Chapter 35: The Splendid Country Part 1

Under the somber gaze of Xia Lingyu, the Empress Dowager did not dare to raise her head and meet her eyes.

After all, she was her own daughter. For a fleeting moment, a trace of softness surfaced in her heart. She said, “Your Majesty, if you properly write the abdication decree, you can still live a life of wealth and comfort, free from worries about food and clothing. Marry a man who does not despise you, and live out your old age with security. This is the best ending…”

She believed that as a mother, offering this to Xia Lingyu was already an immense act of grace.

Xia Lingyu, however, let out a laugh. Her laughter was low, echoing throughout the great hall, making the Empress Dowager extremely uncomfortable.

“What are you laughing at?” The Empress Dowager furrowed her brow in displeasure. Could it be that even this was not enough for her?

Xia Lingyu said lowly, “Mother, if such a thing happened to you, would you be filled with gratitude towards others?”

The Empress Dowager’s face turned ugly once more.

“Heh. You see? You yourself find this unacceptable, yet you selfishly want Zhen to accept it. Isn’t that laughable?”

The mask on the Empress Dowager’s face completely shattered. She could not even maintain the pretense any longer. “Aijia carried you in her womb for ten months, raised you, and yet I ended up raising an ungrateful wretch. Giving birth to you was the single greatest mistake of Aijia’s life.”

Xia Lingyu said nothing, though her eyes were filled with a clear, chilling light.

Just as the Empress Dowager was about to curse further, Chancellor Li spoke up: “Right now, the main business is urgent. She is a prisoner anyway. We can deal with her later.”

They had already diverted the Imperial Guard, controlled the court, and even taken command of the palace. Once Xia Lingyu was dead, Xia Wuheng could ascend the throne.

However, such a succession would be troublesome and might invite condemnation from the entire world. The best solution was to make Xia Lingyu write the abdication decree, allowing Xia Wuheng to ascend the throne legitimately.

But seeing Xia Lingyu’s utterly unyielding disposition, it was unlikely she would comply so easily.

Thus, after a brief discussion, they decided to first throw Xia Lingyu into the Imperial Prison and then use Xiao Luo as a threat right before her eyes.

The dim and damp cell was filled with a foul stench.

Xia Lingyu sat before a cold stone table. Her hair was disheveled, and the Dragon Robe had been stripped from her body, revealing the white undergarments beneath. She looked somewhat bedraggled.

Footsteps echoed from the distance, drawing closer. Xia Lingyu looked up to see Xia Wuheng fanning himself, his expression smug as he stared at her. He said, “I know you don’t fear personal torture. I can’t touch you, so I have to go after your beloved Empress.”

At these words, Xia Lingyu finally raised her eyes, her gaze icy cold.

“Hahaha—” Seeing her reaction, Xia Wuheng laughed wildly. Once he had his fill of laughter, he added, “I heard your Empress is the reincarnation of a fox spirit. Once I’ve had my fill of her taste, I’ll throw her to the filthiest beggars…”

Xia Lingyu flicked her finger. A pebble shot toward his face and smashed into his forehead.

“Ah—” Xia Wuheng screamed. The attendants beside him rushed over. “Your Highness, what happened?”

Xia Wuheng raised his hand to his forehead and found it covered in blood. His entire body trembled. “Damn it, you vile woman! This Prince will kill you!”

He barked an order: “Go seize her! Tie up her limbs and apply the harsh torture!”

The guards were about to act when Chancellor Li’s voice echoed from the corridor: “Enough, Prince Heng. Those who achieve great things must endure. If you can’t even tolerate this, what talk is there of ascending the throne?”

Seeing it was Chancellor Li, Xia Wuheng suppressed his rage. “My Lord is right. This Prince was impulsive.”

He had been propped up by Chancellor Li and could not afford conflict with him for the time being. He could only settle the score with Xia Lingyu later.

Xia Wuheng clenched his fist, casting a cold glare at Xia Lingyu.

“Your Highness Prince Heng, let us discuss some matters outside.” Chancellor Li shot Xia Wuheng a meaningful look, his expression somewhat stern.

And so, Xia Wuheng followed Chancellor Li out. They boarded a carriage and entered the palace, traveling unimpeded until they reached the Imperial Study.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Empress Dowager was already waiting for them on the Dragon Throne. Seeing this, both Xia Wuheng and Chancellor Li felt their eyelids twitch. They were deeply displeased by this action, but neither voiced any objection.

The Empress Dowager said, “Aijia sent people to search the palace, but we found no trace of that Demon Empress. You must think of another way to capture that woman.”

Hearing this news, Xia Wuheng grew very agitated. “Xiao Luo has escaped? No! That woman is extremely cunning. We must catch her, or she will surely stir up trouble.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, fully agreeing.

However, Chancellor Li dismissed the concern. “The person must certainly be captured, but she is merely an ordinary woman. Why are Her Highness the Empress Dowager and Prince Heng so agitated?”

Having suffered setbacks at Xiao Luo’s hands twice already, Xia Wuheng had developed a lingering sense of dread. He said, “Lord Li, that woman possesses extraordinary methods. Do not underestimate her.”

Chancellor Li narrowed his eyes and glanced at Xia Wuheng with contempt, a smile on his face. “If Your Highness Prince Heng is so timid, how will you manage once you sit upon the Throne?”

Hearing the mockery in Chancellor Li’s words, Xia Wuheng was furious inside but forced himself to endure it.

“My Lord! The Demon Empress’s clothing has been found by the Moat. The Demon Empress may have jumped into the river!”

Xiao Luo jumped into the river?!

The three rushed to the scene. There, on the riverbank, lay only a pair of women’s shoes. Palace maids from the Azure Phoenix Palace confirmed that these were the very shoes Xiao Luo had worn that day.

Xia Wuheng commanded, “Dredge the river! I want to see the person, dead or alive!”

Even if Xiao Luo was dead, using her corpse to threaten Xia Lingyu would certainly be effective. In the end, all they needed was the abdication decree.

So, they ordered men to dredge the Moat for Xiao Luo’s body while simultaneously sending the pair of shoes to Xia Lingyu in the Imperial Prison.

Little Six, serving as Xia Wuheng’s attendant, personally went to the prison to deliver the message to Xia Lingyu: “Your Majesty, Her Highness the Empress has jumped into the river and perished. If you wish to see her body, write the abdication decree quickly. Otherwise, even in death, His Highness Prince Heng will not let her off easily.”

The moment she saw the shoes, Xia Lingyu’s eyes did flicker with agitation, the corners reddening. But then, as if recalling something, she forced herself to close her eyes and said, “This pair of shoes proves nothing. How could she possibly be dead? Luo’er…”

Little Six shook his head and reported her reaction to Xia Wuheng.

Xia Wuheng sneered. “It seems she is already wavering. Continue the search.”

Once Xiao Luo was found, dead or alive, she absolutely had to be brought before Xia Lingyu. He wanted Xia Lingyu to watch with her own eyes as he tormented Xiao Luo.

Three days passed without a single trace of Xiao Luo. Xia Lingyu finally broke down and agreed to write the abdication decree.

Overjoyed, Xia Wuheng and his two co-conspirators brought Xia Lingyu to the Imperial Study to write the decree.

Xia Lingyu had spent three days in the Imperial Prison. During those three days, another wave of court officials defected to Xia Wuheng and Chancellor Li. Only a small faction still stood firmly by Xia Lingyu’s side.

Waiting in the Imperial Study were several ministers. They were now Xia Wuheng’s trusted aides. Meeting Xia Lingyu’s gaze, they guiltily averted their eyes.

“Your Majesty, what are you waiting for? Write it quickly! The new Emperor awaits his ascension!” Little Six declared arrogantly.

Expressionless, Xia Lingyu finished writing the abdication decree and, naturally, stamped it heavily with a seal.

Xia Wuheng was so delighted the corners of his mouth nearly reached his ears. He couldn’t resist snatching up the decree for a look. “Excellent! Let the Director of the Imperial Observatory choose an auspicious day for the enthronement.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Jubilation to Your Majesty!” Chancellor Li’s aged face bloomed into a smile. “Since Your Majesty will ascend the throne soon, let us also establish the Empress.”

So saying, he turned toward the door. “Jiaojiao, come in quickly!”

“Yes, Father.” A lavishly dressed woman, caressing her slightly swollen belly, sauntered in. She cast a coquettish glance at Xia Wuheng and performed a slight curtsy. “Your Majesty~”

Chancellor Li beamed. “Your Majesty, do not forget: my daughter carries your flesh and blood in her womb. That is the future Crown Prince. Therefore, the position of Empress must belong to my daughter.”

Since his son was dead, he still had a daughter. Once his daughter became Empress and gave birth to a Dragon Son, wouldn’t half the blood of the realm still belong to the Li family?

Then the Emperor would have to call him his Maternal Grandfather.

Chancellor Li indulged in these wonderful thoughts.

Xia Wuheng’s expression, however, turned quite ugly. He had never met this woman, let alone been intimate with her. And now Chancellor Li was trying to foist this woman, carrying some other man’s bastard, upon him as his Empress?!

This was absolutely outrageous!

“Your Majesty does not agree?” Chancellor Li narrowed his eyes, displeasure rising in his heart.

He had helped Xia Wuheng seize the Throne. Even if Xia Wuheng was unwilling, he had to agree.

Otherwise, just as he had the means to place someone on the Throne, he also had the means to pull them down!

“Fine. As the Grand Chancellor wishes, Li Jiao shall be made Empress.” As he spoke the words, Xia Wuheng forced a strained smile onto his face. It was extremely reluctant.

The Empress Dowager also spoke up: “Aijia’s request is not high. After Prince Heng ascends the throne, issue an imperial decree honoring Aijia as the Sacred Mother Empress Dowager, granting me free access to the Imperial Harem. That will suffice.”

This request was indeed not high. Xia Wuheng replied, “But of course.”

Thus, the three reached a joyful agreement right in front of Xia Lingyu, looking for all the world like three victors in life.

Xia Lingyu watched the festive expressions on their faces, the corner of her mouth curving subtly upward.

“Xia Lingyu, what are you smiling at?” Xia Wuheng glared at her with disgust and said cruelly, “Zhen will soon send you to the Nine Springs to see your beloved Empress. Are you looking forward to it?”

Xia Lingyu nodded. “Quite eagerly.”

“Zhen won’t let you die so easily. Men! Prepare the Dismemberment by Chariots for the Former Emperor!”

“Yes—”

But at that very moment, they suddenly felt the ground tremble faintly. It seemed soldiers were marching toward them in uniform step from outside.

“What is happening?” The Empress Dowager panicked.

“Your Highness Prince Heng! Lord Grand Chancellor! An unidentified army has surrounded us from outside the palace!”

“What army?!” Both Chancellor Li and Xia Wuheng were shocked.

Still reeling, they instinctively turned to look at Xia Lingyu. “Is this your doing?”

Before the coup, they had thoroughly investigated all intelligence both inside and outside the palace. Only a small force had been stationed in and around the Capital City, and they had successfully brought it under their control. That was why they had been able to seize the palace so easily.

So where had this army come from? Had Xia Lingyu kept a hidden card?

Xia Lingyu smiled faintly. “Guess.”

Seeing her expression, Xia Wuheng knew they had fallen into a trap. Enraged, he drew a sword and slashed toward Xia Lingyu’s neck. “Vile woman, you actually dared to deceive me!”

Xia Lingyu raised her hands, still bound by iron chains, to block the blow. The chains were cleaved in an instant. Before anyone could react, she kicked his hand aside with her leg, snatched the longsword from the air, and slashed it across Xia Wuheng’s face, carving a deep gash into his cheek.

In the blink of an eye, the captive had become the one in control.