Chapter 336: Collaboration from All Sides

Chapter 336: Coordinated Moves

Though framed as a question, it was a statement.

In the vast inner palace, who would dare slap the empress except Empress Dowager Xie?

The empress, distractedly, replied, "It was my improper words and actions that displeased Her Majesty first."

Under the dowager’s repeated interrogations, the shame she had suppressed began to resurface.

She too was from a good family, taught morality and shame.

From the moment she was chosen as Prince Kang’s consort, she had known that right and wrong couldn’t protect or empower her—instead, they would become her weaknesses, leaving her prey to endless guilt.

Thus, she abandoned both propriety and dignity.

She acted the perfect gentle, virtuous wife, making his joys and sorrows her own.

If Prince Kang said it was right, it was right.

If Prince Kang said it was wrong, it was wrong.

Later, when the palace rebellion succeeded, Prince Kang ascended the throne and became the emperor of Daqian, and she, from modest beginnings, was crowned empress.

At that time, she thought abandoning her own emotions was worth it—His Majesty had bestowed upon her immense honor, making her the highest-ranking woman in the world.

But now…

She began to doubt whether it was truly worth it.

Xiao Yao’s face softened with pity as he sighed softly. "You have suffered greatly on my behalf."

"Now that you are the revered empress, with unrivaled status, there is no higher reward I can grant you. Instead, I shall show favor to your family."

"I will compensate you."

"I’ve heard your nephew shows remarkable talent in adjudicating cases. Soon, I shall appoint him as Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, giving him the opportunity to display his abilities. As for your beloved youngest niece, I will handpick a talented and handsome young man for her, granting her a happy marriage."

"In a few years, no one would dare slight your family’s standing."

"What do you think?"

Once again, the empress felt shame as she wavered.

The benefits promised by the emperor were like a massive boulder, crushing her shame beneath it.

"As Your Majesty commands, I have no objections."

Xiao Yao nodded in satisfaction.

"And having Lu Mingchao enter the palace?"

"Leave it to me," the empress replied without hesitation.

"Three days."

"I need three more days. I will surely persuade the dowager to approve the decree with her seal."

"I await good news from the Empress." Xiao Yao's eyes held a smile, but it did not reach their depths.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Duan has arrived."

A shrill, androgynous voice [eunuch] announced.

The Empress whispered, "This consort begs leave to withdraw."

Xiao Yao waved his hand. "Wait."

"Since the Empress Dowager favors Fei Er, having him accompany you to persuade her might soften her heart."

Then, Xiao Yao raised his voice. "Admit him."

"Your son pays respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

Prince Duan's gaze flickered slightly the moment he saw the Empress.

He likely guessed his father's intentions.

*Just as Lu Yao had said—the damned emperor's schemes never end.*

"Do you know why you've been summoned?" Xiao Yao, holding the Empress's hand as they sat, looked down at Prince Duan.

Prince Duan lowered his head. "Your son is ignorant. I beg Father Emperor to enlighten me."

*Even if I knew, I must pretend ignorance.*

Abruptly, Xiao Yao's face darkened.

He had adopted Fei Er solely because of the boy's uncanny resemblance to his late brother.

But as the years passed, his features grew less and less like his brother's.

"Recently, the battle at Zhenzhi Pass in the north became the talk of the court. Qiao Song's victory report from Shengyan Pass was rushed to the capital ahead of Northern Frontier Army's General Liu Jingyuan."

"Now, the entire court knows that Zhenzhi Pass's defending general Qin Wu abandoned the city and fled without a trace, while Old Master Xie held the line, leading the remaining soldiers and civilians in a last stand to defend the pass."

"What are your thoughts on this?"

Prince Duan's heart sank.

He'd rather the Emperor question him about Lu Mingchao.

After all, Lu Mingchao had sent word, telling him to play along.

Who would have thought the Emperor would discuss the northern campaign with him?

Was he planning to throw this political grenade at him?

Prince Duan strongly suspected that the current Emperor had adopted him solely to pin the blame on him.

The blame for the lives lost in Wanxing and Beiba counties had barely missed him before the Emperor already saddled him with new blame.

"Father Emperor, your son is no strategist and unaware of the actual situation in the north. I wouldn't presume to speculate."

Xiao Yao's voice darkened. "You have leave to speak plainly."

"Do you think the men named in the dispatches should be rewarded or punished?"

"Merits should be rewarded, and faults must be punished," Prince Duan said glibly.

Xiao Yao frowned, clearly dissatisfied with Prince Duan's evasive response, and cut straight to the point. "In your opinion, should I reward Old Master Xie or punish him?"

Prince Duan remained unfazed. "If the battle report is true, he should be rewarded."

"If the battle report is true?" Xiao Yao repeated twice under his breath. "Then you shall go to the northern lands on my behalf to verify whether it’s true or false."

"If it's true, Old Master Xie's exile will be pardoned, and you shall personally escort him back to the capital to demonstrate imperial magnanimity."

"If not, kill Qiao Song, the author of the battle report, where he stands!"

"Do you accept this order?"

Prince Duan lowered his brows, smirking inwardly.

Accept this order?

Since it was an imperial decree, there was no room for choice.

As for the bullshit about personally escorting Old Master Xie back to the capital, he didn’t believe a single word of it.

The Emperor would likely arrange assassins disguised as bandits to ambush and kill Old Master Xie on the journey back. And the blame for failing to protect him would land squarely on his shoulders.

"I, Your subject, accept the decree."

Xiao Yao smiled. "Now that's my good son."

Prince Duan: No, an obedient dog, not a good son.

He was only fit to be a dog to be called and kicked away.

"Before leaving the palace, accompany the Empress to greet the Empress Dowager."

"I obey the decree."

Of course, Prince Duan noticed the livid slap mark on the Empress's cheek.

His impression of the Empress was complex.

She seemed like a doormat, always extending warmth, yet also like an expressionless statue, devoid of emotion.

Her face always wore a polite, measured smile—gentle and tolerant, without the airs of a nation's mother. Anyone who spoke of the Empress would praise her as a paragon of virtue.

But he didn't think this was a good thing.

Never offending anyone meant having no sense of justice.

That the imperial harem hadn't turned into a madhouse yet was only thanks to the Emperor's relatively short reign.

Changning Palace.

The moment Empress Dowager Xie saw the Empress, impatience flashed across her face.

"This One has said it—there is absolutely no way I can approve the edict."

"Sister-in-law, please reconsider. If you are willing to approve the edict, I will implore His Majesty to pardon Old Master Xie's exile," the Empress pleaded through gritted teeth, her cheek throbbing.

"Fei Er, you should also persuade your Imperial Aunt."

The Empress pushed Prince Duan forward.

Prince Duan pressed his lips together, hesitating. "Imperial Aunt, Fei Er also knows this matter is somewhat..."

"Somewhat improper."

"But it's rare for His Majesty to be so stubborn about a woman. If Lu Mingchao enters the palace as a consort and enjoys all the luxury and status, it may not be entirely a bad thing."

"Imperial Aunt, if you have any requests, please name them. Fei Er will go and persuade His Majesty."

"Then, both you and His Majesty can compromise, and everyone will be happy."

Empress Dowager Xie looked at Prince Duan with disappointment. "You..."

"I’ve sorely misjudged you."

Prince Duan: Her act is too convincing—her gaze makes his heart race.

"Imperial Aunt, confronting His Majesty will do no good."

Empress Dowager Xie:

"Clear the Xie family’s name and reopen the treason investigation." "Deliver Qin Yuanqing’s head within three days."