My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 207 Mother and son guard against each other

"No need." The Queen Mother's face was full of majesty, and her eyes were firm as if she had made some kind of resolution. She said, "Ashan, bring me the will left by the late emperor."

The nanny was slightly stunned and turned to go to the inner room.

Feng Ziheng, however, asked doubtfully, "My Lady, did the late Emperor leave any will for you?"

The Queen Mother snorted coldly, "I covered for him what his biological mother did, but he is ungrateful and has forced my relatives to death. I will make him taste the feeling of being forced!"

Feng Ziheng was horrified. "Your Majesty, please don't do this! No matter what, as long as you don't go against His Majesty, His Majesty will, for the sake of our mother-son relationship, never do anything to you. When I return home, I'll discuss this with my father and have him go before His Majesty to make his appeal and ask for His Majesty's forgiveness..."

"Forgive? Forgive what? The Shao family was completely annihilated by him, how can he forgive them? What did the Si family do to deserve his forgiveness?"

Feng Ziheng was speechless. Although he called Shao Qin his cousin, he was actually only a few years younger than Shao Qin and Si Xingzhi. Having served in the same court as them, he knew Si Xingzhi was not a talented person, only good at maintaining the status quo. He did not seek advancement, only to keep his family safe and prosperous.

Why should we treat such a person so harshly?

Perhaps because of her excitement, the empress dowager began to cough violently. Also, because she was talking to Feng Ziheng alone, all the female officials and palace maids around her were dismissed, and her personal nanny went to get something, so there was no one to serve her for a while.

Feng Ziheng hurried forward to support her and quickly poured her some water to feed her: "Grandma..."

The Queen Mother held his hand and sighed softly, "Heng'er has been sharp since childhood and mature at a young age. All of your brothers call me Grandma, but you refuse to do so. Now that I am dying, I finally want to hear you call me Grandma."

"Your Majesty, please don't talk nonsense."

The nanny rushed over, put the box in her hand on the table, and took out some pills for the empress dowager to take.

Feng Ziheng asked, "Aunt, are these health pills enough? How about I have someone make some more and send them to the palace tomorrow?"

The Queen Mother waved her hand: "No need, I'm just hanging on to this life."

Feng Ziheng felt upset and couldn't say anything to comfort him.

The Queen Mother said, "You know what I am going to do. Go back and tell your father and uncles to prepare. The Feng family must not get involved."

After saying that, she overturned everything on the table with all her might, and immediately flew into a rage and yelled, "Feng Ziheng... well, well, you really are my good nephew!"

Feng Ziheng knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

The Queen Mother continued to curse: "What a loyal minister! Get out! Get out of here! Get out!"

When the Emperor in the Qinzheng Palace heard the news, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and asked, "How long did Feng Ziheng stay with the Empress Dowager?"

The eunuch said, "Half an hour. I heard he was fine before..."

The emperor's face showed worry. "Alas, Ziheng is still young and naive. The Queen Mother is already so old, she should just go along with what she says. How could he be so reckless?"

The eunuch responded, "Your Majesty, Prince Feng must have traveled a long way and must be tired, so he neglected it."

The emperor looked at him and asked, "Are you worried about him?"

The eunuch immediately knelt down and said, "I have spoken carelessly, Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

"I just said it casually. Don't I know what you think? You're just worried about me."

The eunuch hurriedly said, "I am your Majesty's servant, and all my thoughts and ideas are yours. Although I am stupid, I also know that trying to guess your Majesty's mind is a great sin!"

The emperor laughed heartily: "You, you are the most cunning one!"

In the evening, Duke Feng Guo and Feng Ziheng entered the palace to meet the emperor. They simply said that they were incompetent and requested the emperor to demote them.

The emperor frowned and asked, "Why do you say that, my dear Lord Feng?"

The Duke of Fengguo was nearly sixty, a very old man. He knelt down and apologized, "I am incompetent and have held a high position for many years. Now that I am old, I cannot share your Majesty's worries. Please allow me to retire and return home."

The Emperor looked at Feng Ziheng. "What about you? What's your reason?"

"Wei Chen..."

Before Feng Ziheng could say anything, the emperor picked up the brush on the table and threw it at his head.

"Have I never treated you well? Feng Ziheng, you came to me and asked to demote yourself, but have you ever considered me? How many people in the court can I trust now?"

Feng Ziheng was hit on the head by a pen, but he didn't try to dodge and just took it.

The emperor was even more furious when he saw this: "Just like your father, so old-fashioned! Not even as good as Zizhou!"

He did not mention their resignation and demotion, but only asked if Feng Zizhou was doing well.

Duke Feng Guo explained how Feng Zizhou was unfilial and had caused unrest in the family, and he lamented, "What an unfilial son! He caused the broken engagement and delayed the princess's life. It's all because of my poor parenting! Now he's gone out to play around and doesn't even listen to me. I'll definitely discipline him when I return!"

The emperor waved his hand and said, "That child is innocent, and it's your fault. Why are you so anxious about getting married?"

At this time, the eunuch at the door came in and announced: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is here..."

He looked panic-stricken. After all, the empress dowager was old and would not come out even for palace banquets. She also forbade the concubines from paying their respects early on. The emperor only visited her on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month and during the New Year holidays.

The emperor's expression changed slightly. He glanced at Duke Feng and Feng Ziheng. Seeing that they were both nervous, he snorted coldly, "Is it for me, or for the Queen Mother?"

The Duke of Feng was possessed: "Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

After paying their respects, the two did not dare to linger outside the hall and knelt aside to welcome the arrival of the Empress Dowager.

The empress dowager was dressed in a formal dress, looking very solemn. She was slowly walked up the steps supported by the female officials beside her. The nanny behind her was wearing female official clothes and holding a box, also looking solemn and dignified.

Passing by the father and son of the Feng family, the Queen Mother did not glance away. She walked outside the hall, turned back to take the box, entered the hall, glanced at the eunuchs waiting around, and said calmly: "I have something to say to the Emperor alone, you can leave first."

The eunuchs looked at each other and did not dare to move.

The Queen Mother continued, "Now, I can't even talk to the Emperor alone. Back then, mother and I depended on each other in the palace, and we went through so many hardships. I'm old, and I'm no longer useful."

The Emperor's expression was gentle. Upon hearing this, he immediately came down to greet them. "How dare you disobey the Empress Dowager's order?"

He stepped forward again with a smile and said, "Mother, the servants are ignorant. It's my son's fault for not teaching them well. How can I let this hurt our mother-son relationship? If you miss me, just send someone to tell me. I will come to see you. Why come here in person?"

As the Empress Dowager let him help her up, she noticed the figure behind the screen and knew it was the Emperor's personal guard. She paid no attention to it. No matter how close they appeared to be, they were always on guard in private.

The emperor is like this, and so is she.

The two of them sat down together. The eunuch served tea and then quickly left, standing outside the door without coming in.