An Yang led Song Chao Yu towards the rear hall. As they reached the entrance, Zou Momo, an attendant of the Empress Dowager, stepped forward to block their path.
Upon seeing Song Chao Yu, Zou Momo’s eyes widened in surprise. "Isn't this the Princess of Chang? You... you've returned?"
"Mm."
Song Chao Yu did not fault her for not performing the proper courtesies, merely nodding. "Zou Momo, I wish to see the Empress Dowager."
Zou Momo's expression immediately turned troubled. "This... I'm afraid it's not possible. The Empress Dowager has instructed that she is feeling unwell these past two days and will see no one. Regardless of what is happening outside, the Empress Dowager is already old, and I fear..."
"Zou Momo, what are you doing?"
Before Song Chao Yu could speak, An Yang stepped forward indignantly. "Since the Empress Dowager entered the Guande Hall, she has seen no one and spoken no words. Everyone is in a panic, yet the Empress Dowager does not step forward to offer guidance. Now that the Princess of Chang seeks an audience, naturally, she has something important to convey. Why must the Empress Dowager avoid seeing her?"
"Alas."
Zou Momo sighed theatrically. "It's no use speaking to me about this! It is the Empress Dowager's own wish. I truly have no other recourse. Please, the two of you, do not make things difficult for this servant. Allow the Empress Dowager to rest well, won't you?"
Zou Momo was acting under the Empress Dowager's orders, but her conduct was something Song Chao Yu found utterly distasteful.
Song Chao Yu looked up towards the rear hall and called out loudly, "Empress Dowager, your humble servant, the Princess of Chang, requests an audience with the Empress Dowager! I implore the Empress Dowager to open the door!"
A moment later, the rear hall remained silent.
Song Chao Yu took a deep breath and continued to call out, "Your humble servant and the Prince of Chang have come from Qin Zhou. We have just returned to the capital and have apprehended the traitor Mu Han Su. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager, things are improving. Your Highness need not consider when or how to escape the palace. Please, Empress Dowager, grant me an audience!"
Indeed, as soon as these words were spoken, there was movement within the rear hall.
The Empress Dowager's voice finally echoed from within the room. "Oh? You've captured Mu Han Su? Has the Prince of Chang also returned?"
"Yes."
However, Song Chao Yu's eyes held no hint of happiness. Instead, her gaze grew colder. "Please grant me an audience, Your Highness."
"Hmm, let the Princess of Chang enter."
The Empress Dowager finally relented, and Zou Momo moved aside from the doorway.
As the door to the rear hall opened, Song Chao Yu was met with the overwhelming scent of calming incense. It was likely that even the Empress Dowager had not been at peace these past few days.
Inside the hall, the Empress Dowager was kneeling before a Buddha statue, holding a string of prayer beads. Even as Song Chao Yu entered, she did not rise. "This Empress Dowager has not heard any sounds of joy from outside. So, has the matter truly been resolved? You have come to find me, for what purpose?"
As expected of the Empress Dowager, Song Chao Yu smiled slightly. "The matter is indeed not yet concluded. However, I have not lied to you. The Prince of Chang and I have returned to the capital and have indeed helped the Crown Prince and the Emperor apprehend Mu Han Su. They are currently negotiating ahead. If things go smoothly, the Emperor and the Crown Prince will soon be able to reclaim the palace."
"Is that so?"
Only then did the Empress Dowager open her eyes and stand up.
Song Chao Yu stepped forward to help her, but the Empress Dowager gently pushed her hand away. "Princess of Chang, you need not be so solicitous in front of this Empress Dowager. You must have a reason for coming to find me today, so speak plainly. What is it you wish of me?"
Song Chao Yu withdrew her hand and got straight to the point. "Your humble servant wishes to borrow the Empress Dowager's five thousand elite troops."
"Hmph, this Empress Dowager knew it. Whenever I see you, it's never for anything good!"
The Empress Dowager raised her eyes and glared at Song Chao Yu. "Let me ask you, what if this Empress Dowager disagrees? Do you know what these five thousand elite troops are for?"
"I do."
Song Chao Yu had no time to beat around the bush with the Empress Dowager. "Empress Dowager, you have kept these five thousand men, perhaps for a rainy day. Therefore, you have stationed them to guard the last exit from the palace."
"Since you know this, you should understand that this Empress Dowager cannot lend these five thousand men."
The Empress Dowager's tone was firm. "The situation ahead has already become so dire. If these five thousand men are also borrowed, and the traitor Mu Han Su plays another trick, do you expect the Emperor and this Empress Dowager to have no escape route? You have the audacity to even ask this of me. Do you not wish to leave any fallback for the Emperor and this Empress Dowager?"
"Fallback?!"
Facing such an Empress Dowager, Song Chao Yu was truly angered. "What kind of fallback do the Empress Dowager and the Emperor desire? If even this palace is lost, if the entire empire is lost, what use will a fallback have? If Mu Han Su is given another chance, do you think he will spare you and the Emperor?"
Song Chao Yu scoffed. "Your humble servant never imagined that the Empress Dowager would think this way! If everyone only thinks of their own escape, then this Guande Hall will truly be lost."
She frowned, staring intently at the Empress Dowager. "Your Highness, I can assure you. If you lend these five thousand men to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, everyone will strive to protect your life. I will also stay by your side at all times and will absolutely not let anything happen to you!"
"Princess of Chang, you need not say any more!"
The Empress Dowager remained obstinate, placing her prayer beads aside. "This Empress Dowager has been in the palace for many years. How could I not know that in moments of life and death, everyone only looks out for themselves? You say you can protect me, but when others truly arrive, how will you protect me? Will you shield me with your own body? That would merely be adding one more life to the count, wouldn't it?"
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "Since you and the Prince of Chang have already fled, why have you returned? Mu Han Su is ambitious and has prepared all of this. He will not give us a chance to resist!"
"Heh—"
Such an Empress Dowager finally made Song Chao Yu unable to suppress a cold laugh.
The Empress Dowager frowned and glared at Song Chao Yu. "Do not mock me for being a coward. Look around you. In this vast imperial city, how many people do not think this way? Now that I have this opportunity, why should I give it up? As long as there is a way to survive, this Empress Dowager will not give up! This is my choice. Think or say whatever you wish, this Empress Dowager will not lend you these five thousand men!"
"Good! Very good!"
Song Chao Yu stood up and slowly walked towards the Empress Dowager. "Your humble servant never expected that the Empress Dowager of the great Yue Dynasty would be such a person who fears death. It is no wonder that Mu Han Su has managed to achieve what he has today."
Song Chao Yu was filled with immense pressure. "But since the Empress Dowager's mind is so firm, my own resolve is likely even more so. Today, no matter what, I must have these five thousand men."