CHAPTER 439: CHAPTER 407: SO ANGRY MY LIVER HURTS (25TH UPDATE)

Zhaoyi to Talented Lady, with Jieyu and Beauty in between.

After so many years of struggle to climb up, she was suddenly demoted back to the starting point.

Deng Zhaoyi’s vision went black, and she nearly fainted.

Mr. Cui promptly had someone press her philtrum.

When Deng Cairen regained consciousness, she wept uncontrollably, repeatedly proclaiming her realization of her mistake, vowing never to make the same mistake again, and implored Emperor Guangxi to rescind the decision and not strip her of her title.

Emperor Guangxi remained stern-faced, not giving in.

Deng Cairen ultimately did not understand this Emperor.

If he had many offspring, there might have been room for negotiation today, but who was Zhao Xi? Not only the eldest son but one of only two sons of Emperor Guangxi, and clearly the Crown Prince candidate Emperor Guangxi had long considered.

With three thousand beauties in the harem, a few insignificant can easily be dealt with, but if any harm befalls Zhao Xi, it would not only be a loss for the Emperor but also a loss for the Zhao family’s kingdom.

A Zhaoyi without any offspring versus a much-praised and exceptional Prince, whom would the Emperor choose, there’s no need to think about it.

When Deng Zhaoyi understood this logic, she was already in the Cold Palace.

She looked around at the dilapidated palace, helplessly lamenting her disastrous collusion with the Empress, filled with regret.

...

Not long after Deng Zhaoyi was sent to the Cold Palace, Empress Su arrived at Qianqing Palace with Xue Yinhuan.

Already informed by her informants of everything that happened previously at Qianqing Palace, Empress Su cleverly avoided the point that could anger the Emperor, not mentioning the Eldest Prince, just stating that when Deng Cairen wanted to send Xue Yinhuan to the Ministry of Punishment, she happened to pass by and saved the girl.

Deng Cairen was relentless, causing a commotion at Kunning Palace, demanding an explanation from her as Empress. At the time, Xue Yinhuan was injured and unconscious, and she couldn’t make a decision immediately. Now that Deng Cairen is sent to the Cold Palace, Xue Yinhuan’s life is preserved, and she specially brought Xue Yinhuan to express gratitude for the Emperor’s grace.

Her speech was flawless.

At this moment, even if Emperor Guangxi sent someone to investigate, all they would find is that Empress Su saved Xue Yinhuan.

After Empress Su finished speaking, she glanced at Xue Yinhuan, "Aren’t you going to quickly kneel and thank the Emperor for saving your life?"

Still in a daze, Xue Yinhuan knelt down, enduring the sharp pain in her calf, and woodenly thanked the Emperor.

Emperor Guangxi squinted at her, "Are you Consort Qing’s niece?"

Xue Yinhuan nodded, saying yes.

"What are you doing in the palace?"

The Eldest Prince was about to turn fifteen, and many concubines wanted to win favor by trying their luck with Zhao Xi. Several girls had been brought into the palace for this reason in recent days, and Emperor Guangxi wasn’t completely unaware. He previously didn’t intervene, believing in his son’s character, confident he wouldn’t be easily enticed by such women.

But now, with matters escalating to this point, Emperor Guangxi couldn’t help but take precautions.

Xue Yinhuan lowered her head, truthfully replying, "Aunt caught a cold some days ago, so I entered the palace to care for her."

"How convenient," Emperor Guangxi said, "There are several other young ladies your age saying the same thing."

Xue Yinhuan: "..."

For the first time in her life, she understood what it felt like to have a situation worsen with explanation.

While other concubines may have brought family members into the palace with intentions to get close to the Eldest Prince, she truly was in the palace to care for her sick aunt.

She grew up without a mother; her aunt was akin to a birth mother. If one’s "birth mother" is sick, isn’t it right for a daughter to fulfill her duty?

Realizing arguing further wouldn’t benefit her, Xue Yinhuan chose to keep silent.

Emperor Guangxi finished inspecting Xue Yinhuan and then looked at Zhao Xi, "Xixi, what do you think of this Miss Xue?"

Zhao Xi didn’t look at the other, his slender fingers lightly tracing the tea cup, speaking with an air of indifference like casually assessing an item on a shelf, "To have caused such a stir shortly after arriving, the Imperial City is a place where one needs wit to survive; perhaps she isn’t suited."

That tongue was venomous, almost rivaling Song Wei’s.

Most likely, honed by Song Hao.

Emperor Guangxi’s mouth twitched as he glanced at Xue Yinhuan, indeed seeing an awkward expression on her face.

Xue Yinhuan was beyond awkward; she was utterly incensed. Were it not for this being the Imperial City and the other being a prince, she would have definitely had a word or two with him.

So what if she lacked wit? What does it matter to him?

Standing in an awkward manner, Empress Su, upon hearing Emperor Guangxi inquire about the Eldest Prince’s opinion of Xue Yinhuan, tentatively asked, "Is the Emperor planning to choose a consort for the Eldest Prince?"

Emperor Guangxi retorted, "Why, does the Su Family have daughters?"

With the Prime Minister ousted, the political power of the external family crumbled swiftly. Now with subjects like Song Wei and a son like Zhao Xi as his aides, Emperor Guangxi had no need to fear the Su Family. Previously, he maintained a facade of courtesy toward Empress Su, but now he couldn’t even be bothered, directly confronting Empress Su whenever she made improper remarks.

Even though they were husband and wife, with him being the Emperor, whatever he said, Empress Su could only endure silently.

At this moment, she even had to wear a smile, "The Emperor overthinks, my maiden family never intended to send another daughter to the palace."

Emperor Guangxi gave a nod, "At least your family knows their limits."

Empress Su: "... My intention was, if the Eldest Prince is indeed to choose a consort, I hope the Emperor would inform us in advance so the city’s noble families could prepare."

Aside from trial marriage with palace maids, Emperor Guangxi had never intended to choose a bride for Zhao Xi prematurely. His son, whom he had nurtured for so many years, must not stumble over a woman.

Thus, the matter of choosing a bride required special caution, and Emperor Guangxi had not yet made a decision.

"Enough, there’s nothing more for you here, take the people and leave!" Emperor Guangxi waved his hand impatiently.

After making a courtesy gesture, Empress Su withdrew, with Xue Yinhuan following behind her. As they reached the threshold, she suddenly turned her head.

By chance, the young prince looked up, and their eyes met.

Although he didn’t gaze at her for long, quickly turning his attention elsewhere, Xue Yinhuan distinctly saw those eyes, just like those she had seen under the ancient locust tree, cool and indifferent.

She even wondered if this person had no heart, incapable of feeling even towards his kin.

——

Failing to accomplish her task, Xue Yinhuan’s role as a pawn was rendered useless, leading Empress Su to lose patience with her, dismissing her carelessly, "I’ve ordered someone to notify Xianfu Palace; Consort Qing will fetch you soon."

Xue Yinhuan wanted to ask why, despite previously promising not to inform Consort Qing, she now turned against her, but her status didn’t permit her to question the Empress, so she could only softly respond.

Not returning to Kunning Palace with Empress Su, Xue Yinhuan dragged herself along, noting the pain in her leg, and followed in silence.

After taking a few steps, she saw Consort Qing rushing towards her, eyes full of concern. Seeing her struggle to walk, Consort Qing’s heart ached. Seeing her aunt, she lay back down, tuning out her surroundings, as her mind was preoccupied.

The task had failed, and now all she could think about was how her aunt had treated her like a real daughter, and in her illness, wanted her back by her side to fulfill the role of a dutiful daughter, which she wanted to do.

She realized trying to explain would do her no good, so Xue Yinhuan decided to keep silent.

Emperor Guangxi examined her, then turned to Zhao Xi, "Xixi, what do you think of Miss Xue?"

Without glancing at her, Zhao Xi slowly traced the edge of a teacup with his long fingers and replied in an indifferent tone, as if casually appraising some item on a shelf, "If she caused such a stir just days after arriving, perhaps the Imperial City isn’t a place she can survive in for long; she might not be well-suited."

Such a sharp tongue, almost as if honed by Song Hao.

Emperor Guangxi’s lips twitched as he looked at Xue Yinhuan, and indeed he saw a hint of unease on her face.

Xue Yinhuan was more than a little flustered; inside she was furious. Were it not for this being the Imperial City, and were he not a Prince, she might have given him a piece of her mind right then and there.

So what if she doesn’t have the brains? What is it to him?

Empress Su stood awkwardly, hearing Emperor Guangxi ask the Eldest Prince for his opinion on Xue Yinhuan. Tentatively, she inquired, "Is Your Majesty considering selecting a concubine for the Crown Prince?"

Emperor Guangxi retorted, "Does your Su Family have a daughter available?"

With the Prime Minister dismissed and the Zhao Family’s influence diministing, Emperor Guangxi, with loyal officials like Song Wei and his son Zhao Xi by his side, had no need to fear the Su Family. Previously, he had kept up the appearance of courtesy toward Empress Su, but now he didn’t even bother to pretend. Any slightly inappropriate comment from Empress Su was met with a direct rebuke from Emperor Guangxi.

Even as a husband and wife, the man is the Emperor, and whatever he said, Empress Su could only silently endure.

At present, she had to put on a forced smile and reply, "Your Majesty is overthinking it; my family has no intention of sending another daughter into the palace."

Emperor Guangxi responded with a nod, "Your family shows some self-awareness."

Empress Su: "... What I mean is, if the Eldest Prince really is to choose a consort, I would appreciate it if Your Majesty could let the various families in the capital have some advance notice."

Apart from the palace maids for the marriage trial, Emperor Guangxi had not planned on selecting a consort for Prince Zhao Xi in advance. With trusted aides like Song Wei and Zhao Xi, he had no fear of the Su Family. Even in the past, he maintained only a superficial courtesy with Empress Su, and now he didn’t even bother with that. Whenever Empress Su made any inappropriate comments, Emperor Guangxi immediately countered her.

After staying silent, Empress Su was compelled to put on a smile, "Your Majesty, there’s no need for concern; my family never intended to send another daughter into the palace."

"Hmm," replied Emperor Guangxi, "at least your family has the good sense to know that."

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