“The day Xi'er ascends the throne is the day you will all perish. And with the other concubines outside accompanying, Your Majesty, you won't be too lonely.”
The Empress suppressed the anger in her heart. Killing them like this would be too easy.
She had plenty of time to torment them slowly; only then could she dissipate the resentment that had accumulated in her heart for many years.
“You venomous woman, kill me if you want, there’s no need to torture me like this. If I can receive His Majesty’s affection, I have no regrets even if I die.”
To have received the Emperor's love before her death, she could smile in the underworld. It was just that she felt bad about implicating the Emperor to suffer this torture with her.
“You dare to be stubborn even when death is imminent! If you want a quick death, I will not grant it. How can the grievances between the Imperial Noble Consort and I be settled so simply? I will naturally not let you die so easily. I want you to personally witness me become the Empress Dowager, revered by all the people, while you are merely a prisoner, trampled under my foot.”
“I want to make you suffer all sorts of torment, to make you watch everything you cherish lose it all, and then let you die with regret. Only then can my heart be appeased!”
Of course, only after making the Imperial Noble Consort suffer would she be allowed to die. Only then would she be truly happy.
“Detain them properly, serve them with good food and drink. I want them to witness Yan Xi ascend the throne and for me to become the Empress Dowager… Hahaha…”
The Empress’s crazed laughter spread throughout the room, only ceasing when the palace doors closed.
The Empress Dowager slumped to the ground, still tightly clutching the now cold hand of Consort Qin.
Emperor Xuanwen’s tears fell as he witnessed this scene. He slowly moved his steps, knelt beside Consort Qin’s corpse, and kowtowed three times.
When he was young, Consort Qin had taken care of him. Over the years, she had always shown him utmost care. He found it difficult to repay Consort Qin’s kindness. Now, Consort Qin had died saving the Empress Dowager; this debt of gratitude was even harder to repay.
“Mother, after this is resolved, this son will give Consort Qin a grand burial and also richly reward her family…”
The Empress Dowager sighed softly, her voice tinged with sorrow. “Consort Qin was an orphan, her parents having died when she was young. Her relatives had long since scattered and were out of contact. She was all alone. To whom should the Emperor bestow the rewards?”
“Mother… This son truly doesn't know. It is my oversight.”
Emperor Xuanwen was indeed unaware of Consort Qin’s background. This was truly his oversight.
“Never mind… never mind. You meant well. Knowing that you have this thought for Consort Qin, I believe she will be at peace in the afterlife.”
After a moment’s pause, the Empress Dowager spoke softly, “Consort Qin spent her entire life serving me. Let her be buried with me. When I die, I can still talk with her.”
She had become accustomed to Consort Qin’s presence throughout her life, and after her death, she only wished to be able to talk with Consort Qin.
“It shall be as Mother wishes.”
Emperor Xuanwen quickly agreed, following the Empress Dowager’s words. This would be the best resting place for Consort Qin. He believed that Consort Qin would also be willing to be by the Empress Dowager’s side.
…
Chu Yanxi walked in front, while Feng Jin was escorted by several eunuchs, following behind Chu Yanxi towards the city walls.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
Seeing Chu Yanxi’s figure appear, everyone quickly bowed respectfully.
Chu Yanxi merely waved his hand and hurried to the edge of the city wall, looking down. Below the city wall, the Black Armored Army was densely packed, with the entire imperial palace surrounded by them.
Chu Yanxi, who had been raised in the capital, had never seen such a grand display before. For a moment, his heart felt a little weak and uncertain.
“Your Highness, the city walls are filled with the Black Armored Army. Our forces may not be their match. I beg Your Highness to make a decision soon!”
Below the city walls stood the strongest fighting force in Eastern Chu, the Black Armored Army. They were merely the Imperial Guards defending the imperial city, and their combat experience was naturally not as rich as the Black Armored Army. Moreover, the person leading them was Ling Mohan.
He was the God of War of Eastern Chu. How many people in this world could match Ling Mohan? Their current forces were not even enough for Ling Mohan to stuff between his teeth.
Chu Yanxi tightly gripped the wall with both hands, his arm veins bulging. His eyes instantly ignited with a fierce flame.
If it were a direct confrontation, he would definitely not be Ling Mohan’s match. But now that Feng Jin was in his hands, she was his trump card. In the end, who would win or lose was not yet certain.
“Young General, the person on the city wall is Chu Yanxi.”
Lu Shi’s sharp eyes spotted Chu Yanxi standing on the city wall and immediately reported to Ling Mohan beside him.
Ling Mohan had naturally also seen Chu Yanxi’s figure. However, he still did not know Feng Jin’s whereabouts. He was momentarily unable to order an attack on the capital.
“Young General, now is the perfect time. I beg Young General to order me to lead a team to attack.”
After preparing for so long, his hands were already itching to fight, waiting for a great battle.
“Wait a moment longer, do not act rashly for now.”
Ling Mohan instructed in a calm tone. If he were to attack, at the current distance, he could kill Chu Yanxi with a single arrow. However, he could not yet confirm Feng Jin’s safety, so he still could not act carelessly.
“Yes, Young General.”
Lu Shi responded loudly, suppressing the impulse in his heart.
“Your Highness, this place is dangerous and not suitable for lingering. Your Highness should retreat first.”
It was easy to dodge an open spear but difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. The city wall was inherently full of danger, and no one could be sure if an arrow would fly towards them at any moment.
“No… they dare not act now.”
He was certain that Ling Mohan would not act rashly for now. Once Ling Mohan saw the trump card in his hand, he would surely be even more hesitant to take any action.
“Bring the person up.”
As Chu Yanxi’s voice fell, the eunuchs holding Feng Jin brought her forward.
“Young General, the person on the city wall is the Young Madam!”
Lu Shi was the first to spot Feng Jin on the city wall and shouted loudly.
Ling Mohan looked up and saw Feng Jin’s figure. His heart suddenly tightened, and he gripped the reins forcefully, his breathing becoming heavier.
“Bastard, to actually hold the Young Madam hostage, how despicable!” Lu Shi shouted angrily, full of disdain for Chu Yanxi’s despicable act.
“Ling Mohan, your wife is in my hands. If you want her to live, it depends on what you do!”