Chapter 379: I Am the Pillar of the Family
Gao Gonggong was killed on the spot, his blood splattering everywhere.
This incident spread throughout the court and the common populace. Whether civil or military officials, or ordinary citizens, no one could believe that a mere eunuch had dared to encroach upon the imperial dragon vein.
When Yun Chu heard the news, she was reviewing account books.
Gao Gonggong's death had been orchestrated entirely by her, yet she felt no ripple of emotion in her heart.
A eunuch with no family backing, having chosen to betray his master, must inevitably face such consequences.
She set down the account books and took out a small porcelain bottle, handing it to Qiutong who stood behind her. "Deliver this to the Zheng Family. They will send it into the palace for Shu Fei."
Qiutong hesitated before speaking. "Can Shu Fei be trusted?"
Yun Chu smiled faintly.
She had long known that Chu Rui would interfere and would never allow Consort Yun or Yin Fei to remain in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Therefore, she had approached the mother of the Seventh Prince, Shu Fei, beforehand.
Shu Fei was of a low-profile disposition, neither contentious nor grasping, possessing no presence in the palace whatsoever. Consequently, no one viewed her as a threat.
Within the imperial family now, aside from Chu Yi, the most likely contender for the throne was the Seventh Prince.
Chu Rui would certainly assume that the Seventh Prince stood in opposition to the Crown Prince.
Thus, having Shu Fei care for the Emperor would not provoke any unforeseen changes.
However...
Yun Chu took a sip of tea.
Three years ago, in order to win over Ding Yiyuan to become the Grand Astrologer, she had arranged for a man separated from his family to be reunited with them ahead of time.
That family was Shu Fei's maternal family, the Zheng Family. The missing man was Shu Fei's own younger brother, born of the same mother, and the future heir of the Zheng Family.
From that moment on, she and the Zheng Family had formed a close alliance.
The Seventh Prince was still young, and the Zheng Family held only a fourth-rank position. Shu Fei was an intelligent woman who knew exactly which choice to make.
"Go ahead," Yun Chu said. "This matter cannot be delayed."
Qiutong nodded, gripping the medicine bottle tightly before hurrying off.
Just then, Chu Hongyu returned home from school. Normally, the boy came back cheerfully, but today he seemed burdened with worry.
Yun Chu drew her son close and asked gently, "Yu Ge'er, what's troubling you?"
Chu Hongyu pressed his lips together and raised his eyes. "Mother, I heard others at the Imperial College say that Grandfather killed Gao Gonggong. Is that true?"
"This isn't something a child should worry about..."
Yun Chu's words were cut short as he interjected, "Mother, I'll be eight years old soon. I'm a big boy now."
Chu Hongyu spoke deliberately, with seriousness. "Father isn't in the capital, so I am the pillar of this family. I'm a man, and I need to grow up quickly to protect you and my younger siblings."
Yun Chu realized that her son had truly grown up.
When they first met, he had been just a tiny little thing. Now, after more than three years, he had grown taller—she no longer needed to bend down to ruffle his hair.
She couldn't keep viewing Yu Ge'er through the lens of a child anymore.
At this thought, Yun Chu felt a touch of melancholy, but more than that, she was comforted.
She spoke softly, "Gao Gonggong betrayed your grandfather. A servant turning against his master truly deserves death."
Chu Hongyu fell silent for a while.
Whenever he had caused a ruckus at his grandfather's place, Gao Gonggong would always coax him, giving him various snacks. He had been quite fond of Gao Gonggong.
He never would have imagined that Gao Gonggong was a traitor.
"Mother, I'm going to practice martial arts."
Chu Hongyu turned and walked into the courtyard, beginning his training with earnest focus.
As Yun Chu was lost in thought, Meng Shen entered the flower hall. "Greetings, Aunt.""Shen-ge'er is here." A smile appeared on her face. "Dinner will be served soon. You'll be dining with your aunt today."
Meng Shen nodded. "In a few days, my mother will arrive in the capital. Having heard of His Majesty's serious illness, she's deeply concerned and specially comes to attend to him."
Yun Chu frowned slightly.
The palace was unsettled, with various factions entangled. Qinghua, who wasn't particularly clever, might easily get drawn into trouble if she came.
Yet Qinghua was the Emperor's own daughter. A daughter visiting her seriously ill father—there was really no reason to stop her.
After a pause, she said, "There are many vacant courtyards in the residence. Try to persuade your mother to stay with you."
In the struggle for succession, a single misstep could cost one's life.
Though she didn't care for Qinghua, Qinghua was Chu Yi's own sister, so she had to show some consideration.
"I know the palace has been unsettled lately. I'll convince my mother—please don't worry, Aunt." Meng Shen said earnestly.
He was ten years old now, no longer a child who understood nothing.
Recently, with his grandfather seriously ill and frequent incidents in the palace, he had sensed a tense atmosphere even at the Imperial College.
He didn't know what he could do except study harder.
That night, Yun Chu slept poorly.
Since marrying Chu Yi, she had rarely needed to scheme and plan like this. Now with Chu Yi away from the capital, she had to ponder alone until dawn, which was quite draining.
When she rose at dawn, the estate stewards came to report various matters, but Yun Chu left them all for Ting Shuang to handle.
Qiutong came to the west wing to report intelligence gathered by their network: "These past few days, Princess Consort Zhuang has visited some marquisates, earldoms, and prominent families in the capital. It's said she gifted many treasures from her dowry."
Yun Chu's lips curved slightly.
Using one's dowry to pave the way for one's husband—this was the most foolish act.
In her previous life, she had done the same, and in this life, Su Ziyue was following suit.
She had ended up poisoned to death—who knew what would become of Su Ziyue...
Qiutong continued, "Prince Zhuang Chu Rui has privately summoned the Feng and Lin families..."
Yun Chu understood.
The Feng family was the Empress Dowager's maternal clan.
And the Lin family was the clan of Chu Rui's birth mother.
Of these two families, the Fengs had previously been exiled, while the Lins were merely sixth-rank officials...
What was Chu Rui planning?
Yun Chu narrowed her eyes.
Chu Rui had a sub-gu worm inside him. If he activated it to make the Emperor promote the Lin family, they would rise again and become his supporters.
Since killing Chu Rui wasn't easy...
Better to make the Emperor immune to the gu worm's influence...
"Ting Shuang, make preparations. I'm entering the palace."
Yun Chu immediately changed clothes, took two maids with her, and rode by carriage to the palace.
At the palace gates, she alighted and walked to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Outside the hall knelt a large crowd of imperial physicians, palace maids, and eunuchs.
After Gao Gonggong's death yesterday, the Emperor had fainted directly, vomiting blood continuously. The entire Imperial Medical Institute had come to examine his pulse but found no clear cause.
"Useless, all of you useless! Cough, cough, cough!"
The Emperor's voice came from within the main hall.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." Consort Shu said gently. "This prescription was jointly devised by over ten imperial physicians. Please take the medicine, Your Majesty. This humble consort will serve it to you."
Perhaps the Emperor was too unwell to refuse the medicine.
After drinking a bowl of medicine, his mood stabilized considerably, and the imperial physicians withdrew trembling with fear.At this moment, Fan Ming entered the main hall and reported: "Your Majesty, the Crown Princess requests an audience."
The Emperor said with closed eyes: "Granted."
Yun Chu walked in with her head lowered. After performing a curtsy, she said: "Father Emperor's illness shows no sign of improvement. Every time the Crown Prince writes back, he keeps mentioning Your Majesty's Dragon Body. This daughter-in-law wishes she could take your place in suffering. After careful consideration, I have decided to move into the Eastern Palace to attend to Father Emperor at close quarters. I beg for Your Majesty's permission."
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