Chapter 404

Chapter 404 Xie Run thought the Emperor wouldn't, but she couldn't stop others from thinking he would. If they pinned the Empress's death on Xie Run, it would be killing two birds with one stone. Or perhaps they would first kill the Empress, leaving the position of Empress vacant, inviting everyone to covet and fight over it. Xie Run, as Noble Consort Zhao, would undoubtedly become the target of everyone's schemes. If everyone came after her, how could she possibly defend herself? Knowing nothing meant others had a thousand ways to harm her while she could only sit back and be captured. Xie Run said helplessly, "Enough. What you said isn't wrong. Sitting here thinking about it endlessly won't help—I'd rather obtain evidence before speculating." "The winds are shifting now. You must tighten security at Zhaohua Palace's gates." "During this time, don't let Taotao wander out to play as he pleases. If he insists on going out, have someone take him to Fengyi Palace to mourn the Empress." Nanny Xu felt sorry for Taotao and couldn't help saying, "Your Ladyship, the Fifth Prince is still young. If he stays too long at Fengyi Palace, might it affect him?" Xie Run shot Nanny Xu a glance. "Did you see how he wailed at the top of his lungs today? Does he look like someone who'd be affected?" She knew her own son best. Taotao had suddenly burst into loud crying at Fengyi Palace—it wasn't because he was mourning the Empress. He had simply sensed the atmosphere was off and instinctively started wailing. That cry today was just like when he'd cried along with the Sixth Prince before—purely on his own whim. Xie Run said, "I'm pregnant now. If anyone truly wants to harm me, they'll likely make their move during this time." She was at her most vulnerable now; even a slightly major incident could harm her and her child. Thinking of this, Xie Run regretted her impulsiveness at Fengyi Palace even more. During the evening meal, the Emperor suddenly arrived at Zhaohua Palace. Xie Run was just bracing herself to rise and pay her respects when the Emperor swept in like the wind and sat down. "Eat first. We'll talk after." Seeing how casual the Emperor was being, Xie Run didn't say much. After a couple of bites, the Emperor asked, "Why is it all vegetarian dishes?" Xie Run replied, "With the Empress having passed away, according to custom, every palace must observe a vegetarian diet for three months. I dare not break the rules, nor do I wish to." The Emperor said, "I know you respect the Empress, but you're carrying a child. There's no need to be so rigid." The Emperor's words weren't a special dispensation for Xie Run to break the rules—just a reminder that she could quietly eat some meat without being so hard on herself. In the entire harem, the Emperor would only say such things to Xie Run. If it were anyone else, the Emperor would simply think she should follow the rules. And if someone had prepared meat dishes because he came, he'd probably turn hostile. Xie Run picked up a dish for the Emperor with her chopsticks. "I understand, Your Majesty." "Your Majesty also knows I've never been one to mistreat myself, and I certainly wouldn't mistreat the child." The Emperor said nothing more and ate in silence. Xie Run could tell he was in a bad mood. With the Empress gone, the Emperor had much to handle, and he'd been busy all day. Only after finishing the meal did the Emperor speak. "I heard Suisui struck Zhaorong Huizhao outside Fengyi Palace today?" Xie Run said helplessly, "I knew I couldn't escape this." The Emperor gave a light snort, glancing at Xie Run with a half-smile. His gaze swept over her slightly swollen belly. "Noble Consort Zhao certainly carries herself with great authority—she even resorted to using her own hands?" "I heard from the palace attendants that Noble Consort Zhao dragged Zhaorong Huizhao all the way into Fengyi Palace and forced her to kneel before the Empress's memorial tablet." "How is it I never knew you were this formidable before?" Xie Run suppressed a smile and teased the Emperor, "Just a moment ago you called me Suisui, and now I'm Noble Consort Zhao? Your Majesty is truly heartless." After that jab, Xie Run complained, "Your Majesty must seek justice for me. With this big belly of mine, how would I dare act recklessly?" "When have you ever not dared to act recklessly?" Xie Run feigned grievance. "It's bad enough that Zhaorong Huizhao wronged me, but now Your Majesty is wronging me too." "I'm filled with grievances and don't even know how to voice them." The Emperor laughed. "I've already punished Zhaorong Huizhao on your behalf. But you..." His tone when speaking of Xie Run carried a hint of helpless indulgence. "You're carrying a child. You should be looking after yourself, yet you got so angry you resorted to physical blows." "How much anger did that slap really vent? If you'd hurt yourself or the child in your womb, who knows how many times you'd cry over it." Xie Run promptly admitted her fault. "It was rash of me." Xie Run added, "But I do have some grievances too. Since conceiving this child, my temper has been a bit restless, and I'm always prone to fiery anger... I worry now that he'll be born with a hot temper." The Emperor laughed. "A hot temper is perfect—it'll cure your slow, easygoing nature." Xie Run: "...Your Majesty!" This Emperor was becoming less and less serious by the day. As they were talking, the Emperor produced a small bracelet from somewhere. He took Xie Run's hand and placed the bracelet in her palm. "I know what's in your heart." Xie Run looked down and saw it was the Heavenly Ingenuity Blood Jade Bracelet—the one she'd had Concubine Shen find a way to deliver to the Imperial Study on the day the Empress Dowager had made things difficult for the Empress. "This bracelet was originally obtained by my elder sister for the Empress, and the Empress bestowed it upon me." "Later, someone cast a gu curse on Taotao, and it was this bracelet that protected her..." Xie Run's mood grew heavy. "It's just a pity that in the end, it still couldn't save Her Majesty the Empress." The bracelet remained as it was, but the one who had given it was already gone. The Emperor patted Xie Run's hand. "That day, I arrived too late." The Emperor had been in the Imperial Study discussing the war at the front lines at the time. Even though Eunuch Shian had obtained the bracelet, he didn't dare barge in recklessly. He had to wait for an opportunity to have someone slip it in. There was a considerable distance from the Imperial Study to Cining Palace. By the time the Emperor rushed over, the Empress could no longer hold on. The Emperor didn't really need to tell Xie Run about this. But in the end, he was only human. He carried feelings of guilt or anger in his heart and needed someone to confide in. Xie Run sighed. "It's a pity that I was with child at the time and couldn't travel far. Otherwise... I would have gone to beg an audience with Your Majesty no matter what." "Besides, no one could have anticipated that Her Majesty the Empress would be so stubborn." Her body had already deteriorated to such a state—what harm would it have done for the Empress to simply ignore the Empress Dowager? At most, the Empress Dowager could scold the Empress for being unfilial. Could she really charge into Fengyi Palace to deal with the Empress? The Emperor was silent for a long time. "She's been like this since the Xia dynasty—she never changed." After a moment, the Emperor said, "Have someone warm a pot of wine." Xie Run was slightly startled. "Your Majesty..." "My heart is troubled. I'll just have a little. I still need to go see the Empress later." With his wife of many years having passed away, it was only natural for the Emperor to feel some grief. Xie Run only had a small pot of wine warmed and sat nearby, watching the Emperor drink. The Emperor had a good tolerance for alcohol. After a whole pot, his expression didn't change in the slightest—only the emotions he revealed outwardly grew more pronounced. The Emperor held the wine cup, his voice low and somewhat faint. His narrow, elongated gaze fell upon Xie Run, as if looking through her at something else, or perhaps lost in memory. "Over the years, the people around me have come and gone... and now, only you remain."