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墨書 Inktalez
It’s not like that, is it? Since you’ve given up on Miss Mei Shuang, you should just ignore her completely. Who would have thought that while you say one thing, your actions contradict it? Otherwise, how could there be the memorial from Qizhou?
Xiao Luo paused, glancing at Li Gonggong with a half-smile. “Are you saying that I haven’t truly let her go?”
Did that even need to be said? The corner of Li Gonggong’s eye twitched slightly, and he dared not respond.
However, it was better for the Emperor to make his own judgment on this matter.
As soon as he entered the Empress Dowager’s palace, he saw Aunt Yu coming out to greet him. After exchanging pleasantries, Aunt Yu lowered her voice and said, “The Empress Dowager is quite upset about Chu Xiruo. I hope the Emperor can persuade her a bit…”
Aunt Yu’s implication was clear to Xiao Luo; she merely hoped that the mother and son wouldn’t clash over Chu Xiruo.
Xiao Luo nodded and, upon entering the palace, indeed found Empress Dowager Mingxi lost in thought by the window.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the intricately carved window onto the table in the warm chamber, illuminating the sandalwood prayer beads in Empress Dowager Mingxi’s hand with a soft glow.
Hearing footsteps, Empress Dowager Mingxi turned her gaze and said lightly, “You’re here?”
Xiao Luo acknowledged her and sat down before Empress Dowager Mingxi. Aunt Yu quickly served tea and then signaled for all the maidservants to withdraw; it was best for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to converse privately at this moment.
Empress Dowager Mingxi gazed at her son’s serious expression and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
He was becoming increasingly independent, handling matters without consulting her. Ever since he learned about Chu Xiruo’s imprisonment and had visited her multiple times, his visits to her had become less frequent.
Having not seen him for some time now, his demeanor felt colder, making him seem even more distant from her.
Empress Dowager Mingxi decided to get straight to the point. “You know about Chu Xiruo’s situation, don’t you?”
He knew that as the Emperor's son, there were things he should naturally be aware of.
"What does the Empress Dowager refer to?" Xiao Luo asked slowly while savoring his tea.
“......”
Empress Dowager Mingxi suddenly recalled that Xiao Luo had secretly met with Chu Xiruo but had never mentioned it to her. She knew that the two could only pretend to be unaware of each other, as the matter concerning Chu Xiruo was a thorn between mother and son, one that could easily cause both of them pain if not handled carefully.
Empress Dowager Mingxi understood her son's thoughts thoroughly; if he had imprisoned her secretly, she could only comply with his wishes. But now that she had found Chu Xiruo, he surely wouldn't obstruct her again, right?
Thus, since her son had already met with Chu Xiruo, any further interference from her would only serve to hurt both of them. So they both tacitly understood the situation.
However, at this moment, her son's feigned ignorance left Empress Dowager Mingxi momentarily stunned, filled with mixed emotions. She closed her eyes and slowly twirled the prayer beads in her hand.
The atmosphere in the room became somewhat tense; this was the second time since Xiao Luo's wedding that they formally discussed this woman. Yet, it had turned out to be such a scene.
As the sunlight outside gradually faded, when Empress Dowager Mingxi opened her eyes, she found Xiao Luo quietly staring at the tea cup in front of him, lost in thought. The light streaming through the long window cast shadows on his handsome face, which bore a calm expression. His dark eyes concealed any discernible emotion within, save for a hint of coolness that was barely perceptible.
A wave of bitterness rose from deep within her heart, causing her grip on the prayer beads to tighten slightly.
Today, she had to make her son come to a decision.
A trace of imperceptible sharpness flickered in Empress Dowager Mingxi's phoenix eyes, yet her tone remained gentle. "Chu Xiruo is gentle and mild-mannered; I never expected she could also be so ruthless at times..."
As she spoke these words, she narrowed her eyes slightly, observing Xiao Luo's reaction.
Indeed, I am curious to see how you will choose between these two women.
It is well known and beyond doubt that your son has deep feelings for Chu Xiruo. However, his attitude and behavior towards the transformed Mei Shuang have undergone a dramatic change in the eyes of those who know the truth, even if such a transformation is difficult to comprehend.
Well then, today I will observe just how sincere you are towards Shuang'er, or whether, as Shuang'er claims, her value to him far exceeds his feelings for her.
To be honest, when I first heard Mei Shuang openly defy the words of the Emperor of the Great Qin Empire, I was shocked by her boldness and sensitivity.
Words like "being used by the Emperor" are something no other woman in the Great Qin Empire would dare to say besides her.
In truth, Empress Dowager Mingxi had already made plans. Regardless of Xiao Luo's attitude, neither Chu Xiruo nor her mother Qingqin could be allowed to remain in this world. That Qingqin was a thorn in her heart, a painful reminder that she wished to forget. To think that after so many years of being subdued, this person would suddenly emerge to stake everything and fight back.
She would not tolerate it!
However, what disappointed Empress Dowager Mingxi was that although her words were brief, they carried significant weight. Xiao Luo merely raised an eyebrow upon hearing them, fell silent for a moment, and then calmly replied, "Isn't she doing just fine?"
Empress Dowager Mingxi was momentarily stunned before realizing who Xiao Luo meant by "she." It felt like a thorn had pierced her heart, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the prayer beads in her hand.
What an unresolved old flame!
What a lack of concern!
Empress Dowager Mingxi said lightly, "Are you implying that only if Shuang'er encounters misfortune will Chu Xiruo be punished?"
Xiao Luo raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. "She is no one else; she is the daughter of the Former Emperor, isn't she?"
Empress Dowager Mingxi nearly choked on her words. She slammed the Buddhist beads in her hand onto the table, her phoenix eyes filled with gloom. "Ridiculous! As a ruler of a nation, how can you easily trust others? Just because that vile woman, Qingqin, claims that Chu Xiruo is of our royal bloodline? It's truly laughable!"
Xiao Luo remained silent, his face stern.
Empress Dowager Mingxi felt she had overreacted and softened her tone. "If we say that Qingqin from Cheng En Temple and Chu Xiruo are mother and daughter, I might find that plausible. Looking back, they do share some resemblance. But to claim that she is of royal blood? I believe that statement is utterly untrustworthy!"
Silence fell between them.
Xiao Luo raised his gaze and said lightly, "Whether Chu Xiruo is of royal blood can only be clarified by thoroughly investigating the events of that year. You don't intend for me to investigate and then punish them both, do you?"
"Investigate the events of that year?" Empress Dowager Mingxi's pupils constricted slightly, and she felt a wave of disorientation wash over her. Those seemingly distant events suddenly came rushing back to her mind.
In those days, who could have imagined that the Former Emperor, who was so devoted to her, would be captivated by a singer to the point of wanting to bring her into the palace?
To her, the charm and grace that the Former Emperor saw in that woman were nothing more than a feigned allure. All she could do was use her power to prevent future threats and protect her own glory and position.
The name "Qingqin" was one she had bestowed herself; it was also her proud achievement...
Empress Dowager Mingxi knew very well that if they were to investigate Chu Xiruo's origins, they would have to start from those past events—events she was reluctant to revisit.
Her tone became subtly stiff. "The Former Emperor has already passed away; even if we ask him, it would be futile. However, there are ways to verify this in the world. You can conduct a blood test with her; if the blood merges, she is kin; if not, it would be a grave offense against the throne. But right now, that's not what's important. What matters is that she has already plotted against Shuang'er; we cannot guarantee there won't be a second attempt. If she stirs up trouble again in the future, wouldn't Shuang'er be in danger?"
After a pause, she snorted softly. "Both mother and daughter have been meditating before the Buddha; it seems all their efforts were in vain..."
"Weren't they already dead by their own hands?" Xiao Luo asked, gripping the lid of his teacup.
"Suicide?" Empress Dowager Mingxi shook her head. "Twenty years ago, the first time I encountered her, I knew this woman was extraordinary. She appears gentle on the surface, yet possesses a lofty spirit, able to bend and stretch. If she had wanted to end her life, she would have done so twenty years ago. Therefore, she would never take her own life..."
"Why did you treat her that way back then?"
Empress Dowager Mingxi understood what Xiao Luo was referring to. To keep a vibrant young woman in a nunnery, surrounded by the Azure Lamp and Ancient Buddha, allowing time to slowly wear away her youth—how cruel that must be.
"Are you blaming the Empress Dowager for being so heartless?" Empress Dowager Mingxi rose from her seat, changed her posture, and narrowed her phoenix eyes as if reminiscing about the past. After a moment, she spoke lightly, "The Empress Dowager is not someone devoid of humanity... If Qingqin had no ambition, I would have certainly allowed her into the palace. After all, she was a woman your father favored; it would have been unkind of me to treat her too harshly. However, at that time, there were few women by your father's side. Qingqin knew that in the harem, one must bear children to gain favor. To covet my position, she first needed to conceive your father's child and then eliminate you. You were the only prince at that time... I remember you were already this tall."
As she spoke, Empress Dowager Mingxi gestured with her hand. "At the palace's He Huan banquet, princes and several ministers gathered together. Qingqin's dance captivated everyone present. After that day, she frequently approached me; I thought she was trying to please me but did not realize her true intentions lay with you. That day happened to be when Mei Shuang's foster mother entered the palace and drank your bowl of soup; it seems our fates as mother and son ended on that day..."
Seeing the depth of emotion in Xiao Luo's eyes grow darker, Empress Dowager Mingxi forced a bitter smile. "Everyone knows Mei Shuang's mother died of a sudden illness but is unaware of the twists and turns involved. If you hadn't asked today, I wouldn't want to speak of these things; perhaps they would taint my ears. Every time I think of it, I can't sleep well... Everyone believes I was too harsh on Qingqin but doesn't know I didn't go so far as to eradicate her completely; otherwise, how could she be where she is today?"
After speaking, Empress Dowager Mingxi's face turned pale. "I blame myself for being soft-hearted at that moment; it has led her to harm Shuang'er today..."
Xiao Luo set down his teacup gently and said softly, "I will investigate this matter myself and ensure justice is served... If there is nothing else, I still have memorials to review; I will take my leave now..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi watched the bright yellow figure walk out and closed her eyes, gently twisting the prayer beads...
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