Emperor Jingxi silently observed A wu.
At times, he even suspected she was doing this on purpose. Â
She had thrown the books aside, expecting him to comfort her, but he remained still.
She stopped and looked at him curiously.
He sat quietly, gazing at her gently.
A wu was startled, “I…” Â
She didn’t understand why she was fighting with him.
Emperor Jingxi reached out his hand and said, “Come here.” Â
A wu walked to his side, lowering her head silently.
She seemed a little downcast and self-reproachful. Â
He whispered comfortingly, “It’s alright. If you don’t want to look, then don’t. There’s plenty of good food at lunch today. I’ll eat with you.”
A wu: “…”
Just then, a eunuch arrived with news: the Empress Dowager had arrived at Fengtian Hall and was waiting for him.
A wu didn’t understand: “Empress Dowager?”
The title sounded familiar, stirring some indistinct feelings deep inside her, but they were suppressed—she couldn’t recall them no matter how hard she tried.
Emperor Jingxi reassured her, “You don’t have to mind her. Play by yourself for now; I’ll go meet her and be back soon.”
A wu nodded blankly, her heart in turmoil.
Emperor Jingxi rose and left for Fengtian Hall.
A wu sat on a low couch, turning her head to watch his retreating figure, strangely sensing the scene was very familiar.
Suddenly, some familiar memories flashed into her mind.
***
The Empress Dowager stood in the sleeping chamber of Fengtian Hall, looking helplessly at Emperor Jingxi.
Emperor Jingxi stepped forward and bowed, “Mother.” Â
The Empress Dowager said, “Emperor, you know why I have come.”
Emperor Jingxi: “I know.”
Empress Dowager: “Oh?”
Emperor Jingxi understood: “Mother pleads for mercy, asking her son to relent.”
The plea was for the Zhen’an Marquis Manor; the mercy was to free A wu.
Originally, the court had plans for the Zhen’an Marquis Manor.
But after the sudden assassination attempt on the Empress, Emperor Jingxi decisively had the Dragon Guard thoroughly investigate the Marquis’s deeds. Â
Remonstrators Feng Xihong and Chen Guang repeatedly petitioned for punishment.
Under the thunderous decree, the Zhen’an Marquis title was stripped, the Manor’s military power revoked, and all its members detained.
Only Lu Yunjian led his followers in rebellion and fled to the Maritime Bandits. Â
The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, “All these years, I have cultivated Daoism and chanted sutras. Do you know why?” Â
Emperor Jingxi: “For your son.”
Empress Dowager: “I know your hardships. So I never say a word about anything you do or say, nor meddle in the Imperial Harem. But after all these years, when I think of your second elder brother, my heart aches.”
Emperor Jingxi casually said, “Do you think he shouldn’t have died?”
Empress Dowager: “He deserved death—deserved a thousand deaths! But no matter what, brothers fighting, kin killing kin, this is the sorrow of the royal family. You may say I am soft-hearted, but I must meet the late Emperor in the afterlife!”
She paced to the window and gazed out at the grand palace bathed in the cool night.
Her worn voice echoed in the silent chamber: “The late Emperor summoned the Zhen’an Marquis to his side before his death. He ordered the Marquis’s legitimate daughter to be prepared for the Central Palace and granted the Marquis precious gold and jade as protection. This was for you, and also for him—to secure the Marquis’s loyalty to you and protect him for life.”
Emperor Jingxi: “For me?”
Empress Dowager: “Emperor, he is the late Emperor’s child who grew up among commoners. The late Emperor refused to have him acknowledge his ancestry, not wanting strife among you brothers or harm to the throne. He relied on the Zhen’an Marquis Manor for protection, so this was arranged to safeguard him and secure your reign. The late Emperor also wanted you to spare his life, so that one day he wouldn’t be driven to desperation.”
Emperor Jingxi’s handsome face hardened with authority: “Mother, as ruler and father, all under heaven are my subjects. How could I force anyone into a corner? I have tolerated him for eighteen years already. What more do you want?”
The Empress Dowager stared into his eyes and said, “You think I don’t know? He’s always wary of you, and you secretly plan to kill him.” Â
Emperor Jingxi chuckled lightly, “Mother, don’t you know how he treated Mo Yao? Which one is your true son or grandson? And now you say these things to me?” Â
Empress Dowager: “Emperor, I have no right to interfere in your affairs, but I ask you to spare his life. After all, he is the late Emperor’s bloodline.”
Emperor Jingxi paused, his expression subtly shifting.
Then a mocking smile curved his lips. Â
He sneered, “Mother, so I’m utterly heartless, am I?”
The Empress Dowager stared at her son.
“You despise Lu Yunjian, wish to kill him, to disgrace him as a traitor and rebel, to tear him to pieces. Is it necessary to drag it all the way to Heze?” Â
Emperor Jingxi: “What’s wrong with that?”
The Empress Dowager lamented, “Emperor!”
Emperor Jingxi’s gaze turned cold.
“Mother, you need not say more. I don’t want to hear it.” Â
Empress Dowager: “Emperor, these years I have been vegetarian and chanting sutras for your sake. Your offspring in the harem are scarce; I can’t help but wonder if it’s the late Emperor’s curse falling upon your children. I pray daily, hoping you can have many descendants.”
Emperor Jingxi said coldly, “Mother, you worry too much. As the sovereign of heaven, earth, and mankind, the ruler of the world, who dares bring retribution upon me? As for the late Emperor, he has ascended to the Celestial Lake to ride dragons—let him be. Earthly matters no longer concern him.”
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, unable to believe he would speak such blasphemy.
Emperor Jingxi was indifferent: “As for my children, I protect them with the spirit of a king. Who dares bring retribution upon them? I don’t believe in gods or demons, or in heaven’s justice. Those who deserve death shall die. Haven’t I already killed enough?”
The Empress Dowager trembled and sat down.
Her son had truly lost his mind—completely lost it.
She took a deep breath and almost pleaded, “Emperor, what about Ning A wu? Will you just keep her like this?”
Emperor Jingxi: “Oh? What do you mean, Mother?”
Empress Dowager: “She recently fell gravely ill and is now like a foolish child. You are engrossed day and night, nearly neglecting everything else. How can this continue? The ministers are all talking!”
Emperor Jingxi smiled faintly, “Mother says things I don’t want to hear. What foolish child? She has only lost part of her memory. She will remember in time. And if not, I can teach her bit by bit, hand in hand. I will not only keep her, but make her Empress, the model for the realm!  “
“No matter if she is foolish, forgetful, or resentful of me, it doesn’t matter. I have the time and patience, and more than that—the power to hold her in my arms, slowly cherish and protect her, soothe all the past. Even if she never remembers a lifetime, that’s fine—I will repaint her memories!” Â
The Empress Dowager’s expression turned grim, “She—” Â
Emperor Jingxi cut her off sharply: “The past does not matter. She is mine, and she should stand in the rear palace, overlooking the world by my side. As for what others say, why should I care?”
The Empress Dowager was nearly breathless with anger.
Emperor Jingxi said without expression, “I now think being a despotic and foolish ruler is fine. Tomorrow I will ask all the officials in the court—I want to see who dares to judge me!”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes widened, and she slumped there murmuring, “What has this world come to…”
Emperor Jingxi’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at his mother.
He sighed, “Mother, when we argued before, I said the word ‘Sacrificial Burial.’ It fell upon her ears and greatly shocked her—she nearly tried to kill the child. Tell me, if she had a moment of weakness then, how could the boy have survived?”
In these days, he still thought of the Empress’s death.
He knew the hairpin almost fell on the two young children, and almost on her. Â
The Empress Dowager was stunned into silence.
Emperor Jingxi said, “No matter what I do now, she doesn’t remember. She only knows she wants Ye Han and want to go home. No matter how great my power, it’s useless against a child who has lost her mind.” Â
The Empress Dowager frowned and whispered, “Emperor, she will destroy you. You are the Emperor. Keeping her by your side—”
Emperor Jingxi cut her off harshly: “Mother, no one can destroy me but myself. Today I say this: A wu is my life. If she ever becomes even a little bad, I won’t want to live.” Â
He chuckled lightly, enunciating each word: “I will bring Mo Yu and Mo Xi with me to be buried with her. The four of us will go together.”
(Note: The male lead threatens the Empress Dowager to protect the female lead; he does not actually intend to kill the children. This also reminds the female lead of her blood ties with the two children, unlike the Princess and the Crown Prince who share no such bond, hence they are not mentioned.)
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