Chapter 253

Chapter 0253: Death Escape

"Your Highness, the Empress invites you," Zhi Fu entered and said.

Yun Li responded affirmatively.

The ninth prince was in her arms, "Mother, where are you going?"

"To see your mother, the Empress. You play by yourself for a while," Yun Li said.

The ninth prince nodded, "Then I'll wait for you to come back."

Yun Li kissed his cheek, "Alright, go play."

As Yun Li left with Zhi Fu, she asked, "Do you know what it's about?"

"This servant doesn't know, but you were the only one summoned," Zhi Fu replied.

The Empress has had her attendants these past years. After she recovered, He... oh, now known as Hui Beauty.

Hui Beauty drew close, and despite the Empress's disdain, she accepted her.

Ye Talent has also always been by the Empress's side.

The Empress has struggled to regain full authority these years, thus she needed more supporters.

Yun Li has firmly stood by the Empress. However, she only took sides, rarely involving herself in affairs.

But the Empress clearly appreciated her support, given her current difficult situation.

Even if her position as Empress is secure, the future crowning of another prince as Crown Prince would put her in an awkward position.

Therefore, she needed influential people on her side even more.

As the princes grew, the competition for Crown Prince intensified, unavoidable for anyone.

So nowadays, she often summoned Yun Li.

Upon entering Feng Yi Palace and seeing the Empress, Yun Li first paid her respects.

The Empress smiled and offered her a seat.

"May I know why the Empress has summoned me? Is there something you need?" Yun Li asked.

"With new faces entering the palace and the veterans receiving promotions, we have double reasons to celebrate. It's been a while since we've held any events in the palace. Although choosing another day might be difficult, my own birthday is coming up. His Majesty has already sent word early this year for a celebration. What do you think, sister?" the Empress asked with a smile.

"It's a joyous occasion, but the arrangements are for Your Majesty to decide. How could I possibly have an opinion on such matters? Whatever Your Majesty decides, I will follow without objection," Yun Li said with a smile.

This was exactly why the Empress liked Yun Li.

Obedient and not overstepping.

"Let's not worry about the rest. You just come early to help me with the preparations," the Empress said.

After some thought, Yun Li agreed, "Thank you for your high regard, Your Majesty. I will certainly come early."

"That's good. With new faces in the palace, the harem is going to be lively again. Sister, you should have another child too," the Empress said with a laugh.

Yun Li nodded, "But that's up to fate. If it doesn't happen, there's nothing to be done."

Whether or not to have a child is a personal matter.

Yun Li didn't enter the palace with the intention of having children. One is enough for her.

More children mean more responsibilities, which she cannot afford.

But this was something she didn't need to elaborate on.

After returning, Yun Li heard a piece of news.

Zhu Que said, "Your Highness, Prince Lu has passed away."

"When did it happen?" Yun Li asked.

"Your Highness, the news just arrived at the palace. It must have been today," Zhu Que replied.

Yun Li nodded, "Prince Lu was the late Emperor's own brother, truly a close relative. Put away my bright clothes and let's wear plain ones for a few days."

"Yes. Shall we servants change as well?" Zhi Fu suggested.

Yun Li nodded and instructed them to do so.

Prince Lu had a crown prince; with his passing, the title naturally passes to the crown prince.

Such titles can be inherited for three generations before they begin to diminish.

However, even if Prince Lu and his crown prince held the same titles, the Emperor's attitude towards them would not be the same.

Prince Lu had been ill for two years and had petitioned last year for a title for his youngest son, a third-class general.

His consort passed away a year before him.

He had several concubines, with his most favored one still alive.

But now that the crown prince inherits the title, the favored concubine, Lady Liu, who enjoyed favor for twenty years, may face difficult times.

Everyone thought so.

Unexpectedly, just eight days later, a carriage was found on the outskirts of the capital. It was originally going to a temple to offer incense.

It turned out that someone witnessed the horse getting spooked, running in the wrong direction, and falling off a cliff.

Inside the carriage were Prince Lu's favored concubine, Lady Liu, and her son, He Jin Yao.

The boy was just seventeen years old this year.

The incident stirred a storm across the city, with rumors that the new Prince Lu had harmed his brother and stepmother.

Although there was no evidence, petitions for his impeachment kept coming, especially since this new Prince Lu was indeed no good.

Known as a lecherous demon, he had led a life of debauchery for years.

He Jin Li simply demoted his title and passed it directly to the second son of the old Prince Lu.

Thus, the affairs of Prince Lu's household were settled.

As for the deceased mother and son, since they fell into a ravine, their bodies were not recovered. A ceremonial tomb was all that could be erected.

Yun Li was quite surprised when she heard about it, recalling the time she met the boy.

"Do you remember the northern tour with His Majesty in the sixth year of Chongzheng?"

Zhi Fu nodded, "This servant remembers. That time, Prince Lu's young son looked at Your Highnesses and didn't pay his respects."

"Yes, I saw him many times at family banquets afterward. The boy was quite handsome. To die so young..." She shook her head, "The fight for a prince's position is so bloody, what more for the Crown Prince?"

"But he had already secured the title of prince, yet he still committed murder. Truly vicious," Zhi Fu said.

Yun Li smiled, yes, in reality, that child's lineage posed no threat to his brother.

Perhaps this was an act of thorough eradication.

The harem is the same; if the Empress's son could secure that position, she certainly wouldn't tolerate other children.

Just feeling threatened was enough, it didn't need to be a real threat.

Yun Li merely felt pity for someone she had seen many times but did not know well.

On a hillside thirty miles outside the capital, He Jin Yao helped Lady Liu to her feet, "Mother, shall we go?"

Lady Liu nodded, but turned back to look towards the direction of Prince Lu's tomb.

"Don't look back, Mother. The trinkets Father sent you have already been taken by me. You'll see everything when you arrive. What lies there is just Father's remains," he said.

Lady Liu nodded, "Let's go."

Staying would not have been easy for them, so it was better to disappear as if dead.

Before getting into the carriage, He Jin Yao also looked back towards the indistinct distance. He didn't actually want to leave; he was reluctant.

It wasn't the bustling capital he couldn't part with, but something else...

Forget it, it was just foolish wishful thinking.

He closed his eyes, then reopened them, suppressing all emotions, assisted Lady Liu into the carriage, and as the wheels rolled over the earth, they gradually faded into the distance.

----

The time came for the Empress's birthday.

Though she claimed to be helping early, Yunli didn't put in much effort, leaving the tasks to the Empress's servants.

She couldn't be bothered to direct them; her early arrival simply signified her solid support for the Empress.

A gesture of unwavering loyalty, indeed.

She was indifferent, playing along in the Empress's orchestrated scene.

Soon, everyone arrived, as it was the Empress's birthday celebration, and although the Dowager Empress might not attend, the Emperor's presence was obligatory.

Today's dinner is an intimate affair with just the family, yet it's filled with warmth and joy.

With many newcomers, the more the merrier the occasion has become.