Chapter 119: The Root of Calamity—Jealousy

To be honest, Yu Xiao was truly in the dark regarding the affairs between the Empress Dowager and the King. Ever since the Empress Dowager had removed her from her inner circle, Yu Xiao had lost all insight into the Dowager’s movements. Even the last time the Empress Dowager had led high-ranking officials in an attempt to force the King’s hand over the issue of the "true and false King," the matter had been perfectly hushed up. Outsiders only vaguely knew that the Empress Dowager had angered the King over something, causing a rift in their mother-son relationship.

Naturally, no one dared to spread gossip about such matters; who would venture to criticize royal affairs?

However, the Empress Dowager was clearly unaware that Ji Wuqing had personally led the army into battle. Upon hearing this news, even though Xue Xue could not see her expression, she could sense the subtle change in the woman.

"It is just that the King left in such a hurry that he did not come to Huizhai to bid the Empress Mother farewell," Xue Xue said.

"With such a great matter at hand, I trust Wuqing can handle it well. I am but an old woman; what help could I possibly offer him?" The Empress Dowager smiled, then turned to Concubine Yu, who was standing to the side. "Xiao’er, go to the kitchen and bring the Cloud Dew Soup I often drink. I have a craving for it now."

Hearing this, Concubine Yu nodded and left the small Buddhist shrine.

Once Concubine Yu and her attendants were out of earshot, the Empress Dowager spoke. "I sometimes wonder, if this Kingdom of Ji were not Wuqing’s, whose would it be? I have pondered it to no result. Now that the Kingdom of Ji is at war with the Kingdom of Wu, I am unable to do anything for our nation. I wonder if the Queen might be able to offer her own modest contribution."

The Empress Dowager smiled brightly at Xue Xue, observing her calm expression. There was not a trace of surprise or any other emotion on the Queen’s face, as if what the Dowager had said had little to do with her.

"The Empress Mother is right. Your daughter-in-law will naturally manage the affairs of the inner palace well to relieve the King of his worries," she replied in a flat, indifferent tone.

"Queen, you know as well as I do that this war between the Kingdoms of Ji and Wu is merely a case of a beautiful woman bringing ruin to the state. If one day Wuqing were to suddenly wake up to the truth, who do you think he would blame?" The Empress Dowager sat there, her demeanor appearing kind and benevolent, as if she were offering guidance. "He is merely young and impetuous right now. You should be more vigilant yourself."

"If the Empress Mother wishes to trouble my heart, there is no need to continue with such words." She was not angry; her calm, detached responses to the Empress Dowager’s barbs only served to irritate the older woman.

"What a fierce temper!" The Empress Dowager finally could not help but snort coldly, her kind expression vanishing. "I have been in this palace for many years and have long since seen through many things. Your status as the fallen Queen of the Kingdom of Yu, combined with your mysterious sorcery—you will only bring disaster upon Wuqing. Now that the calamity has arrived, do you intend to stand by and watch?"

"That is not the case. Since the Empress Mother claims to have seen through so much, why is it that you cannot see the King’s own mind, and why must you still put on this facade of a loving mother before me?" Xue Xue countered. "Given your actions in the palace these past years, have you never wondered why the King has always shown you a measure of restraint?"

Though one could not entirely dismiss the grace of being raised by her, the Empress Dowager’s actions were completely devoid of any maternal affection.

"Hmph, what nonsense are you spouting? The bond between me and Wuqing remains one of maternal kindness and filial piety. Do not listen to rumors."

"I merely wished to remind the Empress Mother. Please do not be angry." Compared to Xue Xue’s composure and detachment, the Empress Dowager appeared quite agitated. She had not expected to be provoked by a mere girl; it seemed the recent events had indeed caused her to lose her composure.

In the moment of silence that followed, Concubine Yu returned with the soup. As she set it down, Xue Xue stood up. "Since the Empress Mother mentioned feeling tired earlier, I shall take Concubine Yu and withdraw."

The Empress Dowager looked at Xue Xue, her expression displeased. "What is the hurry? I have been enjoying our chat. Why not stay a while longer? But if the Queen feels tired, you may go first."

Xue Xue was not surprised and replied smoothly, "Then I shall take my leave."

She departed Huizhai with ease, leaving the Empress Dowager feeling rather puzzled. How could she be so unworried about leaving Xiao’er alone with her? Was she not afraid of what they might be planning in the shadows?

***

Upon exiting Huizhai, Xue Xue felt that even the air was fresher.

"How could Your Majesty feel at ease leaving the Empress Dowager alone with Concubine Yu?" It was Miao Jian who had come to receive her. Because a light rain had begun to fall, Miao Jian held an umbrella over Xue Xue from behind as they walked slowly, followed by the palace maids and Ling Yin.

"The Empress Dowager is suspicious by nature. Even if given the opportunity, she will deliberate carefully, and thus she will not easily reveal her hand. Furthermore, I suspect the King has already placed Huizhai under surveillance, so there is no need for caution." It was just that sometimes, those trapped like cornered beasts would not hesitate to drag their enemies down with them.

That was fine; she was just considering how to clear out the inner palace for Ji Wuqing anyway.

Inside Huizhai, the Empress Dowager indeed did not discuss anything of substance with Concubine Yu, merely making idle chatter. After the Queen’s recent display of indifference, the Empress Dowager was truly suspicious. Could this have been a trap set by Xue Xue?

"How have you been lately, My Lady? With the King away at war, I have been unable to assist you." In truth, she and the Empress Dowager had not met for a long time, and being alone now felt somewhat awkward.

"It is no matter. Wuqing still holds a sense of maternal duty toward me; there will be no problems." The Empress Dowager shook her head, but at the thought of Xue Xue’s detached, calm face, her anger smoldered. She was now like a cornered beast, with no one else to rely on but Yu Xiao.

"In my opinion, since the King is not in the palace, if something were to happen, who would know?" Even if it were discovered, it would be days later, and by then, it would be too late.

"Xiao’er, what do you mean..." The Empress Dowager was clearly startled by Yu Xiao’s words.

"I have had enough, My Lady." She had actually grown tired of the King’s doting on Xue Xue, but she had always suppressed it. Now that the King was no longer in the palace, her hidden desires began to stir. "Rest assured, My Lady, I have found a blade. It may not be a fine one, but it is sharp."

If this blade were to strike, it would surely cut through flesh and bone, causing unbearable agony.

***

In the light, misty rain, a woman dressed in white as pristine as snow blocked Xue Xue’s path. Who was so bold as to obstruct the Queen’s procession?

"This concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty." The woman bowed quietly, her movements elegant and composed, yet her white robes made her appear all the more petite. If a gust of wind were to blow, the white fabric would flutter like a kite with a snapped string.

The newcomer was Lady Yan, Lu Xiyan—the woman who had once been as pure and flawless as a fairy in the moon palace.

"What brings Lady Yan here?" It was Yu Zhi, standing to Xue Xue’s left, who spoke. She had noted the sudden intrusion, for the Lady Yan before them was no longer the Lu Xiyan of the past.

"It is Lang Hua, isn't it? It has been a long time," Lady Yan said, addressing Yu Zhi. Her eyes, no longer innocent or bright, were like a stagnant, dead lake, filled only with darkness and silence.

"This servant is Yu Zhi, named by Her Majesty the Queen. I have taken pride in it my entire life." Looking at her former mistress, Yu Zhi was not unmoved, but she refused to show it; to show emotion would be to show weakness.

"Very well." Lady Yan smiled, though her white attire now carried an air of danger. She did not look well; her face was somewhat sallow, a condition that even her exquisite makeup could not hide, especially the dark shadows under her eyes, which appeared quite frightening.

"Lady Yan does not seem to be in good spirits. Send her back to rest," Xue Xue said. She was not without thoughts on Lu Xiyan’s transformation, but in the depths of the palace, it was difficult for a woman to maintain a peaceful heart, and she could do nothing about that.

Moreover, she was a person both pitiable and hateful. All of this was of her own making; if she had been able to keep her original intentions, how could she have ended up in this state?

However, Lady Yan broke free from the eunuchs and maids who came to restrain her. She looked much thinner, yet her strength was not insignificant. "Your Majesty, I only wish to speak a word with you. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

She tried to approach Xue Xue, maintaining a final shred of elegance in her tone. But anyone could see the crimson glow in her eyes and the distorted struggle beneath her forced smile. No matter how she masked it, Xue Xue could feel her hatred and murderous intent.

She did not know what had driven Lady Yan to such enmity, but she suspected someone had been instigating it.

"I would naturally not mind you, but if you have abandoned yourself, then you are truly beyond saving."

It turned out that Lady Yan was indeed beyond saving. She blamed all her current misfortunes entirely on Xue Xue.

In the past, she had fared quite well in the palace. Though she lacked the King’s favor, no other woman had it either, so they were all on equal footing. She had considered herself unrivaled in beauty, and winning the King’s heart was merely a matter of time.

However, ever since the King brought that blind girl into the palace, everything had changed. The King stopped looking at anyone else in the inner palace, his eyes only for that blind girl. Gradually, she became like everyone else—useless, possessing beauty but no purpose.

She was unwilling to accept this, but what awaited her was three months in the cold palace. There, she suffered endless hardship and cold glares, and her beauty was worn away until only the pale, aging reflection in the mirror remained. Even after leaving the cold palace, the King had elevated the rank of the maid by that blind girl’s side, causing her to lose all face.

Was this not all that blind girl’s fault? Since she had entered the palace, everything had changed; she had stolen everything from the women of the palace!

"Xue Xue, go to hell!"

Her eyes turned red. She could see nothing but the face she hated so much—a face that was clearly less beautiful than her own, less beautiful than any other woman in the palace!