Inside Moon Viewing Pavilion, Xi Xiang presented a letter to Princess Consort Zhen.
"Your Highness, this is a letter from Princess Consort Zhao. Please take a look."
Hearing it was a letter from her younger sister, Hua Qingqing immediately reached out and took it.
She asked as she opened the envelope, "Where is the messenger?"
Xi Xiang replied, "Still waiting outside. They said they need to wait for your reply."
Hua Qingqing unfolded the letter.
Her younger sister stated in the letter that she already knew what had happened in the palace and that she herself had also entered the palace.
When she read this, Hua Qingqing’s breath caught in her throat.
’My younger sister came to the palace too!’
’She’s pregnant right now! What if something happens to her?!’
Hua Qingqing hurriedly continued reading.
Her younger sister wrote that Prince Zhao could help resolve the current crisis. However, she had one condition: she hoped the Emperor would issue a decree granting Prince Zhao a fiefdom, allowing him to live far away from Shangjing and spend the rest of his life in peace.
If the Empress Dowager could accept this condition, Prince Zhao would return to Shangjing as soon as possible to rescue the Saint from Water and Fire.
The letter ended there.
Hua Qingqing understood her younger sister’s meaning.
’My sister doesn’t want Prince Zhao to work for the Emperor and Empress Dowager for nothing. She wants to negotiate the terms first to prevent the Emperor from discarding him once he’s served his purpose.’
Hua Qingqing held the letter to a candle flame, letting it be consumed by the fire and turn to ash.
She walked to the small bed and looked at the sleeping Seventh Prince, her mind racing.
’Originally, I didn’t want the Seventh Prince to get involved in the whirlpool of competition for the throne.’
’The Seventh Prince is still too young. He has no ability to protect himself, and it would be very dangerous if he were dragged into this.’
’But in this situation, even if he does nothing, Prince Wu Zhang might not spare him.’
’Rather than sit here and wait for death, I should fight for a chance!’
’If the Seventh Prince is fortunate enough to take that position, I can rule from behind the curtain as the Empress Dowager. Then I can give my younger sister everything she wants.’
’Rather than rely on the Emperor, I’d rather rely on myself!’
Thinking of this, Hua Qingqing had made up her mind.
She gave Xi Xiang a quiet order.
"When the people from the Imperial Kitchen arrive later, disguise yourself as me like last time. Hold the fort for a while. I need to make a trip to Biquan Palace."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Disguised as a little eunuch delivering food, Hua Qingqing slipped out of Moon Viewing Pavilion.
She arrived at Biquan Palace and met the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager had been in a constant state of anxiety recently and had lost a lot of weight as a result.
When she saw Hua Qingqing, it was as if she had seen her savior. She said hurriedly,
"You’re finally here! I already had someone send a letter to Bian Ziming, but he hasn’t replied. I don’t know what his stance is. He wouldn’t switch sides at the last minute, would he?"
Hua Qingqing soothed her in a gentle voice.
"It’s all right. Bian Ziming has already conveyed your intentions to Prince Zhao.
But you must understand, with the Saint unconscious and Prince Zhao holding military power, he may not be willing to return to the capital to provide aid.
To put it bluntly, if he doesn’t want to come back, there’s nothing any of us can do about it."
The Empress Dowager was alarmed. "If he doesn’t come back, what will we do?"
Hua Qingqing helped her sit down and said as she poured her tea,
"Don’t be anxious. This matter is not impossible to resolve.
The only reason Prince Zhao doesn’t want to return is that he feels the rewards aren’t great enough, the benefits not enticing enough.
We just need to use both carrot and stick. On the one hand, we provide ample benefits. On the other, we remind him of his status and that he shouldn’t do something ungrateful that would have him struck by lightning.
He will naturally obey."
The Empress Dowager knew Li Ji was the Emperor’s illegitimate son. She felt this secret could also be a bargaining chip to control him.
After all, the Emperor was Li Ji’s biological father. As long as Li Ji had a shred of humanity, he wouldn’t stand by and let his own father be harmed.
But the Empress Dowager did not say this out loud.
It was a secret of the Royal Family and must be kept.
Under Hua Qingqing’s guidance, an idea formed in the Empress Dowager’s mind, and she naturally became less flustered.
The Empress Dowager said, "But Li Ji is already a Prince. His title can’t be raised any higher. What other benefits can I use to entice him?"
Hua Qingqing gently drew a circle on the tabletop with her fingertip and analyzed in detail.
"We can grant Prince Zhao a piece of land.
Haven’t the people from Xiliang always harbored ill intentions?
Xiliang sent people to kidnap Princess Consort Zhao before, and the West Liang people also broke Prince Zhao’s leg. They must both hate Xiliang to the bone.
We can cede West Gate County to Prince Zhao as his fiefdom.
West Gate County borders Xiliang. With them right next to each other, there will inevitably be friction. Let them fight it out.
This will also have the effect of them keeping each other in check, which will save the court a lot of trouble.
It accomplishes multiple goals at once. Why wouldn’t we do it?"
Hua Qingqing’s reasoning was sound, and the Empress Dowager was quickly persuaded.
The Empress Dowager said, "Your idea is excellent, but will Prince Zhao agree? Besides, the Emperor is still unconscious. Even if we are willing to grant Prince Zhao a fiefdom, the Emperor can’t issue a Holy Decree."
Hua Qingqing grasped her hand.
"At a time like this, we can only rely on you."
The Empress Dowager was confused. "I am just a woman. What can I do?"
Hua Qingqing said, "You are the Empress Dowager, the Saint’s birth mother. Your status is incredibly noble. With the Saint unconscious, you can absolutely step forward and help him handle some government affairs."
The Empress Dowager was still hesitant. "But I don’t understand politics..."
Hua Qingqing replied, "It doesn’t matter if you don’t. The old officials in the Central Secretariat do, and they will help you.
If you truly can’t handle it, don’t you still have me?
I can give you advice.
You only need to use your status as Empress Dowager to put pressure on Prince Wu Zhang.
Once you are able to intervene in political affairs, we can have the Hanlin Academy draft the decree. You can then affix the Jade Seal to the Holy Decree yourself, granting West Gate County to Prince Zhao as his fiefdom.
If Prince Zhao wants the fiefdom, he will have to return to receive the decree and express his gratitude.
At that point, he’ll have no choice but to return and provide aid, even if he doesn’t want to."
The Empress Dowager was very tempted.
’This is indeed a good plan!’
She quickly made her decision. "Then we will do as you say."
Hua Qingqing smiled faintly. "The Empress Dowager is wise."
...
「The next morning.」
Hua Manman and Qing Huan went to the study again.
They used the same method to open the bookshelf, revealing the hidden passage behind it.
Hua Manman instructed Qing Huan.
"There are many more people in Chaoyang Palace now. To prevent anyone from barging in, go stand guard at the door.
If anyone comes, just say that I’m inside reading and do not wish to be disturbed."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hua Manman carried a lantern into the secret passage and arrived once more at the hidden room.
Mu Qing was already waiting there. Even the fruit offerings on the incense table had been replaced.
"Princess Consort, this is the reply from Princess Consort Zhen."
She pulled a letter from her sleeve and handed it over.
Hua Manman took the letter. "Thank you for your hard work."
Mu Qing curtsied. "It is my honor to serve you, Princess Consort. I wouldn’t dare call it hard work."
Hua Manman placed the lantern on the floor.
She opened the letter and began to read its contents by the light of the candles on the incense table.