A wu shivered: “Dening, do you know that today the Crown Prince came to see His Majesty?”
Princess Dening replied, “Is it related to my imperial brother? Because of him, Father Emperor is angry with you?”
A wu listened, as if Princess Dening knew something, and hurriedly tugged at her sleeve, asking, “Why do you think it’s related to the Crown Prince? What exactly happened?”
Princess Dening blushed slightly but still said, “I only heard… there’s a nursemaid in His Majesty’s residence who is expecting, so… so she was given the status of a concubine…”
A wu listened in confusion: ‘nursemaid, concubine?’
She had seen her before, but what did this have to do with her?
She wanted to know about Lu Yunjian!
The Lu Family!
How much did the Emperor truly know?
How many more days could she survive?
Princess Dening, seeing A wu’s dazed and distant expression, grew even more worried: “What exactly is wrong? Tell me!”
A wu stared blankly at Princess Dening: “Dening, all those jade and jewelry gifts His Majesty once gave me, if you like any, just take them. They’re useless to me now; all yours. I even saved some silver—”
That silver, she had actually wanted to leave for her father and brothers, but she guessed she wouldn’t have the chance.
If she died inside the palace, these things would inevitably be confiscated.
So she grasped Dening’s hand, trembling, and said, “I’ve hidden some valuables. Pick what you want, take it all. For the rest, please share it with the sisters I was close to, especially Li Attendant. Her family is poor and has no money, so please give her more.”
She then thought of the two children: “Also, the Little Prince and Little Princess. They’ll be motherless from now on, and His Majesty might not be able to care for them properly. Please help me.”
As she said this, she broke down into tears.
Princess Dening was stunned: “What happened? How did it come to this? I’ll go ask Father Emperor!”
At this moment, A wu didn’t want to hide anything anymore.
These matters weighed too heavily on her heart.
Since death was inevitable—
She burst into tears.
Then, in broken sobs, she recounted everything.
Princess Dening couldn’t believe it: “You mean Father Emperor said that if he dies, you are to be buried alive with him?”
A wu nodded through tears: “That’s exactly what he said.”
Princess Dening’s eyes changed: “How could Father Emperor be so cruel? He always doted on you before; he wouldn’t—”
She recalled that day in the countryside, the way Father Emperor looked at A wu was so tender and loving.
How could he bear to do such a thing?
A wu tearfully said, “Dening, if you read history, you should know that before Han Wudi died, he personally ordered the death of Consort Gouyi. Han Wudi must have loved Consort Gouyi deeply—no less than the Emperor loves me now—but a ruler like Han Wudi, with his mighty talent and iron heart, would show no mercy even to those he favored.”
Dening’s eyes widened; she felt A wu made a valid point.
A wu shook her head, tears streaming down: “Moreover, if it were only that, I would naturally wish him a long life so I could survive by his longevity. But now… now… he knows some things about my past. I’m afraid he can’t tolerate me anymore.”
Princess Dening couldn’t understand: “But what about your relationship with the Emperor’s brother? And the Empress?”
She had always thought the Empress was gentle and virtuous, and the Emperor’s brother was a decent man.
She never imagined such things were hidden behind the scenes!
A wu looked at the shocked Princess Dening and murmured, “You don’t understand. There must be something deeply mysterious behind this, but I don’t know. I’m already caught in it. The Empress is dead now—because of me…”
She thought back to her escape from Fengtian Hall; she was probably spotted already.
Futai knew, the nursemaids knew—the matter was only a matter of time.
She was undoubtedly doomed!
Princess Dening was dumbfounded: “You—you killed the Empress?”
A wu: “Yes, I don’t want to talk anymore. It’s all done now. Might as well die.”
Her eyes searched the bedchamber and caught sight of a piece of silk.
She ran over and tore it down: “You should leave first. I think I’ll hang myself. I don’t dare to stab myself. Hanging is better. I don’t want him to come and interrogate me, I don’t want…”
Princess Dening hurriedly grabbed her: “You have ties to the Emperor’s brother, but how could you be involved with the imperial brother?”
She didn’t understand how this had happened!
A wu: “It was your Emperor’s brother who sent me to your imperial brother. He must have sinister intentions, and the Empress had her own purposes too!”
Princess Dening looked at her and murmured, “Father Emperor will investigate… if he pursues this matter…”
A chill ran down her spine; she dared not imagine.
Father Emperor rules the entire realm—how could he accept such a scandal?
Each concubine in the harem is carefully selected; not a hint of suspicion can be tolerated!
But A wu—not only did she have a connection with the Crown Prince, she also had one with the Emperor’s brother.
A wu raised her head in helplessness: “Actually, His Majesty already questioned me once before. He had long suspected it, but I managed to hide it.”
She recalled that day when that man had grabbed her chin coldly and said that if she dared to deceive him, he would tear her to pieces.
At that moment, his eyes were cold and ruthless, not pretending at all.
How could he be otherwise?
She exhaled sharply: “So I won’t live to be buried with him. I’ll die first.”
Princess Dening frowned but remained silent.
A wu thought for a moment: ‘That’s why I don’t want to see him or hear his questions.’
They had some sweet memories together; she had even borne him a prince and princess.
Years ago, Lady Li had refused to see the Emperor before she died.
Perhaps she could follow her example.
After all, it made little difference to die a few days earlier or later.
Rather than being hysterically interrogated about her past, it was better to end it herself so that he would be caught off guard and inevitably grieve.
Maybe he would feel some guilt and pity—or regret—and treat those two children more lovingly.
Isn’t this exactly the psychological tactic he plans to use against the Crown Prince?
When a person suddenly dies, all grudges are forgiven.
He could then use the children to control the Crown Prince, at least give the children some good fiefs and prepare a generous dowry for the daughter!
A wu thought coldly: ‘Very well, I can learn and use this! The old Emperor is excellent—teaching me hand in hand. If I die now, I believe he will be brokenhearted!’
Unexpectedly, Princess Dening grasped her wrist tightly: “You don’t have to die!”
A wu: “Your Father Emperor won’t spare me. How could he tolerate— He abandoned me in Nanqiongzi because he despised me, despised my past. He is an Emperor—proud. The women he wants must pass layer upon layer of selection, perfect and flawless, not someone like me. He has tolerated the Crown Prince before, but he won’t necessarily tolerate Lu Yunjian or my deception.”
Princess Dening said: “You can escape.”
Hearing this, A wu had nothing to say.
How could one escape the deep palace?
She dared to sneak into Fengtian Hall’s front hall to eavesdrop; that alone was a grave offense.
Princess Dening said seriously: “Do you know why I came to find you?”
A wu looked at Princess Dening.
Princess Dening said, “I arranged to meet the Lady of Ming Guogong Mansion and go to her garden villa. I already mentioned this to Father Emperor, and he agreed. So the palace has prepared carriage and horses. Just now I ran into Eunuch Fu, and he mentioned you. I think he’s quite worried, so I wanted to come see you first.”
A wu listened and slowly looked at Princess Dening.
Her heart suddenly pounded wildly.
Princess Dening held her wrist: “We can do a switch. My carriage will pass by Langhua Hall; I’ll deliberately come see you. After changing clothes, you take the carriage out of the palace. I’ll pretend to be you here, helping to stall for time. Everyone knows you’ve been unwell recently. We can just say you’re fatigued and need rest, not allowing the maids into the inner chamber. Even if they suspect something, they won’t say a word.”
A wu’s heart nearly jumped out.
She clasped Princess Dening’s hand back: “I, I—”
Her mind was in chaos, many thoughts rushing in at once.
What if Emperor Jingxi was angry at Princess Dening for this?
If she escaped, what then?
The palace’s Dragon Guard would be dispatched; she wouldn’t get far.
And she was alone—where could she go?
Princess Dening said, “I don’t know much about the outside world, but if you stay in the palace, you’ll die eventually. Escaping might give you hope. As for me, don’t worry. Even if Father Emperor is angry with me, he wouldn’t kill me.”
She smiled faintly: “He once said I am Dahui’s Grand Princess, supported by all the people, living in prominence. I should care for the common people and understand their hardships. Now, I am a princess, and you are the people. I’m here to lend you a helping hand.”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.