Chapter 304: Volume 1, Chapter 304: Quarrel

The Empress Dowager was half-reclining on her bed. Seeing the Emperor enter, for a moment it was hard to say whether she was pleased or nervous. Her eyes fixed on her son, feeling as though she had not seen him in a very long time.

"Your son greets the Empress Dowager." Han Xinglan stepped forward and paid his respects, then studied the Empress Dowager's expression. She did indeed look somewhat weary, and her complexion was not very good either. "How is the Empress Dowager feeling now?"

It was rare for the Empress Dowager to see her son. This son of hers, ever since ascending the throne, had not been as obedient and compliant toward her as before. She knew that without the Late Emperor keeping him in check, he could make his own decisions and was no longer willing to endure anyone's displeasure.

If she had still harbored hope before, then seeing how this son would disappear without a trace every time the two of them quarreled these past few times, he was indeed no longer the son she once knew.

He had become harder to control. She, the Empress Dowager, now had to live according to her son's moods and guess at his thoughts.

"You are busy with court affairs, so why have you come again? The Empress Dowager has nothing serious the matter, just a moment of chest congestion, and it is already much better now." The Empress Dowager had her son sit down and said with a smile.

The Emperor observed the Empress Dowager's demeanor and felt somewhat satisfied. She was not as stubborn as before, which meant certain things would be easier to discuss and negotiate.

"Though court affairs are busy, upon learning you were ill, the Empress immediately had someone report to me. Worried, I hurried over to visit. Knowing you are all right puts my mind at ease," Han Xinglan said.

The Empress Dowager's mouth twitched. Even now he did not forget to put in a good word for the Empress. Just what was it about the Rong woman that had her son so bewitched?

"The Empress has always been thorough in her actions. It is indeed thanks to her hard work." The Empress Dowager spoke with a smile, then looked at Su Ying. "Ying'er, go brew a cup of tea for His Majesty."

Su Ying knew this was her aunt giving her an opportunity, so she immediately nodded and turned toward the tea room.

Once she had left, the Empress Dowager dismissed the attendants around her, then looked at her son and sighed. "What are your intentions, after all? The newcomers in the Hou Gong have been here for so long now, and you won't show any regard for the various families by going to see them at all?"

Han Xinglan had known the Empress Dowager would bring this up. He immediately put on a stern face and said angrily, "Empress Dowager, do you not know? So what if these people send their daughters into the palace? They still oppose Us in the court. Since that is the case, should We, a dignified Emperor, bow our head to ministers? Would that not be the greatest joke in the world?"

The Empress Dowager felt her face burning. Her own elder brother from her maiden family was also opposing her son. For a moment she did not know what to say. Only after a long while did she speak: "Things cannot go on like this forever. There must be some resolution."

Han Xinglan said directly, "Empress Dowager, you want Your Son to give Cousin Su a resolution, don't you?"

The Empress Dowager said nothing, tacitly acknowledging it.

Han Xinglan said sternly, "Then why don't you ask what Chancellor Su has been doing in the court? You once said that he is Your Son's own maternal uncle, that he and Your Son are family. But his current actions show no sign of familial regard. Empress Dowager, Your Son will say something unpleasing to hear: never mind showing favor to Cousin Su, if Uncle continues to act so recklessly, Your Son will not keep enduring it. When that time comes, I hope the Empress Dowager will not blame Your Son for disregarding familial bonds."

"You... what do you want to do?" The Empress Dowager's face went pale as she looked at her son and asked.

Han Xinglan rose to his feet, not even waiting for Su Ying's tea, and looked straight at the Empress Dowager. "That will depend on how far Uncle goes. Furthermore, there is something else Your Son hopes you will remember, Empress Dowager. You are now the Empress Dowager. The more securely Your Son sits on the dragon throne, the more glorious your position as Empress Dowager will be. If even you are of two minds with Your Son, then Your Son will have even fewer scruples. Empress Dowager, rest and recover well. Your Son takes his leave."

The Empress Dowager watched the Emperor turn and stride away. She felt darkness swimming before her eyes and slumped weakly against the soft cushion.

Outside the door, Su Ying was carrying the tea. Seeing His Majesty emerge, she was about to curtsy, but saw His Majesty flick his sleeve and stride away without so much as a glance at her.

Su Ying's heart sank completely. The tray in her hands crashed to the ground, and the splashing tea landed on her, soaking the hem of her lovely skirt.

She had heard every word just now. His Majesty had spoken so loudly — it was meant for her to hear, wasn't it?

Su Ying steadied herself, then stepped through the door. Seeing her aunt leaning dejectedly against the soft cushion, she walked over gently, and tears fell from her eyes in an instant.

The Empress Dowager looked at her niece and sighed. "Ying'er, it is not that your aunt won't help you. You've seen it yourself — His Majesty now has a mind of his own, and yet your father's actions are also... You go back first. Your aunt will rest for a while."

Su Ying took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Aunt, please don't be angry. Taking care of your health is what matters most. As for Father, even if I wished to persuade him, I have no way of getting a message to him now."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand to indicate she understood, then closed her eyes.

Seeing this, Su Ying had no choice but to withdraw slowly.

Once outside the gates of Funing Palace, Su Ying walked back while her mind raced. What was she to do now?

His Majesty had made it plain to her aunt that he would not show her favor entirely because of her father, and that it had nothing to do with the Empress. But how was she to persuade her father now?

Su Ying's relationship with her father was not particularly close. She knew that once he set his mind on something, she was powerless to change it. Was she simply to waste away in the Hou Gong like this?

She was not resigned to it!

But what could she do now to make His Majesty change his mind, to make her father change his mind?

Su Ying found herself unable to change either one's mind, so the only option was to move the person who stood in the way.

Su Ying left with a dark expression. On the other side, Rong Luoge was also investigating the wet nurse matter. Yuan Bao had been investigating for two days straight and finally uncovered a trace of something suspicious.

She had never expected the mole to be not in Dongming Hall but actually in Fengyi Palace. A wave of fear washed over her.

The bought-off wet nurse was brought before her. Rong Luoge looked at her and asked in a low voice, "Will you confess on your own, or shall I have someone make you confess? You had best think of your own child before you speak."

Rong Luoge was not the sort of person who threatened others with their loved ones, but now that this woman had tried to harm her child, she naturally would not hold back.

The wet nurse lay half-collapsed on the ground, her face deathly pale, her forehead covered in cold sweat. At this point she did not even beg for mercy — she knew it was useless.

The charge of plotting against a imperial prince — she could not escape it.

Yuan Bao came in holding a piece of paper and reported to the Empress, "Your Highness, this was left behind when she contacted someone. There is only this one piece; nothing else was found. If this servant had gone any later, even this single piece would have disappeared."

Rong Luoge reached out and took the paper. On it were written a few characters: Act within half a month.

Rong Luoge stared at the wet nurse. "I will ask you only once. If you confess everything honestly, I will ensure your family remains safe and sound. If you refuse to confess, then I will have no choice but to let your family reunite underground."

The wet nurse visibly shuddered at these words, her eyes like dead water. Then, suddenly, she raised her head, scrambled to her feet, and lunged wildly toward the Empress.