"Mother?" Prince Beijin exclaimed, his gaze then sharp as it drifted to the door. He waved his hand, signaling Steward Ning to guard the entrance. Steward Ning quietly withdrew.
In the study, Prince Beijin respectfully invited his mother to take the seat of honor and then served her tea.
"Mother, why have you left the palace?"
Upon hearing Prince Beijin's words, the Empress Dowager's face contorted with anger, her pupils flashing with ferocious rage. She gritted her teeth and said, "I came out to see when Mo'er will make his move. You know that my days in the palace are getting worse by the day. That person doesn't treat us mother and daughter with any regard, allowing that girl from the Mu family to bully us. Can Mo'er bear to see Mother suffer such hardship?"
"Mother, it is Mo'er's fault," Prince Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo, stepped forward and knelt by the Empress Dowager's side, speaking gently.
His eyes then turned icy cold, a fierce glint flashing in his dark pupils. "Mother, please rest assured. Mo'er will reclaim everything. It won't be long now. Your son has prepared a thunderous strike."
The Empress Dowager smiled with relief upon hearing Prince Beijin's words. It was only when Mo'er became Emperor that she, his biological mother, would have hope.
What belongs to others will always remain with others. Moreover, that man has always suspected her of causing his mother's death. If, one day, the slightest clue is found, she might not escape death.
"That's good. However, that woman cannot be kept. Mo'er should remove her as soon as possible."
The Empress Dowager spoke with fierce eyes. Her heart ached whenever she thought of that woman. After these days of friction, she had realized one thing: if that woman were kept, it would likely ruin their plans.
"Alright, as long as she leaves the palace, I will not let her go," Prince Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo, said sinisterly, his voice tinged with killing intent.
"Good, then Mother can rest assured," the Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. Then, another matter came to mind, and her expression turned unusually displeased. She said coldly, "Where is Qin Hao?"
"He is behind us," Mu Rong Ruo Mo raised his head to look at the Empress Dowager. Why was she looking for that man? Qin Hao had always been favored by his mother, but tonight his mother seemed very angry. Why? Without further questions, he called out towards the outside, "Go and bring Qin Hao here."
Steward Ning responded from outside the door, "Yes, Your Highness."
A moment later, Qin Hao was brought in. He looked up and saw that besides the Prince, the Empress Dowager was also present in the study. He immediately bowed respectfully, "Qin Hao greets the Empress Dowager and the Prince."
The Empress Dowager, who had been seated, seemed to be injected with chicken blood upon seeing Qin Hao appear. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she stood up as if driven mad, rushing towards Qin Hao and delivering a resounding slap to his face.
Both Qin Hao and Mu Rong Liu Mo were bewildered by the Empress Dowager's actions. Especially Qin Hao, who had always been highly favored by the Empress Dowager, never expected her to slap him without inquiring about the reason.
"Your Majesty, what wrong have I committed that has caused Your Majesty to fly into such a furious rage?"
Qin Hao looked at the Empress Dowager calmly. A fierce glint flashed across the Empress Dowager's face as she said coldly, "Tell me, why did you defile the Princess's purity? She is a dignified royal princess, and you even caused her to be with child, nearly costing her life?"
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Prince Beijin, Mu Rong Liu Mo's, gaze also turned grim. He looked at the kneeling Qin Hao from the side. Qin Hao looked utterly bewildered, and finally, he spoke with righteous indignation.
"I report to Your Majesty, Qin Hao has not done such a thing. Even if you beat Qin Hao to death, I will still say the same. And who said that Qin Hao defiled the Princess's purity?"
The Empress Dowager's eyes flickered. What? It wasn't Qin Hao? Then who was it? But this was confirmed by Ruo Yin herself. Could there be a falsehood? She stared suspiciously at Qin Hao. "You are not lying to me?"
"Even if Qin Hao were given ten thousand膽 (a unit of courage), he would not dare to deceive Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager had always relied heavily on Qin Hao. She knew his character; he was not the type to be insidious and cunning. He only followed her commands to do those bad deeds out of gratitude for his adoptive father's kindness.
Since he said he did not, then he must not have done it. But why would Ruo Yin frame him? It seemed she was protecting the man behind her. Who could it be? What was it about him that made her willing to do such things for him?
Abortion, and framing someone else? Was she unwilling to reveal that person's identity?
"Enough, it seems I was mistaken. You may withdraw now."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. Qin Hao said nothing and withdrew. In the study, Prince Beijin looked at his mother with deep, thoughtful eyes.
"What exactly happened?"
"Ruo Yin is pregnant, and she confessed that the child is Qin Hao's. That is why I was angry. Who knew that she was actually protecting someone else? This girl truly gives me no peace of mind."
"What?" Prince Beijin widened his eyes in disbelief. He never expected his own imperial sister to do something so disgraceful to the royal family. She was to marry into the Han family in a few days. Would this not bring shame upon the Han family? "Her wedding is in a few days."
"Yes, His Majesty ordered the imperial physicians to terminate her pregnancy, and the imperial marriage will proceed as planned."
"She truly is troublesome," Prince Beijin snorted in annoyance. Even though she was his own sister, he did not approve of her actions. To think that Han Qing Yu was a man of talent and a pillar of the nation in the future, yet he had to encounter a woman like her, it was truly unlucky.
"Mother, you should return to the palace. You cannot stay too long. If you attract attention from the palace, all our efforts might be in vain."
Prince Beijin slowly reminded his mother. Just a little longer, and they could enjoy the fruits of their labor without restraint. Soon, he believed, a smile of absolute certainty bloomed on Prince Beijin's lips.
"Alright, I'm returning. Mo'er, don't forget to get rid of that woman."
"Your son understands," Mu Rong Lang Mo's eyes grew increasingly fierce, finally seeming to be shrouded in a dense fog, making it impossible to discern the depth of his intentions. "Steward Ning, escort the guest out through the back."
Prince Beijin personally helped his mother put on her cloak. This day would not be far away.
Steward Ning took the order and escorted the Empress Dowager out. Silence fell upon the study. He walked to the desk and began to organize his plans.
That night, a major event also occurred in the Phoenix Palace.
In the resplendent and magnificent hall, the light was as bright as day. Seated high on the throne was the Empress, with a cold demeanor. Her beautiful brows were furrowed, and her dark pupils churned like dark seawater, casting a layer of ice over the entire hall.
Everyone stood to the side. In the center of the hall, kneeling, was Chun Han, the chief eunuch whom the Empress had painstakingly rescued. His face was deathly pale, cold sweat trickling down his face. He lowered his head motionlessly, gazing at the ground.
"Chun Han, do you have anything else to say?"
A cold, alluring voice rang out. Mu Qing Yao waved the voodoo doll in her hand. The doll was inscribed with birth characters, as well as various strange and peculiar talismans. Furthermore, many silver needles were刺 (pricked) into these talismans.