"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 79 (END)

“So the our hobby is sucking people’s blood, how did we not know?”

A man’s voice came from the doorway, the overcast and mellow voice now rose slightly, with a chilly questioning tone, making the originally extremely nervous Consort Shu shriek in fright.

Consort Shu’s teeth trembled, complexion snowy white, and knelt on the ground kowtowing and begging in forgiveness before the emperor even got close, she said, “Your Majesty, I was wrong, 

Your Majesty please spare me.”

Zhao Jin Yu watched the emperor enter with a majestic gait, not a hair out of place, clothes ironed perfectly, looking very handsome, clearly before he came he had already bathed and made himself presentable, however he had lost a bit of weight around the chin, and his bloodshot eyes reminded 

Zhao Jin Yu, the emperor had been very busy over these few days.

Ever since the emperor entered…, Zhao Jin Yu’s gaze had stuck on him.

The emperor was unable to restrain his anger, but raising his head and seeing Zhao Jin Yu’s emotional gaze, like summer fine rain, trickling, it streaked across his heart.

The annoying matters over these past few days disappeared just like this, like a traveller finally seeing dawn in the darkness…, every worry became insignificant in front of her, because you already have the most beautiful thing in the world, why would you complain to the heaven that it is unfair?

The emperor entered step by step, Zhao Jin Yu also watched him, the two were like magnets attracted to each other, missing each other when they were apart, even separated by thousands of mountains and rivers they had to be together.

The emperor held Zhao Jin Yu’s hand, the instant he held it, he felt his empty and lonely heart finally the thing to fill it, content from the bottom of his heart.

Nanny Li did not want to disturb the emperor and Zhao Jin Yu’s happiness, thinking about it yesterday she was still worried whether the emperor was disloyal, but today seeing the reaction between the emperor and Zhao Jin Yu she knew, she had been overthinking.

The two were very sweet.

However Consort Shu already hit her head until it split open, so much so that it stained the floor red, looking extremely terrifying, if she did not remind them it would be fatal.

Of course nanny Li felt Consort Shu ought to die, the empress treated her so well, in spite of everything she tried to sow dissension at a time like this, it wouldn’t be enough for her to die thousands of death, but she also knew Consort Shu had a relationship with Zhaoyang princess…, she was His Majesty’s first child, she didn’t wish for Zhao Jin Yu and Zhaoyang princess to have any discord.

Of course Consort Shu had to be dealt with, but it didn’t have to be in this way.

“Niangniang, Consort Shu is about to pass out.” Nanny Li helplessly reminded.

The emperor’s attention finally moved from Zhao Jin Yu to the kneeling Consort Shu, seeing her sorry figure he however did not feel his heart soften at all, with an ice-cold gaze he said, “Such a cruel and unscrupulous thing, immediately drag her out to be beaten to death.”

Consort Shu hearing the emperor’s words, cried out a lamenting wail, kneeling on the floor like a boneless person, “Niangniang, it wasn’t deliberate, niangniang spare my life.” At this moment she knew begging the emperor was useless, it was better to beg the more kind-hearted empress, she knew from before.

Zhao Jin Yu said, “Your Majesty, admittedly Consort Shu has wronged, but the crime is not worth death, for the sake of Zhaoyang princess, you should reconsider.”

“Crime not worth of death? Hehe, if it wasn’t you today, rather another person…” The emperor thought of the always overly suspicious former empress…, the emperor shut his eyes, opening them again after a good while later, a kind of warmth flickered in his eyes, he held Zhao Jin Yu’s hand tighter, how many people can after seeing such a bloody scene, still calmly have faith in him?

Just now before he entered Zhao Jin Yu’s words how can I not believe him, made him uncontrollably stunned.

With her, what did he need in life?

“Exactly because I’m not another person, that’s why I’m your empress, not someone else.” Zhao Jin Yu gently said.

The emperor only felt something stir in his heart, rolling over and over, like a huge emotional tide, directly drowning him within, at this moment he felt for the first time grateful for that fortuitous encounter.

In the end the emperor did not put Consort Shu to death, rather he placed her under arrest, Zhaoyang princess was sent to Zhao Jin Yu’s Xihua palace, to be brought up by Zhao Jin Yu.

The Empress Dowager’s illness was sometimes good, sometimes bad, when it was good she could eat a little, when she was bad she was mad like a lunatic, biting when she sees someone.

At the start the emperor still avoided Zhao Jin Yu, later after the two reconciled she was brought over.

The first time she saw the Empress Dowager, Zhao Jin Yu was nevertheless scared, the Empress Dowager had no eyes, her eye sockets were pitch-black, because she didn’t like to eat, that’s why she was as skinny as a pole, the clothes hung loosely on her, if it wasn’t for a belt, it probably would have directly fallen down.

“Mother, this is your daughter-in-law.” The emperor’s gaze on the Empress Dowager was neither sad nor joyful, at peace with himself, saying in a mere formal manner.

The Empress Dowager smiled unpleasantly to the eyes, she said, “A tyrant like you, a bastard, there’s someone who actually likes you?” After all the Empress Dowager was the emperor’s birth mother, she could nevertheless feel the emperor’s actions were uncommon, bringing his new empress here, naturally he trusted her, in such a way the two people’s relationship must be very good.

The Empress Dowager simply could not tolerate the emperor living so well, and finding a place for affection! Why?

“New empress, do you know, my pair of eyes were taken by him.” The Empress Dowager said sinisterly, “He also imprisoned me here, not allowing me to eat, worse than a dog or pig.”

The emperor had thought he had long ago become numb, but seeing the Empress Dowager slander him in such a way in front of Zhao Jin Yu, some anger rushed into his heart.

Zhao Jin Yu seemed to sense the emperor’s mood, she lightly kissed the emperor’s cheek, until the emperor revealed a smear of a smile did she comfortingly held his hand, following which she turned her head to look at the Empress Dowager.

“I don’t know what is worse than a dog or pig? But a mother giving birth to a child yet do not care for him, that to me is a thing which is worse than a dog or pig, you simply are not suited to be a mother.”

“You…, I gave birth to him, raised him, how am I not suited to be a mother?” The Empress Dowager indignantly bellowed.

“Of course you’re not suited.” Zhao Jin Yu unhesitatingly said, “You only gave birth to him nothing more, but you did not give him the concern and care he deserves, your heart simply does not have him.”

“It’s simply preposterous! Fine, even so…, what do you say about my pair of eyes?” The Empress Dowager was uncontrollably angry, sticking her horrifying face in front of Zhao Jin Yu, “You sleep with such a cold-blooded and merciless person, beside a man who ripped out his own mother’s eyes, aren’t you afraid? He is a monster!”

The emperor held Zhao Jin Yu’s hand tightly.

Zhao Jin Yu only felt a little sad, she smiled at the emperor conciliatorily, enunciating each word clearly she said, “You tore out your own eyes right? Not only did you tear out your own eyes, you also like to drink people’s blood right? You want to use these methods to retaliate against the emperor.”

Hearing this the Empress Dowager paled, she was stirred up all of a sudden, her face scrunched up into a ball, she threw herself at Zhao Jin Yu, “Nonsense! I haven’t! He’s the one who drink people’s blood!” Just before the Empress Dowager reached her the emperor firmly pushed her back, immediately falling onto the floor.

“Empress Dowager, I once stayed at your Tiangui sect’s Xianjun’s side, I’ve experienced their so-called witchcraft, amongst them is a curse of sucking people’s blood, it is an extremely sneakily method, if I am correct…, this witchcraft also needs a prelude, and your eyes act as a contribution.” 

When Zhao Jin Yu was by Zhuang Qing’s side this had happened, a maid’s eyes were gone, those people suddenly became angry, capturing the maid, afterwards finding evidence of the curse in her bed, using Zhuang Qing’s hair to make a rag doll, that maid wanted to use the curse to kill Zhuang Qing.

That was when Zhao Jin Yu knew, there were still such absurd beliefs in the world.

“How did you know?” A crack appeared on the Empress Dowager’s face, her pretence breaking in a split second, “Rubbish!”

“Whether it’s rubbish or not, you and I are aware.” Zhao Jin Yu’s gaze became colder, “I don’t even have to look to tell the person you cursed is your own son, now, you still dare to say His Majesty is a brute worse than a pig or dog? In fact in my opinion, even a vicious tiger will not eat its cubs, the fact is you are so vicious, cold-blooded, the person who ought to receive retribution is you.”

“It’s not like that! He should be the one to receive retribution! He is a traitor! He killed the eldest prince, killed him…, the eldest prince is the child of us holy women, he is incomparably respected, the emperor isn’t even qualified to carry his shoes.” The Empress Dowager seemed to be ruthlessly beaten down by Zhao Jin Yu’s words, a frantic expression appeared on her face, beginning to rant and rave.

“If His Majesty is lowly you gave birth to him, that’s why he’s also lowly, the eldest prince was given birth by the Tiangui sect’s holy woman, is that why he’s exalted?” Even though Zhao Jin Yu had been guessing all along, but hearing it with her own ears she nevertheless felt outraged, unable to understand, “I retract my previous words, not only are you unsuited to be a mother, you can’t even be a human being, because you even lack the fundamental common sense of human relationship, you are the brute worse than a dog or pig!”

When Zhao Jin Yu and the emperor left, the afternoon sunshine was just right, warmly basking their faces, just as Zhao Jin Yu squinted her eyes the emperor used his hands to block her line of sight, he used this manner to help her block the light.

“The sun’s too great, let us get in the palanquin.”

The whole journey it was extremely quiet, the emperor and Zhao Jin Yu’s hands were held tightly together.

“How did you know?” The emperor asked.

Zhao Jin Yu buried her head in the emperor’s embrace, saying, “I know Your Majesty isn’t that kind of person, that’s why there must be a misunderstanding, later when Your Majesty told me each empress was of the Tiangui sect…, I wondered, could the Empress Dowager be of the Tiangui sect? 

In that case, everything was solved, everything made sense, compared to being a mother, the Empress Dowager is even more devoted to the Tiangui sect, that’s why she sees the eldest prince who was born from the holy woman even more precious than life, the Empress Dowager placed herself in the position of a servant, the same with Your Majesty, she wished for His Majesty to submit to the eldest prince, allow to be humiliated, unable to retort, unable to retaliate.”

The emperor was in awe.

Zhao Jin Yu rubbed against the emperor’s chest, and said, “However Your Majesty is not a pushover, 

Your Majesty has your own opinions, the Tiangui sect is a disorderly mob, Your Majesty accepted the former emperor’s final wishes, and forcefully eradicated the Tiangui sect, to the Empress Dowager, it’s the same as betraying her.”

“You truly can’t be kept in the dark.”

“As for blood-sucking, eating human flesh, tearing out her own eyes…, they’re merely the helpless ways the Empress Dowager used because of the failure to overthrow the palace, she wanted to ruin the emperor’s reputation, right?”

The emperor tightly held Zhao Jin Yu, a good while later did he then huskily say, “In our life, the most fortunate thing was meeting you.”

“Same for me.” Zhao Jin Yu said with a smile.

Not knowing if it was from being irritated by Zhao Jin Yu, that night the imperial physician came to report the Empress Dowager was dying, the emperor hearing this left, before leaving he kissed Zhao Jin Yu, softly saying, “Wait here for us.”

“En.” Zhao Jin Yu said, the emperor was unwilling for her to see the deranged Empress Dowager again.

When the emperor arrived, the room was permeated heavily with the smell of medicine, making it difficult to endure, he entered pinching his nose, the Empress Dowager’s wasted body laid on the spacious bed, looking ever more alone.

Hearing footsteps, the Empress Dowager gaze landed on the emperor, a gentleness never shown before was in her tone, “My son, is that you?”

The emperor did not move, a good while later did he then reply, “En.”

“I know I’m about to die, but I feel I’ve let you down.” The Empress Dowager cried, but her tear glands had already dried up, even crying it was just sad calls.

“Come over, let me see you properly.” The Empress Dowager spoke with a rare tenderness.

The emperor was still motionless as before.

“What is it? Mother simply feels she’s let you down, wanting to obtain your forgiveness…” The Empress Dowager said sadly.

It had to be acknowledged, the Empress Dowager had a very pleasant voice, even though it had been damaged, now it had a husky low tone it could not be declared one of the finest.

However the emperor was indifferent, when the Empress Dowager finally could not endure it any more wanting to get up and lean over, the emperor suddenly took two steps back, he smiled mockingly saying, “Sharpening the hair pin, you must have spent a lot of effort? Wanting to stab us to death? Then kill yourself? What a pity, we still haven’t lived enough, so I can’t accompany you.” 

This woman was very devious and ruthless, he climbed out of deep bog with great difficulty, meeting someone he wanted to protect with great difficulty, in the end as before she was not resigned to destroying it.

At this moment, he really wanted to rip her into a thousand pieces.

“You offal!” The Empress Dowager finally revealed her usual expression, a sharpened pointy hairpin in her hand, brandishing it at the emperor, but sadly because she couldn’t see her eyes…, the scene seemed kind of comical.

The Empress Dowager did this repeatedly for quite a while yet did not make any progress, she actually tired herself out so much that she coughed blood, she seemed to think of something, her expression again became deranged, “Hahaha, the empress actually said I don’t know how to show care and concern for you? Your heart must hurt right? But even if you ask me a thousand times, I will still say, you can’t even compare to one finger of the eldest prince, don’t think I see you as my son, even when I die I won’t approve of you.” The Empress Dowager maliciously said.

“It doesn’t matter.” The emperor gaze was serene, it was like looking at a block of wood, not moved at all, “At six years old, we were pushed into the moat by the eldest prince, you however stood to the side turning a blind eye to it, engrossed on asking the eldest prince if he was cold or not, that was when I knew, my mother had long ago died, right now inside of you is only a traitor of the Tiangui sect.”

The emperor’s voice was very distant, yet very close, as if he was talking to an empty space, merely explaining to himself, his heart had already died long ago, dead at this birth mother’s hands.

The Empress Dowager’s face turned green then purple, purple then green, wanting to get up to stab the emperor, but was hindered by a stool, immediately falling onto the floor, hitting her head open, blood quickly seeped out.

The emperor turned a blind eye, walking out without even turning his head.

The emperor returned to Xihua palace, the beginning of spring night was still rather chilly, the underground heating was still burning inside the room, as he entered he felt the heat hit his face, the emperor saw Zhaoyang princess being held and comforted by Zhao Jin Yu, Zhaoyang princess repeatedly nodded her head, asking melodiously, “Can I see auntie?”

Zhao Jin Yu smiled saying, “Yes, but you have to first ask your emperor father.”

“Emperor father is a bad egg, why did he punish auntie?” Zhaoyang princess suddenly stopped talking, complexion paling, because she saw the emperor suddenly appear at the door.

Zhao Jin Yu hurriedly protected the child in front of her, no matter what, she did not want the child to be injured.

The emperor however was not angry like he usually was, he serenely walked over, picking up Zhaoyang princess from Zhao Jin Yu’s arms, then held her in his arms.

“Wan Er, you’re now older.” The emperor calmly looked at Zhaoyang princess, “Your auntie is placed under house arrest by your emperor father because she committed a crime.”

This was actually the first time Zhaoyang princess was treated solemnly like this by the emperor, she was a little overwhelmed. “What did she do wrong?”

“She was prompted by others, slandering emperor father, driving a wedge between you and us.” The emperor said earnestly.

“Slander?”

“Who told you, emperor father eat human flesh?”

“Not auntie!”

“But you heard auntie say it to other people right?” The emperor single-handedly pinched Zhaoyang princess’s chin, looking directly at her he said.

“En…but…”

“Wan Er, do you really believe emperor father eat human flesh, drink people’s blood?” The emperor asked, “Emperor father neglected you too much in the past, because we didn’t know how to bring up a child, that’s why I placed you with Consort Shu unconcerned, in fact emperor father love you dearly in our heart.” As the emperor spoke his eyes reddened, watching from the side Zhao Jin Yu also felt it was very unbearable.

If it was before, Zhaoyang princess would definitely have jumped in fright, but with the interactions over these days, she had already changed her way of thinking, even though she was only a six year old child, she possessed an ability to judge herself, and a child naturally has a longing for their parents, it simply did not need to be taught by others.

“Emperor father, I believe you.” Even though the young girl felt embarrassed, but she still solemnly nodded as she spoke, “Emperor father, I also love you dearly.”

The emperor finally couldn’t help the tears fall, from afar came the sound of a bell announcing a demise, dong dong dong, so miserable, the emperor held his daughter in his arms, embraced Zhao Jin Yu, only thinking he already had nothing else to ask for in life.

All he truly loved, were in his arms.

At night the emperor laid in bed holding Zhao Jin Yu, the news of the Empress Dowager’s passing came from the Wuling palace, but the emperor did not go over, he issued a decree, to reveal and spread the Empress Dowager’s crimes, demoted to a lady-in-waiting, her burial was to be simple.

The originally born as the mistress of the palace Empress Dowager ended her entire life work carelessly like this.

Three months later, Zhao Jin Yu was found to be pregnant, the emperor was simply wild with joy, he only itched to clasp Zhao Jin Yu in the palm of his hands.

The princess’s side story

Zhaoyang princess knew her new empress mother treated her very well, but she would still think about auntie, since she was young her auntie had brought her up, their affections were very deep.

In order to see auntie, Zhaoyang princess worked hard to be an obedient child, even when she sometimes felt she had been wronged she would bear it, because emperor father said…, so long as she behaves then would she be allowed to see auntie.

However at most she could only see her once a month, every day Zhaoyang princess would count her fingers, one less day made her feel very happy, she endured it like this, endure, the day she could see her auntie finally arrived.

Zhaoyang princess wore the red small jacket auntie loved the most, her hair tied into two flower buds on her head, a plum blossom blossomed today stuck in her hair, she happily thought, auntie would certainly be happy seeing it, and would as before praise her for being adorable and obedient.

However when she entered the courtyard, auntie sat blankly on the stone bench in the middle of the courtyard lost in thought, auntie’s line of sight lingered on that plum blossom tree, this spring came unusually early, plum blossom, peach blossom, tuberose all bloomed closely, flower fragrance assaulted the nose.

“Niangniang, Zhaoyang princess has arrived.” A young maid serving Consort Shu called to her attention.

“Auntie, it’s me, Wan Er!” Zhaoyang princess stood in front of Consort Shu, smiling as she spoke.

A good while later, Consort Shu then returned to her senses, she looked at Zhaoyang princess, her gaze however was as still as a well, unmoved by great waves, she said, “The princess has arrived.”

“Auntie, I really miss you.” Zhaoyang princess took a small box of food from the servant behind her, opening the lid, “This is the qingtuan[1] that auntie and I like to eat the most.”

What simply made Zhaoyang princess disappointed was, Consort Shu did not cheerfully eat the qingtuan as she did before, she somewhat rather probingly looked at Zhaoyang princess, making Zhaoyang princess rage with an unfamiliar feeling on the inside, Consort Shu said, “Princess, I actually don’t like qingtuan.”

“How can that be?”

“Because the princess likes them, that’s why I pretended to like them.” How Consort Shu lived over these years, depended on the princess, but now…, was there a need still?

“Auntie…” Only now did Zhaoyang princess feel Consort Shu seemed to have changed.

***

Ever since Zhao Jin Yu was found to be pregnant, everyone has been very careful, nanny Li immediately became a nagger, talking a lot, a woman constantly worried about Zhao Jin Yu’s belly.

“Aiyo, niangniang be more careful walking, don’t alarm the little prince in your belly.” Nanny Li watched Zhao Jin Yu still walk as lithe as a swallow with her slightly bulging belly, but she felt so scared her heart was stuck in her throat.

Zhao Jin Yu was very grudging, but she knew the reason behind nanny Li’s worries, she said, 

“Nanny, didn’t the imperial physician say, I’m very well.”

“Good but you have to take care.” Nanny Li said not at ease.

Zhao Jin Yu was helped to sit at a pavilion by nanny Li, the plum blossoms she had transplanted had already blossomed, pink flowers as far as the eye can see, similar to a paradise on earth, nothing more beautiful can be imagined, because she liked it, that’s why Zhao Jin Yu would come here to take a look every day…, but Xihua palace was still a little far from the imperial garden.

Nanny Li often did not like Zhao Jin Yu going out, she spoke of her worries to the emperor, Zhao Jin Yu only felt it was rather absurd, she was only pregnant with a child not like she had a terminal disease or something, who would have imagined the emperor who looked so rational…, also wouldn’t blindly agree to nanny Li’s thinking, but in fact without hesitation he nodded saying nanny Li’s worries were right…, afterwards he prepared for trees to be transplanted to Zhao Jin Yu’s small garden, 囧.

While Zhao Jin Yu and nanny Li were speaking, they suddenly saw Zhaoyang princess come over crying, her little cheeks laced with tear stains, looking like she had been wronged.

“What is it?”

Zhaoyang princess threw herself into Zhao Jin Yu’s arms, nanny Li seeing this was startled, after all Zhao Jin Yu was pregnant, she said, “Princess Your Majesty, niangniang is pregnant, you will hurt the little prince like this.”

Zhaoyang princess’s body stiffened, somewhat aggrieved she lowered her head.

Zhao Jin Yu patted her shoulder comfortingly, she said, “It’s all right, I know the princess didn’t do it intentionally correct?”

Only when Zhaoyang princess heard Zhao Jin Yu’s tender voice, did the tension ease from her face, but nevertheless she sensibly left Zhao Jin Yu’s embrace, standing a step away, she said, “Empress mother, I won’t do it again.”

Zhao Jin Yu could sense Zhaoyang princess’s mood was somewhat amiss, she held the child’s soft little hands, stroking them, she gently asked, “Who made our princess unhappy? Tell empress mother?”

“It’s…, nothing.” Zhaoyang princess recalled auntie’s cold words, she only felt greatly wronged.

At that moment Consort Shu coldly smiled saying, you treat me like a mother? Hahaha, Your Majesty princess, I cannot give birth to such a big child as you.

Even though Zhaoyang princess was still young, but she knew…, if she repeated auntie’s words to the empress, auntie would definitely be punished. She did not want to see auntie be punished.

Zhao Jin Yu thoughtfully looked at Zhaoyang princess.

Zhaoyang princess fell asleep after getting tired from crying for a while, when she woke up in the evening she saw the window was half opened, the warm spring breeze blew inside, blowing on her cheeks like a mother’s touch.

She thought of the empress’s appearance as she held her coaxing her to sleep, she felt both aggrieved and elated, she felt aggrieved because auntie already no longer cared for her, yet elated that the new empress mother treated her well, even with a little brother she would not neglect her.

Thinking up to here, Zhaoyang princess wanted to see the empress very much.

She slept in the empress’s bedroom, going pass the screen was the hall, at this time Zhao Jin Yu usually sat drinking tea in the hall, read, as she wished she threw on an item of clothing before eagerly walking over.

Before she reached the door she could hear from outside…the empress’s voice.

“Consort Shu, did you say something to hurt the princess today?”

Zhaoyang princess halted in her steps, rather not daring to go out.

“This servant has wronged.”

Zhao Jin Yu saw Consort Shu’s unaffected appearance, shaking her head disappointedly she said, 

“Actually…, you simply do not like the princess correct?”

“No.”

“You are lying!” Zhao Jin Yu’s voice suddenly became pointed, scaring Consort Shu to pale. “Do you also think I’m a six year old child, easily deceived by you? You ought to know…, at that time His 

Majesty wanted to beat you to death, it was because of the princess, afraid she would feel sad, that’s why you were spared, even if you don’t know how to be grateful, you go as far as to deliberately hurt her?”

Consort Shu only felt the word grateful stab her eyes painfully.

These words seems to be the final water which broke the dam, making Consort Shu eventually burst out.

“That’s right, I don’t like her, why should I like her? Back then I only came with my older sisters to show my face, just because I looked at the princess more than once…, I was called out by His Majesty! I am not reconciled.” Consort Shu cried, “They say living at the palace is a life of luxury, indeed even if the food is better, able to sleep better then what? In my lifetime I will not see the mother who raised me, I am her only child, she treats me as the apple of her eye.”

Zhao Jin Yu silently watched her.

This silence fuelled Consort Shu’s rage, she said, “How old was I only then? I was still a child myself, yet I had to bring up a child! They say I ought to be thankful to the princess, but what should I be thankful for? If it wasn’t for her why would I be here.” Consort Shu fiercely wiped the tears from her face, “Niangniang, you don’t understand, I’m still a virgin.”

Zhao Jin Yu actually already anticipated this, but hearing it herself she was still rather stunned.

“Me entering the palace was to be a grass widow, niangniang, tell me should I be grateful?” Consort Shu asked with a sharp gaze, “Tell me could I like the princess? If it was you…, would you really like that child?”

“But this can’t be a sufficient reason for you to betray the emperor right?” Zhao Jin Yu merely felt sad.

“That is because you simply don’t understand what is suffering, you are the eldest young lady of the Zhao family, a life of luxury from childhood, and becoming the empress in a short time, you simply don’t understand the suffering of us concubines.”

Zhao Jin Yu sneered, saying, “Could it be you don’t know, my adoptive father is a renegade of the Tiangui sect? I was abandoned by my adoptive father…, I only returned to my family one year ago.”

“You…”

“Consort Shu, that’s right, there are many unfair matters in this world, but it does not justify hurting people, if I did not understand His Majesty so well, you almost ruined the feelings between myself and His Majesty, at that time…, you ought to know how tragic it is for an empress who cannot obtain the emperor’s devotion?” Zhao Jin Yu sighed, a hand clenching into a fist, “You say you don’t like the princess , but what has the princess done wrong? When she was with you she was still a baby, she simply could not choose, she’s been with you since birth, cherishing you from the bottom of her heart, treating you just like a mother.”

“You feel wronged? Wronged enough to do someone else’s dirty work?”

“You really ought to be grateful to the princess, if it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be standing here today, if not your head would have separated from your body, I’ve said so much to you…, in the wish that you would get over it, not make the princess feel sad.”

The blaze in Consort Shu’s eyes gradually dispelled, Zhao Jin Yu’s words were like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over her, each word made her see the reality clearly.

Consort Shu’s shoulders drooped, she bowed her head looking at the bright and clean floor, with an ashen complexion she said, “Niangniang, I know I did wrong, you are a good person…, and treat me well.” Her last words bore no interest in life, “Niangniang, kill me please, I already no longer want to live, what’s more in accordance to my crime I ought to have died long ago.”

“No!” Zhaoyang princess scurried out all of a sudden, tears hanging out of the corner of her eyes, she kneeled on the floor, saying, “Empress mother, don’t kill auntie, I beg you.”

Zhao Jin Yu looked profoundly, “Don’t you hate her? She only thinks of you as a burden.”

Zhaoyang princess cried out choked with emotions, “I don’t hate her, it’s Wan Er who did not do well, if Wan Er knew earlier on that auntie did not like to stay in the palace, Wan Er would have said to emperor father…, please let auntie off empress mother.”

“But she’s done wrong, driving a wedge between myself and emperor father…”

“Then…” Zhaoyang princess’s face showed an expression of complete loss, after all she was still a child, “Empress mother, punish me instead.”

Zhao Jin Yu looked at the stupefied Consort Shu and said, “Pay close attention to the princess, how great of a child she is…, even at this moment she is pleading for leniency on your behalf.”

Consort Shu bit her lip, suddenly she cried out involuntarily.

When Consort Shu left the palace it was raining, a bundle held in her hand, looking at the lofty city walls she felt an indescribable emotion.

In a distant place, a little shadow of a person hid in the corner, tearfully watching Consort Shu.

Zhao Jin Yu held her hand saying, “If you regret it she can come back.”

Zhaoyang princess firmly used her sleeves to wipe her tears, when she raised her head her gaze was tough, “No, Wan Er has already grown up, I can take care of myself, thank you empress mother.”

Zhao Jin Yu took the princess into her arms feeling sorry.

With the empress’s personal written instruction, Consort Shu very quickly left the palace gates, at first it was so urgent before she left, but when she finally came out…, she unexpectedly felt a sense of loss.

Consort Shu thought of the empress’s last words, “I will let you go, but only because I don’t want Wan Er to be broken-hearted. Remember, from now on you’re not Consort Shu, rather Lin Cui, Consort Shu already died from illness.”

Consort Shu covered her face, it ought to be said Lin Cui who got a new life covered her face, crying she walked away, even though she was impoverished, even if she came across humiliation…, but the world was so big, she could soar as she wished.

She inwardly said, thank you empress, thank you…Your Majesty princess.

Many years later, Zhaoyang princess had already grown up, one day on a journey she saw a familiar figure, that was the Consort Shu who had left her many years ago.

Lin Cui no longer had her former beauty, her face showed the hardships she had suffered, with a glance she could tell her life wasn’t going well, but a young boy tugged on her with both hands, yet her face revealed a warm, caring motherly gentleness, this kind of gentleness…she had never shown her.

Zhaoyang princess had wanted to acknowledge her, in the end she however gave up, there was a place that always held Consort Shu, but at that moment, she suddenly felt, somethings ought to be given up.

Because she was not supposed to be yours.

Fortunately she still had empress mother…, in the future there will only be empress mother.

Su Qing Chen side story

Su Qing Chen always hated Qin Hong very much, even if towards the end Qin Hong had helped him before…, but the two people were actually enemies, one was the right commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the other was the left commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the emperor established two commander positions in one government office, in fact it was for the two people to mutually restrict each other, that’s why the two people were so hostile that they couldn’t see eye to eye with each other, it was also inevitable with the positions.

However one day Su Qing Chen discovered, the Qin Hong who he always saw as an enemy unexpectedly quit as an Embroidered Uniform Guard, to go to the border station!

Moreover he actually left without saying goodbye!

By the time Su Qing Chen knew he was already on his way, he was not resigned, in every case he felt very uneasy, riding on his horse he gave chase for a day, finally he intercepted him at an intersection.

“Such an ingenuine despicable fellow, why didn’t you say anything to older brother about leaving?” 

Su Qing Chen fumed, he said looking down from his towering position on horseback at Qin Hong sitting in a carriage.

“Who is my older brother? Who are you?” Qin Hong complexion paled a little, maybe he was slightly travel sick, but he was still blunt to Su Qing Chen, “There was nothing to me leaving, don’t block the way.”

“Ai…” Su Qing  Chen was so angry he almost jumped down from his horse.

“Good dogs don’t get underfoot.” Qin Hong continued to provoke him.

Su Qing Chen face turned green, then white, finally he helplessly said, “There’s really nothing to be done with someone like you, this older brother only hated to part with you that’s all.” Su Qing Chen got off his horse, untying a bundle from the horse he gave it to Qin Hong, saying, “Money for your voyage, and there’s some marinated dishes, my sister-in-law personally made them.”

Qin Hong turned pale, looking rather frail, his tone unconsciously softened, he said, “Why did you bring marinated dishes for me?”

“I heard from your subordinate, they said you had no appetite recently…, last time you ate my sister-in-law’s food you said you wanted to buy them, on the way I brought some for you.”

“It’s like that.” Qin Hong tightly held the bundle, covering his slightly bulging stomach.

Su Qing Chen and Qin Hong said a few words, seeing that it was getting late, he finally couldn’t help but move closer asking, “Old pal, can you tell me, that night we got drunk together…, kekeke, who was the woman who slept with me?”

“I already said I don’t know, besides a woman willing to stay the night must be a prostitute, why do you want to find her?”

“I also don’t know.” Su Qing Chen seemed a little perplexed, scratching his head he said, “but here…” he pointed at his own heart, “It doesn’t seem at ease at all.”

“Pi, I think you’re just perverted, wanting to have another taste.”

“Hehe, having another taste is not wrong, but…, don’t say you don’t believe me when I say, I feel I can like that person, tell me am an ill?”

Qin Hong’s pupils dilated, he felt his heart speed up, in order to cover this up he quickly said in a malicious manner, “You’re ill.”

“Right, you ought to treat an illness quickly, that’s why hurry and tell me…, who is that person?” Su Qing Chen brazenly said.

“How do I know, let’s go, otherwise we won’t make it to a tavern at night.”

“Don’t…”

Qin Hong and Su Qing Chen parted like this on bad terms.

Five years later, Su Qing Chen was still unmarried, he was already an old man, his older brother 

Zhang Zhi Shi was extremely worried, oh, that’s incorrect, Zhang Zhi Shi had now been promoted, becoming the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, but what was the use of him worrying, the person himself Su Qing Chen was not worried.

One time Zhang Shi Lang was so worried, he asked him what did he really want.

At that time Su Qing Chen had a very bewildered expression, he said, I don’t know, I just don’t want to marry.

Zhang Shi Lang’s melancholy effected Wen Zhi, when Wen Zhi entered the palace to see the empress 

Zhao Jin Yu she brought this up, and asked whether she could arrange a marriage for Su Qing Chen.

Zhao Jin Yu thought a marriage couldn’t be forced, after all if something is not meant to be, it’s no use trying to force it to happen right? Later during pillow talk she said to the emperor, to send Su 

Qing Chen to continue his training.

Take a stroll around, perhaps there would be a marriage predestined by fate.

Su Qing Chen visited many places, at last he came to a border station, at the start Qin Hong had held this position, then later he resigned…, he has never seen him all along.

Su Qing Chen rode on his horse, travelling down the road someone had told him, as he muttered, “How is he living in such a terrible place? It’s like he’s provoked his enemy and is avoiding them.” 

As for Qin Hong he hid himself very well, if Su Qing Chen wasn’t an Embroidered Uniform Guard, utilising all his connections he would not have found this place.

“He really is deeply hidden.”

Su Qing Chen walked to the door, seeing a three or four year old boy holding a woman’s hand, not knowing why when he saw that woman’s back he actually thought it was very similar to Qin Hong.

His sight must be blurry.

Su Qing Chen couldn’t help think, rubbing his eyes, then he got down from his horse, asking, “Hey, this lady, do you know a family by the surname Qin in this area?”

“Who are you talking about?”

In the end the boy turned, Su Qing Chen was stunned.

Wasn’t he a bloody miniature version of him?

After that he saw a female version of Qin Hong…, he only felt something stir in his heart, smashing with a clang.

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[1] A form of glutinous rice dumpling that is green (mixed with Chinese mugwort or barley grass for the colour). This is then usually filled with sweet red or black bean paste.