“What is happening here?” Empress Hua coldly looked at Noble Consort Liu, who stood outside the palace with an angry expression.
The guards at the door hastily reported, “Your Majesty, His Majesty has decreed that he will see no one except the Empress. When Noble Consort Liu arrived, we had no choice but to stop her.” The Empress was somewhat surprised – she knew how much Mo Jingqi favored Noble Consort Liu, and how many times he had stood firm against the Empress Dowager for her sake. After just a few years of not seeing each other, could she have fallen from favor?
However, the Empress didn’t care about such matters. She nodded and turned to the newly appointed Noble Consorts De and Xian, saying, “Wait outside for a while; I’ll go in and see.” Both Noble Consorts De and Xian were daughters from upright families, who had only failed to win Mo Jingqi’s favor because they were reserved and not skilled in the arts of romance. Now suddenly promoted to noble consorts, they wouldn’t become arrogant with their new status and naturally followed the Empress’s orders.
“We respectfully obey Your Majesty’s command,” the two noble consorts said in unison.
Empress Hua nodded and, ignoring Noble Consort Liu, slowly walked into the sleeping palace.
Entering the sleeping palace, she found it eerily quiet without anyone attending. The Empress slightly furrowed her brows, knowing that with the Empress Dowager no longer managing affairs and herself not in charge, even an emperor’s life must not be easy when as gravely ill as Mo Jingqi. The Empress naturally understood Noble Consort Liu’s character – without some ulterior motive, she wouldn’t think to visit Mo Jingqi at all. But the Empress didn’t get angry. After so many years and experiencing so much, what little remained of their already shallow marital affection? Just thinking of her young daughter, not yet of age, wandering alone outside the palace – even though the Empress had been educated since childhood to regard her husband as heaven, she couldn’t help but harbor resentment.
Hearing footsteps, Mo Jingqi turned his head with difficulty. Seeing the dignified and noble woman in the imperial yellow phoenix robe before him, Mo Jingqi’s gaze became somewhat distant for a moment. He had always known the Empress was beautiful. Even though Noble Consort Liu had once been called the most beautiful woman in the capital, and though he favored and loved her, Mo Jingqi had never thought Noble Consort Liu was necessarily more beautiful than the Empress. However, in his eyes, the Empress was his wife – he only needed to give her sufficient respect. More importantly, his wife was from the Hua family. Before his ascension to the throne, they were his support, but after becoming emperor, the Hua family became someone he needed to guard against. So he rarely paid attention to the Empress’s beauty; he only needed to know that she was the Empress.
“You’ve come… It seems you’ve been doing well these days,” Mo Jingqi said, though a sense of desolation rose in his heart. He lay in bed, near death. His empress mother paid no attention, his brothers and officials and beloved consort waited for his death, and even his wife maintained an indifferent expression as if his death was an insignificant matter. Mo Jingqi suddenly found himself envying Mo Xiuyao. Even when he was severely injured and disfigured, Ye Li remained steadfastly by his side. Back then, to prevent him from being used as leverage, Ye Li could let herself be forced off a cliff, her fate unknown, and Mo Xiuyao’s hair could turn white overnight for his wife. Mo Jingqi knew these were things he would never have in all his life.
“Did Your Majesty summon me for something?” Empress Hua asked calmly.
Mo Jingqi looked at her and smiled, “I’m about to die. Shouldn’t I see you one last time?” The Empress frowned, looking at Mo Jingqi somewhat strangely, “Your Majesty seems different. Are you not afraid of death?” Mo Jingqi had always been very afraid of death – this was something the Empress knew better than anyone. Mo Jingqi smiled helplessly, “Of course I’m afraid. Who wants to die when they could live? But when you truly feel you’re about to die, you’re not so afraid anymore. Now, every time I sleep, I feel like I might not wake up again. If I just sleep like that forever, what can I do about it?”
The Empress remained silent. Hearing Mo Jingqi speak of his imminent death, her heart barely stirred. She looked at him calmly and said, “At this time, Your Majesty has released me and promoted Sisters Zhou and Zheng to noble consorts – it can’t be that simple, can it? If Your Majesty has something to say, please speak directly.” Mo Jingqi smiled helplessly, “After all these years… only you would still speak to me so directly.”
“Noble Consort Liu speaks directly too,” the Empress said.
At the mention of Noble Consort Liu, Mo Jingqi’s eyes darkened slightly. Looking at the Empress, he sighed and said, “I don’t want to talk about that now. Empress… if I die and Jingli succeeds to the throne, he might treat you well as his sister-in-law. But if the Crown Prince succeeds, Noble Consort Liu will become Empress Dowager. Have you thought about how you and the Hua family will manage then? The grudge between the Liu family and the Hua family, you and Noble Consort Liu… well, it’s not a grudge, just Noble Consort Liu’s one-sided dislike of you. What will you do then?”
“What exactly does Your Majesty want to say?” Empress Hua asked solemnly.
Having spoken so much at once, Mo Jingqi was somewhat tired. After catching his breath, he continued, “The Sixth Prince, born to Talented Lady Zheng, is already nine years old this year. Talented Lady Zheng comes from a humble background. I’ve registered the Sixth Prince under your name. After I’m gone, take my decree… and establish the Sixth Prince as the new emperor. With the support of the Hua family, Princess Imperial Fuxi, and Aunt Zhaoyang, even if Jingli and the Liu family are unwilling, they won’t dare act rashly. The Leng and Mu families are loyal to me – as long as you have my decree, they will support you. As for the future… the future will depend on you all.” Having said this, Mo Jingqi closed his eyes to rest.
The Empress’s fine brows furrowed slightly, and she said calmly, “Forgive me, but I cannot obey Your Majesty’s words.”
Hearing this, Mo Jingqi was stunned and suddenly opened his eyes to stare at the calm-faced Empress before him, asking through gritted teeth, “Why?” Empress Hua lowered her eyes and said placidly, “Your Majesty only spoke of matters within the court, but forgot about matters outside it. Though I am just a woman in the inner palace, I still know some things. The northern border is under attack, and Western Ling and Northern Rong are watching like tigers eyeing their prey. Once the Sixth Prince ascends the throne, the Li Prince and the Liu family will certainly not submit, and then the Hua family will be drawn into the court’s struggles. Then… how will it end? Though I am the Empress and should support a young emperor, if Your Majesty wishes to drag the Hua family down with you, please forgive my disobedience.”
“The Hua family are subjects of Great Chu!” Mo Jingqi said harshly.
The Empress replied, “Your Majesty speaks truly. The Hua family’s ancestors fought battles for Great Chu, with no small number dying on the battlefield. The Hua family dares not harbor any resentment, but what did the Hua family receive in return? Actually… in the current situation, whether the Crown Prince or the Sixth Prince succeeds to the throne, what difference will the outcome make? A young emperor ascending means power falls to others. When the court is full of scheming and plotting, who will care about the fate of Great Chu? Back then… with the matter of the Ding Prince Manor, Your Majesty made a mistake.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Mo Jingqi stared at her coldly. The Empress remained unperturbed, saying calmly, “Since things have come to this, if Your Majesty is unwilling to pass the throne to the Crown Prince, then pass it to the Li Prince. The Sixth Prince is innocent; please spare him.” Though she had been under house arrest for years, she had still heard things. Though the Sixth Prince was indeed clever and much favored, the kind of favor someone like Mo Jingqi showed usually wasn’t something ordinary people could bear. With Noble Consort Liu and the Liu family fanning the flames from the side, the Sixth Prince had been taught only to play and make merry. He hadn’t learned anything he should have – for such a prince to become emperor would harm him.
“Outrageous!” Mo Jingqi flew into a rage, accompanied by violent coughing, his face red as if flushed with blood. “When did I not know that the Hua family had sided with the Li Prince’s faction?”
The Empress calmly replied, “The Hua family belongs to no faction. Whichever prince Your Majesty passes the throne to will bring endless scheming and plotting. If Your Majesty truly considers the fate of Great Chu, you naturally know what would be best. Moreover… Your Majesty appointed the Li Prince as Regent, and now the Li Prince’s power is great – could the Hua family contend with the Li Prince? In the end… Your Majesty still wants the Hua family to be buried with you.”
Mo Jingqi held back his anger, waiting for his chest to settle before saying, “You and Mo Xiuyao have had a deep friendship since childhood. If you became Empress Dowager and asked Mo Xiuyao, he definitely wouldn’t stand idly by. He would naturally help you resolve the matter of Mo Jingli. You just need to teach the Sixth Prince well, and when he grows up, he will naturally be filial to you and treat the Hua family well.”
The Empress couldn’t help but smile bitterly, shaking her head and sighing, “After speaking so long, this is the key point. Your Majesty, speaking like this… I’m afraid you’ve never understood the Ding Prince at all. I once told you the Ding Prince Manor would not plot treason, but you didn’t believe it. Now I tell you the Ding Prince Manor will not give up on revenge – I suppose you don’t believe that either? Does Your Majesty think that because the Ding Prince hasn’t acted these past few years, he’s not fixated on revenge? The murder of one’s father… is an irreconcilable hatred. I’m afraid even if the previous Regent were reborn, no one could dissuade the Ding Prince. His inaction these years only shows that he can endure. The more he can endure, it shows… the more he hates you.”
Taking one last look at Mo Jingqi, the Empress said, “If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I shall take my leave. Oh yes, Noble Consort Liu is still outside seeking an audience.” Having said this, regardless of what else Mo Jingqi might want to say, the Empress turned and left. Her calm eyes showed no trace of sadness, only faint regret – regret that after being husband and wife for over a decade, even in the end he still only wanted to use her.
Behind her, Mo Jingqi watched the departing figure in imperial yellow, who showed no reluctance to leave, his eyes filled with complex emotions. After a while, he finally couldn’t hold back the pain in his chest and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Outside, seeing the Empress emerge, everyone hurried forward. The Empress said calmly, “His Majesty is unwell. Noble Consorts De and Xian, express your gratitude at the door and then return.” Noble Consorts De and Xian, who only saw the emperor once or twice a year, had long since grown accustomed to this and weren’t particularly disappointed. Following the Empress’s words, they knelt at the door to express their gratitude for the imperial favor, then returned with the Empress. As for Noble Consort Liu, she stared at the tightly closed palace doors for a long while before finally leaving in a huff.
News from within the palace reached the outside quickly. Just as Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were discussing whether to pay their respects to the Princess Imperial, Zhuo Jing entered.
“What happened?” Ye Li asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zhuo Jing respectfully said, “We just received news that Mo Jingqi has released the long-confined Empress and then appointed Consort Zhou as Noble Consort De and Talented Lady Zheng as Noble Consort Xian.”
Hearing this, Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and said leisurely, leaning against his chair, “It seems Mo Jingqi is near his end.” Both Ye Li and Zhuo Jing looked at him, and Ye Li asked, “What makes you say that?” Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, “Mo Jingqi wants to arrange his affairs after death, so naturally he must be near his end.” Zhuo Jing was confused, “But hasn’t Mo Jingqi already appointed Noble Consort Liu’s son as Crown Prince? What do arrangements after death have to do with the Empress and the two new noble consorts?”
Mo Xiuyao clapped his hands and laughed, “Mo Jingqi is extremely paranoid and vindictive. How could he not have noticed the struggle between Mo Jingli and the Liu family these days? And with Noble Consort Liu’s performance today… Mo Jingqi will not pass the throne to the Crown Prince. Since he neither wants to pass it to the Crown Prince nor Mo Jingli, he naturally must find another heir.”
Zhuo Jing suddenly understood, saying, “The Sixth Prince was born to Talented Lady Zheng.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded and smiled, “There’s another reason. Mo Jingqi must already know that I’m in the capital now. He also knows of my deep friendship with the Empress and Old Duke Hua. For their sake, I might just forgive past matters and even help him resolve his current situation.” Ye Li asked, “Would you?”
“He’s thinking too beautifully. Does he truly believe I’m some otherworldly compassionate bodhisattva?”
Standing up, Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, “I should go to the palace to see him too – if I’m late, I might miss my chance.”
Ye Li also stood up and said, “I’ll go with you.”
The Li Prince Manor had also received this news. Hearing his subordinate’s report, Mo Jingli gave a cold laugh, “My imperial brother is troublesome. In just this short time, he’s managed to stir up so much.” Princess Qixia, leaning beside Mo Jingli, asked, “What does Your Highness plan to do?” Mo Jingli narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Enter the palace. I must see Mother Empress.”
Outside the sleeping palace, the Empress Dowager approached with a grave expression. The guards at the door naturally didn’t dare stop her and hurriedly stepped aside to respectfully invite her in.
The Empress Dowager entered to find Mo Jingqi sleeping fitfully, with a bloodstain on the blanket covering his chest. She hurried forward, calling out, “My son… my son, how are you?” After a moment, Mo Jingqi slowly opened his eyes, looked at the Empress Dowager, and smiled faintly, “Mother, you’ve finally come.” For some reason, the Empress Dowager suddenly felt guilty and averted her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. Mo Jingqi didn’t mind and smiled faintly, showing unprecedented gentleness and tranquility that secretly alarmed the Empress Dowager. Seeing the bloodstains on Mo Jingqi’s chest, the Empress Dowager stood up angrily and said, “Where have all these worthless servant dogs gone?! Why haven’t they even changed His Majesty’s blanket?!”
“Let it be, Mother. I wanted some quiet time, so I sent them away,” Mo Jingqi calmly interrupted the Empress Dowager’s words.
The Empress Dowager felt a moment of awkward embarrassment and sat back down, looking at Mo Jingqi with heartache as she said, “My son, are you in pain somewhere? Quickly tell me…” Mo Jingqi said, “It’s nothing. Your son has been waiting for Mother to come. I have some matters I wish to entrust to Mother. Please, for the sake of your son’s final wishes, grant them.”
Being mother and son after all, hearing such words, the Empress Dowager could no longer hold back her tears. Holding Mo Jingqi’s hand, she said repeatedly, “My son, whatever you want to tell me, just say it. I will certainly accomplish it for you. My poor, suffering son…” Mo Jingqi said, “After your son passes when the young emperor ascends the throne, there will inevitably be difficulties in court affairs. Jingli now holds a high position and great power – he won’t listen to me, his imperial brother, anymore. Even if he would listen, it won’t matter after I’m gone. I only ask Mother, considering that the new emperor is your grandson, to protect…”
Before he could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager had stopped crying and interrupted him, “Nonsense?! Do you intend to pass the throne to that cheap woman’s son? Do you know what she’s done? Mo Xiuyao had barely returned to the capital before she rushed off to pay respects to the Ding Prince Manor’s ancestors. Since when can a palace consort make decisions about paying respects to ancestors? Whose ancestors was she paying respects to? And then inviting the Ding Prince for tea and reminiscing on the street – she’s completely disgraced our imperial family. Such a woman – with such a woman, if Your Majesty truly passes the throne to her son, have you considered what she’ll do afterward? How could she properly assist the new emperor? I fear she’s already busy currying favor with Mo Xiuyao. Your Majesty… you’re being foolish…”
“Mother…” Mo Jingqi laughed self-mockingly, took a breath, and then interrupted the Empress Dowager’s words, asking, “Then what is Mother’s suggestion?”
The Empress Dowager hesitated before saying, “My son, this is all fate… Jingli is also a good child. He’s now the Regent, and you know the situation with Western Ling. If things turn out that way, wouldn’t it ruin the relationship between uncle and nephews? Eventually leading to disaster within the family. Since that’s the case, rather than that… rather than that, why not pass the throne to Jingli? He will certainly care for his nephews in the future, and I will protect my grandsons even at the cost of my life.”
“Mother!” Mo Jingqi called out harshly, his eyes wide with anger as he said, “Mother! Do you not know that my condition is Mo Jingli’s doing?!”
“My son…” The Empress Dowager frowned as she looked at Mo Jingqi. Of course, she knew, and she also hated her younger son for his ruthlessness and cruelty. But things had already come to this – she was already losing one son, must she lose another? These choices were all for everyone’s good. If they truly forced Jingli to raise an army, how could a newly established young emperor resist?
“Heh heh…” Looking at the Empress Dowager frowning at him, Mo Jingqi suddenly burst into loud laughter. However, that laughter sounded more like painful sobbing, desolate and miserable. After laughing enough, Mo Jingqi raised his head, pointing at the Empress Dowager, and said, “Mother… you truly are my good mother… heh heh…”
Seeing her son like this, the Empress Dowager also wiped away tears, “My son, don’t blame Mother. Mother had no choice.”
“What benefits did he offer you?” Mo Jingqi suddenly asked.
The Empress Dowager froze, her face immediately turning unsightly. Meeting Mo Jingqi’s penetrating gaze, everything from before seemed like an ugly performance. Mo Jingqi nodded and said, “I understand now, heh heh… what I cannot have, none of you shall have either! Get out!”
“My son, you…”
“Get out!”