Chapter 671 - 674: Trapped in One’s Own Cocoon

Chapter 671: Chapter 674: Trapped in One’s Own Cocoon

The Emperor had just passed away, and the Crown Prince was already trying to defy his final Holy Decree.

If word of this got out, the Crown Prince would be branded as unfilial and rebellious.

Even if he were to become the Emperor, this would be a major stain on his name.

Princess Consort Zhen was well aware of this.

Thus, she ignored the Crown Prince’s desperate pleas, extended her hands, and steadily accepted the Holy Decree.

"I thank His Majesty for his profound grace."

This single, light piece of paper sealed her fate.

The Hanlin Academy Scholar knew that by delivering this Holy Decree, he had gravely offended the Crown Prince. His future official career was basically hopeless.

He was already prepared to resign and return to his hometown, so he offered no explanation. He simply bowed with his hands clasped toward Princess Consort Zhen and silently retreated to his original position.

No one else in the hall said a word.

Only Li Qiong was crying out for his mother.

He didn’t want his mother to die.

Princess Consort Zhen’s hands and feet had gone cold, and her mind felt numb.

But she fought to remain calm. As if nothing were wrong, she softly comforted the Crown Prince with a few words.

Then she looked toward the Empress Dowager.

"May I be permitted to return and put my affairs in order?"

The Empress Dowager disliked Princess Consort Zhen, but she wouldn’t show her impatience at a time like this. After all, Princess Consort Zhen was still the Crown Prince’s birth mother. If she forced Princess Consort Zhen to her death right in front of him, the Crown Prince would surely hold a grudge against her, which would do her no good.

In any case, the Holy Decree had been issued. Princess Consort Zhen’s death was certain, so there was no need to rush.

So she gave a slight nod, granting permission.

Princess Consort Zhen curtsied. "Thank you, Empress Dowager. I shall take my leave."

Seeing her about to leave, Li Qiong quickly followed.

Outside Hanzhang Hall, many people were still kneeling.

When they saw the Crown Prince and Princess Consort Zhen emerge, they all bowed to greet them.

Princess Consort Zhen and the Crown Prince boarded the imperial carriage.

The carriage made its way slowly toward Yufu Palace.

Li Qiong grabbed Princess Consort Zhen’s sleeve, crying and pleading.

"Mother, don’t die! I don’t want you to die!"

Princess Consort Zhen gave a bitter smile. "Silly child, I don’t want to die either. But when the sovereign commands your death, you have no choice but to die."

’I underestimated that Dog Emperor.’

’That man was wary of me long ago. That’s why he prepared this posthumous decree in advance, ordering me to be buried with him.’

’Truly worthy of being an emperor. So ruthless!’

Princess Consort Zhen took out a handkerchief, wiped away Li Qiong’s tears, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Don’t cry. You’re a grown man now, and you will be the ruler of a nation. You can’t be crying at the drop of a hat anymore."

Li Qiong broke down. "I would rather not be the ruler of a nation than let you die, Mother!"

Princess Consort Zhen’s heart ached as well.

Seeing her son like this, she couldn’t help but shed tears herself.

Li Qiong cried, "Why was Father so cruel? Why?"

Even though he was mature for his age, he couldn’t understand his father’s actions. Why would he force his mother to die for no good reason?

Princess Consort Zhen looked at him with a complicated expression.

"I don’t know either."

In her heart, she knew very well.

’The real reason the Dog Emperor wanted me to be buried with him was that he didn’t trust me.’

’He was afraid that after he died, I would take advantage of the new emperor’s youth, interfere in court politics as the Empress Dowager, expand the power of my maternal relatives, and destabilize the Li family’s rule.’

’He did all this to clear the path for Li Qiong, to ensure Li Qiong could secure his position on the throne.’

But she couldn’t say any of this out loud.

She was afraid Li Qiong would blame himself and feel guilty.

Princess Consort Zhen stroked his head. "Perhaps when you’re older, you’ll understand everything your father did."

Li Qiong shook his head, crying. "I don’t understand! I’ll never understand!"

Princess Consort Zhen sighed.

’She actually hoped her son would never have to understand these things.’

However, things had already come to this. She had no way out.

"I have one thing I’d like you to help me with."

Li Qiong looked at her with tear-filled eyes. "Please tell me, Mother. As long as it’s something I can do, I will do everything in my power to accomplish it for you."

Princess Consort Zhen said slowly, "The Regent King, Li Ji, has no intention of usurping the throne. It was all fabricated and framed by others. I hope that after you ascend the throne, you will issue a decree to clear the Regent King’s name and restore his innocence."

Li Qiong was confused. "But haven’t you and Li Ji always had a poor relationship? Why would you suddenly want to help him?"

Princess Consort Zhen replied, "I have never been particularly fond of Li Ji, but he is your aunt’s husband. For your aunt’s sake, we can’t just let him be framed."

Li Qiong lowered his head and said sullenly, "This is no small matter. I will need to think about it."

Princess Consort Zhen saw through her son’s thoughts at a glance and said bluntly.

"You don’t want to spare Li Ji? Why?"

Li Qiong was silent for a long moment before speaking.

"The court doesn’t need a Regent King in the first place."

’In his view, the very title of Regent King was ridiculous.’

’A Prince who could bypass the sovereign and interfere directly in court affairs.’

’What was the point of such a person’s existence?’

’Was it just to make things difficult for the Emperor?’

When Li Ji was still at court, he had suppressed Li Qiong to the point of suffocation. Now that he had finally managed to escape Li Ji’s shadow and truly grasp power in his own hands, there was no way he would go back to how things were.

Princess Consort Zhen pleaded, "This is my last wish. Can you really bear to watch me die with regret?"

The words "last wish" stabbed at Li Qiong’s heart.

He choked out, "Mother, don’t say that. I can agree to anything else, but this one thing, I cannot do."

Princess Consort Zhen tried her best to persuade him to change his mind.

"You only need to clear Li Ji’s name, then give him a remote fiefdom and let him live out his days in peace. He won’t remain at court to threaten you."

Li Qiong pressed his lips together.

"Your idea is a good one, Mother, but with Li Ji’s personality, would he be content to be exiled to a remote place as an idle Prince?

"A man with his wild ambition would turn the entire court upside down if given the slightest chance.

"To deal with someone like him, you have to eradicate the problem root and stem, leaving no chance for future trouble!"

As he spoke the last words, a sinister ruthlessness that didn’t belong on a face so young appeared.

Princess Consort Zhen stared at him, stunned.

"Who taught you these things?"

Li Qiong turned his head, avoiding his mother’s gaze.

"No one taught me. I figured it out myself."

Princess Consort Zhen said, "But Li Ji is your uncle..."

Li Qiong retorted, "So what? You’re the one who told me that for the Heavenly Family, there is no kinship!"

Princess Consort Zhen froze.

’Living in the Imperial Palace, she faced deceit and betrayal every day.’

’To help her son mature quickly, she had taught him from a young age to be calm and restrained.’

’She told him that there was no such thing as kinship for the Heavenly Family, so he must never trust anyone in the Imperial Palace.’

’She said these things hoping he would avoid being used by others.’

’She never expected that these words would one day be used against her.’

’What was this called? Spinning a cocoon only to trap herself?’