Empress Lu's gaze turned pitch-black. “Xie Tianyu won’t speak.”
The wind blew in through the window, causing the flames of the candles to flicker. Wrapped in a crimson silk quilt, the usually dignified and graceful Empress Lu appeared ominous and ghostly in the shadowy light.
Under her mistress’s sharp gaze, Jin Zhi gradually calmed down, even though her hands and feet remained cold.
She recalled how, over the years, the Empress had never faltered. Even Cheng Wang had been toyed with in her grasp. Years ago, after being outmaneuvered by the Empress, Cheng Wang inadvertently aided the Lu family in helping the Emperor reclaim the throne. Despite this, he still believed the Empress was “deeply in love” with him, remaining faithful to her all these years without having another child.
Even knowing that Xie Yin wasn’t his true son, Cheng Wang still raised him as his own. Even knowing that his true bloodline couldn’t acknowledge him, he willingly stayed loyal to the Empress.
Jin Zhi’s confidence returned. “Then, Your Majesty, what should we do next?”
“We do nothing.”
Empress Lu smoothed her hair with her slender, fair fingers, as delicate as a young girl’s. “The Cheng Wang estate matter has nothing to do with the harem. I am the Empress and need not involve myself in anything improper.”
“If Xiao Yan wants to investigate Xie Yin’s parentage, he’ll need evidence. As long as Xie Tianyu doesn’t open his mouth, no one will ever learn the truth. Even if something were uncovered, the worst that could happen is Xie Yin losing his claim to the Rong family bloodline. No one would suspect he isn’t of royal descent.”
Attempting any manipulation under the eyes of Xiao Yan and the Privy Council was impossible. With Cheng Wang branded a traitor, the entire capital’s attention was on him. Any contact with him now, or any moves made, would be too easily exposed. Even the slightest slip-up would be like throwing oneself into a trap.
Less action, fewer mistakes. No action, no mistakes.
As for Xie Tianyu…
Even before she married, she had prepared her escape routes. Forced into marriage with the Emperor, she had spent years crafting an image of deep devotion, appearing madly in love and refusing to allow him to be with others. It was enough to keep Xie Tianyu silent.
For the sake of his sole remaining bloodline, Xie Tianyu would never betray her.
Empress Lu continued, “We don’t need to act. Simply watch. Later, we’ll find a way to appeal to the Clan Court on his behalf.”
Jin Zhi bowed her head. “Understood.”
Empress Lu frowned. “Has there been any news from those stationed at the Grand Empress Dowager’s quarters?”
Jin Zhi shook her head. “No, Your Majesty. Those serving the Grand Empress Dowager are all appointed by His Majesty. No one else can enter the inner chambers. Even if someone managed to sneak in, there are always others present, making it impossible to search the Grand Empress Dowager’s quarters thoroughly. Could it be that the item isn’t with her?”
Empress Lu’s gaze darkened. “When the Crown Prince was alive, the two people he trusted most and who were most likely to have that item were the Grand Empress Dowager and the Rong family. When the Crown Prince fell, that item disappeared. If it’s not in the Grand Empress Dowager’s hands, then it must be with the Rong family.”
After Rong Qian’an’s death, the Rong family’s estate was divided. If the item had been given to Rong Qian’an, it would have later ended up with one of the Rong sisters.
Rong Yue’s dowry had already been thoroughly searched after she married into Cheng Wang’s estate, leaving only Rong Zhen’s portion, which was now in Song Tangning’s hands.
Originally, Empress Lu had planned to use Lu Zhizhi’s engagement to Song Tangning as a way to bring her into the Lu family, leveraging the Rong family’s connections while discreetly searching for the item in Rong Zhen’s dowry. But then the Lu family ran into trouble.
Just half a year more, and the two would have been married. Yet Lu Zhizhi had foolishly wasted years of her careful planning.
“We can’t act against Song Tangning for now. With Xiao Yan protecting her, any rash move would only raise suspicion. For now, we’ll focus on coaxing the Grand Empress Dowager.”
That old woman had become increasingly senile, constantly reminiscing about the past and occasionally succumbing to fits of madness.
A hint of malice flickered across Empress Lu’s face as she addressed Jin Zhi. “At dawn, we’ll visit the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace. Find an opportunity to discreetly bring up Xie Tianzhao and see if we can get anything useful from her. If that fails, we’ll find a way to provoke her madness.”
If the Grand Empress Dowager were to suddenly fall ill, her quarters would become chaotic, with people coming and going in disarray. That would provide an opportunity to search her inner chambers.
The recent turbulence in the capital, especially with Cheng Wang’s downfall following the Lu family’s troubles, made Empress Lu increasingly uneasy. She sensed a looming danger.
Years ago, she had learned that the item left behind by the Crown Prince could control the military and even threaten the throne. It had led to the deaths of Rong Zhen and her husband.
If she could obtain it, even without the Emperor’s favor or support from the Lu family or Cheng Wang’s estate, the throne would belong to her son.
“Instruct the Fourth Prince to refrain from meddling in unnecessary matters or involving himself in the Lu family’s affairs. He doesn’t need to sever ties but mustn’t appear too close to them. He should focus on his duties and nothing else.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the whirlwind of fear subsided, the room quieted down. Jin Zhi, still concerned for her mistress, asked softly, “It’s still early. Would you like to rest a bit longer?”
Empress Lu massaged her aching head. “I’ll take a brief nap. Wake me at dawn so I can visit the Grand Empress Dowager.”
Jin Zhi carefully helped her lie down, adjusted her pillow, and began massaging her temples. The warmth of her hands soothed Empress Lu, easing her tense expression.
The Empress seemed to fall asleep, her breathing steady and calm. But after some time, she suddenly murmured, “Jin Zhi, don’t you feel that there’s been too much happening in the capital lately? It’s as if an unseen hand is manipulating everything.”
From the Song family’s downfall to Lu Zhizhi, the Lu family, and now Cheng Wang’s estate—it all seemed orchestrated, pushing events forward.
Jin Zhi paused. “Your Majesty, do you think it’s Song Tangning?”
“No.”
Empress Lu opened her eyes. “Song Tangning doesn’t have the capability or means to stir up such chaos in the capital.”
But if not her, then who?
Empress Lu’s mind wandered to those around Song Tangning. A cold, detached face suddenly came to mind, and she frowned slightly.
Could it be that eunuch?
But why would he do this? Just to clean up the aristocracy and please the Emperor?
“Your Majesty?” Jin Zhi inquired softly.
“Nothing,” the Empress replied, closing her eyes again.
She feigned sleep, though her thoughts lingered on Xiao Yan. Jin Zhi, sensing her mistress’s mood, continued the massage in silence.
At dawn, as the palace basked in morning light, Empress Lu dressed and headed for the Grand Empress Dowager’s quarters. She mulled over how to coax information from the senile matriarch. However, upon reaching the palace gates, she was told the Grand Empress Dowager was no longer there.
“Left the palace?” Empress Lu exclaimed in shock.
The attendant bowed. “Recently, the palace ladies frequently visited Shou’an Palace, disturbing the Grand Empress Dowager. Her condition worsened, and His Majesty decreed that she be moved to a royal villa in the suburbs for peace and recovery. She was sent out before dawn.”
He paused, glancing at Empress Lu. “His Majesty is deeply moved by your devotion in personally attending to the Grand Empress Dowager’s health. He considers you a paragon of virtue and has ordered the study in Shou’an Palace to be stocked with scriptures. Her Majesty may transcribe them to send to the royal villa, ensuring her filial piety is known to all.”
The Empress’s face turned ashen. “This was His Majesty’s decree?”
The attendant remained calm. “I dare not fabricate such things.”
Knowing she couldn’t publicly object, Empress Lu clenched her teeth and let herself be led into Shou’an Palace, her rage barely concealed.
That old hag! Why couldn’t she just die in the palace already?!
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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