Chapter 32: She Could Actually Hear Her Granddaughter’s Thoughts

Chapter 32: She Could Actually Hear Her Granddaughter’s Thoughts

Concubine Shu seemed to have found her savior, breaking free from the palace attendants who were ordered to hold her back and lunging toward the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was startled, and the nursemaid by her side rushed forward to support Concubine Shu.

After steadying her, the nursemaid scolded, "Lady Shu, you are with child! You must not engage in such dangerous actions."

Concubine Shu clung to the Empress Dowager's sleeve, "Empress Dowager, you must help me."

"We have learned our lesson; we will never dare to plot against the Crown Princess again."

"Please beg His Majesty to spare my Mother this one time!"

The Empress Dowager straightened her, then asked the Emperor, "Wasn't it said that Concubine Fang harmed the Princess?"

The Emperor explained, "Your information is outdated; it was Concubine Shu who did it."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Concubine Shu's belly, "Even so, any punishment should wait until the child is born."

"Otherwise, it could affect the health of the imperial heir..."

The Emperor objected, "Your eldest granddaughter has been poisoned, which also affects her health."

"Concubine Shu, being less than two months pregnant, can cause such a commotion; there are still seven months left."

"If she is not dealt with, it will only fuel her ambitions. I dare not imagine what other troubles she might cause in the future."

The Emperor raised his eyes slightly, his voice betraying no emotion, "If human desires are not restrained, they will only grow larger, insatiable."

"These are all the lessons you taught me, Mother. Have you forgotten them?"

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, seemingly lost in some memory.

Concubine Shu hurriedly shook her head, "No, I dare not, Your Majesty."

The Emperor cast a cold glance, "I only trust myself. Locking you up, where you cannot stir up trouble, is the only way I can feel at ease."

"The Princess is young and frail. I do not wish to experience the pain of losing a child again."

The Empress Dowager was pulled back to reality by Concubine Shu's pleading, sighing deeply.

Regardless, ensuring the safety of the imperial heir is now the most important thing.

Seeing the Emperor determined to punish her, the Empress Dowager directly shielded Concubine Shu with her body.

"If anything happens to the fetus in Concubine Shu's womb, will Your Majesty not feel the pain of losing a child?"

The Emperor wanted to say that the situation wasn't that severe, that an unseen embryo was different from a daughter he had nurtured for two months.

But the Empress Dowager didn’t give him the chance.

"Today, as long as I am here, no one dares to touch Concubine Shu."

The Empress Dowager stood firm, but the Emperor was not afraid.

There was little affection between him and the Empress Dowager. He usually put on a show of filial piety to demonstrate his respect.

When their opinions aligned, he listened to the Empress Dowager; when they didn’t, he followed his own judgment.

He immediately prepared to have the Empress Dowager moved aside.

At that moment, Bei Jing's voice was heard:

"I'm so hungry~ Are you done arguing yet? Don't you know it's time for this baby to drink milk? Babies can't go hungry, you know?"

The baby's whining caught the Empress Dowager's attention, and she looked toward the cradle.

Since it was placed next to the Dragon Throne and elevated, she couldn’t see the child, only a bright red corner of clothing.

The Emperor lifted Bei Jing out and handed her to Eunuch Jiang, "Take the Princess to feed her."

Bei Jing saw someone looking at her and instinctively smiled, looking particularly adorable.

It was the Empress Dowager's first granddaughter, and she was charmed.

Hearing about the birth of the Princess was one thing, but seeing her in person was another.

Seeing the small infant's delicate, plump face, the maternal bond in her heart ignited instantly.

Looking at Concubine Shu and the others, their faces suddenly became repulsive.

But she couldn’t ignore the unborn child either, after all, there was a fifty percent chance it could be a prince, and the Emperor had no heir even after two years since his coming-of-age ceremony.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Bei Jing again.

Ah~ So cute.

"Plotting against the Princess is indeed despicable, let the Emperor handle it himself."

She finished speaking and walked over, snatching Bei Jing from Eunuch Jiang.

"Oh, my little darling, I am your Great Mother. Do you recognize your Great Mother?"

Emperor: ?

Concubine Shu: ?

Bei Jingchu: "What is 'Damu'? Does it mean grandmother?"

A voice echoed in the Empress Dowager’s ears, and she froze for a moment, thinking it was an illusion.

Then another voice came: "Why are you still standing there? I’m hungry, quick, carry me to have some milk!"

"Damu, you’re going to starve your eldest granddaughter."

Empress Dowager: …

The Empress Dowager began to doubt the world. In a daze, she carried Bei Jingchu to a side hall.

She could actually hear her eldest granddaughter’s thoughts? This child must be destined for her.

With the Empress Dowager distracted, no one was bothering the Emperor, so he had someone take Consort Shufei back to her own quarters.

After Consort Shufei was taken away, Lady Yang knew her punishment was imminent.

But the Emperor didn’t bother arguing with her; he had her directly escorted to the Supreme Court.

When Bei Jingchu returned after eating and drinking, she was very dissatisfied upon hearing that the two were only confined:

"Grandma, I almost died, and these two just get locked up? And they even get free food and lodging?"

"I @￥R%^F%RF ——"

Her curses were too vulgar and were censored, so the Emperor didn’t hear the specifics.

But the clear and distinct words like “tyrant,” “foolish ruler,” and “dog emperor” could be heard, indicating the little one was furious.

But the Emperor felt wronged. He hadn’t planned to let them off lightly; he just hadn’t said anything yet. He was already writing an imperial edict.

Sigh…

The Emperor then called for his chief attendant to write on his behalf, reading it aloud so the little one could hear.

"Consort Shufei, demoted to a concubine of the lowest rank, to be executed after childbirth. The Yang family, exterminated."

After hearing this, Bei Jingchu realized she had misunderstood her stepfather. When he looked over, she gave him a pleading smile and made a heart shape with her hands.

But still…

"Extermination is too harsh, right? It was just Consort Shufei and Lady Yang who did it; the others in their family are innocent."

"Innocent people suffer because of others' crimes."

The Emperor didn’t mind. A child’s innocence and kindness were good things.

She would understand when she grew up.

Lady Yang and Consort Shufei’s motives were to secure the imperial heir.

If a prince was born, he would be the eldest son, and Consort Shufei would be made empress.

If that child succeeded to the throne, the Yang family would enjoy great honor.

Those who were implicated were indeed victims.

But if they succeeded, they would also benefit. This was the nature of a family; no one was truly innocent.

After a few days of calm, it was time for the Kong family to depart into exile.

Doctor Kong was executed for embezzlement, and Kong Laoda’s position was revoked due to collective punishment.

The entire family was sentenced to exile in a desolate land.

Xu Xinshu petitioned the Emperor: "Today is the day the Kong family sets out. I wish to see them off."