Chapter 200: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 200: Is She a Despicable Mother?
2023-05-27
"It’s all because Gu'an failed to detect Ah Shen's wrongdoings in time. Under her constant favoritism and shielding, even the son of General Chang has been implicated. If this news reaches General Chang in Yangzhou, it might even affect the situation there..."
Ming Luo spoke with a hint of guilt: "Gu'an, being the eldest daughter of the Ming family, should have been responsible for disciplining her brother. Since Ah Shen caused such a disaster, Gu'an is indeed hard to absolve. Please, Aunt, punish me!"
The Holy Emperor turned her gaze toward her.
The place where Ming Luo knelt was the same spot where Chang Shi had knelt earlier that day.
Chang Shi had pleaded for a long time, confessed, cried, and even tried to justify herself with ridiculous words, saying things like "I only intended to act for the good of the holy Emperor and the Ming family," a lie even her foolish son couldn’t believe.
The Holy Emperor’s expression remained somber.
"That mother and son, one is getting more audacious, the other is so self-righteous that, for personal gain, they dare to bring the backcourt politics to the court. Foolish and unaware of their own ignorance… It seems I’ve been too lenient with them in the past!"
Sensing the holy Emperor’s anger, Ming Luo lowered her body even more.
Soon, the holy Emperor restrained his visible anger, and his voice became firm and somber: "If there is fault in lack of discipline, it should fall upon your father. You are not to blame for this. Rise."
Ming Luo could only reply with "Yes" and slowly stood up, standing quietly beside him.
She understood clearly that her apology seemed to suggest she would share the blame with Chang Shi and her son, but in reality, it was her way of drawing a clear line between them.
"Now that things have come to this point, with the Chang family under increasing pressure from the Zong family, there is no room for retreat... We can only make do with the young Chang family man," the Holy Emperor spoke softly. "I’ve heard that he has been accepted into the front line of the Xuanzhe army… He was a fine young man, far better than Ah Shen."
A slight trace of regret appeared in the holy Emperor’s voice. "But I have no choice, and I cannot protect him."
Ming Luo replied, "The Saint acts with the stability of the court in mind. This is not the fault of the holy Emperor."
"Right or wrong, I must be the foolish ruler who betrays my loyal subjects," the holy Emperor said. There was self-reflection and regret in her words, but no hesitation or mercy.
Ming Luo was already accustomed to this.
She had guessed how her aunt would choose when she first heard the full truth from her birth mother. Or perhaps, there was no need to guess at all.
The young man from the Chang family, who had once had a bright future, was destined to be wronged.
It was tragic, but people who were unfortunate like him had always existed throughout history.
The only issue was that, in comparison, this unfortunate person was too insignificant. Those in power, to protect greater interests, could easily discard the insignificant.
As a sacrificial pawn under the imperial court’s power, the young man from the Chang family would not be the first, nor the last.
Ming Luo’s eyes reflected a touch of helpless sympathy.
"As for General Chang…" the Holy Emperor continued, "Though General Chang is loyal, his loyalty is to 'Ah Xiao,' not to me. I have seen this clearly ever since he defied my orders during the battle with the northern barbarians twelve years ago."
She sighed lightly. "Therefore, to ensure the stability of the war in Yangzhou, I must temporarily keep this matter hidden."
After speaking, the Holy Emperor sent one of his trusted aides into the inner hall, ordering them to intercept any messages related to Chang Sui’an in the south. No information could be allowed to reach General Chang in the capital.
"When General Chang returns victorious, I will personally explain the situation to him," the holy Emperor said. "This battle is of great importance, and I believe General Chang, as a man who cares for the people, will understand my decision to keep this matter concealed for now."
"I too have experienced the pain of losing a child..." the holy Emperor’s voice softened, as if speaking to himself. "The country and the people come first. Many times, I had no choice. How much less so for others?"
Ming Luo did not speak, remaining quietly standing.
Yes, her aunt, who had once chosen to sacrifice her own flesh and blood, how could she possibly feel softhearted toward other people’s children?
But her aunt... wasn’t it all for the sake of the empire and its people?
After all, her aunt had ultimately seated herself on the throne.
As the beneficiary, how could her aunt expect the now passive General Chang to sympathize with her, who had once actively pushed everything into motion?
That would be unreasonable.
But a ruler need not be reasonable, while a subject must only choose to understand.
If one cannot understand, then they are digging their own grave.
But whether she can understand or not, after this barrier, General Chang will never earn a single bit of trust from the holy Emperor.
The general’s residence in Xingning Fang, which once belonged to the gallant General, is doomed to disappear in the near future.
As for the adopted daughter living in that residence, she should also have no good outcome. However...
Ming Luo recalled the troublesome prophecy from the Tianjing National Master and the holy Emperor's lingering thoughts.
At this moment, the Holy Emperor ordered an attendant to summon the Tianjing National Master.
When the Tianjing National Master arrived, the Holy Emperor instructed Ming Luo: "Gu'an, go to the side hall and check."
Chang Shi was still in the side hall.
Ming Luo complied and withdrew.
Soon after, one of the holy Emperor's trusted attendants also exited.
There were words that only the trusted could hear, but some words were not meant for their ears.
The elderly Tianjing National Master performed his formal greeting and asked, "Your Majesty, how is the health of the dragon body?"
"Thanks to the pills you crafted, National Master, my illness has already been cured."
"Then, may I ask, why have you summoned me here at this time, Your Majesty?"
"It’s about that prophecy..." The Holy Emperor looked at the National Master, whose eyes seemed to understand all hidden meanings. "What is the bond between me and that child? Is it fortunate or ominous?"
The Tianjing National Master slowly shook his head. "I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I have not yet been able to divine this."
The Holy Emperor stared at him. "Is it that you cannot divine it, or is it that you are unwilling to reveal the truth?"
At the holy Emperor's question, the Tianjing National Master showed no signs of unease and simply said, "When I first saw the birth of Your Majesty, I foresaw that you had the bearing of an emperor. Since you are the one chosen by heaven, just follow the will of heaven with peace of mind."
"The emperor chosen by heaven... is also bound by destiny. I often wonder, what will the end of that destiny be?" The Holy Emperor whispered as he gazed at the three-legged golden phoenix incense burner, his thoughts far away. "National Master, do you know? Perhaps my child has already returned."
The Tianjing National Master’s eyes flickered with surprise.
"Your Majesty is referring to that Heavenly Maiden Tower..."
"Yes," the Holy Emperor replied. "It was because of the reminder in your prophecy that I came to this suspicion. I have already tested her with the formation inside the tower, but there was no abnormality."
The Tianjing National Master’s eyes showed uncertainty. "Then why does Your Majesty still hold this suspicion?"
The Holy Emperor replied, "The formation may have failed, and human error is also possible."
"If it is truly flesh and blood... there should be some kind of spiritual connection between mother and daughter," said the Tianjing National Master.
"What if she deliberately hides any signs that can be sensed and refuses to acknowledge me?" The Holy Emperor's face held a trace of complicated sadness. "Perhaps... I am overthinking this."
The Tianjing National Master seemed deep in thought.
After a while, the holy Emperor’s voice sounded again: "So, please, National Master, keep a close eye on that prophecy. There is more to my connection with that girl than just a bond of fortune or misfortune… I have other matters I care about."
"Yes," the Tianjing National Master agreed. "I understand."
After the Tianjing National Master left, the Holy Emperor’s gaze once again fell on the incense burner.
All the servants in the Ganlu Hall knew the special nature of this incense burner and treated it with the utmost care, as it was an old possession from the former Crown Prince’s East Palace.
Whenever the holy Emperor gazed at the burner, it inevitably reminded him of the late Crown Prince.
And at this moment, it was just the same.
The faint smoke rising from the incense burner spiraled into the air, much like the holy Emperor’s thoughts—elusive and uncertain.
If it really was Ah Shang, and if she really did not wish to acknowledge her, the reason would remain unknown to others, but the holy Emperor understood.
Ah Shang, who had always been sentimental, especially toward her subordinates and comrades...
If it were truly Ah Shang, she could not stand to see the young man of the Chang family suffer unjustly and die.
But even if Ah Shang’s soul was trapped in this empty body, with no power to shake the heavens, every action would have to consider the consequences.
So, when in a desperate situation, would she be willing to acknowledge her as her mother to save others?
Clearly, this would also serve as a test, one far more useful than that formation.
Because Ah Shang, who could endure suffering and death herself, could never bear to see those she cared about suffer or die.
She would not fear for herself, but she would fear for those she cared about.
From the time this child was very small, she had understood this very well.
She had used this knowledge to do many things, from making the child wear boy's clothes to everything that followed...
Was she a despicable mother?
Now, she waited for the only person who could answer this question to return to her side.
She needed Ah Shang, and so did Da Sheng Dynasty.
...
At the same moment, in the side hall, Chang Shi slowly opened her eyes, looking around at the furnishings, experiencing a brief moment of daze and confusion.
Her consciousness quickly returned, and she recalled everything before she fainted.
Today, she had entered the palace to confess everything to the holy Emperor, trembling in fear and despair, compounded by her exhaustion from not having rested for many days, which caused her to faint.
Chang Shi's face was ashen as she sat up from the bed and looked toward the figure beside her, tentatively calling out, "...Luo'er?"
"Mother is awake." Ming Luo's voice was faint, not turning around to look at Chang Shi.
Chang Shi no longer dared to question Ming Luo’s attitude. Instead, she anxiously asked, "What about the holy Emperor...?"
Ming Luo coldly interrupted her, "The Emperor will arrange everything. Now that Mother is awake, I will take you out of the palace."
It was customary for noblewomen to not stay overnight in the palace, and given the current situation, there were many eyes watching. If a precedent for staying overnight were set, it would lead to unnecessary speculation and trouble.
Thus, Chang Shi had no choice but to quickly rise and follow Ming Luo out of the side hall.
Under the hanging palace lamps, Chang Shi looked in the direction of the sleeping quarters, hesitating before asking, "Should I go say goodbye to the holy Emperor... before leaving the palace?"
"No need. The Emperor has already given instructions. We only need to leave the palace and return home once you wake up."
"Very well..."
After leaving the Ganlu Hall, Chang Shi took one last look at the emperor’s residence, a deep sense of sadness and unwillingness rising in her heart.
This was likely her last chance to come here.
Due to the reputation of the Ming family, she would not be blamed for anything, but after this, what awaited her...
Today, the holy Emperor had promised not to hold the Chang family accountable, but only if she took full responsibility for everything and resolved it herself.
There were many ways to end her life—whether by poison, hanging with a white silk, or suicide.
A faint, bleak smile appeared at the corner of Chang Shi's lips.
The deaths of the concubines who had once disappeared from the Marquis Ying's residence—or even women who were not even concubines—now it was her turn to choose how she would die...
Chang Shi looked at the Ming Luo ahead of her.
She still remembered how the Marquis’s concubine had been poisoned to death.
Her daughter was fortunate enough to be selected to enter the palace, caught the holy Emperor’s eye, and became a county princess.
Good luck was always limited. If her daughter had good fortune, then the concubine could only be unlucky.
The concubine mother of the county princess could not be directly associated with bloodshed, so she had someone administer a slow-acting poison, one that would make her gradually sick and die.
This matter had not been discovered.
But sometimes she wondered—did Ming Luo ever suspect anything?
Having lost everything, Chang Shi, her thoughts scattered, instinctively gazed at Ming Luo.
Ming Luo sensed her gaze and paused for a moment, then said, "Although the holy Emperor has made arrangements, Mother should not let her guard down and still be mindful of any potential changes."
Chang Shi was slightly stunned. After glancing at the maid following them about five steps behind, she lowered her voice and asked, "What do you mean by changes?"
As they walked, Ming Luo replied, "Mother mentioned earlier that the disappearance of Feng Min must have been caused by a young lady of the Chang family—"
"But with the holy Emperor’s presence, Feng Min would surely not be able to stir up much trouble..." Chang Shi started to reply.
At Ming Luo's signal, the maid slowed her pace.
Ming Luo then spoke softly, "I fear you misunderstand me, Mother. The focus of the change is not on Feng Min, but on the young lady of the Chang family."
Chang Shi's eyes subtly shifted. "Chang Suining?"
Ming Luo: "With the holy Emperor involved, there should not be any more unexpected events. But some people are naturally oblivious to their situation. Even if they have no chance of success, they would still dare to take desperate measures..."
Chang Shi’s face flickered with uncertainty.
Indeed, that Chang woman would never be content to remain quiet. She certainly would not give up so easily...
Her fate had been sealed, but she still needed to leave a way out for the Chang family, so she could not completely abandon this matter and just wait for her death.
Besides her unwillingness, there was still hatred in her heart.
After all, she had reached this point because of that Chang Suining!
From the moment she injured Ah Shen, everything that followed had happened!
The closer one was to desperation, the less likely they were to regret or introspect; instead, they would blame others and shift all their misfortunes onto others...
Chang Shi’s resentment had almost naturally turned into a murderous desire to drag the other person down with her to death.
But she still had some rationality left. The Emperor had given a clear warning today that she should not act on her own anymore...
Until the next words, which Ming Luo casually mentioned.
"Some people seem to be born as calamity stars," Ming Luo said, gazing into the night ahead, her voice low. "It seems the prophecy of the Tianjing National Master was indeed not wrong."
Chang Shi asked, "What prophecy?"
Ming Luo paused for a moment before asking, "Mother, do you still remember the Tianjing National Master’s words, praising Chang Suining’s auspicious appearance?"
The plot is indeed intertwined with the main and subplots. Some significant factions are becoming clear, and the people who need to be dealt with are being handled. More importantly, the next phase will shift to a new map, so the plot in the capital needs to be concluded.
Therefore, I must continue writing at my own pace.
Of course, for those who are only concerned with Sui'an's case and uninterested in the rest, you can save this part and skip to the conclusion when the title changes.
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