Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 435 Guess

The guards outside the door came in, and in no time they tied up the burly imperial guard who came to report the news with an expression of disbelief on his face, and a young eunuch who looked honest, and then gagged them both.

Tao Xingjian swept his cold gaze over everyone.

Everyone stood there with their necks shrunk, not daring to move.

Tao Xingjian then lowered his head and looked at the unconscious Emperor Zhaoming in his arms. His eyes also turned red. He gritted his teeth, stretched out his hand, and pinched Emperor Zhaoming's philtrum hard!

Emperor Zhaoming's eyebrows twitched, he hummed, and woke up slowly.

Although his voice was weak, he asked anxiously at the first sentence: "Lao Tao, did you alarm anyone?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I haven't." Tao Xingjian helped him sit down while choking with sobs and started crying softly, "You scared me to death..."

Emperor Zhaoming nodded slowly: "That's good."

Tao Xingjian then waved his hand, and two guards came forward and gently helped Emperor Zhaoming to half lean on the couch.

Tao Xingjian then ordered a decoction to calm the mind, and helped Emperor Zhaoming take it, then asked for permission in a low voice: "This matter is too serious.

“Although it was already dark when this person entered the city, his attire was too ostentatious and I’m afraid he couldn’t hide it for long.

"Why don't you send someone over? Prince Duncheng, take the Second Prince with you, that will be enough."

"No." Emperor Zhaoming had recovered and shook his head tiredly, "The Grand Master is old and has always loved the Crown Prince...

“If I hadn’t been there in person, I wouldn’t have been able to suppress the situation.

"Didn't you make preparations then? That's perfect. I'll rest for a while, and then we can sneak out of the city during the second watch."

Just as Tao Xingjian was about to agree, a maidservant outside spoke: "The Empress Dowager has something to say. I'd like to see Your Majesty!"

The master and servant looked at each other.

It's over.

This is Zijuan.

Sighing, Emperor Zhaoming waved his hand and said, "Pass it on."

Sure enough, Zijuan stepped into the room, her eyes lingered for a moment on the bloodstains on the ground that had not yet been wiped clean, then she glanced at Tao Xingjian's neatly hidden medicine bowl, walked to the bed with lowered eyebrows, and respectfully saluted Emperor Zhaoming first.

But her two glances were open and aboveboard, without the slightest hint of concealment.

Emperor Zhaoming and Tao Xingjian both knew that they could no longer hide the truth.

"What instructions does your Majesty the Queen have?" Emperor Zhaoming had no choice but to ask carefully and gently.

Zijuan still looked down at the ground and replied in a gentle voice, "The Queen Mother has not seen Your Majesty for a day and is very worried about him. She wants to invite Your Majesty to have dinner with her.

“Before I left the palace gate, I heard that an urgent report had been sent to the palace, covered in blood.

"The Queen Mother said that something terrible must have happened, and asked Your Majesty not to try to hide it from her. Please go over and explain it immediately."

After a pause, Zijuan's voice became more gentle, "It's just that I see that Your Majesty seems to be unwell?

"I wonder if I should tell the Empress Dowager that His Majesty is handling military affairs and asks the Empress Dowager to wait for a moment?"

Well, the excuse I was thinking of has been blocked again.

Emperor Zhaoming was speechless, laughed bitterly, and snorted, "Forget it. I'll go over and talk to her myself. You should first tell the Empress Dowager that I'll change into some thicker clothes and come right after."

Zijuan bowed in agreement, stepped back respectfully, and turned to leave.

Tao Xingjian watched her from behind and didn't even dare to chase her.

"Useless thing!" Emperor Zhaoming glared at him.

Tao Xingjian said with a bitter face: "Think about what to say first! This situation may be evasive in front of the Queen Mother, but what about Zhaoqing? She is not so easy to talk to!"