He was lost in thought when he heard a woman’s voice coming from behind him.
“Young Master Yan, why do you stand here instead of entering?”
Yan Qushan turned around. Upon seeing the visitor, he hurriedly knelt. “Your Majesty, the Empress.”
The Empress possessed a serene and beautiful countenance. Dressed in her phoenix robes, she exuded elegance and nobility, though the string of prayer beads around her wrist added a touch of newfound mercy to her appearance.
Sobs from a woman inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation could be heard intermittently. The Empress sighed, signaled her servants to open the doors, and entered. Yan Qushan followed behind her, kneeling within the hall as well.
He stole a quick glance and saw a woman weeping so piteously that she looked like a pear blossom bathed in rain. Her features were glamorous; she was likely Consort Li.
The anger on Emperor Xiao Li’s face softened slightly the moment he saw the Empress. “Why has the Empress come? Grant her a seat.”
Her palace maid moved to support her, but as the Empress straightened her back, her delicate brows knitted slightly. Seeing this, the Emperor asked, “What is the matter, Empress?”
Before she could speak, her maid spoke up first on her behalf. “Her Majesty knelt in Baohua Temple all night yesterday. It seems she has injured her knees.”
Hearing this, the Emperor’s expression turned to one of heartache. “I know your devotion. Since you are unwell, you should have stayed in your palace to rest. Why come here?”
“I had just left Baohua Temple when I heard about Sister Li’s situation.” She raised her eyes, casting a swift glance at Consort Li, whose makeup was ruined by tears. “Knowing she had done something foolish, I hurried over.”
The Emperor fell silent for a moment before speaking. “She was too presumptuous.”
“I want her to kneel before the Hall of Imperial Favor for three full hours, and I intend to strip her of her rank as Consort,” Xiao Li said through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot.
“Sister Li is young and headstrong. Qi’er,” she paused and gave a light laugh, “he has a proud temperament just like Sister Yan’er. It was merely a clash of words; I did not expect it to escalate into such an incident, causing Qi’er to suffer such a great grievance. Your Majesty is right to punish Sister Li severely.”
Hearing this, Consort Li looked up with an expression of utter disbelief. “Your Majesty!”
The Empress did not look at her. Instead, she changed the subject. “But Qi’er’s temper reminds me of our time at the Prince’s Estate. Sister Yan’er was exceptionally beautiful and talented, so much so that she ignored everyone, unwilling to associate with us short-sighted women.”
“I still remember the time Sister Yan’er had a dispute with Noble Lady Gao. It was only when Your Majesty arrived that weapons were turned into silk gifts.”
“However, Sister Yan’er had a haughty spirit and remained angry. That night, she even,” she suddenly stopped and abruptly knelt. “May Your Majesty appease your anger! I have misspoken!”
The Emperor’s expression was indeed unsightly. He looked at her coldly. “There is no need to mention Shangguan Yan in my presence again.”
“It is my fault.”
The Emperor was clearly recalling past events, his anger peaking. However, his gaze shifted and landed on the aged prayer beads on the Empress’s wrist.
“I remember I gave those to you when you first entered the Prince’s Estate,” he said, his face clearing slightly. “It was not a precious item.”
“What Your Majesty bestows upon me is precious regardless of its value,” the Empress replied with a smile. “Whether it was back at the Prince’s Estate or now in the Palace, as long as I look at this bracelet, I feel as though Your Majesty is by my side.”
The Emperor pondered for a moment. “In the past at the Prince’s Estate, you were indeed wronged.”
“To be able to stay by Your Majesty’s side, I find even bitterness to be sweet.”
The Emperor sighed softly, stood up to help her, and gently caressed her face. “You have the most gentle and honest nature.”
With the Empress’s interruption, much of his anger had dissipated. His tone softened as he said, “Since you and Consort Li are as close as sisters, I shall show mercy. I sentence her to three months of confinement.”
Consort Li was overjoyed. She hurriedly kowtowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!”
After the two women performed their salutations, they exited the hall together. Consort Li followed behind the Empress and was about to call out “Your Majesty,” when her head was snapped to the side by a sharp slap.
Consort Li clutched her cheek, her arrogant demeanor gone, replaced only by desperate kowtowing. “May Your Majesty appease your anger, please appease your anger!”
The Empress looked down at her coldly. “I have supported you to this position; you should know why.”
She reached out and pinched Consort Li’s face, staring at the features that resembled Consort Lan. Her face twisted with hatred. “Useless thing.”
“If you ever require me to clean up your mess again, I will ensure you never see the light of day. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes,” Consort Li replied frantically.
A maid stepped forward to massage the Empress’s palm. Once the Empress’s anger subsided, her face returned to its calm and peaceful state. Supported by the maid, she walked toward the lotus pond and plucked a flower to toy with.
“Is that Yan Qushan the legitimate son of the Marquis of Anding’s former son-in-law, Yan Liang?” the Empress asked, stroking the petals with her jade-like hands.
The maid replied, “Yes. However, he is the legitimate son.”
“Everyone says Yan Liang was foolish to ruin his own future just to elevate his mistress’s son. But as I see it, that is not the case.” The Empress chuckled softly. “That boy is exceptionally clever. If he enters the imperial court in the future, the political landscape will have to change.”
“But he is currently the study partner of the Second Prince. Does Your Majesty mean?”
“The present is the present; the future is the future. He is not entirely loyal to the Second Prince. If he can be used by Hong’er in the future, then Hong’er’s position as Crown Prince will be secured.”
“And if he is unwilling?”
The corners of the Empress’s mouth curled slightly, maintaining her noble and merciful appearance. However, her hand suddenly tightened. Her nail guards pierced the delicate petals, causing the flower’s juices to splatter.
“I have no need for people who do not obey.”
“If he harbors a divided heart, then kill him.”