Let’s Squander A Billion First!

Chapter 1399: Chapter 1399: The Gate General’s Powerful Consort (Part 9)

”Eunuch Yang De, may I ask when it’s appropriate for me to pay my respects?”

Being addressed, Eunuch Yang De promptly replied, ”According to protocol, it’s during the second hour of the day, but since The Empress Dowager needs to attend to state affairs from behind the curtain, it has been delayed to the third hour.”

Chuzheng nodded and then asked Noble Consort Xuan, ”When did you arrive?”

Noble Consort Xuan started feeling uneasy.

However, with both The Empress Dowager and the Emperor present, she had to answer, ”Noon.”

Chuzheng propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin on her hand, and asked coolly, ”So, why should I see you at this time?”

Noble Consort Xuan: ”...”

The Young Emperor: ”...”

Noble Consort Xuan gritted her teeth, ”If you didn’t want to see me, why not let me leave?”

Noble Consort Xuan regretted it deeply.

If she hadn’t intended to show off the gifts from the Young Emperor, she wouldn’t have come today.

Who knew that she wouldn’t have the chance to show off, but would instead be reprimanded.

Chuzheng asked seriously, ”When did I prevent you from leaving?”

Noble Consort Xuan angrily said, ”You had someone stop me, forbidding me from leaving.”

Chuzheng raised her brow slightly, her tone mild, ”Oh, do you have evidence?”

Noble Consort Xuan immediately replied, ”The Imperial Guard Army outside are all witnesses.”

”Are they? Call them in to confirm.” The Imperial Guard Army listens to you? Naive!

Before Noble Consort Xuan could comprehend Chuzheng’s attitude, when the Imperial Guard Army came in and unanimously stated that they hadn’t stopped her, Noble Consort Xuan realized.

These guards certainly listen to The Empress Dowager.

The Young Emperor looked at Noble Consort Xuan in puzzlement, ”Mother didn’t stop you; why would you say she did?”

Moreover, when he arrived, Noble Consort Xuan wasn’t standing outside but was sitting inside the hall.

”I didn’t, I didn’t lie, Your Majesty, when have I ever deceived you, it was Mother... Chunxiu and the others can testify.”

Noble Consort Xuan pointed to her people.

If the guards couldn’t testify for her, then her own people could.

Chunxiu replied with her head down, ”It was... it was The Empress Dowager who stopped her, not allowing the lady to leave.”

Chuzheng: ”She’s your person; she says what you signal her to.”

Noble Consort Xuan blurted out, ”Aren’t the Imperial Guard Army also your people?”

Chuzheng: ”You misspoke; the Imperial Guard Army only listens to the Emperor; how could they be mine?”

Noble Consort Xuan: ”!!!”

Noble Consort Xuan had completely forgotten about this.

How could the guards belong to Calm Palace? They belong to the Emperor.

So why would these guards lie?

”Noble... Consort Xuan?”

The Young Emperor seemingly understood.

If the guards didn’t lie, then only Noble Consort Xuan’s people did.

”Your Majesty, I didn’t...”

Noble Consort Xuan wanted to explain when Chuzheng suddenly asked, ”When a minister doesn’t obey your orders, what should you do?”

The Young Emperor was bewildered by the sudden question, ”Mother?”

”Answer my question.”

Chuzheng’s expression was so cold that for a moment, the Young Emperor was at a loss for words.

He glanced at Eunuch Yang De, who kept his head down, focused on his own.

The Young Emperor had no choice but to answer for himself, ”...Punish?”

Chuzheng lazily tapped the edge of the table, ”So, if a concubine makes a mistake, shouldn’t she be punished?”

”...Yes.”

”In the matter of the ice chest, you asked her to come and apologize to me, but Noble Consort Xuan didn’t show up, defying your order. Emperor, what do you think should be done?”

Noble Consort Xuan widened her eyes in disbelief at Chuzheng.

Indeed, the Young Emperor had mentioned it.

But it was just a verbal message; Noble Consort Xuan hadn’t taken it to heart.

The Young Emperor probably hadn’t pursued it, and nothing seemed amiss these few days.

Who knew Chuzheng would bring it up today in front of the Young Emperor.

Moreover, it wasn’t even in her own name but in the name of the Young Emperor; she was defying the Emperor’s command.

The Young Emperor asked puzzled, ”Why didn’t Noble Consort Xuan come to apologize to Mother? You’ve indeed done wrong.”

”...”

Noble Consort Xuan gritted her teeth, no longer daring to continue arguing.

With His Majesty speaking, Noble Consort Xuan didn’t dare confront the Young Emperor openly with so many people around.

She stood up from her chair and directly knelt on the ground.

”Your Majesty, I realize my mistake...”

The Young Emperor: ”You should apologize to Mother.”

Noble Consort Xuan took a deep breath, turned, and elegantly bowed, ”Mother, I realize my mistake. Please forgive me.”

Before Chuzheng could respond, Noble Consort Xuan suddenly collapsed softly to the ground.

”Sister Xuan.”

The Young Emperor called out nervously, forgetting the decorum.

Having spent so long under the sun and then left in this chilly hall, Noble Consort Xuan wasn’t pretending; she genuinely fainted.

The Young Emperor quickly ordered her to be carried back to her palace and called for the Imperial Physician.

Instead of following her, the Young Emperor stayed at Calm Palace, cautiously looking at Chuzheng, ”Mother, are you still angry?”

”Why would I be angry?”

”Noble Consort Xuan...”

”I don’t bother myself with the younger generation.”

Hearing this from Chuzheng, the Young Emperor wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or comforted.

The Young Emperor picked at his fingers, ”Mother, do you not like Noble Consort Xuan?”

Sister Xuan always tells him many fun things and takes him to play.

Unlike those in the palace, who were all lifeless.

Everyone was teaching him how to behave.

To follow rules and regulations.

When everyone strictly demanded of the Young Emperor, it wasn’t strange that he liked Noble Consort Xuan, who allowed him to escape it all.

”Would you like someone who deliberately withholds your ice chest?” Chuzheng countered.

”...”

The places the Young Emperor visited were all chilly.

But occasionally, there were stifling places, making the Young Emperor extremely uncomfortable and irritable.

The Young Emperor suddenly thought Noble Consort Xuan was somewhat detestable.

-

Noble Consort Xuan fell ill, quite seriously.

Though not life-threatening, she would be bedridden for some time.

Yiran Palace closed its gates to visitors; even when the Young Emperor came, he was turned away, claiming the illness was contagious.

Chuzheng didn’t comment on it and continued as usual.

The only thing she disliked was attending morning court.

Today’s court was different; the Regent Prince attended.

The Regent Prince didn’t shy away from making eye contact, directly looking towards the beaded curtain with a mischievous smile.

Such an audacious grin for someone his age.

Remarkable!

Really wanted to... invite him to have tea with the late Emperor.

The Regent Prince soon retracted his gaze, standing with lowered eyes while listening to the ministers report various matters.

Chuzheng sat behind, absent-mindedly recalling something.

Today was the deadline for the investigation into the five deaths.

While she was pondering, an official stepped forward.

”Your Majesty, the rumored case of a demon harming people in the Capital City has been resolved with the capture of the perpetrator.”

”Oh, well... Uncle, how do you think it should be handled?” The Young Emperor asked the Regent Prince.

The Regent Prince smiled, ”Your Majesty, you can decide this matter yourself.”

”...”

The Young Emperor looked blankly at the court officials below, completely clueless about what decision to make.

As the Young Emperor hesitated, Eunuch Yang De slipped a note into his hand.

The Young Emperor glanced at it and immediately straightened up.

In a youthful voice, he decisively declared, ”Since the perpetrator has been captured, let the Minister of Dali Temple handle the trial. Additionally, order Inspector Lord Sun of The Inspectorate to quell the rumors. If anyone spreads falsehoods again, they shall be punished according to the law.”