"Who is that person?" Li Huaiyan's face was filled with shock.
"It is Kong Wang." As if resigned to her fate, the Empress Dowager uttered the name heavily.
"Empty, Empty Forgetfulness!?" Xiahou Qing staggered two steps, almost losing his balance. "How could it be Empty Forgetfulness? Empress Dowager, what exactly is going on?"
"Alas, I originally intended to keep this secret hidden for the rest of my life, to bury it underground, and to take it with me when I pass away."
"But right now, the Emperor wants to kill him, to kill the last bloodline left by the late King in this world! I cannot stand idly by!"
The Empress Dowager was heartbroken. Her wrinkled, aged hands clutched her chest, crumpling her blue and gold-embroidered brocade robe. As she spoke of her sorrows, tears welled up in her eyes.
“That is my own son. I know he is alive in this world, in that temple, day and night with the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp, but I cannot recognize him. Do you know how many tears I have shed and how much longing I have poured out over the years?”
"I never imagined that Kong Wang was actually a descendant of the late Emperor. If that's the case, why did you send him away in the first place, Empress Dowager?"
Outside the door.
A red-eyed crow stood quietly on a branch.
Although the surroundings were quiet and deserted, the crows could hear every word of the Empress Dowager and Prince Yan's conversation through the carved window railings.
It blinked its blood-red eyes, tilted its head in contemplation, flapped its wings, and refused to leave.
"I naturally have my own unavoidable difficulties," the Empress Dowager sighed, speaking slowly as she looked up into the void, as if she had returned to that rainy night more than ten years ago.
"That night, the rain poured down. To mourn the late king, I stayed in seclusion in the East Palace, concealing my pregnancy very well, just to prevent the new emperor from overthinking. I know in my heart how the late king's children died."
“If this child in her womb is born, Sheng Yuan will definitely not spare his life.”
"Therefore, I had no choice but to give birth in secret and then have the imperial physician who delivered the child take the child out of the palace and send him to Yunyin Temple, entrusting the abbot, Master Tongji, to raise him."
"All of this is to preserve the bloodline of the late king, and it is also a last resort that I, as a mother, have had to take."
"After the mourning period for the late king was over, I moved out of the East Palace and into the Cining Palace. As the Empress Dowager, I continued my previous habit of living a secluded life. It was precisely because of my advanced age when I gave birth to that son that my health has never been very good."
"The late king was grateful for my sacrifices and knew that my pregnancy was difficult. Before he passed away, his biggest worry was for me and the child in my womb. That's why he specially set up a secret edict to prevent the emperor from one day being unable to tolerate my mother and child."
"I never expected that even though I have gone to such lengths, Your Majesty would still want to exterminate me."
"Empress Dowager, please do not be sad or distressed." Li Huaiyan stepped forward and supported her as she swayed. A dark and profound look flashed in his eyes as he said firmly, "Now that everything has come to light, Kong Wang is also my imperial nephew."
"I will not allow him to be in danger! I will definitely rescue him from prison before tomorrow's execution!"
"At the same time, send someone to inform the Tongji abbot who is traveling abroad, and ask him to return as soon as possible!"
“That’s right, everything depends on rescuing the late king’s bloodline before we can discuss it further!” Xiahou Qing agreed.
Night fell, and the imperial study was brightly lit. The emperor stayed up late reviewing memorials, with Mi Shan silently by his side.
"My beloved concubine must be tired from waiting."
"I have so many official duties to attend to that I can't even spare time to talk to my beloved consort."
"It's nothing, how could I be as tired as Your Majesty?" Mi Shan smiled, but there was little warmth in her eyes.
"Come here, let me give you a hug."
"good."
Mi Shan lifted her skirt and walked to his side, gently nestling in his arms.
Although she was very obedient and did everything he asked, for some reason, Li Shengyuan couldn't feel happy at all.
I always felt that there was still a great distance between Mi Shan and him.
Even as he reached out to turn her face and kiss her lips, he could still see her brow furrowing slightly.
"My beloved concubine, are you unwilling to face me?" Li Shengyuan's dark eyes turned cold.
Mi Shan paused slightly, then shook her head skillfully: "How could that be? To be able to accompany His Majesty is a blessing that many people could only dream of, and I am deeply honored. However,"
"What is it? I wanted to kiss you, why did you pull away?"
"I still have a wound on my lips."
After saying that, Mi Shan hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and returned a kiss to dispel his doubts.
If you want to survive longer in this deep palace, it's necessary to please the emperor.
"Never mind, you know I don't like to force things."
A fleeting look of joy crossed Li Shengyuan's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Just sit here quietly. It's enough for me to just watch over you."
Are you looking at her?
Or is it through her that I'm seeing another woman?
Mi Shan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and remained silent.
"Does the wound on your lip still hurt? Let me put some medicine on it for you." Li Shengyuan's tone softened as he picked up the ointment from the table.
"How could I trouble Your Majesty to do it personally? I can do it myself."
"Shan'er, when did you become so distant from me?"
Li Shengyuan spoke seriously, then sighed deeply, "Alas, it's also my fault for not protecting you well."
"The palace servants around the Empress Dowager were too ruthless. Fortunately, I have already ordered her hand to be cut off. I believe that from now on, everyone in the six palaces will be terrified of her, and no one will dare to bully my Shan'er at will."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
