Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Broken by a Kick? Truly Heirless Now
It must have been those hard memorials from the Diligent Governance Hall digging into her.
Ji Qingwu sucked in a breath and turned to lie on her side.
But even after changing positions, red marks from where he had squeezed her wrist were still visible, and her left ear still burned.
She opened her eyes, staring at the bed curtains.
’Thinking of my actions today, I must have thoroughly infuriated Emperor Wu Su. In my desperation, I even kicked him. I wonder if I hurt him badly?’
’What if he can’t have heirs now...’
She rubbed her forehead in frustration.
*
Li Yuzong was drenched in sweat as he watched the Emperor, who had appeared at Hongsheng Hall late at night, practicing his swordsmanship with an icy expression.
The longsword left its sheath with a sound like a dragon’s cry. The heavy blade glinted with a cold light, its aura surging like a terrifying tide.
Normally at this hour, Emperor Wu Su would be in the Diligent Governance Hall handling state affairs. Who would have thought that Miss Ji could actually drive the Emperor out?
And yet, no matter how furious the Emperor was, he hadn’t issued any decree for punishment. He had simply come to the hall alone to vent.
Li Yuzong knew that the Emperor only ever picked up the Chixiao Sword when he was in a foul mood.
He had no idea what had happened in the hall. Just a moment ago, the two of them had been sitting intimately together on the Dragon Chair.
But not long after, he saw Emperor Wu Su’s face turn as cold as a winter pond as he pushed open the red gates and strode out of the Diligent Governance Hall.
To receive such immense favor one moment, only to provoke the Emperor into a towering rage the next.
’This Miss Ji... she’s a special kind of talent, always living on the edge.’
The violent sword energy struck with the force of a thunderbolt. A practice dummy shuddered violently before shattering, scattering splinters across the floor.
After executing the move, Emperor Wu Su’s mood improved considerably, and the furrow between his brows relaxed.
He casually tossed the precious Chixiao Sword behind him.
Li Yuzong scrambled to catch it, then hurried to walk behind the Emperor. "Your Majesty," he said, "Master Liao Ran of Hanshan Temple is here to see you. He has been waiting for quite some time."
The Emperor paused at his words, raising a long brow.
"Tell Master Liao Ran to return for now. Say that I already know the purpose of his visit, and that I will personally visit Hanshan Temple another day."
Back when Emperor Wu Su was still General Dingbei, he had been on excellent personal terms with Master Liao Ran.
But the master was famously elusive and had been wandering for several years. The two had not seen each other in a long time, yet Emperor Wu Su was turning down this rare opportunity for a meeting.
Just as he stepped out of Hongsheng Hall, he came upon Princess Consort Wei, dressed in a dark grey brocade gown.
Li Yuzong quickly lowered his head and stepped aside. Princess Consort Wei was devastatingly beautiful, and with a brother, Wei Ting, laden with military honors, her standing in the rear palace was unmatched.
Recently, however, the Emperor had been intentionally giving her the cold shoulder.
Wei Liru’s smile was filled with joy. Her fine brows arched, and her voice was as melodious as a warbler’s song.
"Your servant greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Wu Su stopped. "What are you doing here?"
Princess Consort Wei smiled in reply. "The weather is so lovely today, so I was taking a stroll nearby. I feel so fortunate to have run into Your Majesty. Perhaps this means we share a special fate?"
’According to my usual habits, I should still be in the Diligent Governance Hall reviewing memorials at this hour. Her being here doesn’t seem intentional.’
Wei Liru’s gaze, full of infatuation and longing, never left Emperor Wu Su’s face.
She said softly, "Your Majesty has not visited my palace for many days. Would you perhaps visit tonight?"
It had been more than just "many days." Ever since the day Yuan Heng fell into the water, Emperor Wu Su had not visited her at all.
Everyone in the palace was saying that she, the once-favored concubine, had fallen from grace.
But only Wei Liru knew that wasn’t true.
The provisions for Guanju Palace had not been reduced in the slightest, and the items sent by the Imperial Household were as exquisite as ever. She still held her rank as a Princess Consort, and the Emperor had not officially reprimanded her.
She hadn’t lost her position; she had lost the Emperor’s trust.
Emperor Wu Su’s gaze was ice-cold. "That won’t be necessary." He turned to leave.
"Your Majesty!"
Princess Consort Wei called out to him, her bright eyes filled with grievance. "I was in the wrong," she said. "It was my negligence that allowed the Young Master to fall into the water. But Yuan Heng wasn’t seriously harmed. Are you not being overly harsh with me, Your Majesty?"
Without turning to look at her, Emperor Wu Su said coldly, "It wasn’t negligence. You deliberately allowed Beauty Luo to carry out her plot to harm a royal heir."
Wei Liru’s fingers clenched her handkerchief. ’So he knew exactly what role I played all along.’
"I had intended to grant you the authority to help manage the six palaces on the Empress Dowager’s birthday," he said. "But you have disappointed me."
That one word, "disappointed," hurt Wei Liru more than losing the managerial authority over the six palaces that had been within her grasp.
She came from a prestigious military family and had always been proud, but now, desperate to win back the Emperor’s favor, she could only swallow her pride.
"Beauty Luo was arrogant and overbearing. I only wanted to teach her a lesson. I never imagined it would nearly harm the Young Master. I know I was wrong. Your Majesty, please, can you give me one more chance?"
Emperor Wu Su remained silent and began to walk away. Wei Liru lunged, trying to throw her arms around his waist.
The moment she touched his waist, he seized her wrist and shoved her against the cold palace wall.
Emperor Wu Su gazed down at her, his voice flat. "My dear concubine, do you wish to take a trip to the Imperial Harem’s prison?"
The Imperial Harem prison was where errant concubines and palace maids were confined.
With tears welling in her eyes, Wei Liru pleaded, "I only made this one mistake. Can’t Your Majesty forgive me?"
Emperor Wu Su flung her hand away. "Escort your mistress back to her palace," he commanded.
With that, he left without a shred of mercy, ignoring her heartbroken sobs.
His heart was made of iron, impossible to move.
Her maid, Bita, helped Princess Consort Wei to her feet and whispered, "Your Highness, please stop crying. Lower your voice. If anyone from the other palaces sees this, they’re bound to look down on Guanju Palace."
Wei Liru dabbed her tears with her handkerchief, her eyes fixed on the street corner where the Emperor’s shadow had long since vanished.
"The Emperor is being too cruel," she said, her voice filled with resentment. "It can’t be just because of this." She speculated, "Has the one in Anhua Palace made any appearances?"
Bita shook her head. "She hasn’t been seen."
Wei Liru ordered, "Go and find out who has been around His Majesty lately."
Bita, a meticulous maid brought from Wei Liru’s family home, tried to dissuade her. "Your Highness, if we investigate the Emperor’s movements now and he finds out, it will only make him angrier."
Wei Liru nodded in a daze.
"Yes, Bita, you’re right," she said. "I can’t make a move myself. I’ll go back to the palace and write to my brother. He will definitely find a way to help me out of this."
Though Wei Ting was still with the Northern Border Army, she was sure he would have a way.
「The next day.」
Drums and music sounded for the start of the elaborate sky-worshipping ceremony.
During the grand ceremony, Emperor Wu Su wore black ceremonial robes embroidered with the Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty. His wrists were bare.
Taichang Temple had prepared offerings such as chilled cakes, wine from Guanglu Temple, sweet date pastries, sticky rice dumplings, and golden peaches. After the nine major rites of the ceremony concluded, the Emperor bestowed some of the offerings, like the chilled cakes and sticky rice dumplings, upon his officials.
The more a family received, the more it signified the monarch’s favor.
Strangely, this time, the Ji Family received nothing at all.
Old Madam Ji waited at home all day, but no imperial gifts arrived.
When Mrs. Qiao arrived at Shou’an Hall, she found the old madam wearing a worried frown. "Mother," she called out.
Old Madam Ji was roused from her thoughts. "Ah, you’re here. Please, have a seat. Did your maiden family receive any gifts this year?"
Mrs. Qiao nodded.
The Qiao Mansion had received chilled cakes, sticky rice dumplings, sachets, and other items. Just as in years past, their imperial favor was unchanged.
Old Madam Ji’s brow was deeply furrowed and the corners of her mouth drooped as she contemplated the reason for this.
The Ji Family must have done something to anger the Emperor recently. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted this way, completely disregarding the Empress Dowager’s honor.
"I heard Qingwu went to the palace yesterday. What happened?"
