My Empress From The Future
Investigatory

That night the moon shone brightly, the stars in the sky were also visible so much. Unfortunately, the beautiful scenery could not console Meihua's heart. Since finishing dinner last night, Meihua just sat by the window, staring far ahead. I don't know what he was thinking.

"Sir, it's night. Let's rest," Li Mei persuaded quietly.

"May 'er. We almost unpacked Hongmei's rot a while ago, but he has a way to avoid it. Now she says she's pregnant with a prince, but is it possible?"

"Empress, you have to find another way to break all the secrets."

"You're right. Li Mei, is there any word from the person we asked?"

"There has been no news yet of Her Majesty the Empress. You take it easy, sooner or later we'll catch physician Mo and interrogate him."

"Li Mei, earlier in the imperial flower garden, I saw Mingfen together with the new maid. Their closeness had exceeded the limit, yet there was happiness emanating from them. What do you think I should do?"

"Your Majesty, perhaps you should ask Concubine Ming directly?"

"You're right. Tomorrow we go to the Pearl Palace!"

"Hamba understands."

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Eunuch Kang stood behind the emperor Tian Yi faithfully. His emperor is currently reading reports from officials. But as time passed, the emperor of Tian Yi made no progress in completing the entire mountainous report.

"Eunuch Kang, do you know what's holding Zhen's mind up?"

"Puni's servant to the Emperor, probably about concubine Hong's pregnancy." Eunuch Kang replied quickly.

"True, this pregnancy is weird. Zhen didn't know whether to be happy or sad."

"Baginda, don't you think the concubine tricked His Majesty?"

"What do you mean? Her stomach was clearly enlarged and she was indeed pregnant. It's been confirmed by Han's physician."

"Your Majesty, lately rumors have been circulating in the palace..."

"Eunuch Kang, you're old but still listen to the cheesy gossip of the servants?"

"Puni is His Majesty's servant. But this rumor concerns Consort Hong."

"Oh what is that?"

"Rumors circulated that the concubine was pregnant with a prince. This prince will be the successor to the throne."

"Please! Who spread the rumor? Only a Prince who is capable and has the qualities as a leader will become the crown prince. How could one decide on a crown prince just because he was born first?"

"Hamba doesn't know His Majesty. After the servant heard this rumor, the gossiping servants had been servants of the law."

"Eunuch Kang, you've done the right thing. Lying about a successor to the throne can be punishable by death."

"Your Majesty the Emperor is wise."

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The past few days, Mingfen felt a strangeness on his body. At any moment he would feel even more limp than before. Physician Han had even been invited to the Pearl Palace, but could not find the disease at all. Physician Han even just prescribed blood-boosting drugs and stamina.

Today Mingfen could only lie on the bed. His desire to meet Xiao Wu in the imperial garden had to be dashed. Since morning, Jingmi had repeatedly persuaded him to take the medicine. But Mingfen felt, the medicine would only be in vain.

"Concubine, please you are quick to take this medicine, physician Han has prescribed it for you," Jingmi knelt in front of Mingfen carrying a bowl of medicine.

"Let's put it on the table!"

"Concubine, you can't be like that. Let me help you," Jingmi continued to persuade Mingfen.

"no need. I'll drink later. Go!"

"But..."

"The Empress came to visit," the call shocked both of them.

"Our respect to Her Majesty, may peace always be."

"Aiyaaa brother, you know the peace of my life has been shattered the last few months. Awake you!" said Meihua while sitting down. "What'sthis? Some medicine? Ming's sister are you sick again?

Why haven't you been drinking? Let me help you!"

"Concubine Ming did not want to drink it Your Majesty, I have already persuaded him, but the Concubine remains staunchly unwilling to take the medicine," Jingmi replied sadly.

"Jingmi, quickly make tea for the Empress!" mingfen said as he glared at his servant.

Jingmi, who got the plot, immediately withdrew to prepare tea.

"Sister, you can't give up on your life. You must stay healthy, to immediately give offspring to this kingdom," Meihua said softly.

"Sister, actually sister did not give up on continuing to live. It's just...."

"Ahh, I understand your sadness. Forgive His Majesty the Emperor, because every visit to the Pearl palace, never spend the night here. Take it easy, I'll persuade her."

"No, that's not what I want at all. You know that too well. I don't want the Emperor's attention. I. I don't actually want to enter the palace, but the Queen Mother appointed me as one of the Empress candidates. I don't have a choice, brother."

Meihua was really surprised to hear Mingfen's confession, "let's not say that! Said Li Mei being the Emperor's wife was a fortune."

"Sister, it's really not what this sister wants. To be honest, I've always craved living in the countryside, being a commoner, living simply. But my destiny turned out like this" Mingfen said as he began to cry.

Now Meihua understood, this young girl in front of him was forced to enter the palace. If he did not enter the palace, then he would not suffer.

"Sister, sister understands your feelings and desires. Being an ordinary person is indeed better than being a noble dealing with a kingdom."

Silence, there was only the sobbing of Mingfen. Jingmi who was behind the curtain to deliver the silent tea sculpted. The servant even cried hearing his nona's words. Jingmi had served Mingfen since childhood, the servant understood Mingfen even more than her own father and family. After feeling calm, Jingmi then went out and poured tea for the Empress.

"Sister, please drink. Ahh suppose there is wine," Mingfen said slowly.

"Sister Ming, arak is not good for your current health. Actually, you're here to ask you something, whether you'll answer honestly or not."

I'd better not ask about Xiao Wu first to him, maybe it's better to ask him something else.

"Sister, ask! Sister would of course answer honestly, lying to an Empress would be punished."

"Sister, have you received anything lately from the Jade Palace? Because I feel weird, you were okay before. But now, you're so thin and weak like this."

Mingfen was silent, the girl looked glaring trying to remember. "Before when I was sick some time ago, big brother Hongmei gave me a fragrant pouch. He said I should always wear the bag so that my body would always be fragrant and my mind would be calm."

"When I was in the sky prison?"ask Meihua right on target.

"really. At that time, Hongmei's brother often came here. He paid attention to me, and brought me all kinds of gifts. But I've never worn it, only lately I've been wearing that fragrance bag."

Mingfen did not dare to say that the reason for using the fragrant pouch was because of his proximity to Xiao Wu. Previously, Mingfen had never even used excessive accessories, now that Xiao Wu, Mingfen had even dressed up frequently.

"Where is that bag now?"

"Because the contents are fresh flowers and seeds, they sometimes do not last long. But one of Hongmei's sister's servants will send it every time" Mingfen said. His hand pulled a small pouch tied around his waist, then gave it to Meihua.

"May I ask you this one?"

"Better you bring a new one." Mingfen had Jingmi take the rest.

"Sister, I know you're gathering evidence about brother Hongmei's crimes. After all this is done, will you promise me one thing?"

"Whatis that? If I can I will definitely promise you, as long as I don't break the rules of the palace and don't hurt the Emperor."

"Sister, after all this is done, help me beg your Majesty to let me go from the palace."

"What's? Your brother is serious about your decision?"

Just a steady nod that Meihua saw. A strong radiance of courage and confidence could be seen in the eyes of Mingfen.

"Sister promised to help you, but you don't know the time. You know for yourself, lately the Emperor's been busy with the investigation into the ever-rising taxes. Will you be patient?"

Mingfen nodded, "of course I will be patient. My father also said that lately he has been very busy investigating things in the capital."

"Then, brother go first."

"Yes. Empress be careful on the way!"

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Rumors that were blowing about the Prince's successor to the throne that was being conceived Concubine Hong, circulated more and more quietly in the palace. Even now the rumors have circulated throughout the capital. Meihua who was sultry with the rumors decided to go out of the palace.

Meihua decided to go to a two-story restaurant on Zhuque Street. The first floor was crowded, that day there was a dancer who presented a beautiful dance and her face was beautiful, so that the first floor was filled with ordinary people. From the second floor it is actually more free to see what happens on the first floor, but each table is valued at one gold coin, so usually only thick pockets of people sit there.

Meihua took a seat adjacent to the second-floor guardrail, her eyes skirting the horde of people on the first floor. In front of him Li Mei was pouring tea.

"Miss, do you want to order food? I hear the grilled duck meat here is the most delicious and famous throughout the capital."

"May, order for both of us and then ask for two packs" Meihua said.

"Well Miss,"Li Mei called the waiter and ordered some food.

Coinciding with the arrival of the food they ordered, four young people dressed in luxurious clothes had entered the second floor and were sitting not far from Meihua's table. One look at them as sons of nobles.

"You hear, my father has raised taxes on this town. Yesterday Minister Kang came to our residence, discussed with my father about taxes, and this morning the city tax has officially gone up" said the young master in green.

"Yes, Minister Kang also came to my residence the day after tomorrow. They were talking about Cheng's village which was rich in natural products. Then before I heard the next conversation, I had already caught my father, "the turn of the red-clothed young master speaking.

"You fool, eavesdropping just can't," booed the man in blue. "According to one of my father's loyal servants, Minister Kang is trying to raise funds to build cooperation with DongYi country."

"The famous brave leader of DongYi is a double eye. Whatever he'll do if there's a fair pay, "that red-clothed man.

"Don't Minister Kang intend to rebel?" The hue of the green-clothed man's face was contrived as if frightened. Laughter then broke out between them.

"Don't be loud, you forget that in a crowded restaurant, every wall, table and chair has ears" the man in white who had been silent began to speak up. "If minister Kang intends to revolt, and your father agrees to support him, it must be my father as well" he continued.

Meihua who heard everything, clenched her hands furiously. The thing he heard must have been a secret, and those foolish noble children had made it into gossip as if it were trivial.

They are certainly the children of officials who are under the control of minister Kang. I don't know since when the tax minister had the guts to build his own camp. When the minutes after that there was nothing important that Meihua heard anymore, she decided to immediately return to the palace.

"Li Mei, pay the bill and I'll wait for you at the exit!" Meihua said as she stood up from her chair.

"Alright Miss," Li Mei then rushed down from the second floor towards the restaurant cashier.

Meihua deliberately walked slowly, when she reached the side of the young masters table, her eyes looking carefully at each of their faces.

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Arriving at the palace, Meihua did not waste time to immediately clean her body, dress up and wear the Queen's oversized robe. His current goal was the Emperor's workroom. For bringing dinner to her husband. Besides that the thing he heard in the restaurant earlier was an important matter regarding the survival of the Wu kingdom.

"The Empress came to visit," the eunuch guarding the door shouted her arrival.

"Honor Your Majesty, may you always be happy."

Meihua's servants then paid their respects to the Emperor.

"Honor Your Majesty the Empress," Eunuch Kang behind the Emperor bowed to Meihua.

"Wakeup! what's the matter, Empress? Zhen think you're lounging in Zhuanshi's palace?"

"Hamba brought dinner dishes for His Majesty, there is also the famous grilled duck from the Golden Lotus restaurant in the capital."

"Why did you get there?" The emperor asked in wonder.

"The whole story, Your Majesty. Let's eat first."

As they did, they ate in silence. The Emperor's portion of the meal was always plenty every time with Meihua, and it invited a smile on Meihua's red lips.

"According to the news, this grilled duck meat is really tender and fragrant. It tastes good too" said the Emperor. "Not inferior to the cooking of the cooks in the Palace."

"Your Majesty, after this there is an important matter that I want to talk to your majesty about."

"What is that? About what?"

"You all get out!"meihua orders all the servants and eunuchs.

"Good."

After the servants left, Meihua drew closer to the Emperor and began to convey the things he had heard in the restaurant.

"It's so rude of them! Previously Zhen was investigating the tax increase in the entire Wu kingdom. Now they even dared to withdraw high taxes inside the capital? Do they think Zhen is a useless statue?"

"Your Majesty please temper your anger. Since they have taken serious steps, shouldn't you have a step to stop them?"

"Previously Zhen had assigned Chu officials, to conduct an investigation and punish anyone guilty of this tax withdrawal. Zhen also assigned General Li Hao to alert the troops."

"That means that from the beginning you already knew that Kang Li Bo intended to rebel?"

"Yes. Zhen had found out, it was just that Zhen was pretending not to know about this. The sincerity of Kang Li Bo's plan turned out to make it darker in the eyes."

"Then what are we going to do with Consort Hong, Your Majesty?"

"really so. She's almost nine months old, won't she give birth soon?"

"Yes Your Majesty. Suppose..."

"Bao-yu, forgive Zhen. You must've had some tough days lately. Moreover, the rumors circulating must have been very..."

"You don't have to say that. I'm doing fine. Maybe the destiny of gods is like this."

"Bao-yu, you have to trust Zhen! Successors to the throne were not chosen in order of birth, but were chosen based on their qualities and ability to lead the people. You need to calm down!"

"Your Majesty, the one who should have calmed down was you! I'm fine, very fine."

"Thank God." Tian Yi held Meihua in his arms. Until some time passed, both of them still dissolved in the warmth of the embrace they created.

The peace that has been going on lately is just a false peace. It is the calm that happens before a storm. A storm that might destroy Wu's kingdom.

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This morning, the sun had not even appeared yet. The air was still cold, at the eastern end there was still a large bright star. Dew is still left on the leaves and flowers.

The silhouette of someone sitting in the gazebo of the imperial garden seemed blurred. His small body, drowned in a red fur coat. His head lowered, sometimes his tiny hands wiped away the melted tears on his cheeks.

Shortly after, another, taller, strapping figure approached him. In her hand was a peony flower.

"Ming'er, why are you blind in the morning here? Aren't you sick?"

"Xiao Wu's. Please take me away from here. Take me away!"

The tall and well-built figure that turned out to be Xiao Wu, gave the Peony flower stalk he had brought to Mingfen. "Ming 'er. Don't be careless! You must be steadfast and patient in dealing with all this, rest assured that the Empress will definitely help us."

"Xiao Wu, but you have to promise me you'll be loyal to me!"

"Of course."

"You lied! Every day the maids come back and forth to give you all kinds of gifts!"

"Even if they come every day, they cannot take your place in my heart. Believe me!'

"Hm."

Laughing amusedly, Xiao Wu raised his right hand into the air. "I, Xiao Wu swore, in this life would only love a Mingfen. The gods of heaven and earth bear witness, if I break my oath, then I will die struck by lightning."

"You! What are you doing by swearing at yourself?"

"You heard, now go back to your palace! You're sick, don't let anyone see you with me!"

"You're afraid this relationship will break down?"lirih Mingfen's.

"Ming'er, I've never been afraid to love you, but I'm afraid I'll lose you. Now be nice, and return to the Pearl Palace. Jingmi must be confused looking for you."

"alright. I'm leaving."

Without saying anything, Mingfen walked back towards his residence. Behind him, Xiao Wu let out a long sigh.