~ ONCE YOU’VE GOT A WIFE, YOU FORGET YOUR FATHER. ~
Grand Princess Yi De smiled. “Imperial Concubine Qi is the youngest daughter of the Marquis Wei, and also his only daughter. She was cherished from childhood, yet her character is remarkably clear-sighted, free from the common flaws of other young ladies. Though born a woman, she is fond of military strategy and excels in martial arts. Don’t be fooled by her delicate appearance. She can dispatch four or five men in mere moments. Once, she even used her martial skills to help the Emperor fend off an assassin. Though the Emperor never speaks of it, he remembers this debt of gratitude clearly.”
“Such a legendary woman should have lived a very successful life, so why is the situation quite the opposite?”
“It’s a cruel twist of fate. Back then, the powerful families in the court held considerable influence. The Marquis Wei commanded vast military forces, and his support was crucial to maintaining the Emperor’s stability. To solidify this alliance, the Emperor took Imperial Concubine Qi into the Palace. However, she had already been betrothed and had her sweetheart. To prove his loyalty, the Marquis Wei forcibly separated them and sent Imperial Concubine Qi to the Emperor. Though Imperial Concubine Qi never voiced her grievances, a deep-seated resentment has lingered in her heart all these years. Even within the Imperial Harem, she remains detached, as if she has renounced worldly attachments. The Emperor, aware of her emotional burden, has always indulged her.”
Mu Yunyao froze, then realized: “I see. Has Imperial Concubine Qi come to terms with it now?”
Grand Princess Yi De smiled: “Even if she hasn’t, she must consider Yu Wang. As a mother, she would do anything for her child.”
Mu Yunyao sighed inwardly and stepped forward to massage Grand Princess Yi De’s shoulders: “Grandmother, there’s something I must trouble you with.”
“There’s no need for formalities between us. What is it?”
“The Emperor intends to move against the Li family. Yue Wang and I wish to assist him, but during our investigation, we discovered the Li family appears to have ties to the royal house of the Northern Frontier.”
At these words, Grand Princess Yi De abruptly seized Mu Yunyao’s hand, her gaze sharpening to a piercing intensity. “Is this information confirmed?”
“My man is embedded within the Li family and close to Ling Wang. He handles matters with utmost discretion. The intelligence he risked his life to relay should be reliable.”
Grand Princess Yi De narrowed her eyes slightly. “The Li family... they must be eliminated. Yao’er, how do you wish Grandmother to proceed?”
“Matters within the imperial harem are beyond my reach and His Highness Yue Wang’s influence. Therefore, I wish for you to help me thoroughly suppress Imperial Concubine Li. Furthermore, none of Chancellor Li’s sons has produced heirs, and among her daughters, aside from Imperial Concubine Li, none has borne children either. I find this situation highly unusual. The Li family keeps it tightly under wraps, making investigation impossible. I want to ask Grandmother to see if a breakthrough can be found through Imperial Concubine Li.”
Grand Princess Yi De’s phoenix-like eyes darkened: “Rest assured, Yao’er. Leave this matter to me.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.”
“This Li Qingzhou... Yao’er, keep this matter quiet for now. We mustn’t alert the Li family prematurely. They might grow defensive or, cornered, resort to desperate measures. Their cover is too well-laid, and no one knows what hidden schemes lurk behind it. Until we’re certain we can uproot the Li family entirely, we must not raise their suspicions.”
“Rest assured, Grandmother. Yue Wang and I will be vigilant.”
Over the next few days, turmoil swept through the imperial harem.
Imperial Concubine Li’s face was covered in medicinal ointments, yet showed no signs of improvement. The continuous visits from other concubines only heightened her agitation, driving her to report the matter directly to the Emperor.
Upon learning of this, the Concubines fell quiet for a time. But when the Emperor showed no reaction, they grew elated and began visiting the Liuli Palace even more frequently.
After all, the Emperor had only confined Imperial Concubine Li to her quarters, and he hadn’t forbidden anyone from showing concern. In the past, Consort Li had been most fond of putting on airs, demanding that lower-ranking Concubines pay their respects daily. Though she had now fallen from grace and lost her beauty, the rules couldn’t be abandoned, could they?
However, after each of these visits, a large quantity of porcelain would be shattered in Imperial Concubine Li’s Liuli Palace. When Imperial Concubine Qi audited the harem’s expenditures, she discovered this and immediately reported it to the Emperor. The Emperor ordered that more durable porcelain and ornaments be sent to Liuli Palace. Imperial Concubine Qi promptly instructed the Department of Internal Affairs to exchange them for a batch of copper and wooden items to be delivered.
Ling Wang sought an audience with the Emperor on this matter multiple times, but the Emperor consistently avoided him. Even many court officials began distancing themselves from him.
Returning to his residence, Ling Wang, consumed by rage, smashed his study in a dark-faced fury.
Li Qingzhou arrived and, seeing his state, spoke up to console him: “Your Royal Highness, you must remain calm now. Do not let yourself be thrown into disarray.”
“Grandfather, Imperial Father, previously stated that by the New Year, he would begin rejecting candidates for Crown Prince. But look at the situation now, Imperial Mother is in grave danger, and the ministers in the court have largely distanced themselves from me. How can I possibly succeed under these circumstances?”
“I was negligent. I never imagined merely testing Grand Princess Yi De would lead to such severe consequences. Still, Your Royal Highness, do not be overly anxious. Grand Princess Yi De’s influence is vast. Does the Emperor not harbor some displeasure? As for the court ministers, they are mere fence-sitters. They fear the Grand Princess’s power now and keep their distance from us, but once she falls, they will immediately flock to us.”
Ling Wang frowned. “But time is running out. Without evidence of the Grand Princess’s crimes, how can we bring her down?”
“Time is indeed pressing, but the Emperor’s deadline for rejecting the Crown Prince isn’t set in stone.”
“Grandfather, you have a plan?”
“We’re getting closer. You’ll know in a couple of days. Your Royal Highness, please be patient.”
After winter began, the weather turned cold quickly. Within days, a heavy snowfall blanketed the land.
Mu Yunyao and Yue Wang left the Palace for Ni Yun Fang. The wedding dress had been cut and many intricate patterns embroidered. Mu Yunyao wished to stitch the dragon-phoenix motifs herself, hence her frequent daytime excursions outside the Palace.
Yue Wang had been staying in the Palace these past days. After investigating Empress Wei’s death, he felt considerably less burdened by his grievances toward the Emperor. With their father-son relationship mended, the Emperor finally tasted a rare paternal affection from Yue Wang. He summoned him daily for companionship. Learning that Yue Wang would accompany Mu Yunyao outside the Palace, the Emperor grew displeased, venting his grievances to Grand Princess Yi De: “Now that Yue Wang has a wife, he’s forgotten his father.”
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