The Empress acknowledged her guilt and refused to acknowledge her family's involvement in the plot, willing to sever ties with them and die to atone for her sins. She took her own life that night in the Kunning Palace.

  The Emperor, considering the deceased to be of great importance, no longer pursued the responsibility of the Empress. In the seventh year of Zhouyuan, he demoted the Empress to a Concubine. He also remembered the feelings for the Empress and specially allowed her body to be buried in the Chu Zhou Fei Mausoleum three days later. The other consorts only needed to pay their respects.

  On the day when the queen's coffin was carried out, three days later, the emperor issued a decree that Yu's family members were unbearable as humans, disloyal and unfilial, disregarding the ruler, with the intention of rebelling. They were specially sentenced to be executed by beheading, all those within the nine degrees of kinship were exiled to the border, forever not allowed to enter the court as officials.

  Yu's family, which had been prosperous for two generations, ended in such a desolate way.

  Chonghua Palace

  "Your Highness, the Empress has left," Qing Xi walked in and said softly.

  Since returning from Kun Ning Palace yesterday, Zijia had been lying on the couch without moving, and hadn't even eaten dinner.

  Qiao Jingyu's eyelids moved slightly, she opened her eyes, stood up and walked to the window, pushed open the window, a wave of floral scent wafted in, "He's gone"

  She thought she hated the queen, perhaps it was true hatred. Because of her push, the queen is gone now. When she heard this news, she didn't feel much joy or relief, but only exhaustion and unbearable pain. Why didn't she see the pleasure of revenge?

  "The queen is gone, let's pull out all these flowers."

  "Miss, what's this?" Qing Xi was taken aback, somewhat perplexed.

  These flowers were planted in front of the window by the queen's order since the time of the Wang Fu, she didn't know what kind of flower they were, only that when they bloomed, they were very beautiful and fragrant, and every year they would bloom again, so everyone got used to them.

  Qiao Jingxuan closed the window and didn't look at those beautiful flowers again. "Forget it."

  The flower varieties brought from overseas are beautiful, but they are highly toxic. Long-term contact can easily cause women to become infertile and even lead to miscarriage. In the past, the empress had added the fragrance of this flower to the incense burner.

  "Yes," Qingxie replied reluctantly.

  Su Jingxiao walked out of Kun Ning Palace, looked up at the blue sky above her head, the sky was clear and cloudless, took a deep breath, the air was really good.

  She glanced back at the vermilion gold plaque hanging above, with the three large characters "Kun Ning Palace" standing out, majestic and imposing. She couldn't help but be amazed by the grandeur and luxury of this palace when she first stepped into it.

  But now the mistress is gone, the queen has left, perhaps it's the result of the expectation of all the people in the harem, and they were not sincere when they offered incense just now. Su Jing felt a little desolate and sentimental in her heart.

  The dead are great, perhaps the queen has both merits and demerits, but since she is no longer here, it's pointless to discuss these things, so let them fade away with the wind.

  "Master, it's getting windy, let's go back," said Daiman aloud.

  Su Jing nodded and took two steps forward, "Where is the eldest princess?"

  Dai Man shook her head, "I don't know, just now when Master was burning incense, I didn't see her there keeping vigil."

  "The queen has already left, I suppose the days of the grand princess won't be easy either. You should send someone to find out what's going on over there and pay more attention to her from now on," Su Jing sighed, "It can be considered as repaying the favor the queen did for Ben Pei."

  "Yes, I understand."

  The queen's coffin was carried out, but only through the side door, and buried with the rites of a concubine. She had been invested as empress through the main gate, but in death she was treated differently.

  When a man leaves, the tea becomes cold. This has been the case since ancient times. On the surface, the harem is calm, but in reality, it is seething with activity. Each of the palace ladies and concubines is waiting for an opportunity, waiting for a chance.

  The Emperor ordered Shu Guifei to temporarily take charge of the affairs of the six palaces, holding the Phoenix Seal and exercising the power of the six palaces. There was a subtle trend towards becoming Empress, with everyone watching and waiting. Some people were worried, while others were happy. The followers of the Empress had lost their leader and were all looking for another way out. As a result, the entrance to the Chonghua Palace has been crowded with people coming and going these past few days, bustling with excitement.

  Guan Yu Temple

  "The emperor hasn't been to the harem for many days," said Ting Yao as she entered with a cup of tea.

  Su Jing thought for a moment, it had been almost ten days since the empress's death that he hadn't set foot in the harem. If it was said to be because of loyalty to the empress, Su Jing wouldn't believe it, but if it was said to be because he himself had offended someone somewhere else, she also wouldn't believe it.

  The last time the floating corpse case, originally was Shu Gui Fei thoroughly investigating, she also caught several slaves, Shen Xing Si severely tortured, but still did not find a result, then came out with the Empress's matter, so until now there is no conclusion, it can be said that it ended in nothing.

  "It's probably because of the drought," From the turn of the year, Lücheng and its surrounding areas have not had any rainwater. From dryness to now, it has evolved into a drought.

  Not only Licheng, but most areas of Chu Zhou country have no rain, the drought-stricken area is expanding and affecting more and more people.

  "Never mind, go to the kitchen and make something, follow Benbo to Zichen Hall," Su Jingfan thought for a moment and decided.

  Zichen Hall

  "Slave is here to pay respects to Mistress Zhen," Su Shun stood at the door, just thinking about what to do next, when he saw Su Jingyu come in.

  "Your Excellency needn't be so polite," Su Jing said with a faint smile. "Is the Emperor available to see me?"

  Su Shun's thoughts turned in his mind, the emperor had been busy with government affairs every day since he returned to the palace that day. Even if there were indeed many things to deal with in the court, it was absolutely not to the point where the emperor would neglect his sleep and forget to eat. Every day, he buried himself at his desk, dealing with batches of memorials, looking more and more haggard.

  "Let Zhen Zhu go in and inform the Emperor," even if he wanted someone to persuade the Emperor, he didn't dare let her enter privately.

  Su Jing nodded slightly and stood quietly beside him, waiting.

  "Your Majesty, Zhen Ronghua requests an audience."

  Zong Zhengjin wrote a few words on the note and threw it aside, "What is she doing here?"

  "'I don't know,' Su Shun said with a start, without asking clearly."

  "Let her in."

  "Concubines see the emperor," Su Jingyi came in alone and paid her respects.

  "Get up," Zong Zhengjin said without lifting his head, "what's going on?"

  Su Jing took over the dish that the eunuch had tested for poison, walked forward and placed it on the dragon case. "Your Majesty, would you like to try this coconut rice? The concubine said it's not bad."

  Zong Zhengjin put down his brush, glanced at the bowl of thick and creamy soup, picked it up and took a sip, "Not bad."

  Su Jing approached him and suddenly smelled a strong milk smell, feeling nauseous, dodging his outstretched hand and retreating several steps.

  Zong Zhengjin was somewhat displeased, his hand still not put down, coldly spitting out two words, "Come over."

  "The Emperor" Su Jingxiu wore a bitter face, pitifully.

  Zong Zhengjin let out a sigh and slowed down his tone, "Come over."

  Su Jing took a step forward, but then smelled that smell again, and immediately retreated several steps back. Seeing him already at the edge of anger, she hastily said, "Your Majesty, it's unbearable."

  Zong Zhengjin noticed her painful expression, and couldn't help but forget her previous resistance. He got up and walked over to her, supporting her and patting her back, "What's wrong, Su Shunxian, Xuan Taoyi?"

  Su Jingxiang didn't smell that scent anymore and had calmed down, pulling him back. "The concubine is fine now, there's no need to call the imperial physician again."

  Zong Zhengjin touched her eye corners, "No way, only when the imperial physician takes a look can I be at ease."

  Su Shunan didn't know what had happened inside, the two masters were not easy to have accidents, worried in his heart, he personally went to the hospital and invited a doctor to come over.

  Zhang Taizhong didn't dare to delay either. The two of them jogged over together. Fortunately, the hospital was not far from Zichen Hall.

  "Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."

  "Get up and come see what's wrong with Zhen Ronghua!" Zhong Zhengjin waved his hand somewhat impatiently.

  Zhang Taichang did not dare to delay, he already knew the status of this master in the emperor's heart, and hurriedly came forward, took out his tools, carefully examined and repeatedly confirmed.

  "Your Majesty, Zhen's pulse is slippery and has been so for over a month."

  No sooner had the words fallen than a sudden clap of thunder resounded outside, and in an instant huge raindrops began to fall, pattering against the roof with a rhythmic beat, sending up sheets of rain.

  "Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to the young master," Su Shun said with a smile as he saw that both masters were in a daze.

  "Haha," Zong Zhengjin came back to himself, "My child was first discovered at a time when the drought in Licheng could be alleviated by the timely arrival of sweet rain, truly a blessed person."

  The moment before was scorching sun in the sky, with only a gentle breeze on my face. The next moment, however, it was suddenly pouring heavily, whether by coincidence or unintentionally, but this rain was indeed a fact.

  Su Jingxiao revealed a faint smile and remained silent.

  "Pass on my verbal order, this month the monthly allowance for all servants in the Qianqing Palace and Guangxu Palace will be doubled. As for you, the one who is being congratulated, give extra rewards," Zong Zhengjin said with a glance at her before turning to Su Shunian.

  "This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for the gift," Su Shun said with a bow, the focus not on the amount of silver, but on the thought and good fortune that came with it.

  Zhang Taichang was also infected with this joy, he had been serving the emperor in the palace for many years, and had never seen the emperor's emotions so clearly expressed, except for a few times, all of which were related to the master in front of him.

  "Your Majesty, the Empress is still in her early days of pregnancy. For the next three months, she must be extra careful, especially with her diet. I will write it down specifically and the Empress should remember to follow it."

  "Hmm, you'd better write it down. I remember that Imperial Physician Li is a renowned expert in obstetrics, and this pregnancy will be entrusted to the two of you for safekeeping. If there's any mishap, you should know what the consequences will be," said Zong Zhengjin with an oppressive gaze, his imperial majesty on full display.

  Zhang Taichang bowed his head under the gaze of the first lady, "Your humble servant will follow your orders and do his best to protect the precious fetus for the young master."

  "You all go back first."

  "Yes," several people standing nearby bowed.

  Zong Zhengjin saw their silhouettes leaving and turned around, "Isn't Fei'er happy?"

  Palace Concubine (Yi) / 33 / 33265

  Gong Shu