From cute to empress

Nanny Yang's words lingered in my mind. The word "people's hearts" took root like a seed within me. I began to understand that to implement reforms, relying solely on the emperor's favor and Nanny Yang's support was insufficient. I needed the support of a wider audience, especially the maids in the harem, bound by outdated conventions and customs.

I set about improving their lives. First, I ordered each maid's monthly allowance increased by 30%, and stipulated that they be given additional gifts during festivals to make their lives more comfortable. I also had the maids' quarters renovated, providing them with new bedding and furniture to make their lives more comfortable.

Besides improving their material well-being, I also focused on their spiritual pursuits. I hired several elderly maids to teach them reading and writing, and to teach them needlework and embroidery. I hoped they would master a skill so that, even after leaving the palace, they could live a good life on their own.

My actions soon paid off. The maids' lives improved, and long-lost smiles appeared on their faces. They began to respect and support me wholeheartedly. The atmosphere in the harem also became much more harmonious than before.

However, my reforms also affected the interests of some powerful individuals. Eunuch Li was critical of my actions, believing they were a waste of the Emperor's money and disrupting order within the harem. He also secretly instigated some eunuchs and palace maids to spread rumors about me, attempting to discredit me.

Not only Eunuch Li, but even Guard Lin, who had always supported me, began to doubt me. He worried that my reforms would cause unrest in the court and bring unnecessary trouble to the Emperor. He repeatedly urged me not to rush things and to take my time, but I could sense that his tone was no longer as resolute as before.

I understand that the path of reform is never smooth, and I will encounter various obstacles and challenges. But I will not give up. I will persevere in my beliefs. For the sake of those who yearn for change, and for my own sake, I will bravely press on.

On this day, Zhen Youcai was on his usual patrol of the palace when he spotted a furtive figure hiding behind a rockery, seemingly monitoring something. Suspicious, he quietly approached, wanting to see what was going on.

"Who are you? Why are you sneaking around here?" Zhen Youcai asked sternly.

The man was startled by the sudden sound and turned around in a hurry, but accidentally bumped into the rockery behind him, making a "bang" sound.

Zhen Youcai took a closer look and noticed that the man was dressed in eunuch attire, but his eyes flickered and his expression was panic-stricken. Clearly, something was amiss. His suspicions grew even stronger, so he grabbed the man by the collar, dragged him under the light, and began questioning him thoroughly.

"Tell me, who are you? What are you doing here?" Zhen Youcai asked sternly, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword. The man's eyes wandered, and he stammered, unable to speak. He just struggled desperately, trying to break free from Zhen Youcai's grip.

"You're not going to tell the truth, are you?" Zhen Youcai sneered, adding some strength to his grip. "If you don't, I'll send you to the authorities. Then it won't be as simple as me interrogating you."

The man felt the pain in his wrist, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He gritted his teeth, as if he had made a decision, and said, "I'll tell you, I'll tell you! I'm Eunuch Li's man, and he told me... told me..."

"What do you want me to do?" Zhen Youcai asked. His intuition told him that this matter was not simple.

"He asked me... asked me to kill Niu Jieyu!" The man seemed to have made a great decision and finally said this.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Youcai's pupils shrank sharply, and a surge of anger surged in his heart. He had never imagined that someone would dare to assassinate Niu Mengmeng in the palace! He suppressed his anger and continued to ask, "Why did Eunuch Li want to kill Concubine Niu? What else are you hiding? Tell me!"

Seeing that Zhen Youcai had no intention of killing him, the man relaxed a little. He sighed and said, "I don't know the specific reason, but I only know that Eunuch Li is very dissatisfied with Concubine Niu's recent behavior. I think he even said that she ruined his plans..."

"What else?" Zhen Youcai asked sternly.

The man shook his head and said, "That's really all I know. Please, let me go. I'm only following orders..."

Zhen Youcai naturally wouldn't believe him easily. He took the man to a secluded place and searched him carefully. Sure enough, he found a sharp dagger on him. He put the dagger away and knocked the man unconscious. He knew that he had to tell Niu Mengmeng about this immediately.

After hearing Zhen Youcai's description, I felt a little scared, but more than that, I was filled with anger. I hadn't imagined that simply wanting to improve the lives of the palace maids would put me in such great danger. I took a deep breath, tried to calm myself, and said to Zhen Youcai, "Thank you for telling me about this. I understand."

Zhen Youcai was impressed and worried when he saw how calm I was. He said, "Mengmeng, don't be afraid. I will protect you."

I smiled at him and said, "I'm not afraid. Since they want to play, I'll play with them to the end! I want to see who's behind them!"

After Zhen Youcai left, I couldn't calm down for a long time. Eunuch Li, why did he want to harm me? Since entering the palace, I've never done anything to offend him, and I've even tolerated him in everything. Is it possible that just because I touched his cake, he wants to kill me?

My heart went cold. The waters in the palace were indeed deeper than I had imagined. I tried to calm myself down. Now was not the time to be afraid. I had to find out who was behind Eunuch Li and what exactly he wanted to do.

Just when I was extremely anxious, Madam Yang from the Empress's side came. She brought the Empress's greetings and also brought me some shocking news.

"Her Majesty heard that Concubine Niu was in danger, so she sent this servant to come and see. She also said that the palace guards should be strengthened to ensure Concubine Niu's safety." Nanny Yang looked at me with concern. "Concubine Niu, you must be careful recently. I heard that Eunuch Li has been getting close to people outside the palace lately, and I don't know what he is plotting."

Someone outside the palace? I was moved. Could it be that there is an even greater force behind Eunuch Li?

"Thank you, Her Majesty, and Madam Yang, for your concern. Mengmeng is very grateful." I bowed to Madam Yang gratefully, but my heart was in turmoil. It seemed that this matter was more complicated than I had imagined.

After Nanny Yang left, I immediately called Zhen Youcai in and told him what Nanny Yang had said. Zhen Youcai frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "It seems we must first find out what Eunuch Li and the people outside the palace are doing before we can find a breakthrough."

"But how should we investigate?" I was a little troubled. I knew nothing about what was happening in the palace, let alone outside the palace.

"Don't worry about that. I have my own way." Zhen Youcai smiled confidently. "Just stay in the palace and don't go anywhere. I'll take care of everything."

I nodded. Although I was still a little uneasy, when I saw Zhen Youcai's determined eyes, I chose to believe him.

In the next few days, Zhen Youcai went out early and came back late, gathering information everywhere. I tried to go out as little as possible, stayed in the palace, sorted out my thoughts, and secretly observed the movements in the palace.

One night, Zhen Youcai came home very late. I felt a little uneasy. When he came back, it was already late at night.

"How is it? Did you find anything?" I asked anxiously.

Zhen Youcai nodded solemnly and said, "I've found out that Eunuch Li has been in close contact with a businessman named Wang Yuanwai recently. Wang Yuanwai is ostensibly a businessman, but in reality he's a smuggler who specializes in selling illegal salt and weapons."

Contraband salt? Weapons? I was shocked. Could it be that Eunuch Li wanted to...

I didn't dare think about it anymore. If it was really what I thought, then the matter would be serious.

"Also, I found out..." Zhen Youcai paused, as if hesitating whether to tell me.

"What else? Tell me quickly!" I asked anxiously, with an ominous premonition in my heart.

Zhen Youcai took a deep breath and said, "I found out that Mr. Wang has a close relationship with... the Third Prince."

The Third Prince? I was stunned, as if struck by lightning. If Eunuch Li and Mr. Wang were colluding, I would have only suspected it, but with the Third Prince involved, I couldn't help but believe it.

Could it be that they want to...

Just as I was about to conduct an in-depth investigation, an unexpected incident disrupted my plan and I was once again in crisis...

The Third Prince... My mind flashed to that gentle, ever-smiling young prince. How could he be involved in something like this? Did I misjudge him?

I tried to stay calm, took a deep breath, and asked, "Are you sure?"

Zhen Youcai nodded solemnly, "I personally saw them meeting at a villa on the outskirts of the city, and their behavior was intimate, not like an ordinary master-servant relationship."

My heart sank. If Eunuch Li and Mr. Wang were simply colluding for profit, then the Third Prince's involvement was most likely motivated by greater ambition. Could it be that he was planning... a rebellion?!

The moment this thought occurred to me, I was shocked. Treason is a serious crime punishable by the death of nine generations of one's clan. How could the Third Prince be so foolish?

"Who else knows about this?" I asked in a low voice.

"At present, only the two of us know about this," Zhen Youcai replied, "I haven't told anyone yet, including the Queen."

I nodded. Now was not the time to alert the enemy. This matter was of grave importance. If I was not careful, I would be killed.

"Let's keep this a secret and continue investigating." I thought for a moment and said, "Remember, we must be cautious and not alert the enemy."

Zhen Youcai nodded: "I know, don't worry."

However, things are often more complicated than we imagined. Just as we were about to conduct an in-depth investigation, an unexpected incident disrupted our plans, and I was once again caught in crisis...

It was a sunny morning, and I was practicing swordplay in the yard as usual. Ever since the assassination attempt, Zhen Youcai had been forcing me to practice martial arts, claiming it was for self-defense. Although I didn't enjoy wielding swords and guns, I obediently followed his lead to reassure him.

Suddenly, a panicked figure ran into the yard. It was Nanny Yang who was beside the Queen.

"Niu Jieyu, it's bad, something happened!" Yang Ma said breathlessly, "The Emperor... The Emperor..."

My heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. Could it be that something had happened to the Emperor?