Chapter 355 - Submissive Foe (2/2)
The Emperor knit his brows and flatly responded, ”That was in the past. He was simply a soldier following orders and he has greatly contributed to your current survival and OUR current success. Moreover, it has nothing to do with his daughter that had not even been born yet...”
The Empress dowager scoffed and then suddenly burst out in a fit of laughter, making the Emperor feel even more uncomfortable. He never liked when his mother laughed, although this whole nonsense of helping Lei Xing conceive was truly laughable.
But even if he went and married a girl formerly from Xia country, his mother would still not be pleased. She would never be pleased with his happiness, it was as simple as that. She innately hated him and his existence. It had been like that from the day he was born and would probably always be like this. Perhaps the same could be said for Lei Xing. Although the Empress dowager did not seem to dislike Lei Yong as much as she does Lei Xing.
When the Empress dowager just continued with her crazy laughing, the Emperor let out an irritated breath and said, ”If that is all, I will be leaving. You have a long journey ahead so you should get plenty of res-”
”I'm more rested than ever.” The Empress dowager quickly said, snapping out of it with a frown, ”Since your Empress is ”indisposed”, you should stay for the meal in her stead. I can pass along my advice through you.”
”Write a letter, I'm busy.” The Emperor offhandedly responded, turning to leave but the Empress dowager grabbed his arm, ”Are you scared of me too?” She asked, glaring up at him.
The Emperor wearily looked at her for a bit, seeing how pitiful she looked, he sighed and said, ”Of course not, but as I am sure you have heard, the palace is very chaotic right now. Th-”
”Ah, yes! I did hear about that. You have finally done well.” The Empress dowager praised with a smile, this was another weird skin-crawling experience for the Emperor. He could not remember her ever praising him before.
The Empress dowager released the Emperor's arm and continued on with a victorious smile, ”He deserves to be drawn and quartered or perhaps death by a thousand cuts, that will be most befitting.” She finished with a nod. Prince Yi also resembled a certain demon, which was why his existence irritated her all the more. Now finally, even though she could not watch the demon's own execution, she could live out his deserved end through his son. She was most pleased, ”I shall oversee his execution, when is it?”
”That will be unlikely, I haven't decided on his punishment yet -”
”Then decide.” The Empress dowager said with a frown, she had just praised him but now he was being foolish again, ”How hard is it? Treason deserves death and death it should be -”
”It is my decision to make.” The Emperor countered with a frown.
The Empress dowager glared at him again. This stupid son of hers, she had just praised him but now here he goes being foolish again, ”Yo-”
”Your majesty, don't forget about the meal...” Eunuch Li who had been silent for most of the exchange quietly advised, reminding the Empress dowager ot to get side-tracked again. The Empress dowager glanced at him and she got the message and begrudgingly said, ”I will leave it up to you then... and trust your judgment...” She lowered her head and let out an irritated breath, before raising her head and adding, ”... Much like I have come to accept your choice of a wife...”
The Emperor raised a disbelieving eyebrow at her, blinking at her in both confusion and suspicion. The Empress dowager mustered up a smile and pat his arm, sending goosebumps up his arm again, ”Since you're busy today, you should go... We can share a meal next time. Of course, with your Empress in company... after she gets better.” She added, her smile becoming more strained
The Emperor looked from her to Eunuch Li, who simply smiled and nodded to him. The Emperor knit his brows, awkwardly nodded, and then turned and fled this uncomfortable scene.
The Empress dowager's smile fell as soon as the Emperor was out of the hall. She let out an irritated breath and asked, ”How was that?”
Eunuch Li smiled and said, ”Not too badly...”
”Do you think he will be persuaded by that?” The Empress dowager asked, frowning at Eunuch Li.
Eunuch Li sighed and honestly admitted, ”No... But the Emperor has always had a soft spot for you. The three days we have left should be enough to get him thinking and then...” He paused when the Empress dowager glared at him. Eunuch Li weakly smiled and added, ”Don't worry, the Empress is also quite soft-hearted. I've seen them together, she won't get in your way. She is not one to hold grudges and appealing to her is the same as appealing to the Emperor...”
The Empress dowager's frown deepened as she glanced at the gift boxes on the side and she closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself. It was killing her that she had to appeal to that scheming witch.
{... A letter... It's nothing, it's all a matter of time...I will not be robbed of my position again!...