168 Valuable Chess Pieces

XuanRong's footsteps stopped.

"A MALICIOUS WOMAN LIKE YOU WILL NOT LIVE A HAPPY LIFE!! YOU ARE A DEMON! A DEVIL INCARNATE!!"

Hearing Rui Fang Li's words, XuanRong laughed. Her laughter was very lively but was full of malice. Rui Fang Li could feel the chill coming from her body.

Without turning back, XuanRong spoke.

"A demon? Heh… indeed… I am a demon… I came back to life in order to hunt you down and make your life a living hell…"

XuanRong pushed the door and left, leaving Rui Fang Li rooted on the chair.

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"How is Imperial Mother's health?"

Xu Ji An stared at Empress Wei who was laying on the bed. Her face was pale and her body was weak.

"Answering the Crown Prince, Her Majesty's health is not good. Due to stress and fatigue, her body was damaged. The Empress' anger should not be triggered. Please make sure that Her Highness would avoid anything that could raise her blood pressure. This lowly Physician will prepare a tonic for her. Please make sure to let the Empress drink it every day."

Xu Ji An nodded and dismissed the Imperial Physician. He stared at his Imperial Mother who was sick and could not help but feel remorse. He knew why she fell sick. His Imperial Mother was already very tired managing the Imperial harem and because of the recent incident of Imperial consort Jin's miscarriage, his Imperial Father was now thinking that it was due to his Imperial Mother's malicious plot. Aside from that, he knew that the matter about him punishing one of his Liang Di[1] had reached his Imperial Mother's ears.

"Nghn…"

Empress Wei stirred and woke up.

"Imperial Mother!!! Someone, come!! Call back the Imperial Physician!!"

When he saw his Imperial Mother slowly opened her eyes, Xu Ji An frantically went forwards and held her hand.

"Imperial Mother… Imperial Mother… how are you feeling?"

A mama immediately entered the room together with a few palace maids and help Empress Wei. When she successfully sat on the bed, Empress Wei turned her head and saw her son, Xu Ji An, looking anxious. Using all the strength she had, Empress Wei raised her hand and slapped Xu Ji An on the face.

*pa!!*

Xu Ji An's face turned red but he did not say anything. All the servants present including the mama immediately knelt on the ground.

"Please, Your Highness, quell your anger."

The servants simultaneously spoke as they remained kneeling.

"All of you, leave."

Empress Wei weakly said as if the slap she gave tired her.

"But, Your Highnes----"

"BENGONG[2] IS TELLING YOU TO LEAVE."

Without any choice, the servants left one by one, only leaving Xu Ji An and Empress Wei alone.

"Do you know the reason why Imperial Mother hit you?"

Xu Ji An lowered his head.

"This child begs Imperial Mother to forgive this child."

Empress Wei closed her eyes.

"Ji An ah… Do you remember when you were little? ….When you were still an ordinary prince and not the crown prince? What did Imperial Mother tell you?"

Hearing Empress Wei's question, Xu Ji An's fists tightened.

"Imperial Mother assured this child that as long as one can use every useful piece available, the crown prince title will be within this child's grip… and Imperial Mother did not lie."

Empress Wei glared at Xu Ji An.

"You understood yet you still did those things!! Hasn't Imperial Mother told you before, those chess pieces, one must cherish them!! Imperial Mother sacrificed a lot of things in order to give you the crown prince title, even killing those bastards who were a threat for your ascension!! But look at you!!! You do not treasure your title for what? For a stupid girl!!"

Xu Ji An wanted to retort back but Empress Wei did not allow him to do so.

"Do not try and lie in front of me!! Imperial Mother knows the reason why you kept on punishing your women!! Imperial Mother knows that you desire that woman, XuanRong, but Imperial Mother had already told you before that it is not possible!! After what your Imperial Father did to General Chen during his birthday banquet, do you still think that General Chen did not harbor any hatred towards your Imperial Father?! Besides, Imperial Mother knows the heart of a monarch… Your Imperial Father is already planning to bring down the Chen family. Do you want to be tied with them and destroy yourself?!!"

*cough* *cough*

Empress Wei coughed a couple of times after speaking with all her might.

"Imperial Mother!!" Xu Ji An was very worried. Once something happened to his Imperial Mother, his support would weaken and his title as the crown prince would be in danger.

"Ji An ah… Imperial Mother knows that you had taken a fancy to her but you must think carefully if you want to become the Emperor someday. You can play with that woman but you must not take her seriously. Imperial Mother will not hinder your plan anymore but Imperial Mother hopes that you will not forget to coax your concubines. All the women in your harem had their own value. How could you punish them without any rhyme or reason? Go and pacify your women especially Consort Ding. You know that among the women in your palace, she has the most value. You are truly foolish!! Make sure to spend time with her and produce an heir. You are not young anymore."

When Empress Wei mentioned the word 'heir' Xu Ji An's face darkened.

Looking at his beloved son's expression, Empress Wei sighed.

"Imperial Mother knows that you are aware of it. Imperial Mother also regrets killing the unborn child in XuanFei's stomach since half of it belongs to you, but what can Imperial Mother do? Imperial Mother will never allow anything or anyone to obstruct you from becoming the Emperor, and that child's existence will only bring us trouble! Do not worry, that child may not be fated with us but it does not mean that you cannot produce another one. This time, you have to make sure that the mother is one of your women! Do you understand?"

Although unwilling, Xu Ji An could only nodded his head.

"This child understands. This child will obey Imperial Mother."

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[1]. Side-Consort: One rank lower than the Crown Princess.

[2]. Used by the empress or a high-ranking consort when speaking to a person or an audience of lower rank or status.

[Unedited Chapter]