Chapter Thirteen: Zhao Xingzhou Is Dead

The jailer led the way to Zhao Xingzhou’s cell and unlocked the door. She stepped inside, followed by the jailer, then turned and pressed gold into their hands.

“I would like to speak with Lord Zhao in private. Could the two of you wait farther away?”

The two men weighed the gold in their palms, then turned and left.

She removed her outer robe. The moment Zhao Xingzhou recognized her, he sat up from the floor.

“Elder Sister, Elder Sister, you came to save me. Please, please save me!”

Zhao Xingzhou crawled to the Empress’s feet. She calmly took a step back. He raised his head and stared at her in disbelief.

She placed the food box on a nearby table.

“Eat something first. I even brought the wine you love most.”

The Empress laid out the dishes and filled the cup with wine, but Zhao Xingzhou no longer dared to eat.

Seeing that he remained motionless, the Empress gave a cold laugh.

“Xingzhou, since you have already guessed the truth, you should know that even if you refuse to drink this wine, I have countless ways to take your life.”

“Elder Sister, I have called you that all my life, yet you have never truly held me in your heart. I spent my entire life for your sake, and this is what I receive in return—a cup of poisoned wine.”

Disappointment filled Zhao Xingzhou’s eyes. How had his elder sister become this way?

A flicker of emotion crossed the Empress’s face, but it lasted only an instant.

“Xingzhou, consider this the last time you help me. If you remain alive, you will only leave behind more evidence. His Majesty already suspects me. Do this for your elder sister, will you?”

“Elder Sister, do you still remember the vows we made beneath the pear tree? If you had not entered the palace, we would surely be living a happy life together now. Elder Sister, you have changed. Power has blinded you. The one thing I should never have done was let you enter the palace.”

Zhao Xingzhou gazed at the Empress, his eyes brimming with tears. In those days, beneath the pear tree, they had sworn to remain together for a lifetime, never abandoning one another. In the end, those vows had been scattered by the overwhelming force of power.

“Xingzhou!”

Zhao Xingzhou picked up the wine cup, drained it in a single swallow, and collapsed before the Empress.

She gathered him into her arms.

“Xingzhou, do not blame me. I had no choice.”

Tears ran along her jaw and fell onto his face. Zhao Xingzhou lifted a hand and touched her cheek.

“Zhi Shuang, if I die by your side, I will have no regrets. In our next life, may we be the only two people in each other’s hearts, together for all our days.”

“Xingzhou, Xingzhou! I promise you. I promise you.”

The Empress covered her mouth, trembling as she wept. Slowly, she closed her eyes, struggling to suppress her unruly emotions.

Like a child who had done wrong, she kept repeating, “I promise you.” Once, the two of them had been the envy of all who saw them. Now, they were separated by life and death—but she had no other choice.

After composing herself, she put her robe back on, covering herself from head to toe, and walked out. When the two jailers saw her emerge, they glanced inside. Seeing Zhao Xingzhou lying on the floor, they were about to go in and examine him, but the Empress stopped them.

“Gentlemen, he has fallen asleep. For my sake, please do not disturb him.”

More silver appeared in their hands. After exchanging a glance, they withdrew their feet and escorted the Empress away.

After they had gone, Gu Yan emerged from the corner. He had never expected to witness such a spectacle that day. He entered Zhao Xingzhou’s cell, crouched down, and placed his fingers beneath the man’s nose.

As expected, there was no breath.

In the Imperial Study, the Yongqing Emperor narrowed his eyes as he listened to Gu Yan.

“The Empress has acted after all. I underestimated the ruthlessness in her heart.”

“Your Majesty, shall we proceed according to the original plan?”

Gu Yan looked toward the emperor seated above him.

A light rain suddenly began outside. Raindrops fell from the blue-gray eaves. The Yongqing Emperor gave a quiet hum of assent.

The rain grew heavier. By the time the Empress returned, her clothes were soaked through. She hurriedly changed and ordered her maids to deal with the wet garments.

That night, she slept fitfully. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder boomed, as though it were shouting accusations into her ears and calling her to account.

The following day, the rain passed and the sky cleared, but the entire capital seemed shrouded in dampness. The wet, muddy streets left everyone irritable. After court, the emperor went straight to the Empress’s Palace of Serene Purity.

He did not send anyone to announce his arrival. Distraught over what had happened the previous day, the Empress failed to notice him even when he entered.

“What occupies the Empress’s thoughts that she is so lost in them?”

The stern, icy voice made the jade cup in her hand fall to the floor with a crash.

The Empress hurriedly knelt.

“Your Majesty, this concubine pays her respects. Why did Your Majesty not have anyone announce your arrival? I am still ill, and it would be a grave offense if my illness were to pass to you.”

“Rise. I merely came to see you.”

The Yongqing Emperor sat down nearby and gestured for her to sit as well.

After the maidservants cleared away the broken cup, they withdrew. The Yongqing Emperor looked at the Empress.

“Does the Empress know that Zhao Xingzhou is dead?”

Her eyes trembled faintly before returning to normal.

“This concubine does not know. I have been unwell these past few days and naturally have no idea what has happened outside.”

“Zhao Xingzhou was murdered. He died by poisoning. Do you truly know nothing?”

The Yongqing Emperor tested her again.

The Empress hurriedly fell to her knees.

“Your Majesty, this concubine truly knows nothing. I have been confined to my bed these past few days and have not taken a single step beyond my chambers.”

“Your Majesty, we found this bundle in the rear courtyard.”

Eunuch Li presented a package. Inside were the garments the Empress had worn the previous day, the mud upon them still damp.

The Yongqing Emperor flung the bundle beside her.

“Empress, I will ask you one more time. Do you truly know nothing?”

His face was cold as frost as he questioned her again. The Empress’s face went pale, but she forced herself to remain composed.

“These clothes belong to one of the servants in the residence. I will certainly investigate and find the culprit.”

As she spoke, guards escorted a maid inside.

“Your Majesty, we have found the person. How shall she be dealt with?”

The Yongqing Emperor glanced at the Empress and made a slight motion with his hand.

“Kill her.”

“Your Majesty!”

Before the maid could say anything more, the guards covered her mouth and dragged her away.

The Empress felt ice spread through her entire body. She raised her head and looked at the Yongqing Emperor.

“Your Majesty, this concubine truly knew nothing of this matter. I beg Your Majesty to judge wisely!”

“Rise. Since the murderer has already been found, the Empress should rest and recover from her illness.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Her legs had gone weak. She knelt and watched the emperor leave, then collapsed onto the floor. It took her a long while to regain her composure.

“Bring me the maid from yesterday!”

The Empress slapped her across the face.

“I told you to dispose of the clothes. Is this how you handled it? Do you understand what would have happened if His Majesty had discovered that they belonged to me?”

“Your Majesty, yesterday, while I was disposing of them, someone struck me unconscious. When I awoke, the clothes were gone. I thought they had already been taken care of. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”

The maid knelt on the floor, repeatedly knocking her head against it.

“Idiot! What use is there in keeping you alive? Guards, drag her out and kill her!”

The Empress showed not the slightest mercy. If the emperor discovered the truth this time, it would be her own head that fell.

After leaving the Empress’s palace, the Yongqing Emperor gave a cold snort. He knew perfectly well that the Empress had killed Zhao Xingzhou, but he had deliberately refrained from exposing her, intending to make her panic and reveal herself. He could not move against her yet. The people connected to her had not yet emerged from the shadows.

Having suffered such a heavy setback, the Empress would naturally make her next move.

Shen Qiuning rose somewhat late that morning. She gathered her things and went to the palace to see Imperial Consort Xuan.

The Yongqing Emperor was there as well. After leaving the Empress’s palace, he had come directly to Imperial Consort Xuan’s residence. When he saw Shen Qiuning, he recalled what the Fifth Princess had said the previous day.

Gu Yan and Shen Qiuning had returned from Yizhou without making any progress. Instead, they had come back covered in injuries. Just when had that boy Gu Yan become so hesitant and fussy? If he liked her, he should simply pursue her. All he knew was how to bide his time. What would he do if the young woman fell for someone else one day? He would suffer then.