funbook-pk Chapter 180: Hatred
Chapter 180: Hatred
Inside the Mingde Hall, Emperor Yu sat high on the dragon throne.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
"Your subject has a memorial to present."
A minister stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Empress has been without a ruler for many years. In order to secure the country, a virtuous Empress should be established.”
Emperor Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, "Does my esteemed mother think any of the concubines in the harem is worthy of being the empress?"
"A mother's status rises with her son's; the birth mother of the Crown Prince should become the Empress."
His expression beneath the crown was indistinct, and his tone betrayed no emotion. "What does the Crown Prince think?"
Crown Prince Xiao Chen, who was observing the proceedings in the palace, was called upon. His expression turned solemn as he stepped forward and replied, "The ceremony for the investiture of the empress cannot be taken lightly. However, the birthday of Empress Kangci is approaching, and there are many internal affairs in the palace. Moreover, the southern expedition is the most important matter at present, and it is not the time to establish an empress."
……
"Snapped--"
The loud slap echoed clearly in the empty Fengming Palace. The outer hall was filled with trembling palace servants, their bodies curled up like quails, their heads wishing they could bury themselves under the solid bricks.
"So it is indeed the blood of the Xiao family that flows in your veins," Consort Liang sneered sarcastically. "You haven't even ascended the throne yet and you're already thinking about eliminating your maternal relatives!"
Xiao Chen turned his head to the side, showing no sign of humiliation or resentment. He seemed nonchalant, as if it were commonplace, and used the tip of his tongue to touch his mouth, which was numb from being hit by his teeth.
"Why is Mother Consort so angry?" Xiao Chen turned his face and curled the corners of his mouth, his upturned phoenix eyes full of indifferent mockery. "For so many years, without an empress, Mother Consort has been managing the harem by holding the Phoenix Seal. When I ascend the throne, you will naturally be the Empress Dowager. What does the empty title of Empress matter now? Do you intend to be buried with Empress Kangci and Father Emperor in the same mausoleum after your death?"
"You beast!" Consort Liang was furious and raised her hand to slap Xiao Chen's face, but the sound of the slap did not ring out again.
Xiao Chen grabbed Consort Liang's wrist and glanced sideways at her palm, which was so close to his. "Mother, please be careful. Such fine nails shouldn't be damaged."
Consort Liang's raised hand was slowly pressed down by an irresistible force. She laughed angrily, "You little beast, you've really grown wings."
Xiao Chen clicked his tongue, "Mother, don't talk about yourself like that, your maternal grandfather and cousin will be unhappy too."
Consort Liang's face turned ashen with anger, as if her sore spot had been touched. "Don't forget how you became the Crown Prince. Without the Liang family, you would be nothing but a piece of trash forever trampled under Xiao Yuan's feet!"
"Your son will always remember that half of the Liang family's blood flows in his veins."
"You!" Liang Qiwu felt disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly upon hearing this.
“Anger damages the liver. Mother, please rest well. Your son takes his leave.”
Xiao Chen took a step back, raised his hand in a respectful bow, and left Fengming Palace without looking back before Consort Liang could speak.
·
Princess's Residence —
Yuan Zhen peeled the eggshell, wrapped the steaming egg in a silk handkerchief, then got up and walked to Xiao Chen's side, gently rolling the egg on his face through the silk handkerchief.
"The Imperial Concubine is probably delirious with anger."
"How often has she been confused?"
Yuan Zhen thought to herself, the Imperial Concubine has plenty of ways to torment people, but she won't show them on her face so that outsiders can see it.
"I'm afraid that what Your Majesty said in court today will be criticized as seeking fame and fortune, being obsequious and unfilial."
"In terms of filial piety, Empress Kangci is the legal mother and should naturally be ranked before the concubines."
Yuan Zhen frowned. "Isn't Your Majesty belittling yourself by saying that?"
Xiao Chen scoffed, "A bloodline filthy, does that make you noble without me saying so?"
After a few moments of silence, Xiao Chen placed his hand on Yuan Zhen's hand and looked up at her. "It's not because of you, A Yin, you're different."
Yuan Zhen twitched the corner of his mouth. "Why did Your Majesty recommend Marquis Wei Yun as the commander-in-chief of the southern expedition?"
“Father has always favored Ning Cuo, and I was just going with the flow, but even so, he still owes me this favor.”
“But Marquis Wei Yun has always been unyielding and loyal only to his father, the Emperor.”
"That's why I recommended him, Father is too suspicious."
Yuan Zhen nodded as if he understood. Doubt breeds discord, and this is how one can seize an opportunity. Even if it fails, it's just a matter of a word, so there's no loss in the end.
"I'm afraid the Duke of Liang will be suspicious."
The current commander of the southern border is the Duke of Liang. If we miss this opportunity, we will inevitably have to divide the power. Perhaps this is exactly what the Emperor intended. The power of maternal relatives is the source of chaos in the country.
Xiao Chen didn't take it to heart. "A branch growing wildly should be pruned. The prosperity of a solitary family is the prosperity of the Liang family. Foreign tribes will surely understand this principle. After all, Mother Consort has no other sons."
The last sentence was undeniably vicious. Yuan Zhen had grown up in Fengming Palace since childhood and knew that the Consort held a prestigious position but was living a life of widowhood. Her only son, Xiao Chen, had conceived a child with her father before entering the palace.
Yuan Zhen pursed her lips. "Brother, you seem to have changed a lot."
Xiao Chen leaned his head against Yuan Zhen, "There's no need to pretend anymore. Don't be afraid, A Yin. Your brother can protect you now."
Yuan Zhen felt as if a poisonous snake was coiling around his fingertips, causing them to tremble slightly. His eyes were dark and unfathomable. The monster that Liang Qiwu had nurtured with hatred for twenty years was finally slowly shedding its human skin.