Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard

Pfft—

This time, the Empress Dowager landed squarely on a soldier‘s spear, impaling her through the chest.

Before the soldier had time to react, his weapon bore a new burden– the Empress Dowager hung on it like a banner. Glancing up, he found the Empress Dowager‘s eyes, wide and unblinking in death. The sight sent a chill through him, and he instinctively jerked his spear back. The Empress Dowager flopped to the ground like a dead fish.

Blood trickled from her lips, her eyes wide and staring. The empress dowager of a dynasty had met her end.

“Mother—!” Han Minghong saw her lying motionless on the ground. He tried to break free from the ropes binding him but couldn‘t. With the ropes still tethering him, he staggered over to her side and knelt down abruptly. “Mother! Mother—”

Han Mingze, unable to watch the Empress Dowager‘s capture, averted his gaze and ordered, “Take them away.”

Guards stepped forward, hauling Han Minghong to his feet and dragging him away along with the others.

Before leaving, Han Minghong‘s bloodshot eyes burned with grief and hatred as he glared at Han Mingyi, snarling, “Han Mingyi, even as a ghost, I won‘t let you off!”

“Move!” A guard shoved him, and he turned to leave the Cold Palace.

“Issue orders to dispose of all corpses within the palace,” Han Mingze commanded. His gaze fell upon the Empress Dowager‘s body, and he added softly, “Give her a proper burial.”

Despite all that had transpired, she remained the woman he had called “Mother” for so many years. This would be his final act of filial piety.

“You should also take everyone back to your own palace first. You‘ve all been through quite a scare these past few days. Get some proper rest. We‘ll address other matters later.” Han Mingze turned to look at Noble Consort Yi and the other consorts, who were still visibly shaken.

“This concubine obeys your command, Your Majesty. You should also rest. There are matters that require your attention later. With Princess Anle here, Sister will be safe.“ Noble Consort Yi offered reassurance.

Noble Consort Yi was a shrewd woman. Seeing Han Mingze‘s reaction to the Empress, she knew the Empress would likely never reside here again once she recovered. Yet, as she was now the deposed Empress, it was inappropriate to address her directly as such. Instead, she chose a compromise in her words.

“This emperor understands. You may go.” Han Mingze said.

“These concubines take our leave.“ The consorts who had emerged first curtsied to Han Mingze and were escorted back to their respective chambers by the imperial guards.

The consorts who had appeared later watched Han Mingze with trepidation, unsure how he would deal with them.

Han Mingze gave them a faint glance and said, “Since you like it here, you may remain.”

“Your Majesty, this concubnie knows she has erred. I beg Your Majesty to pardon me this once.”

“Your Majesty, this concubine also wished to come out, but hesitated for a moment...”

“Your Majesty...”

“Take them away.” Han Mingze cast a worried glance toward the Empress‘s chambers, no longer sparing them a second look.

He had given them a chance, but they had failed to cherish it. Since they could not endure hardship together, there was no need for them to share in the sweetness either.

Several consorts were confined to their chambers, still calling out “Your Majesty” incessantly. Fearing they would disturb Du Xiaoli within the room, Han Mingze ordered them transferred elsewhere.

While others attended to palace affairs, Han Mingze‘s sole concern now was the Empress‘s life, entrusting all subsequent matters to Han Mingyi.

Han Mingyi initially resisted, finding it bothersome. He wanted to stay and guard her himself—at least Du Xiaoli would see him when she emerged, not some scheming figure lurking in the shadows. But the emperor‘s orders must be obeyed. After all, the only remaining imperial family members were him and a few infants.

Speaking of which, that bastard Han Mingyuan... With such a major incident in the palace, why hadn‘t he returned?

Han Mingyi resolved to give him a proper dressing-down next time. It was one thing to be out and about in the world, but failing to return for such a major crisis was simply unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Han Mingyuan found himself in a smoke-filled forest, sitting face-to-face on the ground with a stunningly curvaceous, alluring girl of sixteen or seventeen, both leaning against a large tree for support. Both looked utterly drained and disheveled.

“Han Mingyuan, didn‘t you say you knew how to get out? It‘s been over a month now!” The little phoenix grabbed a handful of dirt and hurled it at him, her heaving chest betraying her fury.

Even the usually mild-mannered Han Mingyuan looked furious. He raised his hand to shield his face, but the dirt landed all over his body.

“Like I wanted to! If it weren‘t for you, how would I have ended up in this place? I‘ve been stuck here for over a month and still can‘t get out. I even missed my sister‘s wedding! I haven‘t even confronted you about it, and you‘re still blaming me!”

After being yelled at by Han Mingyuan, the little phoenix grew even angrier. She shot up from the ground, stormed over to him, grabbed his clothes, and shouted, “If you hadn‘t run, would I have chased you? If I hadn‘t chased you, would we have ended up trapped in this forest?!”

“Dammit, you want me to marry you? Of course I‘d run!” Han Mingyuan leapt up, snatched his clothes away, and yelled right back at the little phoenix.

“I told you to marry me, why did you run? Would marrying me kill you?!” The little phoenix planted her hands on her hips. Though it was the classic posture of a shrew, she pulled it off adorably.

“Marrying you would kill me! No man in his right mind would marry you!” Han Mingyuan took two steps back, recalling the terrifying look on this woman‘s face.

“Go to hell! You‘ve been stuck in this forest with me for over a month— did you die? Did you die? Did you die?! Did you die?! Answer me— did you die?!” The little phoenix roared, her fury boiling over at Han Mingyuan‘s words.

MoonWhisperer, skyrise's Thoughts

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