Jiang Tian raised an eyebrow and smiled: "For you, it's just a matter of a word."
"I would like to ask you to release the Third Prince's wife."
The emperor's smile vanished, and he stared at Jiang Tian: "She is the wife of a rebel, and even has a child. If I release her, wouldn't that be announcing to the world that I have surrendered to the Third Prince?"
"Releasing her out is not to allow her to return to her position as an imperial concubine, but to let her serve you in the palace, just like me. The Third Prince is so eager to achieve his so-called hegemony that he doesn't even care about his own wife and children. He must be planning to have his wife commit suicide to protect his reputation."
Jiang Tian suddenly looked up at the emperor: "Do you think this is fair? Just like you, you are an incomparably noble emperor, yet you are slandered by those people as a tyrant. Why can despicable people enjoy the fruits of others' labor while we have to sacrifice ourselves?"
With just a few words, the emperor was moved by Jiang Tian, and he couldn't help but smile.
He looked at Jiang Tian and said, "Then you should try to persuade her. She's not as pragmatic as you. She might hang herself the next day if she hears that she has to become a slave."
After all, the imperial concubine was a top-notch lady raised by a true noble family. She had been poisoned by the concept of female virtue, and after marriage, she had to obey her husband. She had to take off her fine robes and become a slave. So even if her husband succeeded in rebelling, she would not be able to ascend to the position of empress.
Alternatively, the Third Prince decided to leave his wife and children in the capital, never expecting them to survive, let alone secure the positions of Empress or Crown Prince.
"Yes, this servant will do her best to persuade them."
The Third Prince's wife was imprisoned in her former residence.
The two often saw each other during their regular interactions.
After all, the husbands in the family are very close, so it would be perfect for their wives to have some exchanges like those between ladies of high society.
When Jiang Tian entered, she found the room to be very dimly lit.
The Third Prince's wife had become shockingly thin; her once full and beautiful face was now deeply sunken.
Her eyes were filled with weariness and unease.
Upon seeing Jiang Tian, she was startled: "What are you doing here?"
The prince's residence was completely surrounded, not even a bird could fly in. She was trapped in a cage, knowing nothing.
In fact, the emperor should have granted titles and ranks to his brothers as soon as he ascended the throne.
However, before he could even begin, his brothers secretly began plotting a rebellion.
The emperor was also petty; he didn't want to cede territory to his brothers who had once fought alongside him for the throne for no reason.
If there were more capable people in the court, these people would have seized a portion of the power long ago, and the emperor would have wiped them all out long ago.
Even though they weren't officially granted the title of king, they were all called princes.
Jiang Tian smoothed her robes, sat down opposite the Third Prince's wife, and asked her, "Do you want to get out? You've been stuck here for so long. Are you going to waste your whole life here?"
The Third Prince's wife was startled by her.
She looked at Jiang Tian quietly: "Has something happened outside? How did you get out?"
Both women were wives of rebels, and it was already a miracle that the emperor didn't kill them. How did she manage to find a chance to escape?
Jiang Tian's tone was extremely calm: "Because I know who I can rely on to survive. Now I am the emperor's personal maid, and he asked me to persuade you to come with me to the palace as a servant."
The Third Prince's wife's expression immediately turned extremely ugly: "Impossible, how could I possibly become someone's servant?"
Jiang Tian glanced at her several times, then suddenly smiled and said, "Do you know? The Third Prince was certain that you would hang yourself to preserve the dignity of the Imperial Consort, so he felt at ease leaving you and the child in the capital."
"You were never his most beloved woman. Occupying the position of his legal wife and bearing him a child is, in his heart, an honor for you. But his most beloved woman has long since been taken away by him, hasn't she?"
Jiang Tian immediately hit the nail on the head regarding the most crucial point.
The Third Prince's wife looked ashen-faced and after a long while, she said, "What can I do even if I know? My child is still in their hands... He doesn't care about his own flesh and blood, but I can't abandon him."
She had to hold her breath and hope that her husband would come back to save them.
Even if this fantasy seems absurd, what else can she do besides fantasize?
Being abandoned by her husband was like a bolt from the blue for her.
But no one could save her.
Her maternal clan severed ties with her early on, fearing she might be tainted in any way.
If she doesn't take care of the child, then no one will.
"Since you didn't commit suicide immediately, it means you want to live. If you want to live, can't you just abandon your so-called self-respect? Do you really think the Third Prince can unify the world? The fact that he can throw his wife and children into the capital and let them be humiliated as playthings by others means that he is destined to lose the support of the people in the future."
“If you still place your hopes on him, I’d like to give you a rope so you can end it all as soon as possible. As for your son, I’ll help you find a place to raise him.”
The Third Prince's wife remained silent; no one was willing to risk their life.
For her, it was good that her son was alive, but she didn't want to die either.
Having finally made it this far, who would want to easily give up their life?
But she knew that if she really became a servant to the current emperor, the third prince would definitely not keep them any longer.
But if it's not the right thing to do, then there's no hope of even trying.
“I saved you for no other reason than that you are a woman who has been abandoned, just like me. If you don’t agree, then forget it. If you want to find someone else to be your savior, then no one can save you.”
Jiang Tian turned to leave, but the Third Prince's Consort hurriedly grabbed her hand: "If I become a servant, can I escape with my son?"
Jiang Tian blinked and looked at her: "Your son doesn't want wealth and luxury anymore?"
The Third Prince's wife gave a bitter smile: "What wealth and glory are left? It's even hard to survive."
"So you've been going around in circles with me just now, but you still can't let go of your reputation as a noble lady? With your life at stake, everything else has to be put aside. If the Emperor is happy, then we'll have a good life."
"Can……"
The Third Prince's wife's eyes conveyed another layer of meaning: the emperor was incompetent and tyrannical, bloodthirsty and cruel, who knew how many loyal ministers he had harmed, and how many people had been displaced and died on the roadside.
His throne is certainly not secure. They entered his palace and became his servants. How long can they enjoy a good life?
There are many rebel armies outside now, and each force is thinking of capturing the capital and ascending the throne as emperor.
The whole world was in turmoil, and they were like ants in the chaos.
At this moment, Jiang Tian seemed to see through the unspoken meaning in her words and whispered in her ear, "We can discuss the future later."
The Third Prince's wife seemed to sense something, and finally nodded.
She has been trapped here for quite some time, and her former intelligence is almost being worn away by the monotonous daily life.
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