The Imperial royal palace, the Empress Palace
"Here is your soup your marjesty" the Empress said as she placed the bowl of soup on the table in front of the Emperor.
"It's only you that understands me, Luli, I am sorry for not being there for you" Zhongshan Zichen said looking into her eyes.
He always felt like he could get lost in her beautiful eyes. He remembered the first time they me in Northern Liang.
He had journey to as far a Northern Liang for a diplomatic meeting with the Emperor, It was their welcoming banquet when he first laid eyes on her back the she was just the first young miss of the Military Ye family of northern Liang.
He had disguised himself as a low rank messenger when they met. He had been so impressed at her intelligence, kind heart, and charming attitude. That he swore to marry her as his Empress, No one else was worthy of that position.
"Luli dosn't mind, you are carrying heaven's mandate. I just wish I could ease your Budden" Empress Ye Luli said placing her hands on his right cheek, her smile even brighter.
"I only want you to live a joyful and carefree life Luli, I will try to always be there for you,no matter what" Zhongshan Zichen said placing his palm on hers and pulling it to his lips placed a kiss on it.
"I don't mind, as long as am with you am willing to face anything"Empress Ye said still smiling.
"Even Death itself, Do you remember the promise we made when you agreed to marry me" Zhongshan Zichen said taking hold of both of her hands and linking them to his.
"How could I forget, You promised to love and protect me all the days of our life" the Empress said blushing, she could still remember her face as he made that promise.
"I promised to never let you cry but twenty years ago I failed you. I failed to protect you, I let you cry" the Emperor said sadly remembering the events of that night Twenty years ago after the twins were born.
"There was nothing you could have done. I don't blame you, I never did" Empress Ye said looking into his eyes. It always saddened her that Zichen always blamed himself for what happened when there was no way that could have been prevented.
"But you should, You nearly died, we lost our daughter, Huang'er grew up without his twin sister and I didn't even get you justice. Instead the culprits lived very well but not anymore. The children are now strong enough to protect themselves, I will make them all pay every single one of them" the Emperor said
"Zichen, It dosn't matter anymore,am just happy that we have found Huanling after all these years" Empress Ye said.
"So am I, As I get older I start to understand the need to cut all loose ends so as not to leave Huang'er too much of a mess to clean up. All these happened on my watch after all" Zhongshan Zichen said standing and walking forward with his back turned to Her.
"Whatever you do, just know that I will always be by your side no matter what even till the end of time" Empress Ye said standing and walking to His side hugged him from behind.
They stayed like that for sometime before the servants outside announced
"Imperial Consort Su is Here to visit her Highness the Empress"
As soon as Ye Luli heard this she quickly stepped out of the Emperor's back shocked. Zhongshan Zichen turned facing her rose up her face and smiled. Empress Ye has known the Emperor long enough that he could already tell what the Emperor was thinking without him speaking said in response.
"Let her in"
Placing a kiss on her cheek the Emperor Stealthily walked and sat behind the screen separating the Empress Phoenix hall from her Private rooms.
The Empress took a seat on her Phoenix seat, she could already tell that the Emperor wished to listen in on her conversation with Imperial Consort Su hence she wished everything ti appear normal.
Jian Xu her personal maid quickly cleared the Emperor's plates before ordering for tea to be delivered.
Imperial Consort Su walked into the room and bowing said "Many Greetings your highness"
"No need to stand on ceremony come have a seat" the Empress said. It would seem that her assessment of the Imperial Consort sudden visit was right considering how respectful Imperial Consort Su was.
"Thank your highness, Chunhua trust that you have been good" Imperial Consort Su said softly. She was very nervous and wasn't quite sure how to begin.
She had always been proud so having to beg someone else for help and the Empress at that was very Embarrassing but she is left with no other choice but to beg. .
Dowager imperial Noble consort Xu had deserted her and the Emperor didn't wish to see her. She never thought she would ever have to beg the Empress for anything but here she was.
This had been a very eventful days for her, she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel trapped right now.
"I am well many thanks for your concern" the Empress replied.
"That is good, Your highness I know that I am wrong and I have no right to ask this off you but I have no other choice but to go to trouble you" Imperial Consort Su said as she fell to her knees in front of the Empress.
"Imperial Consort Su quickly stand this isn't right, we are family there's no need"
Empress Ye said stand and walking toward where the Imperial Consort knelt. and began helping her up.
The imperial Consort quickly know towed and saying "Your highness please save my Father and brother I know that we are in the wrong but they are all I have, my mother is ill and can't handle the lost"
"Careful Imperial Consort Su, I still don't know what is the problem" Empress Ye said.
"Your highness my father and brother were found guilty of Embezzling funds, according to the law they will be demoted to slaves and their hands cut. please your highness save them" Imperial Consort Su said crying.
Empress Ye looked towards the screen and after watching the Emperor raise his Hands looked back at the Imperial Consort and said
"mei mei there isn't much I can do, the Emperor is set in his ways and will not easily let them go"
Imperial Consort Su grabbing hold of the Empress hands said in a rush
"I only wish that he let them live by virtue of our relationship all these years as husband and wife. It matters not as long they live"
"I can't make promises, His majesty is not easily convinced especially when it comes to members of the Imperial family but I will speak with his majesty on your behalf" Empress Ye replied.
"Many thanks to you highness"Imperial Consort Su said.
"quick stand up you have to take better care of yourself" the Empress said helping Imperial Consort Su stand.
.... The next day, Morning court.
"The Emperor has decided to be merciful and Benevolent. The Su family Title has been withdrawn and both master's have been removed from office and retired to Waterloo park to live out their days as commoners" Eunuch An read to the court.