Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 279 - 277. Changes of the Empress Dowager
277. The Shift of the Empress Dowager
"Empress Dowager, is there something amiss?" asked the Empress, her eyebrows furrowed as she observed the Empress Dowager, who had barged in with a retinue.
The Empress Dowager glared at the Empress and demanded harshly, "Where is the Tenth Prince?" The Empress, maintaining a calm demeanor, replied, "The Tenth Prince? Why does Mother Empress ask?" The Empress Dowager scoffed. "The Tenth Prince is about to ascend the throne. As his imperial grandmother, who else can educate him if not I?" The Empress calmly rebuffed her, "The new Emperor will be guided by the Grand Tutor and the court ministers; there is no need for Mother Empress to trouble herself. Moreover, the new Emperor has not yet ascended the throne. Mother Empress is to be the one accompanying the late Emperor in burial. It is improper for you to meet him."
Clearly, the Empress Dowager had truly infuriated the Empress in recent days; otherwise, given the Empress’s temperament, she would never have uttered such words.
The Empress Dowager’s face turned shades of livid and pale with rage. Pointing a trembling finger at the Empress, she finally spat, "Insolent! Hua-shi, though you are the Empress, you failed to bear His Majesty a single prince! I think it is you who should accompany the late Emperor in burial!" The Empress Dowager harbored immense jealousy towards the composed and graceful Empress before her. Although the Empress was childless, with even her only daughter’s whereabouts unknown, no one could touch her. This was not only because she was a daughter of the Hua Family but also because she was the Emperor’s primary, legitimate wife, the Empress of Great Chu, and the titular mother to all princes and princesses. Whichever prince ascended the throne would have to honor her as Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager had to admit that, despite her contempt and loathing for Noble Consort Liu, they were essentially in the same predicament. Regardless of how much favor they enjoyed or how many children they bore, without the status of a legitimate wife, they lacked even the right to refuse accompanying the Emperor in burial.
The Empress lowered her gaze and said coolly, "It is a pity that the late Emperor expressed no desire for this consort to accompany him. Mother Empress, this consort believes you should return to your palace and rest. Many matters are beyond this consort’s control, and even the new Emperor will likely be unable to assume full authority for some time. If Mother Empress has something to say, it would be better to speak with Prince Li."
The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth. Of course, she wanted to find Mo Jingli. But ever since the Emperor’s passing, Mo Jingli had not once come to the palace to pay his respects to her. Even on the rare occasions he did enter the palace, it was to see the Empress and discuss the new Emperor’s ascension. By the time she received word and rushed over, Mo Jingli would have already departed. Now, with her power utterly stripped away, she found it exceedingly inconvenient to accomplish anything. The Empress Dowager knew Mo Jingli was determined to forsake her.
"What are you implying, Empress? I merely came to see the Tenth Prince," the Empress Dowager said, biting back her anger.
A grandmother wishing to see her grandson could hardly be denied. As the Tenth Prince was awake, the Empress had no choice but to have him brought out.
Only when the Empress conceded did the Empress Dowager sit down with satisfaction, sipping the tea served by a palace maid. It was then she finally had a moment to notice Ye Li seated nearby. The Empress Dowager had never held a favorable impression of Ye Li. This wasn’t due to any personal grievance against Ye Li herself, but because their stances had been opposed from the very start. Now, her own survival was precarious, while Ye Li had become Prince Ding’s sole wife, her renown as Princess Consort Ding echoing that of Prince Ding across the land. How could the Empress Dowager, who once fancied herself a heroine of her generation, bear to look upon this comfortably?
"Princess Consort Ding?" the Empress Dowager frowned.
"The same. Greetings to the Empress Dowager," Ye Li replied, setting down her teacup with a faint smile. Clad in a cyan gown, she sat leisurely in a chair to the Empress’s left, appearing less like a world-renowned heroine and more like a figure from an elegant, tranquil painting of a court lady.
Knowing she had little to discuss with Ye Li, the Empress Dowager merely snorted and said no more.
Shortly after, the Tenth Prince emerged, properly attired, with his birth mother naturally following behind. The Tenth Prince’s birth mother bore the surname Li and had been enfeoffed as Honored Concubine Li after his birth. Now, palace denizens addressed her as Her Highness Li. Perhaps it was due to her humble origins, abruptly thrust into the position of one of the most honored women in the realm, but Ms.Li was no less apprehensive than the Tenth Prince. She often behaved erratically, as skittish and trembling as a startled bird. Such unrefined conduct naturally found no favor in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. Observing the timid mother and son before her, the Empress Dowager grunted in displeasure.
Ms.Li was startled; her legs gave way, and she knelt. "This servant... this servant greets Her Highness Empress Dowager." Ms.Li had only seen the Empress Dowager a few times before, and always from a distance, offering a kowtow and nothing more. The Empress Dowager’s esteemed status was naturally beyond the reach of a low-ranking consort like her. Hearing the Empress Dowager’s cold snort now, her legs had instinctively buckled, and she had knelt.
The Empress frowned slightly in displeasure, yet she also felt a profound sense of helplessness. It wasn’t Ms.Li’s fault for being so timid, but it was indeed a vexing problem that the new Emperor’s birth mother lacked such presence. The Tenth Prince, startled to see his mother consort suddenly kneel, was about to follow suit.
A delicate, jade-like hand gently steadied his arm. Though a woman’s hand, its strength was not something a small seven-year-old child could overcome. Thus, the Tenth Prince’s attempt to kneel was thwarted. He looked up in frightened surprise at the person holding him. Ye Li, seated in her chair, smiled at the wide-eyed, terrified child before her and said gently, "A man’s knees are precious as gold; as a young man, you mustn’t kneel so readily."
The boy, tears already welling in his eyes and on the verge of crying, stared blankly at the woman with the gentle smile. For a moment, he forgot to cry. He felt that this lady in cyan was incredibly gentle and kind, making him feel even more comfortable and secure than when he was with his own mother consort. His initially terrified heart gradually calmed, and he couldn’t help but inch closer to Ye Li.
Only then did the Empress breathe a sigh of relief. She looked at Ms.Li and said, "Sister, what are you doing? Rise. Attendants, quickly help Her Highness Li up."
The surrounding palace maids quickly helped Ms.Li rise and guided her to a nearby chair. Ms.Li looked about, flustered and uneasy, glancing from the Empress and Empress Dowager to Ye Li, who was smiling at her son. She nervously twisted the hem of her magnificent, gold-embroidered gown.
By now, the Empress Dowager’s face had already darkened. She slammed her hand on the table and snapped, "Princess Consort Ding, what is the meaning of this? As the Tenth Prince’s own grandmother, am I not worthy of his bow?"
Ye Li remained smiling and silent, focusing on comforting the frightened Tenth Prince. The Empress stated calmly, "Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, Teacher—Mother Empress, are you certain you wish to receive this bow?" Although the Tenth Prince had not yet formally ascended the throne, from the moment the posthumous edict was proclaimed, he was already the Emperor of Great Chu. As Emperor, he need not bow even to his own birth mother. Besides, was that truly a salute just now? It was clear that the Tenth Prince and Ms.Li had been frightened into kneeling by the Empress Dowager. If that kneel had been completed, it would have become a major laughingstock.
The Empress Dowager suppressed her fury and forced a smile at the Tenth Prince. "Suyun, come here. Let your imperial grandmother take a look at you."
The Tenth Prince had never met any "imperial grandmother" and found this fierce-looking old woman utterly terrifying. He quickly ducked behind Ye Li. The Empress Dowager’s expression faltered slightly, but she didn’t display anger. Instead, she produced a jade pendant, dangling it enticingly. "Come, let your imperial grandmother see you. This is a meeting gift from your imperial grandmother."
The Tenth Prince looked hesitantly at the jade pendant, then turned to the Empress, who was sipping her tea. He glanced at his mother consort, Ms.Li, who was still distractedly twisting the hem of her gown, oblivious to him. Finally, he looked to Ye Li. Ye Li smiled gently. "Do you like it? If you do, then accept it. Remember to thank your imperial grandmother."
"Grandson thanks... Imperial Grandmother." After taking the jade pendant and uttering his thanks, the Tenth Prince immediately ducked behind Ye Li again. The Empress Dowager, who had just adopted a benevolent expression hoping to draw him into conversation, was left grasping at air, her face contorting once more. The Empress, witnessing this, suppressed a smile. Seeing the Empress Dowager had yet to erupt, she calmly interjected, "The Tenth Prince had a bit of a fright yesterday. If Mother Empress is concerned for him, perhaps it would be better to visit another day." The Empress Dowager, finding herself with no recourse, could only depart in a frustrated huff, flicking her sleeves.
Only after the Empress Dowager had departed did Ye Li raise an eyebrow, asking with amusement, "What was all that about? Was the Empress Dowager so frightened by the decree for her to accompany the Emperor in burial that she forgot to bring her wits with her?" Ye Li found this version of the Empress Dowager rather unfamiliar. In her eyes, the Empress Dowager had always been, if not profoundly inscrutable, at least possessed of some cunning. But today’s actions—barging into the Empress’s palace, terrifying the yet-to-be-enthroned new Emperor—were truly subpar tactics.
The Empress smiled. "The Empress Dowager has also been pushed to her wit’s end. After all, when it’s a matter of life and death, who wouldn’t be distraught?"
Ye Li frowned. "And Prince Li? Is he truly going to leave the Empress Dowager to her fate?"
The Empress shook her head. "Their mother-son affairs are something I also cannot comprehend." For instance, she had never understood whether the Empress Dowager truly cherished her two sons, or rather, which son she cherished more. And the animosity Prince Li and his brother Mo Jingqi held for their own birth mother seemed almost unnaturally cruel.
"This child is named Mo Suyun?" Ye Li asked softly, looking down at the timid Tenth Prince hiding beside her. "It’s a good name." Actually, the names of Mo Jingqi’s sons’ generation were all somewhat inappropriate. The first founding Prince Ding was named Mo Lanyun. Although no rule stipulated that the imperial family needed to avoid the names of princes, such names always caused a degree of discomfort.
The Empress looked at the Tenth Prince, a hint of compassion in her eyes. "It was chosen by the people at the Bureau of Imperial Astronomy." Mo Jingqi had never paid this mother and son any mind, so one naturally couldn’t expect him to personally bestow a name.
Ye Li looked at the pitiful little boy with some amusement. This child was indeed far too timid, though it might also be due to the frights of recent days. Consider Mo Xiaobao, who bullies Leng Junhan daily, calling him Leng Xiaodai; Leng Junhan is at least ten times more alert and courageous than this child. No wonder the Empress is so worried.
As an emperor, being as bold and presumptuous as Mo Ruiyun was certainly not acceptable, but being like the Tenth Prince, who might even be scared to tears during his own enthronement ceremony, was even worse. The former could at least maintain a facade; the latter couldn’t even manage that.
Looking at the Tenth Prince, the Empress sighed wearily. "The Eldest Princess and the court ministers entrusted him to this consort, but how can this consort possibly change a child’s disposition? This child has truly been taught to be too timid and fearful." Ye Li smiled. "Princess Changle was guided by Your Highness the Empress to become intelligent and poised. With time, the Tenth Prince will surely improve."
The Empress gave a bitter smile. "Where is there ’time’ now? We can barely cope with the present. If the Tenth Prince truly cannot even make it through the enthronement ceremony, then even if Prince Li and the Liu Family propose to enthrone a new monarch, it wouldn’t be unjustifiable. At that point..." What the Empress left unsaid was that, at that point, it was likely neither the child nor Ms.Li would survive. Whichever faction ultimately gained the upper hand would absolutely not permit the most legitimate heir to the throne to remain alive.
"Then, what are Her Highness the Empress’s intentions?" Ye Li asked softly, looking at the Empress. She didn’t believe the Empress was unaware that this was her best chance to extricate herself. The current chaos in the Palace of Great Chu and the almost predictable future turmoil were not problems that could be completely resolved simply by supporting a new emperor.
The Empress sighed. "Let’s take it one step at a time."
Ye Li shook her head and sighed. "Her Highness Empress, why must you endure this? Does Your Highness truly not wish to one day reunite with Wuyou?"
The Empress’s expression turned bleak; hearing Ye Li’s words, she seemed to drift into a reverie.
The Empress lowered her gaze, lost in thought, and Ye Li did not disturb her. Smiling at the Tenth Prince before her, she asked, "Little Prince, how old are you?" The Tenth Prince blinked, looked at the gentle and kind "big sister" before him, and said timidly, "Seven years old." His soft, sweet childish voice made Ye Li recall that her own Mo Xiaobao, ever since he started speaking fluently, had a very crisp and clear voice, enunciating every word with precision. She felt as if she had never heard such a soft, tender childish voice before. Such an adorable child, born into the imperial palace and thrust into such a precarious position—it was truly a pity.
"These past few days, has the Little Prince been afraid?"
The Tenth Prince’s small body trembled, and a look of terror filled his eyes. Clearly, the memory of his recent experiences brought tears to his eyes. He nodded. Ye Li sighed, gently embracing his small frame. "Don’t be afraid. Many people will protect the Little Prince, do you understand? In the future, the Little Prince will become the Emperor of Great Chu. Do you know what an emperor is?"
The Tenth Prince looked up at Ye Li and said, "I know. Like Imperial Father."
"Mm... your Imperial Father is not one to be emulated. But... you’ve seen how imposing your Imperial Father is, haven’t you? Everyone fears him."
The Tenth Prince nodded. Ye Li continued with a smile, "So, Little Prince, you will become the new Emperor of Great Chu. In the future, everyone will fear you, so you don’t need to fear them. They wouldn’t dare harm you." The Tenth Prince’s voice was tinged with tears. "But... but... WAH... yesterday... WAH WAH... Suyun was scared..."
Ye Li quickly patted the Tenth Prince, gently coaxing him. Truthfully, she wasn’t very skilled at comforting children. Mo Xiaobao never needed comforting, and Leng Junhan, who was temporarily staying at Prince Ding’s Mansion, was also a well-behaved boy. "Don’t be scared, don’t be scared... Little Prince must be brave. Brave children fear nothing, and then others won’t dare to bully you, understand?"
Perhaps Ye Li’s comfort worked, or perhaps it was simply her voice that soothed the child. The Tenth Prince gradually stopped crying and looked pleadingly at Ye Li. "Big Sister... will Big Sister stay with Suyun?" Ye Li gave a helpless, wry smile. She couldn’t stay with him. On the contrary, if this child truly grew to be an independent and outstanding Commendary Prince, they might even become enemies. Yet, looking at this soft, pitiful seven-year-old child before her, who could truly harden their heart and ignore him?
"I didn’t expect you to be so adept at coaxing children." The Empress had long since returned to her senses but, finding the interaction between Ye Li and the Tenth Prince quite amusing, had continued to observe. Looking at Ye Li, the Empress smiled. "Speaking of which, this child is timid; it’s the first time he’s trusted someone he’s just met so readily. Even with me, after so many meetings, he usually just offers a polite greeting and nothing more." Ye Li smiled. "Perhaps it’s because I’m always around children these days, so I have a certain affinity with them."
The Empress assumed she was referring to Mo Xiaobao and smiled. "If this child possessed the courage and intelligence of the young heir, this consort wouldn’t need to worry."
Ye Li looked down and gently patted the dejected child’s head. A seven-year-old isn’t entirely oblivious; he can still discern the disappointment and concern in the adults’ tones. Ye Li said softly, "This child isn’t dull. With more effort, he might not fail to improve. It’s just..." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Ye Li frowned, glancing at Ms.Li, who was sitting to the side in a daze. It wasn’t that Ye Li was being cruel or disregarding maternal bonds, but Ms.Li was truly unsuitable to educate the child. She herself was ignorant and incapable in many aspects, so naturally, she couldn’t teach the child anything meaningful. All she could offer was unadulterated spoiling. If he were born into a common family, this might not be so bad; at worst, he’d turn out a mediocre spendthrift, or the family would simply support him. But the Tenth Prince was born into the imperial family and, moreover, at such a critical juncture. A mother like Ms.Li was indeed incapable of providing him with a proper upbringing.
The Empress understood her meaning and nodded. "I understand. I will discuss it with the Eldest Princess. Perhaps inviting the Eldest Princess into the palace to personally guide the Tenth Prince would be a good idea. After all, the Eldest Princess assisted two previous emperors and was known as Princess IronLady."
If it were another woman, she would naturally seize this opportunity to raise the Tenth Prince herself. After all, though she was the Empress, she was not the new Emperor’s birth mother. In the future, the depth of the new Emperor’s affection for his titular mother versus his birth mother would determine her future life and honor. But the Empress had no desire to sever the bond between Ms.Li and the Tenth Prince. So what if she had no son? That didn’t mean she had to steal someone else’s. Just as her daughter, her Changle, would always be her precious daughter.
"Her Highness Empress speaks wisely," Ye Li said with a smile. Internally, Ye Li also breathed a sigh of relief that the Empress did not intend to raise the Tenth Prince. Although the Empress currently refused to leave with Feng Zhiyao, who could say she wouldn’t change her mind in the future? If, by then, a maternal bond had formed with the Tenth Prince, it would indeed complicate matters. When Ye Li returned, it would be difficult to explain to Feng Zhiyao.
"Your Highness Empress..." Ms.Li said, somewhat anxiously. Though dull-witted, she still understood that Her Highness Empress was dissatisfied with her. In this palace, her son was her only support. Under no circumstances did she want to be separated from him.
The Empress said calmly, "Rest assured. This consort is only inviting the Eldest Princess into the palace to guide the Tenth Prince. We will not separate you from your son."
"Thank you... thank you, Your Highness Empress." Hearing this, Ms.Li finally breathed a sigh of relief, her joy evident.
