Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 838 - 840 Escape from the Wolf’s Den (2)

Chapter 838: Chapter 840 Escape from the Wolf’s Den (2)

In the Silk Palace

Jin Guifei, looking wan and feeble, sat back against the headboard of a babu bed with her eyes tightly closed. Her already drooping mouth corners were pinched tightly together, giving the impression that she might erupt in a furious outburst at any moment. Everyone in the entire Palace was on tenterhooks, attending to her with utmost caution, daring not to make the slightest mistake, lest they become an outlet for the Empress’s unwarranted venting of wrath and consequently lose their little lives.

A few days ago, the court had received news of King Qin’s successful recapture of Lingbei, and with that, Jin Guifei’s illness suddenly worsened, her temper rising as her condition deteriorated. In just a few days, the Silk Palace had executed four or five eunuchs and palace maids for making mistakes and injured or maimed a dozen more. In reality, everyone understood that these pitiful servants hadn’t committed any unspeakable sins; it was merely Jin Guifei finding fault in eggs and venting her own fear and resentment through punishing them.

With King Qin having established his great military achievements, his return to the capital was imminent. To Jin Guifei and The Prince, this was undoubtedly a deadly threat. The Prince, now disabled, faced inevitable deposition. King Qin, being a legitimate son, already had substantial support from the old ministers to rise to power. Now, with his military achievements as his capital, he would naturally become the next Crown Prince, take charge of the East Palace, and eventually inherit the vast country of Great Jin.

Jin Guifei and The Prince had come to realize this and could no longer rest easy. If King Qin became the heir apparent and later inherited the throne, the first to be targeted after his ascension would be them, mother and son. By then, it wouldn’t just be wealth and honor at stake, but even their lives would not be secure.

Therefore, Jin Guifei, regardless of the true culprit behind The Prince’s attempted murder, instructed her agents to shift the investigation toward Duke Li Guo’s Mansion. She believed that if it was proven that the Duke Li Guo’s Mansion was behind the crime, The Emperor would naturally associate Empress Mo and King Qin as the masterminds. If The Prince were deposed, the greatest beneficiaries would be King Qin and The Empress. Consequently, The Emperor wouldn’t just refrain from appointing King Qin as the Crown Prince, he would also punish him for his malicious intentions.

However, after the Temple of Dali clarified the circumstances, The Emperor did not bring charges against the State Duke’s Mansion. Instead, he simply placed it under house arrest, and he didn’t even strip the Duke of his title. What did this mean? Could it be that The Emperor had already decided to appoint King Qin as the heir and had completely given up on The Prince, to the extent of no longer inquiring into the attempted murder that caused his disability?

This terrifying thought struck her with near madness. She resolved not to sit by and wait for death, not to let King Qin ascend. No matter the cost, she was determined to pull down Empress Mo and King Qin!

"Your Highness, Sun Maotai from the Jade Palace seeks an audience!"

A palace maid entered the hall gingerly, reporting in a soft and tentative voice.

Jin Guifei lifted her eyelids slightly, weary, and instructed, "Let him in!"

"Yes!"

The palace maid, as if she had just walked past the Ghost Gate, quickly left the hall after responding.

Shortly after, Sun Maotai entered, and after paying his respects to Jin Guifei, said in his high-pitched voice, "Reporting to Your Highness, this servant has conveyed the messages according to your instructions. Upon hearing them, Empress Mo initially became highly agitated, but later on, she returned to a calm state."

Jin Guifei, caressing her long nail guards, pondered for a while, and said, "Relax the surveillance on her, but have someone secretly keep a close watch. She is bound to take action in the next few days. When the time comes, we will catch her red-handed and present the evidence to The Emperor. I refuse to believe The Emperor can continue to show her favor, time and time again!"

"Yes!"

"Also, tell the people in the Palace to give her a harder time in the coming days. It would be best if they could break her down, make her collapse, make her unable to bear it!"

With a distressed look, Sun Maotai said, "Your Highness, Empress Mo is incredibly resilient. This servant has done his utmost to harass and humiliate her, but her emotions have remained stable throughout, and it seems she hasn’t been affected in the slightest, let alone made contact with anyone!"