"Yоur Мajestу," Соnsоrt Rоu hurriedly scrаmblеd up, rushing to Li Мing's side and rеасhing оut tо grаsp his hand, "I wаs wrong, Sanlang. I was mistaken. I wаs оnly thinking оf Chеng'еr, аfrаid of оffеnding tоо mаny рeoplе. I wаs traрped by Li Rоng, I..."
"You still darе to spеаk!" Li Мing shоvеd hеr аside and sаt uр. "If yоu wеrеn't greеdy, hоw сould Rong'еr sеt a trаp for yоu?! You're nothing but а shоrt-sightеd, low-bоrn wretch. If yоu hаd еven hаlf оf Shаngguаn Yuе's сomроsure, thе crоwn princе's pоsitiоn wоuld havе bееn Сheng'er's long аgo! I've kept yоu in the rear рalaсe аll this timе, supрorted you all this time—have you managed to catch Shangguan Yue in even the slightest mistake?"
Li Ming grew angrier the more he thought about it. Propping himself up, he grabbed things from beside him and hurled them all at her: "I entrusted the Supervisory Department to you. I schemed tirelessly for you and Cheng'er, and you, this worthless thing, you've done nothing but disgraceful deeds!"
Memorials and cups struck Consort Rou one after another as she knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately. When Li Ming finally stopped, he staggered back a step. Fulai quickly steadied him. Breathing lightly, Li Ming looked down at Consort Rou kneeling on the floor, disheveled and wretched. Finally, he ceased. Fulai supported him, whispering, "Your Majesty, the imperial health is of utmost importance."
Li Ming had no strength left to speak. Having vented his anger, he calmed slightly. Consort Rou lay on the ground, softly weeping. Li Ming quietly observed her for a long while before waving his hand. "Enough. Leave."
"Your Majesty," Consort Rou looked up in surprise at these words. Li Ming stood before her, gazing at her calmly. His eyes held pity, disappointment, and an indescribable pain and sorrow. Suddenly realizing something, Consort Rou hurriedly crawled forward on her knees, reaching out to clutch the hem of Li Ming's robe. "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I'll listen to you from now on. I'll change. Save me, I can still be of use," Consort Rou pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, I am Cheng'er's mother..."
"Drag her away!"
Li Ming shouted loudly. Attendants rushed over to pull Consort Rou away. She clung to him desperately, but they forcibly dragged her out. She struggled fiercely, breaking free halfway and lunging back.
She used every ounce of her strength, her clothes torn and disheveled, hairpins fallen to the ground. Her makeup was ruined by tears, her face streaked with weeping. She resembled a fox-hound pinned to the ground with knives and forks, struggling desperately for a sliver of life.
Li Ming watched quietly as this woman threw herself toward him with all her might, clutching his robes tightly before being forcibly dragged away. She let out a mournful cry, her fingers clawing at the golden-thread embroidered dragon pattern on his shoes. Her usually painted red nails snapped off, and she cried out in agony, "Your Highness..."
That distant form of address made Li Ming momentarily dazed, as if transported back many years to the cold palace, when he was still an overlooked prince.
Involuntarily, he spoke: "Stop."
At this command, everyone halted. Consort Rou, as if granted a great pardon, lifted her head excitedly. "Your Majesty, I knew you wouldn't abandon me. Your Majesty..."
Li Ming said nothing. He half-crouched, quietly observing the woman before him.
She had aged.
She was no longer in her prime; her beauty had long lost its vitality. Her eyes were already filled with desire, as ugly as the entire palace.
Yet such ugliness, such complete disfigurement, only made him feel pity.Just as pitiful as he was.
He quietly gazed at Consort Rou, slowly raising his hand to rest it upon her face.
"Sanlang," Consort Rou quickly reached up, grasping Li Ming's hand, tears streaming down her face, her eyes filled with hope. "I have only you left, only you now."
"But I have nothing left," Li Ming's voice was soft, "except myself."
"Ar Rou," Li Ming's voice grew slightly hoarse, "I cannot protect you, rest assured," his eyes brimming with tenderness, "Cheng'er will be fine. You must leave."
Consort Rou stared blankly at Li Ming: "Cannot protect me?"
As she murmured these words, Li Ming's expression turned bitter: "So many have joined forces to see you dead, and you have so many vulnerabilities. You have no foundation in the court, the noble clans disregard you, the common-born officials do not shield you. Once today's events spread, the entire realm will condemn you. I cannot shield you."
"Go back, and when the time is right," Li Ming pressed his forehead against Consort Rou's, "leave a letter of confession, claiming the Crown Prince framed you, and that you took your own life to prove your innocence. Once you are gone, the investigation will cease. Only then will Cheng'er's reputation remain untarnished."
"Your Majesty?"
Consort Rou looked at Li Ming in disbelief, her voice trembling.
Li Ming's face showed sorrow and pity: "Do not resent me. I have no other choice."
"What do you mean, no other choice!"
Consort Rou seemed finally unable to endure it, shouting out: "You are simply weak and incompetent, incapable of even protecting a woman!"
"Xiao Rou!"
Li Ming lowered his voice, a warning tone in his words.
Seeing the two arguing, Fulai quickly signaled everyone to follow him out, leaving only Consort Rou and Li Ming in the grand hall.
Consort Rou laughed: "Isn't that true? You are the emperor. If you wanted to protect me, how could you fail? In the end, you are simply afraid of those people! You know the Empress Dowager is from the Shangguan Clan, you know your wife is from the Shangguan Clan, you know that everyone in the palace, high and low, is their person. They can depose you if they wish, make you crawl when you should stand..."
A sharp slap cut her off, sending her tumbling to the ground.
Li Ming pointed at her, his eyes wide with fury: "I spare you for Cheng'er's sake. Cease this nonsense at once."
"Nonsense?" Consort Rou sat on the floor, laughing. "Am I wrong? I have merely struck your sore spot."
Covering her cheek, she turned to look at him, her eyes full of mockery: "You spare me? What can you possibly do to me? Death is inevitable. Since you cannot protect me, and I have lost my life, what do I have to fear from you?"
"Do you believe I will not depose your son this instant?"
"Then do it!" Consort Rou's voice suddenly rose. "Do you think me a fool?! Did you truly establish Cheng'er out of love for him? You merely wanted to use him to restrain the Crown Prince. Once you eradicate the Shangguan Clan and have more princes in the harem, will Cheng'er still have a place to stand?!"
"Do you think I don't know you have been bedding women throughout the palace, even seeking special prescriptions to sire more sons? Do you think I don't know you have always considered my background lowly and Cheng'er unfit for great responsibility? Do you think I don't know that in your heart, I am nothing—merely an excuse for you to suppress the noble clans? Whether it's Shangguan Yue, your mother, or the entire court, everyone believes you are blindly infatuated with me. But have you ever truly loved me?"
Without waiting for Li Ming to respond, Consort Rou answered with a bitter laugh: "You have not.""In your heart, both I and Cheng'er are merely tools. Since you want me dead today, do you think I still fear you?"
"Cheng'er is your only choice," Consort Rou's smile carried a hint of madness. "If you want the Li Clan to break free from the Shangguan Clan's suppression, Li Ming, Cheng'er is your only choice."
"What do you mean?"
Li Ming's expression instantly turned cold. Consort Rou's face wore a gentle smile: "Your Majesty, you will have no more sons."
Hearing this, Li Ming widened his eyes. Consort Rou leaned closer, her voice very soft: "All these years, ever since Cheng'er, you have never had another child," Consort Rou's gaze was tender. "Have you never wondered why?"
"Xiao Rou," Li Ming said in disbelief, "what have you done?"
Xiao Rou did not speak. The amusement in her eyes carried a long-planned madness. This silence confirmed Li Ming's suspicion. He flew into a rage, suddenly stood up, grabbed Xiao Rou by the neck, and pressed her whole body to the ground. He choked her neck tightly, roaring furiously: "I will kill you! I will kill you, you vile woman!"
Xiao Rou, being choked by Li Ming, laughed instead. Her laughter echoed in the room. Though she was the one near death, the one at a disadvantage, Li Ming had an illusion that their positions were reversed.
She had deceived him, she had hated him, she had used him, for so many years.
Li Ming watched as the woman before him began to gasp for breath, her laughter turning into difficult cries for help. He watched her face turn crimson, watched her reach out desperately to claw at him, watched her gradually lose her vitality under his grip.
For some reason, at that moment, he suddenly remembered the first time he saw Xiao Rou in the Cold Palace when they were young.
She knelt on the ground, timidly raised her head, and softly called him: "Your Highness."
Suddenly, he lost his strength.
In just a moment of distraction, Xiao Rou pushed him away violently, then collapsed on the ground, coughing intensely.
After recovering for a long while, Xiao Rou supported herself and stood up with a smile.
Holding her neck, she laughed and said: "What, can't bring yourself to do it, or can't kill me, is that it?"
"Li Ming, do you know why your life has been so pathetic?"
"In terms of ruthlessness, you are not ruthless enough." Xiao Rou's voice was hoarse. "In terms of kindness, you are not kind enough. As a ruler, you are not benevolent; as a son, you are not filial; as a father, you are heartless; as a husband, you are unrighteous."
"You are utterly selfish, yet still possess a shred of conscience. Your ambitions soar to the heavens, but your fate is as thin as paper. If you had just remained a pathetic waste, the Shangguan Clan could have ensured your peace for a lifetime. But you were unwilling, struggling for half your life—what have you achieved?"
"Your entire life is both laughable and pitiful. Struggling all your life, betrayed and abandoned by all, gaining nothing. Li Ming," Xiao Rou turned with a smile, full of mockery, "you will end up alone, growing old in solitude."
With that, Xiao Rou walked out of the grand hall.
Li Ming sat quietly on the high throne. After a long time, he slowly looked up and gazed at the distant Northern Yan Tower.
The wind chimes of the Northern Yan Tower tinkled in the breeze. He stared for a long time before finally coming back to his senses. Fulai cautiously entered. Seeing the room in disarray, he bent down to pick up the memorials scattered on the floor, approached Li Ming, and whispered: "Your Majesty, Consort Rou has been escorted to the Ministry of Justice. Are you alright?"
Li Ming did not speak. He lowered his head. Fulai couldn't help but call out again: "Your Majesty?""Summon Xiao Wen," Li Ming looked up, weary. "I have words to speak with him."
Xiao Wen was Consort Rou's nephew. Fulai paused for a moment before respectfully replying, "Yes."
After acknowledging the order, Fulai couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Li Ming. "Your Majesty, are you... unwell? Should I summon the imperial physician?"
Hearing his words, Li Ming raised his head and stared at him. Under the emperor's gaze, Fulai felt sweat forming in his palms. After a long while, Li Ming suddenly spoke, "When I first saw you, were you eleven years old?"
Fulai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and answered respectfully, "This servant was ten."
"You've grown old," Li Ming chuckled. Fulai smiled along, "After all, nearly forty years have passed."
"Fulai," Li Ming turned his head, gazing at the distant Northern Yan Tower. "If only people didn't have to grow up."
Fulai remained silent. Li Ming's voice was slow and deliberate: "When I built the Northern Yan Tower back then, I was truly happy."
At that time, he had just married Shangguan Yue. He didn't yet understand what it meant to be constrained by powerful families, how to balance the court, or the art of imperial rule.
But forty years—it's too long.
Long enough for a delicate young girl to become a greedy and treacherous consort, a bright and cheerful maiden to turn into a cold and conservative empress, and a gentle prince to become a weak and pitiable emperor.
He felt time was like a knife. When he looked back, he could hardly recognize who was who anymore.
Xiao Rou walked out of the main hall and could no longer hold herself together.
Her legs instantly gave way, and a maid beside her quickly supported her, exclaiming urgently, "Your Highness."
A guard stepped forward and said respectfully, "Consort Rou, please."
Xiao Rou forced herself to stand steady, nodded, and allowed the maid to help her into the carriage.
After all, she was still Prince Su and Hua Le's mother. Even in her current predicament, her remaining authority lingered, and the guards dared not treat her too harshly.
When she arrived at the Ministry of Justice, it wasn't long before she heard hurried footsteps approaching from outside.
Xiao Rou looked up to see Hua Le approaching with members of the Xiao family.
"Mother," Hua Le's eyes reddened the moment she saw Xiao Rou. Xiao Rou, having calmed herself, appeared composed. She glanced at those who had come, noticing Cui Yulang among them. Her movements paused briefly before she said calmly, "All of you, step back. I wish to speak with Hua Le alone."
Cui Yulang respectfully withdrew. Xiao Rou quickly reached out and took Hua Le's hand, asking urgently, "Are you all right? Has this matter implicated you?"
Hua Le shook her head, eyes reddening, "Not yet. But earlier today, while still in court, I heard what happened to you. I immediately went to find Third Uncle and sought help everywhere. Only now have I managed to come see you."
"What about Cheng'er?" Xiao Rou pressed anxiously. Hua Le, unusually reliable, replied, "Brother is fine. He's at the residence now. Mother, what should we do now?"
"Listen to me," Xiao Rou took out a token from her sleeve and handed it to Hua Le. "We've been framed this time. From now on, you cannot trust anyone except our own Xiao family. That Cui Yulang is no longer useful, and don't believe a word Su Rongqing says either. I'm afraid I cannot be saved. Take this token."
Xiao Rou placed the token in Hua Le's hand. "Cheng'er is entrusted to you now."
"Mother!" Hua Le grabbed Xiao Rou's hand tightly. "What should I do? Tell me, how can I save you?"
As she spoke, tears streamed down Hua Le's face. "Can I marry? If I marry a powerful and influential man, I—"
"Hua Le!"Xiao Rou spoke in a low, forceful tone. She grasped Hua Le’s hand and took a deep breath. “Remember this—at a time like this, don’t rely on anyone. His Majesty is already failing; he won’t hold on much longer. Right now, you only need to do one thing.”
“Tell me,” Hua Le urged anxiously.
Xiao Rou reached out and tucked a strand of Hua Le’s hair behind her ear. “Kill Li Chuan.”
Hua Le’s eyes widened abruptly. Xiao Rou’s gaze was icy. “It would be best if you could take Li Rong down along with him. Once Li Chuan is dead, the only prince left will be Cheng’er. Then, you can shift all the blame onto me. You’ll still be a princess—your father will protect you. And once Cheng’er ascends the throne, you’ll become the eldest princess.”
The hand holding the token trembled slightly. Xiao Rou reached out and steadied it, speaking calmly, “Don’t be afraid, Hua Le. You are my daughter. You cannot lose to Shangguan Yue’s daughter. If she can scheme against us, you must scheme against her.”
“Mother…”
“This is the only way,” Xiao Rou lowered her voice, “for both of us to survive. As long as we live, we win. Then, you can trample Li Chuan and Li Rong underfoot, tear them to pieces.”
“There’s nothing to fear,” Xiao Rou stared at Hua Le. “We are both of humble lives—what are you afraid of?”
Listening to Xiao Rou’s words, Hua Le gradually calmed down.
She looked up at Xiao Rou, seeking strength and conviction in her mother’s steady eyes.
Her mother came from a humble background. She might be foolish, greedy, but she had always grown recklessly and tenaciously in the palace, like wild grass.
Hua Le took a deep breath, nodded, and tried to steady herself. “I understand.”
Xiao Rou watched Hua Le quietly for a long while before squeezing her hand. “Go now. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Tears fell from Hua Le’s eyes onto Xiao Rou’s hand. She rose unsteadily, forcing herself to walk with composure as she left.
That night was rather chilly. Li Rong draped a robe over her shoulders in the Princess’s Manor, reviewing the recent documents from the Supervisory Department once more.
Shangguan Ya stood nearby, explaining briefly, “The officials from the Shangguan family who had issues earlier have already been dealt with. This time, Consort Rou can’t find any leverage—the evidence is almost entirely fabricated, and the confessions were forced.”
“How bold of her,” Li Rong remarked as she flipped through the pages of written confessions.
Shangguan Ya chuckled lightly. “Consort Rou doesn’t have much experience in court affairs. The harem survives by reading His Majesty’s moods, but the court is different. She still thinks the Supervisory Department operates the same way as when she managed the harem. These confessions are full of flaws. You can overturn the case anytime, but what are Your Highness’s plans?”
“Delay it for now,” Li Rong replied evenly. “If Consort Rou falls too easily, people like Wang Houmin might feel they overpaid their price. Wang Houwen and his ilk deserve death too, so let them linger in prison a while longer. Wait until they’re half-dead before releasing them.”
As they spoke, footsteps echoed from outside. Li Rong and Shangguan Ya looked up together to see Pei Wenxuan stride in. He glanced at Li Rong, approached, and leaned close to her ear, whispering softly, “His Majesty summoned Consort Rou’s nephew, Xiao Wen, into the palace. After Xiao Wen left, someone departed Huajing.”
Li Rong’s eyes turned cold as she looked up at Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan understood her meaning and nodded.
“His Majesty probably can’t hold back any longer.”
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