The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Chapter 231: Return Of An Old Friend (Part 4)

With Xie Jing Xing now revealed, Fu Xiu Yi was privy to Shen Miao’s true identity as well. The mention of Shen Miao's name darkened Fu Xiu Yi's countenance. He was accustomed to absolute control, yet Shen Miao's affairs had been his sole major downfall. His initial plan to leverage Shen Miao's affection for him to gain control of the Shen family had been thwarted, forcing him into a convoluted series of maneuvers. Now, with the Shen family actively opposing him, a massive headache ensued. Compounding his distress, Shen Miao had abandoned him, seemingly finding a more formidable partner, an act that felt like a public humiliation for Fu Xiu Yi. The recollection, brought forth by Ye Mei, felt like a fresh wound.

"I had initially presumed Rui Wangfei was merely fortunate, blessed with a slightly better birth, allowing her to become a Prince Consort and lead an enviable existence," Ye Mei stated. "However, it now appears she is far shrewder than I first believed. Perhaps she long understood that residing by Your Majesty's side, regardless of her loyalty, would ultimately lead to the same outcome: an ignominious death."

"Insolence!" Fu Xiu Yi boomed.

"I concede defeat to Your Majesty," Ye Mei replied. "Not so long ago, your affections were mine, yet now you reduce me to this state. One clearly values their countenance but is left in such despair that death seems preferable. But Your Majesty, let me assure you, your position is no better than mine. You have unjustly shifted all blame onto me, but do you truly believe you will meet a favorable end?"

Fu Xiu Yi's expression contorted, turning a sickly green. No one would welcome such a tirade. Furthermore, his animosity towards Ye Mei was already profound, a hatred etched deep into his bones. Her words at this juncture only intensified his rage.

"You will not meet a favorable end, for you are outmatched. The fact that Shen Miao rejected you in favor of Xie Jing Xing proves that in her eyes, you are not worth a hundredth of Xie Jing Xing's worth. Consider this: while I am now stripped of all and imprisoned, your fate will be no better. You too will fall. Those thirteen mounts of You Zhou were merely the beginning; continuous defeats will follow. This Ming Qi empire will crumble under your rule, reducing you to a mere monarch of a fallen nation! I prophesy that your armies will collapse like toppling mountains, and your Fu family's dynasty will be extinguished by your hand, never to reappear for a hundred generations!"

Fu Xiu Yi regarded her with glacial eyes. "Are you concluded? Zhen granted you one final opportunity."

Ye Mei emitted a long sigh and fell silent.

A profound hatred festered within her heart, a level of animosity she had never before experienced. Fu Xiu Yi had irrevocably destroyed her appearance, and realizing the futility of redemption, she unleashed the full torrent of her fury and resentment before her imminent demise. Yet, this momentary catharsis brought a sobering realization. She had forgotten the true nature of Fu Xiu Yi...

Regrettably, the opportunity for regret had passed. Fu Xiu Yi, moreover, was not one to grant second chances. That year, despite Pei Lang suffering no real loss, he had endured such treatment. Now, because of Ye Mei's actions, he had lost the thirteen mounts of You Zhou. Hearing her imprecations, Fu Xiu Yi was undoubtedly disinclined to grant her a swift end.

"Since your appearance is of such great concern to you," he stated, "Zhen shall facilitate its ultimate expression."

He gestured to a jailer. "Sever her limbs and fashion her into a Beauty Basin. Place her in the eastern part of the city for the masses to behold."

"A spy from Great Liang, possessing such talents for song and dance! Zhen shall grant your wish, transforming you into a plaything for others' amusement, ensuring you lead a 'good life.'" With his declaration, he turned and strode away, unmoved by the heart-wrenching screams that echoed behind him.

The Beauty Basin. This was a relic of a bygone era, a plaything favored by nobles of the previous dynasty. A beautiful woman would be kept within the household, confined to a corner. Should the master wish to cast aside phlegm or discard tea dregs, they would grasp the beauty's chin, forcing her mouth to receive the refuse. She became, in essence, a living spittoon.

This was treatment worse than that afforded to animals, treating a human being as such. Its sheer cruelty meant these unfortunate beauties seldom survived. Consequently, the emperors and empresses of the preceding dynasty had abolished this practice.

Now, Fu Xiu Yi resurrected this long-disused custom, applying it to Ye Mei. A Beauty Basin devoid of its limbs represented the absolute nadir, a state where any vestige of beauty was irrevocably lost.

Commoners would typically recoil in fear from such peculiarities, undoubtedly leading to accusations and disruptions. For Ye Mei, who cherished her appearance above all else, this was a torment far worse than death. She, who always aspired to ascend, had been reduced to a level below the very civilians she scorned, deemed less than human. Fu Xiu Yi understood her deeply.

Thus, dealing with her was akin to striking a snake seven inches, hitting its vital point.

The once celebrated Mei Furen, held in high esteem within the Imperial Court and the Inner Palace, was thus disgraced. Her downfall, her abandonment, and her demise occurred with astonishing swiftness. All that remained of her was the memory of her beauty and the notoriety of being Great Liang’s spy.

But what of Fu Xiu Yi?

Ye Mei’s curse had indeed come to pass.

Despite shifting all blame onto Ye Mei, the entire realm regarded him with derision. As a Monarch, how could he have a spy in his midst yet remain oblivious due to her captivating looks, ultimately losing the thirteen prefectures of You Zhou? The label of a 'heedless ruler' began to circulate widely among the populace.

The common folk, unaware of the intricate machinations, focused solely on the outcome.

Fu Xiu Yi had become a complete spectacle, from start to finish. The gravest consequence was that, just as everyone had anticipated, Great Liang, emboldened by their acquisition of You Zhou’s thirteen prefectures, grew increasingly aggressive, securing victory after victory. Ming Qi, in contrast, suffered continuous defeats, retreating relentlessly, making their past triumphs seem like a distant dream. The might of Great Liang was truly formidable.

When misfortune strikes, it often brings more in its wake. At this juncture, the Qin country began to cautiously pursue a path of self-preservation, appearing inclined to submit to Great Liang. Consequently, Great Liang’s focus shifted, their military might now directed squarely at Ming Qi, causing Fu Xiu Yi immense distress and sleepless nights.

The situation was dire.

*****

The tides of war are in constant flux.

Having secured the thirteen prefectures of You Zhou, Great Liang utilized them as a strategic base to launch a counteroffensive. They deliberately avoided direct confrontation with the Qin country, opting instead to concentrate their efforts against Ming Qi.

Recognizing Great Liang’s principal assault on Ming Qi, the Qin country adopted a defensive posture and even dispatched envoys to open negotiations, offering terms of compensation. However, the Qin military’s capabilities were somewhat lacking, and the prolonged conflict had severely depleted their national treasury, leading to unrest among the populace due to heavy taxation.

The Qin country grasped the gravity of their predicament. Compared to the complete dissolution of their nation, relinquishing territory through compensation seemed a minor concern.

The Qin country’s decision to alter their stance at this particular moment boded ill for Ming Qi. Nevertheless, regardless of Fu Xiu Yi’s entreaties, whether gentle or forceful, the Qin country remained indifferent.

This turn of events was largely attributable to Xie Jing Xing. He had first presented a tantalizing prospect to Qin, leading the Qin Emperor to believe that Great Liang lacked the resources to engage Qin simultaneously, their sole focus being the subjugation of Ming Qi. Xie Jing Xing orchestrated this deception flawlessly.

It was crucial to sow discord among their adversaries, and this strategy had been executed with remarkable success.

Great Liang’s forces swiftly advanced, reaching the very gates of Ming Qi’s imperial capital.

Meanwhile, within the Wei Yang Palace of Long Ye, Empress Xian De motioned for a palace attendant to pour wine.

This gathering was designated a 'palace banquet,' yet it was devoid of the usual assembly of hundreds of civil and military officials, nor were the consorts of the Inner Palace present. The attendees were solely Shen Miao, Luo Tan, Emperor Yong Le, and Empress Xian De. Empress Xian De declared, “Consider this a family feast, a celebration of Jing Xin’s achievements.”

Once Xie Jing Xing conquered the capital, it would effectively settle the conflict with Ming Qi. Naturally, Xie Jing Xing would not overlook the Qin country. To eradicate weeds, one must remove the roots; a decisive, final resolution was the most effective approach. Without Ming Qi’s support, Qin would be like an arrow nearing the end of its flight. Xie Jing Xing had deliberately prolonged the war, launching his full might only when the opportune moment arrived.

The end of this protracted and brutal war was drawing near. Following its conclusion, the realm would experience stability, ushering in an era of peace across the land, truly fulfilling everyone's deepest desires.

“Youngest Biao Sister, please have some drink,” Luo Tan placed a cup of plum juice before Shen Miao. She then gestured towards Shen Miao’s gently rounded abdomen, remarking, “The Imperial Physician indicated that childbirth is expected in two months. One wonders if it will be a little nephew or a little niece.”

Shen Miao’s gaze softened, her lips parting slightly as she murmured, “Very calm, most likely a daughter.”

“That is not necessarily true,” Empress Xian De chimed in. “There are sons who are quiet and daughters who are boisterous. However, when Jing Xin returns and discovers he has become a father, who knows what a 'ruckus' he will create.””

The memory of that scene did not cause Shen Miao any discomfort. She mused that if Xie Jing Xing were to discover she had kept it from him for so long, he would surely throw a fit. Yet, she decided to take things one step at a time.

As they conversed, Emperor Yong Le entered from outside.

Shen Miao had not interacted much with Emperor Yong Le, and it was likely he still harbored some displeasure towards her, as evidenced by his reserved attitude. However, recently, due to the child she carried, his demeanor had softened considerably. Perhaps with Empress Xian De's subtle influence, he had even begun sending good medicinal remedies for her whenever they became available.

Luo Tan, feeling a touch of apprehension towards Emperor Yong Le, jolted upright in surprise.

Four individuals were seated at the table, partaking in a meal. Luo Tan found herself in an awkward position, but Shen Miao remained composed. Emperor Yong Le's expression was stern, while Empress Xian De was visibly delighted. She declared, “This time, Jing Xin has achieved a great feat of merit. When he returns victoriously, a grand celebration is in order. In my opinion, bestowing upon WangFei the title of ‘Gao Ming’ would be most fitting. Their Prince’s residence lacks nothing material, so a title of ‘Gao Ming’ is most appropriate.”

Emperor Yong Le paused, then uttered a simple “En.”

Empress Xian De inquired, “Do you not agree?”

Shen Miao found herself in a quandary.

How could she possibly respond? If she agreed, Emperor Yong Le would undoubtedly be displeased. Conversely, if she refused, it would be tantamount to openly offending Empress Xian De. These Emperor and Empress truly knew how to pose a challenging question in front of everyone. With a smile, Shen Miao replied, “Regarding all these matters, it would be best to discuss them once His Highness returns.”

“That is a reasonable point,” Empress Xian De nodded. “Perhaps he has his own preferences.” Her gaze then shifted to Luo Tan. “As for Young Lady Luo, once Gao Yang returns, would it be suitable for me to arrange a marriage for you both?”

Luo Tan nearly choked on the pastry she was eating. Had it been anyone else, she would have retreated, but facing the Empress, she could only cast a pleading look towards Shen Miao.

Shen Miao stifled a chuckle and said, “Your Ladyship, there is no need to rush these matters. It would be better to await Gentleman Gao’s return. Perhaps Gentleman Gao has other intentions.”

Upon hearing Shen Miao's intercession, Luo Tan felt a wave of relief, yet a sense of bewilderment followed her words. What did she mean by that? It sounded as if Gao Yang was not particularly interested in her. She considered herself a graceful young lady, a gem like jade, and a distinguished daughter of the Luo family from Xiao Chun City… But then she questioned herself, why was she comparing? She had no particular aspirations in this regard.

Emperor Yong Le looked at Empress Xian De and said with quiet intensity, “Eat.”

Empress Xian De began to chide gently, “I’ve already mentioned this is a family banquet, meant for relaxation and enjoyment. Why the solemnity?”

Since Xie Jing Xing had begun sending frequent reports, a sense of calm had settled over the high-ranking officials of the imperial court. They now seemed to grasp the ambitions and methods of the young Emperor more clearly. Although only two brothers were in the Xie family, neither showed any mercy. One excelled at managing the court, while the other was adept at expanding the empire's borders. The awe they inspired kept the court remarkably tranquil.

Even the memorials criticizing Emperor Yong Le for his lack of an heir had become few and far between.

Empress Xian De was experiencing a rare period of peace, and her feelings towards Emperor Yong Le had subtly shifted. The once formal Emperor and Empress, who treated each other with the courtesy of esteemed guests, now appeared to be evolving into an ordinary couple. Emperor Yong Le, a man of strict principles, had always treated Empress Xian De with unwavering respect. In recent days, Empress Xian De had allowed herself occasional displays of gentle wilfulness, and Emperor Yong Le had indulged her. Though not overtly affectionate, it was a heartwarming departure from their previous demeanor.

It is often said that observers gain the clearest perspective. Shen Miao perceived a deep affection in Emperor Yong Le’s regard for the Empress. It felt as though everything was progressing towards a positive outcome, and perhaps upon Xie Jing Xing's return, such fortunate circumstances would prevail for a considerable time to come.