A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 104

Fighting Her for Someone

Might as Well Call Her Goudan

Inside the imperial palace, lamplight blazed bright. The old Emperor’s back was hunched. Over the past year, the Empress had selected many beauties for him, and at fifty or sixty years of age, he was ultimately struggling. But the young, beautiful consorts were all as tender as unopened flower buds, attending to him intimately all day long. Even if he were not a man of insatiable desire, there were inevitably times he could not restrain himself.

            

Fortunately, Beauty Yu excelled at making potent restorative pills, making the Emperor—who refused to accept his age—feel ever more convinced that he still possessed boundless vitality and an undimmed edge.

Only recently, even Beauty Yu’s pills had lost their effect. The Emperor constantly felt exhausted and dizzy.

“Your Majesty, shall this slave fetch Beauty Yu?” The head eunuch beside him, seeing the Emperor preparing to retire, ventured cautiously.

            

“No need. I wish for some peace today. You may withdraw.”

“This slave takes his leave.”

The old Emperor slowly lay down. He thought of his youth, of that woman as stubborn as a wild rose. Why he thought of her now, he wasn’t sure—perhaps he truly was old.

            

He would see that child tomorrow.

As his thoughts drifted, drowsiness overtook him, and he closed his eyes.

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The next day, Ye Huaiqing—who had been busy enough to pull his hair out—was summoned by the Emperor into the inner hall. He did not know what the Emperor wanted. Previously, to send rescue forces for his biaodi¹, he had requested audiences with the Emperor many times, only to be blocked at the gates, unable to even see his face.

            

Now that he had heard Ah Tang was on the way back, his heart had finally settled—so why was he being summoned again?

He entered the inner hall slowly. Seeing the Emperor leaning back against his pillows, he suddenly felt the man had aged considerably. But whose fault was that?

“Huaiqing, you’ve come?” His eyes were clouded as he spoke slowly.

            

“Your Majesty, have you summoned your humble servant for some important matter?” Ye Huaiqing asked with utmost respect.

The Emperor looked at this child who increasingly resembled their old Zhao family. Any doubts in his heart had long been dispelled—this boy looked far too much like his grandmother, the Emperor’s own mother.

If he was not his child, then whose could he be?

            

“Huaiqing, what if We enter you onto the Imperial Lineage Register²?” The Emperor stared at him steadily.

Ye Huaiqing’s heart jolted in surprise. He looked up at the Emperor. Some things he had yearned for as a child, but as he grew older, he had learned to let them go. Yet without power in his hands, he could not protect even his own cousin or his wife.

“Why has Your Majesty thought of this now?” Even though he wanted this status, he dared not let the Emperor see it on his face.

            

“Perhaps it is because We have grown old and wish for more children around Us. Besides, this position should have been yours from the start. We were young then and listened to slander.” The Emperor’s words were steeped in exhaustion, his tone weathered with age.

Hearing his regretful words, Ye Huaiqing was slightly moved, yet still kept his distance. “Your Majesty, your humble servant lives well now, all thanks to your blessings.”

“Huaiqing, would you call Us Imperial Father³?”

            

Ye Huaiqing’s expression carried a hint of restraint, or perhaps numbness.

After a moment, he composed himself and said, “Long live Imperial Father, ten thousand years.”

Though it was somewhat difficult to say, his reason told him it didn’t matter.

            

“Good… good… hahaha.” The Emperor’s joy was visible. He immediately called for a eunuch to draft an edict, changing Ye Huaiqing’s name to Zhao Huaiqing, entering him onto the Imperial Lineage Register, creating him Prince Xian, and even granting a posthumous title to his deceased mother.

Ye Huaiqing was somewhat startled. What was the Emperor playing at? Just as the other two princes were fighting each other to the death, he dropped this bombshell—the Empress would certainly be furious enough to spit blood.

“Your royal son accepts the edict and thanks Imperial Father for his boundless grace.” Ye Huaiqing’s heart was in turmoil, but his face remained calm as a gentle breeze.

            

The Emperor seemed to have fulfilled a long-held wish. Satisfied, he returned to his bedchamber.

But this sudden news, before the next day even arrived, had already exploded through the imperial palace.

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Shen Hetang’s group returned low-key to Shen Manor. Madam Shen’s gaunt face revealed excitement. After arranging things for her daughter, she hurried to the temple to fulfill her vow. Madam Ru had set aside their past rivalry, busy arranging the evening meal and tidying rooms, bustling about everywhere.

            

Shen Hetang patted Shen Yunjie’s shoulder and said, “You’ve managed the household well.”

“Not really. It’s good that you’re back.” He scratched his head, embarrassed.

Shen Manor was as lively as New Year. With the backbone of the family returned, the servants worked with renewed energy.

            

Ye Huaiqing was the first to rush over. He hadn’t been able to help much and was filled with guilt.

Hearing that he had been created Prince Xian, Shen Hetang’s first order of business was to demand he repay the silver. The moment she asked for the debt, Ye Huaiqing’s guilt evaporated by half. He said he’d owe it for now.

“What about Army Supervisor Lu?” She hadn’t forgotten that son of a bitch⁴.

            

“He’s the Empress’s man. Already locked in the dungeon in secret.” After uncovering the traitor, Ye Huaiqing had simply snatched the man away. Who cared about his official rank—grab him first, then torture him for answers.

“Serves him right.” Knowing he had fallen into Ye Huaiqing’s hands, Shen Hetang felt somewhat satisfied. For now, there was no way to bring the Empress down, so catching a minion to vent upon was good enough.

She half-reclined against the bed. The journey had left her somewhat fatigued.

            

“Now that His Majesty has created you Prince Xian, biaoge⁵, if you still want to be an idle fish⁶, I’m afraid that won’t be up to you anymore.” Shen Hetang’s eyes, dark as lacquer, looked earnestly at Ye Huaiqing across from her.

In her heart, she thought: The destructive power of this white moon⁷ is truly immense. She needed to go burn some paper money⁸ for her cousin-aunt⁹. Truly—just when you least needed it, there it was. This cursed biaoge was soaring upward at breakneck speed.

“I certainly won’t foolishly wait for others to come after me. Besides, she has targeted you again and again—the next target will be me. I absolutely will not let her get away with this.” Ye Huaiqing had long shed his earlier gentle refinement. He was a man forged on the battlefield, and his words carried the resolve of one determined to succeed.

            

“As long as you’ve made up your mind. You know I can only support you with everything I have.” Shen Hetang’s face was still pale to the point of transparency.

“You’re not needed right now. Rest at home first. Tomorrow, I will report to the court that you slew the enemy state’s First Prince, so you can return to the court openly and honorably.”

“Thank you, biaoge.” Shen Hetang coughed lightly.

            

“Oh? Since when are you so formal?” Ye Huaiqing was unaccustomed to this dutifulness from her.

“We can’t always be like when we were children!” Shen Hetang smiled faintly.

“Fine. You always have to give me face in front of others.” Seeing her somewhat weakened state, Ye Huaiqing didn’t stay too long.

            

After he left, Shen Hetang lazily lay back down. Though she had said she’d support him, the scheming and maneuvering shouldn’t require her personal involvement. Those two would be enough. At most, she would contribute manpower and effort—just a cannon to be aimed by others. She might as well take this time to hide at home.

“Has biaoge left?” Jiang Chenyu walked in carrying a restorative soup.

“Which biaoge? Is he your biaoge? Call him Prince Xian.” Shen Hetang propped her head on her hand, eyes fixed on her, speaking with a sour edge.

            

“Are you very idle now? You eat vinegar¹⁰ over everything. Do you want me to find someone to add more for you?” These past two days, Jiang Chenyu felt she was like a child—somewhat shameless.

“I don’t care. You’re just not allowed to call him that!” She sat up, hugging the quilt, gazing at her mournfully. Her rosy lips stood out vividly against her pale, translucent face.

For the sake of that face, Jiang Chenyu decided not to bicker with her.

            

“Come, open up.” She brought premium bird’s nest soup to Shen Hetang’s bedside.

Her hair was styled in a high coiffure with locks cascading at the sides. A pearl-and-gold buyao¹¹ hairpin graced the front, swaying gently at her forehead alongside her gold earrings, evoking an indescribable tenderness.

Her pale purple long robe cinched tightly at the waist, its hem flaring like a fan, overlaid with gauze—truly swaying with captivating grace. There was just one problem: it accentuated her figure far too much. When she wore clothes like this now, it was simply lethal.

            

Though she had no feudal mindset, such an alluring wife was truly not suited to be let out in public. She felt a little uncomfortable, yet couldn’t very well directly forbid her from wearing such waist-cinching garments—that would make her seem petty.

But that waist, barely a palm’s width, was truly impossible to ignore. She grew displeased.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Seeing her looking as though she had a deep vendetta, Jiang Chenyu was puzzled.

            

“No appetite. Don’t want to eat.” Her lovely brow furrowed like that of a daoist immortal¹² little old man.

Jiang Chenyu set down the bowl and sat beside her, hands gliding over her shoulders to rest on her, smiling sweetly. “Why no appetite? Eat more and you’ll recover faster. You said you’d take me out to explore once you’re better.”

“Alright then, I’ll eat.” Shen Hetang felt she was truly easy to coax. She pressed against that gorgeous profile and was just about to steal a kiss when a pair of short legs came toddling over with a pitter-patter.

            

“Let go of my mommy! She’s mine!” The little thing wasn’t big, but she had plenty of attitude.

Shen Hetang looked at the little creature who looked six or seven parts like Jiang Chenyu, unable to suppress a smile. She looked far too much like her. When she had time, she’d have to go properly thank her father-in-law.

Shen Hetang, who had never felt much for children, found herself unexpectedly drawn to this little face, gaining a few extra degrees of fondness.

            

“Who says she’s yours? She’s mine first, and yours second.”

“Mommy, waaahhh…” Anhe, who hadn’t seen her mommy in days, cried with earth-shaking force. How could it be that mommy was no longer hers alone? Her little face flushed red.

“Why did you provoke her?” Jiang Chenyu pushed her away and rose to scoop up the child.

            

Then Shen Hetang watched the little one—all thunder and no rain¹³—shaking her head at her.

It was over. This little creature had stolen her place in Jiang Chenyu’s heart.

Tomorrow, she’d name her Goudan¹⁴. Let her steal someone’s person.

            

She sat up with a bored expression, picked up the bowl, and finished the bird’s nest soup that hadn’t yet gone cold.

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Inside Kunning Palace, not a crow or sparrow made a sound—utter silence.

The Empress reclined on the couch, one hand supporting her brow, her tone somewhat agitated. “How has His Majesty’s health been lately?”

            

“Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty has been lacking in energy of late, somewhat listless,” Beauty Yu, kneeling to the side, answered with utmost respect.

“How many more days can he hold on?” The Empress lowered her voice, her eyes carrying a ruthless edge.

“No more than three months. Recently there has been occasional coughing of blood, and his insides are hollowed out.” Beauty Yu counted on her fingers.

            

“Three months is too long. This palace¹⁵ cannot wait. He has even legitimized that wild seed¹⁶. If we wait any longer, who knows if everything will fall apart¹⁷. I absolutely will not allow this to happen.” The Empress’s fingers gripped the jade ruyi¹⁸ in her hand tightly.

“Then does Your Highness have any instructions?”

The Empress looked at Beauty Yu and raised her hand, beckoning her to lean closer.

            

After a bout of whispered words between them, Beauty Yu nodded with a somber expression.

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