Chapter 136: Tender as Water

Chapter 136: Tender as Water

At this moment, Empress Liu was extremely calm.

She understood that her resentment and indignation were futile before the emperor, as were past affections. Now, the only useful thing she had was her status. She was the empress chosen by the late emperor for the current emperor, married through a proper match, acknowledged by heaven, earth, and the spirits of the state and ancestors.

From crown princess to empress, she had always performed her duties diligently and conscientiously.

For eighteen years, she had been faultless.

His Majesty doesn't want to leave a legacy of unjustly deposing an empress in history, hence opting for her to die from illness, rather than issuing a direct decree to depose and execute her.

Empress Liu shifted to give the Emperor the seat of honor, then knelt upright at the lower end, presenting her case: "I was born into a distinguished family, well-versed in poetry and literature, and raised in a strict household. Honored by the late Emperor, I was chosen as his son's wife."

"Since marrying Your Majesty, I have served diligently, never once being negligent. I managed the imperial consorts with fairness, dealt with the court ladies with kindness, and raised the princes with love, always hoping to live up to the late Emperor's expectations and relieve Your Majesty of any concerns regarding the inner court."

"I believe that in my sixteen years as the Empress, I have been cautious and restrained, never overstepping my bounds." As Empress Liu recalled her years of careful prudence, yet faced today's calamity, tears flowed uncontrollably, "The late Emperor and Your Majesty once spoke to me of the ancestral teachings. Being aware of these teachings, as a consort of the heavenly family, was my duty and responsibility."

"If we are to talk about my faults, there's only one: in front of Your Majesty, I dared not fulfill my duty to advise."

She took Empress Ma, who succeeded after Emperor Gaozong, as her model but dared not emulate Empress Ma's thrice-repeated admonitions to Emperor Gaozong. Had she truly advised the Emperor against abolishing the ancestral teachings, she would have faced a swifter death and implicated the entire Liu family.

Empress Liu, unable to stop her tears, implored, "I have kept to my role... May I ask, what is my crime?"

She collapsed to the ground, weeping.

The Emperor, observing Empress Liu before him, was struck by her heartfelt and soul-baring words. Each word seemed to bleed with emotion, knocking at his conscience, leaving him slightly shocked and shamefully concealed, rendering him silent. He had seen many women cry, some beautifully, others ugly, but he had never imagined Empress Liu weeping.

She was the Empress, a role model for all women in the empire, and should not be seen in tears.

"I did not say you were guilty. Stop crying and get up," the Emperor said, admitting to himself that despite his personal feelings, Liu was a competent Empress. Unenvious, gentle, and virtuous, especially in her lack of jealousy. If only Zhu Yan could have a tenth of Empress Liu’s composure, he would be more than grateful.

After a while, the Emperor stood up and personally helped Empress Liu, "I can offer your grandfather the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and buried with me in the imperial mausoleum, promote your brothers to higher ranks, granting glory to three generations of your family, and bestow upon the Liu family a million strings of cash, ensuring its prominence."

"I cannot accept such generosity," Empress Liu trembled with fear, unable to stand straight, her sobs ceasing in shock.

The Emperor gazed at Empress Liu, who was reluctant to stand up, and slowly let go of her hand, "I will give you one month to consider. During this time, you will claim illness and confine yourself in Fengyi Palace. I will summon Xiangyang to the palace to assume the duties of managing the inner court." The Princess of Chongyang managing the harem had precedents in the history of the dynasty.

Generally, a princess managing the harem occurs in the absence of an Empress or Crown Princess, or when the Empress is seriously ill.

He planned to appoint Zhu Yan as the Empress in the future. Knowing her character, she would likely not wish to manage the affairs of the former imperial concubines and princesses. Xiangyang was one of his choices as a substitute to manage these affairs for Zhu Yan.

However, upon hearing this, Empress Liu was struck as if by lightning, pleading, "Your Majesty, I do not desire the Liu family's glory. I am willing to relinquish my position as Empress and enter a royal Taoist convent, vowing to spend my life there without leaving or speaking of worldly matters, in exchange for sparing my life."

The emperor hesitated for a moment, his departing steps pausing. He looked back at the haggard Empress Liu. Considering her past character, he might have believed her. Had he not initially hinted at her demise, and had she expressed a desire to renounce her position and become a Taoist nun, he might have agreed.

But now, the words were already spoken.

Spilled water cannot be retrieved.

He dared not gamble. If he agreed now to spare Empress Liu's life, she might harbor resentment towards Zhu Yan, potentially leading to future uncertainties.

Human hearts are fickle and the least reliable to gamble on.

Therefore, he never gambled on human emotions.

Preferring to keep everything under his control, especially matters involving Zhu Yan, he wouldn’t take any risks.

He quickly steadied his wavering mind, "Ah Liu, I do not fear the historians' pens or the infamy for a thousand years. I will not depose you, firstly because you are indeed faultless, and secondly, because I once promised to preserve your status as Empress. I owe you an apology for this, and so, I will ensure the Liu family is well-compensated."

"If you remain obstinate, I don't mind bearing the infamy of deposing you. But consider whether you can bear the consequences of that action," said the emperor, stepping over the threshold and striding away, ignoring Empress Liu's screams and pleas echoing from behind.

Outside the palace, Xing En and Yang Xin hurriedly approached, calling out to the emperor.

The emperor noticed that Zhu Yan’s phoenix carriage was still there, parked on the palace road not far away. Before he could inquire, Xing En quickly reported, "Empress Yuan refuses to leave, insisting on waiting for Your Majesty."

"I understand," replied the emperor.

The emperor covered his eyes with his hand, the sharpness on his face giving way to a hint of helplessness. He hadn't intended for Zhu Yan to know about this matter, at least not so soon. Having made this decision, he was prepared to bear all the infamy himself, not letting Zhu Yan be involved in the slightest.

He was not afraid of objections from court officials, nor could he be swayed by Empress Liu's pleas, but he dreaded Zhu Yan pleading on behalf of Empress Liu.

Because it was only in front of Zhu Yan that he found it hard to be unyielding.

He turned to Yang Xin, "You personally guard Fengyi Palace. For one month, no one is allowed to enter or leave."

After speaking, he called for Xing En, "You go to Princess Xiangyang's residence and convey my decree. Say the Empress is gravely ill and order her to enter the palace immediately, residing in Yeting to assume the duties of the Empress in the imperial harem."

Yang Xin solemnly acknowledged the order.

Xing En, shocked, dared not show any reaction, and promptly accepted the command.

After giving his instructions, the emperor walked towards the magnificent phoenix carriage parked nearby.

Inside the luxurious carriage, Qu Gu hurriedly alerted Zhu Yan, leaning against a red cushion, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is coming."

Zhu Yan softly hummed in acknowledgment, "When the Emperor arrives, you may leave. There's no need to stay inside the carriage." She turned her head and lifted the left side of the bead curtain, catching sight of the emperor in his bright yellow imperial robe, his regal and commanding presence standing out among the attendants.

Zhu Yan's gaze inadvertently met Yang Xin’s, who looked at her respectfully. She quickly dropped the curtain. She had earlier inquired Xing En about the unusually early conclusion of the grand court assembly.

The emperor had arrived too quickly.

Xing En had told her that it was Yang Xin who informed the emperor about her visit to the old palace, leading the emperor to end the assembly prematurely and summon the ministers to discuss matters at Kaiyang Hall in the afternoon.

Zhu Yan was aware that Yang Xin gathered intelligence and monitored public opinion in the capital on behalf of the emperor.

However, the thought of being constantly watched by such eyes, her movements restricted, sent shivers down her spine.

After the emperor entered the carriage, he immediately instructed the Jinwu Guard's Left General, Qiu Po, who accompanied them, to start their return journey to Qixing Palace.

Zhu Yan snapped back to reality, lifting her gaze to scrutinize the emperor's features. His forehead was full and commanding, his demeanor noble. The natural flush under his peach blossom eyes usually added a charming air, but when agitated, the color deepened to a fierce crimson, revealing an intimidating and deadly aura.

Perhaps feeling the intensity of Zhu Yan's stare, the emperor sat beside her and asked, "What, don’t you recognize me anymore?"

"A little bit."

Zhu Yan forced a smile, reaching out to touch the emperor's face. The cold, unfeeling expression he had shown in Fengyi Palace's great hall had made him seem almost inhuman.

"If you don't want to smile, then don't. It looks bad."

"Your Majesty can go find someone who looks good when they smile," Zhu Yan quickly retracted her hand, averting her eyes with a sullen expression.

Seeing this, the emperor chuckled softly and quickly reassured her, "In my eyes, there's no one more beautiful than you." He then wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into an embrace, and asked softly, "Why did you suddenly decide to visit Empress Liu today?"

Zhu Yan didn’t answer directly, instead looking up at the emperor to ask, "Does Your Majesty wish to discuss this matter in the carriage?"

She wasn't afraid of discussing matters in the carriage; she feared that despite its grandeur, the phoenix carriage wasn’t soundproof. If they spoke of sensitive topics, the emperor might deal with anyone who overheard.

Zhu Yan didn't want anyone accompanying her to suffer as collateral damage.

Especially since Empress Liu had also become an unintended victim this time, something she hadn't anticipated.

After all, Empress Liu, unlike the other consorts in the harem, shared eighteen years of marriage with the emperor. Yet, in the end, she still couldn't earn his trust.

The thought alone made Zhu Yan shiver with fear.

Thus, even now, she dared not inquire about the outcome of the emperor's conversation with Empress Liu. She feared that any slight misstep on her part might bring harm to Empress Liu.

Just like what happened this time.

Moreover, as long as the emperor wished, he could finalize everything before she was even aware, leaving her no chance to intervene.

The fact that she received a message from Empress Liu was due to Empress Liu’s long-standing management of the harem and her reputation for virtue.

Fearing that the Emperor, in order not to involve her, would avoid visiting Yaoguang Hall for some time, she decided to wait for him right at the entrance of Fengyi Palace.

And things turned out just as she had expected.

After entering the Seven Stars Palace, the Emperor looked for an excuse to alight from the carriage early.

Zhu Yan grabbed him, threatening directly, "If Your Majesty doesn't return to Yaoguang Hall with me now, then never enter it again."

The Emperor frowned, "Ayan."

He added, "You're not to interfere in this matter anymore, I will return when I have time."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan felt a chill in her heart, instantly understanding that the conversation between Empress Liu and the Emperor had not led him to change his decision. She lowered her head, uncharacteristically embracing the Emperor tightly.

This sudden intimacy brought a surge of joy to the Emperor's heart, but he heard Ayan's soft voice in his ear, "Jiulang, I don't want anyone to die, please, I'll believe in the Empress this time."

Author's note: