Chapter 123: The Deposition of Empress Xiao Qi

Proofreader : Mim

Empress Xiao Qi sat in Kunning Palace, feeling inexplicably restless. She couldn’t bear the unease any longer and stood up, pacing back and forth in agitation.

Ever since the news of the Emperor’s defeat and capture reached her, Empress Xiao Qi felt engulfed by a sense of unreality. How could it be? With such a vast army, so many attendants accompanying him, how could the mighty Yan dynasty possibly be defeated by the barbaric tribes of the north, who live off raw meat and blood? It must be that the soldiers were poorly trained, and those who accompanied the Emperor were cowards—this was the only reason the Emperor suffered such indignity.

 

Living deep within the palace for so long, Empress Xiao Qi didn’t understand, nor could she comprehend, how much importance the officials placed on integrity and honor. Even with the Emperor captured, all Empress Xiao Qi could think of was whether the Emperor would take his frustrations out on her when he returned. It never crossed her mind that she would have to pay for her past words and actions.

 

As the supreme Empress, she believed it was the privilege of her servants and the common people to serve her. Who would dare ask her to take responsibility?

 

After pacing for a few rounds, Empress Xiao Qi felt her mood settle a bit. She sat back down on her opulent golden throne and took a sip of tea. Instantly annoyed, she slammed the cup to the ground. “What is this? It tastes awful!”

 

Qiushuang, her maid, rushed forward, bowing her head. “Your Majesty, this is the ginseng tea you requested. You mentioned feeling heart palpitations this morning, so the imperial physicians prescribed a medicinal tea. The imperial kitchen just sent it over.”

 

“I don’t have the appetite anymore. Remove it all and redo it.”

 

Empress Xiao Qi had a penchant for extravagance, and her habit of ordering something only to grow tired of it moments later was nothing new. The entire palace was accustomed to the Empress’s lavish displays. She was the Empress, the supreme mother of the nation, and such extravagance was expected. As for where the money came from within the palace’s internal affairs, that was none of her concern.

 

Empress Xiao Qi dismissed it without a second thought. But just as she lowered her head, she heard someone from the front say, “At a time like this, the Empress still has the mind to fuss over food and clothing. It truly is an eye-opener.”

 

The maid, Qiushuang, froze for a moment before hastily dropping to her knees. “Your Majesty, it wasn’t me!”

 

Empress Xiao Qi had never been subjected to such disrespect before. Fury flared in her eyes as she scanned the direction of the voice, determined to see who dared to challenge her authority.

 

Standing at the entrance was none other than Chu Jinyao, her expression calm. Despite the Empress’s murderous gaze, Chu Jinyao remained unfazed. “Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”

 

“It’s you.” Empress Xiao Qi narrowed her eyes. She had heard the day before that Chu Jinyao had returned to the palace, and she had even lamented how unfortunate it was that Chu Jinyao hadn’t died outside the palace walls. Still, beyond a couple of snide remarks in her heart, Empress Xiao Qi hadn’t thought much of it. With Chu Jinyao being pregnant, Empress Xiao Qi had assumed she’d be hiding like a mouse from a cat. It never crossed her mind that Chu Jinyao would come to see her voluntarily.

 

“How strange. The Crown Princess was in such a rush to flee the palace a few days ago. And now you dare step into my Kunning Palace?” Empress Xiao Qi sneered, her tone full of disdain. “What do you want?”

 

“Your Majesty overthinks. I don’t particularly wish to see you either. Once I’ve taken what I came for, you’ll be left in peace.”

 

Empress Xiao Qi instinctively sensed something amiss. “What do you mean by that?”

 

Chu Jinyao, too lazy to explain, directly instructed the palace servants behind her, “Retrieve the Phoenix Seal.”

 

Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao Qi stood up in shock. “How dare you! I am the Empress! With no Empress Dowager, I am the noblest person in the palace. Who dares act insolently before me?”

 

Chu Jinyao raised her hand, and a eunuch stepped forward with an imperial edict. “By the Crown Prince’s command: The Empress has improperly interfered in state affairs, conspiring with the Eunuch Liu faction to create chaos and has thus lost the virtue of an Empress, failing to set an example for the Six Palaces. Therefore, the Phoenix Seal is to be confiscated, and the Empress is to be confined to Kunning Palace for self-reflection. No one is allowed to visit.”

 

Empress Xiao Qi was dumbfounded upon hearing this, her eyes widening in disbelief. Once she processed it, she erupted in anger. “I am the Empress! He is merely the Crown Prince! What right does he have to depose me?”

 

“Empress, you seem to have forgotten,” Chu Jinyao said with a sigh, “The Six Divisions are without a leader, and the Crown Prince is now serving as regent. Furthermore, you were the one who urged the Emperor to go on this campaign. Now, with the disaster at Xuanfu, thirty thousand Yan soldiers and over sixty court officials have lost their lives beyond the border. If you don’t take responsibility, how will their spirits rest in peace? How will you quell the anger of the entire nation?”

 

“It was their incompetence that led to defeat. What does that have to do with me?” Empress Xiao Qi still refused to see the fault as hers. She looked at Chu Jinyao with a cold smile. “I know exactly what this is. You and Qin Yi are just using this as an excuse for revenge against me. Let me remind you, I am the Empress, appointed by the Emperor himself. I am your rightful mother-in-law. What you’re doing—detaining me like this—is nothing short of treason, violating the fundamental principles of loyalty and filial piety!”

 

Chu Jinyao had no interest in arguing further. No matter what was said, Empress Xiao Qi would never believe she was at fault. She enjoyed the offerings of the people but never felt responsible for the fate of the nation. While the defeat at Xuanfu might not have been directly her fault, standing in her position and persuading the Emperor to go to war meant she couldn’t simply wash her hands of the disaster.

 

Empress Xiao Qi could only watch as the Phoenix Seal, the symbol of her authority, was forcibly taken. Chu Jinyao checked the seal briefly, then gave a signal for it to be carried away. Standing just outside the palace, Chu Jinyao softly issued another command. Instantly, a group of eunuchs came forward, sealing the windows and doors of Kunning Palace one by one.

 

“What are you doing? Who dares?” Empress Xiao Qi shouted in both shock and rage. But without the Phoenix Seal, her title was little more than a name. She was powerless to resist the real authority within the palace. Helpless, she watched as her palace was sealed off, its previously resplendent halls growing dim and suffocating. With only one door still open, Chu Jinyao looked calmly at Empress Xiao Qi through the fading light. “Empress, you should rest and reflect. The affairs of the Six Palaces and beyond are no longer your concern.”

 

Outside, there was a faint commotion. A young woman was trying to force her way in but was being stopped. She screamed and cursed. Empress Xiao Qi recognized the voice—it was her daughter, the Second Princess, Qin Yan.

 

Ignoring the commotion, Chu Jinyao stood calmly as the heavy palace doors slowly closed, her gaze locked on Empress Xiao Qi ‘s.

 

Empress Xiao Qi ‘s title as Empress was now in name only, and with the accusation of meddling in state affairs, she was nearly deposed. Meddling in state affairs was a far more serious charge than harming the imperial heirs or oppressing the concubines. She was virtually finished. And what would happen to her children—Prince Lu and the Second Princess—now?

 

Empress Xiao Qi could only watch as the grand, heavy doors shut completely. The last trace of Chu Jinyao—a glimpse of her gown—disappeared. With that, even the last sliver of sunlight was shut out.

 

Empress Xiao Qi collapsed to the ground, dazed. “How is this possible? I am the Empress. He’s just the Crown Prince. How could he have the authority to strip me of my power?”

 

Qiushuang approached quietly, kneeling behind Empress Xiao Qi and whispered, “Your Majesty, perhaps it wasn’t overstepping.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“Your servant overheard talk outside. The Inner Court has proposed that the nation cannot go a day without a ruler. They’ve suggested that the Crown Prince ascend to the throne and declare himself Emperor.”

 

Empress Xiao Qi’s jade bracelet shattered to the floor with a sharp crack, the beads scattering across the carpet, rolling into corners where they would never be found again.

 

In the palace, authority had smoothly and decisively shifted to Chu Jinyao’s hands. Meanwhile, in the court, the same discussion was underway.

 

“Your Highness,” an elderly minister began earnestly, bowing deeply. “The nation cannot go a day without its sovereign. Now that His Majesty has been captured by the Wara, the people are restless, and the country faces unprecedented danger. As the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s eldest son, you carry the mandate of heaven and the hopes of the people. You must ascend the throne and stabilize the realm.”

 

The other ministers knelt as well. “We implore Your Highness to ascend the throne!”

 

Qin Yi had presided over the Wenhua Hall for years, but this was the first time he felt truly conflicted.

 

To say he didn’t want the throne would be a lie. If he didn’t want it, why would he have worked so hard for years to solidify his position as Crown Prince? But now that the opportunity was right in front of him, he hesitated.

 

Something was off. He couldn’t quite place it, but his instincts screamed that this wasn’t the right time. Just as General Hu had instinctively sensed something wrong upon seeing Chu Jinmiao, despite all evidence pointing otherwise. Such instincts, honed over years of battles and dangers, alerted him to danger before his rational mind could fully grasp it.

 

Qin Yi resisted what was undoubtedly the greatest temptation of his life. Shaking his head firmly, he said, “The Emperor remains in enemy hands, and the capital is in a precarious state. Now is not the time to focus on matters such as this. The priority is to restore the nation’s dignity, repel the invaders, and bring His Majesty back safely. This issue should not be brought up again. I will not agree to it.”

 

The ministers knelt in unison, pleading that these were extraordinary times and the situation demanded extraordinary measures. They argued Qin Yi could ascend now and hold the formal coronation later. But Qin Yi shook his head again, and as soon as the words left his mouth, his mind felt clearer than it had in days.

Something about all this was very suspicious. He couldn’t take this step.

 

Seeing his unwavering resolve, the ministers exchanged glances but didn’t dare press further. Though the Emperor had been captured, Qin Yi was still the rightful Crown Prince and the de facto ruler. Even the most powerful ministers could not afford to oppose the one who now held the real power.

 

The subject of his ascension was tactfully dropped. Next, one of the ministers brought up the idea of relocating the capital: “Your Highness, the Emperor was misled by treacherous advisors, leading to the destruction of the imperial army and his capture. The capital is defenseless. For the sake of the Crown Prince’s safety and the future of the empire, we should relocate to the old capital of Jinling. Jinling is protected by natural barriers and is home to the granaries of the south. There are also ten thousand troops stationed there, making it the perfect place to rebuild our forces.”

 

As soon as the suggestion was made, others quickly voiced their support. But Qin Yi suppressed his rising anger and said coldly, “The ancestors of our great dynasty made it clear in their edicts: We do not make peace through marriage, pay reparations, cede land, or offer tribute. When our forefathers moved the capital north to Yan, it was to place the Qin family as the first line of defense against foreign invaders. The Son of Heaven must guard the gates of the empire. If we retreat to the south, then we push our borders back to the Yangtze River. This is no different than handing half our territory to the enemy. How could we ever face our people or our ancestors again?”

 

The hall fell silent, the tension thick. No one dared speak. Qin Yi swept his gaze over the ministers and declared, “This talk of relocating the capital ends now. As of this moment, the city is on full alert. Anyone caught attempting to leave without proper orders will be shot on sight. If the city falls, I, my unborn child, and all of you will fall with it.”

The author has something to say: “The mini-boss Empress has been knocked down to critical health, dear players, please continue your efforts!”