Free Web NovelChapter 31: The Crown Prince’s secret
The cup on the table was delicate, made of fine white porcelain, rim lined with gold. It was thoroughly befitting for a man of much power as the emperor.
Shen Lihua handled the tea pot with steady hands, pouring its contents and then serving it to the Emperor.
He coughed briefly, but that didn’t deter the affectionate gaze he’d fixed on her since she entered his private chamber.
"The royal physician tells me the tea will help soothe the cough," Lihua said, bowing slightly as she placed it before him. "I worry so much about your health."
The emperor managed a weak smile. "With a beautiful flower in front of me, how can I not recover?"
Lihua’s cheeks turned a light pink. "You flatter me, your majesty." She watched him take a sip, her smile growing wider when he swallowed.
"Is it to your liking?" Empress Lihua asked.
"How can I not like something prepared with such delicate fingers?" He took her hands, placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "I’ve been told you’re exerting yourself with the investigation about Lin Yuexin’s death."
Lihua’s lips drew into a pout, her brows dropping in what seemed like grief. "Of course, she was a daughter to me, I want to see that she gets the justice she deserves."
The Emperor’s eyes crinkled at the sides when he smiled. "You’ve always been so caring of others, even at your own detriment. But you need to take proper care of yourself, I don’t think I have much—"
"Don’t lay a curse on yourself," she said in a soft voice. "You’ve been blessed with great health from the heavens. This too shall pass."
She picked up the napkin on the table and dabbed the corners of his mouth. "I’ll nurse you back to health, that’s my first duty as your devoted wife."
The Emperor was satisfied, he closed his eyes briefly and missed the sneer that’d creeped into Shen Lihua’s lips.
How long did she have to keep this charade up? How long until the old man would finally fall?
The well practised smile was back on her face when the Emperor opened his eyes.
"I’ll leave you to get some rest," she said, rising from her seat. "I’ll go back later and serve you tea."
The Emperor nodded, letting Lihua guide him back to his bed. She pulled the covers over him, making sure he was properly tucked in.
"Lihua..." his voice was heavy, "won’t you lay beside me for a bit?"
Her smile was tight, her facial muscles already at its limit. "I must make haste, your majesty. I will when I visit again."
She bent down and placed a swift kiss on his cheek, fighting to keep herself from gagging. This would keep him satisfied enough to not make a big deal out of it.
Finally, she made a deep bow and exited his room. Her face immediately relaxed into a deep scowl the moment the doors were shut after her.
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"Why won’t the guards let me see Ru Yi, what have you done to her?" Zhao Chen was standing in the middle of the Empress’s chamber, watching as she sniffed her tea subtly before drinking.
"I think you’re worried about the wrong thing." Slowly, she set her cup down on the table. "Did you think framing the physician and asking him to give you a fake report would save the maid?"
"The report is not fake! He examined her himself." He was boiling over with anger. "She really is pregnant with my child, why can’t you all respect that?"
Empress Shen Lihua laughed. "Respect?" She stood up and took deliberate slow steps towards her son. "You dare mention respect in front of me?"
"Mother..."
She hushed him. "Don’t call me that. You dare to speak of respect when you’re the sole reason for spoiling our family name and honor. Do you know what it means to get a serving girl pregnant when you’re betrothed to another?" freeweɓnøvel.com
Whether Zhao Chen was foolish to remain persistent, one will never know. "She’s not just a serving girl, I love—"
She slapped him. Hard.
"I dare you to complete that sentence and make a fool out of yourself." This was one of the rare occasions his mother ever lost her temper. "I’ve worked hard all these years to have a better life, and you think you can ruin it?"
Zhao Chen cradled his cheek.
"I’ve given up so much to make sure you have the best in life and you’re willing to throw it all in my face? For what? A low-life girl?"
Zhao Chen shook his head, "I didn’t ask you to give anything up for me."
"Easy for you to say while being the crown prince, right? It’s my fault for spoiling you all these years. Maybe this is punishment for being a good mother."
"This is the woman I love we’re talking about here! The serving girl you’re looking down on is the only one that has ever made me feel loved. She’s the only one that has ever cared for me. And if as a mother you want even an ounce of my happiness, then you should let me be with her."
For a brief moment Empress Lihua looked murderous. "I will not let you be with a murderer! You better forget about her, I’ll find you another royal blood to marry. Someone worthy of the throne."
Zhao scoffed in anger, "Like you were worthy of the throne when you ascended in power. Surely, women that grew up in a whorehouse was not seen as respectable—"
This time she raised her hand as far as it could go and struck him on the face, his head snapping to the side with a sickening sound.
"I will not allow you to disrespect me!"
The crown prince managed a smile even though his entire face hurt like he’d been hit with a wooden post. "But you can disrespect others?"
Lihua found it hard to believe that her own son was treating her this way because of a maid who should be rotting six feet under. She took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Go back to your chambers and remain there. I’ll handle everything so this case can end quickly. I have a few candidates that are qualified to marry you, we’ll just wait till after the princess has been buried."
"You want me to sit still and act like a little pet? And by taking care of it you mean you’re going to get rid of Ru Yi, right mother?"
Lihua didn’t bother with an answer.
"If anything happens to Ru Yi—"
"What will you do?" Lihua asked with a raised brow. "I should probably go and tell the entire court you were really the first person to see Lin Yuexin’s dead body. What do you think?"
