Chapter 436 – Mad While Awake

Chapter 436 - Mad While Awake

"Then what about Princess Eldest and Prince Fourth? Does Your Majesty not care about them? And the Xie Family—doesn't Your Majesty wish for their future to be better?" Concubine Shu pressed relentlessly.

The Empress took a deep breath and suddenly burst into laughter. "Haha, hahaha..."

"Why is Your Majesty laughing? Could it be that you don't believe what I said?" asked Concubine Shu.

"No, I just understand now why you lost to Consort Xian," the Empress sighed, feeling somewhat wistful.

"When one is in the game, they can't see through it clearly. Lying here day after day, I've come to understand many things. If Qi Yunli stood here today, she would never use such words to persuade me."

Looking at Concubine Shu with a mocking smile, the Empress continued, "Can you guess what she would say? She certainly wouldn't speak of these useless things. Whoever becomes the crown prince or emperor in the future, they won't dare mistreat Princess Eldest or Prince Fourth. As for the Xie Family, aren't they just as they are?"

"Qi Yunli would tell me about her hatred. She'd make me realize who has caused my current state. She'd force me to take action."

The Empress paused, then shook her head. "No, no, I can't claim to truly know her. If it were Qi Yunli, she wouldn't be standing here. Haha, yes. In her youth, she was unstable and merely pretended. Now, she doesn't need to do so anymore. Even if she needed my assistance, she wouldn't appear here. She has her own ways to make me act on my own initiative. She would never dirty her own hands."

"I truly didn't expect such high praise from Her Majesty the Empress for the Qi family," Concubine Shu replied, her words laced with sarcasm, a mocking curve forming at the corner of her mouth.

"Huhu." The Empress chuckled again. "At this point, haven't we both lost?"

"The Empress is right, but while Your Majesty has accepted your fate, I have no intention of doing so," said Concubine Shu as she rose to her feet. "Merely surviving is not what I desire."

The Empress ignored the reference to herself and merely smiled at her.

After Concubine Shu left, Ruyi hesitated. "Your Majesty, she... What does she intend to do?"

The Empress had been much calmer lately, no longer prone to fits of anger or violence. As a result, those around her felt more at ease speaking their minds.

"I'm not sure, but can she really achieve whatever she plans?" The Empress scoffed. "She's only managed to survive this long by keeping a low profile and outliving Concubine Lan, Concubine De, and the others. She probably thinks she's the most formidable one now."

"I don't know, but... what if she holds a grudge against you?" Ruyi suggested.

This was a reminder to the Empress that if Concubine Shu were to succeed, what would happen?

The Empress shook her head. "Impossible. Think about it, if the Emperor chooses the Sixth Prince, would Concubine Xian accept her fate?"

Ruyi thought for a moment and then shook her head. "No, she wouldn't. Concubine Xian has always been proud, how could she possibly accept it?"

"Therefore, this palace doesn't believe she hasn't prepared for the struggle for succession. If she has already made preparations, why would she not be wary of Concubine Shu now? If Concubine Shu could defeat Concubine Xian, the Crown Prince would have been appointed long ago."

"The palace won't act as her pawn, of course. However, there are things this palace wishes to do on my own accord," the Empress said with a smile.

Ruyi's heart raced, and she dared not ask what the Empress had in mind. She was genuinely uneasy.

Concubine Shu hadn't expected such an attitude from the Empress and was filled with resentment.

But for the moment, she couldn't figure out how to respond to the Empress.

Though the Empress could be deposed, she was still the Empress. Her status alone demanded respect.

Yun Li, far away on the grasslands, finally received a letter from the palace – not from the Concubine Gui, but from someone she had left behind in the imperial residence.

She learned that Concubine Shu had visited Fengyi Palace twice.

Due to the timing, she was unaware of the third visit.

Nonetheless, she discovered that the Sixth Prince had been investigating the Hu family.

"Cranesong says that Prince Liuhuang has been investigating Concubine Hu. Our people followed suit. It seems the Hu family was behind this; it's impressive that she was able to uncover some clues about the Ruan family so swiftly," Zhirou said.

"Concubine Hu," Yun Li raised an eyebrow. "It's never peaceful with princes around. Now, looking back, Jade Attendant Yu really was too well-behaved."

"Yes, Prince Shier is still young, yet Concubine Hu couldn't wait," Zhirou commented.

"They're all quite cunning. Let His Majesty handle these matters. However, with just her and the Hu family, they wouldn't have the means to get so many officials to write memorials. There must be someone pulling strings behind the scenes. Keep investigating," Yun Li instructed.

In fact, there was no need for Yun Li to say anything, as He Jinli had already discovered Concubine Hu's involvement.

Concubine Hu might have been clever, but her background was humble, and she lacked allies.

Unfavored and holding a low rank, she couldn't manipulate others without the right connections.

Apart from someone like He Shi, whose natural foolishness made her easy to exploit, who else would let themselves be used by her? Thus, when the Hu family took on the task, their actions were riddled with flaws.

He Jinli received news a half-day before Yun Li did.

By the time Yun Li arrived, he had already sent his orders back.

"Empress Hu shall be demoted to a concubine, and the twelfth prince need not meet her anymore. He's grown up now; he can be sent to live in the Guanglong Palace," said He Jinli.

Yun Li laughed softly. "Your servant hasn't even spoken yet."

He Jinli replied, "Are you waiting to question me? Do you think I don't know you? Whatever I know, you should be aware of it too, right?"

Yun Li smiled. "His Majesty is indeed perceptive."

"Remove all official positions held by the Hu family. Punish Lady Hu's father and brother, and send the rest back to their hometowns," He Jinli glared at Yun Li and said.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty," Yun Li replied with a smile.

"I'll investigate thoroughly behind the scenes. It's almost the end of July, and we'll return to the capital in early September," He Jinli said.

"Very well," Yun Li sat down. "Did Your Majesty not sleep well last night?"

He Jinli nodded. "Suddenly, I couldn't fall asleep."

Yesterday, he had been occupied with some matters until late and hadn't gone to see Yun Li.

"Accompany me tonight," said He Jinli.

Yun Li nodded in agreement.

"By the way, how is Ruani?" asked He Jinli.

"She's doing well. The child has a steady temperament," replied Yun Li.

"I'd have to reconsider her suitability if she couldn't remain calm with your support," stated He Jinli.

Indeed.

This was their first challenge. If she couldn't withstand such a minor incident, then she truly wasn't suitable.

"Our little Jiujiu even went to reassure her, saying that with Your Majesty here, there's nothing to worry about. She wouldn't have known otherwise. Now that he mentioned it, she's aware," Yun Li chuckled.

Little Jiujiu wasn't motivated by affection, but rather... by a sense of justice?

In any case, he was a member of Young Master's inner circle, and no one else could touch him without Young Master's permission.

Hekinli shook his head gently; he had never paid much attention to the interactions between young children, and found it rather intriguing.

When he tried to recall his own wedding day with the Crown Princess, the memories eluded him.

Back then, their relationship was mostly based on duty and propriety.

He didn't bother to ponder whether he liked her; as long as he didn't dislike her, that sufficed.

Now, witnessing this scene with his child, he genuinely believed it was for the best.

All these benefits were thanks to Yun Li.

Hekinli reached out to hold Yun Li's hand, "Xiao Jiu is fortunate to have a mother like you."

After all, not everyone has a mother, and not every mother thinks so deeply about their child's well-being.