Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 97: Stripped of Title, Demoted to Attendant!

Ren Shou Palace.

Empress Dowager Wu received a letter from Run Qiu, handed over by Ju Shuang, the head maid of Ren Shou Palace, feeling quite puzzled.

"Strange, why would Ciqing Palace think of writing to me?"

Ju Shuang reminded her from the side, "Your Majesty, this servant heard that Earl of Rui'an and Earl of Chongshan have been arrested and imprisoned by the West Factory."

Empress Dowager Wu suddenly understood, "Could it be that Ciqing Palace wants to ask me to intercede before the Emperor for her two younger brothers?"

"If that's the case, then I'm afraid Ciqing Palace will be disappointed."

Empress Dowager Wu opened the envelope, took out the letter, and unfolded it to read.

But soon, Empress Dowager Wu frowned, feeling somewhat puzzled again.

"That's not right, Ju Shuang, this letter from Ciqing Palace doesn't mention Earl of Rui'an and Earl of Chongshan at all."

"It only says that the Emperor hasn't flipped the nameplates of the concubines in the harem for almost half a month."

"She hopes that I can persuade the Emperor to favor the harem more for the sake of imperial descendants."

"Ju Shuang, tell me, what does Ciqing Palace mean by this?"

Ju Shuang was also unclear about what Empress Dowager Wang was thinking, "Your Majesty, this servant doesn't know."

"It seems that Ciqing Palace is really just concerned about His Majesty?"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple."

Empress Dowager Wu put away the letter, shaking her head.

"But what Ciqing Palace said makes sense. Imperial descendants are the top priority of the harem. The Emperor is busy with state affairs and neglects the harem. I should remind the Emperor."

Empress Dowager Wu handed the letter to Ju Shuang, "Take it and burn it, don't leave any traces."

"Then call Fu Dahai and accompany me to Qianqing Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Empress Dowager Wu changed her clothes, and after Ju Shuang burned the letter, she went to Qianqing Palace with her ceremonial guard.

Inside Qianqing Palace, Zhu You樘 was eating refreshments and reading a book when a young eunuch came to report.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Wu requests an audience."

Empress Dowager Wu?

What is she doing here?

Zhu You樘 put down the book in his hand, "Quickly invite the Empress Dowager in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Before long, Empress Dowager Wu walked into the East Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace, and Zhu You樘 stood up to greet her.

"Your Majesty…"

"Mother, please sit down quickly."

Zhu You樘 stepped forward, took Empress Dowager Wu's hand, and helped her to sit on the soft couch.

"The weather is so cold, why do you have time to come to my Qianqing Palace, Mother?"

"Is there enough charcoal in Ren Shou Palace? If not, I can have the Xixin Department send some more red luo charcoal over."

Empress Dowager Wu smiled, "There is enough charcoal in Ren Shou Palace, it's so warm that I feel a bit stuffy."

"I'm just a little worried about you. You've been busy with the affairs of the court and have neglected the concubines in the harem."

"The most important thing in the harem is to have children for you, Your Majesty, and continue the imperial line."

"But I heard that you haven't favored the harem for almost half a month. How can you have children for the royal family like this?"

"I'm still waiting to enjoy the joy of having grandchildren."

Zhu You樘 looked at Empress Dowager Wu, frowning slightly, "Mother, who told you about this?"

"Hehe, does this need someone to tell me?"

"Just look at the 'Record of Favors' in the Department of Palace Affairs, and everything is clear, isn't it?"

Zhu You樘 lowered his eyes and nodded, "Mother is right, I have been neglecting the harem recently."

"Tonight, I will summon someone to serve me."

"Good, it's settled then."

Empress Dowager Wang looked towards the entrance of the East Warm Pavilion, "Fu Dahai."

"Yes, this servant greets Your Majesty, greets Empress Dowager."

Fu Dahai came in carrying a tray with nameplates on it, kneeling before Zhu You樘, presenting the tray.

"Please flip a nameplate, Your Majesty."

Zhu You樘 swept his hand over the five nameplates, and finally flipped the one with Consort Kang's name on it.

Empress Dowager Wu smiled slightly upon seeing this, very satisfied.

"Then I won't disturb you any longer. You must take care of your health, Your Majesty. No matter how busy you are with state affairs, you must take care of your health."

Empress Dowager Wu achieved her goal and got up to leave.

"Mother, walk slowly. When I have time, I will go to Ren Shou Palace to pay my respects to you."

After Zhu You樘 saw Empress Dowager Wu out of Qianqing Palace, he looked at the snow scene in the capital, lost in thought.

...

Just as it reached You time (5-7 pm), the Department of Palace Affairs promptly sent Zhang Wan'er into Qianqing Palace.

Zhang Wan'er today was clearly carefully dressed.

Not only was her makeup exquisite, but she also had a faint plum fragrance on her body.

Zhang Wan'er was pleasantly surprised. Although she had previously received the news from Ciqing Palace that Zhu You樘 would summon her to serve him.

But when she really returned to Qianqing Palace, Zhang Wan'er was still overjoyed.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty."

Zhang Wan'er came before Zhu You樘 and respectfully saluted.

"Rise, sit."

Zhu You樘 ate his supper, glancing at Zhang Wan'er indifferently.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Wan'er got up, sat in front of Zhu You樘, and diligently served him food.

"It's only been a few days, but Your Majesty has become thinner."

"No matter how busy you are with government affairs, Your Majesty should take care of your health."

Zhu You樘 noticed the jade bracelet on Zhang Wan'er's wrist, but said nothing, only nodding, "I know, I've been too busy these past few days."

"What have you been doing these past few days?"

"This concubine is preparing Your Majesty's Winter Solstice gift. I can't tell Your Majesty yet. This concubine wants to give Your Majesty a surprise."

"Hehe, alright, then I'll wait for your surprise."

Zhu You樘 and Zhang Wan'er ate their meal and chatted for a few words.

After finishing the meal and rinsing his mouth, Zhu You樘 sat on the soft couch and picked up the unfinished memorial on his hand.

Zhang Wan'er held a cup of hot tea in her hand, carefully placed it next to Zhu You樘's hand, and then sat on the soft couch, kneeling beside Zhu You樘.

"Your Majesty is working so hard, let this concubine massage Your Majesty's body?"

"Alright."

Zhang Wan'er reached out her hand, carefully and gently kneading the acupoints on the back of Zhu You樘's head, mentioning it seemingly unintentionally.

"Your Majesty, this concubine was bored yesterday and read a bit of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' to relieve boredom. When I read one of the sentences, this concubine felt it was even reasonable."

"Oh? Which sentence?" Zhu You樘 asked casually.

"When Emperor Wu of Wei conquered Xiapi City in the past, he executed Lu Bu, but intentionally persuaded Chen Gong to return."

"But Chen Gong would rather die than surrender, so Emperor Wu of Wei asked Chen Gong: What about your old mother and wife?"

"Chen Gong replied: I have heard that those who govern the world with filial piety do not harm the relatives of others; those who implement benevolent governance in the world do not cut off the sacrifices of others."

"This concubine feels that this sentence is very reasonable. Since ancient times, emperors have governed the world with filial piety…"

Zhu You樘 turned his head to look at Zhang Wan'er, Zhang Wan'er met Zhu You樘's cold eyes, and was immediately shocked.

Before she could react, a loud slap landed on Zhang Wan'er's face.

Zhang Wan'er immediately felt a burning pain on her face. She covered her face, opened her mouth in pain and shock, but dared not utter a cry of pain.

She quickly got up and walked off the soft couch, kneeling before Zhu You樘 in fear, "This concubine should not have discussed state affairs, this concubine was confused and misspoke, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Zhu You樘 withdrew his hand, staring at Zhang Wan'er expressionlessly, "Who told you to say that?"

Zhang Wan'er panicked, "No one, this concubine occasionally saw this sentence…"

"Was it Empress Dowager Wang!"

Zhu You樘 raised his voice, immediately frightening Zhang Wan'er into silence, and all the palace maids in the entire East Warm Pavilion knelt down.

"Good, Empress Dowager Wang can't see me, so she sends my concubine to persuade me, really playing a good game."

"Fu Dahai!"

"This servant is here."

Fu Dahai, who was guarding outside Qianqing Palace, heard Zhu You樘's roar and quickly trotted to Zhu You樘 and knelt down.

"Strip Consort Kang of her title, demote her to Attendant, and confine her to Xianfu Palace!"

"Without my order, no one is allowed to visit Zhang!"

Fu Dahai raised his head in horror, saw Zhu You樘's face full of anger, and quickly accepted the order.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhang Wan'er heard Zhu You樘's decree and was immediately frightened pale.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This concubine was only confused for a moment, this concubine knows her mistake, please do not strip this concubine of her title!"

Zhang Wan'er kowtowed repeatedly to Zhu You樘, Zhu You樘 waved his hand impatiently, "Drag her out."

"Yes."

Fu Dahai gave a look, and several palace maids stepped forward and dragged Zhang Wan'er out of the East Warm Pavilion.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, this concubine knows her mistake, please don't…"

After Zhang Wan'er was dragged out of the East Warm Pavilion, the East Warm Pavilion returned to its previous tranquility.

Fu Dahai carefully asked again, "Your Majesty, should I change another concubine to serve you?"

Zhu You樘 was very angry now, so he nodded.

Fu Dahai immediately took the order and left. When he entered the East Warm Pavilion again, he had a silver plate for flipping nameplates in his hand.

However, at this time, there were only four nameplates in the silver plate, missing the one with Consort Kang's name on it.

Fu Dahai presented the silver plate to Zhu You樘, Zhu You樘 reached out and swiped through the nameplates, and finally flipped the nameplate with the name Chen Jieyu.

"Yes."

Fu Dahai took the order and left, quickly calling the eunuch of the Department of Palace Affairs to carry the sedan chair to Jingren Palace.

As soon as he entered Jingren Palace, Fu Dahai hurriedly ran to Yuqing Tower.

"Chen Jieyu, hurry, hurry, quickly tidy up and go to Qianqing Palace to serve His Majesty!"

Fu Dahai ran so fast that he was sweating profusely in the cold winter.

Chen Yuanyuan was about to remove her makeup and go to bed when she suddenly received the imperial order to serve the Emperor, and she was still confused.

After reacting, Chen Yuanyuan was both surprised and delighted, "Eunuch Fu, what's going on?"

"Didn't His Majesty already summon Consort Kang to serve him today? Why suddenly…"

"Oh dear, please don't mention Consort Kang's name anymore, Little Mistress!"

Fu Dahai was anxious, "Just now, I don't know what happened, Attendant Zhang angered His Majesty, and was stripped of her title by His Majesty, demoted to Attendant, and confined to Xianfu Palace."

"Now His Majesty is waiting in Qianqing Palace, Little Mistress, don't ask so much, hurry up and move."

"Ah?"

When Chen Yuanyuan heard that Zhang Wan'er had been stripped of her title and demoted to Attendant, she was first delighted, then felt a little panic.

Zhu You樘 was currently in a fit of rage, and suddenly summoned her to serve him. What if she did something wrong, wouldn't she be easily affected by Zhu You樘's anger?

Chen Yuanyuan was worried, but the imperial order could not be violated, so she could only agree.

"Okay, please wait a moment, Eunuch Fu, I'll prepare myself and come."

"Then this servant will wait outside the hall. When Little Mistress is ready, just give a shout."

Eunuch Fu said, and withdrew from Yuqing Tower.