But Empress Lu lost the bet.
She originally thought that no matter how much the emperor loved her sister, a woman rising to power would ultimately defy the world. She was certain that the emperor, with his deep affection, would never allow his beloved daughter to embark on such a difficult path.
However, when it came to choosing between Zhao Yang and Zhao Yao, the emperor ultimately chose his most beloved daughter.
Finally, everything collapsed.
Seeing Empress Lu lost in her own thoughts, the Emperor sighed, "Yang'er won't be coming."
Empress Lu suddenly snapped out of her daze and looked at Emperor Zhenlong in astonishment: "What have you done to him!"
Her eyes were filled with fear, even a hint of anger. Did this man have no regard for their fatherly bond whatsoever?
Even if she wasn't the one he loved, Zhao Yang was still his child! His only son!
“Yang’er said that he and Yao Yao were originally very close, but it was your constant instigation that led him astray. Everyone has selfish desires. He doesn’t resent you, but he can’t treat you normally either. He has caused thousands of people to be displaced, and his sins are grave. He begged me to open a Buddhist hall in the mansion so that he can worship Buddha every day and ask for Heaven’s forgiveness.”
The emperor spoke with great emotion at this moment. Zhao Yang actually said, "Your subject voluntarily confines himself in the palace, seeking honor and dignity for the rest of your life, Mother."
He was initially very disappointed in his son, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help but be moved. However, the honor gained at the cost of his son's freedom for the rest of his life seemed too cruel, and after much deliberation, he decided to keep the matter a secret.
Empress Lu was taken aback, her expression a mixture of crying and laughing: "Deeply sinful? What sins has my son committed! It's you, Your Majesty! Everyone calls you a saint, but when have you ever forgotten your emotions and desires! It is your favoritism that has ruined my son and me!"
As time went on, Empress Lu's voice became increasingly mournful.
The emperor had not expected that Empress Lu would now harbor resentment towards him. He smiled coldly and said, "How could I be biased? Even if I favor Yao Yao a little more, so what? My daughter is the most noble princess in the world. How can she not be treated well!"
"Is that so? My son is still the most noble prince in the world, and what have you given him! My son is inferior to Zhao Yao in every way! Gold, silver and jade are one thing! But why! The throne should also be given to Zhao Yao! Brother-in-law, you've gone too far in loving someone because of their family!"
The emperor shook his head helplessly: "Yang'er is my son, how could I not love him? But he has disappointed me too much! In order to ascend to the throne, he has disregarded the stability of the empire!"
Empress Lu calmed down and chuckled softly.
"Yaoyao is just a princess, yet her princess's residence is built to the standards of the Crown Prince's palace! And what about my son? His residence is more remote than Yaoyao's, his fief is smaller, and even his job is given to him by you, the one Yaoyao didn't want! How can I not hate you? You were the one who told me to give birth to the children without worry, saying that these two children would be your only children in this life. You were the one who said you would treat them equally! I didn't want to get entangled with you when I entered the palace, but you were the one who said you would make me the true mistress of the harem! You were the one who said it!"
But I was about to give birth, and Yao Yao fell ill. You said I was overwhelmed and brought Yao Yao to Yong'an Palace to be cared for. I thought it was out of consideration, but you summoned all the imperial physicians to Yong'an Palace! I risked my life to give birth to your son, yet you showed no concern for the safety of my child and me. How can I not hate you! The child is innocent; I hate you, not the child. I want you to have peace! The more you want to give Yao Yao something, the more you want my son to stay away from something, I won't allow it! I'll make them turn against each other! I'll make my son sit in your seat!
Empress Lu's eyes gradually turned mad. The Emperor, not expecting the depth of her resentment, was so enraged he couldn't find the words to refute her; his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a sound. Finally, he asked her calmly, "So, are you satisfied now?"
Are you satisfied with Yang'er being imprisoned?
Are you satisfied with this bloodline struggle?
Are you satisfied? Not really.
Empress Lu suddenly lost her strength. Once the evil thought arose, she truly lost her mind. She was determined to oppose the emperor, but forgot that at the beginning, she only wanted to be a good mother and let her child live a happy life.
After a long silence, she finally murmured in a trembling voice, "What can I do? I have no choice, brother-in-law! Who has ever given me a choice?"
No one ever asked her if she was willing to enter the palace, where she would only see the sky from the four corners of the sky, and only the emperor and his subjects, never husband and wife.
The doors of Changqiu Hall closed again.
This time, no one came.
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