The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Chapter 231: Return Of An Old Friend (Part 6)

Upon receiving the news, Shen Miao remained in a state of shock for quite some time.

She had never anticipated that her past adversaries would be so thoroughly eliminated. Yet, she also recognized that this outcome was inevitable.

Fu Xiu Yi had sown the seeds of betrayal long ago, destined for a future harvest. Mei Furen, like a tiger grasping for its skin, would ultimately be consumed by the very predator she sought to control. They consistently exploited others, leveraging wealth and beauty to seize their desires. While such individuals might believe anything is attainable, their foundations were never built to last.

Consequently, Fu Xiu Yi would eventually face betrayal from his own subordinates, and Mei Furen would perish at the hands of the man who had once doted on her in a previous lifetime.

Shen Miao had supposed that upon learning of the fates of these two individuals, she would undoubtedly erupt in elation. However, at this juncture, a profound sense of detachment settled within her heart. It was as if she had fulfilled her obligations, leaving no lingering need for revenge in the remaining half of her life.

Her gaze drifted downwards, towards her abdomen. This was due to a more significant treasure she now possessed.

Within the depths of hatred and sorrow, it was she herself who had been unable to escape. Yet, Xie Jing Xing and this unborn child had guided her out of that prolonged nightmare. The longer one lived, the more tranquil one's heart became. She felt an unwavering conviction that she could accomplish it, completing the final act for Fu Ming and Wan Yu. As for this current lifetime, she was determined to live it to the fullest.

Luo Tan, gazing at the blossoms outside, remarked, “The lotus flowers are truly exquisite. Youngest Biao Sister, shall we take a stroll later?”

Shen Miao offered a slight nod.

Lotus flowers were indeed lovely. Empress Xian De found immense pleasure in observing them.

Emperor Yong Le's health continued to decline with each passing day.

Discussions regarding the imperial succession had already taken place privately with Emperor Yong Le's trusted confidants. The Emperor made no pretense about his deteriorating condition, and his key ministers had meticulously arranged all necessary provisions in secret. Should the day arrive when Emperor Yong Le no longer awoke, the transition would proceed smoothly, and the imperial edict would be proclaimed to the world. Upon Xie Jing Xing's return from his campaign, the entire Great Liang would fall under his stewardship.

Naturally, Emperor Yong Le's frail state was concealed from Xie Jing Xing.

During this critical period, Empress Xian De appeared to be the most composed. She continued her usual activities: perusing books, preparing tea, engaging in chess, and practicing calligraphy. Her conversations with Emperor Yong Le revolved around mundane topics, occasionally interspersed with lighthearted teasing directed at Shen Miao. Apart from the Emperor’s pallor, there was outwardly no deviation from their customary routine.

Within Wei Yang Palace, Empress Xian De gazed outwards and stated, “A light rain just fell, so the evening will undoubtedly be quite cool. Chenqie is rather disinclined to drink that specific jar of Snow wine; perhaps His Majesty would accompany Chenqie in partaking today?”

Emperor Yong Le, seated in his chair, cast a glance at Empress Xian De before chuckling, “A single jar. Could it be that you intend to become inebriated?” His tone, however, was exceptionally gentle.

“Who wouldn't wish to drown their sorrows in drink and forget it all?” Empress Xian De murmured to herself before adding, “A single jar of wine will hardly lead to intoxication. Chenqie possesses a remarkable capacity for alcohol. In my youth, I often pilfered wine to share with my Older Brothers.”

Hearing this, Emperor Yong Le displayed a rare flicker of interest and remarked, “That doesn’t sound like something you would do.”

“What constitutes such behavior?” Empress Xian De inquired, a hint of pride coloring her tone. “When drinking with my Older Brothers, Chenqie had never once been defeated. At that time, Father even boasted he would find a wine potent enough to intoxicate Chenqie with a mere sip, yet after considerable searching, he failed to locate such a concoction. Afterward, when Chenqie entered the Palace, I feared losing my composure after drinking and therefore ceased partaking.”

“First tea, and now wine,” Emperor Yong Le sighed. “Your interests are remarkably disparate.”

“Drinking tea serves to invigorate the senses, while imbibing alcohol is an act of indulgence,” Empress Xian De explained with a smile. “Therefore, this evening, Your Majesty must cast aside all pretenses and indulge just once. The Snow Wine was brewed personally by Chenqie. While it may not rival the finest ambrosia, it is certainly fitting for the occasion.”

“Very well,” Emperor Yong Le conceded. “Zhen shall join you in this indulgence.”

*****

In the waning days of summer, the evening breeze whispered gently, and the lake shimmered with a verdant hue. Long Ye experienced summers that lingered, with no sign of cooling even into the eighth month.

Within a secluded pavilion overlooking the lake, a small pot of wine sat upon the table, accompanied by a few delectable snacks and two wine bowls.

Emperor Yong Le surveyed the round, wind-worn bowls before him, his brows arching slightly. “Use these?” His expression, strangely reminiscent of Xie Jing Xing’s typical mannerisms, made him appear remarkably similar to the young general.

Empress Xian De smiled, “One cannot savor the true taste of Snow Wine by sipping it daintily. With a wine bowl like this, however, it tastes sweet.”

Emperor Yong Le frowned, “You used to drink like this before? Don’t be absurd.”

“Since ChenQie was drinking alone with no one to witness, why should one bother with such formalities?” Empress Xian De, however, cared. She poured wine for Emperor Yong Le while holding the small jar in one hand.

Emperor Yong Le opened his mouth to speak but stopped, his gaze falling upon Empress Xian De in silent contemplation.

While Empress Xian De had been brewing Snow Wine annually, this marked the first time Emperor Yong Le had joined her for a drink. For countless years, she had brewed tea and made wine in solitude, her life within the confines of the Palace passing like the blooming and wilting of flowers. Though she performed her duties as Empress impeccably, the world had nearly forgotten she was a woman capable of feeling loneliness—a loneliness she often savored, much like the taste of wine.

Tao GuGu and Deng GongGong stood at a considerable distance, seemingly affording the Emperor and Empress their rare private moment. Empress Xian De offered a wine bowl to Emperor Yong Le, saying, “Whenever Jing Xing attended the Palace banquets, he always enjoyed drinking from wine bowls. ChenQie noticed Your Majesty’s apparent envy, so there’s no need to hold back tonight. It’s just ChenQie and you, and ChenQie certainly won’t laugh at Your Majesty.”

“What nonsense is this? What’s there for Zhen to be envious of?” Emperor Yong Le retorted, yet he picked up the wine bowl. He examined it with a critical eye before taking a sip.

Witnessing this, Empress Xian De couldn’t help but chuckle. “What are you doing, Your Majesty? You should learn from ChenQie.” She then lifted her own wine bowl, tilted her head back, and drank. Even this simple action appeared remarkably elegant and captivating.

Emperor Yong Le let out a soft cough. “Ridiculous.” Yet, his gaze followed Empress Xian De, his expression remarkably gentle.

Empress Xian De poured another bowl for herself and smiled. “When ChenQie was young, I followed Father to study history texts and admired the great heroes depicted within. They rose amidst chaos, their spirits heroic as they would eat meat and drink heartily, facing the world head-on. I always felt that such lives were truly worth living. ChenQie once thought that in the future, I must marry such a hero, brewing tea for him by day and drinking with him by night.” As she spoke, her eyes sparkled, transporting her back to her youth, pleading with her elder brothers to share a drink.

“And what happened then?” Emperor Yong Le inquired.

“Afterwards, ChenQie married Your Majesty, but Your Majesty refused to eat meat or drink wine heartily. Though not crude, your demeanor was exceedingly cold. ChenQie deeply regrets it.”

Emperor Yong Le regarded her. A faint flush had spread across her cheeks, leaving him uncertain whether she was truly inebriated. He surmised she must be drunk, for a sober Empress Xian De would never be so childish as to criticize him directly.

He remarked, “Didn’t you claim to have a high tolerance for alcohol? How could you become so wildly drunk in front of Zhen?”

“ChenQie is not drunk,” Empress Xian De replied. “ChenQie wishes to be drunk, but for so many years, ChenQie has had no choice but to remain sober.”

Emperor Yong Le’s smile faltered, unable to continue.

“It is ChenQie’s misfortune to be married to Your Majesty. Everything else might be acceptable, but to share my husband with countless other women… Even high-ranking families have concubines, but the principal wife typically bears children. Yet, ChenQie does not even have her own child. This marriage truly cannot be considered a good one.” Empress Xian De smiled faintly. “Therefore, ChenQie envies the WangFei of First Rank. It is not an easy life for any WangFei, and they face numerous worries, but they are more fortunate than ChenQie because they have choices. Jing Xin also treats her well. Jing Xin is not as heartless as Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yong Le remained silent for a long while, the silence punctuated only by the croaking of frogs in the pond and the chirping of crickets in the trees. Finally, he said, “You also have choices. Jing Zhen...”

“From the very beginning, ChenQie had no choice at all,” Empress Xian De interrupted him. “ChenQie’s entire heart belongs to Your Majesty; how could I possibly bear to make any other choice?”

Emperor Yong Le was taken aback. Empress Xian De raised her wine bowl again and drained the entire second bowl.

“Is there any difference between my situation and how Your Majesty views ChenQie?” Empress Xian De met his gaze. “Does Your Majesty not believe that this path ChenQie chose for her life was inevitable?”

“Indeed.” Emperor Yong Le paused, then declared, “Your performance is exemplary. You are the finest Empress Great Liang has ever seen, unparalleled in your capabilities. The late Empress Dowager held genuine affection for you, and I too have always admired you. Your intelligence, your generosity, and your steadfast nature have ensured the Inner Palace has run flawlessly under your management. Choosing you was most certainly the right decision.”

Empress Xian De let out a laugh that mingled with tears. “That is indeed the case. His Majesty’s undeniable choice was always ‘Empress Xian De,’ not ‘Qing Zhen.’ This concubine understands.” She gazed up at the moonlit sky, a subtle glint in her eyes, but upon turning back, she resumed her usual gentle and composed demeanor. “I have given considerable thought to the matters Your Majesty raised. I find myself in agreement with your words. As life unfolds, one must simply continue forward.”

Emperor Yong Le observed her, his throat feeling unusually tight. After a moment, he managed with great effort, “Have you… located the other person?”

“Not yet, for the time being,” Empress Xian De replied with a soft smile. “However, these matters are not pressing. Should such an opportunity arise in the future, it will naturally come to pass without issue.”

Emperor Yong Le seemed at a loss for words.

Empress Xian De lifted her wine goblet. “This bowl of Snow Wine, I shall toast Your Majesty. After so many years as husband and wife, it is a fate forged in past lives. Regardless of whether it was destined or fraught with animosity, though my years here have not been exceptionally joyous, they have certainly not been without merit. My sincere thanks to Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yong Le also raised his wine goblet, but a keen observer might have noticed a slight tremor in his fingers, a subtle instability. He quickly concealed it with his sleeve before taking a drink.

Consuming the entire large bowl in one go offered no respite from the wine's potent aroma. A burning sensation spread from his eyes, down his throat, and into his very organs, the searing pain in his heart leaving him with an overwhelming sense of bitterness.

He watched as Empress Xian De rose to her feet and smiled at him. “This jar of wine, though it seemed plentiful, has been emptied in mere bowls shared with Your Majesty. It is a shame such beautiful scenery must be cut short. But it matters not, for time stretches on. This concubine has found great happiness drinking with Your Majesty today and shall now take a stroll. I wish Your Majesty a restful night, but do be cautious and take care not to catch a chill.” With that, she departed.

Her exit was remarkably swift, and recalling her earlier words, it was unmistakably a farewell. Now that the farewell words had been spoken and the farewell wine consumed, all that remained was this – her departure from his world, step by steady step, never to return.

Emperor Yong Le turned his head, his gaze following Empress Xian De’s retreating form.

Her silhouette vanished into the endless corridors. She did not glance back, each of her steps remarkably firm and resolute.

Suddenly, his heart was seized by an agony, an unspeakable pain that radiated from his chest to his limbs. His heart pounded violently, almost spasming. He struggled to breathe, unable to utter a single word.

He collapsed from his seat!

Deng GongGong, who had been standing by, witnessed the scene and gasped in alarm before rushing forward. He supported Emperor Yong Le, noting his terrifyingly pale face and trembling lips. Clutching his chest, he immediately summoned the Imperial Physician and instructed the guards to escort Emperor Yong Le back to Yang Xin Hall.