Free Web NovelChapter 1064: Chapter 1055: No Way to Live (1)
A thick mix of herbal and mold odors filled the air, suffocating in its intensity.
The Princess Consort Ying covered her nose and, through the dim light, saw the person lying on the bed with an expression of contempt in her eyes.
"Madam." Princess Consort Ying did not approach but stood off to one side. Nanny Mao brought her a chair, which she waved off and did not sit in: "If you have something to say, then say it quickly. I am very busy."
Princess Consort Ying’s attitude was somewhat arrogant. Previously, she would not have dared, but times had changed, and she no longer needed to rely on the breath of others.
The Empress leaned against the head of the bed, not surprised by her attitude: "Princess Consort Ying, there’s no need to speak to me like this. I did not summon you today to request anything of you." Seeing Princess Consort Ying’s pause, the Empress continued with certainty: "I intend to cooperate with you." It was as if she were offering a charity, unconcerned whether Princess Consort Ying would refuse.
"Cooperate?" A hint of disdain crossed Princess Consort Ying’s face as she waved a cloth in front of her, as if it could dispel the dizzying smells: "I am of little consequence, unaware of anything worthy of your cooperation."
The Empress sneered, recalling how Princess Consort Ying used to crawl before her like a dog. Now, having tasted a bit of sweetness, she had forgotten the favors once bestowed upon her, daring to strut before her with arrogance. In all her years in the palace, she had seen many women: some cautiously cherished by the Emperor, others discreet and reserved, yet none who maintained arrogance and disregard could endure in the palace.
"You are indeed insignificant in my eyes." Though the Empress reclined on the headboard, her former dignity and authority remained undiminished: "However, I am a dying person with few options left."
Dying? Three years ago, you said the same words, yet you’re still alive and well, waiting to become Empress Dowager!
We’ll see when you truly die.
"What do you mean?" The Empress’s demeanor darkened Princess Consort Ying’s expression, making her tone increasingly impatient.
The Empress suddenly chuckled, as if she had guessed Princess Consort Ying’s thoughts: "I know my own body well..." She said, touching her not-so-messy hair: "There’s no need for you to hurry."
"You’ve misunderstood, Madam. I wouldn’t dare think that!" Princess Consort Ying’s lips twitched. The Empress, not wanting to circle the topic any longer, spoke plainly: "How long has it been since the Emperor favored you?" The statement was not a question.
Princess Consort Ying froze. How did the Empress know this about her private affairs?
Her privacy being so openly exposed caused Princess Consort Ying to become momentarily enraged, furrowing her brow: "Madam, don’t forget, Fengwu Palace was long changed to the Cold Palace. I advise against speaking rashly, as angering the Emperor is not as simple as being confined here."
"Curious how I know?" The Empress didn’t directly respond, diverting the topic instead: "Because the Emperor has not favored you alone, but..." her tone mocking, she couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
That cold-hearted man never expected to see such a day.
Princess Consort Ying paused, instinctively wanting to confirm the truth of these words with the Empress. Then, thinking better of it to save face, she snorted and turned away: "Mind your own affairs. It’s best to speak fewer delicate words."
"Are you truly foolish or pretending?" The Empress finished laughing and looked scornfully at Princess Consort Ying: "You can’t still be dreaming of having a son, can you?"
Despite nearly a decade in the palace, Princess Consort Ying had only borne one Princess, a hidden pain as she dreamt of having a Prince.
"Impossible!" Hearing the Empress, she denied it reflexively, seemingly awakened from a dream, yet couldn’t help but ponder her words. Even though the Emperor frequently visited her palace in the past six months, he hadn’t touched her for a long time. Despite all her attempts, none had worked...
Thinking this over, she looked at the Empress, angrily: "You? What have you done?" The Emperor was fine; how could...
"Me?" The Empress laughed coldly: "If I were to act, why go to such lengths?" Directly ending his life would suffice.
Princess Consort Ying looked at her with doubt, listening as the Empress continued coldly: "There’s no need for you to worry why it’s like this, or whether someone is behind it. For others, this might be an opportunity, but for you, it’s fatal." She sat upright, looking at her: "Consort Wen has the Third Prince, even Le Xiu has that illegitimate child to rely on. What do you have?"
Princess Consort Ying of course knew, and this was what she had feared most: Whichever of Le Xiu or Consort Wen ascended to Empress Dowager position would seek her removal first!
"Therefore, you have no other choice." The Empress spoke calmly: "Now, the only person who can save you is the Second Prince!"
Princess Consort Ying remained stuck on the Emperor’s infertility, shaking her head, pacing the room, her fingers clutching her cloth, muttering to herself.
No one knew better than her about the Emperor’s physical changes!
If the Empress’s words were true, then she could never have children again, and regardless of who succeeded, it meant a dead-end for her... However, both the Second Prince’s origins and capacities made him an excellent choice and dependency.
If the Empress’s words were false, it mattered not. If she bore children later, then plotting other schemes would be entirely feasible.
The Empress was in no hurry, her expression calm as she waited.
After a long while, Princess Consort Ying suddenly stopped, her gaze sharp upon the Empress: "You said what? Only the Second Prince can save me?" She laughed: "Don’t take me for a three-year-old child! If I give my all to assist the Second Prince, could you assure me throne powers in the harem?" Her understanding of the Empress was too deep. If she believed her now and fully aided the Second Prince, upon his ascension, how could she a distant concubine, attain the Empress Dowager position?
She was not yet foolish enough to sew clothes for others to wear.
"No rush." The Empress smiled, a glint of her past grace shining through, surprising Princess Consort Ying as she heard the Empress whisper: "I’ll give you a down payment!" She paused then reclined back onto the pillow, glancing at the waiting Nanny Mao. Nanny Mao immediately opened a cabinet in the corner, pulling out a piece of Xuan paper filled with writing: "Madam."
Princess Consort Ying did not know what was written there, suspiciously accepting it, unfolding to see the contents, sealed with the Second Prince’s private seal: "This is..."
"This is a guarantee." After saying much, the Empress seemed extremely tired: "With this, no one can contend with you for the Empress Dowager position."
Princess Consort Ying excitedly looked at the Empress, appearing to understand her purpose today.
She required the future Empress Dowager position in exchange for her protection of the Second Prince today!
