Chapter 770: Chapter 732: Bestowal of Honors (First Update)

Zhao Xi remained silent.

Fanghua suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the child, "I know you’re in a difficult position, after all, she is your biological mother, but..."

"I can’t bear to watch Mother die," Zhao Xi’s heart was twisted with pain, "Why does she have to die?"

Fanghua had no answer to such a question.

Back in the Emperor’s bedroom, she had also asked Emperor Guangxi why the Empress had to die. Emperor Guangxi said Zhao Xi was too sentimental; he held on to the death of an inner court lady, and in the future, he would surely make concessions for his biological mother. A ruler is destined to stand lonely atop the peak, and if too emotional, showing weakness before others could spell doom for his kingdom. He also said Empress Qi could not compare to Empress Su; she would not help the Crown Prince but drag him down. It was better she entered the coffin early to fulfill her son’s needs.

Fanghua moved her lips slightly, speaking softly, "Your father also said that if the Empress died, he would let people announce externally that she died for love and be interred with him in the Imperial Mausoleum. If you choose to protect the Empress, then it would have to be Empress Su who is interred with him."

This was both a temptation and a difficult choice.

Emperor Guangxi had had two Empresses, one Empress Su, and one Empress Qi.

According to popular belief, Empress Su was the original spouse, and Empress Qi was the legitimate partner after being elevated.

Normally, when the family head passes away, he is interred with his original spouse.

That meant, according to ritual law, it should be Empress Su who is interred with Emperor Guangxi. However, now Emperor Guangxi wanted Empress Qi to be interred with him, which indicated he either had to set aside Empress Su or demote her to make room for Empress Qi.

For a successor, being interred with the Emperor after death signifies highest honor and could shelter her family’s future generations.

"Your father has thought this through very carefully," Fanghua said, "Once you agree, he will send your mother out of the palace under the guise of recuperation. After he passes away, your mother won’t breathe anymore, so you won’t have to see her critically ill every day."

Zhao Xi clutched his aching chest, "Aunt, if it were you, what would you choose?"

"I don’t know." Fanghua shook her head, "It’s too difficult."

She then reached out to pat Zhao Xi’s shoulder, sighing, "If you’re really unsure, go see your mother!"

Zhao Xi entered and greeted Song Wei and the others before heading straight to Kunning Palace.

After changing the medication, Empress Qi’s health had gradually improved. Today, she had just managed to recover some spirit when the news that the Yang Family had stormed the palace made her so furious that she vomited blood.

When Zhao Xi arrived, she had just woken up. Hearing from Jingzhe that the Crown Prince had come, she was somewhat excited, "Quickly, invite him in."

Zhao Xi entered the inner hall.

Empress Qi had Jingzhe help her to sit up.

"Mother," Zhao Xi stepped forward to salute.

"Xixi, what’s the situation outside?" Empress Qi’s voice was urgent.

Zhao Xi replied truthfully, "Song Wei and Uncle and Aunt arrived in time, and Yang Xiong’an has already been imprisoned, awaiting trial. It’s settled."

"Then you are alright, right?"

"Yes, I no longer need to be confined."

Listening, Empress Qi smiled with relief, and then lowered her gaze, "Mother was useless, unable to help you with anything."

"Mother, please don’t say that," Zhao Xi said, "If it weren’t for your encouragement and support over the years, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Empress Qi choked slightly, signaling him to come closer.

Zhao Xi walked to the bed and knelt down.

Empress Qi reached out and touched his cheek, "From childhood to adulthood, Xixi has been the most outstanding Prince in this palace. Mother believes you will be more than an exceptional Crown Prince, but a talented and visionary Emperor in the future."

Although she didn’t spell it out, Zhao Xi already sensed something and his eyes suddenly turned red, "Mother..."

"Good child, promise Mother that when you become Emperor, no matter what happens, you won’t shed a tear and no matter what kind of girl you meet, you won’t be moved. This is my final decree as Empress."

Zhao Xi bowed to the ground, crying uncontrollably, "I will obey, I will obey, I... will obey!"

"Cry this time, and then tears should end forever."

...

After Zhao Xi left, Jingzhe looked at Empress Qi with heartache, "Your Majesty truly wants to agree to the Emperor’s request?"

The night Zhao Xi changed his medication, Emperor Guangxi had already had Mr. Cui come and deliver the message. If she were willing to die, Zhao Xi could become Emperor very soon. Not only that, but she as a successor could be interred with the Emperor, and the Qi Family’s title would be hereditary, exempting their descendants from exams while directly granting scholar titles.

Having thought it through for days, Empress Qi had seen it clearly, "I die alone, exchanging my son’s ascension and sheltering the family, why not?"

"But, but the sacrifice is too great." Jingzhe wiped her tears.

"Do you think that if I refuse, the Emperor would retract his decree?" Empress Qi smirked bitterly. "If I oppose him, not only will it fail to change his mind, but it will also lead to a tragic and bleak end for myself. Most importantly, it would implicate Xixi and drag down the Qi Family."

With Emperor Guangxi’s nature, to voluntarily propose burial together, offer protection to the Qi Family, and even pass the throne to the Crown Prince, these are already seen as acts of great benevolence and concession. At such a time, if she fails to recognize his insight, it will only backfire and infuriate the Emperor.

There is no denying, Emperor Guangxi’s move is indeed both ruthless and decisive.

He intends to pass the throne to the Crown Prince but fears that after his death, the Qi Family might repeat the fate of the Su Family years ago, wield heavy power over the court, and manipulate the court affairs for personal gain. Thus, he directly proposes preserving the son and not the mother, negotiating with the Empress, as long as she is willing to die, the position of Emperor is the Crown Prince’s, and no one can take it away.

Empress Qi has long wished for her son to ascend to this position for so many years, naturally, she must agree.

In this way, not only can he fulfill his wish to pass the throne, but it also nips the possibility of external relatives controlling court affairs in the bud, leaving no hidden dangers.

Even with Empress Qi’s limited capabilities, she can understand this.

——

Zhao Xi returned to the Eastern Palace, Song Wei and others hadn’t left.

Fanghua stood outside waiting for him. Upon seeing him, she first handed him a hand warmer for warmth and then asked, "How did it go?"

Zhao Xi calmly replied, "Mother must have previously agreed to father’s wish to die willingly."

Fanghua understood Emperor Guangxi’s nature; having been controlled by the Su Family for years after ascending the throne as a teenager, when he finally took power, he liked to keep everything under his control. Since he could propose joint burial, he must have communicated with Empress Qi in advance.

If Empress Qi agreed, then the Crown Prince ascends the throne, and the Emperor and Empress rejoice with a burial together.

If Empress Qi disagreed, then the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Empress faces a tragic death, the maternal family declines, and it ends in tragedy.

This has always been Emperor Guangxi’s customary style.

"What did she say to you just now?"

"Mother left me a noble edict, instructing me that after becoming Emperor, no matter what happens, I must not shed tears, and no matter what girl I encounter, I must not fall in love."

"Your mother is right!" Fanghua agreed, "She is considering the long-term."

Saying this, she reached out to brush the sleet off Zhao Xi’s shoulder. "Xixi, no matter how far you go or how high you stand in the future, uncle, aunt, and the family of the Third Son will always be your strongest shield. Here, is your home."

...

Every move of the Eastern Palace and Kunning Palace had been communicated in detail to Emperor Guangxi.

After hearing the report, Emperor Guangxi sneered softly, "She has some foresight, not too stupid."

Then, he instructed Mr. Cui, "Since she has agreed, there is no need to linger in the palace. Prepare to send her out for recovery."

Mr. Cui hesitated, "Should we notify the Eastern Palace?"

"With so many spies in this palace, the Empress leaving the palace will be such a huge event, do we need to notify?"

Mr. Cui immediately understood the Emperor’s intention; he did not wish the Crown Prince to see the Empress again. He complied with a declaration and went off to arrange the departure from the palace.

...

Fanghua and others were in the Eastern Palace for nearly two hours. On their way out, they encountered the imperial eunuch of the Qianqing Palace.

The imperial eunuch greeted Lu Xingzhou and Fanghua, "Marquis, Marchioness, please wait. The Emperor has something to give to both of you."

Fanghua paused in her tracks, "What is it?"

"An imperial edict."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingzhou, Fanghua, Song Wei, and Yuanbao all knelt down.

The little eunuch began to read aloud.

The imperial edict stated that Marchioness Changning had timely rescued the Emperor and was specially conferred the title of National Guardian Princess, restoring her Imperial Family status and reinstating her on the Jade Scroll.

Fanghua was somewhat taken aback, and after the surprise, there was uncontrollable sorrow.

Her brother foresaw that he had little time left and wished to make amends for all regrets.

Closing her eyes and then reopening them, she spoke clearly, "I, Zhao Xunyin, accept the decree."

After this minor episode, the group continued to exit the palace.

The palace arranged carriages, Zhao Xunyin and Lu Xingzhou shared one, Song Yuanbao and Song Wei another.

Finally able to speak freely, Yuanbao couldn’t help but mutter, "During the rescue, father had merits too, why does the Emperor not grant you any reward?"