"How dare you, with such audacity, to force my hand! Have you truly become so lawless that you believe you rule this Eastern Chu?"
By this point, Emperor Xuanwen finally saw the Empress's true colors. All her past gentleness, her understanding, had been mere pretense. He was foolish indeed, to have been deceived by such petty tricks for so long, only now seeing through her deception.
The Empress found Emperor Xuanwen's words utterly laughable. Could he not see the situation clearly? The entire palace was under her control. Whom she wished dead, must die.
"I will give you one last chance. Kill this wench, and I will spare you and the Empress Dowager!"
Her gaze shifted to the Empress Dowager, and a more venomous thought struck her. She ordered the eunuch beside her to seize the Empress Dowager.
"What do you think you're doing, daring to disrespect the Empress Dowager? Do you wish to die!"
Seeing the dire turn of events, Mama Qin rushed forward to shield the Empress Dowager. She would gladly sacrifice her own life rather than let these villains coerce the Empress Dowager.
"Mama Qin, step aside. I want to see what they intend to do!"
Unflustered even in the face of such peril, the Empress Dowager remained composed, her expression serene. She wanted to see the extent of what the Empress and her cohorts would go to.
Mama Qin stood firmly in front of the Empress Dowager, ready to sacrifice herself. "If you wish to harm the Empress Dowager, you will have to trample over me first!"
"Insolent dog servant, what are you waiting for? Hurry and act!"
The Empress shouted in anger. She had always detested Mama Qin, a mere servant who, relying on the Empress Dowager, acted like a dog bolstered by its master's might and displayed arrogance towards her. Now, she would no longer tolerate such humiliation. If Mama Qin was so intent on protecting her mistress, she would fulfill her wish.
"Anyone who dares to interfere will meet a swift death. Seize the Empress Dowager!"
Given the Empress's permission, several eunuchs exchanged glances and, with menacing expressions, approached Mama Qin. Two eunuchs shoved Mama Qin aside and moved to seize the Empress Dowager.
Mama Qin, who had been knocked to the ground, scrambled up and charged at the eunuchs with all her might, sending them toppling. The scene devolved into chaos.
Seeing their ineffectiveness, the Empress was instantly enraged. Her eyes fell on the long sword at a guard's waist. Without hesitation, she drew the sword and lunged towards the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, be careful!"
Mama Qin was the first to notice the Empress's movement and lunged towards the Empress Dowager.
In an instant, the sword pierced Mama Qin's body. Blood splattered, drenching the Empress's face. Startled, the Empress instinctively pulled the sword out.
"Empress Dowager..." Mama Qin weakly called out, her body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
"Mama Qin!"
The Empress Dowager's face was a mask of panic. She stumbled towards Mama Qin, her hands reaching out to staunch the bleeding wound.
"Don't be afraid, I'll call for imperial physicians to save you!"
"Mama Qin... Mama..."
The Imperial Noble Consort wept uncontrollably, collapsing beside Mama Qin, her soul utterly shattered by fear. In her years within the palace, Mama Qin had always treated her kindly and had helped her numerous times. Thus, her affection for Mama Qin ran deep. Witnessing Mama Qin die before her eyes was unbearable.
"Empress Dowager... Your humble servant can no longer serve you. Please forgive me... May I serve you again in the next life..."
Her eyes closed, Mama Qin's raised hand fell limply. She was gone.
"Mama Qin... Mama Qin..."
The Empress Dowager cried out in anguish. Mama Qin had served her for over fifty years, by her side since childhood. She had entered the palace with her, becoming Empress, then Empress Dowager. She had guarded her entire life, and now, in her final moments, she had died to save her. The Empress Dowager had long considered Mama Qin family, and her companionship had been the greatest fortune of her life.
"Madam Liu, how dare you attempt to assassinate the Empress Dowager!" Emperor Xuanwen roared. Madam Liu's actions today were utterly alien to him. Was this the person he knew? How could she have transformed into such a detestable being? Had he never truly known the Empress, or was this her true face? Emperor Xuanwen slumped onto his chair, utterly drained and dejected.
The Empress, no longer showing any fear towards Emperor Xuanwen, met his gaze defiantly. Her tone was imperious, "So what? It's no longer the past. You are all prisoners now, and everything is under my command!"
"Let alone such a lowly servant, even the Empress Dowager, or you, Your Majesty, if I were to kill you all, what could you do to me!" At this moment, she was the sole mistress of the entire palace. For everyone to survive, they had to obey her commands. Her current desire to kill them all was as easy as crushing an ant.
"Your Majesty, I offer you one last chance. If you personally kill this wench, I will let bygones be bygones. You will still be the Grand Emperor."
Emperor Xuanwen let out a cold, mocking laugh, his eyes no longer holding affection for the Empress standing before him, but only pure hatred.
"I will never yield to your coercion. If you kill Ru'er, I will join her in the netherworld!"
"Your Majesty..." The Imperial Noble Consort wept, moved by Emperor Xuanwen's words.
The Empress took a deep breath, her hands clenched tightly within her wide sleeves. Even now, they were showcasing their deep love. For years, she had endured Emperor Xuanwen's affections towards other women in front of her. Every day had been an unbearable torment. Now, she could endure it not a second longer.
"Then I shall grant you your wish to meet in the netherworld. I will make you witness Xi'er ascend the throne."