"I beg your forgiveness, my Lord," Madam Xuan stammered, her entire frame trembling, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she rose from her seat. The other madams followed suit, their initial shock morphing into expressions of horror.
"Such audacious behavior! Were you eavesdropping?" Madam Ruo's accusatory fingers pointed at the prime minister.
"Madam Ruo, your tongue is as sharp as your words are vile. Believe me, if you weren't my distant cousin, I'd have yanked out your hair and made you dance around bald," he thundered at her in front of the assembled crowd, sending shivers down their spines.
"If I'd heeded advice from individuals like you, this kingdom would be on the brink of extinction. Let floods breed pestilence; who cares? We're supposed to be consumed by the concern of a mere princess and casually refer to our husbands by name?" He rolled his eyes in exasperation and strode back to his own courtyard.
"All this is your fault, Madam Xuan. You can't even keep your husband content. No wonder that harlot Jingling managed to infiltrate your household," Madam Ruo's words cut through the air, harsh and biting, directed at the quivering Madam Xuan.
"That's enough! Madam Ruo, please leave," Madam Ning interjected, her voice a mix of anger and frustration. Unbeknownst to her, Madam Xuan had leaned against her shoulder, her head resting there. As soon as Madam Ning's gaze shifted toward her, Madam Xuan crumpled to the ground.
Panic ensued, and the servants rushed in. As they hurried to offer assistance, Madam Ning's eyes fell upon Xuan Wu, who happened to be passing by. "Xuan Wu! Your mother has fainted," she exclaimed.
"Then summon an imperial physician. Why are you bothering me with this?" Xuan Wu's retort came from his place, his voice carrying a dismissive tone. He walked away, leaving everyone in a state of shock. Even Madam Ruo extended her assistance to Madam Xuan along with the others, their pity palpable in the air.
…..
"Have you decided?" Mama Li entered the courtyard's inner chambers and inquired as she placed the warm porridge on the table. She remained motionless on the silk quilt, her head bowed at the small table. Xuan Cheng did not respond; typically, people find her lost in her thoughts, calculating and plotting various schemes, but this time, it seemed as though her mind was simply resting, thinking nothing and only staring into blankness.
"I heard it's rare and fatal, nobody has ever survived," Mama Li spoke as she changed the oils of the lamps, "I know I say it every time you handle such a case, but this time you know in your heart, every word I am saying is truer than it can ever be."
"You are wavering, right? You made it sound like nothing, but you and I, Jiu and Huan, we all know it will destroy everything you have ever achieved," Mama Li came closer to her and sat down across her.
"Duyi doesn't rely on me," she whispered, her voice barely audible and tinged with melancholy.
"I'm referring to Your Highness," Mama Li's words carried a weighty, somber tone.
"What are you trying to say?" Xuan Cheng shifted her gaze towards Mama Li, her head remaining still.
"Your existence," Mama Li replied solemnly, her expression serious. "The life you've built, overcoming the odds in Yuchang."
"It's not as significant as you're making it out to be," Xuan Cheng dismissed with a sigh, closing her eyes briefly.
"You shouldn't step into the muddled waters, I have watched Your Highness grow up, I know you are a cautious person, but you are bolder than any warrior on the battlefield, it's a web of vile threads," Mama Li attempted to convince her.
"I can't avoid the upcoming storm, I tried, and you know well, I ran and ran, I ran against the approaching storm and thunder, but it came even faster and too soon, I thought I was prepared for it, but no-I wasn't. I lost her to poison just like that.
I assumed I must have made a mistake and accidentally left some lethal medication nearby, but it got worse when I realized what was really going on when I looked into her eyes. She has locked in the skills that they passed on to me, unaware that I am far ahead of Tian Limit.
It is terrible to be in here with the ability to change the miserable state of all the cults and still be powerless," Xuan Cheng murmured, tears helplessly streaming down and soaking the paper beneath her.
"It breaks my heart to know that you are still not over Her Majesty's departure," Mama Li sobbed silently.
After a lengthy pause, Mama Li wiped her tears and lifted her head, her determination unshaken. "You shouldn't risk everything for a distant relative who's become estranged."
"I'm not claiming any connections to the Imperial Palace or the Prime Minister's Mansion. But I'll dedicate every last bit of my strength to protecting the Empress's son from the anguish that's been consuming me. He must be searching for me desperately," Xuan Cheng asserted, her head held high as she spoke, her decision resolute.
"It's an ominous path, Your Highness. Please spare yourself from harm," Mama Li earnestly requested.
"Mama Li, I need some time alone. Please go and make preparations for our impending visit to the Imperial Palace," Xuan Cheng commanded, her voice carrying a gentle yet unwavering tone.
…
"Grand Empress Dowager is requesting your presence," a page conveyed the message to the Imperial Noble Consort.
Hurling her cup at the page in a fit of frustration, she sprang up from her throne and demanded, "She's returned?"
Cloaked in a robe of black and gold, a symbol of her rank and her official attire, the Imperial Noble Consort erupted in anger, saying, "Unbelievable! My aunt, the Empress Dowager, can't even get rid of that useless piece of broken pottery. What does she want from me now?"
"With your permission, I might venture a bold guess, Your Highness. Perhaps it pertains to the concubines you granted to each prince," the handmaid interjected, her fingers clasped, offering her thoughts. The Imperial Noble Consort let out a weary sigh and strode directly towards the Palace of Eternity.
"What? Am I not allowed to offer them anything? This time, I had no malicious intent," she pleaded from her kneeling position outside the receiving hall, her eyes brimming with tears. "As the assistant head of the six palaces, it's my duty to assist the princes and princesses in establishing their households."
The Grand Empress Dowager commanded a presence that resonated with her esteemed position. Her age had etched lines of wisdom onto her face, yet her eyes remained sharp and discerning, as if they could pierce through pretenses and facades. Her regal bearing was accentuated by the elegant layers of her traditional gown, adorned with intricate patterns of auspicious symbols in rich, deep colors.
The elaborate headdress she wore exuded an air of authority, each jewel and ornament was carefully selected to reflect her exalted status. Despite her advanced years, her posture was unwavering and dignified, a testament to a lifetime of rule and experience. Every movement she made exuded a blend of wisdom, power, and the weight of a history marked by her influence over the realm.
"Indeed, a duty more vital than merely distributing the family members' monthly allowances," Grand Empress Dowager reprimanded sternly. "I detest interfering in your affairs, but the Empress Dowager's excessive indulgence has led you to idle about and shirk your responsibilities to other consorts."
The Imperial Noble Consort wept as if she were unjustly bullied by her grandmother-in-law, seeking refuge from the world's cruelty.
"If Your Majesty is dissatisfied with my methods, please direct your grievances towards me. Why vent your frustration on her?" The Empress Dowager interjected, her voice loud and cutting as she entered the scene.
The Empress Dowager's attire was a testament to her refined taste, draped in a robe crafted from a rare brocade of silk, displaying an intricate pattern of deep browns. The fabric exuded an air of opulence, its threads interwoven with skill to create a texture that caught the light in subtle undulations. As she entered, her presence was a stark contrast to the luxurious garment she wore, emanating an aura of unyielding strength and authority.
Her demeanor held a palpable composure, a controlled intensity that spoke of years spent navigating the intricate web of court politics. Each step she took resonated with measured determination, her eyes were focused and resolute as she advanced to defend her niece, who also held the role of her daughter-in-law. Her gaze, although firm, held a hint of maternal protectiveness, ready to shield her kin from any adversity that may arise.
In the face of conflict, her expression remained regal and composed, a masterful display of her ability to maintain her poise even in the midst of tension.
"I suppose you've exhausted your mourning period for your precious princess. No wonder you've managed to muster so much vitality at your age, enough to concern yourself with the affairs of the harem. It's astonishing that a mere consort managed to dupe you like that," Empress Dowager's voice dripped with mockery, her eyes unflinching.
This marked the first instance in memory where Empress Dowager had displayed such impolite and improper behavior—answering back, insulting, and mocking her own mother-in-law.
The Grand Empress Dowager's fury was instantaneous, a raging fire stoked by the audacity of the words flung her way.
"I can't believe your audacity!" The Grand Empress Dowager seethed with indignation.
"I have the audacity because I am an Empress Dowager—mother of the emperor, his true and biological mother. Whereas you," Empress Dowager retorted with a defiant edge, "hold no legitimate claim over him. He is not your direct grandson. Cease your attempts to wield your influence and force him to submit to your will."
With a command to leave, the Empress Dowager turned her attention to the Imperial Noble Consort. "You, go back."
"Perhaps you should focus on your prayers, like a weathered old tree," Empress Dowager's conduct was so startlingly inappropriate that it took a moment for everyone to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Shock reverberated through the air, leaving all present in a state of stunned disbelief.