It wasn't until evening that Zheng Qingling pretended to regain consciousness. After listening to Chunxiu's account, she remained silent.
When Xiao Qianming finished handling affairs and came over, what he saw was Consort Rou looking dazed and blank. Panic surged in his heart, and he quickly pulled her into his arms.
"Qingling, don't worry. When we return, I'll officially promote you to Consort Rou. That Zhao Ying who bullied you has already been demoted to Noble Lady—she won't be able to bully you again."
Hah, easy words. If she had truly lost a child, to merely compensate her with a higher title while the true culprit still lived—wasn't that trampling on a mother's love for her child?
Zheng Qingling said nothing, only letting silent tears fall until they soaked Xiao Qianming's shoulder.
Feeling the dampness, his body stiffened. Xiao Qianming knew that Consort Rou had been wronged.
But the Duke Ying's faction held deeply entrenched power at court; he couldn't move against them yet without shaking the foundation of the dynasty.
"Qingling, I have no choice. The Duke Ying's power isn't something I can touch right now. I can only let you suffer for the moment."
Zheng Qingling knew the emperor felt guilty toward her now—but as time passed, such guilt would fade.
If she didn't give him a step down, his favor for her would only diminish.
"Your Majesty, I don't blame you. I only blame myself for lacking the fortune, for not being able to bring that child into this world, to let him see the great rivers and mountains of our Xuanwu dynasty…"
Xiao Qianming was deeply moved at these words. Such a kindhearted woman, even considering his burdens—she was truly rare and deserved future compensation.
After a few more words, Xiao Qianming left. Zheng Qingling didn't care—she had already secured what she wanted.
The emperor's legs were his own; where he went, she had no concern.
"Master, you've truly suffered this time. Please quickly drink the medicine I've prepared while it's still warm."
Seeing Chunxiu limp as she walked, Zheng Qingling's eyes flickered. This time, she had dragged the girl into her schemes. She would find a way to compensate her in the future—perhaps even arrange a good marriage.
Zheng Qingling continued taking medicine and observing confinement diligently. After all, if one acted, one had to act thoroughly; only then could she milk more sympathy from that dog emperor, paving the way for the future.
At the Duke Ying's residence, Duke Zhao soaked a letter in a special solution before the words became legible. His expression grew grim.
As her father, he knew his daughter's temper best. Her vague letter mentioned only that the emperor had demoted her from Imperial Consort to Noble Lady for the sake of another concubine.
Clearly, something more had happened. The old fox immediately contacted his agents in the palace.
A few days later, upon learning the whole story, Duke Zhao flew into a rage. "Foolish girl! To harm the imperial heir and even drag the family down with her!"
The emperor already resented the great clans at court; if he charged forward now, it would be walking into a trap.
Pacing his study, Duke Zhao finally made a decision.
Days later, Xiao Qianming received memorials from several ministers impeaching Zheng Qingling's father, Zheng Yun, accusing him of factionalism and corruption.
Hmph. He had wanted to see how Duke Ying would react after receiving his daughter's letter. The old fox countered with a move straight out of "besiege Wei to rescue Zhao."
Of course Xiao Qianming knew corruption plagued his officials; it was a chronic disease, not something that could be solved overnight.
But this timing left him awkward. Consort Rou was still in confinement—if she pleaded for her father, matters would become complicated.
At Tinglan Pavilion, Chunxiu whispered urgently to her mistress: "Master, your father has been impeached. They hope you'll put in a good word for him."
Then she retreated quietly to await orders.
Zheng Qingling's expression remained indifferent. In her eyes, aside from her mother and younger brother, the Zheng family wasn't worth much.
"Pretend not to know. My health is too weak to meddle in such matters."
In the harem, the concubines were delighted to watch the spectacle. If Consort Rou's father fell, how could she escape unscathed?
That evening, Xiao Qianming deliberately observed Zheng Qingling's reaction. He thought: if she begged for her father, he could pardon Zheng Yun—but she would have to be demoted in rank.
Yet she remained silent. Finally, he broached it himself: "Consort Rou, why don't you speak for your father?"
Zheng Qingling lowered her head in shame, answering timidly: "Your Majesty is wise and mighty. If my father has broken the law, this concubine dares not speak out of turn. All rests upon you."
Her submissive, husband-centered demeanor touched Xiao Qianming greatly. None of the other women in his harem put him first.
"Rest assured," he declared solemnly, "your father will at most be demoted a few ranks and ordered to repay the embezzled silver."
Zheng Qingling clasped his hand with a tearful, grateful expression—though inwardly she sneered. Dog of a man, trying to dig a pit for her? No chance.
When the final edict came down, Zheng Qingling's indifference left the Duke Ying's faction sighing at her ruthlessness.