"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 78

T/N: Everyone we're nearing the end! I don't know what my next project will be or if there will be a next project, but if there is I'm not sure about the frequency of updates with everything going on in life.

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When they came out they were cheerful and in a good mood, going back however they were actually nervous, all along the emperor sat upright in front, facing the front, a graceful posture yet it held some silent respectability, lips tightly pursed, a stiff cold line, and Zhao Jin Yu sat at the back, quite a distance from the emperor, hugging a pillow, looking like she has a lot on her mind.

Rui Fu steeped the tea, calling, “Your Majesty, niangniang, please have tea.”

In the end the two people didn’t have any reaction.

At this point if Rui Fu couldn’t see the problem he would be an idiot…, however he wasn’t actually worried, he felt the emperor favoured the empress a little too much, especially as the empress had meddled with the politics of the nation today, since ancient times the imperial concubines were never allowed to interfere with politics, didn’t the empress put herself in the line of fire? Today the empress should learn who is the ruler of this nation.

The two returned to the Qin palace, Zhao Jin Yu came out from taking a bath, the emperor was still wearing the clothes he wore outside the palace, her heart sank, a kind of indescribable grieve, she said, “Your Majesty this…, are you going back tonight?” Her later words were coarse, even though

Zhao Jin Yu was the empress, but the emperor and empress have always had their own palaces.

The emperor hearing this seemed to be infuriated, all of a sudden he raised his head to look at Zhao Jin Yu, that gaze was profound, making Zhao Jin Yu feel some stifling pressure.

“You want us to go?”

Zhao Jin Yu really dislike this sort of tone of the emperor’s, an aloof and remote power, and she was like a tiny ant in front of him.

She frowned slightly, rather indifferently she bit her lower lip hard.

“Fine!”

The emperor only felt his face burn up, it was truly uncommon…, this was the first time he has been chased out by someone, he only felt his blood pressure rise, standing in a flash, he firmly flung his sleeves, overbearing, without even turning his head he walked out.

When the emperor left he use quite a lot of strength, the curtains were pushed aside heavily with a slapping sound, like a palm of the hand firmly hitting Zhao Jin Yu’s face.

“Niangniang…” Jin Yu was a rather confounded.

It was still nanny Li who reacted first, she said, “Niangniang, let me say something beyond my position, His Majesty truly dote on niangniang, this old servant has also met many nobles, after all our Zhao family is not an ordinary family, but there isn’t a single man who treats their wife like this…, let alone the emperor is the supreme ruler.” Nanny Li burned with anxiety, thinking niangniang had been spoiled by His Majesty, she couldn’t watch her take a wrong step in life, but she also knew she needed to be more calm and collected in these situations, otherwise the more she urged the more stubborn she would be, she stooped to sit beside Zhao Jin Yu, lightly embracing her.

“Nanny, he’s already gone.” Zhao Jin Yu’s shoulders drooped, her gaze seemed aggrieved with teardrops flickering.

“Why are you afraid he’s left? Niangniang go use a soft approach, say a few coaxing words, His Majesty would then not be angry.” Nanny Li felt very distressed, rubbing Zhao Jin Yu’s shoulder, saying in comfort, “Niangniang don’t need to feel degraded, think about how His Majesty usually dotes on niangniang? Even us bystanders who see are astonished, again why is there a need for niangniang to argue? Isn’t it best to be in perfect harmony?”

Zhao Jin Yu truly wasn’t as angry as they imagined, she also knew she had reached the emperor’s bottom line, she never thought…, the Tiangui sect was actually so permeated within, every empress has been a follower of the Tiangui sect, then what about the emperor’s former empress? Just thinking about it Zhao Jin Yu broke out in a cold sweat.

The emperor had grown up in such an oppressive environment, he already hated the Tiangui sect to the bones, her suggestion of forgiving the Tiangui sect was like throwing a stone into a peaceful lake, stirring up thousands of waves.

It was also reasonable for the emperor to be so agitated and angry.

However she did not like the emperor’s overbearing manner.

The two people still had a long journey together, could it be that every time they disagree he would shake his sleeves like this and leave?

What can they not discuss properly?

Thinking about this, Zhao Jin Yu’s gaze became resolute, shaking her head at nanny Li, she said,

“Nanny, if I coax him once, don’t tell me I’d have to coax him twice? How will the days pass in the future?”

Nanny Li worriedly said, “Niangniang, you have to think clearly! There are many in these chambers of imperial concubines…” The following words were stuck in her throat, her meaning naturally goes without saying, the old lady previously relied on the eldest old master’s love, but he had no concubines, even if they fought he would have to kowtow to her after, this imperial palace was different, apart from Zhao Jin Yu there are many imperial concubines, those were all the emperor’s imperial concubines!

Nanny Li wasn’t afraid of anything, only that someone would use this opportunity.

Zhao Jin Yu helplessly smiled, someone cheerlessly, she said, “Nanny, protecting day and night its hard to defend the home against thieves, if His Majesty wishes again how could I prevent it?”

“Niangniang, His Majesty isn’t that kind…” Nanny Li wanted to say the emperor wasn’t that kind of person, she could see this from there not being many imperial concubines in the harem, but she again thought of men’s bad habits, doesn’t the eldest old master also have an illegitimate child?

The emotions in Zhao Jin Yu’s eyes were clear, with a kind of radiance of understanding the way of the world, she said, “If His Majesty really isn’t that kind of person, then why would I need to worry?” Zhao Jin Yu only wanted to get past this argument to make the emperor understand…, don’t be so headstrong about everything and leave flinging his sleeves, when they come across an issue, the two people should calmly resolve the problem.

The emperor sulkily came to his own Wuling palace, but seeing in the distance the red lantern hanging under the eaves he was rather regretful, because the emperor did not like brightness, where a row of lanterns originally hung now there were only two or three randomly, before it didn’t matter, now it seemed actually lonely, as if to parallel his current situation.

Rui Fu stood behind the emperor, seeing the emperor’s calm expression, eyes showing some longing, he couldn’t help think…, oh my, it can’t be that His Majesty wants to go back?

When he first left he was rather imposing, if he returns like this how much respect would he lose?

What’s more it was the empress who was wrong, the harem must not be involved in politics! She actually incited the emperor to forgive that vile Tiangui sect? She was basically courting death!

The empress ought to be taught what the rules and customs are!

A burst of cold wind blew over, the emperor only felt his chest was empty and unbearable.

Rui Fu saw the emperor turn his body slightly, lowering his eyes, he stiffly said, “Our…”

“Your Majesty, your jade pendant was not left at Xihua palace.” Rui Fu said very considerately, then pointed at the jade pendant on the emperor’s belt, “Look, isn’t it there.”

The emperor stared.

Rui Fu respectfully lowered his head, appearing to allow the emperor punish him.

A good while later, the emperor entered the Wuling palace, it was so chilly inside it caused a shiver, he laid on the bed without even taking off his clothes, seeing this Rui Fu very distressed said, “Your Majesty, this servant has already called for someone to light a charcoal brazier.”

The emperor’s eyes however gleamed, in a flash he stood saying, “The weather’s so cold, we placed our favourite brazier in the Xihua palace.”

Rui Fu lowered his head, respectfully saying, “This servant has already called for someone to bring it back.” Just as he spoke a young eunuch came in rather flushed, clearly having ran all the way, he respectfully passed the brazier in his hand to Rui Fu.

The emperor only felt the Rui Fu today was repulsive.

“I don’t want it!” The emperor hatefully said.

Lying on the thick cotton-padded mattress, he buried him in it, but felt it was uncomfortable…, like a chunk of his heart was missing, a cold breeze from outside whooshing in, so painfully cold.

The emperor tossed and turned unable to sleep no matter what, he opened his eyes staring at the curtains, his heart actually thinking of one thing…, why didn’t she come to find him?

Fine, if she couldn’t show humility, couldn’t she pretend she needed to ask him something?

Thinking about this he again felt a pent-up frustration, but in a blink his gaze fell on the candle on the table, the candle oil continuously dripped down from the top, like a person’s tears.

She couldn’t be crying by herself again right?

She really was stupid, why would she cry? Could it be she wouldn’t come and cry in front of us?

Wouldn’t doing that make a man’s tender affections for a woman increase?

When it was towards the end of midnight, the emperor already began to get caught up…, could she simply not wish for us to return into her arms? Rather she’s thinking of her sweetheart brother?

The more he thought the more he was bitter towards himself.

Like this, the emperor tossed and turned, turned and tossed, like a laobing[1] on a pan, unable to rest no matter what, continuously until very late at night when no one came did he give up and sleep, but in the morning he nevertheless had dark circles under his eyes, he was also very irritable, using several basins of water to wash his face.

Everyone knew the emperor was angry at the empress, everyday the emperor had dark eye circles, his irritable bad temper was like a barrel of gunpowder, it would explode if lit, and the empress Zhao Jin Yu was only calm, as if she simply did notice the difference in the emperor, eating as she should, drinking as she should, not effected at all.

This early morning, Zhao Jin Yu received a notice, Li Shan Rong asked for a meeting, changing her outfit she met her in the side hall.

They had only not seen each other for ten days, Li Shan Rong however had lost a lot of weight, it seemed like only a skeleton remained, she was absent-minded, gaze unsteady, as if her entire body was broken by an immense sorrow.

Zhao Jin Yu felt really unwell seeing her, saying, “How did you become like this?”

Li Shan Rong reluctantly smiled at Zhao Jin Yu, only that smile was as unsightly as crying, besides herself she said, “Niangniang, older brother Xu has already passed.”

Zhao Jin Yu already knew earlier that the only son of the Xu family had no way to survive, but truly hearing of his death she still felt rather emotional, a person’s life disappeared just like that.

“You need to grief.”

“Niangniang, I came to beseech you.” Li Shan Rong rose to once again kneel on the ice-cold floor, a face filled with longing she said.

“You still haven’t changed your mind?” Even though Zhao Jin Yu knew Li Shan Rong would take such a path as before, but hearing this she felt sad, “Do you know what it feels like to be a widow?”

At that time Li Shan Rong had insisted on marrying the Xu family’s only son, but how could Zhao Jin Yu agreed for her to jump into the fire pit? Even though she was the honourable empress she however felt that she has no right to decide Li Shan Rong’s fate.

Divorce did not exist in this era, so-called separation was merely an ultimate helpless suffering for both sides, if Li Shan Rong regretted it in the future…, where could she buy medication for regret?

That’s why at that time Zhao Jin Yu did not agree to Li Shan Rong, of course she also did not disagree, she said to Li Shan Rong, “Think about it carefully yourself, if you still haven’t changed your mind come find me.”

Finally in less than half a month this stubborn girl came.

Zhao Jin Yu shook her head, it wasn’t that she didn’t believe in loving each other in life or death, but that sort of eternal sentiment was difficult to find, she wasn’t sure if Li Shan Rong and the only son of the Xu family had that kind of feelings for each other, people should always look ahead, if at that time the only son of the Xu family still had a chance to live…, she undoubtedly would have giving his blessings to this pair of unfortunate couple, but he was dead, could she look on helplessly as Li

Shan Rong spends her life as a widow?

Right now Li Shan Rong was grateful to her, but what about later? Would she say she destroyed herself?

Also Li Shan Rong’s father, he was an ancient man whose only child had no fortune to remarry, it really was rare.

The women in this world suffered the most, she hoped Li Shan Rong could have a happy life.

Zhao Jin Yu’s gaze was filled with pity, but she lightly shook her head, saying, “Young lady Li, listen to me, you really are too young right now…, you don’t understand what you have to face.”

Tears lingered on Li Shan Rong’s eyelashes, but her gaze was steady, she said, “Empress niangniang, my mind is clear as to what I will face, I know…, I beseech the empress to help.”

Zhao Jin Yu under Li Shan Rong’s unwavering gaze felt she had lost a battle, sighing she said, “How about this, let us come to an agreement, three years, if you still haven’t changed your mind in three years, I will allow you to marry.” Three years was enough for an enthusiastic affection to freeze, dissipate, she believed at that time…, Li Shan Rong would definitely make a genuine decision.

Li Shan Rong tearfully looked at Zhao Jin Yu, “Three years?”

“What, you don’t have the confidence to persevere for three years?” Zhao Jin Yu asked in response.

“Of course not! Empress…, you don’t know, without older brother Xu I cannot possibly live on, but if waiting three years can gain the empress’s help, this common girl will persevere on.” Li Shan Rong finished before knocking her head three times again on the floor, when she raised her head her forehead was red, she however smiled not caring, she said, “Empress niangniang, you are a great person, this common girl could not repay you at all even if I work extremely hard in my next life.”

After Li Shan Rong left, Zhao Jin Yu only felt her mood sway, just now Li Shan Rong’s

expression…, it actually touched her innermost feelings, she unconsciously thought of the emperor.

This last half a month, the two people only acted like the other person did not exist, she was in her Xihua palace, he emperor was at his Wuling palace…, before when the Zhaoyang princess visited she could also greet the emperor here, now she needed to go to two places.

Once the Zhaoyang princess naively asked her, why she couldn’t see her emperor father.

Zhao Jin Yu somewhat jittery stood up saying, “Let’s go to the imperial garden.” A few days before she had gotten someone to transplant many plum blossoms to the lake edge.

Zhao Jin Yu never liked having too many people following her, it felt uncomfortably like being constantly watched, that’s why apart from nanny Li there was only Jin Yu, other people waited outside.

The plum blossoms Zhao Jin Yu made people transplant were older than ten years old, at this moment they were clearly growing very well, buds sprouted under the spring sunshine, the cotton little buds could already be seen.

Even though she didn’t want to admit it, but when she made people transplant the plum blossom trees…, she automatically thought, her child in the future running and playing underneath them, of course the emperor with a smiling face.

So she still thought of him.

Li Shan Rong and the only son of the Xu family’s feelings were so strong, so strong that…, the Xu family’s only son paid with his life, and Li Shan Rong also decided to follow after he passed away, marrying a memorial tablet.

Then what about her and the emperor?

What were their actual feelings?

Zhao Jin Yu remembered that stone which always used a soft and sweet voice to anger her…, at that time she only fumed with rage, but now thinking about it she actually felt warm.

The stone truly treated her very well.

Older brother said, his mind was only filled with her, but at the crucial moment he actually abandoned her, making her drift about outside by herself, the emperor did not say anything pleasant…, but when her life was under great threat it actually used its body to take an arrow in her place without hesitation.

To see whether someone cares for you or not, don’t depend on what they say, rather see what he does.

The emperor already made his actions clear, he placed her in the bottom of his heart.

Zhao Jin Yu leaned against the plum blossom tree, from her heavy heart at the beginning to the end where everything became clear, a bright and beautiful smile floated onto her face, nanny Li seeing it was flustered, thinking what has the empress thought of now?

In fact compared to Zhao Jin Yu over these few days, nanny Li was more anxious!

She was about to foam at the mouth, but use was her merely worrying? Zhao Jin Yu simply wasn’t worried!

Luckily she went to find out about the emperor’s day from Rui Fu, every day he would go to court, handle official business, and did not contact or attract other women, but if this carried on something was bound to go wrong!

Nanny Li seeing Zhao Jin Yu in a good mood, again thought to step forward in urging, saying, “Niangniang, see how well your plum blossoms have grown, they’ll blossom in a few days, I wonder

how beautiful they will be, but it’s somewhat a pity…”

“What’s pitiful?”

“If there was a pavilion on this side it would be good, when the time comes sitting in the pavilion watching the plum blossoms, drinking plum blossom wine, how satisfying would that be.” Nanny Li said smiling.

“Your idea is very good, but to build a pavilion here then that veranda must be torn down, otherwise it’ll be too much of a hinderance, but that veranda was built by the former emperor…, and need to ask His Majesty.” Zhao Jin Yu said pointing to the veranda at one side.

Nanny Li had a rather cunning smile, she said, “Niangniang, there’s no time to lose, let us go ask His Majesty now?”

Only now did Zhao Jin Yu returned to her senses, she helplessly smiled, but did not turn down the idea as before, rather she said straightforward, “Then let’s go.”

Nanny Li was simply overjoyed, she had urged her for so long, every time so long as she mentioned the emperor…, Zhao Jin Yu would change the subject, who would have known she would actually agree today.

On the way to the imperial study Zhao Jin Yu came across the emperor’s personal eunuch San Bao, he seemed to not run often, his face was flushed, a few beads of sweat hanging on his forehead, seeing who it was his eyes widened, stammering he said, “Nanny Li, you’re going to find His Majesty?” His last few words were rather hesitant.

Nanny Li nodded, very naturally she said, “Is His Majesty still in the imperial study?”

San Bao sneakily shot a glance at Zhao Jin Yu, he said, “He’s not present.”

“Then where is he?” Nanny Li had already earlier on asked around for the emperor’s whereabout, she had thought he was at the imperial study, who knew he wouldn’t be there in a blink, fortunately they met San Bao, otherwise they would have gone on a wild-goose chase.

San Bao somewhat didn’t dare to look straight at Nanny Li, but seeing Nanny Li grow impatient, he said, “His Majesty is at the sleeping palace.”

“Why would he return to the sleeping palace at such a time?” Nanny Li felt it was rather strange, then did she discover San Bao’s expression was somewhat unusual, San Bao was a very clever person, usually when he saw her he would try to curry favour by showing respect, without her taking the initiative to ask he would tell her the whereabouts of the emperor…, why would he be so listless today? Like he was worried.

San Bao seeing Nanny Li’s burning gaze on him, his heart thudded, even though this nanny Li wasn’t a person of the palace, but her she was much more knowing than the other old maids in the palace, simply unable to lie to at all.

That’s enough, anyway since the empress wanted to know, he shouldn’t try to hide it any more.

“It’s the Empress Dowager, His Majesty was just looking over the accounts book in the imperial study, in the end the eunuch Gao Zhi who serves the Empress Dowager came over to say, niangniang didn’t seem to be too well, His Majesty hastily put aside the official business and went over.” San Bao said cautiously wording it.

“The Empress Dowager lives in the Wuling palace?” Zhao Jin Yu who had not spoken at all suddenly pushed the curtain aside, looking straight at San Bao she asked.

San Bao jumped in fright, not thinking he would alarm the empress, he deferentially lowered his head, greeting her, he said, “In response to the empress, the Dowager Empress has always been cared for by the emperor personally, that’s why she lives in the Wuling palace.” As for how she was cared for…, only those who were close knew.

Zhao Jin Yu knew the Empress Dowager was alive all along, but pondering on this it was also a strange matter, those who brought up the Empress Dowager in the palace seemed to act as if it was an important matter that must be kept secret.

“Since the Empress Dowager is unwell, I must go take a look.” Zhao Jin Yu felt that as the Empress Dowager is the emperor’s mother, she as a daughter-in-law, granted that she did serve tea to the Empress Dowager on the day of her conferral, she still ought to pay her respects today since she was ill.

San Bao knew it was like this, he sighed in his mind, thinking he couldn’t hide it in the end…, however it didn’t show on his face at all, he said, “Niangniang, wait a moment, this servant will report to His Majesty first.”

Zhao Jin Yu nodded, saying, “Go.” As soon as she finished speaking San Bao was like a rabbit, running off in an instant, like there was a fierce tiger chasing him, this made Zhao Jin Yu and nanny

Li instinctively look at each other, the two of them felt this was unusual.

The group again briskly went to the Wuling palace.

It was different from what Zhao Jin Yu imagined, there were no maids running errands and imperial physicians gathered discussing over the prescription to use, it was extremely quiet all around, very cold and cheerless.

Nanny Li helped Zhao Jin Yu down from the palanquin, saying, “Niangniang, be careful.”

Rui Fu met them at the door, he panting slightly, he clearly came very hurriedly, he said,

“Niangniang, San Bao has just told His Majesty that the niangniang wants to visit, His Majesty has sent this servant to pass on to the empress…” Speaking up to here he showed a rather disturbed expression.

“What did he say?” Zhao Jin Yu had a rather bad premonition.

“His Majesty said for the empress to return to her palace, no need to come over.” Rui Fu said grinding his teeth.

The mood became very heavy right away, Zhao Jin Yu expression was grave and stern, her gaze sharply looking at Rui Fu, she said, “Why? The Empress Dowager is unwell, shouldn’t I as a daughter-in-law ought to visit?”

Zhao Jin Yu did not think, coming over with warmth in her heart, in the end she would actually be met by such a bucket of cold water.

“Niangniang…, you’ve misunderstood His Majesty.” Rui Fu also found the last few days unbearable, if His Majesty was happy, they who served him were naturally happy, equally, if His Majesty wasn’t happy, could they continue happily? That’s why over this half a month he simply suffered unbearably, so much so he even regretted his past actions, that night, the emperor had originally wanted to look for an excuse to go back and reconcile, he ought to have taken advantage of the situation for his own benefit! Why did he stop him? He simply was courting his own death!

“Then tell me what’s going on?” Zhao Jin Yu’s hands underneath her sleeves clenched tightly, gaze sharp as a knife.

Rui Fu forced a smile saying, “Niangniang, the Empress Dowager is somewhat peculiar…, many servants do not dare to tell you, otherwise they’ll lose their heads, in short, niangniang remember, His Majesty is also troubled.”

Who would have imagined at this moment, a woman’s miserable cry came from within, this cry was so strange it penetrated people’s bones, like a spirit peeled from the body while still alive, after hearing this Zhao Jin Yu couldn’t help shiver.

“Who is that?” Zhao Jin Yu unconsciously asked.

Rui Fu turned his head to glance in the direction of the inner room then immediately turned back to say to Zhao Jin Yu, “Niangniang, His Majesty said you shouldn’t ask…” His words ending rather

gravely, the meaning was self-evident.

Zhao Jin Yu only felt a pressure stuffing up the pit of her stomach, no matter what she couldn’t breathe smoothly.

“You unfilial son! Sooner or later you’ll get your retribution!” Very soon, another mournful cry of a woman could be heard, hoarse and filled with grief, “You ripped out my eyes, locked me up in this ice-cold inner room, now you won’t even give me food! Hehehe, you bloodsucking bastard who ought to die, I really hate that I didn’t kill you back then?”

Zhao Jin Yu heard many rumours about the emperor, which included bloodsucking, she had always treated it as a joke…, but now hearing it from the mouth of the Empress Dowager, she was nevertheless shocked.

“I want…” Zhao Jin Yu could not control herself, she wanted to go in very much, but was blocked by Rui Fu, Rui Fu said almost begging, “Niangniang, please don’t make it difficult for me.”

Zhao Jin Yu stared at Rui Fu, Rui Fu also could not be outdone he stood with his back straight.

Finally Zhao Jin Yu was defeated, not resigned she clenched and unclenched her fists, saying, “Pass on to His Majesty, say I will wait for him in Xihua palace.”

Then did Rui Fu release a breath, respectfully he said, “This servant will certainly pass on the message.”

Zhao Jin Yu rather despondently walked away from the gate, nanny Li lent her an arm ill at ease, wanting to open her mouth to console her yet not knowing what to say, the empress had come over so excitedly and in a hurry, in the end she however didn’t see His Majesty!

How upsetting was this?

When the two people had walked out of the Wuling palace’s gate, suddenly two eunuchs were seen carrying a corpse out, from its clothes it was a maid, her artery at her wrist had been cut, blood spread onto the stretcher, staining the white cloth.

Nanny Li wanted to obstruct Zhao Jin Yu’s line of sight, but ultimately it was nevertheless too late.

Zhao Jin Yu stared wide eyed at the dead maid, a disbelieving expression.

After returning to Xihua palace, Zhao Jin Yu sat on the kang in the outer room continuously, a book in her hand, from time to time she stared outside, but by night time the emperor did not appear.

Nanny Li handed Zhao Jin Yu a cup of almond tea, warmly saying, “Niangniang, Rui Fu just left, he said Empress Dowager has become even more unwell, His Majesty can not leave, he asks the empress to not wait.”

Zhao Jin Yu held the almond tea stiffly but did not drink it.

Nanny Li was extremely worried, and persuade patiently, “Niangniang, if His Majesty did not care for niangniang, he simply would not have sent Rui Fu over, since he has sent Rui Fu over, that confirms he really can’t leave, you mustn’t think too much, rest soon, maybe early tomorrow you can see His Majesty.”

Zhao Jin Yu drank the almond tea under nanny Li’s persuasion, and got into bed, waiting until there was only her left in the room she however could not fall asleep, when she closed her eye she saw that maid who met a violent death.

What was actually going on?

What inhumane secret was there?

The disappointment in not seeing the emperor, to the numerous doubts about the Dowager Empress, also that maid who met a violent death…, Zhao Jin Yu tossed and turned, falling asleep only at zishi.[2]

At first she had thought she would be able to see the emperor the next day, who knew the Empress Dowager’s illness was actually extremely critical, the emperor remained at Wuling palace not leaving at all, even excusing himself from morning court.

That morning, Zhao Jin Yu was rather preoccupied, Zhaoyang princess asked ten questions, seven of those came in one ear and left the other, Zhaoyang princess said with a worried face, “Empress mother, are you not feeling well?”

Zhao Jin Yu shook her head apologetically, stroking Zhaoyang princess’s head she said, “No.”

“Could it be empress mother is also worried about Empress Dowager’s illness?”

“You know Empress Dowager is ill?”

Zhaoyang princess nodded, with an innocent expression, “En, right now the people in the palace are saying the Empress Dowager is on the point of death…, oh, auntie, why won’t you let me say it.”

Consort Shu showed a panicked expression, using her hand to cover Zhaoyang princess’s mouth, she hurried said to Zhao Jin Yu, “Niangniang, the princess is worried about the Empress Dowager that’s all.”

Saying that an elder was on the point of death, was a very rude thing, let alone that the person

Zhaoyang princess was talking about, is the emperor’s birth mother, the honourable Empress Dowager.

Consort Shu was deathly pale with fright, holding the Zhaoyang princess her body shook like sieving sugar.

Zhao Jin Yu gently said, “It’s merely childish talking, how can I blame her?” Zhao Jin Yu could roughly understand Zhaoyang princess’s frame of mind, a grandmother…, who has never loved her dearly, again how could it make Zhaoyang princess respect her?

As for how she knew the Empress Dowager had never loved Zhaoyang princess dearly…, when she found out the Empress Dowager preferred the eldest prince she could determine the emperor has never entered the Empress Dowager’s eyes, the Empress Dowager didn’t even like her own son, again how could she like a child of her son’s?

Zhao Jin Yu kindly and happily coaxed Zhaoyang princess, finally sending her out.

When Zhao Jin Yu returned to the inner room, lying on the couch to rest with her eyes closed, suddenly she saw Consort Shu come back.

Consort Shu stood in front of Zhao Jin Yu ill at ease, she said, “Niangniang, there’s something I want to say to niangniang.”

“Just say whatever you want to directly.”

“It’s about…”

After a while, Zhao Jin Yu’s flabbergasted expression gradually became solemn, her gaze on Consort Shu was like a knife, scaring Consort Shu that her complexion became even more deathly pale.

“Niangniang, what I said is true.” Consort Shu hurriedly said.

“I believe what you said is true, but Consort Shu…” Zhao Jin Yu looked at the table, producing a ding dong sound, “You personally saw the emperor suck blood, eat human flesh? And pulled out the Empress Dowager’s eyes with his own hands?”

“I didn’t…” Consort Shu was so scared her teeth clattered.

“Who sent you to cause disharmony between the emperor and I?” Zhao Jin Yu coldly looked at Consort Shu, “And what benefit did they give you?”

Zhao Jin Yu’s words werWhen they came out they were cheerful and in a good mood, going back however they were actually nervous, all along the emperor sat upright in front, facing the front, a graceful posture yet it held some silent respectability, lips tightly pursed, a stiff cold line, and Zhao Jin Yu sat at the back, quite a distance from the emperor, hugging a pillow, looking like she has a lot on her mind.