Chapter 623

First Volume, Chapter 623: The Empress's True Face!

The Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow: "What, are you afraid too?"

Lin Wenwan shook her head again, her eyes revealing a trace of grievance: "Your servant resides deep within the Hou Gong and has no entanglement whatsoever with the interests of Jingdu."

"I merely received a letter stating my Jiapin is critically ill, and my heart is deeply troubled."

Hmph!

The Liang Emperor looked coldly at the Imperial Consort, filled with contempt.

Lin Wenwan had traveled and studied since childhood, then entered the palace directly, having almost no contact with her Jiapin.

Even if old sayings claim blood is thicker than water and grandfather-granddaughter bonds cannot be erased, one should not be so heartbroken over a "stranger."

What schemes Lin Wenwan harbored in her heart—how could the Liang Emperor not know?

The Liang Emperor narrowed his eyes: "Lin Taibao falsely accused loyal subjects and is now temporarily imprisoned in the Dali Temple Prison."

"It's not that I won't allow you to return home to visit; if you leave and something happens to Lin Taibao, won't he be left with not a single relative by his side?"

Lin Wenwan took a handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Your servant is truly torn."

"But the Lin Family values propriety above all; my father once said that when the Jiapin is paramount, a son who cannot return to visit his father must leave it to his granddaughter—your servant—to go in his stead."

"Though Jiapin holds no official title, he has remained utterly loyal to Shedynasty and contributed countless Silver Money."

"If he cannot see his son or grandchildren before he dies, wouldn't that be…"

Before Lin Wenwan could further lament, the Liang Emperor cut her off: "The Lin Family isn't without other descendants besides Lin Taibao."

"Your Eldest Son and Eldest Grandson are both in Jiangnan; as a granddaughter, you needn't trouble yourself so."

Lin Wenwan lightly bit her thin lips, looking pitiful, yet a flash of fury passed through her eyes.

She realized that no matter how hard she pleaded, the Liang Emperor would never let her return to Jiangnan.

Lin Wenwan shifted her tone: "My father has committed grave crimes, and the Dali Temple's trial drags on endlessly."

"As his daughter, I am deeply distressed—I cannot think by day, nor sleep by night."

"I humbly beg Your Majesty's ImperialGrace to permit me to visit him."

Lin Wenwan took a step back voluntarily, shedding tears incessantly; for a high-ranking Imperial Consort of Shedynasty to appear so wretched was truly disgraceful.

Although the Liang Emperor understood Lin Wenwan and knew this woman was almost certainly plotting something.

He still had to nod in agreement.

Lin Wenwan immediately knelt and bowed her head in thanks: "Your servant thanks Your Majesty's ImperialGrace for allowing me to see my father one last time."

Neither the Liang Emperor nor the Chang Princess looked at Lin Wenwan; instead, they exchanged a glance, both simultaneously revealing looks of contempt.

The Liang Emperor waved his hand to dismiss the Imperial Consort, then asked casually.

"Where is Mingyue Princess? Bring her here—I wish to see her."

The Chang Princess replied offhandedly: "She is with the Empress."

Upon hearing this, the Liang Emperor closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and fell silent; no one could guess his thoughts at that moment.

Less than a hundred steps from the Western Flower Hall, outside the Guanyin Temple, incense curled through the air.

Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng, newly arrived at court, stood by the gate, waiting.

Two maidservants of the Empress stood opposite them, eyeing Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng with ill will.

They occasionally burst into stifled laughter, brimming with disdain.

Meanwhile, inside the temple, Li Xiaolan knelt on both knees, hands resting on her thighs, facing the Guanyin Statue, eyes half-closed, devoutly offering prayers.

Before Li Xiaolan stood a woman.

Dressed in a plain black robe, utterly devoid of ornamentation, exuding extreme simplicity.

Her high coiffure held only a single jade hairpin, far from precious.

Her eyebrows were willow-like, her eyes bright, her features gentle yet dignified.

Though her attire was the height of plainness, every gesture radiated a noble dignity that inspired awe.

The Empress gently held a slender incense stick, lighting each offering candle one by one, her movements soft, infinitely patient.

She had repeated this act countless years, countless tens of thousands of times.

Yet each time she lit incense, she did so with utter devotion, never once perfunctory.

Only after lighting all the incense did she raise her hand and gently blow out the incense stick.

She carefully placed the incense stick beside the altar, clasped her hands together, faced the Guanyin Statue, and prayed devoutly.

The entire temple was utterly silent, save for the occasional whisper of wind entering.

Thus passed an unknown length of time, until a soft, elegant voice broke the stillness.

"Enough."

Li Xiaolan slowly opened her eyes to find the Empress kneeling beside her, unseen.

"Mingyue, I have just prayed and fulfilled vows on your behalf; all these years you suffered outside, and every time I think of it, my heart aches."

"The Bodhisattva has protected you—you've finally returned to court; I am deeply relieved."

"From now on, no matter what happens in this palace, you may always come to me."

"Your mother has long passed, leaving you alone and cold; from now on, I shall be your mother."

Li Xiaolan inwardly admired her.

No wonder she was Empress of Heaven—her audacity, her psychological fortitude—even Li Xiaolan could not help but feel ashamed.

The Empress herself had dispatched assassins to kill Li Xiaolan's mother and relentlessly hunted Li Xiaolan ever since.

Now she demanded Li Xiaolan recognize her killer as her mother—and did so without a flicker of shame? Truly a ruthless figure!

Fortunately, these past years beside Qin Cheng Clan, Li Xiaolan had cultivated much.

He said without anger or sorrow: "Thank you, Empress, for your grace. Xiaolan will forever remember and be deeply grateful."

The Empress softly reminded: "The Emperor has already granted you a title; from now on, you are Mingyue Princess."

"There are many taboos in Gong Zhong—you may not understand them."

"Except for the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, myself, and the Imperial Consort, no one may address you by your given name."

"Even the closest of kin may call you only Mingyue."

"This is the authority of the Beixi County War Hero—do not challenge it."

Li Xiaolan had no interest in the identity of "Mingyue Princess."

She was once the third daughter of the Qin Family; she is now, and will always be—she would never confuse closeness and distance just because she regained her princess status.

Over these years, if not for the Qin Family members' fierce protection, she would surely have been dead in the Empress's hands long ago.

Li Xiaolan slowly turned, gazing at the Empress's calm, elegant, and gentle face; after much hesitation, she spoke softly.

"The Emperor granted me the characters 'Mingyue,' intending that their light illuminate the mountains and rivers, leaving no evil to hide."

"I wonder—can this tiny glimmer of Rice Grains light reach into your heart, Mother Empress?"

The Empress smiled softly; neither her mood nor her expression stirred the slightest bit—she remained as steady as a rock.

She answered as casually as if chatting over family tea.

"We are one family—why speak as if we were two?"

"If you wish to know, simply tell me, and I shall satisfy you. There is no need to reveal such petty thoughts."

"When I killed your Imperial Consort and sent Wei Xiao to pursue you ever since, it was not because I am cruel."

"Blame only your Imperial Consort—for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and seeing what she should never have seen."