NOVEL NEXT Chapter 238 - 214: Someone Has to be the Emperor
Chapter 238: Chapter 214: Someone Has to be the Emperor
Jiang Cheng and Liang Hong arrived at the entrance of Miaoren Palace.
“Is anyone here?”
The maid of Miaoren Palace saw that it was Liang Hong, with surprise and confusion: “Prince Chu? What brings you here today?”
Liang Hong chuckled: “My friend here would like to see Consort Shu. Could you please announce our visit?”
The maid sized up Jiang Cheng, saw he was dressed plainly but carried an uncommon air, and thought that he must not be an ordinary commoner, so she said, “Gentlemen, please wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”
Miaoren Palace was superior in both decor and size to Jinyu Palace.
This suggested that the status of Consort Shu must be higher than that of Liang Hong’s mother, Consort Jin.
“Prince Liang Chu’s mother?”
Jiang Cheng asked curiously, “They say ‘one’s status is elevated by one’s offspring.’ Prince Liang Chu is ignorant and unlearned, yet Miaoren Palace is so grand and luxurious. Does Consort Shu really enjoy such favor?”
Liang Hong explained, “That’s not exactly the case. Consort Shu is the daughter of the Duke of the State. Her grandfather, father, and brothers all hold office in the court. With her family’s strong connections, she naturally doesn’t need to curry favor with others in the palace.”
“I see.”
Jiang Cheng’s face showed sudden realization.
Liang Hong couldn’t be bothered to ask Jiang Cheng anymore.
Every time he shared a piece of knowledge, Jiang Cheng would have a moment of realization.
The problem was, he was talking about basic knowledge, the kind even the palace maids knew, so what was there to realize all of a sudden?
Why did Jiang Cheng seem a bit slow on the uptake?
Was his previous “method to see the Emperor of Liang” really reliable?
“Prince Chu, the noble son, my mistress invites you in,” said the maid who had earlier gone to announce them, returning to usher Jiang Cheng and Liang Hong inside the palace.
On the way, Liang Hong whispered to Jiang Cheng, “Jiang, Prince Liang Chu passed away just a few months ago, so Consort Shu might be in a poor mood. Be careful not to rub her the wrong way.”
Jiang Cheng replied, “Don’t worry, Prince, I’m aware of that.”
Relieved, Liang Hong let out a sigh of relief.
As long as Jiang Cheng didn’t touch upon any sore subjects and didn’t broach the topic of Prince Liang Chu unbidden, Consort Shu probably wouldn’t send them away.
The maid led the two men to a small pavilion in the garden of the palace, where they were served with fine tea and water.
Before long, a beautiful woman in plain clothes and a stern face approached.
Perhaps because of Prince Liang Chu’s death, Consort Shu’s attire was unusually simple, making her look less like a noble consort of the palace and more like the style of the new ancient costume that Liu Qing wore.
“Liang Hong pays his respects to Consort Shu,” said Liang Hong as he saw Consort Shu approaching, quickly pulling Jiang Cheng up to greet her.
“No need for formalities. What business do you have with me?” said Consort Shu, expressionless as she sat across from the two, picking up her teacup and taking a slow sip.
“It’s not me who wishes to speak with Your Highness, but my junior here, Jiang Cheng. He has a few questions he would like to ask you for answers,” said Liang Hong.
“Speak.”
Jiang Cheng spoke in a serious tone, “I’d like to ask what do you think about Prince Qi murdering Prince Liang Chu?”
Liang Hong’s eyes widened, “Didn’t I just tell you not to bring this up?”
Consort Shu slammed her teacup onto the table, and the tea that flew out splashed all over Liang Hong.
The reason Jiang Cheng didn’t get splashed was that he had promptly taken a step back after speaking, placing Liang Hong in front of him.
Consort Shu angrily said, “It must be that whore who sent you to probe my intentions, right?”
Liang Hong hastily waved his hands, “No, no, that’s not it…”
“Show the guests out!”
Without waiting for Liang Hong to start explaining, Consort Shu glared at Jiang Cheng and another person and left without looking back.
At the entrance of Miaoren Palace, Liang Hong let out a sigh.
“Jiang Cheng, as a senior, I sincerely advise you to learn how to read people and situations when you’re outside,” he said.
Jiang Chen replied calmly, “Thank you, senior, I did read the situation just now.”
Liang Hong: ?
“What do you mean?”
Jiang Cheng answered indirectly, “The ‘whore’ Consort Shu mentioned, that’s the birth mother of Prince Qi, the Empress, right?”
Liang Hong was shocked, “Shh! Keep it down! If we were characters in a teahouse story, talking like this, you’d definitely not live for two days.”
Jiang Cheng glanced at the sky and said, “If we move quickly, we should be able to see your father within two days.”
“Really?”
Liang Hong grabbed Jiang Cheng’s arm, full of suspicion.
How could what concubines and accomplished officials couldn’t do seem so simple in Jiang Cheng’s mouth?
“Hmm. Next one.”
Jiang Cheng and Liang Hong, using Consort Jin’s Jinyu Palace as the center, visited each of the concubines around Jinyu Palace one by one.
Jiang Cheng’s questions were often very efficient, capable of turning the corners of the concubines’ mouths downwards with just a sentence or two.
They never had to worry about dragging on, dallying, or not being able to extricate themselves from conversations.
“This is Wenrui Palace, Consort Li’s palace, and Consort Li is Princess Liang Lu’s birth mother,” Liang Hong offered a brief background.
Jiang Cheng observed Wenrui Palace and saw that the palace was as grand and exquisite as Consort Shu’s Miaoren Palace, he then asked, “Does Consort Li’s family also hold great power?”
“Not really. Consort Li came from a humble background but was exceptionally beautiful and favored. This palace is a reward from my father,” Liang Hong explained.
With a sense of relief, Liang Hong continued, “Jiang, you don’t understand. Liang Lu has the best cultivation talent among all our siblings. Her mother is favored, almost getting whatever she asks from father. If it weren’t for her gender, the title of Crown Prince would likely be in Liang Lu’s pocket.”
“What about Princess Liang Pei?” Jiang Cheng asked.
“The third sister? There’s nothing surprising about her. Why do you ask about her?”
“Do you think Princess Liang Pei could ascend to the throne?”
“Impossible. Even if there weren’t any of us princes, there’s still Liang Lu. And if Liang Lu isn’t available, there’s still our eldest sister. It’s never going to be her turn.”
Jiang Cheng just nodded, it was unclear whether he agreed or was simply acknowledging the statement.
Princess Liang Pei was known as “Great Liang’s Duan Yu”; if Jiang Cheng hadn’t seen the plot, he wouldn’t have believed that Princess Liang Pei could ascend the throne and become Emperor. But reality is often that absurd.