Chapter 1317: Side Story: Concubine Zhao (1)
When Concubine Zhao received the Emperor’s decree, she felt as if she had been placed in an ice cave. With her fists clenched, she stared intently at the eunuch who came to announce the decree. She asked, "What do you think His Majesty wants me to do?"
The eunuch lowered his head and said respectfully, "The Emperor Emeritus wants Your Highness to stay in the palace to pray for Her Majesty."
Concubine Zhao fell onto the chair and shook her head. "Impossible, impossible. All of the other concubines leave the palace to stay with their sons, but why can’t I? My son was personally conferred the title of Prince by His Majesty. What right do you have to insist I stay in the palace?"
The eunuch reminded her helplessly, "Your Highness, now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, His Majesty is already the Emperor Emeritus. Please do not mis-address them."
He continued, "The Emperor Emeritus has already brought the Empress Dowager to the temporary imperial residence. This decree was indeed issued by the Emperor Emeritus before he left. Your Highness, you should pack your things and move to the temple hall."
"No." Concubine Zhao couldn’t help but sweep everything off the table. She shouted, "I want to see the Second Prince, I want to see His Highness Prince Qin. Where is he when I, his mother consort, is about to be locked up? This unfilial son, can’t he plead for leniency for me? I’m his biological mother! His Majesty dotes on him so much. If he asks, His Majesty will definitely agree. Also, he’s on good terms with His Highness the Crown Prince..."
Seeing that Concubine Zhao was already speaking incoherently, the eunuch really wanted to gag her mouth and drag her to the temple hall. However, everyone knew that the new emperor trusted Prince Qin. What if Prince Qin took his anger out on him?
Therefore, the eunuch only persuaded her earnestly and asked the palace maids to help Concubine Zhao pack her things.