Chapter 15

The Empress Dowager was the luckiest woman in the late emperor’s harem, ending up as the Consort of Virtue. She was never an empress or even a favored consort, but her position now surpasses that of the former Empress and any favored consort. Among the many women who came and went in the late emperor’s harem, she was the only one known for her indifference to fame and fortune, earning the title of “Consort of Virtue,” recognized by the late emperor as a virtuous woman. So when she adopted Yan Donghuang as her daughter, the late emperor did not object, and Yan Donghuang felt her sincerity and became close to her despite the goodwill shown by all the other concubines in the harem.
If a person can pretend to be gentle and kind for ten years, even the most reclusive and difficult-to-approach person will unconsciously lower their guard and trust her a little more.

However, after becoming the Empress Dowager, such gentleness and kindness seemed less important, making even the pretense unnecessary.
In the latter half of her life, enjoying wealth and honor, surrounded by servants, she became the most esteemed woman in the world, not needing to look at anyone’s face or show kindness to anyone.

The Empress Dowager Chu thought such wealth and honor would accompany her for the rest of her life, and even her funeral after a hundred years would be grand and unparalleled. But this morning, she felt uneasy. Sitting at her desk copying scriptures for half an hour, she usually calmed down quickly, but today, she ruined several sheets of paper, a sense of anxiety lingering in her heart.

“Hua Ping.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Has anything happened in the palace today?”

Hua Ping looked puzzled: “Are you asking about the harem or the court?”

The Empress manages the affairs of the harem, but the Empress and the concubines are still young and diligently attend to their duties, so the Empress Dowager would know anything she wanted to know. As per the rules, the harem cannot inquire about the affairs of the court- unless the emperor mentions it himself.

“The emperor is here!”

The high-pitched voice rang out, causing the Empress Dowager’s hand to tremble. A drop of ink stained the freshly copied scripture.

The palace staff of Cian Palace knelt in unison to welcome the emperor.

The Empress Dowager placed the brush on the rack, washed her hands in the basin brought by her maid, dried them, and then turned to walk out.

Emperor Zhaoming, in his dragon robe, stepped into the hall and saluted the Empress Dowager: “Your son greets the Empress Dowager.”

“Usually, after court, the emperor reviews memorials in the Qin Zheng Hall and summons ministers for discussions, only coming to dine with me in the evening. Why are you here so early today?”

Emperor Zhaoming’s expression was gloomy, and he waved his hand: “Everyone, leave.”

The Empress Dowager frowned, sensing something unusual in the emperor’s demeanor. The ominous premonition in her heart grew stronger: “What happened?”

“Something happened outside.” Emperor Zhaoming’s voice was cold. “Yan Donghuang has mobilized troops into the capital.”

A short sentence instantly plunged the Empress Dowager’s heart into the abyss. She took a deep breath, suppressing her unease, and asked: “Is she planning a rebellion?”

“Indeed, she has rebellious intentions.” Emperor Zhaoming closed his eyes slightly, his tone filled with sinister resentment. “And just now, Yan Donghuang surrounded the Duke’s residence, accusing Minister Chu of embezzling military funds and filling his own pockets, an unforgivable crime.”

Bang.

The Empress Dowager fell onto the phoenix couch, her face drained of color.

A hint of ruthlessness appeared on Emperor Zhaoming’s face: “Mother, Yan Donghuang must be mad. We need to come up with a plan quickly.”

The Empress Dowager’s expression was one of shock and anger. Her hands, with exquisite nail guards, gripped the edge of the table tightly, and her heart filled with anxiety and fear: “Didn’t Sheng Jing’an act against her? How is she not threatened? Doesn’t she want the antidote?”

No one is unafraid of death, especially those in high positions of power.
Holding great power and enjoying wealth. Living a high and mighty life, how could she think of dying?

Even if Yan Donghuang herself is not afraid of death, she should be worried about implicating the Qingluan Army. How could she suddenly lose her mind and lead a rebellion?

“She might be making a desperate move, forcing me to hand over the antidote.” Emperor Zhaoming’s voice was cold. “But since she has already led a rebellion, can I still let her live?”

The Empress Dowager was unsettled: “What should we do now?”

“Mother, do you have any ideas?”

“At this point, we can only put all the blame on the Sheng family.” The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth, her expression resolute. “Sheng Jing’an administered the poison. Who can prove his words are true? He humiliated the Grand Princess on their wedding day, attempting to marry both wives, which is a blatant disregard for royal authority.”

Emperor Zhaoming was silent for a moment: “That concubine is the sister of the Consort of Virtue.”

Although she is a half-sister, she is still a member of the Consort of Virtue’s family. If all the blame is placed on the Sheng family, not only will the Duke’s residence be in jeopardy, but the Consort of Virtue’s maternal family, the Shen family, will also be alienated.

“Your Majesty, the situation is urgent. We can’t afford to worry about so much. We must sacrifice the pawn to save the king.” The Empress Dowager made a decisive decision. “Shen Yun is pregnant out of wedlock, living in the Sheng family without a title, which is a disgrace to the family. The Shen family should kill this daughter to uphold the family honor.”

Emperor Zhaoming understood her meaning.

This was to abandon Sheng Jing’an and Shen Yun. If the Shen family could be preserved, they would be preserved; if not, they could be abandoned.

In any case, they must explain the situation to the court officials, Yan Donghuang, and the Qingluan Army.

Whether Yan Donghuang believes it or not, as long as it can buy some time, allowing the poison in her body to act more quickly, invading her lungs, rendering her unable to fight or even speak…

Safely enduring seven days, everything would naturally be safe.

But the emperor was still concerned: “Yan Donghuang has mobilized ten thousand troops into the city, half stationed at the city gates, and the other half on the imperial road outside the palace. Mother, do you know what this means?”