Chapter 349: A Woman's Battlefield
The autumn breeze whispered gently.
Yun Chu brought her two children into the palace to pay respects to Yin Fei. Normally, they should have first gone to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to greet the Empress, but the Empress had been confined to the cold palace.
The palace maids, eunuchs, and matrons were all walking on eggshells.
Only upon entering the Everlasting Autumn Palace did the atmosphere lighten somewhat.
"The Empress has suffered so terribly!" Yin Fei said with lingering fear. "That Li Jingshu—already fifty years old—still carries on with the Emperor. Has she no shame? Why didn't the Empress just stab that old harlot to death? And now that old harlot has moved into the Emperor's Hall of Mental Cultivation! It's infuriating. Ah... Even someone as clever as the Empress has fallen to that old harlot's schemes. The palace is about to undergo great changes..."
Yun Chu replied, "Since the Emperor is determined to protect her, Mother Consort should try to avoid crossing paths with Consort Jin."
"All men in this world are worthless..." Yin Fei began, but an elderly matron beside her coughed discreetly.
Yin Fei swallowed her complaints about the Emperor and changed the subject. "It's just pitiful how we women, even those as noble as princesses, can never truly win a man's heart."
A glint flashed in Yun Chu's eyes. "What does Mother Consort mean by that...?"
"Since we're family, I won't hide it from you." Yin Fei sighed. "That maid of yours named Ding Dong—wasn't she taken by Qinghua last year? She turned out to be no good. In her second month in Pingliang Prefecture, she climbed into the imperial son-in-law's bed, quickly became pregnant, and was elevated to Concubine... That imperial son-in-law is truly despicable. Taking concubines ordinarily is one thing, but now he dares to lay hands on someone from Qinghua's own household? He doesn't value Qinghua's status as a princess at all... Ah!"
Understanding dawned on Yun Chu's face.
Last year, Qinghua had insisted on meddling in her household affairs, wanting Ding Dong to become a princely concubine. So Yun Chu had gone with the flow, letting Ding Dong follow Qinghua to Pingliang Prefecture.
That Ding Dong would do such a thing was completely within her expectations.
She said calmly, "It's normal for men to take concubines. Second Sister advised me to accept it back then—she should adjust her own perspective as well."
Yun Fei was momentarily speechless.
Then her expression turned awkward.
She had previously bestowed four women upon her daughter-in-law's household, urging her to accept them.
But when the same thing happened to her own biological daughter, she couldn't bear it.
"Chu'er..." Yin Fei said, "As long as you and Yi'er live well together, that's what matters most. When Jue Ge'er is older, bring him to the palace more often to keep me company..."
After chatting for a while about the children, Yun Chu rose to take her leave.
She brought her two children to proceed toward Consort Yun's palace. Since the Eighth Prince had left the capital for his fiefdom, Consort Yun had grown increasingly lonely and rarely attended palace banquets. Whenever Yun Chu had the chance, she would visit her aunt to talk.
As they rounded the long palace path, before reaching Consort Yun's residence, Yun Chu spotted two figures approaching—the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
"Third Sister-in-law," the Crown Princess spoke first. "Are you going to pay respects to Consort Yun?"
Yun Chu smiled and nodded. After exchanging pleasantries, she made to leave.
"Third Sister-in-law, wait." The Crown Prince said gravely. "There's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
Yun Chu's smile remained unchanged. "Your Highness, please speak plainly.""With Mother Empress now confined to the Cold Palace, the harem is in chaos. This turmoil will inevitably affect Yin Fei and Yun Fei sooner or later. Third Sister-in-Law should make preparations early." The Crown Prince spoke slowly, "I wish to request Third Sister-in-Law to persuade the Yun family to intervene, pressuring my imperial father to return the Phoenix Seal to my mother. If Third Sister-in-Law assists in this matter, I will spare no effort to support the Yun family should any trouble arise in the future."
"The Yun family cannot help with this." Yun Chu shook her head. "The harem is a battlefield for women. Pressure from the court will only make His Majesty more resistant. If Mother Empress wishes to escape her predicament, there is only one way: to admit her mistake to His Majesty. Otherwise..."
She did not continue, but the Crown Prince understood.
He clenched his fists tightly: "My mother has done nothing wrong! Why should she admit fault?"
The Crown Princess advised: "But if His Majesty believes Mother Empress is wrong, then she is wrong. We cannot remain deadlocked like this forever..."
Yun Chu gave a slight bow and left, leading her two children by the hand.
The Crown Prince stood in place, lost in thought for a long time. Finally, he sighed and went with the Crown Princess to the Cold Palace.
An old matron guarded the Cold Palace entrance. The Crown Prince handed her a large bag of silver before she stepped aside to allow entry.
"Mother Empress!"
The Crown Prince's heart leaped to his throat when he saw the Empress sitting on the floor.
The Empress had always maintained a dignified, elevated posture—graceful and composed. This was the first time the Crown Prince had seen her in such a state.
Though he disliked his mother's strict lecturing, seeing her reduced to these circumstances brought tears to his eyes. He hurried forward, and with the Crown Princess supporting her on the other side, they helped the Empress rise and sit on a hard, cold chair.
The Empress wore no makeup, her hair disheveled, eyes red and swollen—clear signs she had been weeping silently.
"Mother Empress, please admit your mistake to His Majesty," the Crown Prince pleaded, voice choked with emotion. "You are His Majesty's official wife, the mother of the nation, who has borne him children. If you lower your head, His Majesty will surely not pursue this matter further and will allow you to return to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility..."
The Empress reached out and gently touched the Crown Prince's hair.
Even if only for her son, she had to stand up again.
She would give herself one more chance, and give the Emperor one more chance as well.
"Prepare my bath. I shall see His Majesty."
The Crown Prince was overjoyed.
Knowing his mother's inherent pride, he had expected to need extensive persuasion. He hadn't anticipated she would agree so readily.
The Crown Princess immediately ordered servants to fetch water. After the Empress had washed and dressed properly, the three proceeded toward the Cold Palace exit, where the guarding matron quickly blocked their way.
"Who dares obstruct this Empress?" The Empress shot a cold glare. "This harem belongs to me. How dare a lowly slave block my path? Step aside!"
The old matron trembled and knelt.
The Empress proceeded unhindered to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Gao Gonggong, having received advance notice and reported to the Emperor, bowed deeply upon seeing the Empress. "Your Majesty, please."
The Empress strode into the main hall. From the corner of her eye, she glanced toward the left chamber—she knew Li Jingshu resided there.
Pressing her lips together, she entered the study of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty!" She bowed her head. "I have left the Cold Palace without permission. I beg for Your Majesty's punishment!"
The Emperor regarded her coldly. "Why have you come?""I was wrong to show disrespect toward Consort Jin." The Empress bit the tip of her tongue. "If... if Your Majesty favors Consort Jin, I can arrange for her to enter the inner palace and be conferred as Brocade Imperial Concubine."
As she finished speaking, her vision instantly blurred.
Uncontrollable tears streamed down her face, drop by drop.
She had stooped to the lowest point, compromising beyond all compromise, yet after a long silence, she received no response.
She lifted her head and saw the Emperor's brows tightly furrowed, his fingers tapping restlessly on the table.
Having been married to the Emperor for thirty years, how could she fail to understand what he was thinking? Her heart immediately sank to the depths of despair.
She had always known that Li Jingshu coveted the position of Empress.
But she never imagined! That even the Emperor would waver! That he would actually consider making a remarried older woman the mistress of the inner palace!
Then what did all her years of devotion amount to? Hahaha!
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