Chapter 66 Extra*Emperor & Empress II (Conclusion)

Chapter 66: Supplementary Chapter - The Emperor and Empress (Part II)

The Emperor's former fief was Chunsong. It was a late summer day when Liang Zunlu, the most prominent noble and influential minister of Chunsong, entered the palace to report on his duties. The Emperor, delighted to see him, descended from his dragon throne and helped him up, saying, "Uncle Liang."

Liang Zunlu quickly stepped back, "This subject dares not. Your Majesty is now the Son of Heaven; you must no longer address me so familiarly."

The Emperor smiled, his gaze lowered, "Minister Liang, I trust you will extend your stay in the capital this visit."

Liang Zunlu chuckled, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's graciousness and shall obey." He then sighed, "Upon entering the city, seeing the capital as it is today, it feels as if an age has passed. It is more prosperous and magnificent than ever—all thanks to Your Majesty's wise rule. Later, after leaving the palace, I intend to stroll about and witness Your Majesty's domain, the flourishing age of our Great Zhou."

The Emperor's interest was piqued. "I shall accompany you."

Liang Zunlu immediately stepped back and bowed, "That would be improper, Your Majesty. Your precious personage..."

"Why improper? Have you forgotten? Back in Chunsong, we often went incognito to observe the common people's conditions. Today shall be no different."

With that, he immediately summoned Chief Steward Wu and the General of the Imperial Guards to arrange the outing. The group, dressed in common attire, left the palace.

It was precisely lunchtime, and Liang Zunlu suggested they sample the new dishes at Qingyang Tower.

The proprietor of Qingyang Tower, observing their opulent attire and the three or four servants and six to eight guards accompanying them, enthusiastically led them to the finest private room. However, the Emperor interjected, "No, I think the main hall is quite suitable—lively and bustling. What do you say, Uncle Liang?"

Liang Zunlu, understanding his intent, laughed heartily, "That would be perfect indeed."

The proprietor was somewhat surprised but did not object, guiding them to a semi-private seating area separated by scenic screens. The Emperor, Liang Zunlu, and the General of the Imperial Guards took their seats in the booth, while the servants and guards chose scattered seats in the main hall directly facing their booth.

Noting their distinguished demeanor and unfamiliar faces, the proprietor surmised they were either nobles from other regions or newly prominent figures in the capital. Not daring to slight them, he resolved to cultivate these potential patrons and enthusiastically promoted, "Gentlemen, we feature novel performances daily. Today, a storyteller will captivate you with tales of the supernatural!"

Liang Zunlu glanced at the Emperor, who offered a faint, unconcerned smile.

"Proprietor, bring us a serving of all your signature dishes," Liang Zunlu announced loudly. The proprietor immediately bowed and hurried away.

As soon as he departed, conversation from the adjacent booth drifted over, sometimes loud, sometimes hushed, but distinctly audible in their own booth.

"Nowadays, the Great Zhou Dynasty is practically the domain of the Zhao and Shen families."

The Emperor's hand, holding a cup, paused momentarily. His expression darkened, his gaze turning icy.

The General's face changed dramatically. He instinctively gripped the hilt of his saber, about to rise, when the Emperor's cold voice commanded, "Sit down."

Liang Zunlu leaned closer to the Emperor, whispering reassuringly, "Your Majesty, these are mere common folk; they understand nothing."

From the next booth, another voice chimed in, "I hear the court officials now place even greater trust in Empress Shen. With Empress Shen's influence, even the Emperor must yield to her."

"Isn't that simply because the Emperor dotes on Empress Shen?"

"Heh, 'dotes,' you say? Who truly knows if the Emperor fears the Shen family, and thus favors the Empress exclusively?"

"The Shen family wields immense power. The Duke commands a hundred thousand elite troops. The young master of the Shen family has recently been re-ennobled. Empress Shen reigns supreme in the inner palace, not to mention the Grand Empress Dowager, the Grand Princess, and the Wei clan's nobility. I wouldn't be surprised if one day we awoke to find the throne had changed hands."

"Indeed, when the new Emperor ascended, the Shen family was his staunchest supporter."

As the Emperor's face grew increasingly grim, the General could barely restrain himself. Liang Zunlu remained silent, calmly sipping his wine.

"Father! Father!" Suddenly, a cheerful voice, like a streak of rainbow, illuminated their booth.

The Emperor looked up to see a bright, radiant face. Startled at the sight of him, she paused, then a smile blossomed on her lips, radiant as the morning sun. She exclaimed in surprise, "You're... Brother Zhan?!"

"Do not be impertinent," Liang Zunlu sternly admonished, then turned to the Emperor with a slight smile. "Your Majesty, Yan'er has forgotten her manners."

The Emperor was quite surprised. "This is Yan'er? She's grown up."

Liang Yan'er naturally seated herself between them. "Of course! I'm sixteen now, no longer that little child." She wrinkled her nose at the Emperor and handed him a colorful paper pinwheel she had bought on the street. "I didn't know Brother Zhan would be here. This is a gift for you—don't despise it. Now that you're the Emperor, you've seen all the finest things."

The Emperor was momentarily taken aback but accepted it graciously.

Liang Yan'er was utterly different from Shen Qingci. She would act spoiled, cry, complain of pain, cling to his arm, and ask him to champion her cause. Her eyes and heart were entirely devoted to him.

He began summoning Liang Yan'er to the palace every few days, sometimes to admire the autumn scenery, other times to paint with her. Shen Qingci was aware of this, yet she never mentioned or objected to it in his presence.

Gradually, the time he spent with Shen Qingci dwindled. Even her visits to the imperial study became less frequent.

Once, while he was painting in the garden with Liang Yan'er, she playfully stumbled and fell into his arms. Just then, Shen Qingci approached. He intended to push Liang Yan'er away, but upon seeing Shen Qingci's gentle smile, he hesitated. His heart sank.

"The Empress is here," he said, still holding Liang Yan'er, as he addressed Shen Qingci.

Liang Yan'er playfully stuck out her tongue, then stood properly and bowed to Empress Shen.

Empress Shen smiled gently, "You may rise, sister."

"Sister Empress is so gentle. Your Majesty, you are truly blessed," Liang Yan'er said innocently, but her words pierced the Emperor's heart. Yes, Shen Qingci had always been this gentle. No matter which woman approached him, she never showed anger.

That night, for the first time in half a month, the Emperor entered Fengqi Palace again.

Having not stayed overnight at Fengqi Palace for half a month, he arrived. Empress Shen rose as calmly as ever, but this time, she bowed to him, and he did not stop her.

Somehow, they had tacitly accepted this shift in their relationship.

The Emperor sat on the dragon-and-phoenix couch. "Sit," he said, pointing to the spot beside him. Empress Shen obediently sat down.

Almost without any preamble, the Emperor stated gravely, "I intend to bring Yan'er into the palace and confer upon her the title of Noble Consort."

Caught off guard, the teacup in Empress Shen's hand slipped. The freshly poured tea scalded the back of her hand. She frowned in pain and gasped softly. The Emperor immediately rose, took her hand, and called out anxiously, "Summon the imperial physician!"

Empress Shen thought she was prepared. She understood gracefully that they were not an ordinary couple—that dreaming of "one lifetime, one love" was an illusion. Yet, at this moment, her heart ached, and her vision blurred.

Seeing her bowed head, the Emperor stroked her hand, a faint pang in his heart. Hope flickered in his eyes, "Qingci, if you are unwilling, I can..."

"Your Majesty jests," Shen Qingci lifted her gaze to him. The mist in her eyes had already dispersed, leaving only a faint glimmer, like starlight shimmering under the lamplight. Ignoring the Emperor's slightly stunned expression, she said considerately, "Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation, benefiting all living beings. It is only right that you expand the royal lineage. Sister Yan'er is lively and lovely, born of noble lineage, and shares a childhood bond with Your Majesty. With her accompanying you, how could I possibly be unwilling?"

The Emperor's grip on her hand stiffened. After a long moment, he slowly released it. The affection in his eyes turned to indifference. He lowered his head, and the two sat in silence.

"The Empress truly is... a paragon for all noblewomen," the Emperor said with a faint smile. He suddenly rose, his expression cold toward Shen Qingci for the first time. "Then let it be as the Empress says!"

He swept out in anger. The smile on Empress Shen's face gradually stiffened. She sat dazed for a long time. When she tried to drink some tea to clear her mind, she realized the tea had gone cold. Suppressing her discomfort, she drank it all.

Ruo Hua approached and knelt beside her, "Your Majesty, you are clearly unhappy. Why didn't you tell the Emperor? Why didn't you act spoiled and beg him? If you had asked, the Emperor would have listened to you."

Empress Shen looked down at her, her eyes unusually dim, "I do not want anything that must be begged for."

＊＊

Liang Yan'er entered the palace, seizing the favor that once belonged to the Empress. She became the Emperor's most beloved Noble Consort, and the Liang family was promoted and ennobled, rising as the new aristocracy of the capital.

Whether out of wariness toward the Shen family or to test Shen Qingci's feelings for him, the Emperor's favor toward Liang Yan'er surpassed even what he had once shown Shen Qingci.

Liang Yan'er grew increasingly arrogant from the favor. When she saw Empress Shen, she no longer behaved as obediently as before, and when she bowed, she never lowered her head again.

"Sister, the autumn chill is here; why are you still sitting by the lake catching the wind?" Liang Yan'er beamed, covering her mouth with a titter as she spoke. "But then again, this cool breeze probably can't compare to the chill you feel inside, can it?"

Shen Qingci sat there, holding her teacup poised, quietly watching her, a faint, cool smile touching her eyes.

Bi Hua remarked pointedly, "Noble Consort truly is different now, not like before when you were always deferential and respectful of Empress Shen, afraid you wouldn't make it into the palace."

Liang Yan'er shot her a glare, then laughed. "The Emperor only gives you special attention because of your family background. He and I share a childhood bond—do you really think you mean more to him than I do?"

Such verbal spats were beneath Shen Qingci's pride; she was too proud to stoop to such exchanges. But today, she suddenly felt inclined. Curving her lips into a smile, she rose and said, "Since you're aware of my illustrious family background, you ought to know your place."

Liang Yan'er hated her haughty demeanor the most. "What good is an illustrious family? There are countless examples of centuries-old clans collapsing in a day. Do you think the Shen family is an exception?"

*Smack!* Without warning, Shen Qingci slapped Liang Yan'er hard across the face. Liang Yan'er stumbled sideways, and when she turned back, her eyes blazed with venomous resentment.

"How dare you hit me!"

Shen Qingci looked at her coldly. "How dare you speak such insolence?"

Liang Yan'er was momentarily stunned by her imposing presence, then her gaze turned icy and grim. "The Emperor dotes on me so much. If he finds out you pushed me into the lake, what do you think he'll do?"

With that, she turned and leaped into the lake. Her two palace maids on the shore screamed in panic, crying, "Your Highness!" and "Help!"

Ruo Hua and Bi Hua stood frozen, terrified. With only the few of them nearby, even if they testified later, their words wouldn't be believed if Liang Yan'er insisted Empress Shen pushed her.

As eunuchs and palace maids rushed over at the commotion, Shen Qingci remained unruffled and said coolly, "Since Noble Consort Liang enjoys diving so much, let her stay in the lake a while longer. Bi Hua."

Hesitating for a moment, Bi Hua glanced at Shen Qingci, then plunged into the water. She pushed the struggling Liang Yan'er back under each time she surfaced, releasing her only to push her down again. After several rounds, Liang Yan'er was finally frightened.

By the time the swimming eunuchs arrived, Bi Hua helped pull Liang Yan'er out. The Emperor, having heard the news, hurried over and immediately scooped Liang Yan'er into his arms. She was too terrified to speak a word.

"Summon the imperial physician!" the Emperor bellowed, his furious gaze meeting Shen Qingci's calm one.

＊＊

When the Emperor stormed into Fengqi Palace (Phoenix Roost Palace), Shen Qingci was sitting serenely by the window reading. Hearing the noise, she looked up and met his dark, stormy eyes. Setting the book aside, she rose and curtsied.

"Yan'er says you hit her and pushed her into the water. Is this true?" The Emperor's tone was icy, devoid of warmth.

Shen Qingci replied frankly, "I did indeed slap Noble Consort."

"Why?" The Emperor frowned deeply, his eyes fixed intently on her. "I hope Empress Shen can give me a reasonable explanation." He stared at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes that even he didn't notice.

Shen Qingci met his gaze squarely and said solemnly, "Because Noble Consort spoke curses against the Shen family."

"The Shen family? Because of the Shen family?" The hope in his eyes shattered completely, replaced by visible rage. He suddenly let out a scornful laugh. "So it was because of the Shen family!"

"What else could it be?" Shen Qingci retorted.

A sharp pain pierced his heart. The Emperor fell silent, his face livid. "And pushing her into the water? Was that also because of the Shen family?"

Shen Qingci said, "She jumped in herself, wanting to prove to me that she matters more to you."

The Emperor's expression tightened, his eyes never leaving her. "And having Bi Hua hold her underwater—was that voluntary too?"

Shen Qingci replied, "Noble Consort Liang slandered Empress Shen first. I merely gave her a minor punishment as a warning—what of it?"

She looked up at him, emotions seeming to flicker in her eyes, her fingers clenched tightly as if wrestling with herself, fighting to stay composed.

The Emperor's gaze gradually turned cold. "Yan'er is still young and prone to mischief. Empress Shen has always been magnanimous and has already punished her. I trust you won't hold it against her further. I hope this matter is dropped here."

Though Shen Qingci had expected this outcome, hearing him say it aloud still made her heart sink. In the past, he would never have let it slide so easily. Liang Yan'er had truly found a place in his heart. After a long pause, she softly said, "As you command."

The Emperor turned and left. Initially, he had drawn close to the Liang family out of apprehension about the Shen family's power. But as he grew increasingly intimate with Liang Yan'er without seeing any jealousy or resentment from Shen Qingci, it was as if he was testing himself, and things spiraled out of control.

After this incident, his favor toward Noble Consort Liang became even more overt. Rewards flowed like water, as if he wanted the whole world to see. Yet, on important occasions, he still maintained Empress Shen's dignity.

They were stuck in a strange whirlpool of relations.

He had thought Shen Qingci simply didn't sweat the small stuff. But when he saw her furious reaction upon learning that Shen Jichen had been ensnared in a romantic scheme, he realized that she, too, could lose her composure when someone she cared about was involved.

That night, unable to restrain himself any longer, he went to Fengqi Palace. Embracing Shen Qingci with wine-laden breath, he held her tightly, angry and helpless as he demanded, "You don't care about me, do you? It doesn't matter to you which woman I'm with, does it?"

"When you married me, was it because you loved me, or was it just a political marriage? Have you ever cherished me as your husband the way Yan'er does?"

Shen Qingci was perfectly clear-headed. "You are my husband and also the Emperor. Naturally, I respect and love you."

Suddenly, he gripped her chin. "Do you know how much I hate this calmness of yours? It's as if it wouldn't matter to you even if I weren't the Emperor!" With that, he kissed her fiercely, not letting her say another word he didn't want to hear.

That night, he was feverish in his demands. She timed her fertile window, angering him that night as she had hoped.

A month later, Empress Shen was confirmed to be with child. Gently stroking her belly, she smiled faintly. Romance fades, but an heir secures her position. In the past, when the Emperor loved and protected her, she hadn't lost herself in it. Now that his love had faded and become impure, she could face it calmly. She was Empress Shen, backed by the Shen family, Shen Jichen, and the Wei family. Now, carrying the Emperor's child, no one could shake her position.

What she had always wanted was never a man's love. The Emperor was right—no matter who became emperor, she would love and respect him because she was a daughter of the Shen family. What she sought was exalted status and the consolidation of the Shen family's prestige.

But the Emperor would never know that she had once truly loved him, back when he promised to protect her for a lifetime. It was just that he had betrayed her first, so she gave up on him too.

At that moment, Ruo Hua entered joyfully. "Your Highness, Miss Yue (Rong Rong) has come to pay her respects."

A heartfelt smile spread across Shen Qingci's face. "Rong Rong is here? Please, show her in quickly."

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*Author's note:* This is the state of the Imperial couple's relationship. The Emperor does love Empress Shen, but it's no longer pure. Empress Shen has always been clear-headed—what she wants is her rank as Empress, to love only her family, and by extension, to care for Rong Rong.