Not even a full night passed after the party before more problems were piled onto Jin Xiyan’s plate. Before Wu Shanjin could be questioned, he was dead. Supposedly, he killed himself by biting his tongue. The head of the guards blamed it on incompetence and punished the ones who were supposed to watch him, but Jin Xiyan had very little trust that it was the truth. But because he was the “Empress,” he couldn’t inquire further. He would leave it to Li Changyu, who left promptly in the morning after recovering. Two days had passed, and they hadn’t shared a word since. The days grew colder, and today was the first snow.
Because of this, Jin Xiyan decided to put in motion his plan without consulting Li Changyu. Jin Xiyan strode confidently down the paths of the Inner Palace. To make his entourage impressive, as any Empress’ should be, he had six guards accompany him and Meimei. Still, the number of attendants was sorely lacking, but he knew he had to be cautious about who he let into the Phoenix Palace. For now, this was enough for him.
He had everyone bundled up to do his morning greetings. His second stop today was his Royal Mother’s, which he secretly dreaded the most. Normally he tolerated his Mother’s particular temperament, but his open hostility to Li Changyu was always palpable. Jin Xiyan was never blind to his Mother’s pettiness, but he only had to deal with his obnoxious affection. To Jin Qiuye, he was his savior. Being able to birth the heir to the Emperor immediately elevated his status – his position became second to the Empress.
Jin Xiyan was also not ignorant of his Mother’s infidelities when the former Emperor got sick, nor the ones after his Emperor Father died. His Emperor Father’s sudden illness was a bit of a mystery. He long suspected that Jin Qiuye poisoned the Emperor to secure Jin Xiyan as Emperor. He also thought that Jin Qiuye deduced that Jin Xiyan had ensured his Emperor Father’s last breath. Jin Xiyan never questioned him about it, nor did Jin Qiuye voice his suspicions that he had killed his own Emperor Father. Like his birth, Jin Qiuye only focused on the benefits Jin Xiyan would bring. Knowing how smart he was, Li Changyu might have come to the same conclusion. Would Li Changyu judge him for it? He could no longer linger on his worries because he ran into someone in Jin Qiuye’s yard.
Qin Yuze breezed through the door of Jin Qiuye’s main room, obviously having left after giving his greeting. One of his many eunuchs immediately held an umbrella over his head to catch the gently falling snow. Somehow, the white fox fur coat was even darker than Qin Yuze’s snow-white hair. As usual, it was done up in a grand display with pins and combs made from fine jewels and metals. Everything was expensive from the top of his head down to his winter boots.
Even before he was drugged and brainwashed by him, Jin Xiyan did not particularly mind spending money on Qin Yuze. At one point, he felt obligated since he could not find a place for him in his heart. But seeing him in all this finery reminded Jin Xiyan not only of his failure but what the real Qin Yuze was: vain, opulent, and shallow.
“Hmph, I did not think you had the sense to continue doing morning greetings, but you should expect His Highness would not want to see you in your…” Qin Yuze’s eyes fell on Jin Xiyan’s carefully bandaged hands. “Condition. Showing such grotesque scars…tch!”
With all feelings of guilt and responsibility now gone, Jin Xiyan once felt empty and hollow. In its place, a wave of anger bubbled to the surface, filling him with a sense of purpose and a direction to vent it.
“Meimei, what are the Harem’s rules about improperly greeting the highest rank member?”
“Uhh…” Meimei, so startled at suddenly being called upon, almost dropped the umbrella. “Umm…”
Qin Yuze narrowed his eyes, and Jin Xiyan smirked. Jin Xiyan knew the rule well since Qin Yuze himself crafted it. He demanded that all members of the Harem kneel to him since he was the highest rank.
“Answering Your Highness, it is ten slaps for the first offense.”
Jin Xiyan softened his cruel grin to a soft smile that he gave Meimei. “Thank you for reminding this one. Now, Imperial Consort, do you want to try addressing me again?”
Qin Yuze’s face twisted, “You!—“
“That,” Jin Xiyan cut off Qin Yuze with a raised voice, “was not the start of a greeting.”
Jin Xiyan knew he could not put the burden of administering such a punishment on Meimei. She was much too kind, and it would put a potential target on her back. No, he knew what he must do. For his plans to work, Jin Xiyan had to do more than cut Qin Yuze off – he would have to go for the root.
Jin Xiyan’s gaze turned to the eunuch that held an umbrella beside Qin Yuze. “You. You will give the Imperial Consort ten smacks across the face. And if I don’t see a mark for each slap, I will second guess your sincerity and desire to serve in the Imperial Palace.”
The eunuch flinched, his knuckles going white from how tight he held onto the umbrella. He looked between his Master and the ‘Empress’, clearly confused about who to follow. Qin Yuze might have had numerous attendants and servants, but he lacked one crucial thing that Jin Xiyan happened to have: hierarchy.
“Oh?” Jin Xiyan arched his brow. The eunuch felt like daggers were drawn on him from that stare. “Then I suppose I must ask one of my men…” Jin Xiyan turned his body to look at the Li relative closest to him with a small smile.
Qin Yuze’s throat visibly bobbed with a hard swallow. Li Changyu striking him was bad enough, but an alpha twice their size and a filthy military barbarian at that? Qin Yuze’s teeth gnashed together as he bristled. He whipped his gaze to the eunuch, snarling.
“Do it already!”
Again the eunuch jerked back, now cowering between the two. The umbrella trembled and spilled snow as he passed it off to another servant, then stepped forward. The same shaky hand lifted while his eyes squinted shut – this would hurt him more than the Imperial Consort. Later, he would vent his anger on the eunuch. And it looked like the Empress knew it!
The scared man brought his hand down with a resounding crack across Qin Yuze’s porcelain-like cheek. Red bloomed immediately upon the impact, clashing with his light touch of rouge. The act stunned both the servant and Qin Yuze enough that Jin Xiyan had to speak up.
“Again.”
It continued like this for another eight times, and at the final slap, Qin Yuze fell to his knees in the inch or two of snow. When Jin Xiyan stepped towards Qin Yuze, all his servants took a long step back. Good. Jin Xiyan smiled to himself. This was the reaction he wanted. He plastered on a sweet smile and knelt on one knee; his hand outstretched to take Qin Yuze’s elbow.
“Imperial Consort, a bow would have sufficed! I am not so strict on having someone kneel in the snow when you are no threat to me…” Jin Xiyan’s fingers tightened on Qin Yuze’s arm when the omega tried to pry away from his grip. He leaned forward and whispered low in Qin Yuze’s ear. “Especially when you are not even an omega.”
Qin Yuze’s normally perfect visage faltered. His mask cracked into a wide-eyed stare, frozen under Jin Xiyan’s touch. Jin Xiyan pulled back with a sly smile.
That was the big secret that Jin Xiyan had agreed to keep. In the Sui Kingdom, betas were slaves. In a long lineage of the current dynasty, none were born beta, except for Qin Yuze. As the Nephew to the King, his Mother would not let this stand. She burned a fake omega mark near his navel and passed him off as an omega. When Jin Xiyan was first introduced to Qin Yuze as a Princess Consort, it was the first thing Qin Yuze blurted out on their wedding night.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“I do not care,” he had said that night. “I will not send you away. We can be married, and you will live contently, but I am waiting for another.”
If Qin Yuze had been sent back, he would likely have been killed. As a beta, he could not get pregnant. This was a comfortable arrangement that suited Jin Xiyan. His Emperor Father was placated and none the wiser. For a time, it appeared Qin Yuze was content being a Wife that wasn’t demanded of anything. However, something eventually festered and grew – it became an obsession that led Qin Yuze to continue this cruel and punishable behavior. He had assumed that the ruts he experienced as a teenager were from stress. But now he was certain that he had been poisoned when they were younger, which led him to marry Qian Jing. He wasn’t sure how Qin Yuze could smuggle in worse, mind-altering drugs, but that wasn’t important now. Jin Xiyan stood up, and his shadow blanketed the still-kneeling, shivering Qin Yuze.
“The sight of this one displeases me,” said Jin Xiyan cooly, looking down at Qin Yuze like he were a spot of dust that needed to be wiped clean. “Take Imperial Noble Consort back to his quarters, and his staff is to be removed.”
Qin Yuze snapped out of his terrified state and glared up at Jin Xiyan, “You!–”
“You shall be confined to your quarters until I see fit. No one is allowed in, nor are you allowed to leave. I will have guards monitoring you, and—”
“Just who do you think you are?!”
Jin Xiyan held his breath as he heard his Mother’s voice. He let it out slowly as he turned his attention to the now-open doors. Jin Qiuye was dressed, but only a simple fur coat draped over their shoulders. Two guards stood on both sides of him, along with a servant and tired-looking Song Rushen. He must have been serving Jin Qiuye since early this morning.
He plastered on a fake smile, “Royal Mother-in-law, it is so good to see you.”
“Hmph! You have no right to come into my yard, ordering everyone around!”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Jin Xiyan reached into his sleeve and pulled out something that made everyone gasp.
He held up a solid golden block in his hand with a decorative gold phoenix that looked like it was mid-dance. It was the Phoenix Seal, which his Royal Grandmother had confiscated from Jin Qiuye long ago. With the emblem of the Empress, it would allow him – and eventually Li Changyu – to rule the Harem as he saw fit.
Jin Qiuye’s normally sneering gaze turned into unrestrained anger. He shouted, “How dare you! When did you get that?!”
—– 30 Minutes Ago —–
After greeting the Grand Empress Dowager – his Royal Grandmother – he politely asked his guards and Meimei to leave. He rested his hands on his knees and kept his eyes down. It wasn’t an act on his part in order to make Li Changyu look demure – he genuinely was unsure if he wanted to meet his Grandmother’s gaze.
“I have something I must discuss with Your Highness,” he said slowly. “Alone, if you may.”
At hearing such grave words, the Grand Empress Dowager lowered her cup of tea. She dismissed her own servants with a slight flick of the wrist, and Jin Xiyan nodded to Meimei for her to leave as well. Jin Xiyan waited until he could no longer hear any footsteps to speak.
“I am asking Royal Grandmother for the Phoenix Seal.”
This made her frown. “Whatever for? If you require something, you need not hesitate to–”
“I need to be the one in control of the Harem, Royal Grandmother,” Jin Xiyan lifted his head, “you know that is the only way I can secure my position.”
“Yes, but–”
“–but I might end up having to stay here, you mean?”
Officially taking over the duties of the Empress like this would solidify the fact Li Changyu was indeed his Wife and Empress. Like its weight in gold, it would be an anchor binding him to the Harem unless he, as Emperor, said otherwise. Li Changyu had apparently spoke of divorce, and this was a move that would directly counter that.
The lines around his Grandmother’s lips crinkled as she pressed her lips together. After their bout of silence, she sighed. “If you know this much, then why are you asking for it?”
“Consider it a military strategy of sorts. I am aware that I am protecting and putting a target on myself at the same time.” Jin Xiyan lifted his hand, gesturing to himself. “However, the benefits outweigh the risk. I need to gather as much leverage as possible to solve a few problems. Also…I feel it would be beneficial to leave it to me now before you go.”
“Go?” Her brow furrowed, “Where would I be going?”
Jin Xiyan rose from his chair and skirted the small table between them. He knelt down beside his Grandmother in a filial gesture, placing a hand on her elbow. The old Grand Empress Dowager took a hold of that hand and urged him to stand.
“The ground is much too cold, what are you–”
“Grandmother,” he softly cut her off and gave her arm a delicate squeeze. “I know.”
The Grand Empress Dowager frowned even more, confused. Again, he said, emphatically, “I know.”
The silence stretched between them, and his Grandmother’s face went through several emotions. Confusion, then tight lipped concentration, to an eye widening dawning that drew tears to the corner of her eyes. That was when Jin Xiyan knew she understood what he meant.
That fateful day now three years ago.
Spring had just thawed the first bits of snow, but the pond was still frozen. He had just finished forging the ‘final’ decree from his Emperor Father and wanted to take a minute to remember better times…or perhaps to reflect on his actions. It did not matter if the Emperor was poisoned or sick, it was still by his hand that he hastened his Father’s journey to death. Looking at that very hand, he felt guilty over the fact that he did *not* have any lingering guilt for what he’d done. When his Emperor Father confessed to his actions, even his most deplorable ones that did not involve him separating Li Changyu from him, it felt like the most natural choice.
“You should be inside preparing with your Advisors.”
Jin Xiyan turned to the sudden intrusion and saw his Royal Grandmother there. As always, she stood tall and proud with a stern expression across her face; though there was a slight puffiness to her eyes. Sighing, he tried to placate her with a polite nod.
“Yes, Royal Grandmother. I appreciate your reminder, but I will finish Royal Father’s last duties before speaking with the Ministers about the funeral.”
She ignored his answer and asked another question, “What is that?”
She looked pointedly at the scroll in his hand. He did not hide it away, but neither did he give her a direct answer. “These are Emperor Father’s last decrees. I am going to fulfill my final duty as Crown Prince by submitting them, and once I am coronated, everything will be finished.”
“Am I supposed to believe that you did not take the Emperor’s Seal?”
His spine stiffened at the accusation and his eyes narrowed. Did she know the location of the seal too? He put on another smile and shook his head. “I do not know what you mean.”
“A Mother knows her Son…” she began, taking a step forward. “Even with King Yama pulling him down would he be so benevolent to have a final decree.”
“Condemning His Majesty is a great offense.”
“As I said, I know I Son, just as I know my Grandson!” She hissed. “The Seal is not in His Majesty’s room, nor is it in the bookshelf.”
So she did know, he thought to himself. “And why did Royal Grandmother go looking for the Seal?”
“To prevent you from doing something childish, like this!”
“Like what, Your Highness?”
“Stop playing the Fool!” she yelled, closing the distance between them. “It may have worked as the Crown Prince, but you cannot hide something from me!”
He let down his mask of calm serenity and stared at his Grandmother blank faced. He tightened his grip on the scroll and said, “I will marry him as I always intended.”
“Why can’t you leave well enough alone?!”
“Well enough alone? Do you consider fighting for their life well enough?!”
“This is all my fault,” she shook her head, “I thought if I raised you differently, you would not turn out just like him!”
Jin Xiyan’s brows lowered and his eyes darkened. “You would truly compare a man who killed countless people, even his own Empress, to me?”
There was the briefest flash of shock on his Grandmother’s face. It confirmed to him that she had known, and that she had not expected him to find out. It was just one of the many sins his Father confessed to.
Her glare was as cold as the lake. “If you go ahead with this foolish plan, then yes.”
That made him laugh, “Do you think I do not know why you object? You could not get your happiness, so you want to refuse mine.”
Her frigid act cracked, and she raised her voice, “How dare–!”
“No, how dare you!” he matched her volume, “The one thing Father had right was your favortism towards the Li family. Even now, you consider Li Changyu more your grandson than I!”
“Y-you–”
“You were in a loveless marriage and the love of your life had no interest in you. She went to marry another, so now you want to condemn everyone else to the same fate!”
Suddenly, his Grandmother staggered back. Her hand clutched her chest, and her eyes shut painfully tight. Like a bucket of water to a flame, guilt doused his anger. Concerned, he reached out for her and took hold of her elbow.
“Royal Grandmother, I—”
Smack! The sound of the back of her hand striking his cheek with such a force that the sound echoed across the deserted lake. Though old, she was an alpha, and the blow was enough to leave a mark and a sting. But more than anything, it was the shock of being hit that made him move backward.
That was when the heel of his foot made contact with the snowy edge of the lake. It slipped on the icy surface, causing him to stumble. He instinctively dropped the scroll as he fell, and the last thing he would remember before the back of his head cracked against the ice was his Royal Grandmother reaching out for him.
The sound of the ice cracking reverberated in his skull and the scream was drowned out as he sunk through the broken ice. His vision immediately went black as he plummeted to the bottom of the lake.
…..
“How…” her voice broke and drops of tears welled in the corner of her eyes. “…Did…did he tell you? Did his memory come back?”
Jin Xiyan shook his head, “No, I figured it out myself.”
She let out a sigh of relief. She had always known that Li Changyu was incredibly clever, but she did not anticipate him ever finding out about this. Shaking her head, “How could you?” She had been so careful.
“Does that really matter? I know it was an accident.” He touched the back of his hand to her cheek when tears fell and even more gathered. “It was an accident, that is all it was.”
It was the truth. He understood it was a mistake, that they had both said things that were too far. He struck a nerve and did deserve to be rebuked as a Grandson by his Grandmother. However, as a subject and an Emperor…that was another story.
“It is best if you give me the Seal and quietly went to the Temple.” He gently squeezed the hand that held his. “Consider it a time to recuperate and unburden yourself from your duties.”
The words settled on her weary shoulders, adding even more weight to them. She understood the meaning perfectly. It had been an accident, a terrible, terrible mistake that she lived in regret of for years now…but it was a crime nonetheless. Going to the Buddhist Temple nearby, which this Jin Dynasty funded to build, was the kindest sort of punishment possible: a gentle banishment to a place where she would be fed, comfortable, and have plenty more time to atone for her actions.
In the silence that followed, she worked to collect herself. When her tears dried, more threatened to fall, but she kept them back. She cupped his cheek softly in her weathered hand.
“You know that everything I have done, it was all for you, yes?”
A small part of Jin Xiyan was a little bitter, because he understood what she truly meant. She did this all because of her love for Li Changyu. He, as a biological Grandson and Emperor, could not compare to her love for him. This also made him happy, in a way, because it meant that someone was looking out for the person he found most precious in the world.
He nodded softly, “I do, Grandmother. I do…”
With that, he took his leave, knowing that his Grandmother would take some possessions and servants with her and make the journey to the Temple quickly to avoid more snow fall. Shortly thereafter he would confront Qin Yuze and his Mother, whom he also left dumbfounded and silent. He stood past the Moon door frame of his Mother’s residence, the Empress’ Seal in hand. He measured it in his hand as he mulled over the recent events.
There were still many unanswered questions, but there was one thing he knew: Qin Yuze had not drugged Li Changyu.
On the day of their argument, when Li Changyu brought evidence that Qin Yuze may have poisoned him, Jin Xiyan did confront him. He also had a bit of clarity at that moment, where Qin Yuze’s poison was diminishing. He could recall the conversation perfectly. Qin Yuze was the type to make excuses and monologue on and on, but all he had said about Li Changyu was;
“Tch! If I had poisoned him, would I make it so obvious?”
Though Jin Xiyan was loathe to admit it, Qin Yuze was far too cunning to do something so obvious. His open disdain for Li Changyu, using an herb from his homeland…the only logical conclusion was that someone was manipulating Li Changyu to accuse Qin Yuze, which in turn would have created more of a rift between them. Someone was taking advantage of his memory loss and Qin Yuze to succeed in their plan. What that plan ultimately was, he only had a few theories…He shook his head to himself.
Royal Grandmother was right about one thing, he thought, running his thumb along one of the sides of the seal. I am just as bad as my Father. And when it came to protecting Li Changyu…he squeezed the seal tightly in his palm.
He was willing to do much, much worse.
Author’s Note: Hello one and all! I am BACK! Graduate school is still kicking my butt, but I am happy to be writing once again. This is a novel I have been working on for years now, and I could not have done it without all my amazing readers. Thank you SO much!
DOMINO! 😃 So happy you’re alive! I was getting worried. Welcome back honey.
I am sorry for making you worry 😅 I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Omg I’m so glad you’re baaack! I really love this novel and thank you for the update!🫶🏻
Welcome back!!! I’m so happy that you uploaded a new chapter and are writing this novel still.
Though I have already forgotten many of the plot points I was still able to enjoy this chapter. I surely did not expect the empress dowager to be the one responsible for the accident. Thank you so much for the chapter and good luck with grad school!
Thank you so much for your patience. Beside getting out my creativity, I write because the readers are just so great.
I enjoy reading your novel a lot. It is very interesting and your writing style is very good too. I don’t mind waiting long for chapters, it’s just that I want to know what will happen and who will be the final big bad guy. * Though I’m starting to think it will be Jin Xiyan, who I still very much dislike *
Thank you also for replying to us, readers. I’ll be waiting for the future chapters and plot twists!
Indeed, our Jin Xiyan is not an innocent man, but I am sure he will redeem himself (even if he does act like a villainous emperor 😬)
+1 well said!
Ooooh going to do some big-boots stomping with the Phoenix Seal! Jin Xiyan’s love for Li Changyu is looking very much like an obsession. Could that be part of the reason they were kept apart, to protect Li Changyu from being eaten alive? Or was it something political we don’t know about yet, connected to the bad things the previous emperor was doing 😮. So much to unravel still. I love the change in direction, after seeing them both flounder before. Never a dull moment! (Aunties are expected to use outdated cliches.)
Ecstatic that you’re back to writing ! Glad your graduate program was sorted out
Long awaited Qin Yuze getting what he deserves added bonus harem clean out.
Hehe, I know you were the most excited of them all.
Huhuhu.. never expected the surprised came so fast… glad to see u doing well.. thank you for this😘
I try to give the best surprises!
Thanks for the chapter and welcome back!
Thank you for reading!
Welcome back Domino!
This is the badass Jin Xiyan we are waiting for!!
He is clever and love LQY very much.So many things happened in one chapter.. seeing QY getting a slap makes me want to celebrate. I feel sad for grandmother though i understand her. I just hope she could live a quiet life away from the palace.
Thank you so much Jwel! I am glad you enjoyed this chapter and can have faith in our JXY. Yes, I wanted a good ending for Grandmother, so she gets to have peace and quiet now.
thank you for the updates
Thank YOU for appreciating them 🙏
👀 my lovely author~ welcome back~ come rest here with your readers so we can discuss some things 😇❤️
👀 you…you look like you are holding a shoe, dear reader
A shoe?!~ oh dear~ that must be your imagination~ this is obviously a hammer😊❤️
I almost missed this notification! As a grad student, school kicked my ass so bad and now summer internship is kicking my ass too!
You’re such a great writer! I never expected this twist! Welcome back!
no manches, estoy super picada con esta historia y como buena lectora me fui a buscarla aunque no estuviera traducida y me doy cuenta de que es historia original.
De verdad que hiciste un gran trabajo, mi admiración total para ti, hasta el estilo y el ambiente asiaticos están perfectamente representados , tanto que no noté la diferencia entre una novela china y la tuya.
A partir de ahora, seguiré religiosamente esta historia. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I did not expect thaaaat! My heart and mind were surely in a ride reading this chapter! Thank you author for this magnificent 😘🤌 chapter!
Me, as an angst enthusiast, will wait for your updates.
Ahhhh I miss this! I binged it so hard had so many feels!
When will this be updated?
Thank you!
Welcome back for this amazing story!! Even after re-reading it, it still stays the same, amazing, full of mystery and a curiosity of what happens next! I just love it, but I do hope if you start updating it again as it has been 7 months now(from the last update)
Eagerly waiting for your update!!! Lots of love aurhornim !!!! 💝💝💝💝