Why Harem Intrigue When You Can Just Raise a Dog Instead

it will be Elder Lord Zhao’s 80th birthday.
Send people to persuade Imperial Consort’s mother and have her submit a request for Imperial Consort to return home to celebrate.
Then send someone to Shen Hui’ru’s side to offer support from the sidelines.
She will also make a move.
So long as she brings that substitute back to the Shen family to pay a visit, we can strike.” Emperor Zhou’wu smiled with his eyes closed as he let the hidden guards dry his hair.
His mind was occupied with thoughts of Sangyu’s bright and charming smiling face.
His gloomy mood improved a bit.
Even though he had returned to his human body, without Sangyu beside him, he wasn’t as overjoyed as he had thought he would be.

“She wanted you to personally accompany her to visit her family? She was subtly hinting that you should make her Empress.” Yan Jun’wei raised his eyebrows.
Shen Hui’ru was so forthright with her words yet His Majesty only appointed her as a first-rank Consort.
Once appointed, she stayed the same rank for three years.
No wonder she would betray the Emperor.

“Zhen hadn’t thought much of it in the past.
I just thought that she missed her family.” Emperor Zhou’wu smiled self-mockingly and waved his hand, unwilling to say more.

Yan Jun’wei caught his meaning and muttered to himself for a while before saying, “This is also a good idea.
This subordinate will go make the arrangements shortly.”

“Work quickly.
Sangyu is still in the palace waiting for Zhen.” Emperor Zhou’wu urged him to hurry.
At last, he cautiously said, “Send people to inform Imperial Mother.
Zhen needs Imperial Mother’s help.
Also, Zhen put your antidote behind the plaque [14] in the Imperial Study.
It’s inside an ebony box.
Go get it yourself.”

“Your Majesty, you…?” Yan Jun’wei was wide-eyed.
His whole face showed disbelief.

“You’ll still be the Commander of the Hidden Guards, but Zhen wants a portion of the hidden guards to come into the light.
Their duties would be the same as the Hidden Guards and their unit will be called the Embroidered Uniform Guard [15] .
They will only belong to and answer to Zhen.
They will be responsible for administration including the Six Ministries [16] .
Even though its Commander would occupy a mere proper third-ranked military post, their actual power would be substantial, far more than their position would warrant.
Doing this is only for the sake of frightening certain unruly officials to let them know that Zhen is watching them.
Before you were hidden in the darkness and they were unable to see the threat you posed.
That’s why they could act so brazenly!” Emperor Zhou’wu coldly harumphed.

When he looked at Yan Jun’wei, his expression became gentle.
“You and Zhen grew up together.
No one is more aware of your abilities than Zhen.
You have talent, yet you have no way to showcase it freely.
You even had to feign being hedonistic and dissolute, were pushed out and suppressed by your concubine-born younger brother and lost the noble title that should have belonged to you.
It’s been hard on you! In the past, Zhen was unable to speak up on your behalf but from now on, with you holding both positions as the Commander of the [Hidden Guards and] Embroidered Uniform Guards, you can make a name for yourself through your own merit.”

“Your Majesty isn’t afraid that this subordinate will betray you after taking the antidote?” Yan Jun’wei asked hoarsely.
His normally stoic face revealed a rare expression of being deeply moved.

“Zhen won’t start suspecting others because of Shen Zhongliang’s betrayal.
What people can be used, what people cannot be used – Zhen will use his heart to decide.
Zhen doesn’t care for loyalty bought by controlling others with poison.
Besides, you and Zhen have risked life and limb countless times together since we were young.
You’ve never abandoned Zhen.
Zhen believes in you.” Emperor Zhou’wu raised his head and smiled showing a truly natural and open expression.

Yan Jun’wei slowly smiled.
He knelt down on one knee and said with the most solemn tone, “This subject is willing to be at Your Majesty’s service.”

“Excellent! What an excellent subject!” This way of referring to oneself was much more pleasing to the ears than ‘subordinate.’ Emperor Zhou’wu smacked the tabletop and laughed heartily.

Hearing the jovial laughter coming from inside the room, the highly skilled doctors who had rushed over released the tension in their hearts.

************************

-Thousand Buddha Mountain, Pudu Temple- 

The aging Empress Dowager’s hair was already grey.
Wearing a coarse monk’s robe, she knelt inside the prayer hall chanting sutras.
Her head maid, Nian’ci, knelt behind her.
She held a book of scripture that she diligently transcribed.

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Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings could be heard from outside the prayer hall.
A pigeon whose foot was tied with gold thread landed on the prayer hall’s windowsill.
Nian’ci put down her writing brush, walked towards the window and picked up the pigeon.
She untied the note attached to its foot.
Catching sight of the soaring dragon design at the top, her eyes gleamed slightly.
After collecting herself, she walked to the Empress Dowager’s side and softly asked, “Your Ladyship Empress Dowager, it’s a letter sent by His Majesty.
Would Your Ladyship like to take a look?”

“No, take it away.” The Empress Dowager didn’t even open her eyes and waved her hand in refusal.
Her indifferent attitude was the same as the past.

Nian’ci’s eyes flickered with light and after agreeing, she took the note outside to burn it.
The soaring dragon pattern – how was this a letter from His Majesty? It was clearly a secret report from the Hidden Guards.
However, Nian’ci had already chosen a different master.
Naturally, she wouldn’t let this secret report appear before the Empress Dowager.

Just as she finished burning the letter, Pudu Temple’s head monk, Master Xuan Kong arrived.
Nian’ci hastily paid her respects.

“Be at ease.
Is Wang Chen [17] free at the moment? This humble monk came over to discuss the principles of Zen with her,” asked Master Xuan Kong in a gentle voice.

“Please enter, Master Head Monk.” From inside the prayer hall, the Empress Dowager raised her voice to invite him inside.

Master Xuan Kong nodded at Nian’ci before pushing the door open to head inside.

When the Empress Dowager and Head Priest discussed Buddhist doctrine, they dreaded being disturbed.
Nian’ci tactfully returned to her own room.
Once she closed the door, her calm and indifferent expression became infinitely miserable.
She was so young yet she was confined to this temple to live like a nun [18] .
The wealth and rank that was originally easy to obtain were now out of her reach.
How could she not feel resentment?

“Which chapter has Master prepared to discuss with Wang Chen today?” The Empress Dowager took out a book of Buddhist scripture [19] .

“Buddha be praised [20] .
This humble monk told a falsehood.
May Buddha forgive me.” Master Xuan Kong confessed his sin before taking out a letter from his sleeve and passing it over to the Empress Dowager.
“This is His Majesty’s handwritten letter.
The matter is of great importance.
No matter what, I implore Wang Chen to take a look.”

Since it was Master Head Monk’s first time making a request, even if her heart was unwilling, the Empress Dowager stared fixedly at the envelope for a long while but still accepted it.
After she opened it, she speedily read through it.
“What a good Shen family! What a good Nian’ci! There were countless secret letters yet not one reached Aijia’s [21] hands.
Do they think that just because Aijia hasn’t interfered with secular matters for a long time that they can deceive Aijia since Aijia is old and weak?!” Her tranquil aged face took on a stern countenance.

“Buddha be praised.
In the end, Wang Chen cannot leave the troubles of the world behind.
However, the resentment in your heart seems to have been long forgotten.
It is time for you to return.” Master Xuan Kong brought his palms together [22] and gave a faint smile.

“Thank you for your condolement all these years, Master.
After dealing with this secular matter, Wang Chen will definitely return.” The Empress Dowager stood up to pay her respects.

“Be at ease.
Whether or not you return will depend on your heart.” Xuan Kong read a line of Buddhist scripture and gradually strolled out.

“Someone come.
Prepare the carriage and horses.
Aijia will immediately return to the palace!” The Empress Dowager took off her mitre [23] and commanded in a loud voice.
The imperial guards who were keeping watch nearby agreed in unison.
A surprised Nian’ci immediately ran out of her room.

“Why does Your Ladyship Empress Dowager want to hurry back to the palace? Did something bad happen?” Nian’ci’s face looked pale.

“Just now while analyzing Buddhist scripture, Aijia suddenly felt pained as if Aijia’s heart was twisting.
Presumably, something serious happened to His Majesty.
In the past when the Late Emperor passed away, Aijia also had this feeling.
How can Aijia rest assured without returning to the Capital to take a look?” The Empress Dowager hurriedly returned to her room.
The worry on her face was genuine.

Nian’ci couldn’t tell that anything was amiss and muttered to herself.
Could it be that the unconscious Emperor really passed away? Her heart couldn’t help but jump for joy.
This was also fine.
Here at Thousand Buddha Mountain, Nurse Jin [24] took care of all of the Empress Dowager’s affairs.
She was only responsible for keeping the Empress Dowager company while chanting sutras.
There was really no chance for her to strike.
Now here was an opportunity.
Once the Empress Dowager returns to the palace, it would be a simple matter for Her Ladyship Gracious Consort to secretly get rid of the Empress Dowager.