Chapter 295: The Empress Dowager Leaves the Palace

Chapter 295: The Empress Dowager's Departure

Lu Mingchao smiled as she gently traced the exquisitely detailed painting with her fingers.

Her smile was tender, eyes glistening with soft light.

Her eyelids half-lowered, she carefully placed the two letters and two paintings into a small box.

Musing, she decided to paint two as well.

Three days slipped by unnoticed.

Lu Mingchao wore a light peach-colored gown, her hair styled in a towering Lingyun updo, adorned with gold-inlaid jade hairpins that exuded understated elegance.

She checked her reflection—her attire was neither overly formal nor underdressed.

Yet beauty like hers always stood out.

The pale peach gown complemented her fair skin perfectly, making her glow like jade from afar.

She took a carriage bearing the emblem of Yongming Grand Princess’s estate, heading to the Qin family’s Winding Stream Banquet.

The weather was gloomy, with thick and thin clouds swirling overhead.

Under the dim sky, even the most vibrant flowers seemed to lose their usual brilliance.

A weight pressed on her chest.

She pushed open the carriage window and peered at the dull sky, a sudden unease rising within her.

Aside from those coveting the Chaofu Treasure Pavilion’s artifacts, what other disturbances might arise at today’s Winding Stream Banquet?

Her unborn child seemed to sense her unrest.

A dull cramp tightened her abdomen, and her makeup did little to hide her pallor.

"My lady."

Qing Tang took her wrist to check her pulse while rhythmically massaging Lu Mingchao’s abdomen with the other hand.

Soon, the pain eased.

"You mustn’t fret so much, my lady," Qing Tang said, taking out a gray pill and placing it inside a gilded floral sachet hanging on the carriage wall.

The scent of herbs drifted through the carriage, gradually filling the space. Lu Mingchao's furrowed brows slowly relaxed in the soothing aroma.

"I can’t shake this unease," Lu Mingchao murmured, closing the carriage window and lightly pressing a hand to her chest.

"My lady, perhaps you should avoid attending the banquet today," Liu Yue suggested, her face full of concern.

Qing Tang nodded in agreement.

Lu Mingchao pressed her lips together. "For the past three days, the Grand Tutor’s Lady has sent an invitation every single day. How could I possibly refuse?"

Liu Yue muttered angrily, "Who strong-arms guests into coming? The Grand Tutor’s family is truly overbearing."

"Precisely because it is the Grand Tutor’s estate, that’s why they act so high-handed," Lu Mingchao replied solemnly.

Even though the original host's memories contained few scenes beyond Gu Huai, it was known that since the palace coup, the Qin Clan had risen to power overnight, elevating even their dogs to high positions.

Across the entire capital, no family could rival the Qin Clan anymore.

Lu Mingchao inwardly sneered—His Majesty truly knew how to repay favors.

He had uprooted the Xie Clan of the Duke of Xinguo and the Chu Clan of the Duke of Chengen, purging all officials who had aligned with them. His ruthless efficiency left everyone stunned.

Then, he personally elevated the Qin Clan, bestowing upon them unparalleled glory and favor.

And in the palace, there was Noble Consort Qin—arrogant and untouchable, second only to the emperor.

"All that gloating will be their undoing!" Liu Yue huffed angrily.

Qing Tang chimed in with feigned seriousness, "Like grasshoppers in late autumn—they won’t last long."

Lu Mingchao was amused by their words.

"Yes, we’ll have the last laugh," she said.

"Stay vigilant today."

"Madam, Qing Tang and I will definitely protect you," Liu Yue declared firmly.

Lu Mingchao exhaled softly, pulling herself together.

She had her own tricks up her sleeve—if she couldn’t match their power, couldn’t she rely on those instead?

"Madam, what about Shuxiu?" Qing Tang asked quietly.

"Ignore her," Lu Mingchao replied.

"Shuxiu is Yongning Marquis Madam’s chief maid. She’s been to the Qin residence more than once—she knows exactly where to take those gifts."

While Lu Mingchao was still troubled, Empress Dowager Xie in Changning Palace wore a black palace robe with a skirt embroidered in large, intricate golden peonies. The back bore phoenixes so lifelike they seemed about to soar, and her hair was adorned with a nine-phoenix hairpin.

The palace servants couldn’t help but whisper in awe—it was like the old Empress Dowager Xie, regal and unmatched, had returned.

A figure clad in imperial yellow rushed in.

The maids trembled and scrambled to bow.

The emperor dismissed them with a wave, and the maids respectfully filed out.

"Imperial Sister-in-law."

The emperor gazed at Empress Dowager Xie’s back, his gaze distant and lost in thought.

This was the Empress Dowager Xie from his memories. To him, she was like a sister and a mother.

With a sharp snap, Empress Dowager Xie slammed the bronze mirror down and said coldly, "Since Your Majesty has not stripped This One of the title of Empress Dowager, whether it be peony-phoenix robes or nine-phoenix hairpins, This One has every right to wear them."

Dressed in her majestic robes, Empress Dowager Xie radiated absolute authority.

The emperor’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Yet, that smile was more pitiful than a frown.

"The Empress Dowager has worn them all her life."

"I merely wondered why the Empress Dowager suddenly..."

"Seen the light?" Empress Dowager Xie turned, her gaze fixed directly on the Emperor.

"Grand Tutor Qin climbed to power over countless Xie family lives, his influence now reaching to the heavens."

"I should have attended long ago the famed Winding Stream Banquet at Grand Tutor's residence."

"Alas, for the prayers of uncles, brothers, descendants, and nephews, I have maintained three years of ritual purity, forbidden all festivities, thus missing this illustrious banquet three years consecutively."

"Now that the Winding Stream Banquet approaches again, I must attend without exception."

"What?"

"Does His Majesty mistrust my leaving Changning Palace?"

"Then why not accompany me? I have no objections."

The Emperor's gaze deepened as he studied Empress Dowager Xie.

After all, she was no longer the person from his memories.

"Is that all?"

Empress Dowager Xie countered, "What else?"

"This fury within me has burned for a thousand days and nights. Must His Majesty demand I endure further?"

"Or is it that His Majesty forbids any slights against House Qin's honor?"

Her words were blunt—I sought vengeance and humiliation.

The Emperor sighed softly, replying slowly, "If the Empress Dowager wishes to attend, so be it."

Whether for vengeance or ulterior motives, none could escape his notice.

Movement revealed more than stillness.

"Burdened with state affairs, I shall not accompany the Empress Dowager."

"Prince Fei will attend the Qin banquet today. With him attending to the Empress Dowager, I may be at ease."

Empress Dowager Xie smiled faintly. "Will he no longer inspect in Your Majesty's stead?"

These so-called inspections were, in essence, banishing Prince Duan from court.

The Emperor's expression remained unchanged. "This year, for the Sacred Birthday, I will invest Prince Fu as Prince of Wu."

"It matters not to me." Empress Dowager Xie picked up a timeworn jade bracelet from her vanity and slid it onto her wrist.

Its craftsmanship appeared ordinary, its quality unremarkable.

Ill-suited to her imperial finery.

Yet witnessing this, the Emperor's impassive mask fractured like ancient murals eroding under time's passage.

"Sister-in-law Empress, you clearly stated before that the white jade bracelet I made was more exquisite and more to your taste."

"You..."

Why did you abandon the white jade bracelet and choose the green jade one instead?

Empress Dowager Xie curled her lips slightly. "When I said those words, I had no idea Your Majesty was the kind of cold-blooded monster who would murder his own nephew to seize the throne."

"Your Majesty, This Empress must take my leave now."

The Emperor stubbornly blocked Empress Dowager Xie's path.

Like a petulant, willful child rather than the mighty sovereign of Daqian in his prime.

"Your Majesty, in life, you must accept both gains and losses."

"Too much greed leaves you with nothing."

Gu Huai's dream of his past life.