Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 263 - 262. The Chu Emperor is Seriously Ill
262. Emperor Mo Jingqi Fell Ill
In the early winter of the eighteenth year of Great Chu’s Emperor Jing, tribal groups from the Northern Territory invaded. Emperor Mo Jingqi mobilized an army of 300,000 to repulse the enemy but was defeated. Only 70,000 to 80,000 remnants of the elite forces survived, fleeing in disgrace. Within a month, Great Chu’s garrisons retreated from several cities. The Northern Territory army chased them all the way to Zijing Pass in the north of Great Chu, now only four hundred miles from the Capital of Great Chu.
In December, Mo Jingqi ordered Leng Huai, the General of the North, to serve as the Grand General in the war against the invaders, and Leng Huai’s eldest son, Leng Qingyu, to be Vice General, leading an army of 400,000 to meet the enemy. However, the Northern Territory tribes were inherently brave and battle-tested from years of warfare. Even Leng Huai, a seasoned veteran, could barely hold them back, let alone reclaim the lost territories. With both armies in a stalemate at Zijing Pass, the residents within Great Chu lived in constant fear and anxiety.
Some ministers even suggested relocating the capital to Guangling in the south. Mo Jingqi, naturally, disagreed. At that time, his younger brother, Mo Jingli, had growing control over the south and was increasingly disrespecting Mo Jingqi’s authority. If they moved to the south, Mo Jingli would likely seize power outright.
Nevertheless, Mo Jingqi was in a predicament. The daily war reports alone were enough to give him headaches, not to mention the refugees pouring into the Capital City due to the war. There was an influx of refugees into the Capital City, but the city’s capacity was limited, and it couldn’t accommodate all these displaced people. If these civilians were left to die from starvation, illness, or cold, a public revolt could erupt even before the Northern Territory army attacked.
Looking at the mountains of petitions before him, Mo Jingqi suffered from a splitting headache. It was only at this moment that he had to admit in his heart that compared to Mo Xiuyao, he was indeed less capable. Mo Xiuyao could turn the tide even in adversity, while all he could do was lose his temper at the messy petitions.
「In the depths of the imperial palace」
Noble Consort Liu sat by the window, silently watching the white snow outside. Her snow fox shawl enveloped her slender figure, her cold, chiseled features resembling an ice sculpture, chilling to the bone.
Behind her, Tan Jizhi sat comfortably on a side couch with a hand warmer, a look of contentment on his face. He sighed, "Doesn’t Her Highness Noble Consort feel cold? What’s so interesting about the white expanse outside?"
Noble Consort Liu glanced back at him, her gaze cold. "Why are you here?"
Tan Jizhi chuckled. "Naturally, I’m here to assist Her Highness Noble Consort."
Noble Consort Liu sneered, her disdain palpable. "Assist me? You’re merely a fugitive from Nanzhao, a drowned dog. What use are your and Shu Manlin’s meticulous plans? Prince Ding and Xu Qingchen merely had to lift a finger, and you were forced to flee with your tail between your legs, weren’t you? Now that Shu Manlin is gone, what trump cards do you have left?"
Tan Jizhi’s face paled slightly, a flash of anger and ruthlessness in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "Does Her Highness Noble Consort believe Shu Manlin was my only trump card?"
Noble Consort Liu looked at him calmly. "What else could you possibly have? Are you referring to the descendants of the former imperial family? That Young Master Lin Yuan character is doing a far better job as an imperial descendant than you are. After so many years of scheming, you’ve accomplished nothing. Yet you still have the audacity to claim you want to help me?"
"Shut up!" Tan Jizhi roared, his expression turning savage and fierce. "What is Ren Qining? He’s just an imposter!" I am the true imperial orphan of the previous dynasty! I am Lin Yuan! Ren Qining is just some fake who appeared out of nowhere!
Noble Consort Liu snorted dismissively and said no more, but the contempt in her eyes was evident. Did he really think the title of ’imperial orphan of the previous dynasty’ was worth anything? An imperial orphan from a dynasty that had been extinct for nearly two hundred years, a dynasty that fell due to widespread suffering among the people, could hardly win popular support. That Ren Qining, who called himself Lin Yuan, probably realized this, which was why he chose to start in the Northern Territory. Once he truly conquered the land and then announced his identity as an imperial orphan of the previous dynasty, the resistance to his enthronement would be greatly reduced. Compared to a foreign race ruling the Central Plains as emperor, the common people and the gentry would naturally be more inclined to accept a nobly-born imperial orphan of the previous dynasty.
Seeing the disdain in Noble Consort Liu’s eyes, Tan Jizhi panted heavily, concealing the malice in his gaze. He finally managed a smile. "Are you sure you don’t need my help? Perhaps I can share a very important piece of news with Noble Consort Liu. Of course, if Her Highness isn’t interested, then forget it."
Noble Consort Liu frowned slightly, staring at Tan Jizhi with some displeasure, seemingly considering whether his so-called news was worth hearing.
Tan Jizhi leaned back on the soft couch, smiling. "Her Highness Noble Consort need not worry. This matter... may not necessarily be bad news for you."
Noble Consort Liu’s eyes narrowed. So, while it might not be bad news, it could still be bad news. "Speak."
Tan Jizhi raised an eyebrow. "Prince Li purchased a miraculous medicine from the sacred lands of the Southern Border."
Noble Consort Liu met his gaze impassively. Not a flicker of emotion touched her eyes; her aloof demeanor seemed to ask what this had to do with her.
Tan Jizhi laughed heartily, looking at Noble Consort Liu. "I particularly appreciate Her Highness Noble Consort’s temperament. So cold and ruthless, it’s truly heartbreaking."
So that’s why Prince Ding had no regard for such a woman. As beautiful as she was, she was as cold as an ice sculpture, her heart so indifferent and ruthless that even men were awed into submission. Now, consider Princess Consort Ding, his wife: graceful yet radiant, kind-hearted yet capable of ruthlessness, gentle yet strong when necessary, talented, devoted to her husband, and remarkably free of arrogance despite her status. Such a woman is what every man dreams of. What were Noble Consort Liu’s self-proclaimed beauty and talents in the eyes of a truly discerning man?
Of course, he would never tell this to the proud woman before him.
Noble Consort Liu frowned at Tan Jizhi. For some reason, she felt his words weren’t entirely complimentary. But it didn’t matter. She had never taken Tan Jizhi seriously, so she naturally didn’t care about his opinion of her.
"Is Her Highness Noble Consort truly not interested in what Prince Li bought? Or... does Her Highness Noble Consort not wish to know for whom Prince Li intends to use the purchased item?" Tan Jizhi smiled.
Noble Consort Liu’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her calm gaze on Tan Jizhi.
Tan Jizhi knew her well and was sure he had piqued her interest. Without concealing anything, he smiled. "Indeed, it is as you suspect. It’s for the one in the imperial study. And, by my guess, the medicine has likely been in use for a month already."
Noble Consort Liu frowned. "His Majesty shows no signs of discomfort."
Tan Jizhi chuckled. "Of course, he wouldn’t show any discomfort. Not only that, but his health would even be excellent. However, once the medicine is stopped, or if it’s used for too long, His Majesty will have a tough time. There used to be a good supply of it, but after Princess Anxi ascended the throne, the sacred lands of the Southern Border faced a rebellion. Somehow, a fire burned the entire sacred land to the ground. Naturally, the medicine is gone too... The amount Mo Xiuyao has won’t last more than half a year at most."
Noble Consort Liu furrowed her brow in thought for a moment, then asked, "What do you want?"
Tan Jizhi smiled faintly. "What I want... Her Highness Noble Consort probably can’t afford it right now. Why don’t we discuss it when Her Highness Noble Consort can afford it?"
Noble Consort Liu lowered her gaze, hiding the fierce glint and murderous intent in her eyes. She spoke softly, "Very well. As long as it’s within my capabilities, I can agree to your terms. However, what can you do for me now?"
Tan Jizhi smiled. "At the very least, I’ve been by Mo Jingqi’s side for over a decade. No one in this world knows better than I what he will do and when. Isn’t... isn’t that enough? Wouldn’t Noble Consort Liu like to know who Mo Jingqi’s true confidants are? And... I can help you deal with Prince Li."
Noble Consort Liu’s eyes flickered. After a long pause, she nodded. "It’s a deal. I hope you won’t disappoint me."
Tan Jizhi smiled. "Her Highness Noble Consort just needs to wait and see."
「The nineteenth year of Emperor Jing’s reign」
This year was undoubtedly the worst in the hundred-year history of the Great Chu dynasty. Even before the New Year, news of General Leng Huai’s major defeat and plea for reinforcements arrived from the border. Zijing Pass was less than four hundred miles from the Capital City. A fast horse, ridden relentlessly, could cover the distance in a single day. At such proximity, if the pass fell, the enemy would soon be at the capital’s gates. Just as Mo Jingqi received Leng Huai’s plea for aid, he fell ill.
Despite struggling to attend court, anyone could see from his sallow complexion and flagging spirits that the Emperor was gravely ill. These two crises compounding each other cast a pall over the court, making people feel as if the sky had darkened, as if Great Chu’s destiny was exhausted. Mo Jingqi, barely managing to mobilize reinforcements and supplies for Leng Huai, collapsed in bed and did not recover.
「In the bedchamber」
Both the Empress Dowager, who had been in seclusion for some time offering prayers, and the Empress, who had been recuperating due to ill health, were present. Also in the room were Prince Li, Noble Consort Liu, Prime Minister Liu, and several other princes of the imperial family.
After the imperial physician finished taking the Emperor’s pulse, the Empress Dowager anxiously asked, "Imperial Physician, what is wrong with His Majesty’s health?"
The imperial physician who had taken the pulse frowned and said respectfully, "It seems His Majesty has ingested some harmful substance... This, coupled with his exhausting workload, has led to his sudden collapse."
The Empress Dowager rose abruptly. "What do you mean, harmful substance?! Is someone trying to poison His Majesty?"
The imperial physician shook his head repeatedly. "Forgive me, Empress Dowager, you’ve misunderstood. What this humble servant means is... His Majesty appears to have ingested some prohibited substances. That is... that is what has harmed his body."
The expressions of everyone in the bedchamber changed instantly, becoming somewhat peculiar. The so-called prohibited drugs typically referred to substances like Five-Stone Powder or other potent concoctions. Historically, there were dynasties where the use of Five-Stone Powder became fashionable, but from the previous dynasty through to the Great Chu, it was strictly prohibited. If word of this got out, the Emperor and the imperial family would lose all face.
"Emperor! You are truly muddle-headed!" The Empress Dowager stared at her son on the bed and said resentfully. Although she doted on her younger son more, she certainly didn’t wish for this son to die. Seeing him lying so ill on the bed, the Empress Dowager felt a deep sense of disappointment—he had failed to live up to expectations.
Mo Jingqi opened his mouth, enduring the pain that felt like ants gnawing at his insides. He frowned. "I didn’t..." He knew no one would believe him, as his current symptoms did indeed resemble those of addiction to Five-Stone Powder. However, he knew the effects of taking Five-Stone Powder, and he was certain he had never consumed that prohibited drug at any time.
His gaze fell upon Mo Jingli, who was standing to one side. Mo Jingqi started, a sudden realization dawning on him, and he glared fiercely at Mo Jingli.
How could Mo Jingli not see the look in Mo Jingqi’s eyes? He stepped forward, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his usually stern face. "Royal Brother, do you have any instructions?"
"You... It was you..." That faint smile, in Mo Jingqi’s eyes, was pure provocation and triumph. He pointed at Mo Jingli, panting.
Mo Jingli, however, showed no sign of fear, as if his plot hadn’t been exposed. He continued to speak respectfully, "What is Royal Brother talking about? This younger brother doesn’t understand."
Prime Minister Liu, who had been ready to make his move, certainly wouldn’t let this opportunity pass. He stepped forward and said, "His Highness Prince Li, His Majesty clearly means that you were the one who gave His Majesty the prohibited drug!"
Mo Jingqi glanced at Prime Minister Liu and nodded. He clearly endorsed Prime Minister Liu’s words. This made Prime Minister Liu even more confident. He pointed at Mo Jingli and rebuked sharply, "Prince Li, how audacious of you!"
"Insolence!" the Empress Dowager rebuked sharply, her cold gaze fixed on Prime Minister Liu. "Prince Li and His Majesty are full brothers. How could he possibly harm His Majesty? As Prime Minister, instead of diligently assisting His Majesty when we face a great enemy, you stir up trouble between the imperial brothers! What crime do you deserve for this?"
Prime Minister Liu frowned. "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, this is clearly what His Majesty is implying. Even if there’s no concrete proof yet, plotting against His Majesty is a capital offense. Shouldn’t Prince Li be apprehended first and then investigated?"
Tears in her eyes, the Empress Dowager stared at Mo Jingqi. "Emperor, do you truly believe this? Do you think Li’er wants to harm you? Without a shred of evidence, you suspect your own blood brother. Are you going to lock me, your mother, up as well?"
Mo Jingli stepped forward. "Royal Brother, please see the truth. This younger brother would absolutely never harbor any intent to kill Royal Brother. If Royal Brother does not believe this younger brother, then issue the order to have me killed."
Mo Jingqi glared at Mo Jingli with hatred. He looked as if he wanted to have Mo Jingli sliced into a thousand pieces, but at this moment, he couldn’t utter a single word. Every limb and bone felt as if countless ants were gnawing at them. If he didn’t value his dignity so highly, he would have already been rolling on the bed, crying out in agony. His lips trembled, and he forced out a few words, "Get out! All of you, get out of my sight!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Everyone was taken aback. Prime Minister Liu looked anxiously at Mo Jingqi. This was the perfect moment to press the advantage and take down Prince Li in one fell swoop.
However, the Emperor had spoken, so the others could not remain. The Empress Dowager rose. "In that case, Emperor, rest well and recover. This grieving mother will take her leave first."
The Empress Dowager led the way out, and the others had no choice but to follow and take their leave. Mo Jingli was the last to leave. He glanced back at Mo Jingqi lying on the bed, a strange smile playing on his lips.
「Upon returning to Zhangde Palace」
Mo Jingli said respectfully to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, your son thanks you for..."
SLAP!
Before he could finish, a swift, hard slap landed on Mo Jingli’s face. Mo Jingli’s unfinished words caught in his throat. He raised his head to look at the Empress Dowager. Her eyes were cold, yet filled with sorrow and disappointment. "Li’er! How could you be so audacious as to use such a vicious drug on Qi’er? He is your own brother! Do you have any humanity left?"
Mo Jingli tried to explain, "Mother, your son..."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, cutting him off coldly. "You don’t need to explain! This grieving mother is not yet senile!"
The Empress Dowager’s slap had not been for show; several red, swollen finger marks immediately appeared on Mo Jingli’s face. Mo Jingli no longer tried to argue, stating coldly, "Mother is right. So what if I administered the drug? Does Mother, like that old fellow Liu, also wish to imprison your son?"
Although she had long suspected Mo Jingli was behind it, hearing him admit it with her own ears still shook the Empress Dowager profoundly. Her meticulously maintained appearance seemed to age more than ten years in an instant. Sitting on the ornate phoenix throne, tears streamed down her face. "What a sin! How could this grieving mother have given birth to you two scoundrels?! This grieving mother has failed the late Emperor, failed the ancestors of the Mo Family!"
Mo Jingli watched the Empress Dowager’s bitter weeping with cold eyes, feeling not a shred of guilt in his heart. After all, the one who had ignited the ambition in his heart was none other than his mother, now weeping before him. It was because she was dissatisfied with his Royal Brother gradually slipping from her control that she had wanted to depose him and push himself onto the throne. Historically, struggles for the throne have always been bloody affairs, built on mountains of bones. And now she was blaming him for being ruthless and cruel? Unfortunately, an arrow, once nocked and released, cannot be recalled. From the moment his ambition was born, he and Mo Jingqi were destined for a life-or-death struggle.
"Li’er... Qi’er is your own brother. Give him the antidote. Mother will protect you," the Empress Dowager finally said, her voice hoarse, having cried herself out.
A sarcastic smile touched Mo Jingli’s lips. "Mother, after being the Empress Dowager for over a decade, you’ve become even more naive than before."
The Empress Dowager was stunned. She looked coldly at the son before her—so familiar, yet so strange—as if she had never truly known him.
Mo Jingli said lightly, "Let’s not talk about whether I have an antidote. Even if I did... I wouldn’t give it. Does Mother really think that if Mo Jingqi recovers, he would truly let me go?"
Shaking with anger at his heartless words, the Empress Dowager pointed at Mo Jingli. "You... you animal! You..." After a lifetime of scheming and power struggles, now in her sixties, she was truly tired. She only hoped for her two sons to be safe and sound, living in peace. But why, in her declining years, did she have to watch her two sons try to kill each other? Was this truly... retribution?
Mo Jingli smiled indifferently. "If that’s the case, why didn’t Mother follow that old fellow Liu’s wishes earlier and just lock your son up? In Mother’s eyes, isn’t there still something more important than your son?"
The Empress Dowager fell silent, pointing at Mo Jingli for a long moment, unable to speak. Indeed... in her heart, there had always been something more important than her sons: power and status. If Qi’er was truly beyond recovery, then Li’er absolutely could not come to any harm. Otherwise, if anything happened to Qi’er, one of Noble Consort Liu’s two sons would surely ascend the throne. The Empress Dowager had always been at odds with Noble Consort Liu and the Liu Family. If Noble Consort Liu’s son became emperor, what good would there be for her? Even as a Grand Empress Dowager, a grandmother was far less intimate than a mother, and besides, Noble Consort Liu’s sons were not close to her. But even so, it didn’t mean she was willing to let her younger son kill her elder son.
"You..." The Empress Dowager looked at her son’s grim expression, finding herself at a loss for words.
Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow. "Mother, rest assured. Your son won’t kill him. He is, after all, still your son’s Royal Brother, isn’t he?" Of course, he wouldn’t kill Mo Jingqi. He wanted Mo Jingqi to lie on the bed, unable to move, forced to watch as he himself consolidated power, perhaps even ascended the throne.
More importantly... he couldn’t let Mo Jingqi die too suddenly. Although Mo Xiuyao claimed to have severed ties with Great Chu, Mo Jingli wasn’t certain if Mo Xiuyao would use Mo Jingqi’s death as a pretext to attack Great Chu. From start to finish, Mo Jingli had never believed Mo Xiuyao lacked ambition; he merely lacked a pretext to act on it!
