyes and saw the familiar canopy above her, feeling momentarily disoriented.

"Empress Dowager, what happened to you?" Qin Gonggong, who was on duty outside the door, heard the commotion and quickly pushed the door open, coming to the Empress Dowager’s side.

He pulled apart the bed curtains and hooked them with the curtain hooks.

This summer was not as stifling as previous years, and with ice basins placed in the Sleeping Palace, Qin Gonggong felt a burst of coolness as he entered. But looking at the Empress Dowager, she was drenched in sweat.

The Empress Dowager was gasping for breath, still in shock.

Qin Gonggong looked at her with concern: "Empress Dowager, did you have a nightmare again? Was it... about Miss Gu again? Just now, it seemed like you called her name."

The Empress Dowager lifted the silk quilt off her body. Knowing she wanted to get out of bed, Qin Gonggong quickly helped her up.

The Empress Dowager sat up with his help. When Qin Gonggong knelt to put shoes on her, she waved her hand: "It’s fine."

In Bishui Alley, no one served her, and she had to work herself; she was used to it.

The Empress Dowager put on her shoes and walked to the window.

Qin Gonggong released the bed curtains, walked over to open the casement, and lit the incense Gu Jiao had prepared before her departure.

The Empress Dowager looked at the myriad stars and the solitary crescent moon, letting out a sigh: "They’ve been gone for so long. I wonder how things are over there. Did that child Gu Yan survive?"

Qin Gonggong smiled and said: "Young Master Gu is blessed. He will surely turn danger into safety. Besides, Miss Gu and Lord Xiao are with him. Isn’t the Empress Dowager assured of their abilities?"

The Empress Dowager’s eyes were distant: "The Yan Country is an immovable mountain. Individual abilities are insignificant and laughable in front of it. But even so, these two children wouldn’t give up, would they?"

The Empress Dowager... what was she talking about? He couldn’t quite understand.

Empress Dowager Zhuang faintly said: "A mayfly shaking a tree, how laughable?"

Qin Gonggong became increasingly confused.

The Empress Dowager looked towards the Yan Country: "Recently, I’ve often dreamt of bad things."

Qin Gonggong dutifully asked: "What... did you dream about?"

Empress Dowager Zhuang apprehensively said: "I dreamt of Jiaojiao lying in a pool of blood, on the soil of the Yan Country, unable to return to my side."

Qin Gonggong hurriedly said: "You’re just too worried about Miss Gu. One thinks by day and dreams by night! Besides, dreams are reversed; seeing blood in dreams means wealth in reality!"

The Empress Dowager nodded thoughtfully: "It seems there’s such a saying."

Qin Gonggong smiled broadly: "How could this servant deceive you?"

The Empress Dowager continued to gaze into the distance: "I was a Zhuang family legitimate daughter before sixteen, the Empress of Zhan Country after sixteen, and the Regent Empress Dowager at forty. I’ve lived my whole life for the Zhuang family, the court, and the land of Zhan Country. At this age, I don’t have many years left. I want to live for myself."

Qin Gonggong was so startled by these words that he shivered, quickly saying: "Empress Dowager, you will live a long life!"

Empress Dowager Zhuang calmly said: "I don’t want to live a thousand years; I just want my Jiaojiao back."

...

Bishui Alley.

The old wine ritualist finished writing the last memorial, pressed it with the inkstone on the table.

He took a deep breath: "It should be done, right? I’ve clarified everything... But even if I didn’t, it probably doesn’t matter much. The court never entirely relied on me."

He excelled at the black arts of officialdom, orchestrating people and events. He alone could outmaneuver a thousand troops, but when it came to assisting the emperor in governing the realm, someone like Yuan Shuofu was needed.

"If I overlook anything, Old Yuan will naturally think it through for His Majesty. I don’t need to worry here."

Saying this, the old wine ritualist took a pre-packed bundle from the cabinet.

Finally, he picked up a document that had taken over a month to forge successfully, and with a resolute heart, said: "Ahen, I’m coming for you, Master."

He shouldered his pack and stepped out of the house.

Thunder rumbled in the sky, indicating imminent rain.

He had to hurry to the post station, where horses and carriage were already prepared.

Removing the door latch, he cautiously opened the courtyard gate. ƒreewebɳovel.com

A flash of lightning revealed the eerie silhouette of the old lady at the doorway.

The old wine ritualist was so frightened he nearly dropped dead on the spot to join the late emperor!

He quickly gathered his wits, his hairs standing on end: "Zhuang Jinse! What are you up to?"

Zhuang Jinse said emotionlessly: "I’m coming too."

The old wine ritualist’s eyes flickered, hiding his bundle behind his back: "Go where? It’s the middle of the night, I don’t understand what you’re saying!"

Zhuang Jinse, carrying a bundle in one hand, raised a cleaver in the other, eyes filled with killing intent: "Will you take me or not? If not, I’ll kill you."

The old wine ritualist: "..."

-

Dayan, National Master Hall.