Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Fortunately, those who had seen the letter were immediately executed, temporarily concealing this shocking palace scandal. But who could guarantee that there were no walls that could leak information in this world?
Empress Dowager Mingxi sighed deeply.
Aunt Yu quickly approached with a steaming gilded Jade Bowl. Hearing the Empress Dowager's sigh, she handed the Jade Bowl to her and softly said, "As you predicted, Your Majesty, the Emperor did not grant Miss Mei Shuang a death sentence; he merely stripped her of her title as Empress and sent her to the Cold Palace..."
Well, after waiting all night for news, she finally felt somewhat reassured.
Empress Dowager Mingxi's gaze softened slightly; after all, a mother and son share a bond. Her son still left her some face.
Although she verbally stated, "Let the Emperor handle it," deep down, she had been observing her son's actions. Thus, this outcome was undoubtedly the most compromising one at present, balancing various sentiments and powers.
In truth, it was easy to discuss others, but just thinking about the signatures on the letters made her want to spit blood.
If it were someone else, it would be fine, but why did it have to be this scoundrel?!
She stirred the honeyed red date soup in her bowl when suddenly remembering something, her expression turned calm. "What about Heqin Wine? Has the Emperor had any?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, just now the Emperor and the former Empress came out from Heavenly Prison and have not yet arrived at Weiyang Palace..." Aunt Yu replied.
"Well... it is only right for her sister to go see her; it serves as a lesson for her as well..."
At this point, her gaze suddenly turned cold, and her tone became stiff.
Aunt Yu naturally understood why the Empress Dowager was suddenly angry.
The two daughters of Mei Manor were born on the same day of the same month in the same year; their beauty was comparable, each possessing unique talents. But for some reason, in the Empress Dowager's eyes, she had always favored Chancellor Mei's legitimate daughter Mei Shuang, believing that only she was worthy of being Empress of the Great Qin Empire. In fact, Aunt Yu had heard many things about Mei Shuang—how beneath her gentle exterior lay jealousy and a multitude of schemes...
Yet every time the Empress Dowager heard such things, she would only smile. The reasons behind this preference were known only to her; to outsiders, it seemed like mere fate—there was nothing to be done; such connections were more important than anything else...
Now, by a twist of fate, it was actually the illegitimate daughter Mei Ru who entered the palace to take her sister's place as Empress. Naturally, the Empress Dowager was dissatisfied... but what was done was done; one could only say that she had been blind.
Of course, Aunt Yu dared only to think this in her heart.
Just thinking about having to bow before the new Empress Mei Ru tomorrow made Empress Dowager Mingxi feel uncomfortable all over. She handed the bowl back to Aunt Yu and said coldly, "I am tired today; I need to sleep more tomorrow..."
This means that there will be no morning greeting from the new Empress tomorrow.
Aunt Yu took the bowl, feeling both amused and helpless.
Empress Dowager Mingxi was about to lie down when she suddenly noticed Aunt Yu's hesitant expression, which seemed slightly displeased. "What is it?"
Aunt Yu carefully considered her words and said softly, "Empress Dowager, just now Xu Taishi reported that the young lady attempted to take her own life in the Heavenly Prison, but fortunately, it was discovered early. After his treatment, she is no longer in serious danger."
"......"
Empress Dowager Mingxi was immediately taken aback. "An attempted suicide?"
Her expression changed in an instant as she raised her hand and slammed it heavily on the bed, angrily saying, "I have tried my best to keep her alive out of consideration for her past service! Yet she treats herself this way! Truly disappointing! Had I known this would happen, I should have let the Emperor execute her directly!"
Seeing the Empress Dowager furious, Aunt Yu panicked.
She quickly set down the bowl and began to soothe her chest while trying to calm her down, feeling shocked inside. Why did the Empress Dowager care so much about this young lady from Mei Manor?
Suddenly, they heard a maid's voice from outside. "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty has arrived!"
Dressed in bright yellow, Xiao Luo stepped into Cining Palace and saw Aunt Yu and the maids waiting at the door for him.
Noticing his grim expression, everyone quickly bowed and took his fur cloak before serving him hot tea and then retreating.
Seeing her son’s usually resolute face now clouded with frost and evident fatigue, lacking any trace of a new ruler's triumph, Empress Dowager Mingxi felt a pang of heartache. "It's so late; why haven't you gone back to rest? We can talk tomorrow..."
Xiao Luo walked straight to his mother's bedside and sat down but remained silent.
Empress Dowager Mingxi felt uncomfortable at this sight.
In the silent atmosphere, only the cold wind howled outside, occasionally interrupted by the flickering sound of candle flames inside. The cold breeze blew through a slightly opened window for ventilation, causing the candlelight to sway unpredictably, casting shifting shadows on Emperor Xiao Luo's face.
"Am I satisfactory in handling matters this way, Empress Dowager?" After a long pause, Xiao Luo finally spoke in a calm tone.
Empress Dowager Mingxi was taken aback and gazed at her son, who was now twenty-seven yet still insisted on remaining unmarried. A hint of bitterness appeared at the corners of her lips.
She had no idea that her son had harbored resentment towards her all along.
For years, he had stationed himself at the border as a prince, achieving great military success, yet he rarely sought the company of women, remaining devoted to the one in his heart. He waited patiently, hoping for the day when he could be with her. But now, upon returning to the court, when he wished to share his life with his beloved, he found only an empty residence and the arrangement of an Empress that brought him great shame. How could he not resent her, the Empress Dowager?
The bond between mother and son was already strained by their infrequent meetings. Now, even though he sat before her, the distance between them was palpable. Thinking of her son’s bravery on the battlefield and the humiliation he had suffered, Empress Dowager Mingxi felt a wave of bitterness rise within her chest. “Luo Er, do you still hate the Empress Dowager?”
Xiao Luo lowered his gaze to the teacup in his hands, noncommittal.
Empress Dowager Mingxi could no longer hold back her emotions; she picked up a silk handkerchief to dab at her eyes. “Luo Er, you will understand my intentions one day. You only know how to lead troops into battle and have never cared for political affairs. Now that you have ascended to the throne, you must be aware of the complexities within the court... You must marry the daughter of Chancellor Mei! If you cannot marry the legitimate daughter, then take a concubine!”
As the candlelight flickered, Xiao Luo's eyes darkened; clearly, this was not what he had come to hear tonight.
Empress Dowager Mingxi softened her tone and sighed. “I see that Shuang'er does not seem like an inappropriate choice for you. But things have come to this point; I can only say I was blind. Perhaps there are hidden circumstances... I know what is in your heart; it is just that the General of the State’s daughter is of low status—how can she be worthy of becoming my Empress of the Great Qin Empire? Moreover, the General’s family has already fallen from grace, and you have just ascended to the throne—”
“Empress Dowager,” Xiao Luo tightened his grip on the teacup, recalling how he had returned from the border weary and dusty, thinking he could finally be with his beloved. Instead, he found himself empty-handed and forced to marry a woman he did not love. Anger surged within him as he spoke fiercely.
“Empress Dowager knows that I have never been interested in the throne. My elder brother passed away suddenly without leaving any heirs; I only agreed to return to court for Xi Ruo. I swore long ago that I would marry no one but Xi Ruo in this lifetime. Why has the Empress Dowager gone back on her word? Now she even forbids her from entering the palace?”
Comment 0 Comment Count