High-class maid

Chapter 216 An Empress in Vain

After Consort Ling left, the Empress, abandoning her usual dignified demeanor, nervously twirled her handkerchief and asked Granny Lin...

"Granny, is the eldest son of the Song family really the Emperor's son? So the deaths of Madam Lin and Old Madam Song weren't accidents? But the Emperor is avenging that woman?"

"Your Majesty," said Lin Mama, stepping forward to grasp the Empress's hand and looking into her eyes.

"Even if the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were executed by the Emperor, it has nothing to do with you. Those who knew the truth are already dead, and you know nothing."

"Yes, they are dead. It was their jealousy that had nothing to do with me. I have lived in the inner palace for so long, how would I know about their affairs?"

The Empress grasped Lin Mama's hand tightly, as if grasping at a lifeline, and said.

Lin Mama patted the Empress's hand to comfort her.

"Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. Better safe than sorry. Whether Young Master Song is the Emperor's child or not, Your Majesty will know at a glance. Only after you see him will you know how to deal with him!"

Seeing that the Empress was flustered, Lin Mama earnestly advised her.

"What you say is true, my little kitchen makes some excellent pastries. Why don't you come with me to deliver some to the Emperor?" The Empress said with a cold smile.

Granny Lin turned and went out to make the arrangements.

Inside the Emperor's study, Song Wenyang and the Second Prince were reciting poetry with the Emperor. Apart from the Emperor, who remained relatively calm, the other two seemed somewhat distracted.

"Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience. She has brought you some pastries," Eunuch Su announced in a low voice.

"The news travels really fast," the Emperor thought to himself.

The second prince was filled with resentment. He had no affection for his mother, the empress, who tormented him. He desperately hoped that the emperor could see her true colors and realize that she was not worthy of being empress at all!

Song Wenyang was filled with curiosity about this rumored empress. In his previous life, when he was at the height of his power, the empress had already been deposed. No one knew why. All that was known was that from then on, the crown prince gradually lost the emperor's favor. Later, the crown prince lost his composure and did many absurd things. The emperor was disappointed time and time again. In the end, he had no choice but to depose the crown prince.

In this life, for various reasons, he is finally going to meet the empress who was deposed in his previous life. He also wants to see what kind of woman she is that could make the emperor insist on deposing her despite the opposition of his ministers.

Although the Emperor was displeased, she was, after all, the Empress, the Crown Prince's birth mother, and his principal wife, so he had to give her face.

"Pass it on."

The Emperor rubbed his temples and said wearily.

Hopefully the Empress is blind and won't see the resemblance between the three.

But clearly, his prayers were misplaced.

Before long, a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes with high cheekbones walked in. Her chin was pointed, and she resembled the prince somewhat. Although her face was well-maintained, the crow's feet when she smiled showed that she was not young.

The nanny behind her carried a food box and followed her in silently. Even the nanny wore a valuable jade pendant, truly befitting the royal style.

"Your Majesty, I find the pastries in my palace quite delicious. They were specially made by the cooks who came out of the palace to learn how to make them. Please have a taste," the Empress said to the Emperor with a smile, without even glancing at the Second Prince and Song Wenyang.

"Greetings, Queen Mother."

"Long live the Empress."

The two of them saluted.

The Empress seemed to only then notice the two of them. Her gaze swept quickly across their faces, and in just one glance, she confirmed Consort Ling's words.

She suppressed her shock and said to the two of them.

"The wind is blowing, and who is this?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this is Song Wenyang, who topped the list in the imperial examinations some time ago," the Second Prince introduced briefly.

"Oh, so it's Young Master Song! I heard you passed the imperial examinations at such a young age, and now that I see you, you're quite the handsome young man!" the Empress said with a forced smile. Little did anyone know, her fingernails were practically worn out inside her sleeves.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely fortunate, and there is nothing to praise," Song Wenyang said, bowing slightly.

"Study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination with top honors in all three categories. The future of our Great Qin Dynasty rests in the hands of you young people." The Empress stared at Song Wenyang's face without blinking.

This is clearly that person's son! Even though she hadn't seen that person for more than ten years, her image was still imprinted in her mind. It was because of her that she had only the empty title of Empress, and it was because of her that the Emperor was unwilling to face her.

Now that she's dead, does she need her son to seek validation?

In that brief moment, the Empress had already thought of many things, and Song Wenyang felt somewhat uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Ahem, you two may leave. I have some matters to discuss with the Empress." Seeing the awkward atmosphere, the Emperor quickly tried to defuse the situation.

The Empress, realizing her lapse in composure, regained her senses and said...

"Good child, go back now. Visit your mother more often when you have time. She was talking about you when I paid my respects today," the Empress said with a gentle smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember your teachings." After saying this, the Second Prince left with Song Wenyang.

The second prince had been holding it in until he left the palace gates, at which point he spoke angrily.

"Father is too biased! Looking across the entire Qin Dynasty, who else would dare to cheat in the imperial examinations? Yet he pretends to be deaf and dumb. He's truly foolish and it breaks my heart!"

"Your Highness, please be careful with your words. Perhaps His Majesty is doing this to protect us?" Song Wenyang advised.

"What do you mean by that, Brother Song?" the Second Prince asked, puzzled.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has been the heir apparent for many years, and there are certainly spies in the palace. Now that we are openly seeking out the Emperor, if you come out beaming with joy, His Highness will feel threatened. But if you come out angrily, His Highness will not take it seriously."

Song Wenyang analyzed.

"Is that so? Hasn't Father favored him enough since he was a child? Perhaps, like before, he'll lift him up high and then gently put him down," the Second Prince said.

"No, the Emperor is first and foremost the Son of Heaven, and only lastly a father. There are limits to everything, especially since this is a matter of wiping out nine generations of one's family," Song Wenyang comforted him.

"Alas, if this matter cannot punish the Crown Prince, Brother Song, please do not be disappointed. I have done my best," the Second Prince said.

"It's nothing. You're willing to take me to see the Emperor without saying a word, which shows you trust me a lot. Aren't you afraid that this is a trap set for you by the Crown Prince and me?" Song Wenyang teased.

"I trust my judgment, and I trust your character. Even if it's a trap, I'll accept it. It's my fault for misjudging people," the Second Prince said.

"Haha, don't worry, I'll always be your strong support!" Song Wenyang said, moved.

After talking for a while, the two parted ways in the bustling city. Song Wenyang was busy delivering a message to Wu Xun's house, while the Second Prince was busy handling other government affairs.

"Brother Wu, where are you going? Are you going back to the countryside?"

When Song Wenyang arrived at Wu Xun's house, he and his mother were loading their belongings onto a donkey cart.

"No, how could I be so easily defeated? I thought I was sure to make the list, and that I wouldn't have to study anymore, so I rented this small courtyard in the bustling city to save money. But who knew..."

Wu Xunzhi gave a mocking laugh, and then said...

"Who knew I wouldn't make the list? I have to keep studying. And now, I'm moving to Shangqiao Street," Wu Xunzhi said.