The Fushou Palace had an empty main hall. Outside the hall stood two rows of eunuchs and court ladies respectfully, waiting to be dispatched. In the hall, eight gilt pillars propped up the entire beam. The quietness made even a needle falling on the ground sounded harsh. Only occasionally, the sound of chess playing was heard. As the last chess piece fell on the white jade chessboard, the black pieces surrounded the white ones and checkmated.
Queen Mother, who used the black chess, leaned back. Her eyes were full of carefreeness even though she knew that the palace maids and eunuchs outside had been changed to Sima Ray’s people to monitor her words and deeds.
“Sister, you have lost again.” Queen Mother took a sip of tea and looked at Old Madam of Prince Ning’s Mansion, who was sitting cross-legged on the woolen cushion in front of her. “On chess, you have never beaten me. Your heart is too big, too aggressive, which is why I lose to you every time I hunt. I lack the courage you have, and you are not as calm as me.”
Old Madam also smiled, “You must be calm enough to sit on the throne of Queen Mother. On the contrary, I was just an ordinary old lady who wants to watch my children and grandchildren running up and down the hall. For them, I can keep fighting.” Old Madam raised her eyebrows slightly and placed a white jade-made chess piece in a seemingly inconspicuous place. It reversed the situation on the chessboard, and the white chess turned defeat into victory.
Queen Mother frowned. She seemed a little surprised, and then said bitterly, “You forgot, my favorite Princess Qinghe was no longer here, I have no children and grandchildren to guard.”
“What about Changxi? Even though he was the son of Jing Donghua, the libertine of West Xia, he was also born by Qinghe after ten months of pregnancy. The blood inside him is also of the Qi royal family.” Old Madam said as her fingers played with a white and a black chess piece by her hand, “Evil can’t overcome righteousness, after all. Sister, you have been calm and indifferent in this Fushou Palace for too long. Have you thought that sometimes, it is not time that had polished your fighting spirit, but you gave yourself up.”
“I’m getting old.” Queen Mother closed her eyes, and the court lady next to her immediately put on a warm fox fur cloak for her.
Old Madam looked down and sighed, “The country wasn’t that old, and I dare not rest. Sister, how about you?”
Outside the Qiankun Palace, Sima Han, who had already lived outside the palace and was named Prince Fu, suddenly took his concubine Qin Yuzhao into the palace to visit Emperor Zhaoxuan. The unfamiliar eunuchs along the way made Sima Han even more certain of the message that the mysterious man gave him. Sima Ray had secretly betrayed the Royal Palace.
Sima Han didn’t want Qin Yuzhao to come along, but she insisted.
“The husband and wife are birds of the same forest. When a disaster is approaching, I can’t escape alone. I can only feel at ease where I can see you.”
Sima Han stood outside the hall, apparently in the stalemate with the imperial physician. He looked like a child with a temper and said impatiently to the imperial physician guarding outside, “I don’t care, my father is sick, and I’m worried. I have to go in and see.”
“My lord, your majesty has already fallen asleep. Your noise will only disturb his rest.” The head of the Imperial Hospital was the top doctor Zhao. He was also a long-time helper of Sima Ray in the hospital.
Qin Yuzhao followed, “Imperial doctor, our master came eagerly as soon as he heard that the emperor was unwell. You must let us do our filial piety.”
“I will convey your filial piety, Fourth brother.” A sharp male voice broke the deadlock, and Sima Ray walked leisurely from the side of the palace with a smile. He looked like an older brother cherishing his younger brother.
“Third Brother.” Sima Han looked innocent, greeting Sima Ray as soon as he saw him. Then he pointed to the imperial doctor Zhao and said to Sima Ray, “Brother, this servant prevented me from going in to see the father. Scold him.”
Sima Ray glanced at the imperial doctor Zhao, who was obsequious and put on a kind face to persuade Sima Han, “Han, imperial doctor Zhao is right. Going in now will only disturb our father’s rest. Be careful of your ass when he complains.”
“I want to go in.” Sima Han appeared to be angry, beckoning to call a minor servant next to him, “You, open the way. Let’s break in.”
“Take Fourth Prince down.” Sima Ray suddenly turned hostile. Anyway, he had reached this point, and he doesn’t care about doing more.
“Who dares.” There was an angry shout in the air. The woman’s voice was energetic and petrifying, making everyone present stunned. The person who came was Queen Mother, who had been enjoying peace in the Fushou Palace. She dressed in a gorgeous style that looked magnificent and dazzling in the winter sun. Sitting on a sedan chair carried by sixteen people, she watched everything that happened in front of the Qiankun Palace from above.
Sima Ray realized after quite a while that the reason why he was so arrogant and bold was that he knew that Queen Mother had already left the field. But now she walked out of the Fushou Palace in such an arrogant manner, and none of his informants placed in the Fushou Palace came to tell him in advance.
“Queen Mother.” Sima Ray kneeled to greet her. The servants and imperial doctor Zhao also followed and kowtowed.
Queen Mother glanced at Sima Ray, speaking suddenly, “Who stopped Han from going inside?”
The two eunuchs who had just stopped Sima Han looked at each other, puzzled. Then they started to shiver, giving kowtows to Queen Mother.
Queen Mother didn’t seem to see it. She turned her head and said to the old lady of the Ning Palace, “Sister, I have heard that there is a maid named Yuanyang with excellent skills next to you. Can I borrow her for a while?”
Old Madam remained silent to show acquiescence.
“Yuanyang, take off the arms of those two servants who just touched Fourth Prince.”
“I beg for your mercy, Queen Mother. Please don’t.”
Queen Mother didn’t show any sign of mercy, “A servant should always be a servant. How could they compare with their masters? I just want to tell you, as people, you still have to know your own ability and identity, and don’t do things you are not sure of.” After all, Queen Mother looked at Sima Ray. From her eyes, he felt absolute hostility. The appearance of Queen Mother was one situation he missed.
He thought he had arranged everything successfully long ago. First, he coaxed Qin Yunzhuang and got the support of the Qin family and the remaining power of the Dou family. Then he cooperated with Princess Ning. Although later it failed, he also decisively solved the underlying problem of Princess Ning. And Princess Zhaojing was used to get rid of Leng Suxin, the princess who suddenly popped out waiting to be married to West Xia.
There was a characteristic of Sima Ray’s work. He would have dealt with those who were used as soon as possible. So when he coaxed Princess Zhaojing to agree to cooperate with him in such a court scandal and sent Sima Qiu into the Imperial Clan Court, he immediately sent someone to spill the strongest cold poison over the hairpin of Princess Zhaojing. He guessed that Princess Zhaojing wouldn’t have survived tonight. When people find her body the next day, they would only think Princess Zhaojing couldn’t bear the humiliation and hanged herself.
Queen Mother got down from the sedan and tried to walk inside the hall. Suddenly, Sima Ray fell on his knees, “Queen Mother, my father was ill. If you rush in, I’m afraid you would be infected.”
“He is my son. I will never be afraid of some illnesses. Stand by.” Queen Mother was very resolute, “Do you want to have both arms removed like those two eunuchs?”
Sima Han suddenly had the confidence, shouted to the young man just now, “Lead the way ahead, Duofu.”
Seeing such a large group of men and horses entering the inner hall like this, Sima Ray stood with his hands on his back and frowned at the end of the group. The imperial doctor Zhao on the side hurriedly stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Please rest assured, Third Prince. We have been giving enchanting powder to the emperor forty-nine days. Now he is sleepy. Even if he wakes up, as long as the rosemary on my body continues to emit a fragrance, the emperor will do what we say.”
Sima Ray frowned again, but his worries are half relieved, “It would be the best. Remember, we are on the same boat.”
The imperial doctor Zhao said faithfully, “I only listen to your orders.”
Inside the hall, there was the red sandalwood incense and swaying curtains. Queen Mother walked at the forefront. She stopped in front of the dragon couch where the emperor rested, turned around, and ordered the surrounding court ladies and eunuchs, “You all go away.”
The leading eunuch seemed to be confused, “The emperor ordered that servants shouldn’t leave the emperor alone, I…”
“Are you indicating that I couldn’t serve the emperor well?” Queen Mother knitted her brows with irresistible majesty. Everyone underneath took a deep breath and pushed each other out one by one. When they encountered Sima Ray, who was standing outside the hall, they all had embarrassed expressions. The eunuch explained hurriedly, “It’s Queen Mother…”
“I know. Go away.”
As they spoke, Old Madam’s servant-maid Yuanyang came and slammed the door, shutting Sima Ray out intentionally. Outside the red sandalwood door, Sima Ray smiled coldly. If he was caught so easily, how could he have the confidence to set up such a big game?
Queen Mother hurriedly raised Emperor Zhaoxuan in front of the dragon couch, calling out his name. Emperor Zhaoxuan seemed to have died in his sleep and didn’t respond.
“How could this happen?” Queen Mother brought Old Madam of Prince Ning’s Mansion over.
Old Madam frowned as she looked at him, worried, “He was likely drugged.”
Holding Emperor Zhaoxuan, Queen Mother’s hand trembled. Things like witchery and enchanting powder had been banned in Qi for a long time, but now…
“Perhaps, I could give it a try.” Duofu, who had been with Sima Han, suddenly stepped forward. He looked nothing more than an ordinary young man. Why did he stand out at this moment? Did he hide his real ability?
“Sister, what do you think?”
Queen Mother was very cautious, “why should I believe you?”
An inexplicable smile appeared on Duofu’s face. He grabbed the edge of his chin with his hand and suddenly pulled hard. A mask that had been covering his face fell from his face.
Old Madam was the first to realize.
“Changxi? Is it you?” Old Madam whispered, covering her mouth.
