Chapter 89 Get out of the capital!

At this moment, only Emperor Xuanpei and Empress Wang were in the hall.

In the chilling silence, Empress Wang could not even pretend she had misheard; she clearly heard every single word Emperor Xuanpei spoke.

Overwork has led to illness... Should I close myself off and recuperate?

These words are not difficult to understand at all.

However, when these ideas were put together in this context, Empress Wang found them somewhat incomprehensible.

She stared blankly at Emperor Xuanpei.

For today, for Jiang's promotion, and for the prince's "full moon celebration," the emperor wore a black and red robe woven with auspicious cloud and dragon patterns, and the golden dragon holding a pearl in his mouth was tightly binding every strand of his hair.

Just like the stereotypical image in my memory—ruled, aloof...unapproachable.

Empress Wang looked into Emperor Xuanpei's eyes.

He was aloof and indifferent, as if he was born to be so superior, looking down on everyone with disdain.

The windows in the palace, which had been stuffy for a long time, were open, and a gust of wind blew in from somewhere. The chill climbed up Empress Wang's back and spread throughout her body, making her shiver involuntarily.

"Your Majesty, what a joke you're making... I'm perfectly fine here, in good health..."

Empress Wang, regaining her senses, forced a smile.

"Moreover, the Imperial Household Department has already been divided into several departments... and each department and its commandery has its own duties."

"There aren't many affairs in the palace right now. Yes, Consort Zhang has also taken on the responsibility of assisting in the management of the six palaces. She has been helping out all along, and I haven't had any..."

"Empress, I need a stable harem."

Emperor Xuanpei looked at Empress Wang with neither disappointment nor anger in his eyes.

In an almost indifferent tone, he delivered a swift and decisive verdict: "I am not at ease entrusting the harem to you."

The overwhelming feeling of suffocation instantly drained all color from Empress Wang's face, followed by a torrent of indignation.

If Emperor Xuanpei had been furious and rebuked her, listing her faults... perhaps Empress Wang wouldn't have been so resentful.

She stared intently at Emperor Xuanpei, who utterly rejected her with the calmest expression.

He left her alone in those past events, coldly watching her pain, resentment, and indifference.

"Your Majesty, I was betrothed to the Prince of Qin by the late Emperor!"

"After the wedding, she managed the household affairs for nearly ten years."

"After entering the palace, she became the Empress, and that was ten years ago!"

"Over the years, I have never neglected my duties in managing the palace, yet His Majesty now says he doesn't trust me?!"

Empress Wang, with reddened eyes, lost control of her emotions.

“In the past, His Majesty would never have said such a thing.”

"He would never use such a ridiculous excuse to have Zhang assist in managing the six palaces... But ever since that remnant of the Jiang family appeared by His Majesty's side, His Majesty's temperament has changed drastically, and he has been bewitched by her, repeatedly disregarding the rules of the palace!"

"She repeatedly disrespected and overstepped her bounds in the palace."

"Your Majesty, however, is biased and blindly protects her, even indulging this lowly servant to humiliate the Empress in public on several occasions, causing me to lose face and dignity in the palace time and again. And now, Your Majesty wants to blame me for being incompetent?!"

"Has His Majesty changed, or has this concubine changed?!"

Empress Wang's eyes were bloodshot.

The pent-up grievances, resentment, and hatred were honed into sharp blades that flew in all directions.

They feel a sense of satisfaction only when they hurt both themselves and others, resulting in mutual destruction.

"She is young and beautiful, but aren't there plenty of young and beautiful women in this palace?"

"How long has she served the emperor?!"

"His Majesty has completely disregarded my feelings and the dignity of all the concubines in the palace, and insisted on promoting her to the rank of Noble Consort on the grounds that she had given birth to a child."

"Now His Majesty only favors her two children, but I have also borne two sons for His Majesty!"

“Yoona has been diligent and studious since childhood, never daring to slack off... for fear that he has not done enough.”

"During his previous tenure as regent, he tossed and turned all night, almost unable to sleep, fearing that he might do something wrong or make a mistake that would damage the emperor's reputation."

"But for the sake of Lady Jiang, for her sake! Is His Majesty now determined to abandon his wife and children, sever all ties of gratitude and righteousness, and even favor his concubine over his wife, disregarding the opinions of the people?"

"The late emperor became irrational and tyrannical because of Consort Feng, even killing his wife and children, which led to the downfall of the court, the fear of the people, and chaos throughout the country. This should serve as a warning, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Xuanpei looked at Empress Wang, whose chest heaved violently, whose face was full of resentment and tears, and whose voice was hoarse with anger. However, his expression did not show the slightest emotion that one might expect.

Empress Dowager Shu still hates Emperor Xuanpei for being so heartless and cruel, because once Emperor Xuanpei made up his mind, he would not waver.

Unmoved, Emperor Xuanpei stared at Empress Wang with his dark eyes.

It is always easier to deceive Heaven than to deceive oneself.

People in this world may not know what others have done, but they are certainly very clear about what they have done.

"There are so many eyes watching, both inside and outside the palace."

How did Consort Cai drown while she was still in the Prince's residence?

How did Consort Yi die?

How did she and Consort Zhang lose their children?

"Over the years, how much have you done through the Wang family, using the Crown Prince's name?"

Why did I decide to move the Imperial Household Department?

"Prince Rui..."

"Empress, you insist that I explain everything to you right now, down to the last detail."

Her palms were pinched until they bled, but Empress Wang felt no pain at all. The blood dripped down, as if it were the crimson stains falling from her bright red phoenix robe.

A surge of emotions nearly burst forth from Empress Wang, mingling wildly with her blood throughout her body.

But Emperor Xuanpei's gaze was too cold, too penetrating, as if staring straight into the depths of people's hearts, dragging out all the filth and grime and exposing it to the sunlight, leaving nothing to hide.

Emperor Xuanpei rose and took a step toward the Emperor.

He was so tall that he seemed to block out all the light from the Queen's eyes.

When people sense danger, their subconscious will instinctively retreat, and Empress Wang also subconsciously took a step back.

Emperor Xuanpei looked down at Empress Wang, but his tone returned to calm. He said indifferently, "I am not the late emperor, and Azhu is not Consort Feng."

"Therefore, the Empress is currently ill and is staying in the palace to recuperate."

"The Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince, and the Empress is still the Empress."

The pervasive feeling of suffocation made it difficult for Empress Wang to breathe, and her body trembled slightly amidst dizziness.

Amidst a blur of white before her eyes, even though Emperor Xuanpei was so close, Empress Wang could no longer make out his face clearly.

Looking at the dark figure, Empress Wang heard her own voice tremble slightly: "...How long will Your Majesty allow me to remain ill?"

Empress Wang did not receive a response when she asked the question.

A robe adorned with dragon patterns brushed past her side, and Empress Wang reached out to grab it, but grasped only air.

"Your Majesty, how long must I remain ill and rest?!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!!!"

The palace servants, like shadows, firmly blocked Empress Wang's path.

"......."

Emperor Xuanpei did not turn around, but stepped out of the inner palace step by step.

The snow in the palace had not yet melted, and standing outside the hall, the sunlight reflecting off the snow was dazzling.

Emperor Xuanpei closed his eyes and tilted his head slightly.

Eunuch Chen stood to one side, but he was like a snowman, motionless and silent, and even his breathing was barely audible.

Only when he saw Emperor Xuanpei open his eyes did Eunuch Chen step forward and get closer.

He bowed deeply and said softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhao of Changli Palace is still in Kunning Palace at this moment..."

Emperor Xuanpei nodded slightly, and did not hesitate much when mentioning Consort Zhao.

"She always treated the Empress with the utmost devotion, serving her every need as if she were a dog or a horse."

"Now that the Empress is unwell, let her stay here to attend to her."

"yes."

......

When Emperor Xuanpei returned to Hanyuan Palace, Azhu was holding the Seventh Princess and watching the palace servants pack up the "full moon" congratulatory gifts received that day.

The Ninth Prince was not particularly interested in these things and just nestled in his wet nurse's arms, dozing off, while the Seventh Princess was much more energetic.

She had her hands stuffed in her mouth, drool dripping down her fingers, and her eyes following the gifts.

She would look at whichever color was the brightest.

Seeing that she was engrossed in watching, Ah Zhu twirled the gemstone string around to amuse her.

As the Seventh Princess whimpered, the Ninth Prince opened his eyes wide and tilted his head to look over. The palace servants in the hall walked briskly, and all of them had smiles on their faces.

"A-Zhu..."

Emperor Xuanpei spoke softly as he watched the scene unfold, but Azhu instinctively turned around to look.

The bright hall in the afternoon seemed to be filled with a joyful atmosphere, and Ah Zhu, who was holding the child, had an exceptionally gentle expression, with a glimmer of light in her eyes.

When she turned around and saw that it was Emperor Xuanpei, her smile became even brighter, and she walked towards him with her eyes crinkling.

"Your Majesty."

With a beaming smile, A-Zhu held the Seventh Princess and spun her around in front of Emperor Xuanpei. "Look, isn't she beautiful?"

The Seven Princesses have become a "colorful" jewelry encyclopedia.

They were all delicate little pieces of jewelry, polished and sparkling, which were lightly draped over the pink and white dress.

Seeing that both the big and little ones were looking over with their round eyes, Emperor Xuanpei smiled, patted Azhu's head, and nodded, saying, "Very beautiful."

Seeing Emperor Xuanpei's expression, Azhu blinked, smiled, kissed the two children, and then told the wet nurses to go back and rest.

Qingliu and Lüfu exchanged a glance, smiled, put down what they were holding, and left with Eunuch Chen and the other palace servants.

Ah Zhu stood on tiptoe and stretched out her arms as far as possible to embrace Emperor Xuanpei.

The moment A-Zhu embraced Emperor Xuanpei, the emperor paused slightly, then smiled and patted A-Zhu on the back.

What happened?

Ah Zhu looked up at Emperor Xuanpei, shook her head honestly, and said earnestly, "I don't know what's wrong with me, but suddenly... I really want to hug Your Majesty."

The smile on Emperor Xuanpei's face gradually faded.

Consort Shu disliked Emperor Xuanpei for being cold-faced and unlikable.

After ascending the throne, when Emperor Xuanpei, who was always expressionless, looked at you with those dark, brooding eyes, it was enough to make anyone tremble with fear.

Because A-Zhu was always particularly afraid of Emperor Xuanpei's cold face, her fear was mixed with terror and unease, so later Emperor Xuanpei always smiled when he looked at her.

Now, facing Emperor Xuanpei's cold face, Azhu showed no fear or hesitation.

After racking her brains to coax the most difficult person in the world, A-Zhu realized that some people, even when they are not angry or thinking about anything, can have a frighteningly cold expression when they relax. Yes, some people are specifically mentioned.

A-Zhu reached out and touched Emperor Xuanpei's cold face, chuckling to herself. Then she leaned in and kissed him.

Emperor Xuanpei looked down at Azhu, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. He curled the corners of his mouth, but the smile disappeared quickly.

Ah Zhu nodded with great satisfaction.

She said with great pride and thick skin, "Thanks to Your Majesty's mercy, I am now only a step away from ascending to heaven and trying to compete with the heavens. If Your Majesty does not put me in a cold shoulder, I will lose my way."

In this world, there will always be the softest and the hardest grinding against each other's flesh and blood, grinding each other to create the most suitable shape and fit together firmly.

During this period, whether it is happiness, joy, elation, euphoria, excitement, or pain, resentment, grievance, madness, possessiveness, shameful delusions, filth and vulgarity... all are gradually carved into the most suitable shape.

The wounds "carved" out were covered by intertwined flesh and blood, and when they healed, they stuck together and grew back together.

No one is willing to endure the pain of having their flesh cut out and bones broken.

The petty-minded Emperor Xuanpei would never do that.

As Azhu was being carried into the hall, her gaze fell upon the view outside the window.

The snow has melted.

The snowmelt falling from the eaves dripped onto the pink and green buds of the phoenix flower.

When the snow melted, A-Zhu, who would be able to freely enter and exit Hanyuan Hall, saw this scene and her eyes lit up instantly.

She looked delighted and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, look outside, the snow has melted."

Emperor Xuanpei stopped in his tracks.

He glanced in the direction Ah Zhu was pointing, then turned back and kissed Ah Zhu's forehead with a smile in his eyes.

"Yes, the snow has melted."

......

Early the next morning

Not only were the auspicious brocade curtains hanging on the couch, but the arched curtains around the hall were also hanging, turning the sunlight that filtered in into a faint glow, making it impossible to tell the time.

Half asleep, before even opening her eyes, Ah Zhu reached out and touched the side... and sure enough, she found nothing.

During the previous New Year holidays, when the court was on holiday, Ah Zhu woke up in various positions in Emperor Xuanpei's arms every day.

Emperor Xuanpei felt really warm and comfortable in the winter, and Azhu didn't resist it at all.

When the cold wind is howling outside or it's snowing, it's perfectly normal to be inseparable from your bed.

After the fifteenth day of the lunar month, Emperor Xuanpei started getting up exceptionally early.

Ah Zhu touched his body and found that he was indeed wearing his inner garment properly.

She laboriously pulled her hands out from under the tightly wrapped quilt, struggled to open her eyes, and sat up from the couch.

Hearing the noise, Qingliu lifted the brocade curtain and saw Azhu sitting inside, with the curtains on both sides hung up with gold hooks.

Ah Zhu rubbed her eyes.

"Qingliu, what time is it now?"

"Your Majesty, it is already past 9 AM."

"It's so late?"

A-Zhu immediately came to her senses and quickly sat down on the edge of the couch, putting on her embroidered shoes as she prepared to get off.

"The 'full moon celebration' that we've been waiting for for two months is finally over, and it's time to pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress. We're already late on the first day..."

"Your Majesty."

Qingliu quickly replied, "Kunning Palace sent word to all the palaces early this morning that Her Majesty the Empress is unwell and needs to stay in the palace to recuperate. The concubines no longer need to go to the Empress's palace to pay their respects."

"Your Majesty the Empress... is she unwell?"

Ah Zhu looked completely bewildered.

"Yesterday Her Majesty the Empress looked perfectly healthy and full of energy... how could she suddenly be so ill that she can't even get out of bed?"

Qingliu nodded.

"Who can argue with that? Her Majesty the Empress is indeed ill, and even Consort Zhao from Changli Palace has stayed behind to attend to her."

A-Zhu tightened her grip on the brocade quilt.

Empress Wang has always been in good health.

She certainly didn't seem like someone who would suddenly become so ill overnight that she couldn't get out of bed.

But if you think about everything that happened after the fire at Guanju Palace, and then think about Emperor Xuanpei's strange expression yesterday... it's not that hard to understand this matter.

If Emperor Xuanpei had told Empress Wang that she was ill, she might have continued to be ill indefinitely.

The proud and arrogant Empress Wang has fallen.

A-Zhu wanted to laugh, but she couldn't.

Empress Wang, who came from an extraordinary background and was betrothed by the late emperor, and who had two sons after entering the palace, was once an insurmountable mountain in A-Zhu's eyes.

She once made Ah Zhu feel suffocated, tossing and turning in bed, sighing helplessly... But even the highest mountain can collapse in the emperor's single thought.

Emperor Xuanpei was a man who, despite his cold-heartedness, still held onto a tiny bit of old affection.

Those who had no past relationship with him all, without exception, went straight to the "road to the underworld".

But those who still have feelings for their exes won't be happy either.

The lingering "old feelings" will leave you hanging, neither here nor there. They won't kill you, but they certainly won't make things easy for you either.

It will grind you down like a "soft knife," making you struggle to have something to look forward to, yet also making you suffer to the point of not wanting to live.

Ah Zhu has tasted this flavor before.

She knelt before Emperor Xuanpei without hesitation.

She knelt down quickly and would never want to try a second time.

So if one day in the future she really falls out with the emperor completely... Ah Zhu, her eyes darting around, slowly closed them, tilted her head back, and let out a long sigh.

......

The heavy snowfall finally stopped, and even the accumulated snow began to melt.

The weather is gradually warming up, and the unbearable winter is coming to an end.

After handling the disaster relief matters, the Crown Prince and Prince Rui traveled day and night back to the capital.

After reporting back to the Emperor, the two rushed to Kunning Palace without stopping.

"Mother!"

"Mother..."

Prince Rui's voice arrived before he did.

The more aggrieved and frustrated he felt when he left Beijing, the more remorseful, self-blaming, and worried he is now.

Empress Wang rarely complained of illness or pain, and she had never been so seriously ill before.

Prince Rui, looking flustered, hurried into the palace.

He rushed to the bedside and knelt down, supporting Empress Wang and repeatedly asking, "Mother, how are you feeling now? What illness have you contracted? Have you summoned the imperial physician to examine you?"

Although the Crown Prince lagged a few steps behind Prince Rui, he was not slow at all.

"Mother, how are you feeling these days?"

"Is the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician suitable for your condition?"

Empress Wang looked at the Crown Prince in front of her, then at Prince Rui kneeling before her. She wanted to comfort them with a smile, but before she could speak, tears were already streaming down her face uncontrollably.

"Mother, what's wrong? Do you feel unwell somewhere?"

The Crown Prince looked at Consort Zhao, who was standing to the side with swollen eyes, a listless expression, and bloodshot eyes.

"Your Highness, what sudden illness has my Queen Mother contracted?"

Hearing this, Zhao Jieyu bit her lip, unsure whether to nod or shake her head.

"Where is the imperial physician? Which imperial physician came to take your pulse?"

Looking at the two anxious children, Empress Wang shook her head, her voice trembling slightly: "I... am not ill."

Not infected with the disease?

Before the astonished Crown Prince and Prince Rui could react, Empress Wang continued, "Your Majesty has made a mistake, and therefore must now reflect upon it properly in the palace..."

"Was it your father who forced you?!"

After regaining his senses, Prince Rui stood up abruptly.

"He now dotes on Lady Jiang, not only allowing her to live openly in Hanyuan Palace, but also holding a special 'full moon celebration' there, and even promoting her to the rank of Imperial Concubine. Isn't all of this enough?!"

"Now they've gone even further, daring to force you to stay out of the palace like this... This is outrageous, utterly outrageous!"

Even the usually composed Crown Prince did not refute Prince Rui this time.

Seeing that the two of them were about to turn around and go to the emperor to demand an explanation for her.

Empress Wang stood up and shouted, "Stop!"

"Mother!"

Prince Rui's eyes reddened, and he said bitterly, "Do you intend for me to watch you suffer such injustice and humiliation, yet pretend to be a cowardly bastard who pretends to be deaf and dumb?!"

"Even if it causes a huge uproar today, your son will definitely seek justice for you!"

"Are you trying to force me to my death?!"

"Mother!"

"Mother!"

Empress Wang, trembling, said each word clearly: "Even though I have been recuperating in seclusion, I am still the Empress, and the Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince!"

Prince Rui stared at Empress Wang in astonishment, then abruptly turned to look at the Crown Prince beside him. He clenched his fists tightly and remained silent for a long while.

The crown prince knelt down, looking up at Empress Wang with a sorrowful expression.

"Mother, I am the Crown Prince, but I am also your child."

"How can I bear to watch you suffer here, enduring all this humiliation, all for some worthless position as crown prince?"

Empress Wang, however, flew into a rage and began to curse.

"You fool!"

"If you were the Crown Prince or the heir apparent, I would wait as long as it takes!"

"But if you foolishly give up this position now, are you asking us to wait to die together?!"

"Yin Mingyun, if you intend to do this, you, you... I will kill myself in this Kunning Palace today, rather than suffer in despair for the rest of my life!"

"Mother!"

No matter how much the Crown Prince and Prince Rui knelt and begged, Empress Wang remained unmoved.

Finally, Empress Wang said resolutely, "If I don't leave Kunning Palace in glory one day, I will absolutely not step out of the palace gates even once!"

"go out!"

"I don't want to see you again!"

......