Chapter 240 - 214: Someone Has to be the Emperor_3
“What do you want with my mother?”
Liang Lu’s tone toward Jiang Cheng was clearly more amiable.
She didn’t know Jiang Cheng, so she maintained basic courtesy.
As for Liang Hong, he wasn’t worthy at all.
“Princess, it’s like this. His Majesty is bedridden, and the Third Prince asked me to draw a talisman to treat him. However, I don’t understand His Majesty’s condition and can’t see him for now, so I can only try to learn about the Emperor of Liang indirectly through your mother,” explained Jiang Cheng with reasoned logic.
Liang Lu looked at Consort Li, who nodded.
Liang Lu said, “I advise you not to waste your effort. You won’t be able to cure him.”
“Your Highness, why would you say that?”
Liang Lu sneered, “That old man, as long as he could move, wasn’t he indulging in endless revelry every night? Now he’s been well-behaved for several months, probably because his time is running out, truly done for.”
Just now, when Jiang Cheng spoke out of turn, Liang Hong still dared to offer a word of counsel.
Now that Liang Lu directly called him “that old man,” Liang Hong didn’t dare to advise.
Jiang Cheng scratched his head, feeling that the children of the Emperor of Liang were each more “filial” than the last.
However, with the Emperor of Liang being responsible for Consort Li’s lingering illness, Liang Lu’s hatred for him was understandable.
Jiang Cheng had no interest in meddling with someone else’s family affairs; he just wanted to see the Emperor of Liang, then draw the talismans for exorcism to get the reward he was due.
Jiang Cheng stood up, cupped his fists toward Liang Lu, and said, “Thank you, Princess, Noble Consort, we will ask elsewhere.”
Liang Hong also cupped his fists in respect.
However, Liang Lu only returned the gesture to Jiang Cheng, as a polite response to his civility.
Watching Jiang Cheng’s departing figure, Consort Li sighed, “Lu’er, your mother often thinks, if you were like Jiang Cheng, a man, perhaps our lives, mother and daughter, would be much easier.”
Liang Lu was startled and asked, “Mother, who did you say he is?”
“Jiang Cheng.”
Jiang Cheng?
The same Jiang Cheng my teacher warned me to stay away from?
Liang Lu recalled Jiang Cheng’s appearance in her mind, thinking, He doesn’t seem special, just an ordinary male cultivator, not even blessed with good talent for cultivation. Why did my teacher tell me to stay away from him?
“Lu’er, how long will you stay this time when you come home?” Consort Li asked.
Liang Lu replied, “I probably won’t go back to school in the next few days.”
“That’s wonderful, I’ll have Qiao make more of your favorite dishes.”
“Alright.”
Liang Lu kept Consort Li company, talking. As for Jiang Cheng, she left him out of her mind.
…
After leaving Consort Li’s palace, Jiang Cheng and Liang Hong went straight to the residence of the Empress.
“Her Majesty the Empress has been restless recently and is not seeing guests for now,” said a palace maid.
“Because of Prince Qi’s affair?” Jiang Cheng looked at Liang Hong.
Liang Hong replied in a low voice, “Most likely. Eh? Where are you going?”
“To find Consort Shu.”
“Didn’t we visit Miaoren Palace already?”
Jiang Cheng revealed a smile and said, “I have a strategy to ask your father to come out of seclusion, but I still need an assistant.”
Liang Hong was suddenly startled, “What exactly do you want to do?”
The following day, Jiang Cheng and Liang Hong visited the Emperor’s sleeping chamber again.
The eunuchs on duty were still Eunuch Liu and Eunuch Zhang from yesterday.
Upon seeing Jiang Cheng, both eunuchs felt a headache coming on.
Others had hearts like finely tuned instruments, quick to grasp and understand with just a hint.
Jiang Cheng seemed to have a heart sealed with cement, unclear whether he was sincere or just stubbornly forceful.
“Prince Chu, Mr. Jiang, are you visiting this place for a walk again today?” Eunuch Liu asked with a seemingly respectful tone, laced with a note of sarcasm.
Liang Hong could pick up on Eunuch Liu’s implications, but he was helpless.
Despite his status, he had no power or influence, unable to even command the eunuchs in the palace. To have Jiang Cheng come out of seclusion, he had to rely on collateral from the Prince Mansion.
Jiang Cheng remained composed, saying, “Leiang Hong and I are not here for a stroll but to ask His Majesty to intervene.”
Eunuch Liu smiled, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Jiang. You should please go back.”
Jiang Cheng cleared his throat and spoke out loud, “The death of Prince Liang Chu has wide implications. I’m asking His Majesty to preside over justice.”
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Liu immediately intervened, “Mr. Jiang, His Majesty needs rest, and one mustn’t make noise at the entrance of the sleeping chamber! If you insist on causing a disturbance, then I can only call on the Imperial Army to escort you to a side chamber to calm down.”
Although Liang Hong knew about Jiang Cheng’s plan, the mention of the Imperial Army still made him visibly tense.
Yet, Jiang Cheng remained unfazed, calmly pulling out a scroll of silk in the presence of the two eunuchs and Liang Hong.
The appearance of this scroll made Eunuch Liu and Eunuch Zhang’s eyes widen like eggs!
The silk in Jiang Cheng’s hands, why did it look so similar to the silk used for imperial edicts?
Jiang Cheng had Liang Hong hold the scroll open for him and muttered to himself, “Alright, I understand your meaning. I will draft the imperial edict right now.”