Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Zhao Ye’s expression darkened.

He clearly thought I did not know what was good for me.

“Whether Consort Lan was in the wrong is something I will personally decide.”

“Very well. If Your Majesty determines that Consort Lan truly was at fault, I hope Your Majesty will punish her according to palace rules. My thanks, Your Majesty.”

I struggled to rise, only to stumble and pitch forward in front of Zhao Ye. To steady myself, I grabbed his wrist.

The instant my fingers touched his skin, countless images flashed before my eyes.

He died during a hunting expedition.

The Third Prince and the Ninth Prince had accompanied him on the hunt. It should have been a tender scene of father and sons in harmony.

Then the Third Prince suddenly raised his bow and shot at him.

He roared at the Third Prince for treason, counting on the Ninth Prince to protect him.

But the Ninth Prince only let out a soft laugh as he blocked Zhao Ye’s path, then drove a blade deep into his abdomen.

Zhao Ye fell from his horse in disbelief, blood gushing out and staining the grass red.

For a moment, I was dazed, stunned by what I had seen.

Seeing that I had steadied myself, Zhao Ye’s brows drew together slightly, and he quietly took a step back.

The corners of my lips lifted. I gave him a brisk curtsy, then turned and left.

I had achieved my goal.

Before my ability returned, I had not wanted to touch him at all.

After it recovered, I had been eager to see him, to glimpse his future.

He sent someone to humiliate me, so I came to see him.

If I could win the authority due to the Empress, that would naturally be best. If not, I would find a chance to touch him and see his future.

Fortunately, I obtained the Empress’s authority.

And I was quite satisfied with his future as well.

Outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, the nanny was waiting for me with the Thirteenth Princess.

The moment she saw me come out, the Thirteenth Princess threw herself into my arms.

“Mother Empress, are you all right?”

I bent and lifted her into my embrace.

An eight-year-old girl was already rather heavy.

But I was delighted. In this deep palace, I had a true family member by my side. Holding her felt like holding a bright future, and it filled me with joy and courage.

Softly, I told her everything that had happened today by her ear.

I told her that this was called advancing by retreating.

Her eyes widened.

“Mother Empress, weren’t you afraid?”

“No. I have only just entered the harem, and countless eyes are watching me. This is the best time for me to make demands. If I miss this opportunity, it will be extremely difficult to establish the rules later. Yu’er, remember this: opportunities vanish in the blink of an eye. If you want something, you must act decisively.”

The Thirteenth Princess looked thoughtful.

Her small, tender hands wrapped around my neck, and she rested her little head against me as she whispered, “Mother used to be very brave too. Later, after Consort Lan came, Mother no longer dared to speak loudly to Father Emperor. Father Emperor forced Mother to apologize to Consort Lan. Mother refused, so Father Emperor locked her up. Mother Empress, in the future, Yu’er wants to be a little braver, like you.”

I paused, then said gently, “Your mother was always very brave. In this world, many people know how to protect themselves and avoid danger, but not everyone has the courage to face hardship head-on. Your mother was remarkable. She sheltered many people in this palace. You should be able to feel that.”

The Thirteenth Princess blinked, her eyes growing damp.

After my eldest sister passed away, although the Thirteenth Princess was driven to live in a small palace, someone still saw to her three meals a day.

Someone had sent her clothes.

And someone had quietly watched over her.

When I saw her, her little face was round and healthy, her spirits bright. She was a child who had been well cared for.

In this palace, there were people who remembered my eldest sister’s kindness and silently repaid it to her daughter.

I thought that was the meaning of my eldest sister’s struggle.

“Mother Empress hopes that, in the future, you will have your mother’s courage, and Mother Empress’s luck as well.”

My luck was indeed quite good.

Zhao Ye had already caused one Empress to die. He could not allow a second Empress to die so quickly too.

He still cared about his reputation. That was the space in which I could survive.