Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Mei Shuang listened in fear, nearly collapsing to the ground, and exclaimed, "They, they..."
Yun Kong replied coldly, "Back in Jiangnan, you went to great lengths to avoid me just to not see him. Now you are acting this way again; is he really that detestable?"
"He?" Mei Shuang was momentarily confused but quickly realized who Yun Kong was referring to. She lowered her gaze and after a long pause said softly, "What I am doing is unfair to him, but I am also... left with no choice..."
This statement shocked not only Yun Kong, who found it hard to believe, but even Xiao Luo, who had been standing at the door for a long time, was furious.
If things had gone just a bit differently today, he would have truly had to part ways with her forever.
Thinking of this made him want to burst through the door and give this foolish, self-righteous woman a good slap.
However, he held back because he wanted to hear her true feelings.
"How is it that you have no choice? He is the child's biological father; is he not more approachable than someone you meet on the street?" Yun Kong asked.
Silence.
Just as Xiao Luo was becoming impatient, Mei Shuang finally spoke up. Her voice was low, but every word was clear.
"If he were not the Emperor of the Great Qin Empire, I would not act this way. But he is. Both of these children are boys born into royalty; as princes, they are destined to compete for the throne in the future. The Emperor has many consorts, which means there will be many children. So perhaps it’s not just between them as brothers; they will also have to compete with other children... Just thinking about this keeps me awake at night. Although they are all the Emperor's children, he may not treat them equally in the future. Today he says my children are important, but who can guarantee that will last a lifetime? Since coming here, I have deeply realized this..."
Taking a long breath, Mei Shuang continued softly, "The former Emperor had so many children; not all of them ended well. Moreover, even half-brothers can kill each other for the throne. With so many children from the Emperor in the future... honestly, I find it terrifying. I would rather my two children lead simple lives than have them develop animosity between brothers in the future... As their mother, what I am doing is merely planning for their future and ensuring their safety."
"Competing for the throne? Ha! You really think far ahead."
Regarding Mei Shuang's "foresight," Yun Kong was quite dismissive. "The things you mention are difficult; you think the palace is complicated and that keeping your distance makes it safer. But now you see that the outside world is as peaceful as you imagined?! Raising two children alone as an orphaned mother—do you know how hard that is? You say you can keep them safe; look at how young they are and already facing such disasters! In the future, if something like this happens again, can you guarantee their safety? Moreover, they are not ordinary children; they are of royal blood and heirs to the Great Qin Empire! How could you be so foolish?"
By the end of his statement, Yun Kong, usually gentle in demeanor, had taken on a sharper tone.
Mei Shuang hung her head, feeling dejected and speechless.
After a moment of silence, Yun Kong softened his tone and changed the subject, "Do you like the Emperor?"
Mei Shuang looked into Yun Kong's dark eyes and suddenly teased, "Why would a monk ask about worldly matters?"
Yun Kong did not respond, only gazing intently at Mei Shuang.
Mei Shuang's smile froze, her brows slightly furrowing as she turned her gaze to the moon in the sky. Her eyes were deep and contemplative, and after a long sigh, she slowly said, "What good is liking him? He doesn't belong to me alone!"
Her words carried a hint of defiance.
Xiao Luo, listening outside the door, was taken aback.
If such words had come from an ordinary concubine's mouth, it would have been typical jealousy—a serious taboo in the palace that shouldn't even be thought of. He hadn't expected this woman to dare say such a thing. While he had guessed at this sentiment before, hearing Mei Shuang express it so bluntly made his brows gradually furrow.
Yun Kong was both surprised and amused by what he heard. He smiled wryly and said, "Of course he doesn't belong to you alone; he belongs to all the subjects of the realm..."
Mei Shuang suddenly realized that Yun Kong misunderstood her meaning, but his words were indeed true.
"Alas," Mei Shuang withdrew her gaze and sighed deeply.
After a moment of silence, Yun Kong said, "Princess Bilian, your mother wants me to advise you..."
Mei Shuang was taken aback. "What? Princess Bilian... she knows?"
"You simply forgot about her."
Mei Shuang felt a bit embarrassed by Yun Kong's words. Although she believed she had nothing to do with Princess Bilian, theoretically speaking, Princess Bilian was indeed her biological mother. With Yun Kong's reminder, she realized she had completely forgotten about her mother.
"Is she doing well?"
"Since Abbot Qingqin left Cheng En Temple, Princess Bilian has been living there. She's feeling better, but she often worries about you and is afraid of disturbing you..."
"Oh..." Mentioning Abbot Qingqin made Mei Shuang think of Chu Xiruo. "How is Chu Xiruo? Is she alright?"
Outside the door, Xiao Luo felt a stir in her heart; it seemed that Mei Shuang was still concerned.
"Chu Xiruo?" Yun Kong frowned. "She went up the mountain to save you back then and hasn't been seen since..."
"Oh... what about Zhao Prince?"
"Him? He was pardoned by the emperor and remains the same Zhao Prince as before..."
"My goodness, the emperor doesn't hate him?" Mei Shuang was somewhat astonished. "You have to know that Zhao Prince must be aware of Nangong Mo Yi's situation..."
"So what? The emperor, remembering they are brothers, ultimately spared Nangong Mo Yi's life..."
Seeing Mei Shuang's distant expression, Yun Kong knew she was lost in thought again. The topic was drifting further away from what they were supposed to discuss tonight. Just then, Xiang Cao entered from outside and said to Yun Kong, "Young Master, a guest has arrived. Please come with Miss."
Mei Shuang instinctively thought it was Xiao Luo and quickly turned to go inside, but Yun Kong stopped her. "It's not him; what are you afraid of?"
Mei Shuang thought to herself, I'm not just afraid; I'm very afraid! After narrowly escaping this time, she couldn't imagine how furious Xiao Luo would be regarding her disappearance.
Since Yun Kong said it wasn't Xiao Luo, she felt slightly relieved. Although she was reluctant to go, she couldn't refuse the face of her savior. So, while guessing who it might be, she pondered how to speak when they met.
As she stepped outside and turned a few corners, she arrived at an exquisitely designed Zen Temple.
When she saw Aunt Yu coming out to greet her, Mei Shuang's heart sank. Oh no, it was the Empress Dowager!
Mei Shuang broke into a cold sweat. The reason she had let Xiao Luo go was that the Empress Dowager wanted her to bring the child into the palace. What was she going to do now?
Just thinking about the sharp features and piercing gaze of the Empress Dowager made Mei Shuang's legs feel weak with anxiety.
"Miss Mei Shuang has arrived?" Seeing Mei Shuang's unnatural expression, Aunt Yu understood immediately but maintained a gentle demeanor, speaking in her usual tone. "The Empress Dowager is inside; please go in."
Mei Shuang's heart raced as she forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Aunt Yu..."
Aunt Yu turned and lifted the curtain. The Empress Dowager Mingxi was kneeling respectfully on the ground, hands clasped together, quietly reciting sutras in front of the Buddha in the Buddha Hall.
Mei Shuang stood behind her, not daring to interrupt, simply watching in a daze.
After what felt like an eternity, when Empress Dowager Mingxi finished her recitation, Aunt Yu helped her up and softly said, "Miss Mei Shuang has arrived."
Empress Dowager Mingxi turned around and, once seated properly, finally lifted her eyelids to look at Mei Shuang.
That gaze was as cold as ice, piercing to the bone. Mei Shuang's legs buckled, and she lowered her eyes to kneel. "Mei Shuang pays respects to the Empress Dowager..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi let out a slight huff, took a sip of tea from Aunt Yu before speaking coldly with a hint of mockery in her voice. "You still have the face to call me 'Empress Dowager'? It is I who should be calling you 'Empress Dowager'..."
Mei Shuang was taken aback. "Mei Shuang would never dare to be presumptuous!"
Empress Dowager Mingxi stared at Mei Shuang's bewildered face, took a deep breath, and coldly replied, "Dare not be presumptuous? I see you are far too bold! You take matters into your own hands, disregarding my wishes and the Emperor's face. Not only do you defy my orders, but you also dare to run away with the Emperor's child! Mei Shuang, I summoned you here to see how many heads you have grown on your neck!"
Mei Shuang began to sweat at her temples.
Empress Dowager Although she did not show anger, the more she acted this way, the more it instilled fear. The calm before a storm was probably just like this.
After a pause, Empress Dowager Mingxi said coldly, "I ask you, how is life outside?"
Mei Shuang lowered her gaze, not daring to respond.
"From your appearance, it seems it is not good?" Empress Dowager Mingxi's phoenix eyes gradually filled with anger. "You refuse to be the Empress of the Great Qin Empire, willingly suffering among the common people. Do you think you are so great? Do you think that just because no one recognizes you among the common folk, you will live peacefully to old age? Hmph, I can tell you that any place with people is equally complicated and treacherous. Except for the Western Paradise, it is all the same. The difference lies in whether you have the ability to navigate through complexity and danger!"
Empress Dowager Mingxi's words struck like a wake-up call, causing Mei Shuang's heart to tremble as she involuntarily raised her head.
"Do you know the pain of royal blood being lost among the common people?" Empress Dowager Mingxi looked at Mei Shuang, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Chu Xiruo is an example... Regardless of how Chu Xiruo ended up among the commoners, her mother had no status, and thus Chu Xiruo could only rely on others. Since you do not want a status, then her mother Qingqin is the same; your children will face the same fate. Either you raise them alone until old age, and when they become aware and ask about their father, you can only shake your head, letting them live a life filled with inferiority from having no father; or you find them a nominal father like Chu Xiruo, living under someone else's roof... Which of these two outcomes do you think is better?"
Mei Shuang was completely shocked!
"I must also tell you that this time your narrow escape was entirely due to divine favor. Do you know who wants to harm you? It is Consort Chen, the most powerful concubine in the harem..."
Mei Shuang was horrified and astonished. "Consort Chen?! How does she know?"
Comment 0 Comment Count