Chapter 359: Thus, No Possibility Remained

Chapter 359: Thus, No Possibility Remained

The Imperial Consort Liang strode purposefully towards the Imperial Study. Upon arrival, she stood at the doorway and shouted, "Duke Dingguo, with military power in your hands, I, a woman without the strength to truss a chicken, naturally cannot contend with you. If you wish for my death so ardently, then I shall die right before you."

As she spoke, she made to dash her head against the wall. The eunuchs guarding the entrance, of course, dared not let her injure herself and hurried to intervene. Just then, Li Jingyi stepped out and said to Consort Liang, "Imperial Consort, that palace maid was disrobing in my presence while the Emperor lies gravely ill. Such impropriety—am I not justified in having her executed?"

Consort Liang, taken aback to be confronted by Li Jingyi, paused momentarily before retorting, "That palace maid was not from my chambers. Why do you falsely accuse me, Duke Dingguo?"

"Imperial Consort Liang," Li Jingyi said coldly, "Is there a problem with your hearing? I have said, it was I who killed the maid, and it was under my orders that she was sent to your palace. If you think I have slandered you, then go appeal to the Empress Dowager and have her investigate why the maid claimed to be from your quarters."

Consort Liang narrowed her eyes at Li Jingyi, unable to believe how the once timid child had grown into the formidable figure before her, overwhelming in presence and eloquent in speech.

He continued, "The Imperial Uncle is often preoccupied with state affairs; it is the duty of the ladies of the harem to manage themselves and their servants. Yet, unexpectedly, you have all..."

He did not finish his sentence, but Consort Liang was already seething with rage, her face flushed. She was being chastised by a mere teenager.

"Imperial Consort Liang, what is this commotion?" The Empress emerged from her living quarters and addressed Consort Liang, "What time do we live in, that you do not know to comport yourself with propriety? You always claimed to have the Emperor's interests at heart, and now, with the Emperor ill, is this the behavior you deem appropriate?"

Consort Liang nearly laughed in anger. Did she not know that the palace maid was sent by the Empress herself? Of course, she knew, but she hadn't confronted the Empress about it, and now the Empress was trying to turn the tables on her—truly ridiculous!

"Your Majesty, who did that palace maid belong to?" Consort Liang asked.

The Empress: "How should I know?"

"Ha! You don’t know? Well then, all matters of the harem fall under your jurisdiction, Your Majesty. With such a serious incident today, you should conduct the investigation. I demand an explanation."

Consort Liang inwardly cursed the Empress for her foolishness. Weren't they supposed to unite against Duke Dingguo? Instead, she played the good Samaritan. Then let no one be spared from this chaos.

"Guards!" the Empress suddenly called out, pointing at Consort Liang, "Take her away. The Emperor is in repose and must not be disturbed."

As soon as the Empress finished speaking, her palace maids and eunuchs quickly approached to seize Consort Liang. But Consort Liang had her own entourage. How could she possibly let the Empress dispose of her? Her people quickly intervened, and a skirmish erupted between the two parties.

Standing in front of the Emperor's sickbed, Jiao Kangsheng bowed his head in shame on behalf of the Emperor.

Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Huai sipped tea lightly and remarked, "This is the trouble with having too many women around."

Li Jingyi nodded promptly, "I understand."

"Using the harem to balance the court is the act of the incompetent," Xiao Huai added.

Li Jingyi clenched his fists, "I understand."

With a hum of acknowledgment, Xiao Huai continued to sip his tea leisurely. No one should say an emperor must have a full harem; if the emperor wishes to have only the empress by his side, he can certainly make it so. Of course, having a powerful family behind the empress is also crucial.

Outside, the Empress and Consort Liang's entourage were in an unstoppable brawl, until finally Jiao Kangsheng intervened, bending forward as he spoke, "My noble ladies, please cease. At such a time as this, it would be best for all to step back in the interest of peace."

Consort Liang and the Empress glared at each other with fiery eyes, and eventually, Consort Liang turned and left, her maids and eunuchs hastily following. The Empress, gritting her teeth, watched her retreating figure, vowing to one day bring this woman to her demise.

The Empress turned and retreated to her chambers, while Jiao Kangsheng shook his head in disbelief. Concerned only with personal survival, they still engaged in such pointless conflicts; it was truly seeking one's own ruin!

All was quiet in the world, as Xiao Huai leaned back on the couch, eyes closed in rest. Home truly was best—usually, at this hour, he would already be in bed with his wife.

Li Jingyi gave him a glance but dared not disturb, quietly reclining on the other end of the couch and closing his eyes. Sleep was out of the question; his mind was entirely occupied with how he could be with Yu Zhu.

It seemed Xiao Huai might consent to his relationship with Yu Zhu if he agreed to be with no one else thereafter. But what if—there was always a what if.

He had to make his feelings clear to Yu Zhu so that, should the Duke of Ding take issue with him, Yu Zhu might speak in his favor. Most crucial was his master; the Duke of Ding would not object if his master approved of his union with Yu Zhu.

He spent the whole night pondering how to win the favor of Xiao Yu Zhu and Tang Shuyi.

At the crack of dawn, a large contingent of troops approached the capital's city gates. The soldiers atop the walls estimated their number at least ten thousand, and leading them was none other than Xiao Yuming.

The general now in charge of the city gates, a man of Xiao Huai, though puzzled by the sudden appearance of such a large force, allowed Xiao Yuming and his troops entry.

Inside the city, Xiao Yuming left a thousand men to bolster the gate's defenses and dispatched three thousand to reinforce the other three gates. With the remaining forces, he headed straight for the imperial palace.

Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuchen also returned, heading directly to their residence to rest.

Upon reaching the palace, Xiao Yuming handed his men over to the command of the royal guards before proceeding to the imperial study. There, he recalled the time when the emperor had sought his death within these very walls.

"Second brother, Yuzhu has returned, hasn't she? Is she well?" Li Jingyi asked as soon as he saw Xiao Yuming.

Xiao Yuming shot him a glare but eventually grunted in affirmation. Li Jingyi didn’t mind; knowing that Yuzhu was safe was all that mattered to him.

A commotion rose from outside, and then Prince Su, leaning on his cane, made his way in. Both Xiao Huai and Li Jingyi stood to pay their respects, and the prince, seeing Xiao Huai's gesture, was unable to discern his intentions.

He had thought Xiao Huai, having taken control of the palace, might declare himself emperor. It came as a surprise that he still showed deference. Then, eyeing Li Jingyi, he asked in doubt, "Are you Xiao Qi?"

"Prince Su," Li Jingyi replied, "I have been adopted by Prince Xiao Yao, and now I am his son."

Prince Su's gaze shifted back and forth between him and Xiao Huai for a moment before he said, "The state has its laws, and now that you have been adopted out, you no longer have a claim."

Li Jingyi smiled at him, "I'm not quite sure what you're implying, Your Highness. The Emperor is still present, after all."