Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1181 - 171: Cooperation with the Xie Family—A Calculated Move from the Beginning (Part 3)

Noble Princess Consort Ying gave Xie Yi a knowing glance and remarked, "It's precisely because I lack family backing and any children that the Emperor can show me his favor with such confidence."

Xie Yi was momentarily taken aback by her words. After a brief pause, she let out a self-deprecating laugh, murmuring, "So that's how it is."

Noble Princess Consort Ying, who had intended to provoke Xie Yi, found herself surprised when Xie Yi didn't fly into a rage; instead, she appeared quite indifferent. Standing up, she declared, "I shall take my leave now. I'll visit again when you're next in a fit."

"I wish to see the Emperor," Xie Yi suddenly stated.

"You wish to see the Emperor?" Noble Princess Consort Ying inquired, a hint of amusement in her laughter. "Do you truly believe the Emperor will grant you an audience?"

"Inform the Emperor that I still have matters concerning Xie Wan to discuss."

This piqued Noble Princess Consort Ying's curiosity. She eyed Xie Yi with playful interest, asking, "Are you suggesting you wish to tell the Emperor it wasn't you who caused the demise of the former Empress?"

Xie Yi offered no further reply, turning her back and ceasing to look at Noble Princess Consort Ying.

"How fascinating," Noble Princess Consort Ying mused, departing the Cold Palace with her palace maid in tow.

"Consort, do you truly intend to convey what she just said to His Majesty?" the palace maid questioned, her tone laced with suspicion. "This servant believes she is attempting to deceive you."

"I am curious," Noble Princess Consort Ying replied with a smile. "I shall relay her message." The days within the harem had become exceedingly monotonous, and she felt the need for some diversion, lest she perish from sheer boredom. "Come, let us proceed to the Imperial Study."

Noble Princess Consort Ying did indeed make her way to the Imperial Study and relayed Xie Yi's words precisely as spoken to the Emperor.

Upon hearing the message, the Emperor did not immediately hasten to the Cold Palace to confront Xie Yi. Instead, he deferred his visit until after he had concluded his review of the official memorials.

Noble Princess Consort Ying requested permission to accompany him, a request the Emperor did not deny.

He entered to meet Xie Yi alone, leaving Noble Princess Consort Ying and Sun Kui waiting outside. Noble Princess Consort Ying had harbored the hope of remaining by the Emperor's side to overhear Xie Yi's revelations about the former Empress, but she was unexpectedly excluded by the Emperor.

Noticing Noble Princess Consort Ying's evident displeasure, Sun Kui lowered his head, struggling to contain his mirth.

Noble Princess Consort Ying moved discreetly towards the window, pressing her ear against the glass in an attempt to eavesdrop.

Sun Kui feigned ignorance, though he too harbored a desire to listen in, lacking Noble Princess Consort Ying's boldness.

Within the chamber, the Emperor took a seat upon the worn yet impeccably clean couch.

Xie Yi knelt on the floor below.

"What is it you wish to impart to me?" the Emperor inquired, his tone bordering on coldness, yet his expression betrayed no hint of impatience.

"Your Majesty, Xie Wan does not harbor love for you," Xie Yi declared, a vengeful smile gracing her lips. "She confessed to me herself that she does not love you; all she can be is a good Empress." She recalled this particular conversation from two days prior, a memory resurfacing as if from a dream. During her younger days, upon entering the palace with Xie Wan, she had deliberately asked if Xie Wan liked the Emperor. Xie Wan's silence then had irked her, making her believe Xie Wan was merely shy. Later, she overheard Xie Wan confiding in a nearby palace maid, stating she neither loved nor dared to love the Emperor, and that her only recourse was to fulfill the role of a dutiful Empress.

This recollection, hazily remembered upon waking, had faded until a dream two days ago brought the entire incident back with clarity.

Perceiving the malice glinting in Xie Yi's eyes, the Emperor offered a soft chuckle. "Do you genuinely believe I concern myself with whether she loves me or not?"

His words caused Xie Yi's smile to falter, and she responded with disbelief, "You do not care?"

"I do not," the Emperor affirmed, flicking his sleeve. "Do you comprehend the reason why you have never measured up to Xie Wan?"

The query struck Xie Yi like a physical blow, particularly emanating from the Emperor. Her ashen face flushed with anger as she retorted vehemently, "I am in no way inferior to her! I am the legitimate daughter, while she is but a concubine's offspring. She is not my equal!"

"Xie Wan possesses greater intelligence and self-awareness than you," the Emperor stated, supporting his chin with his right hand and regarding Xie Yi with an amused expression. "Xie Wan understood that I did not love her, and thus, she astutely chose to fulfill her duties as an Empress."

"You do not love Xie Wan? You lie! You clearly adored her... you ceased all court affairs for her sake when she passed; it's impossible you didn't love her." Xie Yi vividly remembered the profound grief the Emperor had displayed following Xie Wan's death.

"While love was absent, profound respect was certainly present," the Emperor clarified. His sentiments regarding the late Empress were rooted in genuine respect and a sense of obligation. "Did you truly believe she was unaware of your collective efforts to poison her?"

Xie Yi's countenance shifted dramatically. "What do you mean by that?"

"When Xie Wan was gravely ill, she discovered your scheme of drugging her. To shield you, your mother, and Duke Zhen Country Mansion, she chose silence and even orchestrated events to prevent me from noticing." The Emperor declared, "Before her demise, Xie Wan made no requests of me; her sole wish was for me to marry you."

"Impossible!" Xie Yi shrieked, her voice sharp. "You are deceiving me!"

"Had it not been for Xie Wan, I would never have considered you as the successor Empress." In truth, the Emperor had not initially intended to select a daughter from the Xie family for the role of successor Empress.

"No, that cannot be! I am the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhen Country Mansion; you were bound to marry me." Xie Yi’s features contorted into a ferocious expression. "If not for my tender years, I would have married you long ago. That Xie Wan, the harlot, wouldn't have had a chance. The position of Empress was rightfully mine!"

"My agreement to wed Xie Wan was precisely because she was merely a concubine’s unfavored daughter." The Emperor's gaze bore into Xie Yi, laced with mockery, his tone utterly indifferent. "Had it been you from the start, I would have refused such an alliance, let alone marriage."

"Impossible!" Xie Yi refused to accept this revelation. "I am the legitimate daughter of the Xie family; how could you possibly decline to marry me?"

"Precisely because you are the Xie family’s legitimate daughter." The Emperor sneered. "When I agreed to the alliance with the Xie family, it was not out of a need for assistance from the foremost noble clan, but as a strategic maneuver to dismantle the noble families later." In those bygone years, by the time the Xie family proposed their alliance, the Zhao family had already subjugated the majority of the territories. Albeit Zhao Yao required additional weaponry and provisions, the Zhao family’s ultimate triumph would have been assured even without the Xie family’s backing.

The Xie family’s decision to back the Zhao family stemmed from their conviction that the Zhao family was on the precipice of victory; otherwise, why would they not have joined forces with the Zhao family from the outset?

Xie Yi, appearing not to grasp the Emperor’s intended meaning, inquired with bewilderment, "What are you implying?"

The Emperor patiently reiterated his explanation. "My acceptance of marriage into the Xie family was a stratagem to contend with the noble families of the future, with the Xie family serving as the vanguard of these clans."

Possessing a typically slow wit, Xie Yi finally comprehended the Emperor’s words. A thunderous realization struck her, akin to a lightning bolt from a clear sky. Her mind went utterly blank, her countenance a mask of sheer astonishment.

The Emperor continued, his voice unfolding slowly. "Both the former Emperor and I harbored a deep disdain for the noble families; why then would we seek to forge an in-law relationship with the Xie family, the very head of their ranks?"

Xie Yi’s body quivered subtly, her eyes fixed upon the Emperor, now brimming with palpable fear.

"Our alliance with the Xie family served a dual purpose: firstly, to deceive the other aristocratic families, fostering the illusion that our Zhao family was amenable to intermarriage with the nobility, thereby convincing them of potential benefits and portraying us as no different from previous Imperial families. Secondly, it was a calculated move to eradicate all aristocratic families."

Xie Yi crumpled to the floor, her body wracked with an intensifying tremor.

"Xie Wan possessed greater acumen than you; she discerned my intentions not long after ascending to the position of Empress, thus choosing to fulfill her role admirably." The Emperor approached the fallen Xie Yi, looming above her, his tone as frigid as ice and dripping with derision. "Naturally, my chief reason for acceding to Xie Wan’s request to have you marry as successor Empress was your inherent foolishness. With Xie Wan, this erstwhile empress, serving as a buffer, you would dutifully perform the Empress’s duties and manage the harem effectively for me. Furthermore, once you bore children, your dissatisfaction with Xie Wan’s son as Crown Prince would inevitably lead you to desire your own son’s ascension."

The Emperor went on. "Your brother championed Xie Wan’s son, adamantly insisting on his designation as Crown Prince, refusing your son’s claim. This fueled your resentment towards him for his perceived lack of support. Without any intervention from me, you would ultimately deal with your own brother."

Xie Yi’s complexion grew progressively paler, the dread in her heart escalating with each passing moment.

"For your own sake and that of your son, you were willing to sacrifice your brother, even your entire Xie family." The Emperor’s words held a discernible note of satisfaction, a smirk gracing his lips. "You have performed admirably over the years; I am exceedingly pleased."

Xie Yi lifted her gaze, her eyes locking onto the Emperor as if he were some monstrous entity. She stammered, her lips trembling uncontrollably, "You... this... all of this... you... you orchestrated it from the very beginning..."