Oops! The Black Lotus Can’t Be a Female Supporting Character

CHAPTER 61

“Your Majesty?!”

Empress Liu’s face blanched in shock at the sight before her. She dropped to her knees, hurriedly examining the emperor sprawled unconscious on the floor.

His eyes were shut tight, his body limp. A shard from the shattered vase had cut across his temple, leaving a half-inch gash. A thin line of blood traced down his cheek.

Drip.

A crimson droplet hit the polished marble floor, scattering among the jagged fragments of porcelain.

Empress Liu’s hands trembled as she cried out sharply, “Someone! Summon the imperial physicians at once!”

Ever since their return from the Imperial Temple, she had dismissed all the attendants, leaving only herself and the emperor in this side hall.

Now, at her cry, Zheng momo and several palace servants rushed in. One maid darted off to fetch the physicians, while two eunuchs carefully lifted the unconscious Emperor onto the beauty couch.

The Fengyi Palace was thrown into a flurry of activity. The attendants, unsettled by the accident, whispered uneasily among themselves.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty…” Empress Liu called again and again, tears glimmering in her eyes, but the emperor lay still, unmoving.

Zheng momo knelt by her side, gently murmuring words of comfort.

Before long, the hurried voice of a maid rang from outside: “Imperial Physician Cao, this way, please!”

Imperial Physician Cao entered quickly with his medicine chest. Bowing low, he first felt the emperor’s pulse, then carefully cleaned and dressed the wound at his temple, binding it with a strip of white cloth.

But soon the fabric was stained a vivid red, the sight chilling to behold.

“Physician Cao, how is His Majesty?” Empress Liu asked anxiously.

Keeping his head respectfully lowered, the physician replied, “There is no grave danger. Once this minister administers two needles, His Majesty should regain consciousness.”

In truth, the emperor’s body was already riddled with poison from the alchemical elixirs he had long consumed. It had given rise to abscesses on his back and steadily worsening head afflictions. Now the poison was beginning to cloud his vision as well.

This incident was merely the beginning of further decline…

Imperial Physician Cao sighed inwardly. They had all warned him—every imperial physician had—but the Emperor refused to listen. If they spoke too much, he would accuse them of incompetence and turn his wrath on them.

Those afflicted by such poison often grew irritable, their tempers volatile.

All he could do now was reassure. Steadying himself, he said softly, “This minister will begin the treatment.”

Two needles, no more, no less.

At the second insertion, the emperor stirred. A faint groan slipped past his lips as he slowly opened his eyes.

“Your Majesty! How do you feel? You nearly frightened me to death!” Empress Liu’s voice trembled with both fear and relief, her eyes brimming with tears.

The emperor’s vision wavered. Through the haze, he could only make out a pair of dark, glistening eyes gazing at him, full of dependence and fear.

Something in his chest softened. His thoughts drifted back—decades ago, to the day he first saw her at Prince Ning’s manor.

She was a young girl then, her paper butterfly kite caught high in a tree. Helpless, eyes bright with unshed tears, she had looked at him with a pleading expression so fragile, so pitiful… and his heart had stirred. One glance, a lifetime.

But for the sake of ambition, he had been forced to marry Gu Mingjing instead.

Even so, Lian’er had waited for him. From fifteen to twenty, she had waited, faithfully, for him alone.

Lian’er was his truest love—the only one whose heart and eyes had never strayed from him. She was nothing like the arrogant, domineering Gu Mingjing.

“Lian’er, don’t worry.” He reached up, grasping her soft, delicate hand, just as he had more than twenty years ago. His voice, though weak, was gentle. “I must have risen too quickly just now, let my temper flare, and grew dizzy. It’s nothing.”

Though his face was pale, he seemed out of danger. The tension in the room eased; the servants exhaled silently in relief.

The emperor waved them away. Imperial Physician Cao hesitated, glancing at the cloudiness in his sovereign’s eyes, but at last said nothing and withdrew with the others.

Empress Liu clung to his hand, her gaze tender and sorrowful. “Your Majesty, please don’t let my useless elder brother anger you into harming your health. If you are displeased, simply send a decree to Youzhou and rebuke him. Nothing in this world matters more than your well-being.”

Her eyes fell upon the blood-soaked bandage at his temple, and her heart twisted. A crystalline tear slipped down her cheek.

Every word, every expression of hers pressed gently against the emperor’s heart, filling him with warmth.

To Lian’er, the Liu family mattered—but not as much as he did.

He was her sky, her earth.

And he, in turn, had to secure everything for her and their son.

The emperor narrowed his eyes. Her face before him was blurred, but the weight on his mind grew heavy.

Stroking her slender hand with tenderness, he sighed deeply. “A’ze is our only son. I must think of his future. If we rely only on the Liu family, I fear he will not be able to hold the throne…”

“That is why—the Duke of Wei’s household must remain.”

At that, Empress Liu’s lashes quivered. Her pale, soft fingers tightened around his, intertwining with his own.

He knew well her long-held resentment toward the Gu family. Softly, he reassured her: “Lian’er, the Duke of Wei’s household owes its loyalty to the founding emperor. They would not—dare not—betray.”

“A’ze’s foundation is too shallow…”

The Crown Prince was still young, lacking the prowess to command respect in court or in battle.

The emperor had already devised the path: while his strength remained, he would clear the way. The Xie clan first, then the Duke of Wei.

Yet the Liu family, the natural allies of the Crown Prince, were too weak—unable to shoulder the military burden or absorb the remnants of the Xie clan.

Since the Xie clan’s downfall, the northern frontier had grown restless. The tribes beyond the border watched hungrily, ready to strike at any moment.

This was no time to move against the Duke of Wei. Otherwise, the northwest itself would be imperiled.

Since the Duke of Wei’s household could not be moved against, the emperor knew he must at least secure their loyalty to the new heir.

His brows furrowed deeply as he said, “The second young miss of the Marquis of Wu’an’s household has now been betrothed to Gu Feichi. A’ze tells me that she and her elder sister have always been close, inseparable. If A’ze were to marry the elder Miss Xiao, he and Gu Feichi would become brothers-in-law.”

At the mention of Xiao Luanfei, Empress Liu’s face darkened, her full red lips pressed tightly together.

The emperor read her thoughts at once and closed his hands warmly over hers. “Though the Marquis of Wu’an’s household has fallen into decline in recent years, they were still founding heroes of the realm, and they retain some influence in the military…”

“Your Majesty… you intend to support the Wu’an line?” she asked, already grasping his meaning.

The emperor gave a slow nod, confirming her guess.

If the Liu clan could not be raised up, then he would have to rely on the Xiao clan.

His gaze deepened, his words heavy with implication. “Lian’er, when the Duke of Wei’s family has an heir apparent, I will see to everything. When the Duke and Gu Feichi are gone, that heir will inherit the title and, naturally, the military command as well. With the bond between those two sisters, they will surely welcome such an arrangement.”

Empress Liu understood perfectly. She knew, too, that with the emperor’s health failing year by year, he was laying the road now for their son’s future. For the sake of the Crown Prince, she could not afford to be narrow-minded.

At last she nodded, though her voice was soft with reluctance. “I understand, Your Majesty.”

Her tone still carried the weight of her unwillingness.

The emperor heard it clearly. With effort, he propped himself up from the couch.

“Your Majesty!” Empress Liu hurried to steady him.

His complexion was pale, but he pulled her into his arms and brushed a tender kiss upon her hair, speaking with deep affection: “Lian’er, as long as I live, I will never allow you to suffer grievance. I will arrange everything for you—just as I once promised.”

“Your Majesty, I know,” she whispered, leaning against his shoulder, her voice full of devotion. “I have always trusted you.”

He had never broken faith with her.

He had made her the most exalted woman in the realm, the one whom all others envied and before whom all had to bow.

“However…” The Emperor rubbed at the corners of his tired eyes, steadying himself. “That second Miss Xiao—you must see to her training. If she enters the Duke of Wei’s household one day, she must not grow too bold.”

A low, displeased hum escaped him as he recalled her insolent words at the Four Directions Teahouse. His brows tightened.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty,” Empress Liu replied with a confident smile, idly toying with the jade thumb ring on his hand. “I have already sent Zhu momo to the Xiao household. Her methods of discipline are unmatched. Given time, that girl will become perfectly obedient.”

The emperor was about to ask when she had arranged this, but Empress Liu laughed softly and added, “Why, just look at Ming Rui. After only a few months under Zhu momo’s guidance, she has grown far more docile. She comes every few days to pay her respects—most proper and well-behaved.”

The emperor nodded absentmindedly. Ming Rui was, after all, only a woman; she could stir up no real waves.

He raised a hand to his temple, the pain still pulsing, his vision blurred as though veiled by layer upon layer of gauze.

After a long silence, he gave a faint smile. “The betrothal gifts for Second Miss Xiao will be due soon. Send a suitable present on my behalf.”

Empress Liu agreed at once and summoned Zheng momo.

Half an hour later, Zheng momo left the palace at the head of a grand entourage.

She first went to the Marquis of Wu’an’s estate, but finding no one at home, she hurried on to the Yin residence in Gourd Lane, west of the city.

“Miss, Zheng momo has arrived!” Haitang announced breathlessly.

At that time, Xiao Yanfei was sitting with Master and Madam Yin, chatting lightly about what she had seen outside the Imperial Temple—the destitute refugees, the Crown Prince’s visit with the Empress, how the Empress had tried to elevate the Liu family, only for Xiao Luanfei to steal the moment. Her words had the elder couple laughing heartily.

Upon hearing that the Empress had sent someone, Xiao Yanfei rose slowly to her feet. Smiling, she excused herself—“I’ll be right back”—and took Zhu momo with her toward the main hall.

From a distance, she could already see two lines of palace attendants in identical livery, standing ramrod straight outside the hall. The Yins’ servants, cowed by such display, lingered timidly at the courtyard gate, staring in awe. None of them had ever seen palace envoys before.

The air was thick with a nervous, excited tension.

Xiao Yanfei stepped unhurriedly into the hall, her eyes meeting Zheng momo, who sat below, sipping tea with leisurely ease, idly blowing at the leaves floating on the surface.

Zheng momo saw her enter but did not rise, merely cast her a lofty glance before beckoning Zhu momo forward with imperious composure. “Zhu momo, Her Majesty the Empress wishes to speak with you.”

Instinctively, Zhu momo wanted to look at Xiao Yanfei, but she restrained herself. After only the briefest pause, she strode forward, a faintly proud smile curving her lips.

“Zhu momo, you’ve been away from the palace for some time now,” Zheng momo asked bluntly. “Tell me—has Second Miss Xiao been properly instructed?”

Her voice rang so loudly that Xiao Yanfei could not help but hear, her eye twitching slightly.

She calmly chose a seat at the end of the hall, sitting with perfect poise, letting them talk as they pleased.

Zhu momo deliberately lowered her voice, but Zheng momo made no such effort. Her sharp tones carried, and Xiao Yanfei could catch snatches of their conversation.

So—they’re not even trying to keep this from me.

She lifted a painted enamel teacup from the table with graceful ease and drank at her leisure, as though wholly unconcerned.

By the time she had finished half the cup, Zheng momo and Zhu momo had finally concluded their exchange.

Zheng momo rose, letting her eyes sweep over Xiao Yanfei from head to toe before saying with an air of reserve, “By Her Majesty the Empress’s command, I am here to bestow adornments upon the young lady.”

At her words, several palace maids filed into the hall in orderly fashion, carrying bolts of fine cloth, sets of porcelain and glassware, and even a coral bonsai—an array that looked dazzling at first glance.

Xiao Yanfei accepted everything with graceful obedience, her manners flawless as she spoke words of thanks: “I am grateful for Her Majesty’s boundless favor.”

Her conduct was so proper, not the slightest fault could be found.

Just then, a shrill, eager voice carried in from outside the hall before its owner appeared.

It was Madam She, her hips swaying as she bustled in, the hairpin in her coiffure quivering with each step.

She beamed at Zheng momo with almost servile warmth and asked: “Would Zheng momo do us the honor of staying for a humble meal?”

“I must return to report to the palace, I cannot stay,” Zheng momo replied coldly, sparing Madam She only a fleeting, dismissive glance—clearly unwilling to lower herself to bandy words with a mere merchant’s daughter-in-law.

But Madam She seemed unfazed by the coldness, and fussed about respectfully, escorting Zheng momo out with an exaggerated show of courtesy.

Even after they stepped into the courtyard, her obsequious words could still be heard:

“Zheng momo has worked so hard… Her Majesty is truly thoughtful… We are humbled beyond words…”

The palace retinue had come swiftly and departed just as quickly.

Soon, the hall was left empty once more.

The proud, aloof expression on Zhu momo’s face melted away the moment she turned toward Xiao Yanfei, replaced with a fawning smile. Before Xiao Yanfei could even speak, she rushed to declare her loyalty:

“My lady, Her Majesty sent Zheng momo to inquire whether you have been obedient.”

“I see.” Xiao Yanfei’s reply was deliberately vague, her dark eyes fathomless as they fixed on Zhu momo, unreadable in emotion.

Zhu momo grew tense at once, afraid her mistress might misunderstand. She hurried to explain: “Please rest assured, my lady. I spoke no nonsense. I told Zheng momo that you are well-behaved and conduct yourself admirably.”

Xiao Yanfei’s lips curved faintly, offering an encouraging smile.

Buoyed by it, Zhu momo continued: “She also asked why you are staying with the marchioness at the Yin residence. I explained that Master Yin had suffered a grave stroke not long ago, and that both the marchioness and yourself, being filial, returned home to care for him.”

Her fists clenched tightly as she watched Xiao Yanfei, terrified she might have said something displeasing.

“Good.” Xiao Yanfei smiled again and patted her shoulder lightly.

The simple gesture of reassurance deepened Zhu momo’s sense of dependence; she looked at Xiao Yanfei with eyes full of devotion, as though she could see no one else in the world.

“She also asked if the Duke of Wei’s household has spoken of when they will send the betrothal gifts, and told me to ‘serve’ you well. She even… mentioned that His Majesty himself is paying close attention to the matter.”

Zhu momo knew full well that Zheng momo’s invocation of the emperor was nothing but a warning to keep her in line. The thought left her stifled, yet when she met Xiao Yanfei’s smiling gaze, her spirits lifted anew, feeling almost exalted.

In her heart she vowed: This young lady alone understands me. For her, I would devote my life.

Xiao Yanfei calmly brushed the tea foam aside with the lid of her cup and took a slow sip before suddenly changing the subject: “Momo, they say you’re skilled at training people, is that true?”

“Of course! That is what I excel at.” Zhu momo lifted her chin proudly. “Whatever the young lady commands, I shall do.”

Back in the palace, there had never been a maid she could not bend to her will.

Xiao Yanfei sipped again, the corners of her lips quirking behind the rim of the cup. Her eyes flicked briefly toward the doorway.

There, Madam She came hurrying back in, holding up her skirts, her face brimming with delight.

In Jiangnan, the highest-ranking lady she had ever seen was a prefect’s wife; she could hardly believe that here in the capital, she had already glimpsed a palace favorite.

And then…

Her gaze darted hungrily toward the pile of rewards Zheng momo had just delivered, her eyes full of envy.

“Truly, nothing compares to treasures from the palace,” she sighed. “Every piece exudes nobility!”

Such shallow eyes, Zhu momo thought with disdain.

To her, the Empress’s gifts, though respectable, were hardly thoughtful—practical use was little. That somber-colored brocade might suit only a matron in her sixties, while the fierce coral bonsai seemed fit for a man’s study, not a young lady’s room. All surface, no substance.

In truth, the Yin family, as Jiangnan’s wealthiest household, furnished their estate with far finer and more tasteful pieces.

Still, Madam She clapped her hands in wonder: “I have truly broadened my horizons today!” she gushed, examining the items over and over, convinced each one gleamed with golden light.

“Yanfei,” she said at last, eyes shining with eagerness, “these are bestowed by the Empress herself. They should be treasured as heirlooms, offered up for generations to come!”

Xiao Yanfei smiled gently, her expression serene. “I just heard Zheng momo say these are all palace-made pieces, each extraordinary in its own right… Isn’t that so, momo?”

Turning deliberately toward Zhu momo, she asked with a knowing smile.

Whatever Xiao Yanfei said, Zhu momo could never think ill of it. She nodded repeatedly. “Indeed!”

She began pointing at each item, her tone full of confidence: “These two bolts of brocade are cloud-silk, so named because their beauty rivals the clouds in the sky—every inch worth its weight in gold.”

“This coral bonsai was crafted in the Imperial Workshops, its artisans descended from lineages that have served the throne since dynastic times.”

“And this full set of glass vessels…”

Zhu momo, who had served in the palace for decades, spoke of the treasures with practiced ease. She knew every detail by heart, rattling them off fluently, embellishing with lofty praise until her words sounded almost dazzling themselves.

Madam She, having never heard such things before, listened spellbound, desperate to memorize every phrase.

She circled the glittering set of glassware again and again, unable to resist running her fingers over it. Her eyes shone brighter with each touch. At last, she sighed enviously: “If only one day I could enter the palace, behold Her Majesty the Empress’s grace with my own eyes, and even be granted such rewards… I could die without regret.”

She then moved toward the coral bonsai, about to reach out when Xiao Yanfei’s gentle voice floated over: “You could.”

“What?” Madam She’s hand froze midair. She turned quickly toward the girl, only to see Yanfei press her lips together, feigning hesitation, as though she had let something slip.

“Yanfei, do you mean it? Could I truly enter the palace?” Madam She pressed, hurrying toward her, heart itching with hope stirred by those few words.

But… they were merchants. Could someone of her station really step foot inside the palace?

Xiao Yanfei set her teacup down and, after a moment of thoughtful pause, said softly:

“This year has seen disaster after disaster—famine followed by bandit unrest. Refugees flood the capital, and the court is overwhelmed. If the common people can help share the burden, His Majesty will surely reward them, both as encouragement and to soothe the hearts of the people.”

“Perhaps, when the emperor’s birthday is celebrated, those who have rendered merit will be summoned into the palace.”

Her voice was gentle, warm, like a spring breeze brushing through Madam She’s chest.

Madam She’s eyes widened, emotions surging wildly, though doubt still gnawed at her. Could this really be true? Or was the girl simply spinning tales?

Xiao Yanfei caught the flicker of temptation in her gaze. Her lips curved faintly as she added with casual ease:

“Today, at Huangjue Temple, I saw Xiao Luanfei donate fifty thousand taels of silver to the Empress, for relief of the refugees. Just now, Zheng momo told me that Her Majesty praised her as a girl of refinement and virtue—and intends to make her the Crown Prince’s consort.”

“The principal consort, no less.”

Zhu momo blinked in surprise, frowning slightly. Had Zheng momo really said that? She didn’t recall. But if Second Young Lady said she had, then she must have. Surely she had only misheard.

“Yanfei, you mean it? Truly?” Madam She’s eyes lit up like lanterns, her face radiant.

So—Xiao Luanfei had bought her way into becoming Crown Princess with fifty thousand taels? Then if their own family were to donate…

Wait. Fifty thousand taels?

The number struck her with a jolt of recognition.

Madam She’s eyes flew wide, and in an instant she remembered—the very sum that Yin Huan had just been blackmailed out of.

Not a tael more, not a tael less.

Her heart clenched tight, her mind buzzing like a swarm of headless flies, crashing chaotically within her skull.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yanfei calmly smoothed her sleeve and murmured, almost to herself:

“Since Mother left, I hear the Xiao family is nearly forced to sell off their estate piece by piece…”

“Where would Xiao Luanfei have gotten so much silver?”

Madam She’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.

That fifty thousand taels—could it be… from their household?

***