Ruling over the Court Arc
Abandoned Empress 06
“Drink it once it’s warmed up.”
Xin Lan handed over the wine flask, and Ah Rou accepted it with astonishment.
“I had someone secretly help me at the Imperial Medical Bureau. Hopefully, it will be effective.”
Ah Rou glanced at her gratefully, although her face was not clearly visible in the dim night.
As she held the flask, feeling the warmth that still lingered, Ah Rou felt a tinge of guilt in her heart.
Her determination grew stronger. Her mistress was innocent, the deposed empress was innocent, and only Concubine Man was the culprit. She must reveal everything and seek justice from the Emperor.
Xin Lan, on the other hand, lay back on the bed without much expression, covering herself with the blanket.
Feeling tired, she fell asleep.
The medicine Ah Rou drank at night indeed had an effect. She could already speak, albeit with a soft voice. Chun Yue brought her hot water to soothe her throat.
Si Tong was curious about the addition of another person when she woke up, and she quietly asked Chun Yue what was going on.
As Chun Yue and Si Tong discussed the events of last night, Ah Rou entered the room with Xin Lan and narrated the sequence of events.
On that day, Concubine Liu went out for a stroll, wanting to be alone without too many people accompanying her. So, she only took Ah Rou along. While they were on the way, Concubine Liu realized that her beloved sachet had gone missing, perhaps brushed off by the branches in the garden. Ah Rou quickly went back to search for it, while Concubine Liu rested by the artificial mountain. It was during this brief respite that Concubine Liu unintentionally overheard a conversation between Concubine Man and someone else. She didn’t recognize the other person, but when she tried to leave, Concubine Man noticed her.
“That day, this servant searched for a long time to find mistress. She was in a daze, standing there with a pale face. After returning, she clung to me and cried incessantly without mentioning what had happened. Later, mistress started experiencing excessive sleepiness and nausea, becoming restless. She finally confided in me about everything. However, we don’t know how Concubine Man learned about mistress’ pregnancy. She went to mistress’ residence and threatened her, forbidding her from getting an abortion and planning to make it widely known. Mistress had no choice… Empress, my mistress is also innocent. Please don’t blame her.”
Ah Rou spoke slowly but tried her best to make herself clear. Her mistress was gone, and she had to avenge her.
Ah Rou revealed the secret that Concubine Liu accidentally overheard from Concubine Man, which aligned with Xin Lan’s speculation.
Looking at Xin Lan’s expressionless face, Ah Rou couldn’t help feeling a sense of unease.
“If I’m not mistaken, today the news of your mistress’ death will spread throughout the palace.”
Ah Rou felt a pang in her heart upon hearing those words, and her nose tingled with a bitter, uncomfortable feeling.
“Thank you, Empress, for saving me last night. I will now go to the Taihe Hall and report everything to the Emperor.”
“You haven’t said it all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Concubine Liu didn’t just overhear a secret. Remember what I’m about to say and add it in. Listen carefully.”
Ah Rou nodded in confusion, listening as Xin Lan added a few unsettling words.
What does it mean for the entire harem to have no other choice, with only her being pregnant, carrying the child of their great Qingguo…?
These simple sentences, combined with the previous hints of treason, outlined a stunning conspiracy.
“You want to seek revenge for your mistress, don’t you?”
Ah Rou nodded.
“Then remember it well. What Concubine Liu heard that day was precisely those words. You didn’t enter the Jade Moon Palace yesterday; instead, you casually spent the night in an uninhabited place. Understand?”
“I understand,” Ah Rou replied.
“Go.”
Xin Lan watched as Ah Rou glanced left and right, then hurriedly walked out of the gates of the Jade Moon Palace.
Xin Lan had Si Tong close the doors of the palace and sat in her own room, keeping an eye with Zero Nine.
After completing the morning court session, Qu Zhi’an intended to leave, but she was stopped by the Emperor’s trusted eunuch. Her steps halted, knowing she couldn’t escape now.
These past two days, she had been pretending not to notice, smoothly deflecting the Emperor’s ambiguous words and actions, all the while secretly preparing an exit strategy for herself.
The imperial power was unpredictable, and the fact that the Emperor had intentions of using her unsettled her. When she thought about it, she felt annoyed. These past nights, she inexplicably found herself thinking about Xin Lan, which made her dislike the Emperor even more. But she still had to maintain her facade.
When the Emperor summoned her, it was undoubtedly to discuss matters concerning the nation. Qu Zhi’an sighed inwardly but still gathered her spirits.
Setting aside everything else, she was naturally willing to serve her country.
Qu Zhi’an and Wu Yanqing walked together on their way back to the study, quietly discussing their perspectives on the disaster.
Due to heavy rainfall, the southern region was plagued by floods. River banks were breached, and many people were displaced. Normally, the process would involve opening granaries for disaster relief, but in that area, bandits roamed freely, and the local government officials were neglecting their duties. The suffering of the people went unheard until it became unbearable and was finally reported up the chain, prompting Wu Yanqing to unleash his fury.
“Zhi’an, tell me, who should We send?”
“I believe Your Majesty already has a suitable candidate in mind.”
“Well, take a guess then.”
Qu Zhi’an pretended to contemplate, but in reality, she had only recently entered official service, and many intricate relationships were still only partially understood by her. However, she could discern what belonged to the Emperor and what had its own intentions.
“If I guess wrong, Your Majesty, please don’t jest with me. I suspect it is Lord Qiu.”
“Zhi’an, you’re truly remarkable. Your guess aligns with Our thoughts.”
Qu Zhi’an tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile.
Qiu Pei was indeed one of the scholars who took the examination at the same time as her. Although he didn’t rank in the top three, he was still outstanding. He had a principled character. When they were in the academy, Qu Zhi’an got along well with him, considering him a close friend.
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Qiu Pei had a somewhat rigid personality, and if he were sent to assist with disaster relief, he would handle matters diligently. He was upright and wouldn’t casually deceive or manipulate like some others. Moreover, the most crucial factor was that Qiu Pei was a person favored by the Emperor.
Among the newly appointed officials, apart from a few exceptions, they were individuals like her and Qiu Pei, filled with enthusiasm to pledge loyalty to the Emperor and serve the country.
If it weren’t for the incident she experienced that day, she might have regarded him as a wise ruler, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.
Someone ran over from a short distance away, and the imperial guards quickly assumed a defensive posture, ready to protect.
Wu Yanqing halted and recognized the somewhat familiar palace maid.
“Plea for His Majesty’s intervention on behalf of my mistress.”
Without a second word, the palace maid immediately knelt down and knocked her head on the ground twice.
Her voice was very soft, and Wu Yanqing could barely hear her.
“Come forward. Who is your mistress?”
As the palace maid lifted her head, Wu Yanqing noticed the bruises on her neck, resembling strangulation marks. He realized that this matter was likely extraordinary, so he didn’t make her wait and called her to approach.
“My mistress is Lady Liu, who was killed by Concubine Man last night in the palace.”
Even Wu Yanqing couldn’t help but be stunned by the revelation.
“Follow Us and explain clearly.”
Wu Yanqing’s expression turned cold. He remembered now. When Lady Liu was pregnant, he often visited her and indeed saw this maid frequently. When Lady Liu had a miscarriage, this maid was by her side, but it was another person who had been subjected to harsh interrogation.
Upon hearing about the royal matter, Qu Zhi’an’s heart skipped a beat. She thought of the maid’s mention of Lady Liu and then recalled that cold, beautiful face.
Come to think of it, she wondered how Lady Liu fared in the cold palace and whether the Emperor had made another move against her.
“In that case, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave.”
Although Qu Zhi’an was eager to stay and listen to the cause and effect of this matter, she knew what she could and couldn’t hear. Moreover, this was a matter of the inner palace catching fire, and it would be inappropriate for an outsider like her to observe.
As expected, the Emperor didn’t ask her to stay either. He hurriedly went to the study with the maid.
Qu Zhi’an started walking back but didn’t leave quickly. Instead, she walked slowly, contemplating something in her mind.
The study.
Wu Yanqing had all the palace attendants retreat, leaving only him and Ah Ruo.
“Explain the matter to Us in detail.”
Ah Ruo nodded and began recounting the story from the beginning.
She emphasized the inhumane treatment Lady Liu endured and the loss of her child.
“Initially, my mistress wanted to end her life, but Concubine Man threatened her. She said that if my mistress dared to seek death, Concubine Man would influence you, Your Majesty, and take action against her family. My mistress became frightened and tried to endure each day, but she grew more and more haggard.”
“…My mistress couldn’t bear it any longer. After each time you visited her, she would wash her face with tears in her room, tormented in her heart. So, she planned to miscarry the child, pretending it was an accidental fall resulting in a miscarriage. However, Concubine Man wouldn’t allow it. She insisted on framing the Empress… the deposed Empress Consort, and that maid was also arranged by Concubine Man.”
“Last night, my mistress suddenly collapsed from the bed. I suspect it was because she lost the child. My mistress knew her secret was exposed, so she struck back, taking a life. I wanted to go out and report the incident, but that conniving maid, Alan, restrained me. You see, the marks on my neck are from her grip. Later, I struggled desperately and managed to escape. Matron Dong, who serves Concubine Man, even chased after me. I saw her face clearly. Afterward, I don’t know where I ended up. I hid in a room overnight and as soon as I woke up, I hurriedly came to find Your Majesty.”
“What secret?”
Wu Yanqing’s face turned ashen when Ah Ruo mentioned the origin of Lady Liu’s child.
How audacious! He, an Emperor, had someone daring enough to cuckold him like this.
“On that day, my mistress overheard Concubine Man talking to a man, possibly a high-ranking official in the court. They mentioned something about a Tiger Seal and the Southwest, as well as Ziyi and other places. I can’t recall the exact details. But my mistress said that Concubine Man and that man spoke about the firstborn dragon son of Your Majesty, who would be born from her womb. They planned to bear a prince for the Daqing Kingdom effortlessly…”
Ah Rou continued, her body trembling involuntarily, almost afraid to lift her head and look at the Emperor’s expression.
She remembered what the deposed Empress Consort had warned her about being cautious in her words, not revealing too much, and preferably being evasive.
“What do you mean by ‘easily’?”
Wu Yanqing’s face darkened, shifting from anger to rage.
Being made a cuckold was already a great humiliation, an intolerable offense.
“It’s an effortless task to seize the Wu Kingdom, which requires for Your Majesty to… this servant dare not say further,” Ah Rou stuttered.
“Are every one of your words true?”
Wu Yanqing stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with a deep shadow.
“Every word this servant speak is true. I dare not utter a single false statement. If this servant speak falsely, let heaven strike me with thunder, condemning me to fall into the depths of Avīci1, never to be reincarnated.”
Ah Rou clenched her teeth, making a solemn oath.
She trembled in fear, realizing she had spoken falsehoods. However, the thought of her mistress, who suffered an unexplained and dishonorable death, strengthened her resolve.
“What does it matter if I descend into hell, as long as my master’s vengeance is avenged?” she thought.
Meanwhile, Xin Lan, whose broadcast continued, maintained a calm and composed demeanor. Hearing Zero-Nine’s description of Emperor Wu’s grim expression amused her.
Ah Rou wouldn’t have to face damnation. After all, she wasn’t blindly speculating but rather piecing together the puzzle with logical connections. The truth was likely not far from what she had revealed. However, just half a month ago, during Concubine Man’s visit, Xin Lan had scanned her with no signs of pregnancy. But within half a month, who knew what she could have done?
Emperor Wu pressed his throbbing temple and instructed someone to escort Ah Rou away.
Excellent. He had long known that those sleeping beside him were not ordinary. Each had their own ulterior motives. Yet, he never expected someone with such grand ambitions, daring to harbor intentions against his throne.
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As Emperor Wu stepped out, his face regained its usual composure.
He proceeded toward Yunxi Palace, wearing a faint smile. Upon entering the palace, his countenance bore a hint of amusement.
Concubine Man’s heart was unsettled. When she heard the announcement of the Emperor’s arrival, she forced a smile. However, as she turned to face the Emperor, her eyes glistened like water, and she leaned against him with a serpentine grace, displaying her former sweet smile.
“What wind has blown Your Majesty here so early in the morning to visit this humble concubine?” she coyly remarked.
“We have heard an interesting piece of news. Beloved concubine, would you like to hear it?”
Emperor Wu embraced the beauty leaning against him, leaning slightly closer, their faces almost touching. His fingers traced across her fair neck. His voice carried a hint of amusement, resembling the tender words shared between lovers. Yet, beneath his gaze, lay an eternal icy coldness.
Emperor Wu was a force to be reckoned with. Once he made a move, it would be a grand spectacle.
The people from Concubine Man’s palace were escorted out for investigation. A squadron of imperial guards entered Yunxi Palace, commencing a thorough search.
Meanwhile, a court physician was summoned into Yunxi Palace.
Concubine Man shrank slightly before the Emperor, her hands covering her belly.
She hadn’t expected that her thoughts would be so clearly understood by this man. But she distinctly remembered not uttering a word about any children from the imperial harem. She definitely hadn’t!
How could the Emperor know about all her plans?
After meticulously arranging her chess pieces for three to four years, would everything crumble to ruins just like that?
“You had better speak the truth about this matter. If it turns out that the child in your womb is not Ours,” Emperor Wu chuckled coldly, “not only will you endure further interrogation, but you shall also experience the fate reserved for unfaithful women, one by one.”
Concubine Man’s complexion turned pale as she watched the Emperor’s departing figure, his sleeves fluttering. She slumped to the ground, utterly dejected.
How did it come to this? How did it all turn out like this?
Just yesterday, her plans were progressing smoothly. It was merely an oversight with a maid, and yet she was treated in such a manner.
Concubine Man clenched her fists, as if suddenly realizing something, and let out a self-deprecating laugh.
In truth, from the very beginning, the Emperor had never trusted her, had he? That’s why he didn’t bother investigating; he simply jumped to conclusions.
Whether she had actually done it or not, it seemed the Emperor didn’t care.
Just as she had once laid her hands on Xin Lan, the Emperor treated Xin Lan the same way.
Regardless of the truth, he didn’t care at all; he only cared about the outcome he saw.
How foolish she had been to think that she had captivated this man, to make him indulge in her allure.
How laughable.
It seems that those in power are all so heartless.
Whether it’s her husband or her father, who is far away in Daqing.
Concubine Man is an intelligent person, and she has already envisioned her own fate.
If news of her current situation reaches her father, he would probably consider her a discarded chess piece.
As a princess married off to a distant land, what meaning is there in being rescued?
Both of them are discarded pawns, but Xin Lan has only fallen to the Cold Palace, while Concubine Man’s plight is likely even more miserable.
Concubine Man caressed her stomach, her eyes filled with determination.
“A good show is about to begin.”
Xin Lan, upon hearing the broadcast, made this comment.
It seems that Wu Yanqing, that person, treats not only the original host this way, but perhaps everyone.
But some people deserve it, while others are incredibly innocent.
Concubine Man is a clever and ruthless woman, adept at hidden schemes and often criticized for her actions, but her character still holds a certain resilience, displaying an unexpected level of composure.
She’s a smart individual, but sadly on a divergent path.
From Xin Lan’s current position, Concubine Man is seen as a treacherous traitor, even though she originally belonged to the Daqing Kingdom. However, since she married into Wu Kingdom, she should be considered a Wu citizen and involving herself in such devious schemes is highly unfavorable.
Xin Lan despises traitors with an intense passion.
Motivated by her military determination, she loathes those who betray their country, especially considering that it was due to the Empire’s betrayal that she had to resort to her final measures.
Suddenly, Xin Lan thought of something and instructed Zero Nine to closely monitor Ah Rou.
Knowing such a monumental secret, considering the Emperor’s temperament, it is unlikely that she will be allowed to survive.
If there’s any possibility of saving her, then let’s try.
Within the palace, everything changed in an instant.
A few days ago, Concubine Liu, who had a miscarriage, tragically died in her own bed, evoking a deep sense of lamentation.
As for Concubine Man, who was once favored, it’s unclear what she did to anger the Emperor, but she has been confined within the Yunxi Palace. All the palace maids by her side were taken away, and the Imperial Guards stand watch at the entrance.
At such a time, the Imperial Concubine wisely avoided getting involved and stayed obediently in her own palace. Xin Long received instructions from Xin Lan to stay quietly in the palace and refrained from asking the Emperor about what had happened.
Although she is the Empress, it’s evident that she hasn’t yet gained control over the inner court. The Phoenix Seal is in her possession, but it’s still the Imperial Concubine who whispers various things in her ear.
Concubine Xi, who usually keeps to herself, remained silent as well.
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In the harem, an atmosphere of self-preservation arose, with everyone obediently behaving like quails.
Wu Yanqing angrily threw the searched items to the ground, while the kneeling Imperial Physician kept his head lowered, wishing to pretend he didn’t exist.
“How cunning Concubine Man is, what ambitions she has for the Daqing Kingdom.”
Wu Yanqing couldn’t help but laugh bitterly as he looked at the smashed cosmetics before him.
It was said that those things could cause damage to a man’s private parts, yet every time he went to Concubine Man’s palace, her secret chambers were filled with that fragrant substance. He used to think it was just for pleasure, but now he realizes it was all malevolent intent.
Fortunately, it was the maid of Concubine Liu who revealed the truth to him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have known how long he would have been kept in the dark.
However, some things are better left unknown by unimportant individuals.
“Mei’an, where is the maid of Concubine Liu?”
“Your Majesty, she is in the side hall. Shall I summon her for you?”
“No need, send someone to handle it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Meanwhile, within the Jade Moon Palace, Chun Yue handed Xin Lan a piece of paper.
“Mistress, someone gave this to you.”
Xin Lan unfolded the paper and saw nine words written on it.
“The harem has changed, how have you been lately?”
There was no signature, but Xin Lan thought it must be from that person.
Qu Zhi’an, she silently recited the name in her heart.
Footnotes
- Avīci or Avici is one of the hells in Hinduism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, it is one of the twenty-eight hells located in the kingdom of Yama, where individuals are reborn for bearing false witness and outright lying while transacting business or giving charity.