Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Qiao Jingxian was the younger sister of his eldest sister-in-law, Lady Qiao. She had grown up alongside him and his second brother since they were children.

They had both liked her.

She was clever and adorable, lively and restless, her voice as bright and clear as an oriole’s song.

If nothing unexpected had happened, that girl would one day have been married, at Lady Qiao’s arrangement, to one of the brothers.

He rode up on a bamboo horse, circling the bed as she played with green plums. They lived together in Changgan, two children without the slightest suspicion between them.

What a beautiful, innocent affection that was.

Unfortunately, disaster fell from the sky.

His eldest brother died. His second brother died too.

His sister-in-law refused to accept it and dashed herself to death beside the coffin.

The women of the household and the servants scattered, those who ought to leave all leaving.

Qiao Jingxian did not go.

She held Zhao Ling’s hand, sobbing until her nose was red. “Zijin, I only have you now.”

After her mother passed away, she had followed her elder sister into marriage at Prince Yi’s Residence. That place had become her home.

And yet Zhao Ling could not protect her.

He had no control over his own fate. He was about to ascend the throne as emperor.

They could not be together.

Because I, Hu Minrong, was the Empress they had so carefully chosen for him.

The Hu Family and the Xu family would help me clear the road until not a single obstacle remained.

The Zhao Ling I came to know later had already learned obedience.

But at the beginning, he had not been obedient.

And the consequence of that disobedience was that Prince Liang had Qiao Jingxian sent to a brothel.

Later, they told him she had been unable to bear the humiliation and had taken her own life.

So this was how deep Zhao Ling’s forbearance and monstrous hatred ran.

I suddenly understood that day when he had shed tears against my neck and said, “It was my fault. I deserve to die. I am the filthy one. Little Rong’er is clean.”

I also understood the savage delight on his face, stained with blood, when he carried Zhao Cui’s head in his hand and brought it for me to see.

Now, Qiao Jingxian had returned.

He panicked.

He panicked, while I remained very calm.

In this world, how many reunions with old acquaintances ended with everything changed beyond recognition?

At the palace banquet, I took his hand and, with a proper smile, said to Xu Xun and the others, “His Majesty and I have been married for several years, yet beneath our knees we have only one daughter, Heqing. Uncle, you have gone to such pains out of sincere concern, helping to share my worries.”

Lady Qiao was conferred the rank of Shuyuan and given residence in Qiyang Palace.

This was my answer to Zhao Ling, and also my formal declaration of war against the Hu and Xu families.

The daughter of the Hu Family who had once belonged to them had now broken with them completely and become an abandoned piece.

Qiao Jingxian would become the new piece on the board.

Until I understood how the game had changed, I would meet every move by holding steady.

Zhao Ling closed his hand around mine in return, with such force that there was an indescribable hint of anger in it.

Of course he knew Xu Xun was no good man and had ulterior motives.

An old acquaintance mattered, but not enough to make him lose his head.

That was why he was especially furious.

Furious at these people’s filthy methods, and furious at an old friend’s helplessness and tragic fate.

After Consort Qiao Shuyuan entered the palace, Zhao Ling often visited her.

When old acquaintances met again, there were naturally endless things to say.

But no matter how late it grew, he would always return to Jiaofang Hall.

Heqing remained the daughter he cherished. Holding her every day had already become a habit.

Late at night, after everyone else had withdrawn, only he and I remained in the hall.

The candlelight swayed softly, and the gauze curtains hung low.

I said to him, “I know life has not been easy for her. There will always be a place for her at Your Majesty’s side.”

As long as she knew her place.

I did not say the rest aloud, because Zhao Ling suddenly pressed in with an assault so fierce I could hardly withstand it.

Beside my ear, his voice was hoarse as he said, “Empress, don’t misunderstand. The one she liked was not me.”