The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 828 - 786: Empress Qi Passes Away (2nd Update)

Of course, Wen Wan was unwilling, but...

"Earlier, when the palace delivered the decree, I asked who suggested this plan. Eunuch Sanbao told me it was Mr. Song, the Imperial Tutor." Lin Xiaoyue took a deep breath, "If later, I enter the palace to plead with Your Majesty that the one who proposed it should be the one to deliver it, and once delivered, stay forever in the Western Border, Wen Wan, would you be happy?"

Wen Wan’s heart sank, realizing Lin Xiaoyue was truly angry.

"Mr. Song is so considerate. Even the most unruly child in his hands quickly becomes joyous and obedient. He can bring Amuer to obedience himself, none more suitable than him to go." Lin Xiaoyue laughed bitterly: "By then, it will be my turn to persuade you to take it easy, do you think that’s good?"

Wen Wan lowered her eyes into silence. She wasn’t angry about Lin Xiaoyue’s words, feeling they were helpful for Lin Xiaoyue to vent. She only felt heartache over the dilemma of loyalty.

Song Wei was an important minister of the court, advising on national matters was part of his duty. But with this plan, she and Lin Xiaoyue were forced into opposition.

Even to the extent that Lin Xiaoyue could hate her for a lifetime because of it.

If today she agreed to help Lin Xiaoyue, it would be tantamount to betraying Song Wei, but if she didn’t, their friendship would truly be over.

Honestly, despite Wen Wan having lived in the Capital for many years, frequently attending various banquets and befriending the ladies of various mansions, her only truly close friend was Lin Xiaoyue. If possible, she was utterly unwilling to rupture with Lin Xiaoyue.

Lin Xiaoyue had already found the answer from Wen Wan’s hesitant expression. Her brows and eyes turned cold, her voice like it was wrapped in ice, "Leave, just consider that I never knew you."

"Different stance, I won’t say I have reasons anymore," Wen Wan looked at her, "But aside from this matter, I can promise you anything else."

"No need." Lin Xiaoyue moved to the dressing table and called out loudly, "Jin Zhi, come in and do my makeup!"

Jin Huan hurried in and said, "Madam, Sister Jin Zhi is accompanying the Miss and Young Master in the garden, shall I do it for you?"

Lin Xiaoyue suddenly remembered something and said, "Locked up in the mansion too long, almost forgot it’s a national mourning, no makeup, forget it, go find my imperial decree outfit."

Glancing at Wen Wan still sitting from the bronze mirror, Lin Xiaoyue averted her gaze, "Why aren’t you leaving yet, must I personally send you off?"

Wen Wan stood and was about to say something when Lin Xiaoyue spoke again: "Please withdraw your family’s Hidden Guard. The Su Mansion can’t handle the hypocritical concern of the Empress Teacher."

Hearing these words, Wen Wan felt deeply pained. Even knowing Lin Xiaoyue would not listen, she said, "I accompany you, send food to your family, and have the Hidden Guard secretly protect you and your son, not to make amends, just fulfilling my friend’s duty, all from the heart."

"What’s a true heart worth?" Lin Xiaoyue turned to her, a sneer playing at her lips, "No matter how deep our friendship, it can’t outweigh a word from your husband. After all, you are family, aren’t you?"

At this point, all explanations would be pale and powerless.

Wen Wan did not further defend herself. She moved to the door and paused slightly, "Take care, I’m leaving now."

...

Returning to the Song Mansion, Ye Ling was in Rong’an Hall chatting with Granny Song. She greeted them and then went back to Qingteng Residence.

Song Wei was already asleep in the inner room. Wen Wan, not wanting to disturb, curled up on the small couch outside. Though very sleepy, she couldn’t close her eyes, filled with Lin Xiaoyue’s words in her mind.

Wen Wan recalled Lin Xiaoyue asking Jin Huan to find the imperial decree outfit before she left. Lin Xiaoyue must be resolute about entering the palace to plead with His Majesty, right?

...

At this moment in Yikun Palace, Zhao Xi was accompanying Dong Han for a vegetarian meal.

Dong Han, halfway through, put down his chopsticks, looking at Zhao Xi with hesitance.

Zhao Xi said, "If there is something to say, speak later."

Not speaking while eating was Zhao Xi’s rule.

Knowing this well, Dong Han sat quietly waiting until the meal was finished before saying, "Aunt Jingzhe over at the traveling palace sent someone asking if His Majesty might go visit?"

Which meant to have a final look.

Zhao Xi’s action of drinking tea paused slightly, he then shook his head, "No."

"Then shortly I’ll have someone pass on the message."

Recalling something, Zhao Xi said, "Tell the message bearer to inform Aunt Jingzhe to delay for a few more days, at least until we’ve held the funeral here first."

...

Having stayed up all night, Zhao Xi couldn’t hold out any longer and decided to first go back and get some sleep.

Due to the sudden succession of the Emperor, and his sudden passing, Zhao Xi hadn’t had the chance to relocate to the palace and was still residing in the Eastern Palace.

He had just stepped into the East Palace Chengming Hall when Mr. Mu hurriedly ran in, sweating profusely and kneeling down, "Your Majesty, Madam Su is demanding an audience."

There was no need to think to know it was about Amuer.

Zhao Xi’s expression was indifferent, "Aren’t the Imperial City guards stopping her?"

Mr. Mu wiped his sweat, "Madam Su said that if Your Majesty refuses to see her, she will harm herself, spilling blood on the palace walls."

Zhao Xi sneered, "The Su Family’s harboring of war captives is a serious crime, the court hasn’t pursued this, which is already a great mercy. Go ask her under what pretext she demands to enter the palace for an audience?"

With urgency, Mr. Mu left the Eastern Palace and mounted a palanquin to head outside the Imperial City Gate.

Lin Xiaoyue was being blocked by the Imperial City guards. Not to mention the audience, she couldn’t even step foot into the Imperial City.

Upon seeing Mr. Mu, her heart tightened, "What did His Majesty say?"

"Madam Su, please return!" Mr. Mu spoke in as kind a tone as possible, "The palace affairs are numerous now, and His Majesty is occupied with arranging the funeral, where is the time for a meeting?"

He was just being tactful, how could an Emperor easily summon a noblewoman?

Lin Xiaoyue’s attitude was resolute, "If His Majesty is busy, then I’ll wait outside the Imperial City until he finishes, and then seek an audience."

"Madam Su, why put yourself through this?" Mr. Mu advised her, "Sending that child to the Western Border was suggested by the ministers, not solely His Majesty’s decision. Even if you see His Majesty, it won’t change the outcome."

Lin Xiaoyue suppressed her overwhelming hatred, "Yes, as a mere woman, I don’t understand what court politics or the bigger picture are. Since it was suggested by the ministers, I now only demand one thing: whoever suggested it should be the one to send Amuer, otherwise I mean what I said about self-harm spilling blood on the palace walls!"

As she spoke, she took a gleaming dagger from her wide sleeve, threatening to cut it on her neck.

Mr. Mu was startled by her actions and then frowned deeply, "Madam Su, are you aware Amuer is part of the West Yue Royal Family, a war captive? Your husband privately harbored him, which is already a grave crime, but the court hasn’t sought punishment, and the Su Family should be thanking their stars. You’re now causing a stir in the Imperial City; if you truly anger His Majesty, not only will you suffer the consequences, but your husband in the Northern Border won’t be able to return safely either!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoyue’s hand holding the dagger trembled slightly, her lips pale, unable to suppress her tears cascading down.

"Go back!" Mr. Mu sighed, "Madam Su, even if you don’t care for yourself, consider your young daughter at home. If you truly spill blood on the palace walls, what will become of her future?"

Seizing Lin Xiaoyue’s moment of letting her guard down, Mr. Mu signaled to the guard.

The guard swiftly snatched the dagger from Lin Xiaoyue’s hand.

Lin Xiaoyue collapsed onto the ground, crying uncontrollably.

...

Mr. Mu returned to the Eastern Palace and relayed Lin Xiaoyue’s words to Zhao Xi.

Zhao Xi listened without much reaction, only asking, "Has she left?"

Mr. Mu replied, "She’s already gone."

Zhao Xi instructed, "Under the guise of protection, dispatch a hundred Jinyi Guards to guard the Su Mansion, to prevent Madam Su from doing anything to the child."

Mr. Mu suggested, "Your Majesty, why not take this opportunity to bring the child into the palace?"

"No," Zhao Xi said, "Firstly, the child is not accustomed to people, and entering the palace won’t be peaceful. It’s already chaotic enough in the palace these days, no need to cause more trouble. Secondly, Su Qing is still in the Northern Border; I must show some consideration. Forcibly bringing Amuer into the palace might lead Madam Su to act unpredictably, affecting the remote Su Qing in the Northern Border, which would be disadvantageous to the war effort."

Mr. Mu acknowledged his understanding and withdrew to deliver the message.

That night, the Jinyi Guards followed Emperor Xuanjing’s decree, organizing a hundred men to guard the Su Mansion as solidly as a fortress, ensuring that not only could outsiders not get in, but Lin Xiaoyue’s every action inside was under their surveillance.

Three days later, urgent news arrived from the Northern Border, stating that after hearing of the Chu Country Emperor’s passing, Bei Yan dispatched envoys to the Beijiang Camp, conveying Emperor Yan’s decree to temporarily cease hostilities for three months.

After reading the military report, Zhao Xi immediately instructed Eunuch Sanbao to send a reply, advising Lu Xingzhou to quickly summon Su Qing back to the Capital.

The palace held a seven-day vigil, and once the Emperor’s coffin was seen off to the Imperial Mausoleum, news came from the traveling palace that Empress Qi had passed away.