The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 752

Chapter 752: 348 Truth (Second Update)

Meanwhile, Concubine Zhuang managed to gain an audience with Empress Dowager Zhuang of the Renshou Palace.

Excitedly, she said, "Aunt, you did it, didn’t you? I knew it! I knew you had the ability to fool the Emperor! This move is called ’surprise and conquer’! Empress Jing thought she could bother you by moving back to the palace, but she didn’t expect you to be one step ahead and reconcile with the Emperor just by taking some action! Why didn’t you do this sooner, Aunt?"

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at her expressionlessly.

Concubine Zhuang shrank her neck, feeling a chill in her heart, and mumbled, "What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong? The palace is buzzing with the news that Zhang Xiu was the one who poisoned Xiao Hen. How did you think of framing Zhang Xiu, Aunt? Zhang Xiu is the Emperor’s man, and you can’t command her. You’ve washed off the suspicion cleanly!"

"Are you finished?" Empress Dowager Zhuang said indifferently. "I need to read the memorials."

Concubine Zhuang pouted, curtsied, and left.

The news of Zhang Xiu poisoning Xiao Hen spread rapidly, and soon the whole palace came to know about the true culprit of Xiao Hen’s murder. The Emperor had misunderstood the Empress Dowager for many years and now that the truth is out, him taking the initiative to reconcile with the Empress Dowager seems plausible.

Admittedly, some thought this was the Emperor’s blinding technique: ostensibly revealing his remorse and devotion to the Empress Dowager through the Zhang Xiu incident, when in actuality he was attempting to lull her into a false sense of security and closer to him to gain her trust, leaving her unprepared for a potential future attack.

After sitting for a while in Huaqing Palace, Empress Xiao returned to Kunning Palace to take care of Qin Chuyu.

The Emperor looked at Empress Jing, "How is Mother’s injury?"

Empress Jing smiled and said softly, "It’s not serious."

The Emperor’s expression remained stern. "The Imperial Physician said that Mother still needs careful nursing. The medicine must be administered every day without neglect. Cai Mama, you must take good care of Mother."

"Yes," Cai Mama respectfully agreed.

The Emperor responded with a hum and said to Empress Jing, "I’m off to the Imperial Study Room. If Mother finds Huaqing Palace stuffy, go take a walk in the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Physician said staying indoors all the time is not good for healing."

"Your Majesty need not worry about me. With your imperial aura protecting me, my health is good. But Your Majesty..." Empress Jing’s gaze fell on his slightly haggard face, "Your Majesty looks tired. Have you been reviewing memorials all night again?"

The Emperor dismissed her concern with a laugh, "There have been heavy rains in many regions recently. The disaster is serious, hence, I have no choice but to deal with more memorials."

Empress Jing held his hand and earnestly advised, "You must still take care of your imperial health."

The Emperor patted the back of Empress Jing’s hand, smiling, "I will be careful."

Eunuch Wei went to the Imperial Kitchen and ordered the cook to prepare a few tasty dishes – not too many. _{freewebnøvel.coɱ}