Chapter 1009: Chapter 847, Kidnapped Again

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager picked up the teacup from the table and threw it directly at the Empress, who was kneeling before her.

The Empress didn’t dodge, getting splashed in the face with the tea.

Empress Dowager looked at the Empress with an indifferent face, “Have you been Empress for so long that you’ve forgotten you are a woman of the Jiang Family? You’ve actually become the Emperor’s knife, aimed at me and the Jiang Family.”

The Empress raised her eyes to the Empress Dowager and said calmly, “Aunt, please stop, the Jiang Family can’t compete with the Emperor.”

Empress Dowager immediately laughed scornfully, “What kind of love potion did the Emperor give you that you are so afraid of him? Back in the day, the late Emperor favored the Wan Family so much that he nearly deposed me, but didn’t I turn the situation around anyway?”

“The Emperor thinks his wings are strong enough now that he can disregard me and the Jiang Family. Has he forgotten that without me, he wouldn’t be sitting on the throne?”

“I was able to push him onto the throne, and naturally, I can pull him down!”

Looking at the Empress Dowager, who had lost her sanity, the Empress felt a profound sense of powerlessness, “Aunt, the Emperor is not like the late Emperor. The late Emperor neglected state affairs and was obsessed with women, but the Emperor is different. With his military and literary strategies, and the loyal and capable ministers and generals by his side, you can’t use the same methods you used against the late Emperor.”

“Aunt, please heed my advice. Do not continue to clash with the Emperor; by doing so, there might still be a way out for the Jiang Family.”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager let out a series of cold laughs, looking at the Empress with a face full of ridicule, “To think you’re the Empress, yet you’re so naive. The Emperor and the Jiang Family have long been incompatible.”

With a resigned heart, the Empress left Cining Palace once more.

Walking along the palace corridors, the determination in the Empress’ eyes grew stronger.

After all, even as the Empress, she had little say in the affairs of her family. Now, with the deaths of her brother and nephew, her aunt and father had already lost their reason.

She was powerless to save her family; the only thing she could do now was protect her Le Kang.

After the Empress left, the Empress Dowager stayed in the ancestral hall for most of the day before summoning the Third Prince.

Ever since the Third Prince learned that the Empress Dowager was not the biological mother of the Emperor, he had been trying to distance himself from the Jiang Family. But it was easy to get on board and hard to get off. Facing the summons from the Empress Dowager, he dared not ignore it.

“Great Grandmother, what do you need from me?” asked the Third Prince.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Third Prince indifferently; she was too lazy to pretend anymore and got straight to the point, “Xiao Yeyang is investigating the treasure matter, did you know that?”

The Third Prince tensed up, “Didn’t Father suspend him from his duties?”

The Empress Dowager scoffed, “Enough, don’t play tricks in front of me. I don’t believe you aren’t aware that’s just for show to outsiders.”

With a heavy snort, she continued,

“You took half of the treasure that was moved out. If Xiao Yeyang finds out that you’ve tampered with the treasure left by the Eighth Prince, tell me, do you think the Emperor will grow even more disgusted with you, his son?”

The Third Prince’s face turned pale, staring blankly at the Empress Dowager.

At this moment, what else was there not to understand? The discovery of the treasure map left by Xiao Yechi in Duke Cheng’en’s residence had all been a trap set by the Empress Dowager and Duke Cheng’en.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Third Prince indifferently, “Don’t look so aggrieved. Tell me, do you want to sit on the Dragon Throne? Do you think the Emperor will pass the throne to you with the impression you’ve made on him? Opportunities must be seized, not awaited.”

The Third Prince’s brows knotted tightly, “Great Grandmother, why are you looking for me after all?”

The Empress Dowager said, “You also don’t want Xiao Yeyang to continue investigating, do you? Find a way to stop him.”

The Third Prince forced a smile, “Xiao Yeyang isn’t openly investigating; how could I possibly stop him?”

The Empress Dowager showed her disdain, “Can’t you think for yourself? If you can’t stop him directly, then keep him tangled up in other matters.” She sneered coldly, “For instance, if Yan Yiyi has an accident, do you think he will still feel like investigating other matters?”

The Third Prince, as if deep in thought, knew from a very young age that, being born into the Imperial Family, he must strive and fight; he had never been a person of tenderness or meekness.

He was well aware of his father’s extreme sensitivity about everything concerning the Eighth Prince, hence, the secret of Xiao Yechi’s hidden treasure would certainly not be exposed.

Musing over the words of the Empress Dowager, the Third Prince reflected as he left the palace. Upon his return to the residence, he immediately asked the Third Prince’s consort, “I remember there’s a banquet at the Prince Residence tomorrow, right?”

The Third Prince’s consort nodded, “Xiao Yeyang was established as the Princely Heir, and Uncle Prince Ping has sent out invitations to the Imperial Clan, inviting them to gather.”

The Third Prince pondered for a moment, “You pick out two finer gifts. I will accompany you tomorrow.”

…

Prince Residence.

Jiang Side Consort unprecedentedly paid a visit to the courtyard of Side Consort Ji.

Smiling, Side Consort Ji welcomed her sister-in-law indoors, “Sister, what brings you over to my place today?”

Jiang Side Consort replied, “I was terribly bored. You know, when we were in charge of the Prince’s affairs, we were so busy every day that I longed for rest. But now that I’m not managing affairs, I feel uncomfortably idle.”

Side Consort Ji laughed, “I’m still alright, just admiring flowers and the like when I’m free, which is quite pleasant.”

Jiang Side Consort saw that Side Consort Ji did not pursue the topic, so she took the initiative to say, “Today, the Prince Residence is hosting guests from various families. I originally thought the Crown Princess, managing such a big event for the first time, would inevitably find herself too busy in some areas and might come to us for help. Who would have thought…”

Side Consort Ji smiled and took up the remark, “Who would have thought that the Crown Princess would handle everything so methodically, busy yet not flustered, with no need for our assistance at all.”

Jiang Side Consort sighed, “Indeed, I had thought the Crown Princess, coming from a minor family, would be limited in her experience and abilities, unable to handle a Prince Residence-scale banquet. Yet she managed it perfectly, showing that I had underestimated her before.”

Side Consort Ji smiled faintly, “The Princely Heir is someone who sets his sights high; how could the person he fancies only possess beauty? Look how harmoniously the Prince and the Princely Heir now get along; the Crown Princess has contributed greatly to that.”

As the two women chatted, Daohua was smiling, ushering the ladies into Pingxi Hall to talk.

With the news that the Empress Dowager was not the biological mother of the Emperor, the attendees were less guarded, and the Prince Residence was especially lively today. All the families that had received invitations sent someone.

Xiao Yeyang was in the front courtyard entertaining the male guests, while in the back courtyard, Daohua was responsible for everything on her own.

This time, quite a few from the Imperial Clan had come. Although Daohua was one of the younger generation, with the Old Princess Consort Yong and Princess Huijia maintaining order for her, everyone was reasonably respectful, and no trouble arose.

Madam Li, watching her daughter navigate effortlessly amongst the Princess Consorts, Princes’ consorts, and Commandery Princesses with increasingly the demeanor of a capable mistress of the house, had a face full of proud smiles.

After a busy day, Daohua felt her face was almost stiff from smiling. After dinner, having seen off the Imperial Clan’s female relatives, she then walked toward the main gate, arm in arm with Madam Li, “Mother, I was really too busy today, I didn’t attend to you and elder sister-in-law properly, please don’t be angry with me.”

Madam Li gave Daohua a sidelong glance, “With your own family, there’s no need for such words.” Saying this, she glanced at Han Xinran, “Your elder sister-in-law and I understand completely.”

Han Xinran immediately nodded in agreement, “Yes, eldest sister, we really don’t need to stand on ceremony. But I see that you are indeed very tired today, why not find someone to help share the workload?”

Daohua replied, “Today was the first banquet I’ve managed since taking over the Prince Residence, so there can’t be any mistakes. Everyone in the Prince Residence has their own thoughts, I dare not rely on them. However, in the future, for less important banquets, it’s possible to let the younger sisters in the residence practice.”

Han Xinran smiled, “Having an elder sister-in-law like you, willing to teach and manage the butlers, is the fortune of the Prince Residence’s young ladies.”

Madam Li laughed, “You better not flatter her, she’s just lazy, looking for some peace and quiet.”

Daohua, leaning on Madam Li’s shoulder, laughed, “Mother knows me best.”

While they talked, the three of them reached the Prince Residence’s main gate.

Daohua watched Madam Li and Han Xinran board the carriage and then turned to enter the residence. Since it was inside the Prince Residence, Daohua didn’t bring Mei Lan and Mei Ju to see off Madam Li, only two maids.

Just as they were about to reach the Chuihua Gate, suddenly a dark figure swept over. Before Daohua could react, she was struck harshly on the neck and then fell into unconsciousness.