Chapter 334: Whose Family Suffers Next

Turning past the vermilion palace walls, Weiyang Palace’s outline gradually became clear. Two plain white lanterns swayed in the wind in front of the palace gate, set up in mourning for the Champion Marquis’ family.

Upon seeing the arrival of the imperial entourage, the palace maid guarding the gate hurriedly knelt in worship, but was stopped by Emperor Jing with a raised hand.

“Has the Empress retired for the night?” he asked in a low voice.

“Replying to His Majesty, Her Highness is in the warm pavilion transcribing Buddhist scriptures…” The palace maid’s words were cut short as Emperor Jing strode inside.

As he passed through the corridor, a suppressed cough came from the direction of the warm pavilion.

Emperor Jing halted his steps, a sudden tightness gripping his heart.

Since the Empress fell ill from excessive grief, the Imperial Physicians had consulted with her daily, always saying that heart disease required heart treatment.

On the warm pavilion’s gauze window, the Empress’s silhouette was as thin as paper. Her posture remained graceful as she wrote, but her slightly trembling shoulders betrayed her inner sorrow.

Emperor Jing stood in the corridor’s shadow, suddenly feeling unable to move forward, unsure of what to say.

The Empress and her family had been instrumental in his rise to the throne today.

After tomorrow, this woman who had given him her entire heart would have to share her husband with another woman. And he couldn’t even give her a complete mourning period.

At this moment, he felt even he himself was despicable.

“Your Majesty?” Li Zhongxin’s cautious call from behind startled him.

Emperor Jing took a deep breath, straightened his garments.

When he pushed open the warm pavilion’s door, his face had already changed to a gentle smile: “Ying’er, I have come.”

Su Ying was the empress’s maiden name, and she was of the same generation as Champion Marquis Su Ce and Jingzhou garrison general Su Qi.

Upon suddenly hearing the Emperor Jing’s voice, the Empress’s brush slipped, smearing ink across the half-written paper.

She hurriedly stood to pay respects, her wide white sleeves accidentally knocking over the green porcelain brush wash on the table, and the clear water flooded over the half-transcribed “Rebirth Mantra.”

“Your Consort is impolite…” the Empress’s voice choked, as she bowed down to pick up the broken pieces of the brush wash, but was stopped by Emperor Jing.

“Don’t move.” He held her cold fingertips, “Careful not to cut yourself.”

Under the candlelight, the Empress’s eyes showed dark shadows, her lips pale as snow.

Emperor Jing’s heart ached, and without any hesitation, he held her in his arms.

The Empress was initially as stiff as stone, but soon after she collapsed, clutching at his Dragon Robe, crying silently.

The warm tears soaked through his clothing, burning Emperor Jing’s skin.

“Today, the Ministry of Justice found the murderer.” He gently stroked the Empress’s thin back, “It’s a branch from the Wei Family in Canzhou, named Wei Dabao.”

The Empress suddenly raised her head, her reddened eyes flashing with a trace of anger: “Is it really someone from the Wei Family?” Her voice was so faint it was nearly inaudible, “My brother has lived in the Capital City for a long time, and never had a quarrel with the Wei Family, why…”

“I have already ordered a thorough investigation into whether someone orchestrated it behind the scenes.” Emperor Jing interrupted her, his thumb caressing her wet cheek, “Rest assured, I will never let the Champion Marquis’ family die in vain.”

The Empress looked at him blankly, then suddenly let out a desolate smile: “Your Majesty is to wed a new bride tomorrow, why comfort this old consort tonight?”

Her bitter words pierced his heart. With some awkwardness, he led the Empress to sit on the soft couch himself.

“No new, no old, in my heart, only Su Ying is my wife.” He pointed to the familiar brocade box on the table, “I remember you said that fine wine should wait for me to share. On this good night, I will drink with you, speak of our innermost thoughts.”

The Empress’s gaze settled on the brocade box, her expression suddenly turning sorrowful, her thoughts turning again to her brother’s family.

This was what her brother had sent into the palace the night the tragedy befell his family, through Princess Changle.

Her slender fingertips brushed over the box’s patterns, speaking softly: “This wine… was sent by Changle, saying it is a rare fine brew.”

“That’s perfect.” Emperor Jing opened the brocade box, picking up the two grenades inside, their military green surface reflecting a bizarre light under the candle, “You and I will drink this wine to dispel worries.”

The Empress suddenly pressed his hand: “Your Majesty, tomorrow’s ceremony, you shouldn’t drink too much…”

Emperor Jing laughed aloud: “No problem! You don’t know my capacity for liquor?” He released the Empress’s hand, pouring the amber liquid into two glow cups, “Come, this one is in honor of the Champion Marquis’ family’s spirit in heaven.”

In the corner, the pitch-black Mynah suddenly flapped its wings, shaking the gilded cage incessantly.

“Fool! Drink, quickly drink!” The Mynah’s sharp voice pierced the hall’s air.

Hearing the annoying Mynah again call him a fool, Emperor Jing’s face darkened, the grenade in his hand slammed heavily onto the table.

“Insolent!” He glared at the constantly repeating “fool” Mynah, his eyes filled with killing intent, “Someone, throw this vile thing out! If it dares speak nonsense, I’ll have them pull out its tongue and boil it in soup!”