Chapter 352 - Middle Ground

The next day, the palace was still on edge with everything going on with Prince Yi. The Emperor had still not spoken on the punishment for the traitors but the details of the treason had finally surfaced soothing the confused minds of those who thought they had slept through a rebellion in the last few days.

Apparently, this case had to do with the deceased Crown Prince's failed rebellion. "New" evidence had come to light showing that Prince Yi, along with the imprisoned officials had been key members of that rebellion.

This revelation did not surprise most people considering his closeness with the then Crown prince and his perfectly timed arrival that fateful night, just in time to save the day and be the hero of the battle. Not to mention the fact that all the men in the rebel army killed themselves following the Crown prince's death. Why kill themselves when the battle was already lost? It only made sense if there was something left to protect.

Back then, what was surprising was that his father - who was not a fool, not only did not investigate his suspicious son but had actually put said son in charge of the investigation of rebellion, basically giving Prince Yi the power to cover whatever tracks he might have left. Given that was the situation, most people kept their mouths shut to avoid causing trouble for themselves by accusing the Emperor's new "favored" son.

Some had anticipated back then that Jun Kai would finally return and bring the accusation forward against Prince Yi to completely clear out the competition and comfortably assume the position of Crown prince. But Jun Kai did neither of those things and seemed unconcerned with the affairs in the capital. Obviously, he was confident that winning wars was the way to his father's heart and rightly so, because, in the end, he was made heir to the throne.

Jun Kai, the current Emperor announced that this was a matter of "justice for his father" to right the wrongs of the past in order to "protect" the future of the empire. Saying that Prince Yi had not only tried to usurp the throne but had also deceived their father because the late Emperor would never have pardoned the treasonous crime, son or not. 

Those left in court nodded along, even as they questioned 'why now?'. It all happened too quickly. The evidence suddenly showed up a day after Prince Yi announced his "dalliance" with the Zou princess. No one actually believed that Jun Kai cared about "upholding justice for father", it was clearly just an excuse to get rid of Prince Yi.

But at least the current Emperor gave a valid reason for getting rid of his sibling, even "consulting" with the court. On the other hand, his father had basically massacred his family overnight and then sat on the throne with a bloody sword daring anyone to speak and when no one did, he announced that assassins infiltrated the city and killed the royal family members, but not to fear as he had neutralized the threat.

Therefore, the current Emperor's actions were still a lot more reasonable than his father's. Regardless, this was expected from the first day Jun Kai returned to the capital. It was either going to be him or Prince Yi, someone had to die. It was just unfortunate for Prince Yi that he had no one to speak up for him. The Emperor had swept all his possible allies into the prison with him and everyone else minded their business to avoid being dragged down along with the sinking ship. 

***

Meanwhile, the Empress dowager was currently stewing in her palace. For the first time in a long time, her mind was clear. The antidote provided Monk Du worked, she had no dreams, just blissful darkness in her sleep. She woke refreshed and in a good mood to the relief of all around her. 

Due to her lack of sleep and um, illness, she had not been paying attention to palace affairs. She concluded she had enough headaches all on her own and her useless son did nothing to help her case, so she had stopped after him. But now that she woke up with a clear head, she realized she had let him run amok for too long. Even though his stupidity irritated her, he was still her son and so had to be set right. 

The news of recent events surprised her. For the first time in a very long time, she received good news. Her son had finally regained his senses and had done what must be done. She was quite pleased with him at the moment. Although there were other matters she still could not stand such as his overindulgence of that scheming witch who had obviously dug her nails so deep into him that he had become blind.

Lately, Eunuch Li had been talking to her about how "nice" it would be to be in Xia "country" again, reminiscing about their childhood, about which she honestly couldn't care less. What bothered her was the fact that the Emperor still planned on exiling her. Once she left the palace, it would be hard for her to return here. Therefore, she could not leave, she had been dreading it despite its necessity.

But now with this antidote, she had thought she could stay here and just have the Monk keep delivering it to her. But then Monk Du just had to be difficult and said it was apparently only temporary relief. It would not last and would effectiveness with each subsequent use. Therefore, she still needs to make the journey to see his stupid master who apparently did not have legs for a cure. Hence, ruining her good mood. 

So... she had been thinking that since she had to leave, perhaps it would be best to form a truce and leave on good terms. This way she could avoid being exiled and could return to the capital with a clear head to handle the matters that need to be handled.

So even though she did not at ALL like Lei Xing, the girl just had the most irritating air about her. She could make do... for now. 

Moreover, she could be gone for about a year. She had not forgotten her initial plan to permit Lei Xing to bring forth her grandchild before dispatching her. After all, the girl's lineage still had its uses. By the time she returns, there could be a baby - a son, and then she could dispatch the girl and possibly, her wayward foolish son - if he persisted in his foolishness. She could start over and do things right this time. 

{...If not for that stupid scheming girl tempting me into outrage, our relationship wouldn't be like this right now! It's not like he actually cares about the Chen family. I can't believe a son of mine, who I birthed would treat me like I am nothing because some stupid brat fawns him into stupidity! I will kill her and then him and then all the -...}

The Empress dowager caught herself and took a deep breath to calm herself, reminding herself that she was trying for a truce and not looking for a reason to murder. She let out the breath and then said, "Send for the Empress." 

"Hah? The Empress?" Song mama exclaimed with a frown.

"Did I misspeak?" The Empress dowager asked, narrowing her eyes in annoyance.

"Um, no, Your majesty...It's just-" Song mama paused and let out a breath, "Your majesty, it's best not to anger the Emperor, if y-"

"Who said anything about angering him?!" The Empress dowager barked, banging on the table, "Is it wrong for me to want to speak to my own daughter-in-law?! Am I going to eat her, huh?! Alright then, let her come with an army! Just tell that wit -" She caught herself again and then bit out, "Daughter-in-law. Tell that daughter-in-law to come here." 

Song mama furrowed her brow, still hesitating, and tried to advise again, "Your majesty, maybe you should wait for Eunu-"Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="/book/circ.u.mventing-fate_13455346806916405/middle-ground_50966481025948519">/book/circ.u.mventing-fate_13455346806916405/middle-ground_50966481025948519</a> for visiting.

"You there" The Empress dowager interjected, glaring at Ling mama in the corner, who jumped and quickly came forward. "Go tell my daughter-in-law that I require her presence immediately. Do not return without her." The Empress dowager bit out and Ling mama quickly bopped and rushed out of the room.

The Empress dowager glared at Song mama, who quickly lowered her head with a frown.

As for Ling mama, she was feeling quite miserable. Even if one was to ignore the near-murder "accidental" event, the Empress dowager still had never treated Lei Xing with warmth. Not to mention, filial piety was clearly not a thing the current Emperor and Empress placed any importance on. If the Emperor did not care about his mother, then why would his pampered Empress care?

Ling mama did not need to be told that Lei Xing would refuse to come. The current Empress did not seem at all like the vindictive type, otherwise, she would have long come with her entourage to gloat before the locked up Empress dowager. Honestly, even she herself did not want to see the crazed woman if she could help it. 

And if she does not return with the Empress, the Empress dowager might just kill her, but it was not as if she could drag the Empress over there, that would asking for her death. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck in between both of them. So she dragged her feet as she debated whether or not to run to Eunuch Li to get him to come to talk the Empress dowager out of whatever craziness had gotten into her head now. But then if the Empress dowager found out she disobeyed her and went to report to him, she may think she was working for the Emperor, and then she would truly end up dead.

There was really no winning with this.