Chapter 288: Volume 1, Chapter 288 — You Are Forcing Me

The Empress Dowager's vision went black upon hearing these words. She grabbed the corner of the table fiercely to steady herself. "What did you say?"

Han Xinglan looked at his mother. "Did you truly think I was unaware of what Prime Minister Su has done? I know all about his dealings with the Marquis of Anding. For Mother's sake, I have endured it all along. But if you keep forcing me, Mother, then do not blame me for being ruthless."

The Empress Dowager never imagined that her own son—her own flesh and blood—could say such things!

She knew this was not the time to contend with her son. She immediately softened her tone and spoke sorrowfully, "What are you trying to do? Will you only be happy when you've driven me to my death?"

"Has the Empress Dowager not been forcing me as well?" A trace of impatience had already appeared between Han Xinglan's brows. "Let the past be the past. But if the Su family refuses to repent hereafter, I will not indulge them. This is my final concession. Tell the Su family to conduct themselves well."

The Empress Dowager's body went limp and she fell weakly to the ground. Han Xinglan immediately stepped forward and lifted her up. "You need not perform for me. I will not be fooled like I was as a child. Let it be."

Han Xinglan helped the Empress Dowager sit properly, then turned and strode away.

The Empress Dowager leaned against the soft cushion. Those eyes that had once been shrewd, capable, and forbearing were now clouded and powerless.

As soon as Yan Yin entered and saw the Empress Dowager in such a state, she was startled and immediately wanted to summon the Imperial Physician.

The Empress Dowager stopped her. "No need. I am fine. A rest will do."

Hearing the Empress Dowager say this, Yan Yin hurried over and said, "This servant will help you to the bedchamber to lie down."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "No need. Yan Yin, I truly have raised a good son—ruthless just like his imperial father."

Yan Yin's eyes reddened. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please do not say such things. His Majesty still cares for you very much. Everything in Funing Palace, top to bottom, is well arranged. Without His Majesty's orders, how could it be so thorough? Please do not overthink and distress yourself."

The Empress Dowager listened to Yan Yin's words and gave a cold laugh. Only after a long while did she say, "His devotion to me is not filial piety—it is merely to silence the gossip of the world."

Yan Yin's heart ached deeply. Looking at the Empress Dowager's increasingly aged face, she could not help but say, "Empress Dowager, you have already done enough for the Su family. From now on, you should think more of yourself. There is something this servant has never said, but today I must say it."

The Empress Dowager frowned at Yan Yin. "What do you want to say?"

Yan Yin briefly recounted what Su Ying had done after entering the palace last time, then said, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Virtuous Consort is not as weak and easily bullied as you think. This servant can see that Virtuous Consort's methods are quite formidable. You can rest easier from now on and enjoy your twilight years in peace."

The Empress Dowager took a long while to come to her senses, her face turning green and white—quite a sight. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Yan Yin said softly, "This servant thought that Virtuous Consort is, after all, your own niece. Such matters are not worth mentioning. But what Virtuous Consort did today, this servant truly cannot endure any longer. Forgive this servant for saying something unpleasant—when Virtuous Consort came to tell you all this, was she not pointing to you to step forward and negotiate with His Majesty? Did Virtuous Consort never consider that because of this, you and His Majesty would become estranged as mother and son?"

As she spoke, Yan Yin dropped to her knees with a thud. "Every word from this servant is true. This servant knows these words should not be spoken, but I have followed Your Ladyship for a lifetime. I cannot bear to watch you and His Majesty turn against each other."

Yan Yin cried and prostrated herself on the ground. She had already cast aside all caution. This was the last time she would risk her life to persuade the Empress Dowager. If Her Ladyship still could not take it in, she truly had no other way.

The Empress Dowager stared blankly for a long time, then looked at Yan Yin and said, "Rise. You said it yourself—you have followed me for a lifetime. I know your loyalty. Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Yan Yin stood up and took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

"Yan Yin, is everything you said earlier true?"

Hearing the Empress Dowager's question, Yan Yin's tears nearly fell again. She nodded slightly. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, every word from this servant is true. I personally had someone investigate. This servant swears on my life—if a single word is false, may I meet a bad end."

"Enough, do not say such inauspicious things." The Empress Dowager stopped Yan Yin. "I know everything now. You may withdraw as well. I want to rest."

How could Yan Yin rest easy? "This servant will stay here with you."

The Empress Dowager knew she could not drive her away, so she simply closed her eyes. But though her eyes were closed, her heart could not calm down.

Fine, fine. Su Ying truly was her good niece—quite in the mold of her younger self. Even her own aunt was nothing but a stepping stone to her!

She never expected that when Su Ying entered the palace last time, she had made a deal with Song Huihe right under her nose. She truly hadn't noticed a thing—her own niece, whom she had protected so much, whom she had trusted.

And the result?

This time, she knew that Su Ying told her because she wanted her to step forward and mediate. She felt that for her niece's future and for the glory of the Su family, she indeed should do it.

Only, the premise was that Su Ying had no intention of merely using her as her aunt.

As soon as she closed her eyes, she recalled the year she entered the palace. She too was then at a flower-like age, entering the palace full of hope.

And the result?

His Majesty protected Consort Ming his entire life. She had suffered untold hardships to keep her position as empress. Back then, the Su family had indeed helped her a great deal, which was why she had always supported her maiden family.

She simply hadn't expected her son to loathe the Su family so much. Yes—the Late Emperor had grown increasingly absurd in his later years, treating the Crown Prince very harshly, with every intention of deposing the Crown Prince.

Back then, her brother had indeed done some improper things outside the palace, but that was all in the past. Hadn't the Su family mended its ways afterward?

She simply hadn't expected her son to remember it all along.

The Empress Dowager's head ached endlessly, her brow tightly furrowed.

Yan Yin stood guard to the side. Seeing the Empress Dowager so troubled, she could not help feeling dissatisfied with Miss Su Ying. She clearly knew that the Empress Dowager's health was poor, yet she repeatedly troubled her—could it be that she truly knew nothing?

That was not necessarily so.

Rong Luoge learned of what happened in Funing Palace that very evening—it was Han Xinglan who told her himself.

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge, deep in thought. "What are you thinking?"

Rong Luoge looked at him and said, "I am thinking—is it not too convenient for the concubines of the Hou Gong to communicate with the outside? The slightest stir and they get word of it. This is not a good thing. The rat holes that should be plugged have all been plugged—where else is still unplugged?"

How did Su Ying know about this matter, and know it so clearly?

Han Xinglan listened to her words, thought for a moment, and said, "Tomorrow I shall have Shi An issue an edict: anyone in the Hou Gong who wishes to leave the palace must have a token from Phoenix Ceremony Palace. What do you think?"