Chapter 106 The victor is king, the loser is villain; sent to Yingchuan
Was this a test of her stance? This old woman is so suspicious. Zhang Ting's eyes darkened, and her expression became serious.
She slowly turned around and replied in a normal tone, "Your Majesty, I had a brief encounter with the Imperial Princess just now by the palace road."
A faint smile appeared on his face. "The establishment of an heir is a matter of great importance to the country. As a newcomer to politics, I should not make any rash comments." Following her wishes, he continued, "Furthermore, Your Majesty is young and vigorous, and your imperial authority is prudent. I personally believe that it is too early to discuss the establishment of an heir at this time."
Emperor Chengtai had only intended to test the waters, but unexpectedly, his pent-up frustration was met with support. A smile spread across his usually calm face, and he laughed heartily throughout the hall, "You little rascal, you're so clever! Your words are as sweet as honey! Reward me!"
"Xu Qiu, bring me my red coral bracelet and give it to this girl."
The palace maids exchanged bewildered glances, wondering if the scholar's wife's mouth had been blessed. His Majesty hadn't been this cheerful in a long time.
“Here you go.” Xu Qiu smiled and agreed. A moment later, she brought out an exquisite sandalwood box and presented it to Zhang Ting. Opening the wooden box, she found a string of brightly colored vermilion beads inside.
“Oh, Lord Zhang, you are truly blessed! This bracelet is His Majesty’s favorite! Look at its color and size, it’s unparalleled in the world.” Xu Qiu winked and gestured to her.
Zhang Ting understood and flattered Emperor Chengtai, expressing her deep gratitude and feeling utterly apprehensive.
Her cautious and careful demeanor aroused Emperor Chengtai's desire to tease her. He deliberately put on a stern face and said, "I have given you this, and you are filled with fear. Do you intend to disobey my decree?" The emperor's power swept over him, especially when she stared intently at him with her turbid and sinister eyes, as if she would be beheaded if he was not careful. It was extremely frightening.
In a flash, Zhang Ting grasped Emperor Chengtai's intention. A troubled look instantly appeared on his face, and he adopted the appearance of a completely honest and simple man. He hurriedly waved his hand as if he had been frightened and stammered, "Your Majesty, I am overjoyed to receive Your Majesty's reward. How could I possibly disobey the imperial decree?"
Emperor Chengtai saw that the girl was indeed intimidated, so he dropped his stern expression and was even happier. He stopped making a fuss and waved his sleeve to let her go back.
Even after Zhang Ting left, she was still immersed in a state of joy. Even Xu Qiu flattered her, saying, "This servant hasn't seen you so happy in many years. Lord Zhang is really good with words. If only this servant had half of her ability, I would surely make you smile all the time!"
Emperor Chengtai stood with his hands behind his back, feeling a surge of satisfaction, but he glanced at her sideways and said, "I am the sovereign and mother of all the people under heaven. The survival of millions of people and the prosperity of the country rest on my shoulders. How can I be happy all the time? It is good if I can have a day or two of leisure to enjoy myself."
With a stern face, he gently rebuked, "Old friend, after all these years, how come your vision is still so narrow?"
Xu Qiu lightly slapped herself twice on the face, then smiled shamelessly and said, "It's my fault for being so dull. I haven't made any progress after following you for so many years. I've brought shame to my master."
Emperor Chengtai sighed dramatically, "You're so stupid, you can never learn."
"It is because of your magnanimity and tolerance, Master. If it weren't for your benevolence and tolerance, I would have died many times over."
Emperor Chengtai waved his hand dismissively, "I don't expect you to be smart in this lifetime."
Xu Qiu nodded and bowed, his smile honest and simple.
Suddenly, Emperor Chengtai thought of the red coral bracelet; she remembered there was another one in the imperial treasury.
Xu Qiu was taken aback upon hearing this, and then her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Emperor Chengtai found it strange to see his old friend looking dazed and confused, and even teased her, "You're getting more and more confused as you get older, are you going to become stupid?"
Xu Qiu glanced at her cautiously and said with difficulty, "Master, have you forgotten that bracelet... you gave it to the deposed crown princess back then..." She lowered her voice very much, afraid that if she spoke loudly, she would offend her.
The smile on Emperor Chengtai's lips froze instantly, then vanished, his face turning extremely gloomy.
The hall fell silent instantly, a chilling stillness. The surrounding palace maids were almost suffocated by the eerie atmosphere, and one of them knelt down with a thud, cold sweat pouring down her forehead.
Even Xu Qiu knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound, his body soaked with sweat.
This aunt's crime was far too sensitive; she would never mention it unless absolutely necessary.
The Crown Princess...
He has been imprisoned for more than three years.
Emperor Chengtai remained silent and stood quietly for a long time.
After a long silence, amidst the unease and fear of the crowd, she said lightly, "Bring the second brother here. It's been a long time since I've seen him." Her tone was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will go and inform them." Xu Qiu got up from the ground and left respectfully.
She strode out of the main hall, exhaled, her face darkened, and looked up at the sky.
Over the years, His Majesty's entourage has changed batch after batch, and she is the only one left of the old retainers from the Prince's residence.
Xu Qiu shook her head, summoned two maids, and followed her to the East Palace.
I just hope that after suffering, my aunt will be easier to please.
...
"Your Highness, please." Xu Qiu said with a smile and a bow, her attitude respectful.
Even though he was deposed, the fact that His Majesty spared his life speaks volumes.
Chen Jue was pale and haggard, like a withered piece of firewood. Three years of imprisonment had stripped her of her unparalleled noble status, but it could not take away her innate nobility.
She glanced at Xu Qiu only once, then slowly walked forward and said calmly, "Chief Steward Xu, is His Majesty finally going to kill me?"
"Oh dear, don't make wild guesses about your master. What mother would be willing to kill her daughter?"
Chen Jue didn't answer, only her eyes revealed contempt, and a sneer appeared on her face. Would an old woman be soft-hearted?
"Oh my goodness, you'd better watch out!" Xu Qiu felt a chill run down her spine. Even after being imprisoned for three years, this woman was still the same devilish person! How could she dare to say another word?
The palace servants, upon seeing the head eunuch respectfully following behind a disheveled and haggard woman, were all astonished.
Chief Steward Xu is a close minister of His Majesty. He is indifferent to the other princesses and princes. When has he ever been so humble to others?
It wasn't until a palace attendant recognized the woman as the deposed crown princess that everyone realized what had happened, and they were immediately horrified.
The Crown Princess has come out?
Some people keenly sensed something unusual and cleverly rushed back to report to their master, or to another princess, to ask for a reward.
On the other side, Xu Qiu wiped her sweat and invited Chen Jue into the Zichen Palace.
Chen Jue's expression hardened, his face became serious, and he lifted the hem of his linen robe and stepped into the main hall.
In the very center of the main hall stood a tall, imposing figure in bright yellow robes, his back to the gate, standing silently like a majestic and awe-inspiring mountain.
Chen Jue paused, then slowly walked over, her pace even. She stopped ten steps away from the figure, knelt down gently, her back as straight as a pine tree.
"Chen Jue, a commoner, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Chengtai still had his back to the deposed crown princess and did not ask her to get up.
After a while, Chen Jue's knees ached unbearably from kneeling, and she slowly turned around.
"They're here."
Chen Jue lowered her eyelashes and remained silent.
Emperor Chengtai gazed indifferently at the woman prostrate at his feet. She was his only legitimate daughter, the second in line.
"I ask you, do you have any regrets?"
Chen Jue's eyes were cold as he said, "The victor is king, the loser is villain; do as you please."
Stubborn and unruly, beyond redemption!
"Raise your head," Emperor Chengtai commanded coldly, his anger rising.
Chen Jue straightened his back and looked directly at Emperor Chengtai, his eyes piercing as if they could see through everything, just as spirited as he was three years ago.
However, she had several deep lines on her face, graying temples, and even white hairs on her eyebrows. Despite trying her best to straighten her back, it was still possible to see that her spine was hunched over.
Instantly, Cheng Taidi's anger was extinguished as if doused with a bucket of cold water. She moved her lips slightly, a hint of sigh in her voice.
The second child is getting old too.
The sight of her white-haired, aged daughter before her stung Emperor Chengtai's eyes. For a moment, she was in a daze; this was Empress Yuan's only child, her only legitimate daughter.
Back when she was still a prince, she devoted all her efforts to raising her eldest daughter. It was only after she pleaded with Zong Xuanyue for several days that she was finally allowed to teach her her second daughter's beautiful handwriting. Mother and daughter had a very close relationship. Even when they were younger, they would play and laugh together. She would even carry her then-youngest daughter, who was still the heir apparent, to meetings with her advisors…
When did things change? Emperor Chengtai couldn't recall, only remembering the scene of the two being irreconcilable in court and parting on bad terms in private.
But now, in this absurd and upside-down state, it has turned into a situation where mother and daughter are killing each other.
When his gaze fell upon the silver strands in his daughter's hair, Emperor Chengtai finally softened his heart.
"Second brother..." She paused, then called Chen Jue by his nickname, "Xiaoyu, go to Yingzhou Prefecture."
Yingzhou Prefecture is where the Chen family rose to prominence, but it has since declined. However, since the clan is located there, as a member of the Chen family, they will not be too harsh on the eldest daughter, and can ensure that she lives a peaceful old age.
Chen Jue couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked up in astonishment and met Emperor Cheng Tai's cloudy eyes.
Why wouldn't she kill him, and instead want to release him back to Yingchuan?
"Your Majesty...you want to send me back to Yingchuan?" Chen Jue asked, his mouth agape in disbelief.
Emperor Cheng Tai turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.
"You shall set off tomorrow," she said casually, then turned and left.
This should be the last time the mother and daughter will meet in this lifetime.
Emperor Chengtai did not turn back; instead, she quickened her pace. She was afraid that she would regret it and fail to eliminate the threat completely, and she was also afraid that she would be ashamed to face the Empress Yuan who was buried underground if she killed her, or... leave with regrets.
Seeing that she had left, Chen Jue struggled to his feet, his knees aching and swollen. Coupled with his poor health over the past two years, he stumbled and fell to the ground.
Xu Qiu rushed over to help, but was violently pushed away.
Chen Jue pushed himself up from the ground again. Upon learning the good news that he would not lose his head, he did not show any joy on his face. Instead, he stared at the corner with a deep sense of irony in his eyes.
She's really putting on an act of a loving mother!
He deliberately cut off her left hand and held a knife to her neck to force her to rebel. The Minister of War who had submitted to his command was, from beginning to end, an informant sent by this old woman! He then used this opportunity to frame her and eliminate dissidents to secure his throne.
The victor is king, the loser is villain; it's because Chen Jue's skills were inferior, she has no one to blame but herself.
This old man is still putting on this act; he must be feeling incredibly smug about himself.
However, she won't lose next time.
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