Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 1118 - 1123: Secret Plot (4)

Chapter 1118: Chapter 1123: Secret Plot (4)

Chen Shangxi said, "Replying to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor did not summon the Imperial Physician. According to this servant’s guess, the Emperor is likely disturbed because today, the Governor of Qingzhou sent an urgent report stating that on Cangmeng Mountain in Yuanning County, Qingzhou, a monster’s skull was exposed by the rain. This skull, as large as a cart with two horns on top and a sharp horn on the nose tip, was thought by many to be a dragon’s skull."

"A dragon’s skull?"

Empress Dowager Mo was startled. "How can there be a dragon’s skull in broad daylight? What did the court ministers say?"

Chen Shangxi said, "This servant heard that the ministers all believed that since a dragon’s bone has appeared on Cangmeng Mountain, there must be dragon veins, and to prevent any risks, they have all petitioned His Majesty to have all the people within a hundred li exterminated to prevent future disasters!"

On hearing this, Empress Dowager Mo nodded and praised, "The ministers spoke well; for the eternal stability of Great Jin and to shield the people from the upheavals of a change of dynasty, it is only these people who must be wronged, ah, right, did the Emperor issue a decree?"

Chen Shangxi sighed heavily, his face tightened, "No, despite the ministers’ persistent admonitions, His Majesty stubbornly refuses—he only wants to transport that skull to the Capital, to examine it closely before deciding!"

"The Emperor is confused—"

Empress Dowager Mo dragged out her words, slapping the desk in frustration, "With evidence, there must be demons; such a significant matter, how could he hesitate? When did he become so merciful as a woman? If we wait until that skull is brought to the Capital, I fear the surrounding people would have already fled. Where would we catch them then? Really, ah!"

Princess Tuotuo interjected, "Empress Dowager, don’t worry. Although the Emperor refuses to order killings, it surely wouldn’t be difficult for him to issue a decree confining the people within a hundred li from leaving. Anyone violating this, let them be executed immediately. Once the skull is brought to the Capital and everyone inspects it clearly, if it truly is a dragon’s head, it’s still not too late to exterminate those people!"

On hearing this, Empress Dowager Mo paused for a while, then suddenly cracked a smile and said, "Tuotuo is indeed worthy of being a princess; her considerations are truly comprehensive."

"Thank You, Empress Dowager, for the compliment!"

Princess Tuotuo humbly replied, her demeanor excellent. Before she could use the Gu on the Emperor, she had to pretend to be obedient and clever to avoid any mishap.

"Empress Dowager, what shall we do now?"

Luo Xue anxiously looked at Empress Dowager Mo, fearing that the matter of the dragon skull might disturb her mood and derail the original plan. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Mo thought for a moment, stood up, and commanded, "Clear up the meals, follow me to Chengqian Palace, I am going to visit the Emperor in Chengqian Palace and dine with him."

"Yes!"

The palace servants responded in unison and went to prepare accordingly.

Empress Dowager Mo turned back and said to Tuotuo and Luo Xue, "You two wait here for now; I will call for you later."

"Yes!"

Princess Tuotuo and Luo Xue replied softly and tenderly. Princess Tuotuo even followed the etiquette of Great Jin women and bowed to Empress Dowager Mo.

Empress Dowager Mo, seated on a sedan carried by palace maids and eunuchs, headed majestically to Chengqian Palace. At that time, Nangong Yi was sitting on the kang by the window, dressed in a purple asymmetrical robe, reviewing memorials at the kang table. Seeing that the Empress Dowager had personally come, he hurriedly descended from the kang to greet her.

Empress Dowager Mo helped her son up, saying with concern, "It’s late morning already, and you still fuss over the memorials without eating; although court politics are crucial, your health cannot be neglected either."

Nangong Yi glanced at the hourglass and said, "It’s still early, eating a little later is also fine."

Empress Dowager Mo retorted, "Early? How much time has passed already, if you don’t eat now it will soon be noon, the Imperial Physician has said that meals must be regular and timely for good health. Speaking of which, it would be great if there were someone by your side who truly knows comfort and warmth!"