The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Chapter 1: Disposing the Empress

As evening descends during the early summer, sudden downpours are a common occurrence.

The sky above the Imperial Palace lay heavy with overcast, dark clouds, pressing down upon the normally dignified atmosphere. What was once a magnificent palace hall was now enveloped by these dark clouds, much like a colossal cage, firmly trapping all those within its confines.

Within the expansive chambers, the curtains appeared ancient, coated in a thick layer of dust. Despite the typically hot weather, a distinct chill permeated the air. Clothing and ornate jewelry were strewn across the floor, as if a devastating calamity had recently swept through the area.

A woman, clad in thin, worn silk, knelt halfway to the ground, her gaze fixed upon the figure before her.

Though only in her thirties, this woman's face bore the weathered appearance of an elder. A deep-seated hostility was etched between her brows, and her eyes, like stagnant water, seemed incapable of tears, resembling a long-dried well filled with an unfathomable hatred.

“Your Ladyship, please,” the eunuch standing nearby held a length of white silk in his hands, his tone betraying a clear impatience, “Zajia must report the completion of this task to His Majesty.”

Shen Miao’s eyes settled upon the eunuch. A prolonged silence followed before she finally spoke, her voice raspy, “Xiao Li-zi, when Bengong first promoted you, you were merely a lowly servant by Gao Gonggong’s side.”

The eunuch tilted his head slightly, a hint of arrogance in his demeanor, “Your Ladyship, the present is not the past.”

“The present is not the past…” Shen Miao repeated the words softly before suddenly lifting her head and letting out a laugh. “What a splendid phrase, ‘the present is not the past’!”

Because of that single sentence, all the servants and courtiers who once showed her deference now turned their backs. Because of ‘the present is not the past’, she was now presented with three chi of white silk to end her life. What kind of past was it that led to this present? When did the present truly begin? Was it when Mei Furen entered the palace? Was it when the Crown Prince was deposed? Or perhaps when Princess Chang tragically perished en route to her distant marriage? Could it have been when she returned to the palace five years ago, after being held hostage in Qin?

From that ‘past’ to this ‘present’, from Empress to a deposed Empress, it was all due to Fu Xiu Yi’s single decree! The entirety of this court’s officials shifted their allegiances, and this country of Ming Qi had its very foundations of right and wrong inverted! Truly, a remarkable ‘the present is not the past’!

The grand doors of the hall creaked open, and a pair of dragon-embroidered boots halted before Shen Miao. Looking up, she saw a resplendent yellow robe.

“Given that you have followed Zhen for twenty years, I shall grant you an intact corpse. Be grateful for this kindness,” the Emperor declared.

Shen Miao slowly raised her head, gazing at the man positioned so high above. Time seemed to have left no mark on his countenance; he was as strikingly handsome as he had been in their early days. He was the wise sovereign, the rightful Son of Heaven. He was the man she had foolishly loved for twenty years, the husband whom she had supported through humble circumstances over those same years. And now, he told her, “Zhen will grant you an intact corpse. Be grateful for this kindness.”

“Why?” Shen Miao managed to ask, the words heavy with difficulty.

He offered no reply.

“Why was it necessary to seize the entire Shen family?” she pressed.

Prince Ding, Fu Xiu Yi, was one of the nine sons of the late Emperor. Each of these princes possessed their own distinct merits. However, with the Crown Prince being frail and the Emperor reluctant to alter his position, the princes used the ensuing turmoil to their advantage. Shen Miao had long been captivated by Prince Ding’s peerless talent. Despite her family’s entreaties, she pursued him, ultimately securing her desired match and firmly binding the entire Shen family to Prince Ding’s cause.

In consequence, she dedicated herself to assisting Prince Ding. Transforming from a pampered daughter with little worldly knowledge into a Prince Consort capable of participating in court affairs, offering strategic plans and advice, and stabilizing the nation. On the day Fu Xiu Yi ascended the throne, he established her as Empress, the mother of all under heaven – the highest honor imaginable.

She once believed herself to be the most exalted Empress. When the rebellion of the princes was quelled, the Xiao Nu launched an assault, threatening the neighboring countries. In order to secure troops, Shen Miao willingly journeyed to the Qin country as a hostage. As she departed, her children were barely a month old when Fu Xiu Yi vowed, “Zhen will personally bring you back.”

Five years later, she was finally able to return to Ming Qi, only to find an additional, beautiful, and talented Mei Furen gracing the Inner Palace.

Mei Furen, an official’s daughter, was encountered by Fu Xiu Yi during his Eastern expedition. Enamored by her intelligence and sensibility, he brought her back to the Palace. Mei Furen subsequently gave birth to Prince Fu Chen, who was greatly favored. In stark contrast, Shen Miao’s son, the Crown Prince Fu Ming, received little attention.

Fu Xiu Yi once declared before the entire court, “Fu Ming’s character is too soft; Fu Cheng is the one who truly resembles me.” These words clearly signaled his intent to alter the line of succession for the Crown Prince.

Mei Furen's influence instilled a sense of crisis in Shen Miao, leading to a decade-long rivalry within the Palace. Mei Furen consistently gained the upper hand, even persuading Fu Xiu Yi to arrange a marriage alliance between her daughter, Princess Wan Yu, and the Xiong Nu. The Xiong Nu were known for their aggression, and Princess Wan Yu tragically passed away from illness en route to her marriage, her body cremated immediately. While the circumstances were suspicious, Shen Miao, as a mother, was powerless.

Ultimately, this path led Shen Miao to her current predicament.

With a single decree from Fu Xiu Yi, the Shen family was accused of rebellion, the Crown Prince deposed and forced to commit suicide to atone for his 'crimes'. Shen Miao, as the Empress, was also to be disposed of, with a decree of three chi of white silk bestowed upon her.

Her sole question remained: “Why?”

Shen Miao reasoned with Fu Xiu Yi, “Have you no conscience? We have been husband and wife for over twenty years, and I have never failed you. When you first ascended the throne, it was my Shen family that supported you. When you went to battle and the Xiong Nu invaded, I penned the letter of surrender. To rally the high-ranking officials to your side, I knelt and begged for their assistance. I even went to Qin country as a hostage, enduring torture and pain. And what was your reciprocation? Mei Furen arranged Wan Yu's marriage, you drafted the Imperial decree, and Wan Yu died at just sixteen. You favored Fu Cheng, neglecting Fu Ming, a fact known throughout the court. Now you exterminate my entire clan, and as death nears, I ask you again: Why?”

“Shen Miao,” Fu Xiu Yi frowned, his expression as unyielding as a cold statue, “When Imperial Father was alive, he already wished to deal with several powerful families. The Shen family’s achievements overshadowed even the masters; they could not remain for long. It was I who persuaded Imperial Father. I allowed the Shen family to survive for twenty years, and that itself is the greatest bestowal upon your family!”

“The greatest bestowal upon the Shen family!” Shen Miao’s entire body trembled. She had cried so much in recent days that her tears had long since dried. Facing Fu Xiu Yi, she spoke each word deliberately, “It was not out of kindness or any bestowal that you kept the Shen family. You merely wanted to utilize the Shen family’s military might to contend with your Di brothers. Once the cunning hare is caught, the hounds are boiled. Now that the country is settled, you discard the bridge after crossing the river. Fu Xiu Yi, you are truly heartless!”

“Shen Miao!” Fu Xiu Yi shouted in anger, as if a sore spot had been struck. He then coldly scoffed, “Make the best of it.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Shen Miao collapsed to the floor, clenching her fists. This was the man she had loved her entire life. She had vied with Mei Furen for his favor, only to discover in the end that it wasn't about favor at all. This man's heart had never truly belonged to her! All his words of love had been nothing but an elaborate, mocking performance!

She spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

“Older sister, what is this? It looks dreadful,” a sweet voice chimed in.

A woman clad in a light yellow robe, adorned with a hibiscus embroidery and a willow-like waist, moved gracefully like a celestial being. Her movements were elegant and captivating as she approached.

This was Mei Furen, the woman who had held the upper hand throughout Shen Miao’s life.

Behind Mei Furen stood two women in palace attire. Shen Miao blinked in surprise, “Shen Qing, Shen Yue!”

These were the daughters from the second and third households—her cousins. Why were they in the Palace?

“His Majesty summoned us sisters into the Palace,” Shen Yue explained, covering her lips with a smile. “Fifth Younger Sister need not be shocked. In past years, Fifth Younger Sister loved to help us sisters with matchmaking. Now, that will no longer be necessary. His Majesty treats us sisters exceptionally well.”

“You…” Shen Miao’s heart churned like stormy seas. In a flash, she seemed to grasp something she had never understood before. Her voice trembled with disbelief as she asked, “You… all of you have been delaying your marriages for this very day?”

“Indeed, that’s precisely how it is,” Shen Qing stated, stepping forward. “His Majesty had an arrangement with my father and Third Uncle from the outset. If they could facilitate your marriage to His Majesty, then in the future, both of us sisters would also find ourselves in a similar position.”

In the past, when Shen Miao married Fu Xiu Yi, the second and third branches of the family certainly contributed significantly. Reflecting on it now, it was Shen Miao’s Second and Third Aunts who frequently spoke of the talented Prince Ding, which initially sparked her feelings. So, was this arrangement in place much earlier? Did the second and third households harbor wicked intentions, patiently waiting for this very day?

Shen Qing, fearing Shen Miao might not grasp the full picture, continued, “His Majesty is exceptionally capable and handsome; we sisters have long held him in admiration. It’s just that First Uncle possessed the power to force you, Fifth Younger Sister, to ascend first. You, Fifth Younger Sister, have lived a life of fortune for many years. Now, our moment has arrived.”

“Shen Qing!” Shen Miao suddenly straightened, her voice sharp. “His Majesty has taken control of the entire Shen family, yet you two have entered the Palace. How can the second and third households be safe and sound?”

“Naturally, the second and third households are safe and sound,” Shen Yue responded, muffling her laughter behind her hand. “It's because we rendered a great service. The evidence of Eldest Uncle’s rebellion was presented by our household, demonstrating that we placed righteousness above familial ties. Fifth Younger Sister, His Majesty has bestowed high-ranking titles upon our two households.”

Shen Miao gazed at her two female cousins in disbelief. “Are you all insane? When the heavens rain down destruction, can any nest remain unscathed? The Shen family is one entity. Fu Xiu Yi intends to destroy the Shen family, yet you actively betray your own kin…”

“Kin. Fifth Younger Sister, we no longer acknowledge the first household as our kin,” Shen Qing declared with a cold laugh. “Furthermore, you have enjoyed far too much already. Now that the Crown Prince is dead, the Princess is gone, and the Shen family is annihilated, you should depart for the underworld and reunite with them.”

Mei Furen gracefully approached, a bright smile on her face. “Older sister, the country is now stable; it is time for you to retire.”

After a decade of struggle, Shen Miao had ultimately fallen into complete ruin, a devastating loss. She had lost so much that her clan was annihilated, and she had to mourn for her children. She had become a global laughingstock!

Her daughter met a violent end, and the Crown Prince was disposed of. The Shen family, who had sacrificed themselves for the country, not a single one escaped misfortune. Within a single dynasty, everything was overturned!

She declared bitterly, “This consort shall not die, for I am still a Consort!”

“Chen Gonggong, begin now,” Mei Furen instructed, glancing at the eunuch.

The portly eunuch promptly stepped forward. With one hand, he gripped Shen Miao’s neck tightly, while with the other, he twisted the white silk around her throat. With a forceful tug, the white silk tore into her flesh and bone, emitting a crisp sound as the bones snapped.

The woman struggling on the floor stared with wide eyes, making a poisonous vow in her heart.

Her son, her daughter, her parents, brothers, sisters, and servants. Everyone in the Shen family had suffered harm.

Fu Xiu Yi, Mei Furen, Shen Qing, Shen Yue – all those who had wronged her and her loved ones. If there was an afterlife, a debt of blood would be repaid with blood!

It is time for mourning, for all that existed between them has perished!