"How dare you, you have the audacity to force me, you are truly lawless. Do you really think this Eastern Chu is yours to command!"
At this point, Emperor Xuanwen finally saw the Empress's true colors. All her past gentleness, understanding, and thoughtfulness were merely a facade. It was he who had been too foolish, deceived for so long by these trivial, unsophisticated tricks. Only recently had he come to understand.
The Empress found Emperor Xuanwen's words utterly ridiculous. Couldn't he see the current situation? The entire imperial palace was under her control. Whoever she wanted dead, must die.
"I give you one last chance. Kill this slut, and I will spare you and the Empress Dowager!"
The Empress's gaze shifted to the Empress Dowager, and a more venomous idea surfaced. She immediately had a eunuch beside her step forward and seize the Empress Dowager.
"What do you think you're doing? How dare you disrespect the Empress Dowager? Are you courting death!"
Seeing the dire situation, Consort Qing rushed forward to shield the Empress Dowager. Even if it meant sacrificing her own life, she would not let these villains coerce the Empress Dowager.
"Consort Qing, step aside. I want to see what they intend to do!"
Unfazed even in the face of extreme danger, the Empress Dowager remained composed and serene. She wanted to see how far the Empress and her entourage would go.
Consort Qing stood firmly in front of the Empress Dowager, ready to sacrifice herself. "You villains, if you want to harm the Empress Dowager, you'll have to step over me first!"
"Insolent dog slave! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and act!"
The Empress shouted angrily. She had always disliked Consort Qing. She was merely a servant, yet relying on the Empress Dowager as her patron, she had frequently shown disrespect. Now, she would no longer endure such humiliation. Since Consort Qing was determined to protect her mistress, she would fulfill that wish.
"Anyone who dares to interfere will surely die. Seize the Empress Dowager!"
Upon receiving the Empress's permission, several eunuchs exchanged glances and, with ferocious expressions, advanced towards Consort Qing. Two eunuchs pushed Consort Qing to the ground and moved to seize the Empress Dowager.
Consort Qing, who had just fallen to the ground, suddenly scrambled up and charged towards the eunuchs with lightning speed. With all her might, she pushed them down, immediately throwing the scene into chaos.
Seeing their ineffectiveness, the Empress's anger flared. Her gaze fell upon the long sword at the guards' waists. Without hesitation, she drew a sword and lunged towards the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, be careful!"
Consort Qing was the first to notice the Empress's movement and lunged towards the Empress Dowager. In an instant, the sword pierced Consort Qing's body. Blood splattered, staining the Empress's face. The Empress immediately came to her senses and instinctively pulled the sword out.
"Empress Dowager..." Consort Qing weakly called out, her body slumping powerlessly to the ground.
"Consort Qing!"
The Empress Dowager's face was filled with panic. Stumbling, she walked to Consort Qing's side and, seeing her blood-soaked form, quickly used her hands to cover the bleeding wound.
"Don't be afraid, I'll find an imperial physician to save you immediately!"
"Consort Qing... Consort..."
The Imperial Consort burst into tears and collapsed beside Consort Qing, utterly distraught. In the years she had been in the imperial palace, Consort Qing had always treated her well and had helped her on numerous occasions. Thus, her feelings for Consort Qing were exceptionally deep. Witnessing Consort Qing die before her eyes was unbearable.
"Empress Dowager... this old servant can no longer serve you. Please forgive me... forgive me... In the next life... I will continue to serve you in the next life..."
With a sigh, Consort Qing's raised hand fell limply, her life already extinguished.
"Consort Qing... Consort Qing..."
The Empress Dowager cried out in grief. Consort Qing had followed her for over fifty years, accompanying her from childhood, entering the palace with her, and witnessing her ascend to the positions of Empress and Empress Dowager. She had served her her entire life. Who would have thought that in her final moments, she would die saving her? In her heart, Consort Qing was already considered family. To have Consort Qing by her side in this life was her greatest fortune.
"Lady Liu, how dare you attempt to assassinate the Empress Dowager!" Emperor Xuanwen roared. The Empress's actions today felt utterly alien to him. Was this the person he once knew? How could she have become so detestable? Had he never truly understood the Empress, or was this current appearance her true self? Emperor Xuanwen slumped onto the chair, looking utterly dejected, as if drained of all spirit.
At this moment, the Empress no longer harbored any fear of Emperor Xuanwen. She met his gaze directly, her tone exceedingly arrogant. "So what? It's no longer the same. You are all now prisoners. Everything is decided by me!"
"Let alone such a lowly servant, even the Empress Dowager, or you, Your Majesty, if I were to kill you all, what could you do to me!" At this moment, she was the sole mistress of the entire imperial palace. Everyone would have to obey her commands if they wished to live. If she wanted to kill them all now, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.
"Your Majesty, I give you one last chance. As long as you personally kill this slut, I can overlook this. You will still be the Retired Emperor!"
Emperor Xuanwen sneered, looking at the Empress before him with immense disdain. The love in his eyes was gone, replaced by sheer hatred.
"I will never be coerced by you. If you kill Ru'er, I will join Ru'er in the netherworld!"
"Your Majesty..." Imperial Consort, hearing Emperor Xuanwen's words, was moved to tears.
The Empress took a deep breath, her hands clenched tightly within her wide sleeves. To be showing off their affection at a time like this was truly a devoted couple. For so many years, she had endured Emperor Xuanwen's public displays of affection with other women. Every day of such a life was an torment. Now, she could no longer bear it for another moment.
"Then I shall grant you your reunion in the netherworld. I will make you witness Xi'er ascend the throne."