The Empress's hands were tightly clenched around her handkerchief. Just as she was about to speak, Xue Xingyue interjected, "Your Majesty, may this commoner offer a few words?"
The Emperor turned his gaze upon her, a look of pure fury in his eyes. At this moment, Xue Xingyue knew the Emperor's anger was likely directed most intensely at her. For a mere, lowly individual to dare covet the same person as the noble Ninth Princess was an insult to the Emperor himself.
"Why should I listen to you? What right do you have?" the Emperor demanded, his voice laced with fury.
Xue Xingyue sneered inwardly. The Emperor's true colors were showing; he was clearly displeased with her.
"This commoner is indeed nothing, but Your Majesty, how are you any better than this commoner?" Xue Xingyue raised her head, meeting the Emperor's gaze and asking, word by word.
"You... insolent! Do you believe I wouldn't have your head chopped off?"
"I believe it, of course. After all, this commoner has no status and no influence. If Your Majesty were my father, perhaps you wouldn't speak to me this way, would you?"
The Emperor paused, staring at Xue Xingyue. He let out a cold laugh. "This is the first time I've heard such reasoning from you. Speak your mind, but if what you say is incorrect, I will still have your head."
Xue Xingyue looked at Song Xiuyuan, gesturing for him to release her. She ignored the worry in his eyes, offering him a smile and softly saying, "Trust me."
Song Xiuyuan's expression shifted, his gaze deepening. He gave her a profound look before releasing his grip.
"You dare to stand up?" The Emperor's laughter was tinged with anger. He had truly never encountered anyone so audacious.
"Your Majesty, I do not like to speak while kneeling, as if I have committed some heinous crime."
"Very well, stand. I shall see how you persuade me to spare your life," the Emperor said, his voice cold with rage.
"In truth, the only difference between me and the Ninth Princess is our status. If the Ninth Princess lacked this status, what difference would there be between us?
In terms of appearance, I am not inferior. In terms of scholarship, I am no less than the Ninth Princess. As for culinary skills, I doubt the Ninth Princess could compare. So, apart from the status bestowed upon her by you, her imperial father, what else does she possess? She possesses nothing. What right does she have to be compared to me?"
"You are insolent! She is my princess. She needs to possess nothing; I will provide her with everything," the Emperor's eyes blazed with fury, as if he wished to tear her limb from limb to quell his rage.
"Yes, you will indeed provide everything. But tell me, Your Majesty, what will happen if the kingdom falls? If you can no longer protect her, what will become of her? Have you considered this?" Xue Xingyue asked the Emperor, word by word.
"Are you cursing my nation, wishing for its downfall?" the Emperor's gaze turned cold and sharp as he demanded.
"No, I am merely stating a possibility. Surely Your Majesty is well aware of the current situation at Xifeng Pass, and the former Zhao Kingdom?"
"Of course, I remember."
"Has Your Majesty considered what would happen to your own princess when your cavalry trampled the lands of Zhao, when the former ruler became a prisoner, and when the favored daughter of heaven became a commoner? What would become of her?" Da Feng Novel Network.
The Emperor faltered. When he had attacked the Zhao Kingdom, he had spared the lives of the Zhao King's entire family, reducing them to commoners. Later, the Zhao King had hanged himself, leaving only the Zhao King's princess. However, as she was now a commoner with no attendants, she eventually starved to death.
"I believe Your Majesty knows this best. That Zhao princess ultimately starved to death. In her youth, she was likely like the Ninth Princess, a favored daughter of heaven. But the moment her kingdom fell, she became the most lowly of beings. And with nothing to her name, she starved to death. Therefore, if such a day ever comes, Your Majesty can surely imagine the Ninth Princess's fate, can you not?"
"Insolent," the Emperor declared, his voice cold with anger.
"If these words have offended Your Majesty, I beg for your forgiveness. After all, I only speak them because Your Majesty has permitted me to do so," Xue Xingyue said.
Hearing this, the Emperor was again provoked to laughter. He strode forward and kicked Song Xiuyuan in the knee. "You are truly blessed. First, my Ninth embraces you with affection, and now, you have such a glib-tongued woman to plead your case."
"This subject is humbled. My betrothed merely speaks carelessly. I beg Your Majesty to forgive her!" Song Xiuyuan said.
"Speaks carelessly? If this is considered careless speaking, then am I to be blamed for heeding it? Am I, then, a foolish emperor?" the Emperor asked coldly.
"This subject dares not!" Song Xiuyuan replied.
"Is there anything you dare not do?" the Emperor scoffed, then turned to the Empress. "Why are you still standing?"
The Empress curtsied at his words. "Your Majesty has not commanded me to sit, so how would I dare?"
"You..." The Emperor's face contorted with anger. He abruptly stood up, flicked his sleeves, and departed.
As he neared the doorway, he paused, turning back to face the Empress. "Since the Empress enjoys being here, do not leave unnecessarily."
With a final snort, he left.
The Empress stood with her back straight, but at this moment, she was like duckweed in the wind, swaying precariously, her face paling. Seeing this, Xue Xingyue quickly stepped forward to support her.
"Auntie, are you feeling unwell?" she asked.
"This consort is fine," the Empress gently patted Xue Xingyue's hand as she supported her, her voice soft.
Xue Xingyue helped the Empress to a couch. The Empress looked at her and Song Xiuyuan. "This consort is fine. You two should return."
"But..."
"Xingyue, let's not disturb Auntie's rest here," Song Xiuyuan suddenly interjected.
Xue Xingyue gazed at Song Xiuyuan's vast sea of stars, a single glimmer of starlight within. In that immense expanse, it burned with all its might, solitary and lonely.