Mingyi watched coldly, thinking that Yan Si Hou was truly desperate, willing to play the emotional card with anyone—how could she say such words to Da Si of Sunspire City?
Da Si of Sunspire City was the kind of man who prioritized profit over sentiment. From the beginning, he had married her solely for her bloodline. Since her bloodline failed to produce a child born with Crimson Meridians, he would naturally feel deceived.
For a common-born woman, ascending to the position of Si Hou was an arduous feat. Mingyi, who had stirred the Six Cities with her birth, had given Yan Shi her greatest leverage. The honors she had won over the years had further solidified her position as Empress. Yet now, the way Yan Si Hou looked at Mingyi was filled with hatred.
“Since you were exposed by Meng Guifei and forced to leave Sunspire, why did you return?” she demanded bitterly.
Mingyi spread her hands. “You know I’m not one to hold grudges. If Consort Si hadn’t relentlessly pursued me, hunting me down at every turn, I might not be here today. As you said, I’m poisoned and don’t have much time left—I just wanted to live out my remaining days in peace. But since you feared being manipulated by Meng Guifei and sought to kill me for your own security, I had no choice but to find a way to protect myself.”
Meng Guifei covered her lips with a delicate laugh. “Sister just asked Da Si to remember the affection of all these years as husband and wife, yet how could you be so ruthless as to plot the murder of the very child you raised? If one day Da Si were to stand in your way, would you move against him as well?”
The words were venomous. Everyone knew Da Si was her entire world—how could he ever stand in her way? Yet the moment she said it, Da Si’s expression darkened.
In truth, Mingyi’s actions would only lead to her demotion. After all, she had contributed greatly to Sunspire’s victories over the years. Merit and fault would balance out—she would lose her position as Si Hou, but a life of comfort was still within reach. Yet with Meng Guifei’s words, given Da Si’s temperament, it would be difficult for Yan Shi to remain.
Yan Si Hou’s eyes reddened. Staggering forward a few steps, she gazed at Mingyi before suddenly bursting into tears. “I gave you a noble status, urged you day and night to train without the slightest negligence, made you bring glory to Sunspire City and to Da Si—all because I knew our Yan Shi clan bore a heaven-sent duty to uphold a wise ruler and unite Azure Cloud!”
“Though you are not my child, you are still a child of the Yan Shi clan. We are all subjects of the Minister Superior. What madness has possessed you today, to stand before this crowd and argue over bloodline?”
Mingyi raised a brow, but before she could retort, Yan Si Hou turned and knelt before the Minister Superior, her still-graceful face streaked with tears. “This humble consort was momentarily foolish, acting solely out of concern for the Minister Superior, and allowed a mere woman to disrupt the royal hierarchy. I am guilty! But Minister Superior, I harbor no trace of defiance. Using poison to control her was only because I feared her Essence Power was too strong, that she might one day pose a threat to you. My sincerity over all these years—you know it well.”
“Moreover, though Ming Xian is a woman, she has indisputably won the Six Cities Tournament year after year. Sunspire is brimming with talent—even a woman could surpass all the Fighters from the other five cities. In my eyes, this is no disgrace, but the highest honor!”
Yan Si Hou was eloquent, a skill that had long secured her place in the inner court. Hearing her words now, even Mingyi nearly believed them. Indeed, what was wrong with securing a child born with Crimson Meridians for Sunspire? Even if it was a daughter, hadn’t she claimed victory for seven years straight?Da Si's expression softened slightly. Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Meng Guifei immediately interjected, "Although the Yan Shi clan produces many superior fighters, Yan Shi women can only bear one child in their lifetime. Sister has already abandoned her own biological child, meaning she is no different from common women outside. How dare she continue to shamelessly occupy the position of Empress?"
"Though Ming Xian is formidable, he is not Sister's biological child. If Sister truly cared for the Minister Superior, shouldn't she let his birth parents enjoy this wealth?"
At this, Da Si also recalled, "Who are his birth parents?"
Si Hou pressed her lips together, her face grim. "They were sent by the clan. I don't know."
Mingyi lowered her eyes and suddenly bluffed, "If you didn't know, why would you suddenly imprison Ming An?"
Si Hou looked at her in shock, then quickly realized, "Are you saying Ming An is your father?!"
This reaction was unexpected to Mingyi. The Empress seemed genuinely surprised, as if she truly hadn't known.
Had her bluff failed? Mingyi fell silent.
Si Hou knelt on the floor, stunned for a long moment before her expression darkened. "No wonder... no wonder he repeatedly spared your life. So there was such a connection."
"Sister, stop pretending," Meng Guifei covered her lips with a sleeve. "How could you not know whose child it was when your own attendants brought it to you?"
"How could I have known?" Yan Si Hou gritted her teeth. "The entire clan hoped I would bear a child with Crimson Meridians. If I could deliver one naturally, that would be ideal. If not, they had prepared a newborn for replacement. I was in such agony during childbirth—how could I know whose child they brought?"
After panting heavily for a moment, her eyes darted about, her lips pale. "So it was Ming An... He served me faithfully for years. I never thought he would betray me too."
"Your Majesty shows no mercy toward the child you raised for years or the loyal servant who served you for decades. No wonder everyone betrays you." Mingyi gazed at her with pity and hatred. "After all these years, even a dog would have earned some affection. Yet you remain ruthlessly decisive, administering meridians-destroying poison without hesitation."
"How could I rest easy without the poison?!" Yan Si Hou clenched her fists. "As this wretch said, we Yan Shi women can only bear one child. Mine is already gone, while you grow stronger by the day. If you ever reunite with your birth parents, where would that leave me?"
Her throat tight, Mingyi pinched her fingers. "I always revered you as my mother. Even though you were cold and harsh, I practiced diligently day after day to please you. Yes, I was born with gifts other children lack—but I lacked what others had."
No love, no trust. All she had were endless tasks and demands—a born tool.
"If it were your own child," Mingyi asked, "would you still feed them 'Sky of Eternal Regret'?"
Noticing the fleeting vulnerability in her eyes, Yan Si Hou suddenly seemed to gain the upper hand. She lifted her chin disdainfully. "If my own child had been born with Crimson Meridians, none of this would have happened. I would have cherished and loved them—never poison, not even cold broth would touch their lips. These are things a traitor like you could never obtain!"Mingyi lowered her eyes and gave a faint smile. "So karma truly exists in this world after all."
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