Chapter Fifty-Three

It’s often said that a leopard cannot change its spots, and the Empress Dowager had always favored direct, forceful methods. Since Rulan was the key to breaking the impasse, there was no need for subtlety; she simply had the woman brought in by force. The Empress Dowager smoothed the hair at her temple, her face expressionless as she asked, “Has anyone from the Emperor’s side inquired about this?” She had made no attempt to hide bringing Rulan into the palace, and how could this escape the Emperor’s notice? Now that she was back in the palace, she would never allow herself to suffer indignity. No matter the circumstances, she remained the most honored woman in the realm.

Madam Feng replied in a soft voice, “No one from the Emperor’s household has shown any concern. Perhaps he thinks there’s no need.” For so many years, Rulan had never revealed anything, and even if she were to speak, the secrets she held were ones they all understood in their hearts. The Emperor had no cause for worry.

The Empress Dowager let out a mocking laugh. “I’ve always thought that what Rulan knows, the Emperor may not. He’s stubborn and self-important, always believing he has everything under control. If one day he suffers a heavy fall because of this, it would be no surprise.”

After all, the child had grown up by her side. Though the Empress Dowager had not given him all her love, she understood him deeply. “In any event, this is no longer unrelated to us. My lady, now that the Princess has found a good match, we must act with greater caution.”

Madam Feng shared her concern that a true investigation might implicate Wei Baofu, and then the Empress Dowager’s peaceful later years would be at risk. The Empress Dowager nodded. “You are right. Rest assured, whatever I learn, I will not act rashly. Baofu is my last remaining bloodline; I must consider her future.”

With that, she rose, leaning on Madam Feng’s hand, and said, “While Baofu is still away, let us go question Rulan. After all these years, she is unlikely to remain so tight-lipped.”

When Rulan had first been taken, she was flustered. The secret she knew concerned the very life and death of her young master. But she was calm and resolute—at worst, she would die, and she had no fear left.

Now, seeing the Empress Dowager herself before her, she unexpectedly felt a sense of relief. As long as it wasn’t the Emperor, Empress, or another scheming noble lady, she had little to fear.

“Your servant greets the Empress Dowager. May I ask what instructions you have for summoning your servant here?” Rulan’s demeanor was respectful and proper; she had once often entered the palace with the Princess Consort of Prince Lian, and the Empress Dowager had always shown affection to her mistress.

The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the room without expression. Seeing Rulan, she was reminded of the warmth that once existed between herself and her daughter-in-law. She still could not believe that the gentle, proper woman her son had married would end up in the Emperor’s arms. If she had been forced, that would be understandable, but she had never offered any explanation.

On top of the tragic death of her own son, the Empress Dowager had naturally transferred her anger onto the Princess Consort, needing someone to blame. There were those she could not touch, so she could only vent her resentment elsewhere. She knew this was her own failing, and upon calm reflection, she recognized there were suspicious details still to be uncovered.

“Tell me everything you know. I want the whole truth.” The Empress Dowager’s tone was cool and measured. Rulan hesitated, but did not ask questions. She merely replied respectfully, “I am unsure what Your Majesty refers to. I have been tending the imperial mausoleum and know nothing of any affairs.”

Neither the Consort Shu nor her own mistress had ever instructed her to hide the truth from the Empress Dowager. After all, the Empress Dowager was the Fourth Prince’s own grandmother. Rulan only worried that she might act impulsively and ruin Consort Shu’s plans, but the Empress Dowager appeared unhurried.

Leisurely, she said, “I heard that as soon as Baofu arrived at the hot springs estate, she sought you out. Surely it was to confirm something with you. There is no need to remind you of my relationship with her. Whatever I ought to know, you should tell me.”

So certain was the Empress Dowager’s manner that Rulan hesitated. In truth, there was little harm in telling her, but without Consort Shu’s approval, she dared not decide alone.

“Today, you may either speak the truth or forfeit your life here. Decide for yourself.” The Empress Dowager was well known for her ruthlessness; Rulan never doubted it. After weighing her options, she finally opened her mouth.

Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet every word struck like a heavy stone, sending waves crashing through the hearts of her listeners. Madam Feng’s face changed dramatically, her heart beating wildly. The Empress Dowager’s hand trembled as she asked in disbelief, “Are you saying the Fourth Prince is my son’s posthumous child, and Consort Shu entered the palace in place of your mistress?”

Afraid she had misheard, the Empress Dowager pressed her to repeat it. Rulan understood her feelings and confirmed her words. Madam Feng hurried forward to help the Empress Dowager catch her breath. “Mistress, do not be agitated. For the sake of the young master, for the prince’s bloodline, you must endure.”

Once she had composed herself, the Empress Dowager’s face broke into a broad, satisfied smile. “Wei Zixu, oh Wei Zixu, you thought you had taken everything from my son, but in the end you were only raising his child for him. One day, everything you think you have will return to my grandson. This is the retribution you deserve—for what is owed must always be repaid.”

She tried to recall the appearance of the Fourth Prince, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t picture him. She had always thought the boy a humiliation to her son, but now she realized he was her son’s only living heir. She longed to see him at once.

“You should have told me sooner. You shouldn’t have conspired to keep this from me.” If she had known she had a true grandson, she would have plotted far more. Rulan murmured, “Second Miss said she would bear all the burden herself; there was no need for you or the young mistress to worry or labor over it.”

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply. She had little impression of this sickly niece from childhood, but never imagined she would be so steadfast. Rulan, somewhat relieved, said, “It is good that you know, Your Majesty. Now that you, Consort Shu, and the young mistress can unite, there is nothing you cannot accomplish. I have broken my oath and must beg forgiveness from my mistress.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than she swiftly slipped a pill into her mouth and died instantly. The Empress Dowager and Madam Feng were still in shock when she was gone. After a moment, the Empress Dowager said quietly, “Bury her with honor, so she may continue to serve her mistress in death.”

Though Rulan’s passing was regrettable, it removed a potential threat. The Empress Dowager was not a woman of soft heart. Now that she had a true grandson, she was eager to see who would dare challenge his claim to the throne. Madam Feng wiped her tears as she spoke, “The young mistress must have known the truth, which is why she so readily agreed to marry the Marquis of Zhenbei. She did it all for the Fourth Prince.”

The Empress Dowager thought the same. She chided softly, “Never speak of this again. Baofu has her own plans. Whatever her reasons, only if the Fourth Prince ascends the throne will we have our day. Tell the shadow guards to stop gathering evidence. From now on, our sole purpose is to support the Fourth Prince.”

It was as if the Empress Dowager had taken an elixir of youth, radiating vigor and purpose. Her son still had a living heir—what a miracle! It wasn’t that she favored sons over daughters, but the Fourth Prince’s existence was too important. Only he could seize everything from the Emperor and avenge her wronged child.

“The young mistress has gone to see the Fourth Prince. Should we hide the truth from her?” Madam Feng asked, glancing at Rulan’s lifeless body. The Empress Dowager replied indifferently, “Tell her everything. There’s no need for secrecy now. My own grandson—I haven’t even seen him properly. And Consort Shu—she too has suffered.”

For the sake of her sister and brother-in-law’s only son, Consort Shu had ruined her own health with secret medicine, sacrificing her chance for future children—a feat few would have the courage to match. The Empress Dowager did feel a pang of sorrow, but in her heart, she believed it was all worth it.

With the Fourth Prince, she held a trump card. Contrary to what others thought, she would not act rashly. She would only proceed with the utmost caution. This was their final safeguard, the last hope for these three women.

Just as she was about to speak, a maid announced Consort Shu’s arrival. The Empress Dowager was taken aback but then said, “Let her in.” Though Consort Shu had come in haste, not a hair on her head was out of place.

The moment she entered, she saw Rulan’s body on the floor and asked in pain, “Aunt, why did you force her to her death?”

Now free of resentment toward Consort Shu, the Empress Dowager only felt deep guilt. In a low voice, she replied, “It wasn’t I who forced her. She revealed all the truth, then took her own life.”

Consort Shu was not surprised, and calmly asked, “Now that you know everything, what do you intend to do?”

The Empress Dowager answered gravely, “You all wish me to remain as I have been, so I shall do nothing. But remember, the Emperor is no fool. Qi’er must grow strong as soon as possible.”

A granddaughter may be cherished, but a grandson must be made resilient—the Empress Dowager knew this well. Consort Shu was reassured and said quietly, “You can be at ease. I understand. From now on, we will continue as before, letting others—especially the Emperor—believe we are at odds. As for whatever Baofu must do, there’s no need to keep our distance from her.”

The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement, looking at Consort Shu with a complicated expression. “Do you think it was worth it?”

Consort Shu replied without hesitation, “There’s no question of worth. I did it willingly. As long as it’s what my sister wished, I would help her accomplish it. There’s nothing more to say; every life is just another kind of existence.”

Looking at her, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but wonder—if not for all this misfortune, might her life have been better than it was now? She was a girl both clear-sighted and resolute, and it was the Marquis of Yongyi’s household that had failed to protect her and her sister. The Empress Dowager, too, had failed them as their aunt.

“No matter what happens, you are the Fourth Prince’s mother. When he ascends the throne, it would be proper to have a prince adopted to continue the Lian Prince’s line.” No matter what, Consort Shu deserved the filial respect of these siblings. Consort Shu smiled indifferently, “Let’s wait until all is done. If possible, I would rather live a simple, humble life.”