Page 253

The trees that stand out in the forest, the wind will topple.

Alas, when the Emperor wanted to dote exclusively on the little maiden, she knew such a day would come, just not so swiftly.

From now on, she must be even more cautious.

The Emperor said, "Nanny speaks truth, but in those dire times, the harem was unstable. It was necessary to choose between Liu Lingyi and her, and since Liu Lingyi had ruined her health, I had no choice but to elevate her to manage the harem."

Back in the days of the former court, when the situation was still unstable, he cleaned up the harem and urgently needed to promote someone to manage it effectively, hence he elevated Xue Wanjun, who was then Consort Xue.

Xue Wanjun did not disappoint him, being a capable woman. She quickly stabilized the situation without much need for his attention.

How should it be said? The initial Xue Wanjun was indeed obedient, and over the years, she truly managed the harem well, sparing him half the worries.

However, it was precisely his laissez-faire approach that led to Xue Wanjun having no one in the harem to check her, allowing her ambitions to swell daily.

This led to today’s consequences, forming cliques and blatantly ostracizing his favored Little Concubine.

Nanny Qi sneered, "Xue Wanjun has always been overly scheming. I fear that Consort Liu’s ruin of health might not be unrelated to her."

As she spoke, Nanny Qi glanced at the Emperor and asked outright, "Emperor, you won’t just let her continue like this, will you? If so, I fear..."

The little maiden is now with child and naive, cherished exclusively by the Emperor; she is the first target that Xue Wanjun and her cohort want to eliminate.

With them guarding her strictly, it’s still manageable. But with constant vigilance day and night, what if there is a lapse in an unseen corner? What could be done if something happens?

Surely they cannot keep the little maiden confined in Canglan Court from now on?

The promotion ceremony to elevate her status to Beauty was exceptionally omitted.

In the future, there will be many events in the harem that require the little maiden’s presence, such as the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival feast. These are inevitable, and the storm that is meant to come will eventually arrive.

Surrounded by a pack of wolves, what can the little maiden do?

Today, the Emperor issued a warning by making an example out of someone; it treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Just wait and see, as time passes, those people will grow restless, and various schemes will emerge.

The Emperor, with a cold aura and a glint of chill in his eyes, softly said, "Nanny Qi, it won’t always be like this. But the Xue Family has deep roots..." it’s not yet time to act...

The voice was very soft, dispersed by the wind.

Nanny Qi faintly heard it clearly, startled in her heart, she guessed the unspoken implications—the Emperor intended to...

She quickly looked around at the surrounding servants, seeing that they were all far away, she was relieved.

This matter involved court politics, of grave importance and extensive implications, not a hint of it could be leaked.

If any ordinary servant heard this, no matter whether from the Star Palace or not, they could only be left deaf and mute. If any could write, they would have to be killed.

With every major political upheaval, blood is shed in abundance. If a servant hears something, they can only blame their own misfortune and not others.

Fortunately, Zhang Qing was well-aware, and after Xiao Linzi finished speaking, he chased everyone far away.

Major matters of the former court, the Emperor kept to himself, likely scheming grandly. She dare not and could not inquire further.

Once the Xue Family fell, so did Xue Wanjun. As the saying goes, ’when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter’; the others are mostly not to be feared.

Nanny Qi concealed her alarm and her expression returned to normal, bowing to the Emperor before dispersing.

The Emperor watched Nanny Qi leave. Tonight, he had revealed but a few words, just enough to reassure the nanny.

The Internal Guard Bureau had been fully dispatched by Cao De, a vast net had been woven over many years, and it was almost time to gather it in.

His original plan was to dismantle these people one by one, ensuring they had no power to resist and to settle this matter bloodlessly, thereby granting them a peaceful old age.

If it were not for these people’s insatiable greed and their recent intensified interference in the Harem, he would not have considered using severe measures.

The Emperor’s gaze was deep and icy as he turned his head to look toward the Side Hall, his eyes softened slightly with warmth.

Thinking of something, he shouted towards the distance, "Zhang Qing, summon Hu Miaomiao to see Us."

"Yes."

The voice of Zhang Qing came from afar, and after a while, someone hurried off.

Shortly after, a plump eunuch with a cheerful smile on his face came running from afar at a surprisingly fast pace for his round physique, rolling forward like a ball.

Before he even approached, his jubilant voice could be heard, "His Majesty, do not be anxious. Your servant is here, Your servant has arrived."

The person who arrived was indeed Hu Miaomiao.

It was rumored in the palace that apart from Zhang Qing, His Majesty had a shadow-like Chief Eunuch by his side, commanding a team of Shadow Guards to secure His Majesty’s safety and handle some affairs outside the palace, with Zhang Qing managing internal affairs and Hu Miaomiao managing external ones.

This shadow eunuch was rarely seen in the Harem, or rather, even if someone had seen him, they would never guess it was Hu Miaomiao, especially since the eunuch in command of the Shadow Guards was this white fatty.

Most people only knew Hu Miaomiao as the white fatty, Fat Master, or little fatty; his full name was unknown. His appearance and voice were jovial, and he always spoke joyfully, always bearing a smiling face, making him seem very approachable.

If Cao De appeared harmless but his aura occasionally betrayed a hint of viciousness, making no one dare to underestimate him upon first meeting, Hu Miaomiao was the opposite, exuding an inviting and easily deceived aura from inside out, often gaining favor with ease, skilled in sweet-talking people to the skies.

Yet, if anyone considered him harmless, they would be gravely mistaken. He could be basking with someone in pleasant conversation one moment, and the next, still smiling, he could twist off their wrist—a truly ruthless character.

After inviting him, Zhang Qing stood nearby waiting for instructions.

Not winded in the least, Hu Miaomiao quickly reached the Emperor, dove into a bow, grabbed the Emperor’s leg, and shouted loudly, "His Majesty, Your servant has missed you terribly.

Not seeing you for many days, you appear even more majestic.

Now that there is peace under the heavens and tranquility across the seas, all thanks to Your dual prowess in civil and military governance, Your talents are even greater than those of Yao and Shun. .."

The Emperor shivered with disgust. Hu Miaomiao was all well and good except for this one incorrigible trait; he kicked him away saying, "You slavish cur, roll aside. We summoned you not to hear this nonsense."

Using the strength from the Emperor’s kick, Hu Miaomiao tumbled and rolled away, dusted off his robe, and cheerily said, "What does Your Majesty command? Your servant will dedicate all efforts, striving to my utmost until death."

"How is the situation at the Main Hall of Canglan Court?" the Emperor asked.

Beaming, Hu Miaomiao replied, "Everything is well at Your Majesty’s Main Hall. We caught a few who were stirring trouble, and your servant has thoroughly investigated them. They were just one or two Minor Imperial Censors snooping around, insignificant really, so I dealt with them privately."

These two were probably stirred up by Imperial Censor Wu’s decree, tempted by others to see if the renovation at the Main Hall of Canglan Court exceeded prescriptions and how extravagant it was.