Chapter 602: The Momentum Has Formed
A deafening roar echoed as if thunder had struck right overhead. The sheer power of nature made everyone's hearts sink.
The Empress Dowager pressed a hand to her chest and stood up. Meeting the young girl's gaze—both hopeful and fearful—made her heart tremble. Even with her decision long made, facing such eyes still left her at a loss for words. Once someone entered this imperial palace, they either went mad or died.
"Grandmother." Little Six stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager's arm. "You know your grandson has now established his own residence but still lacks attendants. Would you grant these people to me?"
The Empress Dowager turned to study him for a moment, then smiled and patted his hand. "Very well, I entrust them to you. Treat them well."
"Yes, your grandson understands."
Hua Zhi's anxiously suspended heart finally settled back into place. If Little Six hadn't spoken quickly, if he hadn't been willing to take these people under his wing...
Little Six glanced at his teacher, then lowered his gaze and helped his grandmother walk outward. "Father is still waiting for us. We shouldn't delay here any longer."
Yu Xiang seemed to hesitate, but finally clenched her teeth and knelt before them. "I beg Your Majesty and Your Highness to follow this servant."
The smile gradually faded from the Empress Dowager's face. Her grip on Little Six's arm tightened. She had thought this was the limit, but apparently not? Of course—no one understood Yu Xiang's temperament better than her. Having endured everything she herself had experienced, such a scene would hardly intimidate her.
"Lead the way."
"Yes."
After two steps, the Empress Dowager paused again. After a moment of silence, she said, "Only Little Six need accompany me. The rest of you wait in this room."
"Yes." Hua Zhi acknowledged the command. Seeing the young girl's uncertain expression, she bent down and stroked her head. "Don't worry, it's alright now. From now on, you only need to serve that noble well."
The girl tugged at Hua Zhi's sleeve, signaling for her to bend lower, and whispered in her ear, "Is he a good person? Will he lock us up and take our blood too?"
Hua Zhi's nose stung with emotion. She knelt down and assured her, "He won't. He's a very good person. Just now, he protected you."
The girl didn't understand when she had been protected, but hearing such reassurance made her relax into a smile. She nodded vigorously—her small face with large eyes, crescent-shaped when smiling, already hinting at remarkable future beauty. May the coming years bring peace and stability, enough to heal the suffering she should never have borne in her youth.
Hua Zhi stood and looked toward the door. Whatever could make a palace veteran like wet nurse Yu Xiang so fearful, whatever could make the Empress Dowager so solemn that she brought only Little Six among the princes—it was clear how unspeakable the coming matter must be.
Bringing only Little Six...
Hua Zhi's heart stirred. This seemed... like a favorable sign. Little Six already held the upper hand, but gaining the Empress Dowager's support would legitimize his position further. After all, having no maternal consort in the palace to protect him placed him at a disadvantage.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiang led the grandmother and grandson not far away, still within the same palace complex, stopping before a more secluded room. After glancing at the Empress Dowager, she took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The scent of blood rushed out to meet them.The Empress Dowager tightly gripped Little Six's arm, the sharp pain forcibly halting his nearly retreating footsteps. He steadied himself, then shifted to support his grandmother with both hands. Having come this far, there was no path of retreat—nor could he retreat!
His master had told him to stride forward boldly, without looking back, without retreating, without fear, for she would be behind him.
Yes, he was no longer the powerless and unsupported Sixth Prince. He could only move forward. His master said a prince should be one who shelters his followers, not hides behind them. She said a prince must bear the responsibility and courage befitting his station. She said a prince inherently has no path of retreat—when paths narrow, the brave prevail.
"Grandmother, your grandson will go in alone."
The icy expression on the Empress Dowager's face softened slightly. She straightened her back more firmly and raised her head higher. "This old woman accepts your consideration, but I too wish to witness what new tricks this palace can still produce."
With these words, the Empress Dowager stepped forward first, with Little Six keeping pace beside her, his supporting hand never letting go.
The room was equally sparse, making the waist-high platform at its center particularly conspicuous. And now, lying on that platform was a person—a small child who appeared no more than six years old.
The child had been stripped completely naked, his body arranged in a spreadeagle position with limbs fastened to the four corners. His chest was a bloody mess, the entire upper body stained with blood.
The Empress Dowager's pupils contracted sharply. She paused mid-step before continuing inward, stopping only when she reached the platform.
A chunk of flesh had been brutally carved from the child's chest. His eyes were wide open, his face contorted, fingers and toes stretched taut—just looking at him revealed the extreme agony he must have endured.
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, her body trembling slightly. After a moment, she reached out to close his eyes, but they remained stubbornly open, filled with such resentment that they refused to shut. They stayed wide open, radiating intense grievance.
After three failed attempts, the Empress Dowager spoke hoarsely: "Xiao Liu'er, promise him. You, the Sixth Prince of Daqing, will never lightly spare those who harm Daqing's people, regardless of their status!"
Yu Xiang's eyes widened abruptly—Her Majesty was...
But Little Six didn't overthink it. He had never intended to let Consort Yue escape consequences for repeatedly targeting his master and Brother Yan Xi. Burning with anger, he stepped forward, placed his hand over the child's eyes, and vowed solemnly: "Go in peace. I will give you justice."
As if truly hearing him, the child's eyes closed on the first attempt, and even his contorted face seemed to relax into peace.
Watching the compassionate expression on Xiao Liu'er's face, the Empress Dowager thought: This is divine will, heaven's decree that none can defy!
Years ago, she had favored Consort Zhen to become Daqing's empress. Though that didn't materialize, and Xiao Liu'er lacked the status of legitimate heir, he remained inherently closest to that position. He was the one blessed by heaven for Daqing's dynasty!
What did youth matter? She wasn't dead yet—she could still control the palace. Externally, they had General Sun as military support and the Hua family leading civil official protection. The once weakest Xiao Liu'er now commanded overwhelming influence!
"Find out where the previous children were kept. Gather their remains properly, and when this matter concludes, invite monks from Great Clumsy Temple to chant sutras for their souls."
Yu Xiang curtseyed in acknowledgment.
"Also, has the substance consumed by the emperor been located?"
"Yes, remnants were found in Consort Yue's chambers. It appears he had taken some not long ago.""Good, truly excellent. Take this to Miraculous Doctor Yu and have him identify what magic elixirs are contained within."
Boom! Rumble!
The thunder roared incessantly. The Empress Dowager walked to the doorway, gazing at the oppressive dark sky and the dense curtain of rain. Even Heaven itself was expressing its wrath!
"Little Six."
"Yes, Grandmother. Your grandson is here."
After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager shook her head again. "Let's go. I'm afraid your father can wait no longer."
"Yes."
PS: My apologies for the interrupted update. Yesterday's writing didn't work out, and I can't guarantee future updates. Ladies, you might want to save up chapters before reading.
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