I insist

Chapter 367: The Empress Dowager's Pawn

“I have many enemies in the palace. According to you, it could be the Empress or the Prime Minister who have sabotaged me.”

Granny Hong slowed her massage, fearing the Empress Dowager's wrath, and quickly knelt down to beg for mercy.

"Your Majesty, please understand that this old servant truly did not mean any harm. I was simply worried that Your Majesty might be plotted against."

The Empress Dowager was so angry that she smashed the cup in her hand to the ground.

"Get up. I'm not blaming you. What you said makes sense."

Only after hearing the Empress Dowager speak like this did Granny Hong dare to stand up. Every day by the Empress Dowager's side was filled with fear and trepidation.

After she stood up, Granny Hong quickly helped the Empress Dowager up.

"Empress Dowager, even if you find out now, you mustn't be angry. Your health isn't just yours alone; you must take good care of it."

It turns out that the Empress Dowager was already two months pregnant at this time, but she had not told the Emperor.

After all, it was not a common occurrence for the Empress Dowager to be pregnant, so she thought it would be better to wait until the pregnancy was stable in the third month before telling the Emperor.

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager touched her belly.

"Yes, it wasn't easy for me to get pregnant with this child, so I hope he can be born safely."

"Your Majesty, you are overthinking it. We will definitely land safely."

"I hope so."

Having experienced so much in the palace over the years, it's no wonder the Empress Dowager had such worries.

"Your Majesty, let me accompany you for a walk to help you relax."

Granny Hong kept the imperial physician's advice in mind, believing that moving around more at this time would be better for the fetus.

"Alright, go and send someone to find out when the Emperor will return to the palace."

The sun was shining brightly outside, its warmth gentle and not glaring.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager's mood had improved, Granny Hong dared to speak.

"The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are on their way back now, and you should be able to see the Emperor tomorrow."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "I wonder how long I can keep the baby in my belly a secret."

After saying this, the two walked towards the back garden.

On the way back to the palace, everyone felt a good atmosphere and was happy. The world was achieved with only Consort Li injured.

The emperor arrived at the palace early the next morning.

Upon receiving the news, the Empress and others immediately rushed over to greet them at the palace gate.

The Empress was relieved to see the Emperor walking ahead alone for a long time without seeing Consort Li.

She silently thought to herself, "It seems the news is true. Let's see how you, Consort Li, will fight me now."

He turned around and walked towards the Emperor with a big smile.

"Your Majesty, you must be tired from the sacrificial ceremony. Now that you have returned to the palace, I have specially arranged a song and dance performance to entertain you."

"Hahaha, she truly lives up to her title as Empress. Alright, let's all go together."

The Emperor laughed and walked inside while wrapping his arm around the Empress's waist.

Meanwhile, Consort Li, who had fallen behind, had just arrived at the palace. Upon entering, she witnessed this scene and was so angry that she almost fainted on the spot.

Song Miqiu and Ming Taicheng usually did not participate in such song and dance celebrations, and the emperor was naturally aware of this and would not blame them.

After paying their respects to the Emperor and Empress, the two went to the Imperial Hospital.

After all, without Mingtai Cheng's management these past few days, it's necessary to go and check on things.

On the way, Song Miqiu complained to Ming Taicheng.

“Master, I told you not to go to any grand ceremonies. Look, they’re all fine now, but we two still have a ton of things to do.”

Ming Taicheng looked at Song Miqiu with doting affection.

"Alright, you don't need to worry about the Imperial Hospital. I'll handle this. Just sort out the medicinal herbs I've picked, okay?"

Upon hearing Ming Taicheng say this, Song Miqiu jumped for joy.

"Sure, of course!"

Ming Taicheng was worried that she would twist her waist if she did that.

"Slow down, wait for me."

Consort Li was not treated so well.

He was immediately taken to the palace by the Imperial Guards and confined for three months.

Unexpectedly, Granny Hong suddenly appeared.

"Consort Li, the Empress Dowager wishes to see you. Please come with me."

Who would dare disobey the Empress Dowager's orders? Even the Imperial Guards automatically made way for her.

"Please have the old nanny take Consort Li to see the Empress Dowager and then hand her over to me, so that I can report back to the Emperor."

The old woman naturally understood these principles.

"Understood, thank you for your hard work. Here is a little reward from the Empress Dowager. Please take it and buy yourself some clothes."

After receiving the reward, the Imperial Guards stood guard outside the Empress Dowager's palace, not daring to cause the slightest mistake.

The old nanny didn't give Consort Li a pleasant time; she grabbed her shoulder without any restraint and pulled her inside.

"Consort Li, please go in quickly. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you inside. Go in and apologize to her properly."

Consort Li knew she was in the wrong and dared not show any sign of resistance.

Upon entering, one sees the Empress Dowager sitting directly in front, eyes closed in meditation.

Consort Li shakily lifted the curtain and went inside. At this moment, only she and the Empress Dowager remained in the room.

The Empress Dowager was furious when she opened her eyes and saw her. If she weren't pregnant and couldn't get angry, she would have slapped her a few times to vent her anger.

"Kneel down right now!"

Hearing the Empress Dowager's voice, the nanny also entered through the curtain and pressed down on Consort Li's head, forcing her to kowtow to the ground.

"I think you really won't shed a tear until you see the coffin."

Only then did Consort Li beg for mercy.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me this time. Give me another chance and I will definitely not let you down."

He observed the Empress Dowager's changing expressions as he spoke.

"Empress Dowager, I have been able to enjoy the Emperor's favor for so long, don't you trust me?"

The Empress Dowager has not yet found a new candidate, and the current pawn, Consort Li, cannot be discarded.

"It's good that you know you're wrong and who your master is. Get up."

Only after the Empress Dowager relented did Consort Li dare to stand up.

So, as usual, he went behind the Empress Dowager and helped her massage her shoulders.

"Empress Dowager, whether you believe it or not, I swear to heaven that I have never done anything to betray the Emperor, let alone committed adultery."

He deliberately lowered his voice when talking about what happened later, since few people in the palace knew about it.

How could the Empress Dowager not understand?

"I doubt you have the guts. When I chose you, I picked you out of thousands of people. I wouldn't have made a mistake in my judgment."

With the Empress Dowager backing her up, it's only a matter of time before Consort Li regains her position.

However, Consort Li could not stay outside for too long. After giving her a few simple instructions, the Empress Dowager instructed Granny Hong to send her to the Imperial Guards.

"Remember this: there are certain people you should not see and certain things you should not do. After three months, I will tell the Emperor that you have been reinstated as a concubine."

Consort Li was overjoyed. "I will never forget the Empress Dowager's great kindness and virtue. I will definitely continue to serve you when I am released."

The Empress Dowager was after Consort Li's words.

"Okay, let's go down."

By the time Song Miqiu finished her work, it was already dark. She sighed as she looked at the medicinal herbs scattered on the ground.

"Looks like I can't go home today."

Upon hearing this, Ming Taicheng gently patted her head.

"Go to sleep now!"