Chapter 127: The Death of the Empress

Proofreader : Mim

 

This year, the celebrations in the palace were restrained, far from the usual grand and lively affairs. Especially after Chu Jinyao heard that the emperor was being escorted back to the capital by Prince Su, her heart was even less inclined to celebrate.

 

Of course, Qin Yi had arranged for someone to greet the emperor at Juyong Pass. It was out of the question for Qin Yi to have the ceremonial entourage meet the emperor at the Wara camp, so aside from the officials sent to negotiate peace, only a small group was dispatched to escort the emperor. A military force was stationed at a distance to protect them, and once the emperor entered the borders of the Great Yan, the imperial entourage would resume.

 

However, no one expected Prince Su to personally appear outside the pass, pretending to greet the emperor, naturally taking charge and escorting him back with Prince Su’s soldiers, marching high-profile all the way to the capital.

 

This was all too obvious—his desire to claim credit was disgustingly transparent.

 

Thinking about this, Chu Jinyao could only sigh inwardly. If the emperor had any understanding of the situation, he would realize that Qin Yi’s refusal to let the Wara escort the emperor back to the capital, as well as his rejection of their insincere peace talks, was all for the good of the country and the emperor. If the emperor wanted to think, he would understand Qin Yi’s reasoning.

 

But Chu Jinyao doubted the emperor would reflect on it. If he had the capacity to think deeply, he wouldn’t have been captured by the Wara in the first place.

 

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became, so Chu Jinyao pushed the matter out of her mind and focused wholeheartedly on managing the release of palace maids from the palace.

 

In this dynasty, to prevent political interference from the harem, all palace maids were selected from the common people. Every three years, many young and beautiful girls would be chosen through rigorous screening, say goodbye to their families, and enter the grand and closed Imperial Palace. Though surrounded by red bricks, green tiles, and towering palaces, none of it had anything to do with them. They entered the palace in their prime and, from then on, could never leave.

 

Palace maids could only enter and not leave. Even though the inner court was dark and brutal, with many dying without reason each year, the number of palace maids kept growing year after year. By now, there were over 9,000 palace maids in the harem alone, not even counting the vast number of eunuchs.

 

This system not only exploited the palace maids but also drained the state treasury. The annual expenditure on the harem was a terrifying figure. The recent crisis in the capital provided the perfect opportunity for Qin Yi to propose, in an official and justified manner, the release of some palace servants. Chu Jinyao was willing to take on the responsibility of overseeing the process, painstakingly sorting through who truly needed to be released.

 

After investigating for several days, Chu Jinyao gradually let the news of the release spread. Initially, no one believed it, and everyone waited to see what would happen. But as time went on, and they saw that Chu Jinyao was serious, more and more people came forward to request their release.

 

Chu Jinyao instructed Linglong, “Be sure to carefully verify the register. Make sure to confirm the origin and age of those receiving their release funds—no one should be allowed to impersonate others.”

 

Linglong bowed, “Understood, Your Highness. The first group of released palace maids is about to leave, and they wish to come and kowtow to you in gratitude.”

 

Chu Jinyao looked outside. Through the blurry window paper, she could vaguely see the thin and fragile figures. She shook her head, “There’s no need. The release of the palace maids is His Highness’s decision. If they truly wish to show their gratitude, they should live well in the future and contribute to this country—that would be the best thanks.”

 

Linglong half-knelt and then left to carry out the order. As Momo Hong entered, she happened to see a group of palace maids leaving. Their expressions were a mixture of anxiety and joy, but all shared a sense of relief. Seeing this, Momo Hong couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.

 

She recalled her own entrance into the palace, feeling just as anxious yet excited. But over time, the cruel and rigid palace life had gradually worn down her spirit and energy until her past self was completely unrecognizable. So many years had passed that Momo Hong could barely remember what the outside world looked like. What had become of the world beyond these red walls?

 

All the riches and glory within the palace—what did it have to do with her? That was the fortune of the imperial consorts, not theirs. It had been so long that Momo Hong could hardly recall whether there had been a stream flowing in front of her childhood home.

 

Through a half-opened window, Jiegeng noticed Momo Hong and called out, “Momo Hong, are you here? Come on in!”

 

Momo Hong wiped her hands on her dress and quietly entered the main hall, bowing to Chu Jinyao. “Greetings, Your Highness. May you live long and well.”

 

“Momo Hong, I called for you today because I wanted to ask about your plans to leave the palace,” Chu Jinyao said, smiling slightly. “I promised you earlier, and now, with His Highness’s support, I can make it happen. Do you have any plans to leave?”

 

Momo Hong was taken aback, staring blankly for a long moment as the world seemed to spin around her. When she finally regained her senses, she saw all the maidservants smiling at her.

 

Realizing what was happening, Momo Hong hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, “Thank you, Your Highness!”

 

“There’s no need for thanks,” Chu Jinyao replied with a smile. “As we agreed before, do you plan to go to the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion to help educate my sister and nieces, or do you prefer to stay at the estate in the suburbs of the capital?”

 

The suddenness of it all overwhelmed Momo Hong, and she felt dizzy. She steadied herself and said, “Your Highness, allow this old servant to think it over and give you an answer tomorrow.”

 

Chu Jinyao smiled and nodded, “There’s no rush, Momo. Leaving the palace is a big decision, and you should consider it carefully. With the emperor and Prince Su arriving in the capital in the next couple of days, things will get busy, and the release of the palace maids may be postponed a bit. Take this time to think it through.”

 

Momo Hong thanked her again before leaving the hall. Once outside, she noticed how bright the sun was that day and how the sky was clear and high, a pure blue that lifted her spirits.

 

The news that the emperor would return in two days quietly spread through the palace, and even Empress Xiao Qi, who had been confined for some time, heard it. When she heard that the emperor was returning, her eyes, which had long since lost the ability to cry, suddenly filled with tears.

 

“The emperor…” Empress Xiao Qi’s tears fell like raindrops, her eyes lighting up for the first time in ages. Instinctively, she wanted to call for someone to help her dress. She called out several times, but no one answered. Anger flared within her—how dare they neglect her now that the emperor was coming back? The temper she had developed as the emperor’s favored empress was suddenly revived, and she stormed outside.

 

But when she stepped outside, she realized it was already completely dark. For days, Empress Xiao Qi had wept by candlelight, not realizing how time had blurred around her. She never imagined that she could sink into such a desolate state. But from now on, this period of darkness and confusion would be over.

 

She called out several more times, and finally, a palace maid hurried over from the back hall. The maid, Qiushuang, bowed and asked, “Your Majesty, what is it you wish to do?”

 

The empress glared at the maid in disgust. “I want to get dressed. Where were you all? It’s only been a few days, and you’ve all forgotten your duties?”

 

“Forgive me,” Qiushuang replied submissively, “It was my negligence. Your Majesty, please wait inside, and I will prepare myself to serve you.”

 

The empress cast a sharp look at Qiushuang before turning back into her inner chambers. Qiushuang had been assigned to Kunning Palace when the empress first entered the palace, and over time, she had risen to the rank of chief maid. However, the empress barely remembered how she had risen, as she hardly paid attention to the lives of her servants.

 

Before long, Qiushuang returned, bringing a pot of tea. She calmly poured the empress a cup, her movements elegant and controlled. The empress had long grown accustomed to this, but as she held the warm porcelain cup, a strange sense of unease crept over her.

 

“Why is this tea only warm?” The empress asked suspiciously. How could Qiushuang have prepared tea and let it cool to this exact temperature in such a short time?

 

Qiushuang’s smile remained unchanged. “Your Majesty, your tea is always kept warm on the stove.”

 

Having been empress for so many years, the empress’s instincts were sharp. Her suspicions flared as she looked out. “Where’s Lanyu? She always handles my food and drink. Why isn’t she here?”

 

Qiushuang sighed softly, her expression taking on a strange smile. “Your Majesty, Lanyu was always loyal to you. Now, she’s already below, waiting to serve you.”

 

The empress froze, turning to look at Qiushuang in shock. Before she could react, her throat was suddenly grabbed, and warm tea was forced down her throat. It burned as it slid down, searing her insides.

 

In the grand Kunning Palace, the sound of a chair crashing to the ground echoed, followed by a scraping noise as if someone’s fingernails were scratching the floor, a grating sound that sent chills down the spine. But before long, the palace returned to its deathly silence.

 

—

 

Momo Hong was blindfolded, her mouth covered, and dragged forward before being pushed roughly to the ground. When she could finally see again, she realized she was in Kunning Palace. Her heart sank—years of survival in the palace told her that she was in grave danger.

 

“Momo Hong, it’s been a while.”

 

Momo Hong struggled to rise and tried to steady herself. “Qiushuang, what does this mean?”

 

“Momo Hong, didn’t the empress instruct you when she sent you over there? Yet it seems you’ve been enjoying yourself so much lately that you’ve forgotten.”

 

Momo Hong’s body trembled. Tomorrow—if she could only make it one more day, she would have given her report to the crown princess and finally be free from this pit. Why did it have to be tonight?

 

She tried to remain calm. “I’ve always followed the empress’s instructions and dared not be careless.”

 

“Good. If that’s the case, the empress is giving you a chance to prove your loyalty.”

 

Momo Hong’s throat was dry as she swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”

 

Qiushuang tossed a small packet of powder at Momo Hong’s feet. “Take this and hide it near the crown princess when you return. If you do it well, the empress will let you leave the palace and reunite with your niece.”

 

Years ago, Momo Hong’s family had suffered during a disaster, and she had only learned much later that all her relatives had perished, leaving her only one surviving niece.

 

That was why she had been so desperate to leave the palace, to find her niece—the last of her kin.

 

But now, as she looked at the unassuming packet of powder before her, Momo Hong couldn’t bring herself to pick it up. “Qiushuang, we owe our lives to the crown prince and the crown princess. The emperor will return in two days, and this…”

 

“Enough talk! Do you want your niece to live or not?”

 

Momo Hong clenched her eyes shut, her face contorted with grief, the anguish of her helplessness written across her features. “Qiushuang, I am loyal to the empress. But tell me, is my niece truly still alive?”

 

“Of course,” Qiushuang replied, raising a brow. “Are you questioning the empress?”

 

“I wouldn’t dare.” Momo Hong bent down, picking up the packet, clutching it tightly in her hand. She stood up, as if to leave, but paused at the door. “Qiushuang, if you were passing a message, you could’ve found a place near Ciqing Palace. Why bring me all the way to Kunning Palace?”

 

Qiushuang’s eyes narrowed. “You talk too much. What does it matter?”

 

Looking at the shadowed figure of Kunning Palace, looming like a beast ready to swallow her whole, Momo Hong suddenly turned and shoved Qiushuang to the ground. Caught off guard, Qiushuang fell hard. Before anyone hiding in the shadows could react, Momo Hong rushed toward a large red pillar, throwing herself against it with all her strength.

 

With a loud crash, Momo Hong’s body slid down the pillar. Qiushuang gasped in horror, covering her mouth. Tentatively, she reached out to check for a pulse, but the instant she felt nothing, she recoiled as if burned. Trembling, she cursed, “Madwoman,” then fled through the back door.

 

—

 

In Bailu Palace, a woman standing before a mirror raised her perfectly arched brows upon hearing the report. “She killed herself?”

 

Qiushuang kept her head low. “Yes.”

 

With a clang, the woman flung her cosmetic box to the ground. The face reflected in the mirror, though well-maintained, twisted into something sinister and malevolent.

 

“Good. She didn’t live in vain if she could figure out my plan,” the woman sneered, her expression growing more and more deranged. “But unfortunately for her, she didn’t know me well enough. When have I ever failed in what I set out to do? Even in death, she won’t stop me.”

 

The Noble Consort Shu rose, her features returning to the gentle, graceful expression that all in the palace recognized. “Prepare my carriage,” she ordered.