mtl008 Chapter 168 Save Him Personally
Chapter 168 Save Him Personally
Minister Wang pretended to be surprised, his brows deliberately piled up an expression of disbelief: "How could such a ridiculous thing happen? It must be that the lower-level officials neglected their duties and did not handle things properly. I will immediately write a letter to the commander of the Jinyiwei and ask him to investigate in detail and severely punish those who failed to do their job!"
As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and an important chess piece of the Prince of Qi's faction, Minister Wang cleverly directed the blame to the executors at a lower level.
"Those innocent people who have suffered should be set free as soon as possible. My headache has become more serious recently." There was a hint of impatience in the Queen Mother's words.
"Your humble servant will obey your order and handle it immediately." Minister Wang bowed and replied with a respectful attitude, but his heart was already in turmoil.
Leaving the magnificent palace, Minister Wang’s brows were furrowed and his eyes were deep.
The Queen Mother personally inquired into this matter. What is the deep meaning behind it?
Is it true that the suffering of the people has touched the palace, or are there people on the arrest list that the Queen Mother is concerned about?
In order to find out the truth, Minister Wang went straight to the residence of the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
After some questioning, it was learned that those arrested were all unknown people, such as the concubines of Duke Su, who had low status and were irrelevant to the overall situation.
In this way, the so-called public complaints seem pale and powerless.
Minister Wang was even more suspicious: "Why would the Queen Mother be interested in these insignificant little people? Is there some other hidden story?"
"My Lord Shangshu, what should we do next?" The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard asked respectfully, with anticipation in his eyes.
Minister Wang pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Since they are not important figures, let them be released first, so as not to embarrass the Queen Mother. This matter should not be delayed for too long."
The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard took the order and retreated respectfully, but he was secretly pondering in his heart.
……
At the same time, the news that the Queen Mother summoned Minister Wang quickly reached the emperor's ears.
The emperor's spies were spread across every corner of the palace. The frequent contacts between the empress dowager and the Prince of Qi's faction inevitably gave rise to some suspicion and dissatisfaction in the emperor's heart, and this matter naturally attracted his special attention.
"Why did the Queen Mother summon Minister Wang?" There was a hint of coldness in the emperor's voice.
He had long been dissatisfied with the growing power of the Wang family and was planning how to weaken its influence. The Queen Mother's move was undoubtedly a silent challenge to his authority.
Although there was an old relationship between the emperor and the empress dowager, there was also a high wall of power between them.
The harmony between them is based on mutual understanding and boundaries.
Once someone crosses the line, the delicate balance will be broken, and dissatisfaction and suspicion will grow like weeds.
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother inquired about the case of the bandits, accused the Royal Guards of arresting innocent people, and reprimanded them." The attendant reported respectfully.
The matter of the bandit had long been a hot topic on the streets. The emperor was a little surprised when he heard about it: "Why would the empress dowager suddenly care about such trivial matters? Does the person who was arrested have a special background?"
"According to investigation, there is no special person, only one is the biological mother of Prince Yi's concubine. However, because the concubine and the eldest princess intended to plead for mercy, they were stopped by the Queen Mother." The attendant reported in detail.
The emperor frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "My mother was originally against pleading for mercy, why is she now helping Prince Yi's concubine?"
This sudden change left the emperor puzzled.
However, the doubts in my heart were slightly reduced as it seemed that the Queen Mother was not completely blinded by power.
……
Su Rao was waiting anxiously in the house, feeling very uneasy.
Can we really trust the Queen Mother’s words?
Will she really lend a helping hand?
Finally, a clear sound of footsteps came closer and closer.
Su Rao hurriedly stood up and walked quickly to the door, just in time to meet the empress dowager who was slowly walking in.
The Queen Mother saw that she was only wearing thin clothes and frowned slightly: "The weather is so cold, how can you be so careless? Stay indoors more, it's warmer inside."
As she spoke, the Queen Mother gently pulled Su Rao over, warmed her with her body temperature, and led her into the house.
He then ordered his servants to add more charcoal, and the room suddenly became warm as spring.
The Queen Mother held Su Rao's hand tightly, her eyes full of love.
"Empress Dowager, my mother..." Su Rao's voice trembled slightly.
"I have already discussed it with Minister Wang, and he will order his release soon. You don't have to worry." The Queen Mother's gentle words wiped away the last trace of haze in Su Rao's heart.
Su Rao's heart finally settled down. She was sure that the Queen Mother had really changed.
Just like in the previous life, the attitude towards me changed drastically, from stranger to loving, just like a family member.
Su Rao thought to herself that such a change was by no means accidental and there must be some unknown reasons behind it.
In her previous life, this question had always troubled Su Rao, and in this life, she finally mustered up the courage to ask, "Queen Mother, why are you suddenly so caring towards me?"
The Queen Mother stared at Su Rao. If she hadn't looked carefully, it might have been difficult to notice. Or perhaps it was because of long-standing prejudice that she had never truly examined Su Rao.
At this moment, she looked carefully and found that Su Rao's eyes were somewhat similar to those of Qinglan.
Even though Mother Zhou has not yet found out the truth, the Queen Mother has already determined in her heart that Su Rao is Qinglan's son and the only bloodline left by her eldest sister.
In the past, she was too harsh on her elder sister's children. Now, all she can do is make up for it. Fortunately, it is not too late.
"I suddenly realize that you are a kind-hearted child." The Queen Mother smiled, which was obviously an excuse to cover up.
The Queen Mother did not want Su Rao to know the whole truth.
After all, her identity as a descendant of the Zhao family might bring fatal disaster to Su Rao.
It is best to keep this secret deep in her heart, and only she and Mother Zhou know it, and never let any third person, including Su Rao herself, find out about it.
She only hopes that the child can be safe and happy, away from illness and disaster.
Although Su Rao still had many questions in her mind, she could only put them aside for the time being.
"Empress Dowager, you said that the Jinyiwei will release my mother. I want to go and pick her up in person." Su Rao said earnestly.
The Queen Mother nodded and agreed: "Okay."
Then he turned to Mother Zhou and said, "Arrange two palace maids to accompany Rao'er."
From Prince Yi's concubine to Rao'er, the change of title seems to foreshadow subtle changes in identity and emotions.
Su Rao was only concerned about her mother's safety and had no time to care about anything else. She took two palace maids and set out for the imperial prison.
Outside the imperial prison, the wind was freezing and the atmosphere was eerie and terrifying, while the scene inside was unimaginably cruel.
Su Rao stood outside the door, her eyes looking through the heavy iron bars, full of anticipation and eagerness.
As time went by, the gate of the imperial prison occasionally opened, releasing prisoners who were emaciated and covered with wounds.
They were either staggering forward or being supported by others. The blood on their bodies and their exhausted faces silently told of the cruelty inside.
The whispers in the crowd all said that entering the Imperial Prison was like passing through the gates of hell, and this was true.