Chapter 75: Royal Secrets (Third Update)

This question came unexpectedly, so abruptly that not only Wu Qinglin and Wu Tan were caught off guard, but even the usually unflappable Princess Changyang of Qingyang and Consort Xian Zhao momentarily forgot their fear, involuntarily raising their heads to look at the Emperor.

For a moment, even Consort Xian Zhao felt no joy, only surprise. Princess Changyang, on the other hand, stared wide-eyed, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

So, in the end, the Emperor was still biased toward his daughter? Even with Princess Lin’an’s reputation in such shambles, he still wanted to shift the blame onto the Wu family?

It seemed the Wu family had no such intention, but with this turn of events, all her careful maneuvering had only benefited Consort Xian Zhao and her daughter, granting both women their wish. If that were truly the case, she would be infuriated to death!

Princess Changyang gritted her teeth, barely restraining herself from stepping forward and making a scene before the Emperor.

Wu Qinglin’s heart instinctively tightened at the Emperor’s words. However, since the Emperor had posed it as a question, seeking his opinion, he responded with respectful composure, bowing deeply. “I am grateful for Your Majesty’s favor, but I hail from a family of generals. Since childhood, I have inherited the family’s teachings, knowing that the men of the Wu family must serve the nation on the battlefield to be worthy of the court’s trust and Your Majesty’s regard, and to honor the teachings of our ancestors. Thus, I dare not accept such imperial grace. I beg Your Majesty to allow it.”

Princess Lin’an had not expected the Emperor to question Wu Qinglin so directly in front of everyone, and she grew tense, her heart pounding wildly as she looked over.

Though she knew she was in the center of the storm and her situation dire, Wu Qinglin was her lifeline, and she could not help but feel a flicker of hope.

But Wu Qinglin remained composed, neither servile nor overbearing, his gaze never falling upon her from beginning to end. Though his answer was tactful, his manner and bearing conveyed a clear and decisive refusal.

It was, in truth, the outcome she had anticipated, but to claim she felt no disappointment or sorrow would be a lie.

Princess Lin’an pressed her lips together forcefully, lowering her eyes.

Wu Qinglin continued to stand quietly, eyes lowered in calm.

The Emperor did not immediately comment. Including Empress Jiang, the entire hall fell into a tense silence, everyone anxiously awaiting his reaction.

The Emperor gazed at Wu Qinglin for a long time, so long that Wu Tan beside him began to sweat in her palms, until finally he sighed in apparent compromise and waved his hand. “Enough! I merely spoke in passing. The Wu family has been loyal and courageous for generations, producing rare talents. I cannot bear to waste your abilities by keeping you here in the capital. Consider these words unsaid—let it be.”

It appeared he was yielding to Wu Qinglin’s attitude.

Wu Qinglin said nothing more, bowing again. “Your Majesty’s virtue and generosity are boundless. The Wu family will continue to serve with all our loyalty and devotion to the Great Yin and Your Majesty.”

“I know the character of you and your father. Such words are unnecessary,” the Emperor replied, his manner and tone now wholly restored to calm. After a pause, he added, “Today’s matter concerns my own household and should not have involved you siblings. Forgive me for making you witness such things…”

Before he finished, Wu Tan and Wu Qinglin knelt together.

Wu Qinglin said, “I dare not, Your Majesty overstates.”

The Emperor ignored their protests and continued, “It matters not that you stumbled upon this. I trust the character of the Wu family. Whether today’s events or those from days past, I instruct you both: concerning the reputation of Lin’an, once you leave this palace today, let these troubles be as if they never happened.”

“Yes! I accept Your Majesty’s command!” Wu Qinglin replied, nothing more, simply obeying with respect.

The Emperor waved his hand. “Then you may withdraw for now. I have other household matters to attend.”

“Yes! Your servant and daughter take our leave!” The siblings saluted once more, and Wu Qinglin led Wu Tan in their departure.

Within the great hall, those who remained were as silent as the grave.

Consort Xian Zhao bowed her head, clenching her fists so tightly her nails nearly drew blood.

Wu Qinglin’s refusal, though couched in polite terms, was ultimately a slap in Princess Lin’an’s face—an utter humiliation.

The Emperor’s gaze swept over her head, and without warning, he gave a cold laugh and kicked her. “Put aside those thoughts that have no right to exist!”

He was seated, and not very strong due to his frail health, but Consort Xian Zhao, already terrified, went limp and was knocked to the ground. Panic-stricken, she looked up at him.

The Emperor’s expression had darkened, all trace of the earlier warmth with Wu Qinglin vanished. He ordered Tao Renzhi coldly, “Didn’t you seize that courtesan who sent secret love letters? This whole affair with the princess began with her. Cut out her tongue and hand her to Hu Tianming for public execution by flaying, as a warning to all!”

His tone was not loud, even so calm as to lack any inflection.

Yet everyone in the hall, even Empress Jiang, felt a chill run through their bones, drawing a sharp breath in horror.

Princess Changyang felt a cold sweat down her neck, shrinking back as much as she could.

The Emperor’s punishment for the courtesan was clearly meant as a warning to her. She knew that if she dared provoke his displeasure again, she would be the next to lose her tongue.

The Emperor’s gaze passed over everyone present. “As for the matter of Lin’an, both inside and outside the palace, it ends here. I do not want to hear a single word more about it!”

“Yes!” The palace maids, already trembling, immediately knelt to the floor en masse.

The Emperor’s protection of Princess Lin’an was decisive and thorough—this was the utmost he could do.

Though rumors could be suppressed with power, the harm already done could not be undone.

At length, he turned to Empress Jiang. “Lin’an is my daughter. She has done nothing wrong. Her marriage will be decided by you, her legal mother. Handle it as you see fit.”

The implication was clear: Consort Xian Zhao was not to interfere again.

By now, Consort Xian Zhao was so frightened her heart felt ready to burst, lying pale and silent on the floor.

Princess Lin’an, kneeling at her side, tears brimming in her eyes, hurriedly kowtowed to the Emperor. “Thank you, Father, for your protection!”

“Rise.” The Emperor’s tone toward her was gentle enough; he raised a hand. “All of you, withdraw.”

Princess Changyang was the first to scramble up, barely managing a hasty bow before fleeing the palace.

Princess Lin’an and Lady Zheng helped Consort Xian Zhao to her feet, quickly leaving as well.

The Emperor remained at the main seat, showing no intention of privacy. This time, no one needed instruction; the palace maids all withdrew on their own accord.

The hall could not be left without attendants. Aunt Fang, though remaining to await orders, retreated to the outer hall with downcast eyes.

“Your Majesty, this is my incompetence…” In the now vast and chillingly quiet hall, Empress Jiang rose and knelt before the Emperor to confess her guilt.

Though she was not at fault for any of this, it was a formality, and she had not even finished her words before a heavy slap landed across her face.

Her mind buzzed, barely comprehending why she had been struck when the Emperor suddenly leaned in, gripping her chin to force her head up.

Outside, Aunt Fang’s heart leaped into her throat at the sight. She instinctively took a step forward, but realizing herself, stopped abruptly, bowed her head, and feigned ignorance.

“You are indeed incompetent!” The Emperor bent low, glaring into Empress Jiang’s eyes, his words bitten off with icy fury. “You are the Empress, yet I must manage even the inner palace for you? If you are truly so useless, do tell me directly—I can always find someone else!”

Was this a threat to depose her?

Although she knew it was a warning spoken in anger, Empress Jiang’s heart still lurched. She tried to speak, but under the Emperor’s sinister, murderous gaze, her throat felt blocked, unable to make a sound.

Fortunately, he released her the next moment.

Empress Jiang collapsed weakly to the floor.

“Your Majesty!” Aunt Fang could wait no longer, rushing over to support her.

But the Emperor had already risen and strode out without a backward glance.

Tao Renzhi followed closely, glancing back at the Empress and her maid as he passed, his face impassive, never breaking stride.

Empress Jiang, propped up by one hand, lost all strength once the Emperor left, slumping entirely, her throat dry with feeble breaths.

“Your Majesty, please rise.” Aunt Fang dared not call anyone else for help; gritting her teeth, she did her utmost to help her mistress to a chair, then checked her face. “Are you all right, Your Majesty?”

Since the Emperor’s ascension, the palace had always enjoyed harmony between Emperor and Empress; not once had they even quarreled, let alone come to blows. This was the first time.

Empress Jiang tried to speak but found her throat constricted. She gulped down the cold, strong tea from the table, finally feeling her blocked throat clear.

Her complexion was poor, not from the blow but from humiliation, her cheeks burning red. She gave a cold laugh. “So many years since His Majesty last quarreled with me. Today, all thanks to that wretched Consort Xian, I have gained quite the spectacle.”

Though meant as self-mockery, her eyes were shadowed with such chill that anyone nearby would feel the cold seep into their bones.

Wu Tan and her brother left the Hall of Upright Sun; though they had been guided there by Empress Jiang’s trusted matron, now everyone was too terrified by the Emperor to bother escorting them out. It was the siblings’ first visit, but both were keenly observant—one trip sufficed to memorize the route, so they simply found their way back without troubling the palace staff.

On their way in, hurrying to save time, the matron had led them through the imperial garden.

After walking a while, Wu Tan finally let out a long-held breath, patting her chest.

Wu Qinglin glanced at her, reaching out to smooth her hair. “Frightened?”

“A bit!” Wu Tan made no secret of it. Seeing no one around, she sidled closer to her brother and whispered, “Brother, has His Majesty always been like this? This was my first private audience; before, I only saw him from afar at grand banquets and never felt… Is he always so unpredictable?”

Wu Qinglin smiled slightly, his hand sliding to her back to soothe her. “He’s never been like this before. This is the first time, even for me.”

Wu Tan marveled, “Then the matter with Princess Lin’an must have truly enraged him.”

“Perhaps,” Wu Qinglin replied, pausing before adding, “But it’s probably not just a coincidence. Though I’ve never witnessed it myself, I’ve heard our Emperor’s temperament is not entirely steady.”

“Oh?” Wu Tan grew curious. “How do you mean? Did Father say something?”

Wu Qinglin smiled. “You know Father—he never gossips behind others’ backs. I heard it from Huangfu Qi once, an old story. He says that in his youth, His Majesty was quite mild, but something happened later… You know Prince Xin?”

Wu Tan, though a woman sheltered at home, was not ignorant of court affairs. She nodded. “The Emperor’s half-brother—the one who, ten years ago, was stripped from the imperial register and executed for plotting rebellion?”

“Yes.” Wu Qinglin nodded gravely, his expression rarely so solemn. “The late emperor had a favored consort, the Empress Dowager’s own sister. She entered the palace two years after the Empress Dowager, won the emperor’s favor, and for a time her influence rivaled the then Empress. Her son, Prince Xin, was deeply loved. When His Majesty was Crown Prince, their struggle for succession lasted years, with many underhanded tactics. Around twenty years ago, Prince Xin planted a spy in the Eastern Palace who managed to poison the Crown Prince. The antidote was found, but not before the poison lingered several days, leaving lasting harm…”

Wu Tan, hearing this for the first time, was quietly shocked. “So His Majesty’s poor health is from that event…”

Wu Qinglin nodded. “It’s said that after that, His Majesty’s health was broken, and his temperament changed drastically. For over a decade, until his accession, he was said to be volatile and violent—until Prince Xin and his mother were finally eliminated ten years ago. Eight years ago, the late emperor passed and His Majesty ascended; since then, there have been no more rumors, and everyone says he returned to his former self.”

Recalling the Emperor’s outburst in the Hall of Upright Sun, Wu Tan still felt uneasy. “I can’t help but think his calm all these years is just a façade. Just now…”

Wu Qinglin sighed, his own face clouded with concern. “Perhaps. And just now, something else became clear to me.”

“What is it?” Wu Tan asked, seeing his serious expression.

Wu Qinglin looked at her. “Eight years ago, on the eve of His Majesty’s ascension, the Empress Dowager used the late emperor’s final decree to exile her youngest son, Prince Cheng, from the capital. At the time, rumors swirled about the authenticity of that edict…”

Xiao Yue?

Wu Tan, always cautious, had never liked that man but, as a half-acquaintance, found her interest piqued. She speculated aloud, “It must have been false! The Emperor in a rage is truly terrifying…”

Wu Qinglin chuckled. “At the time, everyone suspected it was His Majesty’s doing, to suppress his own brother. Prince Cheng was only fourteen. If he hadn’t left in defiance and later, by chance, gained acclaim in the army after a surprise attack, no one knows what fate awaited him.”

He had always believed his sister to be clever, and indeed, her insight into affairs was remarkable. If the Emperor’s true nature was so violent, then the Empress Dowager’s edict to banish her youngest son was likely a move to protect him.

Wu Tan, never fond of Xiao Yue, had little interest in his past, but recalling the Emperor’s loss of control, she grew more worried for her brother. “Brother, today…”

Before she could finish, someone called out from afar, “Young Lord Wu!”

The siblings turned in unison.

Some distance down the corridor behind them, Princess Lin’an’s party was just passing. She hurriedly said something to Consort Xian Zhao, then set her aside and quickly descended the steps from a side exit, making her way toward them.

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The Emperor, it seems, is a true fiend, and who would have thought the awe-inspiring imperial uncle turned out to be such a tragic soul—ah, ah, ah!

PS: Wrote quite a lot today, my energy is drained. Tomorrow should be about eight thousand words. Love you all!

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