Chapter 155: Wronged
Inside Suiyu Palace, Consort Xiao sat on the couch, her face ashen.
“The Crown Prince wants to use this case to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots? Dream on!”
She gritted her teeth, her words causing the brocade quilt to crease, her face still contorted with rage, her eyes red.
“If he dares to touch my elder brother in the slightest, this Palace will surely make him infamous, depose him from his esteemed position, and ensure he never has a chance to rise again…”
Nanny Deng brought tea, moving lightly and speaking in a hushed voice, as if afraid of eavesdroppers.
“Imperial Consort, the Grand Princess sent word, advising you not to act rashly and to prioritize the bigger picture…”
“Grandmother is truly old and muddled!” Consort Xiao said coldly. “She keeps talking about the bigger picture and how it’s for the Xiao family, but in reality, isn’t it just for the sake of the imperial family’s reputation…”
Nanny Deng sighed softly. “The Grand Princess is also thinking of the Xiao family. His Majesty has always had you and Princess Ping Le in his heart, and would certainly not harm you or the Princess. However, if the Xiao family offends the imperial might, then the entire clan will be punished…”
Consort Xiao fell silent for a long time. Thinking of something, she suddenly looked up, her gaze sharp as she looked at Nanny Deng.
“Go and inform His Majesty—”
She slowly stood up, exuding an air of determination.
“Tell him that this Palace will kneel in the sun to confess my guilt, and that I have suddenly fallen ill with a heart ailment and wish to see His Majesty… one last time.”
The sun blazed fiercely.
Sunlight poured down without obstruction, heating the ground until it was scorching.
Consort Xiao knelt in the scorching courtyard with her hair unbound, wearing a simple white undergarment. Her slender back appeared helpless and desolate…
When Emperor Chong Zhao pushed the door open, the first thing he saw was her thin figure slumped pathetically on the ground, her long hair trailing, like a lifeless puddle of mud…
“Lingrong!” Emperor Chong Zhao shouted, striding forward and gently lifting Consort Xiao, then quickly walking into the palace.
In such a short time, she had become so much thinner, her body astonishingly light…
Emperor Chong Zhao carefully placed her on the bed, letting her lie flat. His palm inadvertently brushed against a scented sachet by the pillow, and he picked it up to look—
The scented sachet was very old.
It still contained the love peas he had given her when they were in the Prince’s Former Residence.
Twenty-eight years had passed like a fleeting white steed…
The silk threads had faded, making her face appear even more deathly pale.
Emperor Chong Zhao was slightly moved and held her hand.
“Lingrong…”
This was Emperor Chong Zhao’s first visit since moving her to this palace.
Suiyu Palace was sparsely furnished, but the surroundings were meticulously cleaned, and the room was spotless. It was far less luxurious than Rui Jin Hall, where Consort Xiao had previously resided, yet it made Emperor Chong Zhao involuntarily recall the serene small courtyard where Xiao Lingrong had lived in the Prince’s Former Residence.
Back then, the late Emperor had intended for Xie Shi to be Prince Ji’s Princess Consort.
He harbored resentment but dared not defy the imperial will. After marrying Xie Shi, he not only refused to share a room with her but also deliberately neglected her.
Unexpectedly, the Xie family learned of this and reported it to the Emperor. Unable to punish him, the Emperor punished Xiao Lingrong, citing “eccentric behavior and violation of wifely virtues” as reasons, and ordered her to move to the most remote, secluded, and darkest north courtyard of the Prince’s Mansion…
Emperor Chong Zhao was in the prime of his youth then. His father could dictate his marriage, but he could not stop him from doting on a particular woman…
Later, he consummated his marriage with Xie Shi, but every night, he would sneak out to her residence to “meet” her secretly…
Emperor Chong Zhao had always acted with prudence. The most rebellious act of his life was defying his father’s wishes for Xiao Lingrong, and that period became one of his few happy memories…
Thus, Xiao Lingrong also became the person he cherished most in his heart.
“Your Majesty…”
Consort Xiao opened her eyes and saw him, tears streaming down her face. “In my daze just now, I saw my elder brother. He was exiled to Lingnan, to that place filled with miasma, calling out for Mother, calling for us to save him…”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s expression hardened, and his face instantly turned cold.
“Why must Consort go to such lengths?”
Consort Xiao was slightly taken aback.
The knuckles of her hand gripping his robe turned slightly white. She pretended not to understand the implication in Emperor Chong Zhao’s words and said pitifully, “This concubine has failed in raising our daughter, and my elder brother has committed a grave mistake. I have truly failed Your Majesty’s profound favor and deserve death…”
She slowly bowed her head, her long black hair falling onto the Emperor’s lap as she sobbed.
“Why must Your Majesty save this concubine’s life? Enduring such torment now, it would be better to let me die…”
Emperor Chong Zhao gazed at her, remaining silent for a long time, his eyes filled with complexity, a mixture of pity and helplessness.
Consort Xiao received no comfort for a long time, and her heart tightened.
“This concubine’s death would be insignificant, but I cannot rest easy about Ping Le and Huan’er. Those two are the flesh of my flesh…”
Hearing her no longer mention Xiao Jing, Emperor Chong Zhao’s expression softened slightly. He patted her hand and said gently, “Take good care of yourself. There are still many days ahead.”
Consort Xiao’s heart ached.
The Emperor had said the words “many days ahead” to her too many times. When he sent her younger brother to guard a remote area in Longxi, he said so. When he handed the Great Seal of the Eastern Palace to Li Zhao, he also said so…
In the past, Xiao Lingrong believed their love was stronger than gold, that the Emperor’s greatest affection was for the pair of children she bore him, and that he doted on her immensely.
That Dragon Throne would eventually belong to Huan’er…
But ever since she was punished and confined to Suiyu Palace, without receiving any visit from the Emperor, and Ping Le was also confined to the Princess’s Mansion with no sign of pardon. Meanwhile, Li Zhao took the opportunity to gain the authority to assist the Ministry of Revenue and made frequent moves in the Imperial Court, causing her heart to gradually fill with unease…
Li Zhao repeatedly made mistakes, yet remained the Crown Prince.
Her son was outstanding, yet he was merely a Prince.
There was a world of difference between a ruler and a subject.
Today, her illness was feigned.
If she were to truly fall ill and die one day, and the Grand Princess also passed away, there would be no one left in this world to protect the Xiao family. Once the Xiao family fell, who would protect her son and help him ascend to that supreme throne?
Xiao Lingrong was filled with sorrow and clutched Emperor Chong Zhao’s sleeve.
“Your Majesty, have you never… never thought of… passing the throne to Huan’er…”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s face darkened.
“Establishing an heir is a major affair of state. Do not speak rashly. If Huan’er has the ability, why worry about not having an opportunity…”
“Your Majesty…” Consort Xiao wept profusely, unable to speak coherently. “Then can you spare my elder brother’s life? Grandmother is old and cannot withstand the strain, and my elder brother is no longer young and strong. That Lingnan region is wild and remote…”
“Consort!” Emperor Chong Zhao interrupted her, his tone intensifying. “How can the affairs of the Imperial Court be commented on by women of the inner palace?”
Xiao Lingrong opened her mouth, about to say more, when Wang Chengxi suddenly entered with a worried expression and bowed to the Emperor.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Duan requests an audience.”
Emperor Chong Zhao frowned slightly. “What does he want?”
Wang Chengxi looked up, subtly observing the Emperor’s expression, and said softly, “Prince Duan heard that Imperial Consort is unwell and has come to visit…”
Emperor Chong Zhao snorted coldly.
“His news is quite timely at this moment.”
His words were full of hidden meaning.
Previously, when Li Huan investigated the messy accounts of the Gold Department, apart from recovering some silver money and arresting a few minor officials, he did not punish any ministers with deep roots in the Imperial Court.
Emperor Chong Zhao was not unaware of Li Huan’s considerations.
After all, Xiao Jing was his maternal uncle, but his leniency allowed the hole to grow larger and larger…
Beneath self-interest, even family affection was fragile.
The Emperor was blaming him for not resolving the entire mess, which had harmed the royal family’s reputation and the court’s interests…
Li Huan entered the hall and bowed. As soon as he looked up, he keenly sensed the displeasure on the Emperor’s face.
He suppressed his unease and spoke respectfully.
“Is Mother Consort feeling any better?”
“Huan’er…” Consort Xiao leaned weakly on the couch, her eyes full of reluctance. “Mother fears her time is short. You must listen well to your Imperial Father…”
Li Huan was slightly surprised.
He looked around, observing the dilapidated furnishings of Suiyu Palace. He lifted the corner of his robe and slowly knelt on the ground.
“Your humble son dares to implore Imperial Father to move Mother Consort back to Rui Jin Hall. Mother Consort suffered from a chronic illness after giving birth to Ping Le and is extremely sensitive to heat. This Suiyu Palace is damp and stuffy, making it difficult to recuperate…”
Xiao Lingrong heard this, and tears began to fall.
“Huan’er, don’t make things difficult for your Imperial Father. Mother Consort’s sins are deep, and this is heaven’s punishment for me…”
Li Huan reached out, picked up a teacup, and brought it to Consort Xiao’s couch.
“Mother Consort, please don’t speak such disheartening words. Taking care of your health is most important…”
Mother and son looked at each other. Consort Xiao began to weep uncontrollably, shaking her head, refusing to drink the water…
“Enough!” Emperor Chong Zhao saw this, waved his hand, and sighed heavily, about to speak…
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard from outside the door.
It was an eunuch from Zichen Hall.
He bowed before the Emperor. “Reporting to Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xiao, along with Minister Yuan of the Ministry of Personnel, Grand Master Zheng of the Grand Secretariat, Minister Lu of the Ministry of War, Chancellor Xiao of the Grand Secretariat, and Duke Zheng, along with a host of other ministers, have gathered at Zichen Hall, requesting an audience with Your Majesty…”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s face darkened.
“What is the matter?”
The eunuch said cautiously, “The Crown Prince has taken Minister Luo from the Ministry of Revenue Office…”
Emperor Chong Zhao slowly stood up. Before he could think of a countermeasure, he heard the eunuch say again, “Your Majesty…”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s brow furrowed. “What else is there?”
The eunuch, too scared to even lift his head, bowed and replied, “The Crown Prince has accused Minister Xiao of colluding with Xizi, manipulating salt and iron, defying imperial orders, and secretly fleeing, with suspected treasonous intent… He wishes to lead troops to search the Prime Minister’s mansion. Prime Minister Xiao is greatly alarmed, which is why he has brought several ministers to Zichen Hall to request Your Majesty’s judgment…”
The teacup in Prince Duan’s hand fell to the ground with a clatter.
Consort Xiao’s body swayed violently, her face instantly turning as pale as paper…
“Your Majesty… this is a grave injustice!”
