Chapter 203 Phoenix Crown Falls
Chapter 203 Phoenix Crown Falls
Zhaode Palace, Fengning Hall.
"Ping shua!"
The green jade peach-shaped cup with a dragon handle shattered all over the ground in an instant.
Zhang Wei huddled in a corner holding his dust whisk, looking down at the small broken pieces bouncing on the floor. The queen took great care to maintain her appearance and seldom lost her temper like this. She even broke one of the pair of priceless ancient cups that His Majesty had given her when she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort.
"Shen Sansi, this is your explanation to me!"
Shen Sansi kowtowed like crazy: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Your Majesty, please forgive me..."
Concubine Wan frowned: "Do you think you can hide this from me? Do you think you can cover up everything?"
Shen Sansi's forehead was bleeding and his face was covered with blood and tears.
"I am willing to die, but I have no intention of cutting myself off from the Empress. It was…it was Your Majesty who removed the guards from the Yeyouting Prison and tried Ma Yangchun at night. Your Majesty…Eunuch Gao did not allow me to tell the Empress. Gao Guang is the chief steward of the six palaces, and I dare not disobey."
Concubine Wan chuckled. Shen Sansi dared to fool her with such polite words, which showed that he had ulterior motives. She asked calmly, "What did Ma Yangchun say to His Majesty?"
Shen Sansi lowered his head and said, "I was not there, so I don't know. I asked Ma Yangchun, but he just had a mouthful of molten iron and didn't say anything."
Concubine Wan said coldly: "What do you think he will say?"
Shen Sansi whispered, "I feel that Ma Yangchun will not change his words for the sake of his family. Su Huanzhen... that bitch is not pregnant at all. She is just someone with ulterior motives who has reached into the palace and is secretly doing their bidding."
Concubine Wan smiled and said, "Is that so?"
Shen Sansi said meaningfully: "Your Majesty loves the Empress so much that it is beyond measure. I think this is the only way!"
Concubine Wan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "You can take care of yourself."
By mentioning the emperor, Shen Sansi had obviously obtained some kind of promise. Perhaps Su Huanzhen's disappearance was also related to him.
He left Fengning Palace, but did not notice Concubine Wan's increasingly cold eyes.
The Emperor and the Concubine were two giant ships tied together with iron chains. Together they fought against the big turbans of the previous dynasty who shouted "the people of the world", but there were also cracks, such as the matter of the dragon son.
Some people think they have a stable footing and can stand on many boats at the same time.
Concubine Wan said with a smile: "It seems that this old dog wants to be sold at a high price! Who gave him the illusion that he has two clouds above his head and has a choice? There are some things that I am afraid I have no choice!"
Zhang Wei quickly stated his position and said, "Madam, how do you deal with Shen Sansi?"
Concubine Wan thought for a moment and chuckled, "I can give or take away the position of the Imperial Horse Supervisor. Since he doesn't want to do it anymore, let's find a new face to take his place."
At this time, a young female official hurried into the hall, holding a small jar of wine in her hand.
Concubine Wan frowned and asked, "Where is your Majesty?"
The female official bowed and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty is in Dongyang Pavilion, meeting with the Minister of Justice. I have told you what your Highness said. His Majesty said that he was not feeling well and could not attend the banquet, but he gave me a jar of Zhuangyuanhong and asked me to bring it back, saying... he hoped that your Highness would enjoy it."
“Ping-Pang!”
Jade pieces flew everywhere, and another green jade peach-shaped cup with a phoenix head also shattered.
"Su Huan-zhen, I must kill that bitch!"
In Fengning Palace, all the servants bowed deeply.
After the air was stagnant for a while, Concubine Wan looked at Zhang Wei and said in a cold voice: "Go to Yeyouting and call Qin Shuner and Li Yu, who is good at martial arts, to accompany you!"
"As ordered."
In the wide and straight corridor, twenty-eight tall and strong eunuchs carried the phoenix sedan chair and walked steadily in the middle. In front of them were eight palace maids holding a canopy to lead the way, and behind them followed two teams of eunuchs from the Zhaode Palace, holding white whisks in their hands.
Concubine Wan, who was riding on the phoenix chariot, wore a nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown and a red dress embroidered with gold-painted flying phoenixes. Her eyes scanned the people on both sides who were waiting to welcome the carriage.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome your holy cross!"
"Welcome to the Imperial Concubine..."
"Welcome, Madam..."
The palaces and gardens along the way opened in order. The concubines from the three palaces and six courtyards stood in front of the gates, watching the imperial concubine's carriage and procession go eastward. The sound of the unhurried footsteps lingered in their hearts.
"Sister Lan, where is the imperial concubine going?"
"Formal etiquette is used. I think he is going to see His Majesty."
"Your Majesty, why do we take this road? It seems like we are going to Yeyou..."
Lanpin turned around and looked at the young talent who had not been in the palace for long, and shook her head and said, "Sister Wu, please be careful with your words."
The young talent muttered in a low voice: "No matter how powerful she is, she is not the Empress Dowager. There is nothing she cannot say."
There is no master in the harem. To put it bluntly, everyone is a concubine. From the perspective of clan system, there is no distinction between high and low.
Seeing Concubine Wan being so majestic and using the same etiquette as the Empress, some people were envious, some were jealous, and the feelings were indescribable.
Qin Shuner and Zhang Yu followed beside the phoenix chariot.
Concubine Wan suddenly called out, "Shunzi."
Qin Shuner quickly moved closer to the phoenix chariot and greeted it with a smile: "What do you want, Madam?"
Concubine Wan asked, "How many years have you been in the Imperial Household?"
Qin Shuner said, "My Lady, it has been four years."
"Well, in terms of qualifications, although he is young, he is able to handle things properly, so he is qualified to be the chief eunuch."
The news from Zhuozhou came back that Prince Ning was hit by a bird gun and nearly died. Although the Baijian Gang was destroyed, fortunately Meng Baicao also died. Those big turbans who supported Prince Ning would not be implicated in Zhaode Palace.
Qin Shuner was overjoyed and said quickly, "Your Majesty, your grace is so great that I cannot repay you even if I die."
Concubine Wan smiled and nodded, saying, "Chief Steward Jin is old and can no longer manage things, and he doesn't dare to fight. Yeyouting has become the back garden of the Imperial Horse Administration. Shen Sansi has absolute power, so don't learn from him."
"No matter where I am, I will always be your incarnation."
Qin Shun'er was a little confused. He didn't understand whether the imperial concubine was going to send him to Yeyouting or the Imperial Stables. If it was the latter, it would be a powerful position among the twelve academies, second only to the Silijian. If it was the former, it would be worse than the Neiguanjian.
"Yeyouting?"
Zhang Yu heard it carefully and was secretly delighted. If Qin Shuner had been the steward of Yeyouting, he would not have been as embarrassed as he was last night. It would have been easy for him to find Yang Fengming and complete the blood plan.
Jin Annan, the eunuch in charge of Yeyouting, is over 70 years old with a dark complexion. His facial features are slightly different from those of people in the Central Plains.
He moved a little slowly, hunched over, hurried down the steps, knelt down and greeted respectfully, "This old servant pays respect to the Imperial Concubine."
In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizong could not bear to hurt the children of China, so he ordered Jiaozhi to pay tribute to them as a young boy, Huozhe. This led to the formation of a considerable Annan eunuch force in the palace. After that, the Annan monarch and his ministers petitioned several times before the tribute was abolished.
Jin Annan was the last chief eunuch who was a tribute boy from Jiaozhi. Because of his background and his peaceful nature, he was considered an elder in the palace and no one made things difficult for him. He lived a relatively comfortable life in Yeyouting.
"Eunuch Jin, please come out."
Concubine Wan got off the phoenix sedan, glanced at the wall that was level with the palace, glanced at the inner court guards stationed in Yeyouting by the Imperial Stables, and walked in slowly. Jin Annan bent over and followed hurriedly behind her.
"right here?"
The house that Concubine Wan came to was where Emperor Yousheng interrogated the former imperial physician Ma Yangchun last night.
"My lady, it's right here."
Zhang Wei nodded.
"Then go and bring up Ma Yangchun. I will also interrogate him openly in this room."
"I obey your command." Zhang Wei did not use the people from the Imperial Stables. Instead, he selected four guards from the Zhaode Palace to accompany Jin Annan to bring people over.
Concubine Wan sat on the wooden armchair, looking at the half-burnt candle on the table. She remembered something and a sneer appeared on the corner of her mouth, revealing her contempt and disdain.
As Emperor Yousheng's health deteriorated, the conflict between the emperor and the empress became more serious.
Zhang Yu stood outside the door, glanced at Concubine Wan's lonely back, and thought of what happened last night.
He climbed over the wall and hid in the drainage ditch, then saw a bearded man wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, walking towards the outside of Yeyouting, escorted by a eunuch and a giant man carrying a sword.
After the three men left, hundreds of guards poured into Yeyouting and re-arranged strict posts and patrols.
Zhang Yu thought he was caught in a trap and hid in the ditch for most of the night. It was not until dawn that he found an opportunity and retreated the same way.
"That person should be Emperor Yousheng."
The emperor came to Yeyouting to meet someone secretly. He didn't want others to know, so he temporarily withdrew all the guards from the Imperial Stables.
"If we had come half an hour earlier last night, we might have found Yang Fengming."
"It's a pity that I missed this golden opportunity."
He was thinking about taking this opportunity to find out the deployment of the guards in Yeyouting.
At the other end of the corridor, hurried footsteps were heard.
Zhang Wei and four guards came back.
Jin Annan followed quickly behind, his face full of fear.
Zhang Wei stood at the threshold and said in a deep voice: "Madam, Ma Yangchun is dead."
Concubine Wan was sitting alone in the room, even her maid Mei Xin was standing outside the door. She was very calm and didn't seem surprised.
"How did you die?"
"It looked like suicide. He used a sharpened wooden thorn to stab his throat."
“It’s so tragic!”
Jin Annan knelt beside him, kowtowed and apologized.
Zhang Yu looked at the old man who looked so dim-witted and thought to himself, "No wonder Concubine Wan is unhappy. Qin Shuner's position as the chief steward of the Yeyou Court should be secure."
Zhang Wei asked carefully: "If your Majesty feels something is wrong, would you like to check the guards on duty at the Imperial Stables…"
"No need, just leave it at that."
Zhang Wei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Judging from the current signs, it was probably related to the emperor.
Concubine Wan stood up slowly, took a last look at the half-burnt candle, and suddenly felt a little bored.
"Ma Yangchun is an old man in the palace after all, and he served the late emperor. Give him a good burial, and send his family members back to their hometowns. Don't let outsiders gossip about...the palace is too cold!"
Concubine Wan raised her lotus steps lightly, stepped over the threshold, and walked along the corridor to the outside of Yeyouting.
The group came in a mighty force, with a hint of the momentum to bring punishment, but in the end they accomplished nothing.
Zhang Yu paid close attention to the defense situation. If Qin Shuner could not become the chief steward of Yeyouting in a short period of time, he would have to find a way to get in. He could not abandon the Sun and Moon Sect and really be a eunuch in the palace for a long time.
They walked out of the corridor and came to the courtyard. In front of them was the main gate of Yeyouting. To the east was a small building with double eaves, painted with vermilion lacquer on the outside. This was usually the residence of the chief eunuch.
"Ok?"
Zhang Yu already had sharp senses and was observing the situation around him when he suddenly felt something flash.
He followed the trail and saw a person lying on the eaves of the two-story building. He was covered in a green robe, so his color blended in with the tiles and no one noticed him for a while.
Those three arrows flashing with cold metallic light were quenched with a blue sheen.
The range of this crossbow is not long, about 20 to 30 meters, but it is very concealed and easy to carry.
The assassin held a crossbow in his hand, aiming at Concubine Wan who was gradually coming into range.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment and made a decision.
Seeing the unaware Concubine Wan walking into the ambush, he took two quick steps quietly and passed Qin Shun'er who had been in front of him. He kept adjusting his position while keeping an eye on the assassin on the roof.
"Crack!"
The mechanism is jumping.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Three cold rays of light flew over and shot towards Concubine Wan who was surrounded in the middle.
At the same time, Zhang Yu shouted: "There is an assassin on the roof!"
He slammed the ground with his left foot and his body flew into the air. He stepped on the shoulders of several eunuchs and leaped three or four feet towards Concubine Wan. He circulated the Beiming Qi and the whisk in his hand flew out swiftly. The strands of dust spread out like steel needles, wrapped around the flying arrows, and then rolled inwards. Three short arrows were instantly nailed to the ground with a "pa pa pa".
"Protect the empress."
"Protect the emperor, protect the emperor quickly..."
"There's an assassin, he's on the roof..."
……
Many people reacted. They saw that the assassin on the roof was still rapidly loading the crossbow box after missing the first attack. The opponent was in a dominant position, and the atrium they were walking to was almost open, with no shelter around.
Those eunuchs and palace maids had no martial arts skills. They were like canaries kept in the deep palace. They had never seen such a scene. Even the extremely noble imperial concubine would be ambushed and killed in the harem. This matter itself was beyond their comprehension.
Out of instinctive fear, they fled in all directions, and only a few people stayed by the side of the dazed Concubine Wan.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Three more crossbow arrows flew towards Concubine Wan. Zhang Yu waved his whisk, but the silk threads had become sparse after the first wave of crossbow arrows. This time, it only wrapped around two short arrows. The other crossbow arrow flew past Concubine Wan's neck.
Concubine Wan was filled with fear and hatred. She pointed at the assassin upstairs and shouted, "Kill him for me, kill him for me..."
Upon hearing this, Mei Xin leaped fourteen or fifteen feet high and arrived in front of the red building. She moved along the outer wall like a nimble swallow and was about to climb to the roof when a swordsman suddenly rushed out from the second floor and entangled Mei Xin.
Concubine Wan stood there in a daze, as if she was in a trance, mumbling to herself.
"Is it really my fault?"
"He said that the person who will sit on the throne in the future can only be my son."
"Now he's going to go back on his word!"
The assassin on the rooftop loaded his crossbow again.
The Ziwei Sword was not with him, and Zhang Yu was left with only the bare handle of the whisk in his hand. He turned around and saw Concubine Wan, who was still standing there, as if she was frightened and waiting to die.
Three crossbow arrows flew through the air.
"My lady, get down quickly!"
In a panic, Zhang Yu raised his palm and pushed Concubine Wan's body to the right.
The Nine Dragons and Four Phoenixes Crown fell heavily to the ground first, and all the pearls and jade shattered...
(End of this chapter)