"If she grows up to be exactly as you say, I'll still like her." Song Shuhao had no worries at all. She hoped that Zhang Wan could grow up carefree and healthy. It didn't have to be too quiet; a little mischief was fine too. Perhaps she was actually a worrier? She had never worried that her child would become unruly.
Inside the Xuanzhi Hall, all was peaceful, but outside, things were far from calm. Not at the hall's entrance, but just as one was about to enter the hall's grounds, someone attempted to force their way in, only to be stopped by the Imperial Guards from a distance. The commotion outside didn't reach the ears of those inside.
"This is the Empress Dowager's token, let me through!" Nie Shaoguang was followed by a large, imposing crowd, forming a standoff with the Imperial Guards. Anyone who saw this situation would not allow her to proceed, especially since she had already received orders.
The Imperial Guard commander took a step forward, and Nie Shaoguang shrank back warily. Just as she was about to pull her arm back, the man grabbed it. In the next instant, the commander snatched the token from her hand and shook off Nie Shaoguang's arm.
He glanced at the token again, ignoring Nie Shaoguang's ashen face, and said coldly without any emotion, "His Majesty has already issued a death order: if anyone tries to enter the Xuanzhi Hall with the Empress Dowager's token, they shall be immediately imprisoned."
He raised his hand, and the guards behind him rushed forward to seize Nie Shaoguang. Nie Shaoguang was terrified and quickly retreated to the back, letting the guards block her in front. The two groups clashed immediately without any discussion.
·
Inside the main hall, the tense atmosphere remained unchanged. After Empress Dowager Feng's questioning, she waited for Zhang Yu's reply. Her phrase "special reason" was easy to misinterpret, but what could it be? Even today, probably no one has forgotten the heinous crimes the emperor committed for Song Shuhao.
The current Empress only ascended to this position because of the Emperor's will alone. Back then, for the sake of such a person, the court was suspended and the emperor refused to return to the palace, forcing the officials to go to Jingyun Nunnery to respectfully welcome her. These things can never be erased.
Who doesn't know how much His Majesty the Emperor cherishes, loves, and adores his current Empress? He has even abandoned the harem and other palaces, devoting himself solely to her. Empress Shen, having held the position of Empress, has always been virtuous, kind, and magnanimous; what mistake has she ever made? She has always been flawless, without the slightest fault.
In order to free up that position, she conspired with Ling Xiao, who was then a female physician, to make Empress Shen's death so that no one could suspect anything... Once people thought of this possibility, many people were secretly shocked or felt their scalps tingle, because it was really hard to imagine and hard to accept!
Some people secretly observed Prime Minister Shen's expression. The deceased Empress Shen was his beloved daughter, and upon learning of her death, Prime Minister Shen claimed illness and did not attend morning court for half a month. If this were truly the case, how could he bear such a devastating blow?
Even though it hasn't been confirmed yet, he still looked utterly dejected.
Compared to Empress Dowager Feng's relentless pressure, the emperor, who should have been somewhat embarrassed, merely twitched the corner of his mouth. He stood up, his posture upright, before the dragon throne, his dragon robe accentuating his mature and resolute face, making him appear even more imposing without anger.
Zhang Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly fixed on Empress Dowager Feng. He didn't rush to speak, but slowly and methodically descended the steps, stopping a distance away from Empress Dowager Feng once he reached the center of the hall. Only then did the ministers realize what was happening, and they all stood at attention, bowing and gathering their thoughts.
"This is the first time I've heard such a claim. How should I respond to the Empress Dowager? Since you say you have evidence, why not show it to me first before we discuss further?" Zhang Yu sneered. "If it's not true, what will the Empress Dowager do?"
It was a move to force Empress Dowager Feng to reveal her true intentions and hold her accountable for her words. It was truly ruthless, but a mother's relentless questioning, her desire to embarrass him in front of the court, was hardly a gesture of goodwill. Anyone who wasn't weak would surely resist.
Ling Xiao, who had been knocked unconscious by Empress Dowager Feng, woke up at this crucial moment, still looking dazed. After a while, she realized where she was. Empress Dowager Feng glanced at her and smiled, "Even if we don't talk about this, I don't mind if we talk about something else."
"When Your Majesty personally led the expedition to attack Dayuan, the Empress was kidnapped and disappeared for many days. This must be true, right? During those many days, I wonder what kind of treatment the Empress received in the hands of the enemy? Did Your Majesty never think about these things?"
Zhang Yu had given an order not to publicize this matter, yet Empress Dowager Feng still found out, which wasn't surprising, as someone must have provided her with the information. However, many ministers were unaware of it, and compared to the previous cases, hearing about this one was even more alarming.
The Empress was captured by enemy troops for several days… that's truly unimaginable. Who knows what happened during that time? Even if she was violated and humiliated, no one would know. If the Empress had suffered such violation, how could she have become Empress? But those who witnessed Song Shuhao leaping from the city wall that day had slightly different thoughts. Was that act an act of atonement with death, or a way to prove her innocence?
None of them knew.
His Majesty the Emperor didn't care at all, so who would willingly walk into the line of fire? Even uttering a single wrong word could cost them their lives. Besides, even His Majesty the Emperor himself didn't mind, so what could they say? In retrospect, it all seemed rather ordinary.
“No.” Zhang Yu looked up at Empress Dowager Feng and answered without hesitation, “I have not thought about those things.” He paced back and forth a couple of times and said in a deep voice, “But I often think that if the Empress could be protected better, she would not have had to prove her innocence with her death, nor would she have left the world with an excuse to criticize her.”
"This is what I owe her."
Zhang Yu's deep affection for Song Shuhao was evident from these few words. Empress Dowager Feng's expression hardened, but she heard him ask in return, "Does Your Majesty still remember why you raised her by your side back then? If Your Majesty does not remember, I can remind you."
Her emotions surged for a moment, but Empress Dowager Feng calmed herself down. She took a deep breath and was about to speak when a captain of the Imperial Guards strode into the hall. After bowing to Zhang Yu, the captain presented a token with both hands and reported, "Someone attempted to use Her Majesty's token to trespass into the Xuanzhi Hall. The person has been apprehended and awaits Your Majesty's decision."
How could Nie Shaoguang, who was once Consort De, be so useless? Her gaze swept over the gilded token, and she vaguely sensed something was wrong. Empress Dowager Feng gritted her teeth in resentment.
Author's Note: Today's update is early and still short because I'm going out with my friends to have some fun! o(*￣▽￣*)o
*
There's more than one reader chasing after unauthorized chapters; what can I say? :-D
So I have to be selective every time I post a security-protected chapter. [Big smile :)]
Chapter 109 The Grand Finale (Part 1)
At Zhang Yu's signal, Nie Shaoguang was brought into the hall. She looked dejected, like a withered flower, leaving only despondency and loneliness. Everyone in the hall stared intently at her, and Nie Zhiyuan was the most surprised to see her brought in.
Zhang Yu raised his hand and pointed at Nie Shaoguang, his smile deepening. He then said, "Why is Mother's token in someone else's hands, and why was it taken to the Xuanzhi Hall... Mother, can you give an explanation?"
This is hard to explain. Empress Dowager Feng originally intended to bring Song Shuhao over and keep her under her control, but she didn't expect Nie Shaoguang to be unable to even accomplish this simple task. She could only feign composure. She glanced at Nie Shaoguang, seemingly without any guilt, and loudly retorted, "Doesn't Your Majesty feel that the matter of the Empress's abduction owes the ministers an explanation?"
Zhang Yu gave a light hum and quickly replied, "I don't think so. Why should I explain to them? What does this have to do with them?" Empress Dowager Feng did not expect Zhang Yu to engage in such a shameless manner with her. The next moment, she heard Zhang Yu say, "The Empress killed the traitorous minister alone. They know this is a fact, and that is enough."
Upon hearing Zhang Yu's words, Nie Shaoguang's initially expressionless face softened, his initial indignation dissipating before turning into a somber expression. Why didn't he care? How could anyone not care... Even if Song Shuhao had been defiled, did he not care?
It's truly incomprehensible.
Nie Shaoguang thought to herself, who would willingly accept a woman who has been with other men? Who knows what ulterior motives those who seem to accept her might have? She simply couldn't believe it. What was most hateful was that her life was ruined because of that one man.
But she was ultimately powerless to avenge herself, and now that she had fallen into the Emperor's hands, what chance did she have of survival? The Emperor had everything under his control, and even the Empress Dowager was powerless against him. But she was barely able to protect herself, so how could she care about anything else?
Nie Shaoguang stared blankly, momentarily seeing her brother, Nie Zhiyuan. She recalled countless arguments between them, seemingly beginning years ago when she insisted on entering the palace. But now, he looked at her with eyes full of worry, anxiety, and concern, without anger or blame…
A strange, intense emotion welled up within her. She pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and dared not look any further. Her thoughts, however, became a jumbled mess. She thought of her mother, her brother, and their care, love, and tolerance towards her. But what had she done in return?
If she hadn't insisted on entering the palace, everything would have been different. Perhaps she wouldn't have made such a wrong turn, nor would she have knowingly refused to turn back. Nie Shaoguang felt herself alternating between clarity and confusion, as the voices of Empress Dowager Feng and Zhang Yu kept intruding into her ears.
She may have understood or not, but she ultimately grasped the Emperor's thoughts. All those potential threats, or things that could be used against her but hadn't yet surfaced, were swept away in one fell swoop. Whoever stumbled upon them would bear the consequences, even if that person was the Empress Dowager. The Emperor was ruthless; knowing this, why should she keep fantasizing that she was different to him?
Nie Shaoguang half-closed her eyes, and in an instant, she suddenly understood the things that had tormented her for so long. However, it was too late. If she had understood sooner, no matter what, she would still have family who would love and cherish her, and no matter who she married, no one would dare to bully her…
But there was no turning back.
Zhang Yu said he didn't care or mind, which greatly angered Empress Dowager Feng. Her brow furrowed, and she took another step forward, as if realizing she wasn't there to argue with Zhang Yu but had other motives. Pointing at Ling Xiao, she said sharply, "His Majesty can't give an explanation for Empress Shen's matter, nor can he explain the Empress's abduction. How can this convince the people?!"
She then pointed out Prime Minister Shen, "Regardless of what others think, has Your Majesty ever considered how Prime Minister Shen feels? And what about the matter of dismissing the harem? How are those children who were sent out of the palace supposed to live their lives afterward? In your actions, has Your Majesty ever truly put even a fraction of your heart into considering others?"
"You make it sound as if I've always ruled by virtue," Zhang Yu chuckled, his face innocent and feigning innocence. But he was right; since he assumed the position, he had been quite willful in matters of personal life, never caring what others said.