Zhao Zheng had not attended court for several days, leaving the officials to cool their heels.
He did this because the gentry clans cared only for Zhang Juyang, not for him, the Emperor. Ever since removing Empress Dowager Dou—a thorn in his side—Zhao Zheng had been contemplating who should take the blame for her death. He could only choose between the Empress, the Noble Consort, and Consort De. As it stood, the Empress was the most suitable scapegoat; the Qian family would have to be wiped out regardless, so he might as well take the opportunity to finish it.
However, he had yet to find a pretext, so he remained sequestered in Yuxiao Palace, creating the illusion that he had abandoned affairs of state.
Chapter 44