Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 152 - 128:

Jianzhang Palace.

The Empress went to receive him, and the Emperor asked her to rise, walking straight inside.

After falling a step behind him, she looked at his broad shoulders, feeling somewhat aggrieved.

She felt wronged; the Emperor rejected her invitation last night but summoned Servant Consort Zhen, causing her to lose face. The Emperor should be here to comfort her.

However, the Emperor waved his hand, "Let everyone go out."

Dong Qin hesitated for a moment, but Ying Lu quickly ushered her out.

In the blink of an eye, only the two of them were left in the vast palace chamber.

After sitting down, the Emperor glanced at the surroundings, noticing that after stirring past emotions last time was ineffectual, she had returned to her usual opulent style. As the Empress of Dayan, she naturally deserved such finery, each piece allocated to her palace after being tributed: "Today, let’s have a good talk."

"It’s rare for the Emperor to wish to speak with me,"

the Empress said with a slight hint of bitterness.

"Because you never listen to what I say, it’s pointless even if I do speak."

The Empress was stung: "Last time, when the Emperor refused my request to take Concubine Xi’s child, I understood, so why mention it again? As for the matter with Servant Consort Zhen, Dong Hua is a maid who has been with me since childhood. Servant Consort Zhen was disrespectful when paying respects, and she acted improperly to vent my anger. It’s a pitiful intention, but as the Queen of the Central Palace, I had no choice but to severely punish her..."

The Emperor quietly waited for her to finish speaking.

Many thoughts rose in his mind; he recalled how the late Emperor had become more impatient with age, often interrupting foolish words without hearing them out.

But his nature was different; he was always willing to listen to the end.

After she finished speaking, he asked: "Empress, have you ever considered what a Queen of the Central Palace should do?"

Faced with the Emperor’s questioning, the Empress was initially stunned, then confused: "To supervise the palace staff, manage the harem, which of these have I not done well? Please, Emperor, make it clear!"

"Make it clear? Fine, let me ask you, the Jiang Family bribed palace attendants, harming other concubines, did you not allow this to happen? Under your management, my harem has become chaotic. Despite giving you opportunities repeatedly, you haven’t cherished them! You dislike them, allowing them to harm each other, hoping for mutual destruction. The art of balance for those in power is not your way. If I were the same as you, the ones suffering would be the masses, and Yan Chi would not fare well."

"I am entrusted with the power of heaven, yet I dare not act recklessly; how can I tolerate your audacity!"

What kind of leader produces such followers?

Why is Concubine Jiang able to easily bribe palace attendants with Silver Tael? Because the Empress provides a comfortable environment, fostering this atmosphere.

"Emperor,"

The Empress, in distress, knelt down: "I have managed the inner court for you for many years, enduring hardships and challenges that outsiders can’t fathom. It’s not a matter of unwillingness but inability..." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Is it difficult to be fair and just, or is it difficult to not follow your emotions?"

These were things the Emperor believed he had adhered to over the years.

"Why do I dislike them? Is it not because of you, Emperor?"

She clenched the hem of her garment, her nails digging into her flesh.

The Emperor felt similarly, as if an unjust blame had been laid upon him, feeling gravely wronged.

But this was a topic they had discussed before, and he was prepared for it.

He steadied his voice: "Because you love me, do you resent them for dividing my favor, is that so?"

The Empress nodded, her eyes tearful.

"Then, what does the Empress think about my intention to relieve Wei Qingchen of his duties?"

The slanting sun spilled into the room, brightening the Emperor’s Dragon Robe, while another part fell on her lapel. The winter sun moved swiftly, and that patch of light quickly turned from bright yellow to dark red, solidifying like her heart, becoming heavy and stagnant.

"Emperor, I was wrong, punish me. Let Lady handle the Longevity Festival," her voice trembled: "Emperor, you are wise, please don’t blame my father. He has nothing to do with this."

In terms of character, she wasn’t particularly skillful; spoiled by her family to have a bad temper, at home her mistakes were covered by her high-ranking father and brothers. After all, what significant errors could one make in the household? The mistake was marrying her to an Emperor; she thought her husband would clean up her messes as her family had, but she didn’t expect someone would not tolerate her.

The Emperor laughed: "And yet you say you love me."

The Empress dared not look at his face, afraid to see disappointment in his eyes.

But hearing him say he wished to remove her father from office made her truly afraid; she repeatedly confessed and begged the Emperor to calm his anger: "Concubine Xi was fortunate to conceive, I shouldn’t have plotted against her."

Only when she realized her words might bring disaster to her family did she know fear, tears falling to the floor.

The Emperor frowned watching her: "See, your love for me pales in comparison to your family’s official posts."

She wept silently.

"But never mind, my love for you is likewise insignificant." He said kindly.

"..."

The Empress was at a loss for words.

"Let’s not stress love too much because frankly, if I valued emotions above all, you and Prince Kang would have been long gone," he helped the Empress up. Just saying these words made him feel greatly relieved: "Moreover, I will immediately dismiss Consort Jiang back to the Jiang Family. I don’t want to see her face again, and then administer a mute powder to Concubine Wei."

"..."

The Empress dared not speak.

"See, Empress, speaking one’s mind and acting on wishes is an intimidating affair."

In saying these words, the Emperor was remarkably genial.

This list of ’10 Small Things the Emperor Wanted to Do’ did not even include elevating Concubine Xi to Empress, illustrating how hatred can sometimes be stronger than love: "And you do this every day in the harem; whoever displeases you, you bully mercilessly... Empress, you’re living a life that I can’t help but feel envious of."

"Emperor, I have learned my lesson, I won’t dare to err again,"

The Empress timidly said.

The Emperor had corrected her not just once, always willing to give her chances if she showed improvement.

However, this time, he kindly said, "I don’t believe you."

Enough opportunities had been given; he only felt it necessary to emulate the Empress’s attitude toward life.

Upon leaving Jianzhang Palace, the Emperor decreed that most harem affairs would be handled by the Empress Dowager, with remaining trivial matters assisted by Lady, effectively depriving the Empress of her palace authority. He then went to Changle Palace to explain the situation to the Empress Dowager, who was not keen on taking power, but transferring everything to Lady wasn’t appropriate either; having her mother-in-law take over was the best outcome for everyone.

"The Empress’ temperament... perhaps after your talk, she realizes her mistake."

"Only the wise and the extremely foolish are immutable; long ago, I lost faith in her."

With the conversation reaching this point, the Empress Dowager could only agree.

With the loss of her palace power, the Empress was effectively sidelined, unable to act as recklessly as before.

Yet she still believed her loss of power was punishment for chastising the Emperor’s new favorite.

"Proceed to Xianfu Palace."

Upon exiting Changle Palace, the Emperor decided to indulge himself for once.