Dressed As a Consort in Ancient Times - Chapter 87

Some royalist officials did not leave the palace but went straight to the Ganming Hall, where the emperor was recuperating. However, the number of guards stationed there was far greater than usual, and they guarded the entrance tightly, preventing the ministers from entering.  

“If we cannot meet the emperor, would it be possible to meet the noble consort instead?” The leading cabinet minister had already realized that the entire palace had likely fallen under the control of Princess Jiayi, but he still held onto a sliver of hope, wanting to ask if they could see Consort Yuan.  

As expected, the guards remained expressionless. “No.”  

“Princess Jiayi has decreed that the emperor is gravely ill and needs rest. The noble consort is by his side caring for him and will not meet with any outsiders.”  

Seeing the guards gripping their swords with an imposing aura, the ministers shook their heads in frustration and left Ganming Hall in disgrace.  

Since Princess Jiayi’s appearance in court and her participation in state affairs as a woman, the news had spread like wildfire.  

On the surface, the capital remained calm, but in private, people were making constant moves, all trying to confirm whether the emperor was still alive…  

While the people of the capital only knew that the imperial guards had switched allegiance, they were unaware that even the Five Cities’ Garrison Department was now under Princess Jiayi’s command.  

With this realization, those plotting actions found themselves completely restrained.  

It was only when they figured this out that they began to suspect the truth.  

Thus, the ministers withdrew their probing hands, not daring to make any further moves, fearing that the cold and ruthless Princess Jiayi would notice.  

At this moment, inside the Princess’s residence, Jiang Libai finally started to grasp the situation.  

At some point, her fifth sister’s influence had silently infiltrated the entire capital!  

Now, this sudden seizure of power turned out to be a scheme that had been in the making for a long time!  

Realizing this, Jiang Libai could hardly believe that her once elegant and carefree fifth sister actually harbored such a deep desire for power!  

Whether they were ministers supporting the Third Prince or those backing the Fifth Prince, they watched helplessly as Princess Jiayi appeared in court every day, sitting at the highest seat with an air of authority, pressing down on them all. One by one, they fell into despair and rage.  

Inside the Third Prince’s residence, in a hidden corner of the study, several court officials in plain clothes looked at the silent Third Prince with pain and frustration.  

“His Majesty is no longer able to govern, and now is the perfect time to seize power! Moreover, Your Highness had already taken over as regent—why did you ultimately hand your authority over to Princess Jiayi?”  

Hearing his subordinates’ concerns, Jiang Heng looked indifferent.  

“Uncle, you must have seen it too—Jiayi faked her death effortlessly and then reappeared in court without a sound. Can you even begin to estimate the power backing her?”  

“If my guess is correct, the entire imperial city is now in her hands.”  

“In this situation, how do you expect me to oppose her?”  

At the end of his words, Jiang Heng spread his hands and smiled helplessly. “Uncle, I am merely protecting myself.”  

“You have no military power, and the officials who follow me also have no control over troops. We cannot compete with Jiayi.”  

The cold reality was laid out before them, and the officials present all felt discouraged.  

Especially the Right Prime Minister Leng, who was also the emperor’s brother-in-law—his expression was completely lifeless.  

He was unwilling to let the power that was almost in his grasp slip away at such a crucial moment!  

“Your Highness, everyone resents Princess Jiayi’s rule. The vassal kings across the empire must share our sentiments…”  

A plan slowly formed in Right Prime Minister’s mind.  

After thinking for a moment, he continued, “The emperor is unreliable now. We might as well take this opportunity to ensure he never wakes again. If we pin the crime of patricide and regicide on Princess Jiayi, the vassal kings and generals will certainly send troops to the capital…”  

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng stared at Right Prime Minister for a long time before finally laughing.  

“Good. As expected of my dear uncle, coming up with such a brilliant plan for me!”  

As the night deepened, the conspirators inside the study refined their plan, making sure it was foolproof.  

Once everything was settled, Jiang Heng sent Right Prime Minister to handle the matter personally.  

Finally, watching their figures disappear into the darkness, a strange smile slowly formed on Jiang Heng’s lips.  

—

“Why won’t you let us out?!”  

Inside the Seventh Princess’s residence, a few servants were desperately pulling at the door, struggling against the guards who were forcibly trying to close it.  

“The Seventh Princess is of royal blood! How dare you be so disrespectful?! You even dare to block the door, refusing to let anyone in or out! Who gave you such audacity?!”  

The servants pulled at the door tightly, their fingertips turning red from exertion, showing how hard they were trying.  

Yet the guards remained silent, their gazes cold as they pushed the doors shut.  

In the end, when they saw the servants had considerable strength and the doors could not be closed, the guards even drew their swords, ready to strike at the entrance.  

A flash of cold light streaked past—  

The sharp blade was about to fall—  

The servants were horrified and instinctively let go of the door.  

*Clang—*  

The doors of the Seventh Princess’s residence were completely shut.  

—

In the backyard, amidst a lush spring garden.  

Hearing the servants’ report, Jiang Libai clenched her sleeves tightly and shot to her feet in anger.  

“Are you sure? Was it truly the imperial guards?!”  

The servant, still shaken by what had just happened, shivered as he replied, “Yes… Yes! They were all imperial guards! They completely ignored Your Highness’s authority! They shut the doors as they pleased and even declared that, from now on, people can enter but not leave— not even a mosquito can fly out!”  

Hearing these exaggerated words, Jiang Libai was both furious and anxious.  

She was angry because it was likely her fifth sister who had ordered the imperial guards to stand watch outside her residence.  

She was anxious because she had no idea if her fifth sister truly intended to defy the entire imperial family, nor did she know whether her father and mother were safe in the palace…  

Gu Yun, seeing that the Seventh Princess had no more questions, waved the servant away.  

“Your Highness, now is not the time to act rashly.”  

She walked over to Jiang Libai, standing beside her as they both gazed at the gloomy sky outside. She softly reassured her, “The Fifth Princess managed to return to the capital under everyone’s noses and swiftly seized power—she was undoubtedly well-prepared.”  

“If she desires power and the throne, then His Majesty and the noble consort are in grave danger.”  

Seeing Jiang Libai’s face suddenly turn pale, Gu Yun gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and continued,  

“So right now, we must remain calm. Our priority is to ensure His Majesty and the noble consort’s safety.”  

However, achieving this would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens!  

Not only was the palace under strict control, but the entire capital was now in Jiang Ying’s grasp. Trying to leave the residence unnoticed and then enter the palace was nearly impossible.  

Unless a miracle occurred…  

At that thought, Jiang Libai’s eyes lit up instantly.  

She turned abruptly to Gu Yun and grabbed her collar, asking with hopeful urgency,  

“Do you have a plan? Can you determine whether my father and mother are safe?”  

Gu Yun lowered her gaze, her warm fingertips lightly brushing against Jiang Libai’s smooth cheek. Then, she chuckled softly.  

“Yes. I can determine whether His Majesty and the noble consort are safe.”  

Ever since her return to the capital and Yixing’s return, her spiritual abilities had recovered significantly.  

With them, she could secretly slip into the palace and investigate.