SWHCBB 93

Chapter 93: Returning to the Past, Meeting Mother Consort

Guanju Palace.

A girl as delicate and exquisite as carved jade caught a cricket with her bare hands and tossed it into a grass-woven cage. She ordered the palace maid, “Take this to Father Emperor. Tell him I used all my strength to catch this supreme, unparalleled, ultra-mighty cricket just for him. Tell him to remember to bring me my reward tonight!”

The maid bowed respectfully. “Yes, Your Highness!”

Was that… his older sister as a child? She was surprisingly pretty and adorable, but already so authoritative at that age, like a little adult!

It felt like another dream, only this time it was clearer than the last, so clear that Wen Jue felt as though he were actually there. But he still couldn’t speak or move. His perspective followed his older sister as she moved.

This was Guanju Palace as he had never seen it, resplendent and luxurious. Even the rare Mandarin duck jade vases, which were hardly found even in the Empress’s palace, were casually used here for holding flowers. One could imagine how favored this palace’s mistress had once been. This was Guanju Palace back when his mother was still alive.

As Wen Yan passed through layer after layer of palace gates, going deeper and deeper, Wen Jue grew so nervous he could barely breathe.

Mother Consort…

He was about to see his mother!

Wen Yan’s pace gradually slowed, and her expression became serious. But when she stepped into the main hall, she feigned happiness and walked quickly inside with a smile.

“Has Mother Consort woken up?”

The maid guarding the door bowed to her. From inside came a delicate, weak voice: “Yan’er…”

Wen Yan opened the door and walked straight in.

Following her steps, Wen Jue saw a woman reclining on a beauty couch by the window. She truly was a beauty, graceful figure, jade-like complexion, willow brows, and a tear-shaped mole beneath the corner of her eye that added a seductive charm. With just one glance, she looked like a soul-stealing enchantress.

Her long hair cascaded down from the couch. She propped her head up with one hand, gazing out the window. Her brow held unspoken sorrow that seemed impossible to dissolve. Her belly was slightly rounded, she gently caressed it and spoke softly, “Yan’er, come feel your little brother or sister. He or she just kicked me, such a little rascal!”

Wen Yan walked over and placed her hand on the belly, her expression soft. “How is that bad? It just means he or she is strong. Maybe once born, they’ll be just like you, Mother Consort, causing such a ruckus that no one in the palace can have peace.”

Li Qingci covered her lips and coughed softly. “Cough, cough… Was I really that terrible? I’ve already turned over a new leaf, haven’t I?”

Wen Yan replied, “I’d rather Mother Consort stayed the way you were. These past few months, your appetite has worsened, and you’ve grown more withdrawn.” She then pretended to scold the child in her mother’s belly, “Whether you’re a little brother or sister, you’re not allowed to keep making trouble for Mother Consort. So naughty!”

“What would they know? Don’t blame them.” Li Qingci turned over carefully while holding her belly and murmured, “I won’t hold it against you. But for now, I can protect you. Once you’re born, you’d better behave. If your sister wants to smack you, I might not be able to stop her, even I’m scared of her!”

Wen Yan lowered her gaze slightly and probed gently, “Mother Consort, I want to invite Father Emperor to dine with me in the palace today. Is that alright?”

Li Qingci’s face stiffened, and then she muttered gloomily, “Then tell him I’m sick, and I can’t stand the smell of men. The farther away he stays, the better!”

Wen Yan sighed. “Mother Consort, what happened between you and Father Emperor? Can’t you tell me?”

“That’s grown-up business. You’re just a child, don’t meddle!” Li Qingci replied.

Wen Yan muttered, “…Compared to me, Mother Consort seems more like the child.”

Li Qingci turned back slowly while cradling her belly. After a moment, she added, “If I told you bad things about him, would you believe me? Even if you did, don’t hate him. He’s your Father Emperor, the ruler of a nation. Opposing him would only bring destruction.”

Wen Yan was silent for a while before speaking, slightly downcast. “I actually know. Father Emperor is not like an ordinary father. In his heart, the most important thing is his throne, his empire. We’re just pawns he uses. When needed, he showers us with favor. But once the Xiang family gains merit, we become offerings for his allegiance to them.”

Li Qingci widened her eyes in surprise, but then quickly calmed down. “So you understand everything. What more can I say? I’ve read too many novels. I actually believed an emperor could have a true heart. He only loves himself. That dog of a man!”

“Novels… what are those?” Wen Yan asked curiously.

Li Qingci waved her hand. “They’re just books full of romance and love. Mother Consort ruined her brain reading that nonsense! Yan’er, tell me, why should only men get to have three wives and four concubines? We women should be allowed three husbands and four lovers too! A man like your father would’ve been sent to the cold palace already, let’s not bring him up again!”

“Mother Consort, please be cautious with your words.” Wen Yan knew her mother was always blunt, but times had changed. When favored by the Emperor, her unfiltered words were endearing. Once out of favor, every sentence could become evidence against her.

Wen Yan shook her head helplessly. “In the palace, true feelings don’t matter, only favor does. Even if there’s no love, we have to put on an act. If you don’t soften toward Father Emperor while he still thinks of you, he may one day turn his love to hate and let the Xiang family and Empress torment us. Our days would be unbearable.”

Hearing this, Li Qingci rolled her eyes. “Just being near him one more second makes me want to puke! Isn’t that torture?”

But Wen Yan only looked at her quietly. Feeling guilty, Li Qingci glanced away and muttered like a child admitting fault, “Fine, fine, I get it. I’ll act my part properly.”

Wen Yan smiled and patted her head. “Mother Consort is so obedient.”

It was the first time Wen Jue had ever seen such version of his mother. She was nothing like the rumors. But this version of her, he really liked. And surely… she would have liked him too.