Chapter 269: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-One
In the Imperial Study of Chengguang Hall, Sun Kui was reporting to the Emperor about the incident with the snake at the Spring Hunting Ground.
After listening, the Emperor’s expression remained calm, as if he had long known who the real mastermind was.
Seeing the Emperor’s lack of reaction, Sun Kui asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, did you already know that the mastermind was the Empress?"
The Emperor had his legs propped up on the imperial table, his feet swinging.
"Who else could it be but her?" He finished with a sneer, "Does she think her wit can fool anyone but herself?"
The Emperor’s tone was full of disdain for Empress Xie, making Sun Kui wonder how the Empress would feel if she knew about this contempt.
"Your Majesty, what should be done next?"
"Bring out Princess Consort De," the Emperor said indifferently, "and show the investigation results to the Empress."
Sun Kui was startled by the Emperor’s final angry remark: "Your Majesty, aren’t you going to Zhao Yang Palace?"
The Emperor gave Sun Kui a sidelong glance, "Why would I go to Zhao Yang Palace?"
"Aren’t you..." Sun Kui carefully chose his words, "aren’t you going to confront the Empress?"
The Emperor frowned slightly, his expression cold, "I’m too lazy to speak with her."
"So... just show the investigation results to the Empress?" Sun Kui implied, isn’t the Emperor going to punish Empress Xie?
"For now, she can’t be punished. After all, my Yingpin still resides in Zhao Yang Palace," the Emperor said as he picked his nose, "Tell her that for Yingpin’s sake, I won’t hold it against her for now." With that, he flicked the booger from his finger.
"Warn her to behave and not engage in disreputable acts again." The Emperor continued picking his nose, "My patience isn’t plentiful; I won’t forgive her time and time again."
Sun Kui noticed the Emperor’s tone was nonchalant, unable to discern whether he was angry or indifferent.
"Your Majesty, are you angry with the Empress?" he asked directly.
The Emperor rolled his eyes at Sun Kui, "Do I have that kind of time to waste being angry with her?"
If the Empress heard this, she wouldn’t know whether to be pleased or saddened.
The Emperor, having finished picking his nose, scratched his butt.
"Sometimes I truly doubt if the Empress is really the Old Duke’s biological daughter."
Sun Kui asked in astonishment, "Your Majesty, why do you say that?"
"Because the Empress is too foolish." The Emperor stated, "Not to mention the Old Duke, even the Duke Zhen and Xie Wan are intelligent people, but the Empress is just a fool."
The Emperor propped his face with his right hand and said, "The Duke Zhen is a shrewd man, Xie Wan is also wise and clear-headed, but the Empress..." He paused, "Look at the things she’s done over the years, not a single one is clever. She even believes she’s hidden her actions well."
"Compared to the Duke Zhen and the late Empress, the Empress does indeed fall short," Sun Kui remarked, "After all, the Empress is the legitimate daughter of the Xie family, having grown up showered with adoration, so her willfulness is quite normal." The Empress always pretends to be the epitome of grace and elegance before the Emperor and others, but her true nature has long been seen through by the Emperor. In the Emperor’s eyes, the Empress is just a spoiled young lady.
"Her arrogance has cost her her mind." The Emperor shook his head.
"However, Your Majesty, the Empress cares deeply for you." As a willful daughter of a noble family, the Empress never restrains her temper before others, yet she remains composed and gentle before the Emperor.
"Aren’t they all composed and gentle before me?"
"What you said is true, Your Majesty."
"If it weren’t for Xie Wan’s sake, I would really..."
Before the late Empress passed, she repeatedly implored the Emperor to be kind to Empress Xie.
"Fortunately, she has some sense and hasn’t caused any major issues." Over the years, Empress Xie has engaged in many minor schemes, none too significant, so the Emperor turned a blind eye to her actions.
"The Empress knows your bottom line and would not, dare not, do anything to anger you."
"That’s why the Duke Zhen arranged for Qin Xiulian to appear before me." Having such a foolish sister was not only unhelpful but also a hindrance, forcing the Duke Zhen to seek alternative routes. "You say she’s often by Xie Wan’s side since childhood, how has she not learned even a shred of Xie Wan’s wisdom?"
"Your Majesty, how many women in this world can be as wise as the late Empress?" Yet in the Emperor’s heart, Liang Zhaoyi is undoubtedly the most intelligent and admirable woman.