Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

So much had happened that night that the palace seemed to be completely silent.
But the truth was, there were many people who stayed up all night.

 

   Many servants from Qianqing Palace went missing overnight.
The lights from the Department of Punishment also did not extinguish the entire night.
Screams sounded from time to time, like vengeful ghosts.

 

   The next day, before the sky even turned bright, An Wang, Dai Wang, Yong Wang, Jin Wang and the others, as well as the eldest imperial grandson, all came to Qianqing Palace to see the emperor.

 

   Qianqing Palace, immersed in the hazy morning mist, resembled a beast in deep sleep.

 

   To be honest, none of them wanted to be here at this time, but with what happened last night, they had no choice but to go with the flow.
Since they were all informed about the assassination, the only thing they could do was express their concern at the first instant possible.

 

   When was the first instant possible? It was as early as they could awake.

 

   An Wang was the first to arrive.
On occasions like these, he never lagged behind others.
When Jin Wang and the others arrived, they all noticed the thick layer of dew on An Wang’s clothes.
It was clear that he had been standing there for a long time.

 

   Emperor Hongjing hadn’t got up yet, and no one dared to come out to greet these princes.
There was nothing to do but stand there at the main entrance and wait.
After a while, everyone who should have arrived, arrived.

 

   Obviously, there were people paying attention to all this in the dark so they didn’t dare to act perfunctory or lag behind others.

 

   “Didn’t expect second brother to have come here so early,” commented Yong Wang.

 

   An Wang looked at his younger brothers, “Last night, an assassin infiltrated Qianqing Palace, so this prince couldn’t sleep all night.
Since sleep refused to arrive, it would be better to come here earlier to watch over Father Emperor.”

 

   An Wang was always keen to express his filial piety, but how sincere he was, was unknown.
But even if he was only acting, others couldn’t help but admire his dedication.

 

   What the crown prince could do, An Wang could also do.
What the crown prince failed to do, An Wang could still do.
People who didn’t know who he was, would assume that he was the eldest and the crown prince based on how he treated his Father Emperor and his younger brothers.

 

   “Second brother is really filial.”

 

   Lu Wang cupped his hands lazily, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
An Wang heard it but acted as if he didn’t hear it.
At least, there was nothing on the surface.

 

   “Imperial nephew is also here.
There’s no need to take the matter of your father and mother consort to heart.
It’s been hard on you, child,” said Lu Wang, turning towards Zhao Zuo who was standing behind him.
Despite his false display of affection, he couldn’t hide his schadenfreude.

 

   Zhao Zuo showed a light smile on his face, but the hands hidden in his sleeves clenched.
He said in a light voice, “Nothing is as important as the dragon body of Grandfather Emperor.
Who knows where an assassin got such big guts to even dare to come to the palace to kill someone.
Treating the palace as his own place to come and go freely, this kind of person should have all nine generations of his family executed by a thousand cuts when caught! Maybe then he’ll learn to not seek trouble for himself.”

 

    This was the first time the eldest imperial grandson, who has always been respectful and elegant, said words like these.
It was obvious that these recent events had frazzled him, causing him to be unable to hold back the frustration in his heart.

 

   Lu Wang laughed.
“It seems that imperial nephew is quite resentful.
Sixth uncle knows you are annoyed, but there’s no need to get angry with your sixth uncle.
It’s not…”

 

   “Enough, old sixth.
No need to say so much!” Dai Wang, who had always been taciturn, scolded.

 

   Lu Wang snorted coldly and didn’t say anything else.

 

   After such a scene, there was still no movement in the main hall, not even a light was turned on.

 

   Two eunuchs hurried over from the direction of the tea room, bowed their heads and saluted to Jin Wang and the others.
“Your Highnesses, His Majesty hasn’t woken up yet.
His Majesty went to sleep late last night, and this servant doesn’t dare to bring you inside…”

 

   An Wang waved his hand indifferently.
“It’s not a problem for us to wait.
Carry on with your duties.”

 

   Then the two eunuchs really did walk away, leaving An Wang and others standing in the morning mist, waiting in silence.

 

   As time passed, the sky grew brighter.
All the palace maids and eunuchs seemed to have gotten up and were busy coming and going.
But there was still no sound of movement inside.

 

   Although many of them were surprised, no one said anything.
The sky turned brighter as the sun rose, casting a warm orange glow.

 

   It seemed that morning court that day would be late or even cancelled.

 

   Indeed, it didn’t take long before Li Dequan hurriedly walked out from inside.

 

   His face was pallid, and he seemed to have not slept at all the entire night.
Seeing An Wang and the others, he seemed a bit surprised.
“Your Highnesses, His Majesty’s dragon body is not in good condition and today’s morning court may need to be cancelled.
His Majesty has just woken up and asked me to pass on this message.”

 

   “Understood, Eunuch Li.”

 

   Li Dequan went out then came back, but the princes still didn’t receive any summons for them to go inside.
In the past, even if Emperor Hongjing was busy meeting with officials, there would still be eunuchs inviting them to the teahouse to wait.
But today, not to mention being summoned inside, they didn’t even have a cold bench to sit on.

 

   It appeared to be that Emperor Hongjing was deliberately leaving his sons hanging, to remind them of the imperial sovereign’s power.

 

   A little eunuch came out from inside.
With his eyes lowered, he said to Zhao Zuo, “Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to go inside to speak.”

 

   With that said, Zhao Zuo glanced around at his uncles, then he straightened his clothes and followed the little eunuch inside.

 

   Lu Wang murmured without restrain, “This little bastard…”

 

   Although his voice was quiet, everyone still heard it.

 

   So, Emperor Hongjing still favoured his eldest imperial grandson?

 

   Or-

 

   Jin Wang glanced at the half-closed palace gates, then withdrew his gaze, and continued to stand there.

 

   … 

 

   The large Kang in the east chamber was covered with a bright yellow mattress, backrest and armrest.

 

   On it, sat Emperor Hongjing cross-legged, with teacups on the table next to him.
Standing in the corner of the room were two eunuchs with their gaze focused on the ground.
Li Dequan stood beside Emperor Hongjing, serving him his medicine.

 

   When Zhao Zuo came in, he knelt at the feet of Emperor Hongjing.
“Grandfather Emperor…”

 

   Emperor Hongjing downed the last gulp of medicine.
Li Dequan hurriedly took the medicine bowl from his hands and offered a cup of tea over.
Emperor Hongjing took two sips of tea, then slowly let out a sigh.
“What are you crying about?”

 

   That’s right, Zhao Zuo was crying.