Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 71 Empress Xie’s Anger

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Empress Xie’s Anger

In Zhao Yang Palace, Empress Xie angrily smashed quite a few teacups and vases.

Jiang Chuan and Nanny Sun stood silently on the side, as quiet as cicadas in winter. It was their first time seeing the Empress so furious.

Due to her overwhelming rage, the Empress’s delicately made-up face twisted. At this moment, she was no longer the noble Empress but rather a terrifying and fearsome demon, truly frightening.

After breaking several things, Empress Xie’s anger slightly subsided, but her chest continued to heave from indignation.

The Seventh Prince waited until Empress Xie had vented her anger and stopped smashing things before he spoke: "Mother, it’s not worth harming your health over someone like Noble Princess Consort Rong."

At the mention of Noble Princess Consort Rong, Empress Xie’s eyes turned sinister, and her usually gentle and cultured demeanor became vicious and fierce, as if she wanted to devour Noble Princess Consort Rong alive.

"That bitch Yu Wanrong, I will make her life a living hell!" Thinking of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s smug and arrogant look at the celebration banquet, Empress Xie’s rage flared up again. "We absolutely cannot let the daughter of Minister Kong marry Prince Dai as a concubine!"

The Seventh Prince was taken aback at Empress Xie’s words: "Mother, didn’t you previously say you were determined to see this matter through?"

At this moment, Jiang Chuan brought over a cup of cooling tea.

Empress Xie picked up the teacup and, contrary to her usual elegant manner, drank it down in big gulps. As the tea went down, her inner fire diminished further.

"Once Prince Dai marries the daughter of Minister Kong as a concubine, it won’t be long before he replaces Zhao Xuan as the Crown Prince. By then, the Emperor will depose me as Empress and make Noble Princess Consort Rong the Empress." Empress Xie said through gritted teeth, "Prince Dai must never become Crown Prince!"

"Mother, even if Father is eager to make Prince Dai the Crown Prince, Uncle and they will never agree." The Seventh Prince was calmer than Empress Xie, "Uncle and they will certainly disrupt this arranged marriage; we need not intervene."

"That is true." Empress Xie slightly regained her rationality.

"Uncle has already taken action at the celebration banquet."

Upon hearing this, Empress Xie raised an eyebrow in surprise and asked, "What did your uncle do?"

The Seventh Prince had rushed back, seeing Empress Xie in a fit, smashing things, and had not had the chance to tell her about what happened in Chaoyang Palace.

Only now did he carefully recount to Empress Xie the events of the celebration banquet.

After listening, Empress Xie first showed a shocked expression, then quickly broke into a smile.

"Mother, Uncle’s move was brilliant, making Second Brother completely lose face, and sowing discord between Marquis Xuanping and Minister Kong." The Seventh Prince was full of admiration, "Truly worthy of being Uncle."

Empress Xie chuckled lightly: "Your uncle has more tricks up his sleeve than just this. This is nothing." Her tone carried a trace of pride, but she quickly remembered her eldest brother’s support for Zhao Xuan, not her son, and her smile faded.

"Marquis Xuanping cannot compete with Uncle." The Seventh Prince shared Empress Xie’s thoughts, regretfully sighing, "It’s a pity Uncle doesn’t support me."

"Once Zhao Xuan is deposed, your uncle will certainly support you." Empress Xie frowned, her tone somewhat cold, "However, Zhao Xuan can’t be deposed now." If Zhao Xuan were deposed now, then Prince Dai would inevitably become the new Crown Prince, and she as Empress would be replaced by Noble Princess Consort Rong. "You aren’t of age yet; even if Zhao Xuan were deposed, it wouldn’t be your turn."

The Seventh Prince understood: "Mother, rest assured, Uncle will never allow Prince Dai to overshadow the Crown Prince."

"I know, it’s just that I can’t swallow this bitterness." Tonight, Noble Princess Consort Rong humiliated her in front of the other concubines and taunted her, as she is about to be replaced by her as Empress. She had never suffered such humiliation in her life, always in honor, and she must settle that score with Noble Princess Consort Rong.

"Mother, what do you plan to do?"

Empress Xie’s lips curled into a sinister smile: "Naturally, I will make her life difficult."

"Mother, what do you intend to do?"

"I need to think it over." Empress Xie was not impetuous; she knew that Noble Princess Consort Rong was deeply loved by the Emperor. If she acted rashly against her, not only would she fail to deal with Noble Princess Consort Rong, but she would also be blamed by the Emperor.

"Mother, in fact, starting tomorrow, Noble Princess Consort Rong will be embarrassed anyway." The Seventh Prince felt there was no need for Empress Xie to dirty her hands dealing with Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Empress Xie suddenly remembered something and smiled maliciously: "Jiang Chuan, this palace remembers there is a statue of Fertility Guanyin in the storage."

Jiang Chuan respectfully replied: "Yes, Your Majesty, it was specifically requested for you by the old madam."

"Tomorrow morning, you will personally take that statue of Fertility Guanyin to Noble Princess Consort Rong, saying that as the legitimate mother, this palace is very concerned about Prince Dai’s offspring."

Jiang Chuan exclaimed: "Your Majesty, that statue of Fertility Guanyin was specifically requested for you by the old madam; how can it be given to Noble Princess Consort Rong?"

Empress Xie was unconcerned: "This palace has already given birth to Little Jing, and doesn’t need this statue of Fertility Guanyin. However, Prince Dai very much needs it. As the legitimate mother, it is my duty to help Prince Dai extend the lineage of the Imperial Family." As she spoke, her face once more regained the dignified and benevolent expression it usually wore, "Moreover, as Empress, I should assist the Emperor with his worries. How can I stand idly by when the Emperor is concerned about Prince Dai’s offspring?"

The Seventh Prince agreed: "Mother is right."

Jiang Chuan felt a bit distressed over the statue of Fertility Guanyin personally chosen by the old madam, but she understood Empress Xie’s purpose in doing so.

"I will deliver it to Yongxin Palace early tomorrow morning."

"Also, arrange for several Imperial Physicians to visit Prince Dai Mansion early tomorrow morning. Have them carefully check Princess Consort Dai’s pulse." Empress Xie recalled something else, "This palace remembers that the Xie family has a secret recipe for having children; take it to Noble Princess Consort Rong together tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, also giving the secret recipe for having children, isn’t that too generous to Noble Princess Consort Rong?"

"This palace is magnanimous." Empress Xie’s lips curved into a smiling expression.

"Your Majesty, you are truly too kind."

"This palace is also alleviating the Emperor’s worries."

"Mother, why not reward Prince Dai with a few beauties to let them bear him more children?"

"That’s a good idea." Empress Xie pondered slightly, then asked Jiang Chuan, "What time is it now?"

"It’s almost the end of the You hour."

"Go to Chengguang Hall and find out if the Emperor is there and whether he has gone to rest."

"I will go at once."

"Mother, what are you going to Father for at this time?" The Seventh Prince asked in confusion.

"To gift beauties, I need to ask your father’s opinion." Empress Xie stood up, "I will go and tidy up my appearance."

"Mother, should I accompany you to see Father?"

"It’s not appropriate for you to follow; you should go back and rest, as you still have to study in Wende Hall early tomorrow."

"Then, I take my leave."

Jiang Chuan soon returned, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is still in the Imperial Study room going through memorials, and has not gone to Yongxin Palace or rested."

"Come with me to the Imperial Study."

"Your Majesty, are we going empty-handed, or should we bring some hangover soup, or something else?"

Empress Xie thought for a moment before saying, "Prepare a bowl of lotus seed soup." Lotus seed soup is conducive to sleep; Empress Xie drinks a bowl every night before bed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A moment later, Empress Xie, accompanied by Jiang Chuan who carried a food container, headed for Chengguang Hall.

In the Imperial Study of Chengguang Hall, the Emperor was listening to Sun Kui recounting the events that took place at the banquet in Qionglin Garden.

Upon hearing of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s words of humiliation toward Empress Xie, the Emperor did not even furrow his brow.

Sun Kui, seeing that the Emperor showed no emotional reaction after hearing about the events in Qionglin Garden, felt unsurprised in his heart.

Noble Princess Consort Rong had always been at odds with the Empress and was not very respectful towards her. To all this, the Emperor turned a blind eye.

Just then, Sun Kui’s apprentice came in, politely reporting to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."

Hearing this, the Emperor’s eyes flashed with surprise, and he promptly withdrew his legs perched on the imperial table.

"Let her in."

Shortly after, Empress Xie entered carrying the food container. She first bowed and paid her respects to the Emperor: "This concubine greets Your Majesty."

"Rise." The Emperor looked at Empress Xie, asking, "Why has the Empress come?"

"This concubine thought that Your Majesty must have drunk quite a bit tonight and specifically prepared a bowl of lotus seed soup, which not only helps with hangovers but also promotes sleep."

Sun Kui took the food container from Empress Xie’s hands and immediately produced the lotus seed soup from within.

"The Empress is considerate." The Emperor knew that Empress Xie’s visit to the Imperial Study was not solely to deliver lotus seed soup.

"Your Majesty, Prince Dai has no heirs yet, and this concubine as the legitimate mother, has not paid any attention to this matter, which is my negligence. I ask Your Majesty for punishment." Empress Xie knelt, pleading guilty to the Emperor.

The Emperor thought to himself, indeed.

"Rise, this matter is not your fault; you need not blame yourself."

"Thank Your Majesty for not holding me accountable." Rising, Empress Xie spoke, "This concubine has considered and decided to send a statue of Fertility Guanyin to Princess Consort Dai, and furthermore reward a few beauties to Prince Dai. What does Your Majesty think?"

Beside them, Sun Kui was internally astonished, knowing that this act by the Empress was clearly meant to embarrass Noble Princess Consort Rong and Prince Dai.

Truly, the Empress and Duke Zhen are siblings!