CHAPTER 513: CHAPTER 377 DHARMA KING INHERITANCE_2

Occasionally along the path, palace maids holding lamps came into view. Their youthful faces, radiant and elegant, glanced curiously at the foreign man passing by. Yet when Chen Yi turned to look at them, the maids quickly averted their eyes, blushing shyly.

Many of the inner court’s palace structures were interconnected by corridors and adorned with carved windows to let in the breeze. This design helped residents escape the summer heat and shelter from the winter chill. Yuan Chun Hall was no exception. Guided by Su Xin, Chen Yi traversed the long corridors, making several turns before arriving at a Buddhist sanctuary.

Jewel-like windows lined with golden frames gleamed. Ambergris burned softly in the incense burner, its fragrance lingering in the air. Within the sanctuary, there was no statue of Buddha; instead, a single hanging painting commanded attention from above. The painting lacked depictions of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, or Arhats, displaying only a vast "卍" symbol suspended in its center.

The plaque above bore the words "Spiritual Platform."

The Empress stood before the painting, hands resting calmly over her abdomen. Hearing a sound behind her, she turned with a gentle smile.

"Family joy, the cheerful bustle—this feels like a true festive New Year," she remarked.

Even as she smiled, Chen Yi dared not lower his guard. Raising the corners of his lips in a forced smile, he replied, "All thanks to Your Majesty."

The Empress approached slowly.

"When it comes to ordinary private feasts in the palace, the concubines fear me utterly. In my presence, they scarcely dare to breathe. But once I grow tired and leave, the festivities grow rowdy and lively. Alas, I have always wished to experience such merriment alongside them, wondering how it feels. Tonight, I finally had a taste of it."

Chen Yi offered her a stiff, insincere grin. "Then... congratulations, Your Majesty."

The Empress countered, "Oh, are you not pleased?"

"Your Majesty’s grace is boundless. The feast was filled with the rarest delicacies. How could I dare not be pleased?" Chen Yi answered slowly.

"Dare not be pleased?" The Empress’s expression carried an enigmatic smile. "Yi’er, do you think I treat you poorly?"

Chen Yi lowered his gaze and said directly, "Your Majesty, let us stop speaking in circles."

The woman, cloaked in her phoenix robe, offered no response. Instead, she turned toward the painting behind her and said, "You think I treat you poorly? Then I am curious to know—how, exactly, have I failed you?"

"I don’t believe so."

"But in your heart, you do," she retorted sharply, suddenly raising her voice.

Chen Yi fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "I wish to discuss serious matters."

The Empress tilted her head slightly, though she did not face him. "And what if this is the serious matter?"

Chen Yi narrowed his eyes.

The Empress appeared lost in emotions unattainable, her phoenix-like gaze shimmering with unsettled sentiments.

She continued, "To me, matters such as leaving the capital and ties to the Tushan Clan are inconsequential. As parents, the marriage arrangements of one’s children are paramount above all else."

These words settled in his ears. Chen Yi responded firmly, "Your Majesty, you act far too willfully."

"With a whole nation and dynasty in my hands, all major affairs of last year resolved cleanly—is acting willfully such a crime?"

The Empress’s voice rose to a crescendo.

"If not willfully, then why assume control of the court in the first place?"

Chen Yi furrowed his brows and countered, "And what of the Great Yu’s dragon veins?"

The sanctuary fell silent after his words dropped.

The Empress turned to face him, her phoenix-like eyes flashing with brief astonishment. Yet surprise gave way to a sly smile as she remarked, "You actually know."

"Whether I know or not makes little difference. What I wish to say is this: The Saint once said, ’Follow your heart’s desires without breaching propriety.’ Allowing the dragon veins to be severed—isn’t that far too reckless?" Chen Yi’s tone hardened.

He hadn’t come to see the Empress for idle musings of familial affection. Not once had he regarded her as a mother, especially considering the poison of the flesh-born relic soup that lingered within his body—that too was courtesy of her hand.

The Empress arched a brow and asked, "You believe disorder in the dragon veins will result in suffering for the common people?"

"Is that not so?"

"No," she replied matter-of-factly. "What harms the people are oppressive governments and burdensome taxes.

I neither build Daoist temples nor Buddhist monasteries. I do not wage wars of excess nor revel in vain glory. Conscription has been lifted time and again under my rule. How many kings throughout history have wantonly exploited the labor of their subjects? I am not among their ranks.

As for taxation, it remains at the fixed rate established under Emperor Wen of Han—one part in thirty. It has remained unchanged for a decade, despite the Lin Party’s attempts to exploit it for their agendas. Were I an emperor, I would be a ruler who preserves stability."

Her final statement landed heavily. Chen Yi looked up sharply.

Though he had suspected as much, hearing the confirmation from her lips stirred great tumult within him.

After prolonged hesitation, Chen Yi ventured, "You aim to become Wu Zhao?"

The Empress did not deny it. "If heaven ordains it, I shall be Zhou Wen."

Her words held nothing back. Zhou Wen had not been the ruler during his lifetime but was posthumously honored after King Wu Ji Fa seized the realm.

The Empress clearly sought to transfer the Great Yu to her own family, orchestrating a peaceful transition as much as possible.

She then smiled, adding, "As for Wu Zhao, I do indeed take some inspiration from her."

Her remark was as close as a public acknowledgment.

These ambitions were not matters for Chen Yi to concern himself with.

After much back-and-forth, Chen Yi spoke bluntly, "Your Majesty, after our last meeting, I had no desire to return to this palace. Meeting you here now is solely for the matter referenced in that note. That—to me—is the real business at hand."

Chen Yi deliberately brought up their previous encounter.

The woman in the phoenix robe betrayed a flicker of gloom in her eyes, a faint ache seeming to grasp her chest.

"Of course I know. But first, I must ask you—will you abide by my arrangement?" she queried.

Chen Yi remained silent.

The Empress had anticipated his plans to leave the capital—it was no surprise. Although he hadn’t yet made preparations like packing silver or personal effects, Min Ning’s premature departure had surely aroused the suspicion of this shrewd and calculating woman. Moreover, knowing full well that she intended to arrange his marriage, he had boldly sought to propose to Little Yin within the Prince Mansion. Joining these clues, her suspicions would naturally crystallize into certainty.

Seeing that Chen Yi had yet to respond, the Empress spoke in a tone laced with inevitability: