Fu Rou took out a bloodied fragrance pouch. “I want to know news about him.”
“Why would you want to upset yourself? Do you know what it means to hurt the heart?” Yan Zifang pointed to his own heart. “He got shot here. Even deities will find it difficult to save him. You should give up.” He turned to leave as soon as he spoke.
Fu Rou grabbed the fragrance pouch tightly. She did not believe a single word Yan Zifang said. Chumu was extremely skilled and was good with strategy. How could he have been shot? At the same time, her gaze fell on the scholar’s back.
Yan Zifang and Zhong Yutang were both selected by Prince Zhou and it goes without saying that they both gained Concubine Yan’s trust. That meant that Yan Zifang was working for Concubine Yan. The person that looked like a scholar was neither an internal attendant nor a guard. He was also not a military official. Since he appeared in the harem, it was obvious that Concubine Yan needed to use him.
But for what? Fu Rou thought about it as she left the Imperial Garden. As she walked through the long corridor, she arrived at a desolated courtyard. She pushed open the door to enter a room.
A voice floated out.
“The Empress has passed on and the Emperor is ill. I am old and will soon have no use. No one has any ability to go against them.” It was Wei Song’s voice.
“Stop nagging. You should rest and heal.”
Fu Rou remembered this voice.
It was Attendant Huang. He was once highly regarded by the Emperor and was on a similar rank as Chief Cao. However, in the past year, Chief Cao had the advantage and Attendant Huang did not get a chance to meet the Emperor.
Fu Rou walked in.
Attendant Huang stood up. “Court Lady Fu, you are here. I will leave first as I have things to do.”
“Attendant Huang.” She had wanted to ask Wei Song to give her ideas. “I did not expect you to come and visit Chief Wei.”
“Sigh, I sympathise with someone in a similar position of distress.” Attendant Huang chuckled bitterly. “Back then, the both of us did not interact much. But in this palace, who can predict their own outcome?”
Wei Song saw Fu Rou’s expression and sort of understood. “Brother, has things not been going well in the Internal Attendant Department?”
Attendant Huang sighed, “How can it be? I am basically like a grandchild to Cao Yangde.”
Fu Rou continued, “Chief Cao has recently been going to Concubine Yan’s palace often and seems to have gained Concubine Yan’s trust. He is watching over Ganlou Palace tightly for her. It is as if they are hiding some dark secret inside. Attendant Huang, have you seen or know anything?”
“I can’t go near either. Cao Yangde ah, he is even more proud with Concubine Yan backing him than when the Emperor backs him. Recently, he even reprimanded me. He doesn’t even know how to be human.” Because he was feeling down, he thought of coming to see Wei Song to comfort himself.
Wei Song made an oh sound. “Amongst the seniors in the Internal Attendant Department, only you are able to do anything to him. The Emperor has always looked upon you highly and Cao Yangde has only recently served the Emperor closely.”
Attendant Huang could sense it easily. “Very good, Chief Cao. Are you trying to ruin our relationship?”
Fu Rou said, “Chief Wei and I are just speaking the truth. It is a pity that recently, the days have been harder. Attendant Huang, don’t you feel the same?”
Attendant Huang’s voice faltered, “I am not stupid. I do not dare to involve myself in your issues.” He would not place his head on the line.
Fu Rou smiled, “You don’t have to be involved. If you see a new face, just help to take notice.”
“Don’t think about it.” Attendant Huang walked out.
Fu Rou could hear the determination in his voice and sighed lightly.
Wei Song coughed twice. He sounded weak yet steady. “Court Lady Fu, do not be anxious. An old hand knows the ropes. He is someone with a lot of experience in the palace. He knows what is good and bad.”
Fu Rou was still considered young and she did not really believe him. Unexpectedly, someone knocked on her door that very night. She opened the door only to see Attendant Huang. At that very moment, she was full with admiration for Wei Song. This was wisdom that came with experience.
“Attendant Huang?” She did not show any of the emotions she was feeling. “It is very late. Is there something wrong?”
Attendant Huang threw a nervous glance over his shoulder before stepping into her room. When he closed the door, he looked around once more.
Fu Rou was secretly delighted. She was going to receive great news.
“This time I am done because of you!” Attendant Huang immediately complained.
Fu Rou wanted to argue back. After all, when she made the suggestion, he outrightly rejected her. However, she chose to tolerate it. This was not the time to be stubborn.
“Why?” Her voice was calm.
“There was a new face in the Imperial Library. I saw that he was behaving suspiciously with Cao Yangde and thought of what you said. Therefore, I snuck a look.” Attendant Huang took out two pieces of paper, a horrified expression on his face. “Look for yourself! Bless my life!”
Fu Rou took it to have a look. Her eyebrows slowly furrowed as her gaze slowly became clear. On the paper, it was written that the Emperor agreed that he was getting older and his health could no longer bear the heavy burden. He was willing to spend his later days at the Grand Emperor. He will be succeeded by his third son, Li Ge.
“This…” This was an imperial order for succession of the throne?
Attendant Huang looked miserable. “Court lady Fu, you are right…” A lot of courage was needed to say those words. “They are going to seize the throne!”
It is not possible for an imperial order for succession to be written on paper. Moreover, the words were weird looking. Some of the words looked as if they were written by the Emperor whereas others do not. Fu Rou suddenly thought of the scholar covered in a green cloth and everything became clear.
“Concubine Yan found someone to copy the Emperor’s handwriting?”
Attendant Huang snorted, “What else?”
Fu Rou’s expression turned serious.
“What should we do?” It was Attendant Huang’s turn to urge her.
“...” Fu Rou fell silent for a moment. “Looking at the words, they have yet to replicate his handwriting exactly. Moreover, the imperial decree for succession must abide by the law. There is still one important thing. Maybe there is still a chance to stop Concubine Yan and Chief Cao’s scheme.”
Attendant Huang understood as well. “The Emperor’s Seal!”
Chapter 96.2: Raging Waves
Peace did not last for many days in the palace before the dark wave surged violently once again.
Yu He and Zhong Yutang brought the imperial guard army to search everywhere. They said that Fu Rou had an ulterior motive and was impolite to Concubine Yan and they were capturing her for her crime. The people in the Six Offices were frantic. No one knew that it was Fu Rou that took away the Emperor’s Seal and caused Concubine Yan to be unable to place the seal on the imperial decree that she worked so hard to fabricate. Moreover, Prince Zhou’s request for all the ministers and officials to gather had already been sent out. It will be extremely disgraceful if they could not produce the imperial order for succession by then. Hence, Concubine Yan could not care anymore and openly looked for her.