HLCOB C52

Chapter 52

When the Lady of the He clan abandoned the outer relatives, the eunuchs, and the vulgar faction alike, the Emperor granted her the seat of Empress. Thus for the He lady, who had cast aside all else in pursuit of the throne, the only strength remaining was the son who had only just returned to the palace.

“What was that you said?”

At the maid’s words, Lady He’s scarlet lips twisted.

“Chamberlain Cao has confirmed… that a civilian physician has been coming and going to the quarters of Concubine Wang…”

How precious was a child to a concubine?

No matter how favored she might be, if she bore no son, if she could not make that son Emperor, her lifespan within the palace was never long. For a concubine was naught but a vessel to produce heirs to the throne—nothing more, nothing less.

“Why, then, would a civilian physician be entering?”

“T-that, Your Highness…”

“Does not the palace have its own imperial physicians?”

As Lady He stroked the white cat upon her lap, her voice turned calm. At that sound, the face of the maid delivering the news went utterly pale.

“T-that is…”

“I shall not devour you, so speak.”

At last the maid managed to answer.

“Concubine Wang… she appears to be with child.”

“….”

“Judging by the signs, it is thought to be a prince…”

The hand that had been stroking the white cat halted. Raising her head, Lady He looked down upon the maid. Her eyes were clear and pure, but for that very reason appeared all the darker. Beneath that gaze, the maid trembled, pleading desperately.

“Your Highness! This lowly one merely delivers what was told!”

That Lady He could never tolerate another child of the Emperor was already widely known in the palace. Over ten years had passed since the Emperor ascended the throne—yet why was there no prince save for the son of Lady He?

It was because this very woman had slaughtered them all.

“This servant thought only to relay to Your Highness what Chamberlain Cao had said!”

“…!”

The maid wept, groveling in supplication.

“Ha! Have I ever devoured a living soul? Why do you wail like a beast cornered?”

At the sight, Lady He burst into laughter.

“But do you know this?”

“…!”

“His Majesty despises noise.”

Yet in the next instant, the laughter vanished from her face.

“Do you know how many have already come running to tell me of Concubine Wang’s pregnancy?”

In truth, Lady He already knew all of it. Struck with terror, the maid shook so violently she could scarcely breathe.

“Every one of them unbearably noisy. As though I must rage in the open for all to see.”

Lady He murmured coldly.

“And so, I cannot permit noise within my quarters.”

It was but an order of expulsion.

But the palace attendants knew well what end awaited this maid. At that one phrase, eunuchs entered and seized the maid’s arms and legs as she wailed.

“Your Highness! I was wrong! Please, Your Highness! This foolish slave was deceived! They promised me money, that I might send coin to my family…!”

Just as the eunuchs dragged her out to be killed, a voice called from beyond the door.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“Im Yirang begs an audience.”

“…Hmph.”

Laying down the cat she held, Lady He pondered a moment, then spoke.

“Let him in.”

And with a faint smile added,

“I believe I know why he has come.”

No longer was she merely the favored concubine she had once been.

When Jaheon entered the palace, what he saw was a weeping maid held fast by eunuchs, and Lady He seated calmly upon a chair, watching the scene.

“….”

From that sight, Jaheon understood well what had transpired here.

“Damn.”

Closing his eyes tight, then opening them again, he spoke.

“Your Highness. Must you truly put this maid to death?”

Without even offering greeting, he raised his gaze to her as he asked. Lady He coolly replied,

“Do you know the reason I would kill this maid?”

“Is it not because she delivered tidings Your Highness did not wish to hear?”

“That you speak so without even a greeting—how it wounds me.”

With a slender finger, Lady He pointed toward the maid.

“Is it only to defend that wretch that you came running in such haste, Im Yirang?”

Normally, Lady He would have flown into a rage, shrieking and thrashing. Yet now she was tranquil as she questioned him. At such composure, Jaheon sank to his knees and first offered an apology.

“I came not to defend a maid, but to defend Your Highness. Forgive my rudeness, I beg you.”

Lady He, like the Emperor, was one whose thoughts Jaheon found impossible to read. The Emperor concealed his intent so deeply it could not be seen, while Lady He revealed herself so plainly that no reading was possible.

“…By rights, she should be raging.”

It was because every moment for her was sincere.

“Im Yirang. And why do you think sparing this maid means you take my side?”

Even now it was so.

“…Not the maid alone, Your Highness.”

Jaheon swallowed hard and added,

“The concubine with child as well—you must not kill her.”

At those words, a dreadful silence settled within her quarters. None dared utter a sound. After gazing at Jaheon for a long while, Lady He’s lips moved.

“Ha. To spare a concubine with child…?”

Repeating his words, she began to laugh, her shoulders shaking.

“Hahaha! And why? Because the throne of Empress lies before me? Because if I rouse the opposition of the ministers, I might lose it?”

At her reaction, Jaheon knew at once.

“But I am already Empress in all but name, Im Yirang.”

Lady He showed no intent of retreating.

“And even should I become Empress, if my son does not ascend as Crown Prince, what use is it? Therefore, I need only sweep away all who block the path of the Crown Prince.”

It was not a plan without reason.

“…Your Highness.”

This primitive age decided all by bloodline. No matter how wayward the child, if he was the sole imperial heir, he must be Emperor.

But there was one grave flaw.

“Do you think His Majesty will allow it?”

Jaheon’s words cut through the chamber.

Lady He’s course would surely provoke the Emperor’s deepest fury. At once the laughter vanished from her face. From features once gentle, the visage of a predator stalking its prey emerged, and she glared at Jaheon.

“….”

But Jaheon did not yield.

“If it is not with His Majesty’s sanction, then desist.”

To challenge the Emperor now was too hasty. They must wait, in silence, for the proper time.

“You must not kill Concubine Wang. You must not kill the maid either.”

Besides, was it not Jaheon who had in truth advanced Lady He as candidate for Empress? If she, on the eve of her investiture, were deposed for murdering an imperial heir, Jaheon himself would be imperiled.

A masterstroke indeed.

Jaheon could only acknowledge Cao Cao’s skill in moving her.

“You know it well, do you not?”

At present, Lady He’s limbs had been severed.

Her brother He Jin had been demoted, her in-law the eunuch faction no longer held its old power. Through Jaheon she had grasped the Qingliu, yet that tie was frail.

Her only true strength was the imperial prince.

“It is for that reason His Majesty permitted Your Highness to be Empress.”

Thus Lady He could ascend.

“But Im Yirang. Was it not you who said that the power granted by men can protect nothing in the end?”

The white hand that clutched the armrest swelled with veins.

“And did you not swear to me, Im Yirang…”

Her voice rose, trembling with force.

“That you would help me!”

At last her emotion burst forth—she hurled the teacup toward him.

Crash!

The cup shattered against a pillar.

Breathing harshly, Lady He could not contain her wrath.

“Your Highness.”

But Jaheon was unshaken.

“Do you truly think a concubine with child blocks your path?”

From the first, Jaheon had known.

“No.”

There was never a choice for Lady He to spare Concubine Wang. For a concubine, an heir not of her own womb was a threat to survival itself. What power on earth could restrain a woman whose life was so imperiled?

“That concubine, even should she bear a son, cannot hinder your path.”

For the one who posed the true threat was not the concubine, but the Emperor who stood behind her.

“You know this well.”

And so, Jaheon had not come to dissuade her.

“It is only to show you that killing concubines will never still your fears.”

“….”

He had come to redirect her fury, which now pointed the wrong way.

“Your Highness.”

At his words, Lady He turned her eyes aside, unable to meet his gaze. Yet Jaheon pressed on, stepping closer.

“Do you know why I sought to raise you as Empress?”

Jaheon desired but one thing of her.

An Empress who bore the Crown Prince.

That was the sole card that granted grounds to confront the Emperor.

Should anything befall His Majesty, it was the card that allowed for regency. Moreover, Lady He was unlike other consorts, swayed by outer relatives or by the Emperor himself.

For that reason she must be Empress.

“If you know this reason, then you must wait.”

Lady He must survive this palace and become the piece that restrained the Emperor.

“Do you remember, Your Highness?”

“….”

“You promised that so long as it was not His Majesty’s assassination, you would aid me in all things.”

And suddenly, Jaheon was before her.

“…Yet I will aid you in whatever you desire.”

Then he whispered to her,

“Once you are truly Empress.”

Even if what she desired was the Emperor’s death—then, Jaheon would gladly aid her.