Chapter 575: Even the mother is jealous (1/2)

Chapter 575: Even the mother is jealous

“Not so fast!”

A stern but indignant voice stopped Emperor Kang Cheng in his tracks. Aside from Western Zhou’s Empress Xue, who else would have the audacity to act so wanton in front of the emperor? She was not only favored by her husband, but also supported by the massive strength of her clan. She still ruled over the imperial harem with no rivals to match and played a significant part in eliminating much of Crown Prince Ye’s dissidents at court in his early years.

Before she even showed her face, Emperor Kang Cheng was already angry. “Empress, your indulgent spoiling led the crown prince to this day!”

“Heheh, in any case, it was also my spoiling that caused Yao Yao to be expelled from the imperial family. I have plenty of crimes to bear, so one more won’t make a difference!” Empress Xue kept her stubborn personality as she walked out from behind the folding screen. She lacked the regal poise and stately elegance of other empresses, nor was she bedecked with jewels. But despite getting on in years, her figure was excellent, and she wore a snow-white dress of fine gauze beneath an ash-gray fox fur robe. Age had left lines on her face, but it didn’t detract from her fresh and noble carriage. If she wasn’t in the palace, she might have been mistaken for some celestial fairy instead.

Duanmu Yao had inherited her ethereal looks from her mother, but Duanmu Yao possessed much more celestial beauty than Empress Xue at the same age.

“Someone come, drag the crown prince outside!” Emperor Kang Cheng was truly incensed.

“If Your Majesty insists on caning the crown prince, then please cane chenqie first!” Empress Xue moved to stand in front of Crown Prince Ye, who ducked behind her for cover.

Emperor Kang Cheng picked up the secret missive and tossed it at her. “Look at it yourself, see what he wrote. He’s lost all face for Western Zhou, but instead of repenting, he’s still writing to that damned girl with plots. Does Zhen really have to depose him of the throne?!”

“Your Majesty, chenqie allowed the crown prince to write these things. May Your Majesty spare the crown prince this time in light of the fact that chenqie was thinking about my daughter, just as the crown prince was being partial to his little sister.” When Empress Xue finished, tears streamed down her cheeks. “Your Majesty, Yao Yao that girl, she didn’t know any better. How could she bear with that cheap liar, Jun Yixie? It was only a moment of foolishness on her part, but that venomous Han Yunxi seized the chance to plot against her. Now the whole world knows and there’s even rumors that Yao Yao and Jun Yixie…had a tryst! Your Majesty, what’s wrong with the crown prince hating Han Yunxi? Aren’t you even distressed over your own daughter’s sake, Your Majesty?”

Emperor Kang Cheng couldn’t take it when the empress cried. His stone heart melted in front of her tears. “Enough, enough. We won’t talk about this any more!”

He turned to leave, and Duanmu Baiye rejoiced, but his mother leveled him a severe glare. “You behave yourself these days!” she murmured in a low voice. “And also, keep in contact with your sister. Find out how the old master of the sword sect’s faring.”

Crown Prince Ye resentfully nodded his head as Empress Xue hurried to chase after Emperor Kang Cheng. He was silent to start, but eventually asked, “How is Yao Yao doing?”

Emperor Kang Cheng’s love for Princess Yao was comparable to his care for Crown Prince Ye—perhaps even more. It wasn’t just because Princess Yao resembled her mother in her youth, but because she was the favorite disciple of the Celestial Mountain Sword Sect’s master. That made her an important bridge in relations between the sect and Western Zhou. Although he’d driven her out, Emperor Kang Cheng still cared for her in private. He never made real moves to forbid the empress and crown prince from exchanging letters with the girl.

“I heard that she’s been practicing a new style of swordsmanship recently and has made great improvements,” Empress Xue said under her voice. “Your Majesty, chenqie knows that you’re anxious for Ye’er to improve quickly as well. Actually, if the Duke of Qin hadn’t gotten involved, it’s very possible that Ye’er could have made a laughingstock out of Han Yunxi instead.”

“You shouldn’t underestimate Qin Wangfei. That woman has the power to influence the Duke of Qin’s decisions. Would it be that easy to make a laughingstock out of her?” Emperor Kang Cheng retorted.

Empress Xue didn’t reply. Like her daughter, she refused to acknowledge any of Han Yunxi’s merits. Soon enough, a eunuch came to report the arrival of the Duke of Qin and Qin Wangfei.

“Your Majesty, shall chenqie accompany you to see them?” Empress Xue probed. When Emperor Kang Cheng didn’t refuse, she simply followed after him.

—

Emperor Kang Cheng had arranged to formally meet the Duke of Qin in a side hall off of the southern palace. The empress didn’t show her face, but remained hidden in the bedroom next door where she could listen in on the conversation. Even General Chu had been dismissed after he escorted the duo to His Majesty.

It was obvious that this was a private meeting. Emperor Kang Cheng was clueless about what the Duke of Qin wanted to discuss. Would he bring up Western Liang or the Chu Clan, or perhaps Tianan instead? After all, these were the only topics they had in common. It seemed unlikely that Long Feiye would come to Western Zhou to talk about an alliance with the southern central regions.

But instead, Long Feiye started talking about the pestilence that had plagued the Northern Li horse farms last year!