TICIEC Chapter 13.1

In the Cining Palace—

Empress Dowager Xue rubbed her brows, a look of helplessness on her face.

“Why is Brother so impulsive? Why is he ordering those ministers to submit memorials?”

“Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty only favors Ning Shi alone, and Xue Jieyu has not yet been able to share the favor. The Duke is also anxious!” Liu Zhen comforted her.

“Ning Shi is nothing but a tool used by the Emperor.” Empress Dowager Xue’s face darkened.

“Brother’s move was too impulsive. He pressured the Emperor, but the Emperor promoted her instead, which made our Xue family even more embarrassed. There is no time to lose. I can’t delay any longer…”

She couldn’t make up her mind to give up power.

But the Emperor made it clear with his actions that if she didn’t back down, he would support Ning Wanyin in her promotion step by step.

“The Emperor has left some room for maneuver. I will withdraw while I am ahead.” Empress Dowager Xue made up her mind and sighed dejectedly.

Liu Zhen was puzzled and said, “Your Majesty, the Emperor is so aggressive. Promoting that Ning Shi is clearly a slap in the face of you and the Duke! There is no room for maneuver.”

“The Emperor didn’t promote her to Jieyu and didn’t let this lowly woman suppress Yan’er’s position. This has saved enough face for our Xue family. If we continue…”

If the stalemate continues, it’s hard to say what will happen.

“Please ask the Emperor to come and tell him that I’m unwell and determined to rest.”

Having made up her mind, Empress Dowager Xue acted decisively.

…

When the Empress Dowager was unwell, the Emperor came to visit her immediately.

Filial piety is a virtue, but sometimes, it is also a shackle. Even the Emperor cannot be unfilial.

“This afternoon, I felt unwell. Perhaps it’s because I’m old and lack energy. From now on, I’ll have your concubines stop bothering me every day.”

Empress Dowager Xue looked weak.

Helian Qi was waiting for this sentence and immediately responded, “Your Majesty’s health is the most important thing. However, the concubines should serve you. Please allow them to come and pay their respects to you on the first and fifteenth day of each month.”

A complicated look flashed across Empress Dowager Xue’s eyes.

If the concubines completely ignore the Empress Dowager, the Emperor will surely be accused of unfilial piety.

He knew when to stop, proactively offering to pay their respects on the first and fifteenth. His actions were truly impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

If her son had possessed Helian Qi’s composure, the throne would never have fallen to an outsider.

“I am deeply gratified by your filial piety.” Empress Dowager Xue said, looking at the Emperor.

“But I have two things I cannot let go of. One is a personal matter. Yan’er is my niece. I am ill and cannot take care of her much. I hope the Emperor will look after her…”

“Your son understands. Don’t worry, Mother,” Helian Qi agreed.

This was as he had expected.

“The other matter is official business. I heard you favor Ning Shi alone. But the most important thing for an emperor is to treat everyone equally. How can you neglect the harem because of her? This woman is a foxy woman who seduces the Emperor and is guilty of a heinous crime! You should not have such a woman in your harem.”

A cold look flashed in Empress Dowager Xue’s eyes.

Helian Qi’s face remained expressionless as he said calmly, “Mother, please calm down. I lost my composure for a moment. Ning Shi is timid and weak, and was only obeying me.”

Empress Dowager Xue was furious.

She felt that Ning Shi was so bold that she herself was not even taken seriously by her. How could she be timid?

The Emperor actually protected a mere Ning Wanyin?

“Does the Emperor intend to make me sick over such a lowly woman?” Empress Dowager Xue asked.

Helian Qi remained calm and composed, “Your Majesty, your words are too harsh. Ning Shi is not worth mentioning. I leave it to you to deal with. But please, tell me about her crimes.”

If the Empress Dowager wants someone dead, wouldn’t it be easy for her to fabricate a charge?

The Emperor obviously didn’t want to hear a reason.

This was a trade-off.

You want to kill Ning Wanyin?

Can.

Then what do you offer in exchange?

The deal between him and the Empress Dowager was that she would give up her power, and he would promote the Xue family, but that did not include giving Ning Wanyin an extra life.

“Ning Shi is very dear to me, and I’m deeply saddened to let her go. But as long as her crimes are proven, I will not show any mercy.”

Helian Qi continued, his face heavy with sorrow.

The implication is: Ning Shi is my treasure!

Kill her? You’ll have to pay more!

 

 

 

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