Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Zhao Heng and the Empress, each preoccupied with their thoughts, sat in silence. Zhao Heng wore a gloomy expression, while the Empress's gaze flickered with schemes. Soon, Lady Liu was brought over by a palace maid. She appeared in a light blue palace dress, her eyebrows lightly brushed, lips tinted red, her hair done in a simple single coil held by a jade pin, giving off an air of modest beauty.

Zhao Heng, however, had a vague impression of her.

"This servant pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress," Lady Liu said, performing a proper curtsey.

"Rise. So, you are Lady Liu?" Zhao Heng asked coldly. The women of the harem are all actors, and Lady Liu, appearing so innocent and harmless, who knew what schemes lay beneath? Even the Empress was bewitched by her.

"Yes." Lady Liu stood up, her smile polite and reserved. This opportunity had been won through a mix of threats and persuasion with the Empress, and she was determined to make the Emperor see her worth. If Consort Qing, who died so early, could do it, why couldn't she? She had lived longer than Consort Qing and knew many important matters. She intended to use this to gain the Emperor's trust and favor.

"The Empress mentioned you had something to tell me. What is it?" Zhao Heng asked, his expression cold, not believing Lady Liu could say anything of substance, seeing it merely as a tactic to vie for favor.

Lady Liu glanced at the Empress and then lowered her head: "Your Majesty, may I speak with you in private?"

The Empress was furious, only relenting to Lady Liu's demands because she claimed to have important information about the Crown Prince that she hadn't shared. One day, she would make sure Lady Liu paid for her insolence.

Zhao Heng, unfazed, simply stated, "Speak if you have something to say, or leave it if not."

Lady Liu was taken aback by Zhao Heng's refusal, having deliberately mimicked Yang Ningyu's style from her previous life, thinking it would please Zhao Heng. She glanced at the Empress, hoping for support, but the Empress, content with Zhao Heng's reaction, pretended not to notice Lady Liu's plea and chose not to intervene.

Seeing Zhao Heng's cold demeanor and realizing she wouldn't even get a chance for a private audience, Lady Liu blamed Song Qingying, thinking if not for her capturing the Emperor's heart first, there would be no reason for him to ignore her.

"Your Majesty, this matter I speak of is of great importance and must be known only to you. If you find me lying or harboring any ulterior motives, you are free to execute me," Lady Liu knelt down firmly. This was a one-time opportunity she couldn't miss and had to seize!

Zhao Heng glanced at the Empress disapprovingly, as if to say, "You're still recommending her even now?" The Empress felt helpless, given the matter concerned the Crown Prince, and reluctantly suggested, "Your Majesty, since Lady Liu insists so, perhaps you could hear her out. If she is merely vying for favor, I will not spare her either."

Zhao Heng looked from the Empress to Lady Liu and conceded, "Since the Empress has spoken thus, I will grant your request."

A hint of a smile flashed across Lady Liu's face, recalling her past life where she remained passive, hoping the Emperor would notice her eventually. Her failure to serve the Emperor due to her frail health led to her being bullied and dying early from an untreated cold. Reborn, she vowed not to repeat the same mistakes. Without fighting or scheming in the harem, favor was impossible to gain. She had taken care of her health and seized this opportunity by pledging her loyalty to the Empress, all for this day.

"Let's go to the side hall," the Empress directed.

Without a word, Zhao Heng stood and headed to the side hall. Lady Liu approached the Empress, subtly bowing, "Rest assured, Your Highness, I will certainly inform you about the matter concerning the Crown Prince."

The Empress scoffed, "Hurry along, Lady Liu. Don't keep His Majesty waiting."

Lady Liu smiled at the Empress and gracefully made her way to the side hall.

After Lady Liu's departure, a palace maid commented, "Your Highness, why do you support her so? Even after His Majesty refused a private audience, you still indulged her."

"Today's events have been noted. It won't be long before I teach her the extent of my methods," the Empress said with a hint of fierceness, then asked, "Is everything arranged in the side hall?"

"Yes, whatever Lady Liu and His Majesty discuss or do will be observed," the maid replied.

Satisfied, the Empress smiled, "That's enough then. His Majesty won't do anything with her. If she dares speak against the Crown Prince, I will take her life!"

The maid fell silent, admiring the Empress's dedication to the Crown Prince.

Zhao Heng entered the side hall, followed closely by Lady Liu.

Lady Liu was alone, while Zhao Heng was accompanied by Lu Deli. Lady Liu suggested, "Your Majesty, please have this eunuch wait outside."

Lu Deli looked at Zhao Heng, feeling wronged. As the chief steward and the Emperor's closest confidant, he had never been excluded, even from the most confidential matters. With a nod from Zhao Heng, who had already agreed to meet her, it wouldn't hurt to comply, prompting Lu Deli to reluctantly leave. Only Zhao Heng and Lady Liu remained in the side hall.

Zhao Heng, not wanting to prolong the conversation, stated, "Speak then. I have other matters to attend to!"

Lady Liu smiled charmingly, "Your Majesty is concerned about Consort Song's confinement, aren't you?"

"What, must I report everything I do to you?" Zhao Heng did not appreciate the pretentious demeanor of Lady Liu.

"This servant dares not. I have tried every means to see Your Majesty because there is something of utmost importance to inform you about, concerning the very foundation of the Great Liang Dynasty." Lady Liu knew nothing mattered more to the Emperor than the realm itself.

However, Zhao Heng was skeptical. He had thought Lady Liu was merely seeking favor, believing that if he resisted her seduction and humiliated her a bit, she would give up. But her claim was unexpected, and how could Zhao Heng believe it?

Seeing the scorn on Zhao Heng's face, Lady Liu said, "Your Majesty, I know you do not believe me, but I have a way to make you believe."

"Oh? Let's hear it then! Don't think you can deceive me just because you've fooled the Empress!" Zhao Heng sneered.

"Your Majesty, I have never deceived the Empress. When I first told her, she did not believe me either. It was only after what I said came true that she believed me," Lady Liu explained.

"Enough, no need to say more. The Empress mentioned you had a dream that could predict the future, which I don't believe. Tell me, how will you make me believe? And what does this have to do with Consort Song?" Zhao Heng's interest was actually in matters concerning Song Qingying.

Seeing that Zhao Heng's thoughts were still on Song Qingying, Lady Liu, consumed by jealousy, resolvedly said, "Your Majesty! It was not a dream! I have truly lived through another life!"

Zhao Heng was startled upon hearing this, never expecting Lady Liu to make such an incredible claim: "What did you say? Lived through another life? What does that mean?"

"Your Majesty, every word I speak is true. If there is any falsehood, may I meet a terrible end! I indeed have lived again; I had died but then returned to a year ago," Lady Liu asserted, desperate to prove her unique value and usefulness.

"The more you speak, the more absurd it gets. Why should I believe you?" Zhao Heng could never have anticipated such a claim from Lady Liu; it was utterly bizarre.

"Your Majesty, would you like to hear what happened to you in the previous life?" Lady Liu asked.

Indeed, Zhao Heng was curious to hear what tale Lady Liu could weave, so he scoffed, "Go ahead."

"Your Majesty, did you suffer from a headache before? I wonder if it has gotten better now," Lady Liu inquired.

"I have had a headache; that is known throughout the palace," Zhao Heng responded with a sneer.

"Does everyone in the palace know about Your Majesty being poisoned?" Lady Liu's lips curled with a hint of triumph.

Emperor Zhao remained composed, "Oh? You claim I've been poisoned. Then, what poison have I been afflicted with?"

Lady Liu replied, "It's the Heart-Eating Poison. Moreover, I know that you've already been cured, thanks to Yang Ningyu's intervention in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhao was taken aback, wondering what Yang Ningyu had to do with this. Seeing his reaction, Lady Liu continued, "Your Majesty, in my previous life, you were poisoned as well. The poison was administered by Prince Gong, and it was Yang Ningyu who discovered and cured you of it."

"You do have a knack for storytelling," Emperor Zhao scoffed, though a sliver of doubt crept into his heart. After all, the matter of him being poisoned with Heart-Eating Poison and Prince Gong's involvement were things Lady Liu should not be aware of.

"Every word I speak is the truth, not a single one fabricated. I've merely been troubled by the lack of opportunity to see Your Majesty. Had I had the chance earlier, I would have informed you of all this long ago," Lady Liu asserted.

Emperor Zhao snorted in response and remained silent. Lady Liu added, "In my previous life, Your Majesty did not cancel this year's selection of consorts. Yang Ningyu entered the palace as a candidate and was later appointed as a talented lady. Due to her medical knowledge, she discovered the poison in you, and later on, Your Majesty... grew very fond of her."

After finishing, Lady Liu glanced at Emperor Zhao, who had recently been preoccupied with Yang Ningyu's entry into the palace. She had hoped for renewed favor, only to be thwarted by Song Qingying. Lady Liu suspected Song Qingying's involvement in Yang Ningyu's departure, aware that the Emperor favored Yang Ningyu yet expelled her for Song Qingying.

At this moment, Emperor Zhao felt a stir in his heart, recalling a strange familiarity upon meeting Yang Ningyu, who had once called out his childhood nickname in her sleep... What was the meaning of this? His expression changed as he said, "Continue."

Seeing Emperor Zhao possibly swayed, Lady Liu pressed on, "Your Majesty, do you believe what I've told you?"

"Just speak. Whether I believe it or not is my concern," Emperor Zhao replied coldly, intrigued yet wary of her claims.

Lady Liu persisted, "Your Majesty will believe me. Heaven has given me a second life precisely to assist you! Do you realize the mistake you've made? You should not have released Yang Ningyu from the palace. She is destined to bear you a prince who will inherit the throne!" Lady Liu had spent a considerable sum to learn that Yang Ningyu had already married. Otherwise, she wouldn't have thought to use this tactic against Song Qingying, especially since Yang Ningyu had only recently gained favor before Lady Liu's death, without yet bearing any children. To avoid suspicion from the Emperor, she focused her narrative on Yang Ningyu.

The person hiding in the cabinet, shocked by the conversation, made a noise, catching Emperor Zhao's attention.

Emperor Zhao, already startled by Lady Liu's revelations and now hearing the noise from the cabinet, suspected it was the Empress's spy. Knowing the Empress might act against Yang Ningyu upon hearing Lady Liu's words, regardless of their truth, he approached the cabinet, "Come out, whoever is inside."

Lady Liu broke out in a cold sweat, fearing for her life if the Empress heard her words.

The person inside, trembling, emerged and knelt on the ground, pleading, "Your Majesty, please spare my life. I have heard nothing."

Zhao Heng paid no heed to his explanations, summoning Lude Li, who had been vigilantly standing by the door. Hearing Zhao Heng's call, Lude Li promptly pushed the door open and entered.

Pointing at the man kneeling on the ground, Zhao Heng commanded, "Take him away. From this moment forth, do not let him utter a single word. Kill him if he speaks even a syllable."

Lude Li hurriedly dragged the man away, who was so frightened that he dared not speak a word. Zhao Heng glanced at Madame Liu, his face smoothing from suspicion to a smile, "And what about you? In our past life, what transpired between us?"