nashuaworldcup Chapter 290 Death
Chapter 290 Death
An Lingrong nodded slightly, "Since the Queen Mother has realized that it is difficult to stop the Emperor from welcoming Sister Zhen back to the palace, then she should know that the Emperor has a deep affection for Sister Zhen.
Now, simply because you fear that the three of us joining forces will endanger the Empress's position, you want to execute me. If the Emperor learns of this, he will undoubtedly be furious. Sister Zhen is incredibly intelligent and deeply favored by the Emperor. If she returns and sees that I have been executed for no reason, she will surely do her utmost to uncover the truth.
By then, all the Queen's misdeeds will be exposed. Does the Queen Mother think she can stand up to Sister Zhen on her own? Or has she already thought of a plan to deal with it?"
The Queen Mother frowned and spoke in a low voice, "You are truly too clever, so clever that I feel you are an uncontrollable variable. You are meticulous and sharp-tongued, able to analyze the affairs of the harem so thoroughly, and yet you dare to speak so frankly in front of me. I have never met a woman like you."
But in this harem, we never need people who are too smart and difficult to control. Your existence has already broken the balance that I have maintained in my heart for a long time, so I will never tolerate you.
As for how to explain this to the Emperor, I naturally have a way. Besides, I am the Empress Dowager, so I still have the power to deal with a minor concubine!"
An Lingrong complained silently in her heart, your method is to use "filial piety" to pressure the emperor!
The hall fell into silence.
After a moment, the Queen Mother asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"
An Lingrong raised her eyes coldly and looked gently at the clock behind the empress dowager. The exquisite pendulum swayed rhythmically, making a slight ticking sound.
She calculated silently in her mind that almost two quarters of an hour had passed since she entered the Cining Palace.
It should be almost time.
Sure enough, two clear and melodious calls of orioles were suddenly heard outside the hall.
When An Lingrong heard the call of the oriole, the corners of her mouth rose slightly, but she soon regained her calm expression.
She lifted her skirt and slowly knelt on the ground.
Seeing her actions, the Queen Mother was slightly stunned, a hint of sneer on her face. She thought An Lingrong was not afraid of death! With a bit of disdain and ridicule, she said: "Are you trying to beg for mercy?"
An Lingrong gritted her teeth and pinched her thigh hard under the cover of her wide sleeves.
Ouch, that hurts!
She slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with earnestness and sincerity, her voice trembling slightly, her heartfelt words almost bringing tears to her eyes: "Empress Dowager, I, your humble servant, dare not beg for your forgiveness. But I simply cannot bear to see Your Majesty sad."
The Queen Mother's voice suddenly rose, and she stared at An Lingrong with a sharp gaze: "What are you talking about? Do you think I want to see the Emperor sad?"
"I believe that everything you do is for the Emperor's consideration, but Empress Dowager, do you understand the Emperor?"
"I naturally understand him."
"But you know the emperor, not your son!" An Lingrong's words were like a bombshell, exploding in the palace.
There were flickering shadows outside the hall, and after a while, it became quiet.
The conversation in the room continued.
The Queen Mother's body visibly stiffened, and the expression on her face froze instantly. "What do you mean?"
An Lingrong raised her eyes slightly, her gaze sincere, her voice steady yet full of emotion: "Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs day and night these past few years. I, a concubine, have been living deep in the harem, unaware of what is happening outside. However, I have learned from Concubine Hui that the treasury is becoming increasingly prosperous, and the lives of the sisters in the harem are becoming increasingly affluent and luxurious. This shows that Your Majesty must have governed the country very well, and the beginnings of a prosperous era are already emerging.
Yet, the Emperor rarely visited the harem, and even when he did, it was to care for the children. Though he held the title of Son of Heaven, deep down, he possessed ordinary human emotions and desires. His yearning for Sister Zhen was a heartfelt attachment, not a fleeting impulse.
You only see that as an emperor he needs to follow royal rules and weigh the pros and cons, but you ignore his inner pain as a son and as a flesh-and-blood person.
If Sister Zhen cannot return to the palace, the wound in the emperor's heart will never heal. If this continues, the emperor will be depressed and unhappy, which will be of no benefit to the country. The Queen Mother has always been wise and intelligent, why can't she understand the emperor's selfish thoughts? "
After listening to An Lingrong's long speech, the Queen Mother remained silent for a long time, a deep furrow forming between her brows. After a long while, she slowly spoke, her tone still as hard as ice, leaving no room for doubt: "He is the Emperor, responsible for the country and the people. Love is nothing but insignificant things to him!"
"How can it be insignificant? Queen Mother, you considered everyone except the Emperor when it came to Sister Zhen's return to the palace.
The blood relationship between you and the emperor is thicker than water, and this should be the most intimate relationship in the world. In the eyes of others, he is an emperor who can call the wind and rain, but in front of you, he is also a child who needs his mother's care. However, you are using the identity of "emperor" to restrain him and binding him with "filial piety".
"Have you ever truly understood what the Emperor truly needs? The Emperor has bestowed upon you the highest position of honor, allowing your family to enjoy unlimited splendor and wealth, but why can't you put aside those so-called grand plans and political schemes and truly love the Emperor? Why can't you give him the pure love and care of an ordinary mother?"
"Enough!" The Queen Mother could no longer hold back her expression. Her face darkened instantly as she interrupted An Lingrong sharply, "As long as you die, I will naturally allow Wanpin to return to the palace. The problems you mentioned are no longer a problem."
The Empress Dowager's eyes were full of ruthlessness and determination, as if An Lingrong's life and death were just a trivial matter in her eyes.
"If my death can please the emperor, I am willing." An Lingrong's voice was unusually calm, without any fear or hesitation.
She slowly raised her head and looked at the Queen Mother with a firm gaze, her eyes revealing a determination to face death.
"Bamboo Breath."
At the Queen Mother's command, Zhu Xi, who had been standing with his hands hanging down, brought over the tray beside him and untied the brocade cloth on it. Inside was a small and exquisite porcelain bottle, a carved and diamond-studded dagger, and a pure and flawless white silk.
Zhuxi placed the tray beside the Queen Mother and slowly stepped back.
"Choose one!" The Queen Mother's voice sounded again, without a trace of emotion, like a death warrant from the underworld.
An Lingrong glanced sideways, and the scene that appeared countless times in melodramatic TV dramas actually happened to her. Life is indeed like a drama!
She stood up calmly and took the dagger from the tray.
This dagger is quite nice. The handle is exquisitely carved with dragons and phoenixes interwoven, and each pattern is deeply embedded with gems. The red and blue colors complement each other, shining like stars. When the scabbard is unsheathed, the blade shines with a cold light. Even before getting close, one can feel the murderous aura.