The Fearless Empress - Chapter 12

The discord between the Empress Dowager and her daughter was no secret in fact, it was common knowledge, reaching the point where everyone knew about it.

It was said that the late Emperor had been particularly fond of his youngest son, the current Prince of Guangling. On his deathbed, the late Emperor summoned both siblings to his side and spoke at length with them. First, he dismissed the younger brother to speak privately with his sister.

No one knew what was said, but when the Prince of Guangling was called back in, the late Emperor’s tone had shifted even carrying a hint of displeasure.

The Empress Dowager believed that Cheng Sangyi had slandered the Prince of Guangling in front of the late Emperor, causing him to change his mind on his deathbed and name Cheng Sangyi as his successor.

The young Empress ran all the way to the imperial mausoleum. The tomb was eerie, heavily guarded, no less secure than the palace itself.

After surveying the area, she suddenly realized something: there were far too many soldiers here.

She carefully made her way to the barracks and counted them one by one, astonishingly, there were forty to fifty thousand.

If these troops were to besiege the capital, seizing the throne would be no trouble at all.

The young Empress wasn’t foolish. She smiled this mother and son pair had never stopped scheming.

Tilting her head, she briefly considered killing them all, but the sheer number would lead to unnecessary bloodshed, which would conflict with her cultivation.

After some thought, she left, heading instead to find the Prince of Guangling’s residence.

Following a winding path and asking for directions along the way, she eventually arrived before an extravagant palace.

In the middle of the imperial mausoleum stood an excessively lavish palace hardly a place for mourning the dead.

The young Empress skipped inside, her eyes widening at the sight. The floor was paved with white jade, reflecting light beautifully, while the pillars were adorned with luminous pearls.

She had to admit, she loved these pearls. Without any spells or lamps, they could illuminate the darkest night.

Who wouldn’t love that?

Seeing that no one was paying attention, she landed softly on the ground and reached out to touch the pearls. Glancing around mischievously, she began plucking them from the walls, one by one.

Halfway through, sounds emerged from within the palace.

The kind of sounds panting, moaning.

The young Empress blinked. She knew exactly what those sounds meant. After a brief moment of consideration, she decided to investigate.

Thankfully, there was a screen separating them.

Behind it, silhouettes flickered, bodies entwined, moving rhythmically.

“If you like it so much, why not keep going?” The young Empress curved her lips into an innocent, harmless smile, her eyes sparkling as she peered past the screen her gaze falling upon bare flesh.

She quickly covered her eyes and lightly tapped the air. “Floating desires, greed takes root greed!”

A faint floral scent drifted by, and she reclined upside-down on a beam, closing her eyes for a short rest.

The sounds continued all night, not stopping even at dawn. Strangely, no one outside the palace came to investigate.

The young Empress grew irritated, covering her ears.

It wasn’t until dusk that someone finally barged in led by a noblewoman.

Dressed in resplendent robes, her demeanor dignified, the woman bore a resemblance to Cheng Sangyi, though her sharp features made her far less likable.

The Empress Dowager ordered her attendants inside and pushed aside the screen herself. “Your Highness! Your Highness, Prince of Guangling.”

The two figures on the bed collapsed in exhaustion. The young Empress’s smile deepened.

Tired?

Of course you are after all that time. Rest well, then.

With that, the young Empress returned to the palace.

By mid-month, a letter arrived from the Empress Dowager requesting to borrow someone from the Emperor: an elderly imperial physician skilled in treating certain ailments.

When Cheng Sangyi received the letter, she could hardly believe it. Raising her head, she saw the young empress sitting nearby, cracking nuts with crisp sounds.

“If she wants it, then arrange it,” Cheng Sangyi responded while massaging her temples, feeling somewhat embarrassed the moment the words left her lips.

Having lived two lifetimes, she never imagined the Prince of Guangling could be so absurd.

After sending someone to summon him, she tossed the letter in front of the young empress. “Did you do this?”

The empress, being illiterate, didn’t even glance at it. “If you say so, then yes. Does this mean I don’t have to copy texts anymore?”

Cheng Sangyi quickly regained her composure and fixed her gaze on the youthful girl. “How did you manage it?”

“He’s lustful,” the empress replied, narrowing her eyes. Her delicate face was flushed, her tender lips a vivid red, parting slightly as she spoke utterly harmless in appearance.

Cheng Sangyi’s eyes lingered on the corner of her lips before she coldly averted her gaze. “You don’t have to copy anymore.”

The empress smirked triumphantly. Lustful men were the easiest to handle. She had originally planned to make him break his leg during the snowfall, but it turned out she didn’t even need to go that far.

Jokingly, she asked, “Does this mean he won’t be able to have children in the future?”

Suddenly, Cheng Sangyi’s eyes lit up. To appear filial, the prince had publicly avoided women for five years, no official consort, hence no heirs.

But if this time. She pressed her lips together, smiling.

Cheng Sangyi’s smile melted her usual icy demeanor, revealing a hint of feminine charm.

The young empress stared wide-eyed. She looked so beautiful when she smiled. Delighted, she narrowed her eyes and added, “I also discovered another secret.”

“Hmm?” Cheng Sangyi turned back, her gaze settling on the empress’s flawless, jade-like complexion.

Meeting her eyes unflinchingly, the empress said, “There seem to be a lot of people inside lots of guards too.”

She clicked her tongue. “What I mean is, there are many soldiers. So many men crammed into one tent.”

“Enough. I understand,” Cheng Sangyi cut her off, visibly annoyed.

Empress Gu Yunchu was either silent or spouting outrageous words always a headache.

How on earth had she grown up like this?

The empress defended herself, “I didn’t even look at them. Why are you so disgusted?”

“You!” Once again, Cheng Sangyi found herself at a loss. How could such a serious matter sound so bizarre coming from her?

After much deliberation, the court officials had ended up sending her this strange, seemingly foolish yet shrewd empress.

Cheng Sangyi rubbed her temples in frustration. The empress suddenly sprang up. “Quick, fulfill your promise kiss me.”

Cheng Sangyi: “…” Listen to this nonsense.

To hell with it.

She flicked her sleeve and walked away without another word.

The empress panicked, lifting her skirts to chase after her. “You can’t go back on your word!”

Emperor and empress exited the Zichen Hall one after the other, with palace maids and eunuchs scrambling to follow.

The empress caught up in a light jog. Cheng Sangyi, feeling guilty, quickened her pace and boarded the imperial carriage.

Unfazed, the empress stepped in after her. The emperor’s carriage was far more spacious than her phoenix chariot roomy enough for several people.

“Listen, you can’t break your promise. If you do, I won’t trust you anymore,” the empress huffed, cheeks puffed in anger. After working so hard, how could she be dealing with such an unreasonable person?

Frustrated yet powerless, she sighed dramatically. Cheng Sangyi kept her eyes forward, maintaining as much distance as possible.

“Why are you standing so far from me?” The young empress couldn’t comprehend Cheng Sangyi’s thoughts. She tilted her head and said, “I can help you with many things. Trust me.”

No one likes useless people. Only by proving one’s worth can one make the other willingly spare a glance.

Cheng Sangyi paid no heed to her words. Perhaps the rumors outside were true this Empress Gu’s schemes ran deep, very deep.

The imperial carriage made a grand procession all the way, with palace maids and eunuchs gaping in astonishment at the sight of the emperor and empress sharing the same carriage.

Cheng Sangyi returned to her chambers, the young empress following closely behind.

“Why are you following me?” Cheng Sangyi was utterly exasperated.

The young empress replied innocently, “Where’s my reward?”

“I can exchange it for something else,” Cheng Sangyi conceded. As the ruler of the realm, she wouldn’t go back on her word.

The young empress remained unmoved. She already had a chest full of luminous pearls, why would she want anything from her?

“No.”

Cheng Sangyi nearly choked on her anger but forced herself to coax her gently. “How about I give you the Empress’s Seal?”

The young empress wrinkled her nose in disdain. Accepting the seal would mean taking on responsibilities. She refused, “No, keep it for yourself.”

Cheng Sangyi was speechless. If she didn’t want the Empress’s Seal, what else could she possibly be after?

After a moment’s thought, she offered, “I can lessen the punishment for your uncle.”

“What are you thinking? Why should my reward go to someone else? He’s not even my father,” came the immediate rejection.

Cheng Sangyi was on the verge of losing her composure. Reason forced her to restrain herself, but her pristine face was now etched with icy severity.

After careful consideration, she countered, “What do you want?”

“I just want you to agree to my condition,” the young empress said, raising an eyebrow as her gaze swept over Cheng Sangyi from her jade-like cheeks, down her slender neck, past her waist and hips, to her long legs.

She smiled. “Am I being greedy?”

Cheng Sangyi pressed her lips together. Greedy? Choosing a kiss over the Empress’s Seal could only be described as lovesickness incurable, at that.

What could she say? Cheng Sangyi looked at her with resignation and stated, “I dislike being touched by women. Nor do I enjoy having one stand by my side.”

“Oh, so you’re saying you’re ascetic?” The young empress wasn’t surprised; in fact, she found her rather endearing.

She poked Cheng Sangyi’s chest lightly and raised a brow. “I like you, truly. My heart, you don’t understand. But your heart, I do. Actually, forget the kiss. Bring Rong Han back instead.”

The young empress suddenly remembered the forgotten white moonlight. Tsk, tsk. Let me help you with that.

At this, Cheng Sangyi’s expression darkened. “What are you planning?”

“Either you kiss me, or you bring Rong Han back. Choose one.” The young empress felt rather pleased with her cleverness. Let’s see what’s become of your precious white moonlight.

Cheng Sangyi didn’t respond. She lowered her eyes to look at Empress Gu, her gaze as dark and chilling as a winter’s night.

But the young empress wasn’t afraid. What was there to fear? She even provocatively stroked Cheng Sangyi’s cheek. “If you’re angry, let it out. Don’t bottle it up and ruin your health.”

Cheng Sangyi, suddenly teased, felt her heart pound violently. She instinctively moved to brush her hand away, but the touch felt strangely familiar.

Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly stood and ordered, “Someone, bring me paper and ink.”

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