Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 855: Chapter 861, 862: The Conversation Between Liang Ji and Zhao Yushu

Tianchuan City, an ordinary side room in the harem of the Imperial City.

The summer night’s moon was large and its light bright, but the beauty was marred by the constant sound of various insects and frogs.

Yellow pine-wood carved lanterns swayed non-stop in the breeze along the eaves, the wind brushing over the eaves tiles and blowing into the side room through the window.

Liang Ji, dressed in a black luxurious palace skirt, walked quickly along the corridor of the vermilion-pillared palace, the lantern’s light casting circles of light and shadow on her face, creating a play of light and dark.

The palace maid waiting outside the side room, upon seeing the visitor, quickly bowed in greeting, but stood dumbfounded for a moment before speaking: "This servant greets... Noble Lady."

Liang Ji was no longer the Empress Dowager of the nation, but she still lived in the harem. The palace had not yet clarified her status, so those serving her could only address her as Noble Lady for the time being.

Liang Ji’s phoenix-shaped brows were long and narrow, her eyes clear and cold. She asked, "Has Madam Zhao awakened?"

"The madam just woke up and drank a bowl of ginger soup," said the palace maid.

Liang Ji nodded and then stepped into the side room.

Inside, Zhao Yushu sat on a soft couch, her lush hair hanging over her shoulders, her hands clasped around her knees, her face slightly pale. Her usually clear and expressive eyes were now dull and lowered, lost in thought, not even noticing when Liang Ji entered and stood before her.

Looking at the spellbound Zhao Yushu, Liang Ji’s heart skipped a beat. She sat beside her, gently placing a hand on Zhao Yushu’s fragrant shoulder. She felt Zhao Yushu’s delicate body tremble slightly in shock as she raised her head to look at Liang Ji, her voice weak, "Empress Dowager..."

Liang Ji pursed her lips and sighed softly, "The Great Song has changed its dynasty, I am no longer the Empress Dowager. I heard that Yushu fell into the canal on the east side of the city today, what exactly happened?"

If word got out that a former empress had attempted suicide by jumping into the river, it would create a huge scandal, and how would the public perceive the current Emperor of Great Wei?

So, officially, Zhao Yushu’s attempt to end her life was spun as an accidental fall into the water to control the narrative.

The moment Liang Ji spoke, Zhao Yushu’s sorrow was triggered, and soon her eyes turned red, tears streaming down as she hugged her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.

Why was her fate so bitter? First, she was deposed and then abandoned. She had tried to end her life several times, but even death eluded her.

Seeing Zhao Yushu’s frail and pitiful state, crying so hard that it caused her body to tremble, Liang Ji took out a white handkerchief and offered it to Zhao Yushu.

Perhaps crying helped, or maybe Zhao Yushu wanted Liang Ji to analyze why Chu Yi didn’t want her anymore, since an outsider could see more clearly than those involved, she poured out all her sorrows to Liang Ji.

After listening, Liang Ji’s phoenix-shaped brows remained furrowed, her eyes momentarily distant, for she saw something of herself in Zhao Yushu.

She remembered how she too was deposed by Emperor Xuanhe and confined to the Cold Palace.

To secure his position, Emperor Xuanhe had also neglected her, making Xu Ying, then just an Imperial Consort, his Empress.

Looking at it now, how much alike were this father and son.

As long as their lives were not in danger, wives could be discarded at will.

Liang Ji sighed softly and, empathizing, embraced Zhao Yushu, gently stroking her back, consoling, "Yushu, it’s not your fault, you mustn’t blame yourself."

Zhao Yushu, tears still brimming, struggled to control her emotions, looking up at Liang Ji, "Then why did he abandon me? He even took Wu Xian with him, leaving only me behind, why..."

Seeing Liang Ji remain silent, Zhao Yushu continued, "It was Chen Mo, it must have been him, he must have been manipulating things behind the scenes, that’s why His Majesty treated me this way."

Recalling the scene of Chu Yi leaving without looking back, Zhao Yushu began to weep again, tears flowing so profusely that she had to use her handkerchief to wipe her snot to avoid staining Liang Ji’s clothes, sobbing continuously.

At this moment, she seemed to have completely forgotten the affair between Liang Ji and Chen Mo.

If she hadn’t borne a child for Chen Mo, Liang Ji would never have defended him, not even when they first got involved.

But now, she and Chen Mo were inextricably linked because of Chen Qin.

She had to defend Chen Mo to some extent.

Of course, Liang Ji didn’t make it too obvious, lest Zhao Yushu immediately see through her defense of Chen Mo, so she said, "Yushu, how did you see his schemes?"

"Isn’t it obvious? The bond between His Majesty and me was so deep, there was no rift. If it weren’t for his manipulation, how could His Majesty treat me like this? And that Wu Xian, isn’t she related to his wife’s family? If it weren’t for him, would His Majesty have thought to depose me and make her the Empress?" Although Zhao Yushu was heartbroken by Chu Yi, she also hated Chen Mo deeply.

"Then what is his purpose?" Liang Ji followed Zhao Yushu’s line of thought.

"Of course it’s for..." Zhao Yushu’s crying paused at the tip of her tongue.

Women and men have different perspectives on issues.

In her previous view, Chen Mo had Chu Yi depose her to elevate Wu Xian for his own ascent to the throne.

But now that Chen Mo had achieved his goal and even released Chu Yi, why would he leave her behind?

For her body?

This thought, Zhao Yushu was too embarrassed to share with Liang Ji.

But even this didn’t hold water.

After all, with Chen Mo’s status, he could easily have taken her by force, without the need for such roundabout tactics and wasted time.