Chapter 186

After this verbal exchange, Feng Liwu was furious, feeling a stifling frustration stuck in his chest.

These days, Jiang Xiurun had been treating him with an indifferent attitude, as if she had truly fallen for someone else.

If his woman were to be stolen by another woman, it would be as if the Emperor of Great Qi had his dignity thrown straight into a cesspit.

But Feng Liwu was not one to dwell on pain without taking action.

He blamed himself for failing to properly manage his harem, completely forgetting how, back when she was bathing in the wild on the frontlines, she had enticed that young lady to throw herself at her.

If he did not cleanse the harem, it was only a matter of time before a scandal involving colluding wife and concubines erupted.

Thus, he ordered the guards to go to Tian Jing’s palace at night, tie her up, and throw her into the Cold Palace, to be dealt with in the morning.

However, just as he was about to punish Tian Jing harshly, Jiang Xiurun couldn’t help but plead on her behalf.

Feng Liwu lay beside her with a sullen face, saying nothing, only demanding that Jiang Xiurun coax him with the same enthusiasm she once had back at the Crown Prince’s residence.

With that, Jiang Xiurun had no choice but to soften her demeanor.

She assured him that with a true husband like him, how could she possibly be interested in a mere young girl? That girl might as well be compared to a eunuch for all it mattered.

Such absurd words somehow soothed the heart of Emperor Shengwu, calming him with a sense of reassurance.

He felt she was speaking the truth.

Although she had been unpredictable in her moods these past few days, on the bed, where he pleased her thoroughly, there was no room for pretense.

His anger dissipated, and he was finally willing to listen to her persuasion.

Jiang Xiurun, however, had not initially considered Tian Jing’s deeper intentions.

It was only after Feng Liwu pointed them out that she began to understand the concubine’s thoughts.

Though she found it unbelievable, she did not find it detestable.

After all, Tian Jing was still a young girl who had simply strayed in her thinking.

There was nothing much to it.

If she were to be severely punished just because of Feng Liwu’s unreasonable jealousy, wouldn’t that be too harsh?

Feng Liwu shot her a sidelong glance, feeling that she had ruined the mood.

He was still somewhat displeased.

The next morning, after Jiang Xiurun had dressed and prepared for the day, she brought up the matter again, suggesting that Feng Liwu release Tian Jing.

Jiang Xiurun found the entire situation laughable.

She could only say, “Your Majesty, how you deal with your concubines is not something I should interfere with. But if you punish Concubine Jing because of me, wouldn’t that stain my reputation? There is nothing improper between her and me.”

Feng Liwu gazed at her.

At this moment, Jiang Xiurun no longer dared to wear men’s clothing.

She was dressed in a flowing light blue gown, her hair elegantly pinned up, adorned with a simple tea flower.

The sight of her, in the warmth of the morning, even soothed his restless heart.

Yet her brows and eyes were still as alluring as ever.

Despite having given birth to two children, her beauty had only grown more enchanting, her figure more captivating.

Who would have guessed that she was already a mother of two?

But such a charming woman, when dressed in men’s attire, exuded a gallant and dashing air.

Any young girl unfamiliar with the ways of the world could easily be captivated by her flirtatious, peach blossom eyes.

Sometimes, Feng Liwu wondered—if Jiang Xiurun had not disguised herself as a man back then and had instead entered his father’s harem, what would have happened?

The very thought made him deeply uncomfortable.

But in the end, he felt relieved that she never entered the palace back then.

Since things had turned out this way, he had no reason to blame her for her habit of wearing men’s clothing and attracting admirers.

Thinking this, he softened a little and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“I will not punish Concubine Jing, so as not to tarnish your name. However, she can no longer remain in the palace. I will find a suitable husband for her and marry her off to a true man.”

Jiang Xiurun raised an eyebrow.

“The Emperor’s woman can be married off?”

Feng Liwu, however, was indifferent.

In his heart, Jiang Xiurun was the only woman who truly belonged to him—he could not tolerate even a hint of betrayal from her.

As for the others, their marriages and fates were of no concern to him.

Moreover, the founding ancestor of this dynasty had set a precedent by granting his concubines to meritorious generals.

Now that the three counties had been pacified, Feng Liwu planned to reward some of his young generals with concubines.

After all, it was better for them to be married off than to waste away their youth in the palace.

As for Concubines Cao and Tian, Tian had already been promised to someone long ago.

Gongsun Wuyan had been serving him diligently in Han, and once matters there were settled, Tian would be granted to him as a reward.

Meanwhile, he had already ordered a retreat palace to be built on Feng Mountain for his mother.

Once it was completed, the Dowager Empress would move there to spend her twilight years.

Concubine Cao would be sent along to keep her aunt company.

Feng Liwu was determined—he would not leave a single one of these concubines in the palace.

He would eliminate all potential threats.

But for now, the priority was to bestow these concubines upon suitable husbands.

When the imperial decree was issued, the other concubines accepted their fates, but Tian Jing wept uncontrollably, insisting on seeing the Empress one last time.

Jiang Xiurun had some words to entrust to this peach blossom that had bloomed so far apart from the others, so she ordered someone to summon her to Fengming Palace for a conversation.

When Tian Jing’er saw the Empress, her hair elegantly styled and her face heavily adorned with rouge, she couldn’t help but feel that it was intentional—as if the Empress feared she might entertain improper thoughts again.

Thinking of this, a wave of sorrow washed over her heart.

Were these her final days in the palace? Would the Empress truly be so ruthless as to deny her a last meeting with her beloved Young Master Jiang?

Jiang Xiurun had long seen through Tian Jing’s unwavering devotion and found it both exasperating and amusing.

She could only offer her gentle words of comfort, saying that the Emperor had chosen fine generals from the military for them.

Since entering the Crown Prince’s residence, none of them had ever shared his bed—they remained chaste.

If they stayed in the palace any longer, their youth would be wasted.

However, once they left the palace, whether they became wives or concubines would depend on their own fortunes.

Unlike Cao Xi and Tian Ying, who came from wealthy families, these concubines had entered the palace as mere attendants.

They had neither great wealth nor personal possessions.

Jiang Xiurun, considering her past friendship with Tian Jing’er, ordered a respectable dowry to be prepared for her.

She hoped that once Tian Jing was married, her new family would not look down on her.

Tian Jing understood the Empress’s kindness.

Among all the palace women bestowed upon others, she alone had received the Empress’s favor.

She was not ungrateful and could see why, after the day when Emperor Shengwu flew into a rage and had her thrown into the Cold Palace, he later released her without severe punishment.

It was likely because Jiang Xiurun had pleaded on her behalf.

Alas, in this lifetime, they were both women.

If there was a next life, and her Young Master Jiang were truly a heroic man, she would surely remain by his side for all her days.

With that thought, she tearfully bowed to express her gratitude for the Empress’s kindness.

Just as she was about to leave, a sudden thought struck her.

She turned to Jiang Xiurun and said,

“On the night I was thrown into the Cold Palace, the guards locked me in a room and left. That place has been neglected for years—the palace was cold and desolate. I couldn’t sleep until midnight when I heard whispers outside the palace wall. They spoke of having obtained information about Your Majesty’s return route to Bo. They said that if there were any further changes, they should be notified immediately to make arrangements accordingly. I thought it strange—Your Majesty’s travel plans should be highly confidential. Why would someone discuss them in the dead of night? Please, Your Majesty, be cautious. I am no longer by your side, so you must take care.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes once more.

Jiang Xiurun felt a wave of unease.

She carefully inquired further but, after Tian Jing’er left, fell into deep thought.

By the time Feng Liwu ascended the throne, the Cold Palace had long become an empty relic, scarcely guarded.

If palace servants wished to engage in secret dealings, they could safely conspire by the abandoned courtyard walls of the Cold Palace.

On that day, Feng Liwu had been furious, but he had also considered Jiang Xiurun’s reputation.

He had not made a great spectacle of punishing Tian Jing’er.

Instead, he had ordered her to be bound and thrown into the Cold Palace at night, intending to have her executed at dawn.

As no one knew of Tian Jing’er’s presence there, it was entirely possible that she had overheard those hushed conversations by chance.

However, Jiang Xiurun’s route back to Bo was personally determined by Feng Liwu and was meant to be highly secure.

If what Tian Jing’er heard was true, how had the information been leaked?

The world was full of strange twists of fate—she had shown Tian Jing’er a moment of mercy, only to uncover such a vile conspiracy…

Before long, Empress Yaren of Bo officially set out on her return to her homeland.

Since it was an occasion that only happened once every few years, the grand procession of carriages and horses was magnificent, drawing crowds of commoners who came to bid farewell and catch a rare glimpse of such a spectacle.

As imperial consorts, Cao Xi and Tian Ying naturally came in person to send off the Empress.

Cao Xi, watching Jiang Xiurun depart and realizing that the position beside the Emperor was now vacant, remained impassive.

She no longer harbored any of the dreams or ambitions she once had.

Compared to Tian Ying, who was adorned like a blossoming flower, Cao Xi’s attire was plain.

She had merely washed her face, combed her hair, and stuck a few simple hairpins in place.

After all, she was destined to be alone in her empty chambers—there was no one to admire her, so what was the point of putting on makeup?

Not long ago, reports of victory had come from the three border counties—the imperial army had captured yet another city.

As a reward for the meritorious generals, the Emperor had unexpectedly granted all the remaining palace concubines the title of female officials and bestowed them upon the victorious warriors.

Watching this unfold, Cao Xi couldn’t help but feel anxious.

She was convinced that Jiang Xiurun was behind the Emperor’s decision.

Soon, it would be her and Tian Ying’s turn.

As she watched the procession move forward, Cao Xi couldn’t help but grumble to Tian Ying,

“By the time this empress returns, it’ll probably be our turn to make way as well…”

Tian Ying idly fanned herself, the movement slow and deliberate.

Unlike the listless Cao Xi, she was as impeccably dressed as ever.

Her gown was exquisitely tailored, elegant yet appropriate, and the fine powder on her face only enhanced her radiant beauty.

Hearing Cao Xi’s complaint, she remained expressionless, pretending not to have heard a thing.

Yet, inwardly, she let out a cold laugh.

That is… if this empress even makes it back alive.

If things went as expected, that troublesome Empress—who had stirred up the entire Qi palace and left it anything but peaceful—would soon find herself crying out for help, with no one to answer her calls.