"Go and see the Emperor; you've been concerned about him these past few days," the Empress Dowager said, seeing through the Imperial Consort's thoughts. She directly told someone to go and check on Emperor Xuanwen.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Imperial Consort replied, unable to hide her joy at being granted permission. She hurried to Emperor Xuanwen's bedside, her gaze fixed on him with concern.
"Your Majesty... if only you could be safe and sound, I would willingly give twenty years of my life."
A mist formed in the Imperial Consort's gentle eyes, her heart feeling as if it were being squeezed, her very breath aching.
As the effects of Feng Jin's acupuncture points began to wane, Emperor Xuanwen weakly opened his eyes, his fingers moving slightly to grasp the Imperial Consort's hand.
"My dear consort..."
"Your Majesty, you're awake... Your Majesty!"
The Imperial Consort looked at Emperor Xuanwen with overwhelming joy. The tears that had been held back in her eyes could no longer be contained, falling like a broken string of pearls.
Emperor Xuanwen raised his weak hand to gently wipe away the tears from the Imperial Consort's cheeks, his voice filled with utmost tenderness, "My dear consort, I have made you suffer these past few days."
"As long as Your Majesty is well, even if it means sacrificing my own life, I would gladly do so. What is enduring a little hardship in comparison?"
It was at this moment that Emperor Xuanwen finally understood who truly cared for him. He felt a deep sense of indebtedness towards the Imperial Consort over the years. A pang of sadness struck him, and he pulled the Imperial Consort into his embrace. "Ru'er, I have failed you over the years. I will compensate you well in the future."
Reflecting on the past twenty years, he truly owed the Imperial Consort a great deal. His heart and eyes had only ever held the Empress, and his affections for the Imperial Consort had been mere formality, often perfunctory.
Now, witnessing the Imperial Consort's deep affection for him, he realized how excessive his actions had been, having wronged this woman who loved him for so many years.
Upon seeing the Empress's true nature, he wished he could slap himself repeatedly. He had doted on such a venomous woman for so long; he had been utterly foolish.
Emperor Xuanwen, supported by the Imperial Consort, stood up and immediately knelt before the Empress Dowager, kowtowing three times. "Mother, your son has been incredibly foolish, deceived by the Liu family for so long. I indulged them and blindly favored Chu Yanxi, which led to this disaster."
"Furthermore, I have implicated Mother in this predicament. Your son is truly unfilial and unforgivable. I beg Mother to punish me."
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly. She had foreseen the day's events. It was indeed true that Emperor Xuanwen had failed to see the true nature of the Liu family and Chu Yanxi. However, she also bore some responsibility.
Knowing Liu Shi's true character, she should have strongly opposed when Emperor Xuanwen intended to make Liu Shi empress. However, fearing that too much interference would alienate them, she had turned a blind eye to Emperor Xuanwen making Liu Shi empress. Moreover, she had failed to properly guide Emperor Xuanwen when he showed favoritism towards Chu Yanxi, thus leading to today's disaster.
After this self-reflection, the Empress Dowager bent down and helped Emperor Xuanwen, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet. "This is indeed your fault. Your favoritism caused this disaster. However, the fault of the child lies with the parent. Your father passed away early, and I raised you single-handedly. If you are at fault, then I am also at fault. Today's events are truly the fault of us, mother and son, and have caused so many innocent people to suffer alongside us."
"My heart aches as if being cut by a knife. Therefore, I have decided that after this matter is resolved, I will reside permanently in the Buddhist shrine of Cining Palace. For the remainder of my days, I will atone for my sins before Buddha, hoping that these transgressions will not be counted against you."
Children are always a mother's concern. Even though Emperor Xuanwen was now of a certain age, the Empress Dowager still worried about him, wishing to shield him from all harm with her own strength.
"Mother, your son is unfilial. I have implicated you. May all these sins be counted against me alone. I only wish for Mother to be safe and well. How can I let Mother suffer for me? If you do, I will never be able to rest in peace, even in death."
Emperor Xuanwen felt even more ashamed. It was his lack of discernment that had caused this disaster. How could he allow his mother to atone for his mistakes?
"Imperial Grandmother... Father, this matter is not your fault. It is all due to Chu Yanxi's excessive greed that she committed such treasonous acts. If Buddha truly blames someone, then this son is willing to bear all the consequences, which would be my filial piety."
Chu Chenyi's words struck Emperor Xuanwen's heart deeply, astonishing him. He quickly personally helped Chu Chenyi to his feet, examining closely this child he had long neglected.
The image of Imperial Noble Consort Yijing flashed in his mind. She truly resembled her...
"Good child, it is rare to see such filial piety. Father remembers it all... remembers it all..."
Emperor Xuanwen patted Chu Chenyi on the shoulder. No wonder his mother had wanted to make Chu Chenyi the Crown Prince. Now that he had let go of his previous convictions and observed Chu Chenyi carefully, he had to admit that this child was indeed much better than Chu Yanxi.
He possessed a regal demeanor. Considering all his sons, Chu Yanxi was truly the most outstanding.
He couldn't help but consider making Chu Chenyi the Crown Prince. Perhaps it was Chu Yanxi's actions that made him feel the necessity of establishing the position of Crown Prince sooner, to stabilize the nation and make those with malicious intentions quell their thoughts and behave themselves.
"Chenyi, come with me."
Chu Chenyi was slightly taken aback. After a moment of hesitation, he stood up and followed Emperor Xuanwen.
Emperor Xuanwen walked to the bookshelf and took out a box from the top compartment. Inside the box was a token forged from pure gold.
"This token can mobilize the hundred thousand troops stationed outside the capital. Take this token and gather the army to assist Ling Mohan in capturing Chu Yanxi."
Upon receiving the token from Emperor Xuanwen, Chu Chenyi immediately found himself in a predicament. Even with the token in hand, the entire palace was guarded by Chu Yanxi's troops, making it difficult for him to leave. At this moment, the token was useless, no different from scrap metal.
"Father, the palace is surrounded by guards, and this son cannot get out. This token is truly useless."
"No... there is still one way out."