"Besides, Madam Liu was his wife in their youth after all, and there was still affection between them. He couldn't bear to treat her this way.
Madam Liu had already lost an arm and was now a cripple. It made little difference whether she was killed or not. Leaving her alive now was merely to ease his own conscience and to avoid such deep guilt.
The Empress Dowager let out a cold, dismissive laugh, her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked at Emperor Xuanwen, "In the end, you still have feelings for Madam Liu. I ask you, this time it was Chenyi who arrived just in time to save my life. If I had truly died by Madam Liu's hand, what would you have done? Would you have spared Madam Liu, or killed her immediately?"
"Mother... Mother, please stop speaking nonsense. You are blessed with immense fortune and will surely overcome any disaster. Just as this time, you were unharmed. Besides, such a thing will absolutely not happen again."
"I am asking you a question. Don't speak such useless words. I want you to answer truthfully. Tell me, what would you do?"
The Empress Dowager's tone was extremely stern, allowing no room for refusal. She wanted to see how her son, whom she had raised with her own hands and protected with her life, would make a choice in a moment of life and death.
"Mother!"
Emperor Xuanwen immediately knelt on the ground, his eyes filled with panic. For a moment, he didn't know what to do, stammering for a long time without saying anything.
Fortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort was understanding. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, she quickly knelt down with Emperor Xuanwen, "Your Majesty, please calm the Empress Dowager's anger. His Majesty has always been most filial to the Empress Dowager, naturally placing her first in all matters. Just now, when Madam Liu lunged at the Empress Dowager, His Majesty intended to rush forward and shield you from the knife..."
"It was my fault. I was worried His Majesty would be injured, and that's why I stopped him. All mistakes are mine. I beg the Empress Dowager not to blame His Majesty. If there is any punishment, I will bear it first!"
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly and glared fiercely at Emperor Xuanwen, who was kneeling on the ground. Her son, whom she had raised, was actually less important than her daughter-in-law. She had truly raised him in vain for so many years.
Indeed, mother and son were destined to be enemies in a past life. This son had come to seek revenge, tormenting her in this manner.
"I have truly raised you in vain all these years. In the end, I have only raised an enemy. I will not force you anymore. You are grown, and whatever choice you make is your own affair!"
The Empress Dowager stood up, her steps slightly unsteady, her back appearing much older. "I am tired. I will not bother with these matters anymore. Let it be as you wish... as you wish..."
"Mother..." Emperor Xuanwen reached out to help the Empress Dowager, but she subtly dodged his touch, as if she hadn't seen it.
"Cough... cough..."
The Empress Dowager covered her mouth and coughed several times, her gaze falling on the Imperial Noble Consort standing nearby. "Imperial Noble Consort, if you are not tired, please accompany me for a walk."
"This consort obeys your decree!"
The Imperial Noble Consort was stunned for a moment before quickly reacting, curtsying and accepting. She stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager's arm and they walked away.
Emperor Xuanwen shook his head with a hint of dejection, feeling a sense of loneliness. It seemed his mother was utterly disappointed in him. He would have to find an opportunity to apologize to her properly.
"Empress Dowager, the plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden have bloomed. Let me accompany you to see them."
"The plum blossoms have bloomed so early this year. It seems winter will not be so cold."
What time was it already for the plum blossoms to bloom so early? Such an unusual sign. She hoped nothing else untoward would happen.
"Yes, it is said that if the plum blossoms bloom early, the winter will not be as cold. If it is truly a warm winter, then the charcoal expenses for the palace can be saved, and expenditures can be reduced."
The Empress Dowager smiled and looked at the Imperial Noble Consort beside her with satisfaction. "You are truly a frugal and diligent housekeeper. From now on, all matters in the harem will have to trouble you more."
"What are you saying, Empress Dowager? These are all things this consort should do. If this consort manages the affairs of the harem well, then His Majesty can focus on handling matters of the court, and it can be considered this consort sharing your burdens for His Majesty." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
As long as she could contribute her efforts to share even a little of His Majesty's burdens, she would feel very happy. Even if it were a little tiring, she would do it willingly.
The Empress Dowager's mood also improved considerably as she watched the Imperial Noble Consort's delighted expression.
Having been in the harem for so many years, the Imperial Noble Consort was still the same as when she first entered the palace, her face still innocent and harmless, unguarded towards anyone, her joys and sorrows all displayed openly. To maintain such an original heart was truly not easy.
Then, looking at Madam Liu, although she had previously appeared petty and calculating, she had at least been considered a gentle and virtuous person. But after being in the palace for such a short time, she had become consumed by jealousy and hatred, and now she was even instigating Chu Yanxi to commit such treasonous acts.
The reason she had become this way was twofold: firstly, she had failed to guard her original heart within the great dyeing vat of the imperial palace; secondly, her greed was endless, which led her to this state.
"Empress Dowager, what are you thinking about, lost in thought?"
The Imperial Noble Consort noticed the Empress Dowager's absentmindedness and asked.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking, Madam Liu has held the position of Empress for so many years and has so much influence in the harem. There must be many evil deeds she has committed within the harem that I am unaware of."
"Your Majesty, you mean?"
"Send someone to investigate. See how many wicked deeds Madam Liu has committed over the years. Once discovered, hand all the evidence to His Majesty, so he can clearly see what kind of person Madam Liu truly is."
It seemed that the matter of Chu Yanxi and Madam Liu's rebellion had not been enough to make Emperor Xuanwen completely lose faith in Madam Liu. A stronger dose was needed to truly awaken Emperor Xuanwen.
The Imperial Noble Consort was more than willing to undertake such tasks. She naturally would not let go of an opportunity to suppress Madam Liu and happily took on the responsibility, "This consort understands. Your Majesty, please rest assured, this consort will investigate this matter thoroughly."
The Empress Dowager was also aware of the Imperial Noble Consort's little stratagem. Given the Imperial Noble Consort's hatred for Madam Liu, entrusting this matter to her would surely unearth all the unspeakable deeds Madam Liu had committed.
"Only with you handling this matter can I be most at ease. Every detail, no matter how small, any evil deed Madam Liu has committed must be investigated and brought to light."